The 6 Best Toilets of 2026, According to Our Testing

BEST OVERALL

Toto Drake Cotton Elongated Standard Height Toilet

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

The toilet features a strong flush that consistently clears out the bowl without needing a second flush.

Keep in Mind

A lid is not included with the toilet.

While many toilets can get the job done, the Toto Drake is by far the best we’ve used. Our tester loves it so much that she purchased four more to install in the other bathrooms in her home.

Although she hired a professional to install the toilet, the directions are clear and simple to understand if you prefer to do it yourself, as long as you have previous plumbing experience. The toilet only has one flush setting, but the “tornado flush” is strong enough to consistently dispose of waste and keep the bowl clean.

In fact, the flush is so effective that, over six months of testing, it has never clogged or overflowed. Our tester has even noticed a reduction in water usage because the toilet never required a second flush.

Cleaning the toilet is also a breeze—our tester has only cleaned it once so far, to scrub away a rusty water line. The powerful flush rinses every inch of the bowl, and the toilet has a rimless design that prevents grime from building up under the rim.

With an elongated bowl and a comfort seat height, it’s very comfortable. The toilet doesn’t include a toilet seat, but it’s a steal for the price and how effective it is.

This toilet has an elongated bowl with a gravity flush, which we found impressive by its robust and single flush.
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This toilet only has the option to have the flush lever on the left side, which wasn’t a dealbreaker during our testing.
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The Toto Drake Elongated Toilet was installed by a professional plumber, who found the directions easy to follow.
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BEST PRESSURE ASSISTED

Kohler Highline Classic Toilet

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

The seat height is great for tall people.

Keep in Mind

The flush is a bit louder than other models.

If you prefer a pressure-assisted toilet for a more powerful flush, we love this option from Kohler. Since it’s a two-piece toilet, it’s easier to install and repair than one-piece options. It took our tester about an hour to install as a first-time DIY plumber.

The toilet flushes with much more force than their previous toilet and easily disposes of any waste with only one flush. Since the flush is so powerful, it’s also slightly louder than our tester is used to, but the trade-off is worth it because the power makes the toilet more effective.

Although the flush is very powerful, it’s obvious that the toilet uses less water than our tester’s old toilet, making it a good choice if you want to reduce your water bill. They haven’t experienced any clogs or overflowing during six months of using the toilet.

The toilet is very easy to clean with just a toilet brush—they don’t even need to use a toilet bowl cleaner thanks to features the enamel coating that keeps the bowl fairly clean.

At 17 inches tall, the seat height is very comfortable, especially for tall people. The elongated bowl shape also makes it more comfortable to sit on. Our tester uses a soft-close Kohler elongated seat, which is sold separately for less than $40.

The toilet has a comfortable elongated bowl and seat and sits at 17 inches which is 2 inches higher than standard toilets.
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The Kohler Highline Classic Toilet only has one flush setting, but it’s very powerful and makes it easy to dispose of waste.
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BEST VALUE

Gerber Maxwell Choice Chair-Height Toilet

Credit: The Home Depot

Why You Should Get It

This reliable toilet is durable and well-designed, with a soft-close lid, smooth sides, and flat screw caps that don’t trap dirt or grime.

Keep in Mind

The water could come up higher when flushing for a more thorough bowl rinse.

The Gerber Maxwell Choice Toilet checks a lot of boxes. Not only is it easy to clean, it has a consistent, reliable flush, and it’s durable. At chair height, the toilet feels comfortable for our tester and the members of their household to sit on.

It only took 20 minutes for our tester’s boyfriend to install the toilet without professional help. With a soft close seat and round bowl, it’s well-designed, and there have been no leaks, cracks, or stains during testing. We appreciate the smooth sides and flat screw caps that don’t trap any dirt or grime.

The WaterSense-certified toilet is more efficient than our tester’s previous toilet. There is just one flush setting, but it’s sufficient for our tester’s needs—they never have to flush a second time to get everything.

However, the bowl rinse isn’t as extensive as you might find with some models. Given it is a basic, straightforward toilet, there are no premium features. Overall, it’s ideal for homeowners looking for an affordable and dependable option that performs reliably well.

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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

BEST ONE-PIECE

Kohler Santa Rosa Toilet

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Why You Should Get It

The 360-degree flushing technology and surface treatment make for a toilet that practically cleans itself.

Keep in Mind

The lid flexes slightly when someone sits on the closed toilet.

We love the attractive appearance and premium build quality of the Kohler Santa Rosa toilet. Our tester finds the elongated bowl more comfortable than their previous round toilet. They chose to have it installed by a professional in their primary bathroom, and the process was quick and efficient.

The 360-degree flushing technology is a major pro—it produces a powerful swirl to keep the bowl clean longer. Our tester says the toilet practically cleans itself. The CleanCoat surface treatment cuts down on mineral stains and water scale growth for easier cleaning, too.

So far, the toilet seems durable; there have been no leaks, cracks, or stains on our tester’s model. However, the soft-close lid flexes slightly when someone sits on it, so we don’t recommend plopping down on the closed toilet for, say, cutting your toenails.

