In the United States, water scarcity is one of the most serious environmental problems that people are facing and the current high demand for this resource can lead to a crisis in the future if local waterways can no longer supply adequate amounts. Toilets account for about 30% of an average home’s water consumption and older toilet models can use as much as 6 gallons per flush, leading to major water wastage.
Amid the growing water shortage, toilet companies have started producing water-efficient toilet systems that use a considerably lower amount of water when flushing. These toilets are certified by the EPA as WaterSense toilets, which ensure that the toilet uses only 1.28 GPF or less while guaranteeing that flush performance isn’t compromised. If each household in the US would shift to a WaterSense toilet, it would help save about 520 billion gallons of water each year.
Water-saving toilets have a WaterSense label that verifies that they have completed the certification process. They can either be single flush or dual flush. Dual flush units have a half-flush button that uses even less water, commonly around 0.6 to 0.8 GPF, and can be used to remove both liquid and solid waste.
If you are doing home repairs or renovations, this is the best time to replace your toilet. However, if your toilet is leaking, it is recommended to replace it as soon as possible as leaks can waste up to 18,000 gallons of water annually. Take look at some of our top picks when it comes to water-saving units.
Best Low Flow Toilets
Niagara Stealth 0.8 GPF Toilet -Best Budget
The Niagara Stealth 0.8 GPF Toilet is an ultra-high-efficiency water-saving toilet that features Niagara’s patented hydraulic technology called Stealth. Stealth technology uses only 0.8 gallons per flush or half of what the federal regulations require. Despite using less water for flushing, flush performance isn’t reduced thanks to the strong siphon action of the toilet. The toilet also has a whisper-quiet flush.
Apart from being a WaterSense-certified toilet, the two-piece system has an elongated bowl for comfort, an EZ Height design to make it easier to stand up from and sit down, and a fully glazed 2-inch trapway. The Stealth Toilet also has an integrated flapperless technology to prevent the toilet from leaking.
Customers have commented that the toilet is very efficient and quiet. It flushes waste with minimal water and those on the tall side find the EZ Height design comfortable. Users have also shared that the toilet only needed to be flushed once to remove waste and refilling time is fast enough. When it comes to installing the Niagara Stealth toilet, customers found it easy to follow the instructions.
Some customers shared that the toilet water only runs down the front part when flushed, which can be a problem when waste sticks to the back part of the bowl. In cases where the toilet clogged, users also found that plungers do not seem to work with the system. There was also some feedback that the unit extends further from the wall compared to other toilets, which can compromise space in small bathrooms.
Glacier Bay 1.1 GPF/1.6 GPF High-Efficiency Dual Flush Elongated Toilet
Glacier Bay Dual Flush Toilet is a WaterSense-certified high-efficiency one-piece toilet that uses 1.1 GPF for liquid waste and 1.6 GPF for solid waste. Both flush buttons are located on top of the tank for easy access. The integrated toilet is easy to clean and has a sleek, elegant design. The toilet unit is made of crack-resistant vitreous china and includes all components needed for installation including the chrome-plated trip levers, wax seal, and other hardware.
Apart from being water-efficient and lowering one’s water bills, the Glacier Bay one-piece toilet combines compactness and comfort with its elongated seat design and 16.5-inch bowl height. Although the toilet water supply line will have to be purchased separately, the toilet unit comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
Installation-wise, customers found it easy to install the toilet especially since all the things needed to get it done are already included in the package. It is also lighter compared to other one-piece toilet brands, which makes it easier to carry and move around. Customers also found the flush quiet and easy to clean. Some users also commented that the toilet, which is about 3 inches shorter compared to traditional toilet models, gives the illusion of more space in the bathroom. The flush is also efficient in removing waste and the buttons are easy to press even for kids.
One of the things that customers found to be a problem with the toilet is the toilet seat included in the package. Some customers found it low quality and some have reported that it wobbles and moves around when someone sits on it.
Kohler Cimarron Comfort Height Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet
Kohler’s Cimarron High-Efficiency Toilet gives users the best of both worlds thanks to its versatile design and water-saving feature. Certified by WaterSense, the toilet uses 1.28 gallons per flush to deliver significant savings in water use without compromising on quality and performance. The toilet features Kohler’s AquaPiston technology, a patented flushing system that gives a powerful flush without any plugs by allowing water to flow into the bowl from all sides.
