Need help getting a new toilet

[tortillasoup]

I have spent considerable time (over 24 hours) researching toilets and while I'm aware TOTO and American Standard makes some great toilets, getting ones with the Everclean, Sanagloss or equivalent feature in a NON ADA (14" tall), round front (not elongated) toilet that stays clean and flushes decently. I've even read that some people have found that the trapway was not fully glazed in TOTO toilets that claim to have a fully glazed trapway. The Toilet also can't have a major issue with users making skidmarks in it either.

I'm just wondering if perhaps I should be looking at european or Japanese toilets or something. I want a toilet that once I install will be super low maintenance and relatively hassle free. Looks aren't terribly important.

 

[Howard]

Toto is Japanese. Those seem to be isolated cases as Toto has quite possibly the best reputation in residential toilets nowadays.

 

[Strk]

I'm thinking you're over thinking this since a quick swipe with a Clorox Wand or whatever your preferred toilet cleaner is once every few weeks is enough to keep it clean. I guess it may be a bit of an issue if you have daily explosive diarrhea.

 

[madoka]

Toto is Japanese. Those seem to be isolated cases as Toto has quite possibly the best reputation in residential toilets nowadays.

I recently visited a multi-billionaire's house. While using the facilities, I utilized the most computerized, advanced toilet I've ever seen. It was a Toto Neorest with a custom touchscreen mounted on the wall next to it. Every function was computerized from auto-open/close to the bidet flows to how it flushes. I was seriously impressed at the decadence. I looked up how much it cost and it's $6500 for the base toilet.

 

[RossMAN]

As Howard pointed out Toto is Japanese. About 12 years ago our toilet broke and I spent a long time researching various brands/models, for efficiency, features and overall reliability.

We purchased a Toto Drake from a local plumbing supply store, to this day it has performed flawlessly and just works. Now if only CostCo B&M would carry Toto toilets, my life would be complete.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Toto-Dra...ongated-Toilet-in-Cotton-CST744EL01/203759580

 

[Scarpozzi]

I bought a few Kohlers and have been happy with them, but can't say anything positive about a non-elongated bowl. I'm American and require something bigger than a thimble...

I always want to test-flush toilets before buying. Your concerns of how well they clean are valid. I just agree that keeping a brush and cleaner handy in the event of a problem is cheap insurance.

 

[bryanl]

This month's issue of Consumer Reports has toilet ratings, and a $100 Glacier Bay (Home Depot's brand) rated among the best.

 

[inachu]

If you are 5'7" or under then buy TOTO.

If you are taller or larger then get the old larger style.

If your normal goings on are larger than a horse then getting something petite like for asian people is quite insane.

So anyway other than quality of product you must base the product on how large you are. I doubt there are any super large humans that defecate like a tiny rabbit no?

So:
Quality
Size
Features

These 3 things are what you must focus on.

 

[CPA]

I have the new Kohler with the at-night LED backlight and scent fan that activates when you sit on the toilet seat. Yep. I do. And I love it.

 

[richardycc]

I have both TOTO with Sanagloss toilet in a 1/2 bath and American Standard with Everclean in my master bathroom and 2nd bathroom. I have well water, and I can see the TOTO has a rust ring stain that I might have to use CLR to get rid of, the American Standard is still rust stain free. I like the TOTO seat better and it's more comfy, the AS seat is very flimsy and flat, but I've replaced the American Standard seat with a heated one anyway. both are not very quiet, my old Kohler Highline toilet was a lot more quieter in both flush and refill.

 

[tortillasoup]

are you able to find out which model number toilets you have? Also the Champion 4 max is a pretty impressive toilet going by the youtube videos I saw of it but the problem is, it's an ADA toilet and I don't want a "comfort height" or "ADA" toilet as those are too high. 14" tall bowl is really the only height I want, maybe even smaller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ml7WBD0UWE

 

[slag]

As Howard pointed out Toto is Japanese. About 12 years ago our toilet broke and I spent a long time researching various brands/models, for efficiency, features and overall reliability.

We purchased a Toto Drake from a local plumbing supply store, to this day it has performed flawlessly and just works. Now if only CostCo B&M would carry Toto toilets, my life would be complete.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Toto-Dra...ongated-Toilet-in-Cotton-CST744EL01/203759580

About 13 years ago we moved into our current home. I replaced all of the toilets there with American Standard ones from Home Depot. They are all still working perfectly.

You don't have to do hours of research and spend a ton of money to get a good working toilet. Any modern toilet you buy at the store will be water efficient and flush just about anything down with gusto.

 

[tortillasoup]

About 13 years ago we moved into our current home. I replaced all of the toilets there with American Standard ones from Home Depot. They are all still working perfectly.

