Our top picks combine flushing performance, comfort and efficiency.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. Rounded Wall Corner Guards
Toilets are one of those products that our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute continuously test. Every home has at least one (most have two or three) and so manufacturers are constantly coming out with new models to woo consumers. That means the toilet market is, well, flush with options.
Over the last five years, our team inside the Institute's Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab has tested more than 20 toilets from all the top brands, including American Standard, Delta, Glacier Bay and Kohler, to name just a few. In the Lab, we put toilets through a torture test that includes flushing golf balls and sponges. We also send toilets into the homes of consumer testers, who share real-world experience, like how noisy the toilet is in the dead of night or if it’s easy enough to keep clean. And we hear from professional remodelers, who share insights into installation.
After reading through our picks, you’ll find more information on the qualities to look for when shopping for the best toilets. Be sure to check out other expert advice for bathroom upgrades, including our round-up of the best showerheads, towel warmers for your favorite bath towels, toilet risers and waterproof vinyl flooring.
Kohler is one of the brands our experts have tested the most, both in-Lab and through extended use in actual homes. This Corbelle two-piece toilet ranks as our best overall toilet, combining superb flushing performance with an elegant shape and water-efficient mechanics. "It was able to down 21 tissues, seven sponges and 14 golf balls in a single flush," says Alec Scherma, a test engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute. You can spend less on a toilet, but if the Corbelle is in your budget, several features make it worth the splurge. The comfort-height design offers superb ergonomics for older homeowners, and the toilet is extremely water-efficient, using just 1.28 gallons per flush. Testers also say the Corbelle doesn’t need to be cleaned as often, thanks to the surface treatment that helps inhibit the growth of water scale and mineral stains. It also features a skirted trapway — a smooth facade at the base of the toilet which means fewer bends and curves to trap dust and grime.
If you're looking to spend a bit less, take a look at the Kohler Highline Classic. Our experts say the two-piece, comfort-height toilet should deliver capable flushing performance for a couple hundred dollars less than the Corbelle, though you'll have to live without a skirted trapway.
Glacier Bay is one of The Home Depot's exclusive brands, so it's a solid option if value and convenience are top priorities. And you won't have to compromise much on performance, either. In fact, the one-piece toilet was one of the best in our tests at flushing away solid and liquid waste. It's also held up well in extended home testing too. "We installed the toilet in a rental unit more than a year ago," notes one of our testers. "Renters can be forgiven for not being hyper-vigilant with use and maintenance, but the Glacier Bay hasn't had any maintenance or performance issues."
"Less expensive toilets tend to be two-piece, which are a little harder to keep clean," adds Scherma. "This Glacier Bay offers a great price in a one-piece design." It also has a bunch of innovative features, including dual-flush technology, nice for keeping your water bill in check. The soft-close lid is another touch of luxury. The elongated seat offers maximum comfort, though you'll have to be diligent about cleaning, since the bowl doesn't have any of the surface treatments that help prevent stains and water scale. One more possible drawback: The toilet is only available in basic white.
If you're doing a high-end bathroom remodel, chances are you're considering a smart toilet. The built-in cleansing bidet is the key feature of these high-tech commodes, and most people who experience it become quick converts. That was clearly the case with our home testers who evaluated Kohler's Innate Smart Toilet, which combines sleek contours with a long list of enhancements, including precision water pressure and temperature control, plus electrolyzed pre-rinsing of the bowl to minimize stains. "I really appreciate the bidet features," our tester noted, adding that "the auto-flush is amazing, it's nice to look at and it's much easier to clean than a regular toilet." The Innate can even flush on its own and lift and lower its seat automatically, for start-to-finish hands-free control.
Our expert Lab review found all the specs our engineers look for in a top-performing toilet, starting with a 1.28 gallons-per-flush efficiency rating that qualifies it for the EPA’s WaterSense certification. Its comfort-height design makes sitting down and getting up easier, another "aging in place" benefit of smart toilets, along with the hands-free cleaning.
Make no mistake: This high-end toilet is priced 10 times higher than other perfectly serviceable models in our round-up, plus the heated seat and warm water are an added energy cost. But if the Innate is in the budget, it certainly won't disappoint.
Wall-hung toilets are particularly well-suited to urban dwellers or others who have small bathrooms. That's because the tank is hidden behind the wall, giving back about six inches of floor space. Duravit's Sensowash Starck F was designed by renowned industrial and interior designer Philippe Starck, adding to the fixture's conceptual flair.
But does it work? Our experts say yes. “The bidet for back and front really delivers a sense of clean that you might find surprising at first, but then really love," says the general manager of the Good Housekeeping Institute Laurie Jennings, who installed the Sensowash in her home. "The night-light feature is cool, and the powerful heated seat is next-level awesome.” Our engineers also like that the Sensowash Starck F's automatic open-and-close lid and the fact that it can be operated via remote control or an app on your phone that allows you to program profile settings.
As with all wall mounts, installation is more complicated because it requires opening the wall, rerouting the waste pipe and possibly reconfiguring the wall studs. Keep in mind that this model needs to be plugged in so you'll need a power source nearby as well.
