BEST OVERALL

OXO Compact Toilet Brush & Canister

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• The head cleans everything under the rim and around the bowl, while the hands-free storage container covers it completely.

Keep in Mind

• Because the head and handle are so stiff, it felt a bit awkward and clumsy to maneuver.

Cleaners don’t have to be fancy to be effective, and this toilet brush is proof: It’s simple to use, clean, and store, and it comes in below the median price for toilet brushes. The tapered head effortlessly fit under the rim and around the toilet bowl, clearing the clay mask with no problem. 

Because the plastic bristles and handle are fairly stiff, we had doubts about the brush reaching into the S-trap. One benefit, however, is that it holds up to pressure while cleaning without bending or breaking. A potential con is that the bristles may be hard on porcelain after a number of uses.

The handle on the brush is mostly round, becoming wider and flatter at the top to better fit in the palm of your hand. We find it a little big, though it helps us keep control of the brush. The storage canister covers the head completely, automatically opening as you pull the brush out. 

Rinsing off the leftover mud mask only required a quick rinse in the water, and there were no stains in sight. After 24 hours, both the brush and the canister were completely dry and scent-free with no signs of mildew. 

Product Details: Shape: Tapered | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 4.5 x 4 x 17 in. | Weight: 0.7 lbs.

• The bristles on the OXO Compact Toilet Brush are stiff, but they didn’t damage the porcelain bowl.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• A curved handle would make the OXO brush easier to maneuver around the bowl.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• We tested the brush using a green clay mask that dried for 24 hours before cleaning the toilet bowl.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The tapered handle has a comfortable grip, and the orb-shaped holder is compact for storage.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The bristles were completely dry and mildew-free after 24 hours stored in the container.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

BEST WAND

Clorox Disinfecting ToiletWand Cleaning System

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• This kit has everything you need, including extra heads pre-loaded with cleaner.

Keep in Mind

• Because of the foaminess, the head may drip while transporting the brush to the trash.

This kit takes convenience to another level as an all-in-one solution with extra heads, cleaning solution, and a storage canister. We love the brush’s design: It’s lightweight with a long handle that’s comfortable to hold and maneuver.

With the flat, hexagonal shape of the head, we’re able to get high into the rim and reach every other crevice of the toilet. The storage canister is also impressive. It has a large compartment to hold disposable scrub head replacements and a dedicated spot for the handle. 

The canister is also incredibly sturdy—it doesn’t fall or even move much when bumped, and it doesn’t move at all when the brush is taken out of the container. To attach one of the disposable heads, all you have to do is snap it onto the bottom of the handle. 

Though you have to touch the brush head to connect it, contamination isn’t an issue because they’re unused and the handle shouldn’t be dirty. Once in the water, the head—pre-loaded with Clorox cleaner—lathered up well and removed the clay mask almost instantly. 

Applying pressure to the head doesn’t cause damage to the toilet (or the head itself). The handle is also unaffected. Removing the head simply requires pushing a button near the top of the brush. While it is easy, it could be messy, since the brush head foams up a lot and can get drippy.

Product Details: Shape: Flat | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 4.41 x 4.75 x 15.31 in. | Weight: 0.78 lbs.

• The cleanser on the Clorox ToiletWand lathered well and removed the dry clay mask during testing.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The slim design of the brush heads made it easier to clean thoroughly underneath the toilet rim.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The brush handle fits neatly into the storage container, which also holds extra brush heads.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The toilet wand is easy to use thanks to a long, lightweight handle and detachable brush heads.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
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BEST ECO-FRIENDLY

Tushy Toilet Brush 2.0

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• This brush is completely plastic-free, and the coconut husk heads clean thoroughly and efficiently.

Keep in Mind

• It’s costly, particularly with replacement heads.

Editor’s note: We tested an older version of the Tushy Toilet Brush.

On a mission to eliminate plastic at home? This toilet brush avoids it entirely, with a bamboo handle, coated stainless steel stem, and lemon and tea tree, oil-infused, coconut husk head. Even better, it handles mess just as well as options with plastic bristles—if not better.

