Toilet Buying Guide
Find your porcelain throne.
When searching for a new toilet, there’s a lot to consider. Along with knowing the types of toilets available, you also need to consider toilet dimensions, shape, and function. To ensure you get the right fit and flush, follow our steps to choosing the right toilet.
1. Decide on the Toilet Type
One-Piece: Fusing the bowl and tank into a single unit, this sleek style offers a streamlined silhouette that’s easy to clean.
Two-Piece: The most common type of toilet, this affordable commode comes in two separate pieces: the seat and the tank. This style is easy to transport and install.
Wall-Mounted: This low-profile toilet mounts directly to the wall to give it a floating effect, making it an ideal choice for small or minimalistic bathrooms. A thick wall and intricate installation can be required.
Floor-Mounted: Most standard toilets are floor-mounted, meaning they connect directly to plumbing under your floor and are secured to the floor for a sturdy seat.
Corner: Corner toilets are designed with a triangular tank that fits seamlessly into a right-angle corner in your bathroom for a space-efficient solution.
Smart: Smart toilets are equipped with extra features like bidets, heated seats, dryers, and remote controls to give you a high-tech and luxury bathroom experience.
Elongated: Pear-shaped in design, this bowl option offers additional comfort and is typically 2" – 3" longer than a round bowl.
Round: Circular in design, this bowl shape requires less room, making it an ideal choice when space is at a premium.
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Your physical needs can help determine the ideal seat height for your toilet. Measured from the floor to the top of your toilet seat, there are three types of seat heights: standard, chair, and tall.
Standard: Typically 15" – 17" off the ground, standard-height toilets are common in most households and are an ideal choice for homes with children.
Chair: Typically 17" – 19" off the ground, chair-height toilets offer additional comfort and are an ideal choice for taller adults.
Tall: Tall toilets are classified as anything with a seat over 19" high. The additional height makes these toilets helpful for those with restricted mobility.
Tip!
Check our guide What Is the Standard Toilet Height? for a comparison between common toilet heights.
4. Compare Different Flush Types
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When choosing a flushing mechanism, consider the size of your household, along with which benefits best fit your needs.
Gravity Flush: A gravity-flush system uses the weight of the water to create flushing pressure. It is one of the most common flushing systems available, as well as one of the quietest.
Pressure-Assisted: Using an air-compression tank to forcefully push waste down, a pressure-assisted flush system is louder than a gravity flush but significantly reduces the chance of clogs.
Dual-Flush: Dual-flush toilets offer two flushing options: partial and full. Ideal for liquid waste, the partial flush saves water by using as little as 0.6 gallons per flush.
Siphon Jet: Siphonic toilets have a curved trapway that prevents sewer gases from entering the bathroom. When flushed, water from the tank rapidly fills the trapway, producing a siphon effect that sucks out water and waste. Post-flush, an automatic valve refills the emptied tank, readying it for the next flush.
Automatic Flush: Activated by motion sensors that are mounted inside or on top of the tank, touchless-flush toilets minimize the spreading of germs.
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Seat-Included: Not all toilets come with the seats included. If you want an easy way to make sure your seat is compatible with your toilet bowl and tank, choose a seat-included toilet.
Heated Seat: A heated toilet seat will remove the unpleasant sensation of a cold seat to make your bathroom experience extra comfortable.
Soft-Close Seat: No more loud bangs when your child puts the seat down. This feature allows the seat to close gently and slowly.
Automatic Closing Lid: Remove the need to touch the lid of your seat with an automatic-closing toilet for an extra-convenient and hygienic experience.
Skirted Base: A skirted base conceals the snakelike tubing on a toilet’s side, making for a clean look that’s easy to maintain.
Self-Cleaning Hygiene Component: In these smart toilets, the nozzle of the bidet self-cleans after each use to prevent the spread of bacteria.
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Before you buy your toilet, make sure it will fit in your bathroom. For an in-depth guide on how to measure for a new toilet and ensure proper clearance, read our article Toilet Dimensions & Measurements to Know.
After purchasing, you can have your toilet professionally installed or do it yourself. Installing a toilet yourself can be a fairly straightforward DIY project if you’re replacing an existing toilet. To complete the installation, you may need a wax ring, bolts, or flanges. Check each product's overview description to see what is included. Though most toilets have a similar tank capacity, it's also important to check the size of the flush valve and the positioning of the flush lever, as well as the flushing system. Follow our guide How to Install a Toilet for step-by-step instructions if you decide to go the DIY route.
However, if installing a toilet requires you to change the location of the toilet or plumbing – or run into trouble as you’re installing it yourself – you should consult a plumbing professional. Some installations, such as wall-mounted toilets, may have a more complex process that is better handled by someone with more plumbing experience.
