It used to be that we didn’t have to worry about water. It seemed to be in infinite supply and was expected to last us for generations. Nowadays, however, we know better. As one of the most important natural resources in the world, it is also in need of conservation. There are so many areas in the world with no supply of fresh water, and even in the USA, there are places with limited water supply.
There have been several campaigns to make people aware of the need to conserve water, e.g., not letting the water run while you’re brushing your teeth, fixing broken pipes immediately, among others. Indeed, it’s the simple everyday tasks that will save millions of gallons of water per day. Another thing that should be considered, however, is how many gallons of water are flushed peruse. We use the toilet several times a day, and if we always flush 3 gallons or more, that adds up to a lot of water wasted, around 33,000 gallons of water per year, on average, in a family of four.
This awareness of water as a very important resource has led to the development of water-saving toilets that use 1.6 gallons of water per flush (GPF) or less. These low-flow toilets will reduce your water consumption by up to 60% and lets you save on your water bills.
If you are interested in installing this water-saving toilet in your home, we came up with a review of the 5 best low-flow toilets on the market today. Read each one’s in-depth feature, including the pros and cons, and decide which is best for your bathroom.
Best Low-Flow Water-Saving Toilets
| Product Name | Latest Price | GPF | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toto CST454CUFG#01 Drake II | Check Price | 1 GPF | 28.5 x 15 x 30 Inches |
| Niagara 77002WHCO1 Stealth | Check Price | 0.8 GPF | 27 x 18.8 x 30 Inches |
| American Standard 2887218.020 | Check Price | 0.92 GPF | 15 x 29.8 x 30 Inches |
| KOHLER K-3609-0 Cimarron | Check Price | 1.28 GPF | 28.8 x 17.6 x 30.8 Inches |
| American Standard 288DA114.020 H2Optimum | Check Price | 1.1 GPF | 15 x 27.8 x 30 Inches |
1. Toto CST454CUFG#01 Drake II 1G Close Coupled Toilet
TOTO and Drake are recognized as global leaders in the production of the highest quality bathroom fixtures available today. These two giants worked together to offer the best water-efficient toilets that use only 1.0 GPF.
The two-piece design of this precision-engineered toilet, for example, uses all the available technology of these two powerhouse companies to bring you a toilet of the future. Sleek, high-profile design with smooth, clean lines, it offers features that make this toilet one of the bestselling low-flow toilets in the world.
While it uses 20% less water than conventional water-guzzling toilets, it has a strong, powerful flush because of the Double Cyclone Technology it uses. With only one flush, your toilet is left clean of waste. It’s SanaGloss glazing also makes it easy to clean, and it stays cleaner longer.
Pros
- It has a pressure-assisted flushing mechanism for maximum flushing power and efficiency.
- It uses Double Cyclone Technology that gives a powerful, quiet flush every time.
- The ion barrier glazing of the bowl prevents waste material from sticking.
- Its Universal Height makes it a comfortable toilet to use.
- It is ADA (American with Disabilities Act)-compliant.
- The product has a one-year warranty included.
Cons
- The seat has to be purchased separately.
- The mounting flange design does not allow for a larger quantity of waste removal.
- It seems not worth the higher price paid.
The Toto CST454CUFG#01 Drake II 1G Close Coupled Toilet has an excellent rating on Amazon. Destined to be the leader in conserving water with the best in low-flow flushing technology, this two-piece toilet will continually pay for itself each time it is flushed. It is priced well within a range of a more expensive and less performing toilet and is considered the best water-saving toilet on the market.
For more information on this low-flow toilet, please click the following link.
2. Niagara 77002WHCO1 Stealth 0.8 GPF Toilet
Niagara proudly introduces one of the first pressure-assisted toilets for residential use. Typically used for commercial applications, this ADA-compliant, water-saving toilet uses Stealth Technology that gives the toilet a highly efficient and quiet flushing performance.
With no flapper valve to leak or get broken, a common problem with conventional toilets, Niagara toilet saves thousands of gallons of water per year, using only 0.8 GPF. The flush works by building pressure inside a specially-designed tank, so with intense pressure every time it is flushed, all waste materials are removed at the first flush, no multiple flushing required due to high-pressure flushing systems.
Pros
- The toilet is EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) WaterSense certified, saving up to 35% water than the standard 1.28 high-efficiency toilets.
- The EZ height bowl is comfortable, making sitting and standing easier.
- The round bowl configuration is ideal for bathrooms with limited space.