During testing, the thin coconut husk head fully removed the clay mask from the bowl, both on the surface and under the rim. All that was left over was a bit of foam and some very small smear marks. Overall, it cleans better than a plastic-bristle brush. 

Cleaning the brush itself was also a breeze—just swirling it into the bucket of water made most of the clay mask come off on its own. The coconut husk heads are disposable, with the unused ones stored in an inset in the base.

To start scrubbing, all you need to do is grab the brush handle from the weighted base (pressing the claw button first), extend the claw, and push it into the top head with solid force. Though the handle is comfortable, it has no contouring, making it feel slippery.

Despite being disposable, the heads are fairly durable, though we noticed that they shed, leading us to believe they may not last as long as other disposable heads. When you’re ready for a new head, simply push the claw button at the top of the handle. 

The primary complaint we have is the price, which is much higher than other options, especially considering you have to periodically purchase replacement heads. We recommend looking out for a sale.

Product Details: Shape: Flat | Material: Bamboo (handle), stainless steel (stem), and coconut husk (heads) | Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 16 in. | Weight: 1 lb.

• We used a clay mask to test the cleaning capabilities of the Tushy Toilet Brush.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The brush grabs and releases the brush heads with claws and a button for hands-free use.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The rough coconut husk brush heads are eco-friendly and effective, though they may shed during use.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The rough coconut husk brush heads are eco-friendly and effective, though they may shed during use.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The Tushy Toilet Brush holder has a weighted bottom to prevent tipping, which is a nice touch.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

BEST SILICONE

Boomjoy Toilet Brush

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• The flexible silicone teeth made it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas.

Keep in Mind

• Cleaning debris from the brush took more effort than our top pick.

Compared to plastic heads, silicone toilet brushes are often considered more hygienic, as silicone dries quickly and the larger teeth tend to trap less moisture and bacteria. The best silicone toilet brush we tested is the BoomJoy toilet brush, which comes with a compact storage base that never tips over.

The silicone brush head effectively removed our clay mask from the toilet bowl. Between the brush’s round, tapered head and flexible silicone teeth, we were able to clean all areas of the toilet, including hard-to-reach crevices. We’re also confident that the soft silicone won’t be able to scratch a toilet’s surface.

While cleaning the bowl took little effort, cleaning the mask off the brush was more difficult than we experienced with our top pick. It took vigorous scrubbing against the side of a bucket to remove the mask residue from the brush. While it wasn’t a messy process, it was inconvenient.

Product Details: Shape: Tapered | Material: Silicone head, aluminum handle | Dimensions: 5 x 16 x 5 in. | Weight: 1 lb.

• Cleaning the Boomjoy Toilet Brush required vigorous scrubbing.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The brush fit perfectly into its base, which was sturdy when we tried to knock it over.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The silicone bristles effectively cleaned all areas of our toilet during testing.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The soft silicone head didn’t scratch our toilet.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The brush did not fray, even when we used it in hard-to-clean areas.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

BEST ELECTRIC

Bell + Howell Scrubtastic Electric Spin Scrubber

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• This scrubber cleaned the mud mask off our test toilet with zero elbow grease required from us.

Keep in Mind

• The storage hook is difficult to mount and may be unsanitary.

For a toilet brush that does all the work for you, this one is your best bet. We didn’t need to apply any pressure in order to completely remove the clay mask, and we found the electric brush more impactful and easily able to get into the nooks and crannies than a manual one.

Even better? It’s a well-priced multi-tasker that comes with three easily interchangeable heads—a flat brush, a round brush, and a tapered brush. The latter is best for cleaning toilets, but the other ones could be used for cleaning grout or a bathtub. 

This versatility is made even more convenient by the wide, extendable handle and cordless, rechargeable design. Though the brush is powerful (a firm grip is required!), it didn’t leave any scratches or scuffs during testing.