The two-piece toilet also features an elongated bowl for more space to sit on as well as Comfort Height chair-level seating for ease of sitting down and standing up. It has a standard 12” rough-in and makes use of DryLock installation system wherein you only need a socket wrench to secure the toilet and there’s no need for bolt holes in the tank for a fast and no-leak process. The Cimarron toilet does not come with the toilet seat and water supply line.
The majority of customers agree that the Cimarron toilet was very efficient when it comes to flushing and water consumption. The Comfort Height feature combined with the elongated seat gave increased comfort when sitting down. Customers also loved the DryLock feature which reduced chances of getting any leaks since the bolts do not need to go through the tank.
One of the biggest drawbacks to the toilet is obviously the lack of the toilet seat in the package. Some customers weren’t aware that the package didn’t include the seat and ended up spending more to get a seat. Some also received broken parts and not everyone was able to get a replacement in case of any damage. Several users also reported that the Cimarron toilet started leaking after several years of use.
TOTO Eco Drake Two-Piece Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet
TOTO’s Eco Drake is a commercial-grade, two-piece toilet that combines function, design, and technology into one system. The Eco Drake toilet features TOTO’s E-Max flushing system, an innovative technology that makes use of a wide 3-inch valve and extra-large siphon jet to produce a powerful but quiet flush. The WaterSense toilet uses only 1.28 gallons per flush and has a clean shut off at any water pressure.
The Eco Drake toilet comes with an elongated front bowl and tank set with a 12-inch rough-in. Buyers have the option to get a model with CEFIONTECT ceramic glaze, a coating that makes the surface of the bowl smoother and helps maintain cleanliness by preventing the growth of bacteria, mold, and other organisms that can cause damage to the toilet. Apart from WaterSense certification, the Eco Drake toilet is also CALGreen certified which meets the new California Green Buildings Standards Code for green technology.
Customers who’ve purchased the Eco Drake toilet found the flush efficient especially with the minimal amount of water used. Some customers have also found the flushing system to be more efficient than standard systems. The toilet is shipped out in two different boxes for ease of carrying around and the majority of customers found it well-packaged. Users have found it easy to install and shared that it works fine with both a septic and well system.
Some users have found that the toilet stains easily and that the satins are hard to get out. Customers were also off-put that the seat wasn’t included in the package. There is also some feedback that the fill valve is very noisy and that you have to push down the handle for several seconds to be able to flush effectively.
American Standard H2 Option Dual-Flush WaterSense Toilet
H2Option Dual Flush Toilet by American Standard is a high-efficiency toilet that is EPA WaterSense-certified that lets you choose between 1.0 or 1.6 gallons per flush. It features American Standard’s PowerRim technology, an innovation that releases a measured amount of water through the toilet’s inner rim during each flush to ensure that the bowl is cleared out completely after every use.
Apart from this, the H2Option toilet has a wide 9×8-inch water surface area, a 12-inch rough-in, and a fully glazed 2-inch trapway. The toilet also comes with EverClean surface, a technology that makes use of silver’s antimicrobial properties to prevent the growth of mildew, mold, and bacteria on the surface of the bowl. The super-smooth surface also prevents water and stain rings from forming and repels waste that can stick on the bowl.
Customers found the toilet narrower than standards toilets which make it suitable for tight spaces. Users have also found the flush quiet and efficient. Refill time is also fast and most customers agree that the 1.0 GPF is enough removing any kind of waste. Customers also found the EverClean glaze effective as waste doesn’t stick on the surface and brushing isn’t necessary until every few days or so.
One of the issues that some customers had with the H2Option toilet is the water continuously flowing because of the float cup submerging in the tank. Others also received the toilet with parts broken or missing and customer service takes a while before sending through the replacement. Several customers have also complained that the toilet often clogs.
Woodbridge T-0019 Comfort Height Water Sense Toilet – Overall Value
If you’re after a WaterSense toilet that gives you the most value for your money, you might want to consider getting the Woodbridge T-0019 Toilet. The dual flush system uses 1.0 and 1.6 gallons per flush and has a siphon flushing design to create a powerful but quiet flush. The fully glazed flushing system is also designed to reduce the possibility of clogging and leaking.
Apart from the water-saving feature, the T-0019 also has a skirted trapway to make cleaning easier, Comfort Height design to make sitting down and standing up more convenient for most adults, and a soft-closing seat with a stainless-steel seat hinge for comfort and easy removal. The toilet comes as a complete package and includes the floor bolts, wax ring, and special wrench for easy installation. Woodbridge gives a 1-year warranty on the flushing mechanism and toilet seat and a 5-year warranty on porcelain parts from fading or staining of the glaze.