- It has a quiet and powerful flush.
- All refill noise is completely eliminated.
Cons
- It is great for second-floor installation but not for lower levels with concrete slab foundations
- It is not designed for homes older than 20 years.
- The seat is not included in the package.
However, the majority of feedback from users loved how quiet and how efficient this Niagara toilet is. Several commented on the high quality of its parts, as well.
For more information on this pressure-assisted toilet that is designed to save you water and money, please check the following.
3. American Standard 2887218.020 H2Option Siphonic Dual Flush Toilet
As one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality toilets and bathroom fixtures, American Standard has again produced a winner in this low-flow gravity flush toilet. With the patented H2Option technology, this dual-flush toilet is the greatest water efficiency flush toilet that you can buy, using only 1.28 GPF for the full flush, and 0.92 GPF for the partial flush.
Its ultra-high performance with a low gallon per flush rate allows for efficient flushing while saving water. Its siphon jet bowl technology has a PowerWash rim, so you don’t even need to sweat, keeping this toilet clean; every flush will also clean the bowl.
Pros
- It is a top-rated dual-flush toilet that saves water.
- Its EverClean surface is easy to clean and stays cleaner longer.
- Its efficient PowerWash Rim cleans while flushing.
- The 2-inch flush valve reduces the risk of clogging.
- It has a 5-year warranty.
Cons
- No seat, wax ring, or supply line included in the package.
- Water jets do not cover the entire bowl.
- The adjustment instructions included are hard to understand.
- There were some issues with delivery.
If you need more information about this toilet, check out the American Standard website for possible promos.
4. KOHLER K-3609-0 Cimarron Comfort Height Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet
The Cimarron two-piece toilet from Kohler offers a low-flow flushing toilet without compromising efficiency. With the Aqua Piston patented flush engine, and using Class Five flushing technology, every flush is powerful and fast, even if it uses only 1.28 GPF. It is EPA WaterSense Certified, so this high-efficiency low-flow toilet saves up to 16,500 gallons of water per year.
The easy and sleek curves of the Kohler K-3609-0 Cimarron is sure to complement any bathroom décor. Its elongated bowl means it’s a comfortable toilet to use, too.
Pros
- Its DryLock System saves installation time and helps prevent water leakage.
- It has a 3:2 flushing ratio for optimal flush performance.
- It is made of durable vitreous china material.
- Its 3” flapper flush valve has guaranteed leak-free performance.
- A 1-year Kohler warranty is included.
Cons
- It may be hard to keep clean.
- The newly-designed installation height may be too high and uncomfortable.
- The tank is small compared to the very large bowl, giving a strange out of shape appearance.
- The toilet seat is not included.
For more information on this toilet, please refer to the following link.
5. American Standard 288DA114.020 H2Optimum Siphonic Round Front Toilet
This high-efficiency toilet from American Standard is rated as an ultra-high efficiency (UHET) toilet as it uses only 1.1 GPF and yet manages to completely remove wastes with just one flush. It has a patented EverClean surface that prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria, and with the siphon jet bowl technology used in combination with a PowerWash rim, this two-piece toilet requires less cleaning. Every time the toilet is flushed, the circulating water scrubs the bowl, keeping it cleaner longer.
This American Standard toilet also has a glazed 2″ trapway that reduces the risk of clogging, while its normal height makes it comfortable for most adults to use. It is EPA WaterSense certified, as well as CALGreen and California Energy Commission (CEC)-compliant.
Pros
- The smooth interior of the bowl prevents rings and makes it look cleaner.
- It has a generous 9” x 8” water surface area.
- The round bowl makes it perfect for small bathrooms.
- It has an unmatched push-pull flushing action.
- It has a limited lifetime warranty on the bowl and a limited 5-year warranty on all mechanical parts.
Cons
- It is only available in white that looks “off-white.”
- The seat must be purchased separately.
- Toilet appears to be very “child-like” small.
Some critical reviews pointed out the toilet’s small size, while others had to do with issues in delivery. Nonetheless, the majority of users commended the toilet’s efficiency in flushing, even if it’s just using 1.1 GPF. They found it easy to install and great for bathrooms with small spaces.
You can get additional savings through free shipping when you buy this toilet.
Best Low-Flow Toilets Buying Guide
The toilet is one of the most widely used fixtures in the home. In a typical house, toilets consume nearly 40 percent of water. In a given family of four, for example, a toilet is flushed, on average, 4,000 times per year. That’s thousands upon thousands of water flushed into the sewer daily.