The least expensive toilet from our latest round of testing is also one of the most capable. "In our Lab tests, we were able to flush 21 golf balls down this Delta," reports Scherma.
The two-piecer with an elongated bowl and comfort height offers solid flushing performance, using just 1.28 gallons at a time, good enough for the EPA WaterSense label. The plain design only comes in white, but the slow-close lid is a feature usually reserved for more expensive models, and there’s even a splash guard to keep liquid from getting under the tank, a common complaint with two-piece toilets.
Still, there are more crevices in the two-piece design, so keeping the exterior clean will take extra work, and the bowl is susceptible to stains and water scale.
Two-piece toilets have a more traditional look. If that matches the design of your bathroom, Toto's Drake from Toto is one to consider. Though we haven't tested it in our Lab, our engineers expect it to perform similarly to other tested Toto toilets.
That's because it features the same cyclonic flushing technology, which we have found to be extremely effective at sending solid and liquid waste on its way. The trade-off with this model is that it uses a bit more water — 1.6 gallons per flush. But Toto sells another version of the Drake that meets the EPA’s WaterSense label requirement of 1.28 gallons per flush.
The line's comfort-height design makes it an excellent choice for homeowners with more limited mobility. The rimless toilet bowl design facilitates cleaning by eliminating the build-up of hidden waste. Take note, however, that the seat is sold separately with both models.
In our tests, we find one-piece toilets are the easiest to keep clean because there are fewer cracks and crevices to trap grime. Our design experts say they also offer a more sleek, modern look. Both points are true with this eye-catching commode from Swiss Madison.
In addition to its shapely design, the dual-flush technology makes it water-efficient. "This toilet is the standard 15 inches, if you prefer a traditional height," says Scherma, noting that some testers find comfort height to be a little awkward. All of our testers like the soft-close lid which, combined with the quiet, gravity-fed flush, won't wake the house in the middle of the night. Another nice feature: The quick-release seat removes easily from the seat without the need for tools, for deep cleaning.
One note: This is the largest toilet we tested, and the heaviest too, weighing a good 20 pounds more than other models. So it's not ideal for smaller bathrooms and its heft makes installation more challenging.
Our experts have seen steady improvements in toilet water efficiency over the decades (some of them even remember when they needed upwards of 5 gallons for a single flush!). The Vormax shows how far the industry has come. Using just one gallon per flush, the WaterSense-certified unit is among the most water-efficient toilets on the market, without any sacrifice in flushing power of both solid and liquid waste, based on our testing. Its 17-inch height straddles the line between standard and comfort (American Standard uses the term “right height").
It may be a little pricey, but antimicrobial agents in the material are designed to inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and odor-causing bacteria, though as with any toilet, you’ll still need to clean it regularly — just maybe not quite as often. As is fairly common with toilets, the seat of the Vormax is sold separately.
Bidet seats replace your existing seat, effectively turning any standard toilet into a smart one. Japan-based Toto invented the bidet-style toilet seat in 1980, and it remains the market leader. In recent years, we've tested several iterations of the brand’s flagship model, the Washlet, including the recently launched S7A. Easy installation and feature-rich performance make it our current favorite in the fast-growing category.
Testers called out the heated seat, night-light, water temperature controls and the pre-mist feature that helps keep waste from sticking to the bowl. “I also love how easy the seat is to remove for a deep clean,” noted one tester, who installed the S7A as part of a bathroom renovation. The S7A has a particularly sleek, streamlined profile compared with other bidets we’ve tested. We also like that the S7A's seamless seat design minimizes gaps and crevices for dirt and grime to collect.
In addition to the steep upfront cost, the Toto uses more energy and water than a traditional toilet seat, as is the case with all premium bidets. If you're curious about bidets but have a smaller budget, consider the Tushy Classic 3.0, which won a 2023 Home Reno Award. It's a manual bidet, meaning no heated water or pressure controls, but it's a fraction of the price of premium electric bidets and doesn't need to be plugged into an outlet.
Our market experts keep constant tabs on the bathroom fixture market to identify the toilets you’re most likely to find at home centers, bath showrooms, plumbing supply stores and online. They are also regulars at trade shows and industry events, including the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS).
Continuous hands-on toilet tests start in our Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where our engineers perform a thorough spec review, checking factors like water efficiency and flush mechanism, and verify any third-party certifications related to performance and efficiency.
Rigorous Lab tests are carried out by our engineers, who put each toilet through a battery of tough tests. This includes clog tests involving colored powder, wads of toilet paper, sponges and even golf balls. Our top toilets were able to handle more than 12 golf balls in a single flush (some more than 20!). We also used sensitive sound equipment to measure noise.
Consumer testing takes place over several months in our homes, where we were able to evaluate the toilets under real-world conditions. Home-based consumer testing captures usability, with consumer testers assessing factors like comfort, cleanability and intuitiveness of the high-tech features.