Customers found the T-0019 easy to clean and comfortable to use. Installation is straightforward and instructions are easy to follow but can be a challenge in tight spaces. Users also liked that they were able to fit in a bidet toilet seat to replace the soft-close seat with ease. For customers who opted to use the toilet seat included in the package, they found it sturdy and comfortable.
Some customers found the flush a bit weak and noisy. There was some feedback that they had to constantly scrub the toilet or flush several times to get it cleaned completely. Some users also reported that the tank leaked and constantly refilled. Other customers also reported that the toilet they received had patch jobs which caused leaking.
TOTO UltraMax II One-Piece Elongated 1.28 GPF Universal Height Toilet
The TOTO Ultramax II Toilet is a one-piece WaterSense-certified toilet designed to flush away waste with just 1.28 gallons of water per flush. It features TOTO’s Tornado Flush technology which makes use of two powerful nozzles that create a cyclonic action when rinsing the bowl. The centrifugal movement allows better cleansing of the toilet and ensures that the entire surface is washed completely with every flush.
The Ultramax II is also easier to clean thanks to the absence of the gap between the bowl and tank which dirt and debris can get into. The bowl is glazed with CEFIONTECT which makes the surface smooth and prevents debris and waste from sticking to the ceramic. The toilet has a 12-inch rough-in and a computer-designed, fully glazed trapway. The UltraMax II also features Tornado Flush technology and comes with a TOTO SoftClose seat.
Customers agree that the UltraMax II is easy to install. It is also compact without sacrificing comfort, as users on the bigger side found the elongated toilet comfortable to sit on. Majority of customers also commented that the flush works efficiently and the whirlpool action successfully cleans the bowl after every use. The UltraMax II is also easy to clean and users found the bowl needed little to no cleaning thanks to the glaze.
Some customers had problems with the toilet clogging regularly. Other users also noticed cracks on their UltraMax II after just several months of use. There is also some feedback that the toilet height sits somewhere between a standard toilet and an ADA-height one and might not be suitable for users on the short side.
Saniflo 023 Sanicompact Self-Contained Toilet – Best Compact
For homes with minimal bathroom space, the Saniflo 023 Sanicompact Toilet is worth checking out as it’s compact and works well for half bathrooms. The Sanicompact toilet features a modern design that saves space, uses just one gallon of water per flush, and suitable for people with limitations in mobility and needs easy access to a toilet with a bowl height of 18.5 inches without the seat. The WaterSense toilet doesn’t make use of a toilet tank, rather, it has a macerating flush system to facilitate the removal of waste.
An air switch found at the top of the bowl activates the flush action and allows 1 gallon of water to flow through the toilet. The motor mechanism inside the toilet sucks the waste and macerates it, before pumping it away through a discharge elbow on the back of the Sanicompact toilet. The discharge elbow can be rotated 360-degrees to fit into any kind of installation and is capable of pumping the effluent 100 feet horizontally with the help of gravity or 9 feet upward.
Customers who’ve purchased the Sanicompact toilet found it easy and cheap to install, sharing that it was easy to plumb up and plumbing work was kept to a minimum compared to conventional toilet units. A lot of users purchased the toilet to install in the basement or as a bedside commode for the elderly. Quality-wise, users have commented that it is durable and functions consistently even after months of heavy use.
A common observation with customers when it comes to the Sanicompact toilet is that the motor can get quite loud when flushing. Some customers also said that it needed two flushes for solid wastes to be removed completely. Other users found the toilet seat too small for comfort and it couldn’t be replaced with a bigger one.
Woodbridge B-0960S Smart Toilet Dual Flush With Bidet
The B-0960S Smart toilet by Woodbridge is a high-efficiency luxury bidet toilet combo. The high-efficiency WaterSense-certified toilet combines technology with design and function with an elongated bowl, Comfort Height, and skirted sleek profile. It uses 1.1 or 1.6 gallons per flush and uses siphonic jet action to facilitate the removal of waste from the bowl.
Apart from its water-saving feature, the B-0960S Woodbridge toilet has an automatic open and close lid, automatic flush, warm air dryer, heated seat, and automatic air deodorizer. One can also choose from a feminine wash, posterior wash, or a pulsating wash. Each wash mode can also be customized in terms of water pressure and temperature. All functions can be customized via the touchscreen remote control that can be mounted on the wall or hand-held.