Given the need to conserve water, water-saving toilets were born. Unlike older models that consume over 3 gallons of water per flush, the toilets of today, called low-flow, low-flush, or high-efficiency toilets, consume no more than 1.6 GPF.
As the name implies, low-flow toilets use gravity or pressure-assisted technology to permanently reduce the use of water in your bathroom by at least 50 percent. Using a high-efficiency toilet will save thousands of gallons of water a year. Another advantage, of course, is that with the reduction of water usage in the bathroom, your utility bills will also go down.
The gravity low-flow toilet works very similar to the traditional water-saving toilet used in millions of homes today. When flushed, a pull chain pulls up the flapper valve at the bottom of the water tank, sending in a rush of water that forces all waste down the drain. While working effectively, this conventional means of flushing still lacks improvements that are now an integral part of all low-flush toilets.
In contrast to the gravity method of flushing a low-flow toilet, the pressure-assisted one compresses a pocket of air into the tank. When the toilet is flushed, the compressed air is released, removing waste precisely and efficiently. A pressure-assisted low-flow toilet is generally louder than the gravity method of flushing, but it uses even less water.
When looking to replace your old, outdated toilet with a low-flow toilet, look for models that are labeled as high-efficiency toilets. They should also be EPA WaterSense certified. TOTO, Niagara, American Standard, and Kohler all offer low-flush toilets with EPA certification. These manufacturers are industry leaders that offer the best low-flow toilets on the market today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When looking to buy a low-flow toilet, it is understandable that you may have some questions about the product. After all, it’s not as commonly used as the traditional, water-guzzling toilets of the past. Here are some of the questions focused on concerns from consumers considering the purchase of a low-flow toilet.
Q. What is an ultra-low-flush toilet (ULFT)?
A. Low-flush toilets are designed to use a minimum of water per flush, typically 1.6 GPF. With dual flush technology, low flush toilets use even less water than the mandated federal law adopted in 1994, requiring all toilets sold to use less than 2 gallons of water per flush.
Q. How do low-flow toilets work?
A. Low-flow toilets use either gravity or pressure-assisted method when flushing. Gravity-fed low-flow toilets work on the same principle as the old, conventional toilets. Tripping the flush lever pulls on an adjustable chain inside the water tank, pulling up the flapper valve and releasing the stored water into the bowl.
On the other hand, pressure-assisted low-flow toilets have a tank within a tank that builds stored pressure when the toilet is flushed. When flushing a pressure-assisted low-flow toilet, you will notice a slightly louder noise level due to the stored pressure release. It should be noted that TOTO low-flow toilets have introduced additional technology that greatly reduces this noise. Pressure-assisted toilets use less water per flush than gravity-fed toilets.
Q. How much does it cost to install a low-flow toilet?
A. Installing a low-flow toilet is easily accomplished by anyone with minimal skills. Leading manufacturers of low-flow toilets like Niagara, TOTO, American Standard, and Kohler have step-by-step instructions included with all their toilets. If preferred, the cost of professional installation varies. Contact your local plumber for additional information.
Q. How much water do low-flow toilets use per flush?
A. Federally mandated into law in 1994, all toilets manufactured today are required to use less than 2 gallons per flush. With the introduction of the latest in technology, a number of low-flush toilets today use even less than that per flush.
Q. How dependable are low-flow toilets?
A. As is the case with any plumbing fixture, eventually parts wear out depending on the amount of usage. Parts for gravity-fed low-flush toilets are readily available and easy to replace. Parts for pressure-assisted toilets are harder to find, may cost more, and often require professional replacement. However, they are also more durable.
Q. How do I keep a low-flow toilet clean?
A. Keeping a low-flow toilet clean is a matter of personal hygiene. Siphoning suction of waste materials in this kind of toilet releases water at increased speeds to remove and sanitize the toilet bowl during flushing. You will find that the toilet bowls of low-flow toilets require only minimal cleaning compared to other toilets.
Conclusion
More and more people are now aware of the need to conserve water. Aside from the other tried-and-tested ways of water conservation, leading toilet manufacturers have also come up with highly-efficient toilets with very low water consumption. These low-flow toilets, while not as popular (yet) as conventional toilets, are increasingly getting noticed.
You can help save water while reducing your utility bills at the same time. If you are out looking for a replacement for your toilet, think about the environment and consider buying a low-flow toilet instead. Any of the toilets we mentioned here would be a good choice.
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