At the end of the tests, we were able to instantly clean the bristles by dipping them in water, with no odor beyond a strong plastic smell detected. The tested brush heads also weren’t frayed or bent and looked brand new, though they were still ever-so-slightly damp after 24 hours.

The one drawback is that the brush doesn’t come with a storage container. Instead, you receive a grip on a hook that was difficult to figure out how to mount. We were concerned about how sanitary this would be in real life and might suggest putting the heads into a bag or bin when not in use.

Product Details: Shape: Flat, tapered, and round | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 17 in. | Weight: 2.7 lbs.

• The Bell + Howell scrubber is fast and easy to use thanks to its spinning electric brush.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• It took a bit of effort to connect the brush head to the handle, but its efficiency made up for it.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The handle extends up to 39 inches for a longer reach.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• The spin scrubber includes a covered charging port to keep the electric parts dry and sanitary.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
• It’s wireless and rechargeable, and includes a power button located on the handle.
• Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

The Bottom Line

The OXO Good Grips Compact Toilet Brush & Canister is the best toilet brush for most households. The stiff bristles held up well to pressure, though not much was needed for the brush to clean our hardened clay off the toilet bowl. And just as important, the brush and canister were dry and mildew-free a day after cleaning.

If you’re looking for a disposable option, we recommend the Clorox Toilet Wand Disposable Cleaning Kit. It includes the toilet brush, six disposable heads packed with cleaning solution, and a storage canister. The brush is easy to maneuver, and the hexagonal head reaches every crevice of the toilet.

Our Testing Process

We first evaluated the sturdiness of the storage canister (where applicable), quickly pulling the toilet brush out, putting it back in, and gently tapping the handle in different directions to mimic bumping into it. We then pushed and pulled the container itself to see how easily it moved from its spot or tipped over.

After inspecting the toilet brush for any special design features, we checked to see if it could damage the porcelain by applying added pressure from various angles to the exterior bottom of the toilet. From there, we spread ¼ teaspoon of the clay face mask around the bowl and under the rim.

Two minutes later we began cleaning, relying on the wet brush alone unless it had an integrated cleaning solution. We recorded the total runtime for electric models, and tested multiple brush heads where applicable, observing how well they cleaned the mask. 

Upon completion, we swished the brush in a bucket of water to remove any residue, gently shaking out the excess before putting it in its container to dry. Disposable heads were discarded in the trash. Finally, after 24 hours, we inspected each toilet brush for odor, mildew, and leftover water.

What to Know About Toilet Brushes Before Shopping

Shape

Tapered bristle brushes are the most traditional, and Aparacio says they’re usually the cheapest. “However, they must be replaced frequently, as the bristles quickly and easily pick up and trap dirt, bacteria, and odors. They can also struggle to get under the rim or deeper into the S-trap.” 

Spiral/frill heads are similar, but use silicone or a similar material like synthetic rubber to provide the scrubbing action, she says.

Bristle-less brushes are great for cleaning harder-to-reach corners and giving the toilet bowl and rim a deep clean. However, Aparacio notes that they can struggle to reach the S-trap and are often more expensive, especially ones that use disposable heads.

Relatively new to the market are D-shaped heads. According to Aparacio, they get under the rim and deeper into the S-trap. Plus, they are often easier to clean, so they don’t need replacing as frequently. The downside is that they cost more and can break if the handle isn’t good quality or you exert too much force.

Type

The two types of toilet brushes are manual and electric. In general, Aparcaio says, manual brushes are often far cheaper and have more varied designs to suit bathroom styles. Electric brushes can be incredible time and effort savers for deeper cleaning or frequent cleaning at scale. 

However, they’re often much more expensive and require frequent maintenance and cleaning to keep them in working order. Because of this, she recommends manual brushes for typical day-to-day usage.

The spin scrubber effortlessly cleaned the toilet bowl with no scratches or scuffs.