We find the toilet to be worth the price, given its stylish design and high-quality features. While it’s pricier than standard toilets, it’s an ideal option for homeowners who want an everyday toilet with some premium functions.

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Should you get a one- or two-piece toilet?

One important factor to keep in mind when shopping is whether you want a one- or two-piece toilet. The best option for you depends on what you value most. According to Deon Marecheau, owner of Antillean Restoration and plumbing professional at Thumbtack, one-piece toilets are “easier to clean and come in a variety of designs,” but are usually pricier.

“Two-piece toilets are more affordable because they are easier to install and transport, especially in tighter spaces,” Marecheau says, but you won’t have as much variety to choose from when it comes to style.

BEST WITH BIDET

DEERVALLEY Tankless Smart Bidet Toilet

Credit: The Home Depot

Why You Should Get It

The toilet has excellent flushing power, with various options including half flush and blackout flush in case of power outages.

Keep in Mind

The filter makes maintenance more involved compared to other toilets.

My husband and I replaced our old standard toilet that was frequently clogged with this one from Deervalley. It has excellent flushing power and water pressure—we’ve experienced no clogs or overflowing so far. The toilet includes dual flush options, with a half-flush for less waste.

We love how customizable the bidet is, with warm water and drying functions to tailor to the individual. We’ve saved a lot on toilet paper since installing the toilet. The massage option uses a lot of water spray, and neither my husband or I find it very relaxing, so we don’t use it much.

There are four ways to flush: automatic when the user stands up, a foot kick for lumbar protection, a manual knob for power outages, and a remote. Since we lose power often in the summer due to storms, the blackout flush is a huge plus, but note that the required 9V battery is not included.

Maintenance on the toilet is a bit more complicated compared to other options due to the bidet filter. To replace the filter, it is advised to turn off the angle valve, and during the installation, the filter should be fastened with force to prevent leakage.

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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

BEST DUAL FLUSH

HOROW High-Efficiency Toilet

Credit: The Home Depot

Why You Should Get It

With its easy maintenance, a strong flush, and a comfortable seat, this toilet is a great value for the price.

Keep in Mind

There is some minor tank movement during use.

This Horow toilet is a great value, especially because it’s so comfortable to use. Our tester had it installed professionally, and it only took approximately 15 to 20 minutes. A highlight of the toilet is the 360-degree jet siphon technology, which keeps the bowl mostly clean and makes it easy to maintain.

Our tester finds the round bowl comfortable and roomy, and the chair height makes it easy to stand and sit down. The soft-close lid is sturdy, with hinges that don’t flex or shift. We like that the toilet is WaterSense certified to ensure better efficiency.

The water pressure is impressive, and our tester hasn’t had any issues with clogging or overflowing. There is some minor tank movement during use, but that’s pretty typical of two-piece toilets.

Overall, this is an ideal choice for those who prioritize premium flushing performance and easy maintenance at a budget-friendly price. In fact, our tester says they’d even pay a little more for the toilet considering its excellent performance and features.

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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

The Bottom Line

After testing toilets in our own homes, we crowned the Gerber Maxwell Choice Toilet as the best toilet. It’s a great value for most people, is easy to clean, has consistent and reliable flushing, and is comfortable to use.

Hand pressing the flush button on the Woodbridge B9030S Smart Toilet

The toilet has an auto-clean function and deodorization, which requires purchasing the cleaning solution.

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Our Testing Process

To find the best toilets, we rounded up options from top brands. Testers installed them (or hired professional help to install them) in their own bathrooms, using them for an initial period of two weeks.

We made sure to try any available flush settings and special settings like bidets. Water pressure and overall performance were the top metrics we paid attention to while using the toilets. We also considered if the toilets were solid and well-built, how easy they were to clean, and any leaks, cracks, stains, or scratches observed over the testing period.

When the two weeks were up, testers were asked to think about the overall value of their toilets and whether the price was reflective of the product’s features. We’ll continue to test the models featured on this list and update with new insights after six months.

How to Measure

“One of the most important things to consider when looking for a new toilet is the dimensions of your bathroom,” says Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, a website that helps people find home service professionals like plumbers.

Before choosing a new toilet, measure the space you have available to ensure it will fit. Rough-in measures the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the drainpipe in the floor. Most homes have a 12-inch rough-in for the toilet, but some older homes may have other measurements, like 10 or 14-inch rough-ins. All of the toilets on our list have a 12-inch rough-in.

If you are replacing an existing toilet, you can measure the height and depth of the old toilet to get an idea of the dimensions you will need. Particularly in small bathrooms, it’s crucial to choose a toilet that will fit well in the space. We recommend leaving at least 15 inches of space on either side of the toilet, but 18 inches or more is ideal.

What to Know About Toilets Before Shopping

Material

Toilets are typically made from porcelain and vitreous china, which are both types of ceramic. While the two materials look similar, they have slightly different finishes. Vitreous china has a glossy finish that is easy to clean, while porcelain has a durable matte finish.