Customers enjoyed the additional features that the bidet has to offer when it comes to doing personal hygiene. According to customer reviews, the toilet can be used on both manual and automatic mode which they found very helpful in case of a power outage. It is also easy to figure out how to use.
According to customer feedback, they wouldn’t recommend using the black wax ring included in the package as it doesn’t provide a sufficient seal. Some customers also shared that the package doesn’t come as a complete set and you will need to buy a bolt set.
TOTO CWT437117MFG-4#01 DuoFit in-Wall Dual Flush Toilet
The TOTO CWT437117MFG-4#-01 MH Wall-Hung Toilet is a high-efficiency WaterSense toilet suitable for bathrooms with limited space. Wall-hung toilets do not only save space but also have a sleeker look and are easier to clean compared to other kinds of toilets. The MH Toilet uses 0.9 and 1.28 gallons per flush and combines TOTO’s Tornado Flush System and CEFIONTECT technology to help maintain the bowl’s cleanliness.
The MH toilet height can be adjusted according to needs and preferences anywhere between 15 to 19 inches from the floor. The D-shape toilet comes with a SoftClose Seat and DuoFit In-Wall Tank system and the copper supply line can be connected to a washlet.
One of the advantages of the CWT437117MFG-4#01 is that it already comes as a complete set with the in-wall tank system. This kind of toilet does need a plumber’s help to get it installed and may be more expensive than installing conventional toilet models.
TOTO 1.28-GPF/0.9-GPF Washlet with Integrated Toilet – Luxury Pick
If luxury and comfort are on top of your list but don’t want to compromise on water-efficiency, the TOTO G400 Integrated Toilet is worth a look. The WaterSense-certified toilet uses 0.9 and 1.28 GPF when flushing and features TOTO’s Dual-Max 3D Tornado Flush. This flushing system uses 3 nozzles to create a cyclonic rinsing action to thoroughly clean the bowl after every use.
The G400’s comfort features are also top-notch, with automatic open and close lid, automatic pre-misting of the bowl, heated seat, warm air dryer, and automatic air deodorizer. The smart toilet also features TOTO’s innovative ceramic glazing, CEFIONTECT, to minimize waste from sticking on the surface of the bowl and reduce the need for harsh chemicals when cleaning. The self-cleaning wand can be customized when it comes to the kind of cleaning you need and has variable water pressure and temperature settings.
Customers agree that you get what you pay for with the G400. The features are exceptional when it comes to doing personal hygiene and it does what it’s supposed to do well. Users on the big side also reported that the toilet was comfortable to sit on. Quality-wise, the majority of customers have had the toilet for years and shared that it still works as well as it did when they first bought the G400.
One of the things that customers found to be less than stellar about the toilet is the ceramic finish on the toilet. Despite having CEFIONTECT, some users have reported that the surface feels rough when they clean it which causes them to scrub it clean more often.
Buyers Guide
Single vs Dual Flush
WaterSense toilets can either have a single or dual flush. Dual flush toilets are more water-efficient since you can choose to use either the half flush or full flush to remove waste from the toilet. Some toilet models have half flush functions strong enough to flush away even solid waste.
Gallons per flush
While WaterSense toilets all use minimal water when flushing, different brands, and models still vary on the amount of water used. It can be as little as 0.6 GPF to 1.28 GPF.
Flushing system
Another thing to consider when it comes to WaterSense toilets is that different brands have their own flushing system to make the flush as efficient as possible. Some toilets have systems in place that allows water to flow on all sides which improves cleaning capability.
Glazed toilets
A lot of newer toilet models feature a ceramic glaze that protects the bowl surface from mold, bacteria, and mildew. The glaze also makes the bowl smoother to prevent waste from sticking on the surface and helps the bowl maintain its cleanliness for longer periods.
Seat Height
WaterSense toilets can come in standard height or Comfort Height. Standard height models are best for those on the short side while Comfort Height models are best for tall users and those with mobility problems.
Conclusion
WaterSense-certified toilets make a huge impact on the environment. They use a significantly reduced amount of water for flushing which does not only give users a lower water bill, but it also helps save a widely-used natural resource. If you have an older toilet model in your home and thinking of getting it replaced, a water-saving toilet is a great option. You can choose from basic models or upgraded ones with a bidet that gives additional comfort features for an upgraded bathroom experience.
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