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Material 

Most toilet brushes use plastic or nylon bristles, though silicone and synthetic rubber are also popular choices. “While plastic is often the cheapest, it degrades and wears down in shorter periods than the more premium silicone or rubber heads,” Aparacio says. 

“They also trap and become breeding grounds for bacteria and other nasties within the bristles.” Silicone and synthetic rubber are typically more expensive, but the pro is that they offer an easier and more hygienic clean, requiring fewer replacements.

You can also find more eco-friendly versions that use natural materials. “However, these can often become moldy or degrade quite quickly if they aren’t appropriately dried or even come into contact with some chemicals,” Aparacio says.

Features 

Most toilet brushes come with a part that scrubs the bowl, a handle, and a tray or holder. One feature designed to make cleaning deeper and quicker is having specific “under-rim” scrubbers or bristles at a 45-degree angle. 

Cordless, rechargeable electric models that do all the work for you and often come with an adjustable handle and two or more heads so they can multitask.

For those concerned about hygiene in addition to efficiency, there are toilet brushes without bristles that use silicone ‘teeth’ to scrub and rub away dirt and debris. They hold onto less bacteria and allow you to get in and under hard-to-reach areas. 

Finally, disposable scrubber attachments that come with toilet cleaner inside them are becoming more popular due to the all-in-one experience.

We evaluated the storage compartment for ease of use and sanitary design.

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Other Toilet Brushes We Tested 

Oxo Good Grips Toilet Brush with Rim Cleaner

Though this toilet brush earned top marks for ease of use, performance, maneuverability, and durability, it lost points for cleanliness. After rinsing, we placed the brush back in the canister with a small reservoir designed to catch drips. After 24 hours, both the brush and container were still wet and smelled musky.

Simplehuman Toilet Brush with Caddy

We were unimpressed with this toilet brush as a whole; it’s heavy, making it uncomfortable to hold and maneuver. The shape of the head also made it difficult to take care of hard-to-reach areas, like the rim. Overall, we felt it moved the debris around more than actually cleaning it.

Tilswall Electric Spin Scrubber

The Tilswall brush had a lot going for it, including four brush heads that performed well, but we felt it was better suited for cleaning tile and grout. The long handle made it awkward to maneuver in the toilet and we couldn’t figure out how to remove the head without handling the brush, which would be unsanitary in real life.

The Simplehuman toilet brush fit in its included caddy for storage, though it was hard to maneuver.

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Your Questions, Answered

How often should you replace a toilet brush?

According to Aparacio, the general rule is to replace the brush every six months to a year, but this depends on use and maintenance. If you use your brush a lot or don’t clean it, you’ll likely have to replace it more often. 

“The best way to know when your brush needs changing is to look at the bristles and see if they are flattened, brittle, or discolored, or if the brush smells foul when you use it,” she says. To prevent odors, rinse the bristles and empty out the drip trays to prevent your brush from sitting in the runoff water.

Are silicone bristles the most hygienic for a toilet brush?

The short answer is yes. “They won’t trap dirt, bacteria, and odors like more traditional plastic bristles,” Aparacio says. “This makes them far easier to clean and [they] often last longer before needing to be replaced.”

That said, they do need thorough cleaning frequently to keep them in working condition, just like any other brush.

Do you need a toilet brush if you use cleaning tablets or disposable wands?

Not necessarily, though it might depend. Disposable cleaning wands are more or less the same as some of our top options, like the Clorox Toilet Wand—reusable wands with disposable heads or pads that you use once and then toss. If you have one of these, you don’t need a toilet brush on top of it.

However, if you rely on cleaning tablets that dissolve in the water to keep your toilet clean, you may still want to give it a good scrub with a brush every few weeks to eradicate any traces of stuck-on grime.

We cleaned the dried clay mask off the toilet bowl to evaluate how well the brush performed.

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Who We Are

Quincy Bulin is a writer who covers products and home, making this story the ideal intersection of her work. She consulted with Sara Aparacio, Homeaglow’s expert in home cleaning tips, for expert intel on toilet brushes.