You don't have to do hours of research and spend a ton of money to get a good working toilet. Any modern toilet you buy at the store will be water efficient and flush just about anything down with gusto.

I have an American Standard from 2001 that I hate. It has a problem with staining easily and I think the reason it's prone to clogging is because the passage ways inside of the toilet are roughened up with deposits. Next toilet I get I'll try not to use any bleach or stuff that will scratch the surfaces but I also don't want to have to use aggressive cleaners in the first place. I have a Toto from 2004 that I like but it's prone to getting skidmarks due to the way the bowl is setup, possibly not enough water in the bowl or something. I have a 70s toilet that uses a lot of water and is prone to clogging as well, also is stained at the bottom of it. So I figure that I'll be replacing two toilets with something that I like.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Here's the Toto in my bathroom. Not much on privacy, but the kids in the park out back seem to get a kick out of it.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I replaced a piece of crap toilet (har har) with an American Standard. Works well, I doubt it will ever clog given its ridiculous flushing power, but the only thing I didn't pay attention to when I got it is it is ADA compliant so it is definitely a throne. Had I paid more attention I would have gotten the regular one.

I haven't had any issues with staining yet, but it is only a few months old.

 

[Moonbeam]

So far I have decided on this one: http://www.amazon.com/MS964214CEFG-01-Soiree-Elongated-Sanagloss/dp/B0030G9FYI?tag=ratemytoilet-20

 

[tortillasoup]

I've noticed a lot of the highly rated (in terms of good flushing power) are ADA rated toilets. The problem is, ADA or even "comfort height" toilets are very bad for your colon. Ever since I bought a step for my toilet (i.e. Squatty potty equivalent), I spend far less time on the toilet now. My colon thanks me for basically squatting on the toilet now.

 

[slag]

I have an American Standard from 2001 that I hate. It has a problem with staining easily and I think the reason it's prone to clogging is because the passage ways inside of the toilet are roughened up with deposits. Next toilet I get I'll try not to use any bleach or stuff that will scratch the surfaces but I also don't want to have to use aggressive cleaners in the first place. I have a Toto from 2004 that I like but it's prone to getting skidmarks due to the way the bowl is setup, possibly not enough water in the bowl or something. I have a 70s toilet that uses a lot of water and is prone to clogging as well, also is stained at the bottom of it. So I figure that I'll be replacing two toilets with something that I like.

We have a water softener and don't get "deposits" or stains that dont come clean with a little bowl cleaner and a brush. Weird.

 

[tortillasoup]

We have a water softener and don't get "deposits" or stains that dont come clean with a little bowl cleaner and a brush. Weird.

I believe what happened was I used some aggressive cleaner like ajax and managed to scratch the porcelain enough so that future calcium/lime/bacteria deposits were able to more easily latch onto the surface, requiring further cleaning. I have more newer TOTO toilet that while has issues with users leaving skid marks, it doesn't have this sort of staining. The buildup I have in my toilet literally looks like tartar you'd see on the back of someone's teeth.

 

[bamx2]

It is better to buy one that can use generic replacement parts (vs proprietary parts). Make sure to check that out when shopping around.

I agree that Toto is probably the best but this one is a good value too (uses generic parts) - http://www.lowes.com/pd_98923-70476...currentURL=?Ntt=aquasource+toilets&facetInfo=

 

[tortillasoup]

Problems with that toilet: 2" trapway (very small relatively speaking), and "comfort height" which means it's too tall.

 

[Greenman]

So far I have decided on this one: http://www.amazon.com/MS964214CEFG-01-Soiree-Elongated-Sanagloss/dp/B0030G9FYI?tag=ratemytoilet-20

Be advised that that model has a very weird mounting system. I installed one once and while it worked, I felt the mounting setup was overly complex and clunky.
There haven't been any problems with it, and the client has had no complaints.

 

[Moonbeam]

Be advised that that model has a very weird mounting system. I installed one once and while it worked, I felt the mounting setup was overly complex and clunky.
There haven't been any problems with it, and the client has had no complaints.

I read some reviews and they sort of scared me. I like the looks but am now considering a consumer reports recommended from Lowes:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_88575-834-2...+(lowe's)+toilet&productId=3306710&rpp=32

Seems also to be problematic to install.

 

[twinrider1]

In a pinch for time and money, I took a chance on the $99 Aquasource from Lowe's. I don't know if Consumer Reports has reviewed it, but the online reviews are very good.
I installed it myself with no problem. It even comes with the seat and the wax ring. Some reviewers thought the seat was flimsy, but I'm a fat mofo and the seat has been just fine. I like it well enough to install one in the other bathroom too. More than a year later and they're both doing great.