Experts use this rig to elevate toilets during testing. A bucket underneath catches the flushed water — along with sponges, golf balls and other items used to simulate waste.
Toilets have become more complicated in recent years, thanks to improvements in design, efficiency and technological innovations. Consider these options to find the model that’s right for you.
✔️ Height: Newer toilets are available in "comfort height," usually between 17 and 19 inches high, versus the 15 inches of traditional toilets. Older homeowners or those with knee issues may appreciate the extra few inches, since it makes the toilet easier to get on and off. You should also think about the overall height of the toilet, tank included; it can vary from model to model by six inches or more, which might make a difference in a powder room or other small bathroom.
Another important size consideration is the toilet’s rough opening or the distance from the finished wall to the center of the toilet's floor drain. Twelve inches is the standard, but some models come with 10-inch and 14-inch openings. It’s important to match the new toilet with the existing one, otherwise, you’ll have to make pricey modifications to the floor and plumbing.
✔️ Weight: No toilets are heavy enough to require additional structural support, but an extra hefty toilet will be harder to install, especially if you're tackling the job on our own. A 75-pound toilet is more DIY-friendly than one weighing 120 pounds or more.
✔️ Flush mechanism: Toilets used to have one flushing option, typically a lever on the tank that you press down. They still exist, but dual-flush toilets are now common. These typically have two buttons on the top of the tank that let you do a partial flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste. Dual-flush toilets can save water, but our tests have found the flushing power to be a little weak with some models, so you end up having to flush twice. The dual-flush models that made our round-up don't have that issue.
✔️ Flush system: There are two main options: gravity-feed and pressure-assisted. Unless you have a large household, our experts say stick with a gravity-feed toilet, which uses a traditional tank and the law of gravity to move waste down the drain. Pressure-assisted toilets use compressed air to force water and waste down the line, making for a very noisy flush. They’re extremely effective and can handle flush after flush without waiting for the tank to refill, which is why they’re more common in commercial buildings.
✔️ Style: The main decision here is between a one-piece and two-piece design. One-piece toilets are fabricated using a single mold, integrating the tank and the bowl. They have a sleeker look with fewer cracks and crevices in their exteriors, which makes for easier cleaning. But they usually cost more than two-piece toilets, which have a separate bowl and tank, for a more traditional look. Two-piece toilets are also lighter, which along with their simpler mechanics, makes them easier to install.
✔️ Bowl shape: It’s not a huge factor, but if you’re short on space (say in a powder room), you’re better off with a round bowl, since those toilets are a bit smaller than elongated models. If space is really tight, you might want to consider a wall-mounted toilet. With this option, the tank is hidden behind the wall, so you gain a good six inches. They tend to be more expensive and installation is more involved and pricey, but they’re a great fit for tight spaces.
✔️ Water efficiency: All toilets made today must meet the federal limit of 1.6 gallons per flush (compared with the 3 to 5 gallons per flush that used to be the norm). The EPA's WaterSense label recognizes toilets that use 1.28 gallons per flush. Some dual-flush models in our tests do even better by using a single gallon for their liquid-waste flush.
Toilets have an unlimited lifespan, according to a study of home components by the National Association of Home Builders. But parts inside the toilet tank, like the flapper or valve, will need occasional maintenance or replacement.
Even if you have an older toilet in your home that's still working, it might be worth an upgrade to take advantage of improved water efficiency. In 1992, a new federal law required all new toilets to use 6 gallons per flush (gpf) or less; prior to that, 3 to 5 gallons was the norm. The EPA's WaterSense certification calls for a stricter 1.28 gpf and the most efficient toilets in our tests get the job done using a single gallon.
Short for “maximum performance,” the MaP score is an industry test that measures the number of grams of soybean paste (used to simulate solid waste) and toilet paper that a toilet can flush away completely in a single flush. While the information is available to plumbing suppliers and contractors, it’s not always easy to find for consumers, which is why we don’t list it alongside other specs. But if you’re working with a pro, you can ask them for the MaP score of any toilets they recommend. A score of 600 or higher is considered high-performing.
The latest innovation in toilet design, smart toilets are loaded with high-tech features, including night-lights, self-opening and closing lids and even built-in digital assistants ("Hey Google, is it going to rain today?"). But the key distinguishing feature is the built-in bidet that provides a gentle cleaning spray, eliminating, or at least reducing, the need for toilet paper. The market for smart toilets has grown significantly in recent years, so much so that we now have a separate report on them. Check out our top smart toilet picks for all the details.
Dan DiClerico has tested and written about bathroom fixtures, including toilets, for more than two decades. As Director of Home Improvement & Outdoor at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Dan oversaw the latest round of toilet testing in our Lab, as well as the in-home, survey-based consumer testing that allows us to evaluate these devices under real-world conditions.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
25 Bathroom Shelving Ideas to Maximize Storage
The Best Bath Towels on Amazon
The Best Toilet Bowl Cleaners
The Best Bathroom Scales, Tested & Reviewed
The Best Eco-Friendly Household Cleaners
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Tall Walker ©2024 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.