Most of the toilets on our list, including our overall top pick, the Gerber Maxwell Choice Round Chair Height Toilet, are made with vitreous china.

An unassembled Kohler Highline Classic Toilet in box

This toilet comes in two separate pieces and there weren’t any internal valve mechanisms or flappers to install, which streamlined the process.

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Bowl Shape

The two most common toilet bowl shapes are elongated and round. Round toilets tend to be more compact, making them ideal for small spaces, while elongated toilets jut out further. “A round toilet tends to be the more budget-friendly option, but elongated toilets are considered to be more comfortable and easier to maintain,” Hicks says.

Most of the toilets on our list have elongated bowls. If you prefer a round toilet bowl, we recommend the Horow Chair Height 2 pc Dual Flush Round Toilet or the Gerber Maxwell Choice Toilet.

Flush Type

There are three flush options for toilets: gravity-fed, dual flush, and pressure-assisted.

Gravity-fed toilets are the most common and least expensive option. They use the weight of the water to induce flushing. “It’s an old, tried-and-tested method, but it does have its drawbacks,” Marecheau says. “Moving parts like flappers can wear out, requiring replacement sooner.” Our best overall pick, the Toto Drake Cotton Elongated Standard Height Toilet, our best value pick, the Gerber Maxwell Choice Toilet, and our best one-piece, the Kohler Santa Rosa 1 Piece Toilet, are gravity-fed.
Dual-flush toilets offer two flush settings to help save water (and money on your water bill), typically a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste. We loved the Deervalley Tankless Elongated Smart Bidet Toilet and Horow Chair Height 2 pc Dual Flush Round Toilet for dual-flush options.
Pressure-assisted toilets offer more flushing power than gravity or dual flush. “A pressure-assist toilet has additional pressure that will give you a more powerful flush, which is more resistant to clogs, uses less water, and can be easier to clean,” Hicks says. “If you’re living in a home with a lot of people, this could be a good option.” The Kohler Highline Classic Toilet is our top pick for a powerful pressure-assisted toilet.

The flush button on the Toto Aquia IV One-Piece Comfort Height Toilet

This toilet has two user controls on the tank’s lid to choose between flushing solid or liquid waste, and during our tests, both were quiet and powerful when flushing.

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Other Toilets We Tested

Swiss Madison St. Tropez Elongated Vortex Toilet

We like the sleek one-piece design of the Swiss Madison St. Tropez Elongated Vortex Toilet. With a seamless exterior, the toilet is easy to wipe clean, and the smooth sides prevent dirt from collecting around the base. We also appreciate the toilet’s dual-flush design, which consistently keeps the bowl clean. However, the flush is a bit weaker than other toilets we tested.

American Standard Rumson Toilet

We appreciate the comfortable chair height and sturdy design of the American Standard Rumson Toilet. The toilet is affordable and is easy to clean and maintain. However, the water pressure is much weaker than we would like. Our tester’s toilet also runs continuously, indicating a potential valve issue.

Kohler Cimarron Toilet

The Kohler Cimarron Toilet is an affordable option that feels solid and well-built. We also appreciate the comfortable chair height. Although the water pressure seemed sufficient at first, our tester has needed to flush twice several times to fully get rid of waste. The toilet clogged a couple of times during testing, so we wouldn’t recommend it due to these issues.

A person removes the lid on the KOHLER Cimarron Elongated Chair-Height 2-Piece Toilet tank

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Your Questions, Answered

How much can I expect to spend on a toilet?

“The cost of a new toilet can range from about $100 to over $3,000 depending on the type of toilet,” Hicks says. You should also factor in the cost of installation, which she says is around $400 on average. Installation costs may be higher if you need to remove a toilet or install a drainpipe or new plumbing.

One-piece toilets typically cost more than two-piece toilets, and any special features like self-cleaning or bidet attachments also increase the cost. However, a high-quality toilet will last a long time, so it’s worth investing in one that will meet all of your needs.

How do I know if I need a new toilet?

If your old toilet clogs, leaks, overflows, or doesn’t flush efficiently, it might be time to replace it. “If you’re frequently calling your plumber, you get clogs often, the flushing doesn’t seem quite right, or you have cracks in your toilet, it could be time for a new one,” Hicks says.

Toilets should be able to last about 25 years, but this can vary based on the quality and how often it’s being used. “The biggest offenders are older toilets. If you live in an area where the price of water is high and you have an old toilet, you may want to consider upgrading,” Marecheau says.

Who We Are

Kate Oczypok is a writer for Better Homes & Gardens specializing in indoor and outdoor appliances. She has over 15 years of experience and has contributed to a wide range of publications. For this article, she personally tested the Deervalley Tankless Elongated Smart Bidet Toilet.

The article was originally written by Molly Blanco, a senior writer for Better Homes & Gardens. For this article, she referenced testing insights from our expert testers who installed and used these toilets in their homes for six months. She also consulted plumbing professional Deon Marecheau and Angie Hicks, co-founder of home services website Angi, about what to look for when shopping for a toilet.