Any regular toilet should flush efficiently without any issues, but how can you tell a good toilet from a bad one? There are hundreds of toilets with similar designs, so it can be anxiety-inducing to choose the right one for your home.
At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’ve received thousands of questions regarding toilet brands and functionality. Since 2007, we’ve replaced porcelain thrones in Los Angeles with only the best toilet brands available. In our experience, we’ve seen what makes the best toilet brands the top among competitors.
Any working toilet that flushes appropriately is a suitable replacement, but why not invest in a toilet brand that offers comfort and reliability? Throughout our experience, we’ve seen countless homeowners choose the following brands for their toilets.
There are dozens of toilet brands available, but time and time again, we've seen these brands come out on top each year. Learn about each brand and why their toilets are the perfect choice for you and your family.
1. TOTO
Kazuchika Okura founded TOTO in 1912 after the founder was inspired by advanced sewage systems overseas. During this time, Japan’s public sewage system was not as widespread, which motivated Okura to provide adequate bathroom fixtures.
Over the last 100 years, TOTO expanded from Japan to the rest of the world. The company’s most famous product is the WASHLET, a toilet seat with an integrated electronic bidet. The WASHLET is a top-rated product around the world. TOTO has sold more than 60 million of these bidet-integrated toilets since it was first introduced in 1980.
TOTO offers different designs, from classic to modern toilets.
Pros
- Customer-friendly website makes it easy to view their different products.
- The warranty section on their website allows customers to submit claims and provides clear warranty information
- Award-winning toilet designs from the globally recognized iF International Forum
- High-end toilets from TOTO come with heated seats, bidet wand, rear warm water washing, and air dryer
Cons
- TOTO toilets with integrated bidets require a nearby outlet to connect to power the bidet controls. The cord is three feet long.
- Some of their toilets require larger budgets
2. Glacier Bay
Glacier Bay is an exclusive house brand by Home Depot. Home Depot is a nationwide chain of home improvement stores where you can find all sorts of bathroom fixtures, such as their Glacier Bay toilets.
Glacier Bay offers a variety of toilets in different designs, such as one-piece, two-piece, wall-hung, and contemporary. Many of their toilets are available in different finishes to better contemplate your bathroom’s aesthetic. Their most popular toilets include the Glacier Bay Power Flush, which has a vacuum-assisted power chamber that provides each flush with extra strength to reduce the chances of a clog.
All Glacier Bay’s toilets come with a limited lifetime warranty which details how you can submit a claim if there are any issues with your toilet.
Pros
- Extensive inventory of budget-friendly toilets
- Provides descriptive details and pictures of each of its toilets
- It also includes educational videos on toilet installation
- Thousands of five-star reviews on some of their toilets
Cons
- Only available at Home Depot and not in other stores.
- Some low-end models reported with early breakage
3. Kohler
In 1873, Austrian immigrant John Michael Kohler founded the company, and Kohler became one of the leading suppliers of bathroom fixtures. Since its inception, Kohler has been run by descendants of Mr. Kohler. The company was founded in Wisconsin and is still headquartered there.
Kohler’s wide range of toilets provides you with plenty of choices for design, functionality, and comfort. One of their most popular toilets is the Corbelle, which features ContinousClean technology. This toilet’s innovative self-cleaning system keeps the toilet bowl cleaner for five times longer than other toilets.
Pros
- Offers a toilet buying guide to help you find the right product
- Powerful flush, thanks to its aqua piston flush design
- A variety of smart toilets are available
- Toilet seat and bidet accessories are available for sale separately
- Highly responsive customer service
Cons
- Hard to find replacement parts sometimes
- Limited warranty
4. American Standard
American Standard has been one of the leading suppliers of bathroom fixtures for over 140 years. The company has undergone several ownership changes over the years but has never stopped offering ideal toilets for any home.
With so many toilets to choose from, American Standard has a product selector tool on their site to help you find the proper porcelain throne. Their webpage on toilets enables you to find a suitable toilet based on configuration, height, and shape.
One of their highly-rated toilets is the Champion. Not only is this toilet designed with advanced flushing performance, but it also specializes in being virtually clog-free. When determining costs for toilet replacements, the more advanced a toilet is, the more it costs.
Pros
- Lifetime warranties on their toilets, accessories, and parts
- Hundreds of toilets to choose from
- Multiple certifications on their toilets
- EverClean Technology special coating that helps keep toilet bowls clean from dirt streaks
Cons
- A small selection of smart toilets compared to other competitors
- Some customers reported frail seats on their toilets that ended up breaking
5. Delta
The company’s beginnings trace back to the 1930s when Armenian immigrant Alex Manoogian founded it. Delta made a name for itself by selling its faucets and, eventually, other bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
One of Delta’s best-reviewed toilets is the Delta Foundation, thanks to its simplicity. It is a single-flush toilet with an elongated bowl, which is excellent if you want a simple toilet.
Delta toilets are highly regarded for having durable parts. One of the main reasons its a top brand is that you can find its parts in most hardware stores. Its easily available toilet parts make it easy to prolong the life of your toilet.
Pros
- Dual flushing toilets come with a DIY installation video
- Replacement parts are easily available
- Quick customer service response time
Cons
- Minimal inventory of toilets sold on Delta’s website
- Fewer features on toilets than other competitors
What Factors Make These Brands the Best?
The primary role of toilets is to remove waste away from the home. That function has been the same since the first toilet was introduced. Since then, companies have taken the toilet concept to improve its operation and increase comfort.
We determined the best brands for toilet replacement based on the following criteria.
- Toilet Style: Toilets are available in multiple styles, such as two-piece, one-piece, back-to-wall, and wall-hung. The top brands offer various styles.
- Flush Style: A good toilet should flush regardless of brand, but the best companies offer different flush styles like single, dual, pressure-assisted flush, and more.
- Height: Companies offer toilets at different heights to accommodate customers better.
- Bowl Shape: Brands should also offer both round and elongated shaped bowls on toilets.
- Water Usage: To comply with regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency, toilets must use 1.6 gallons per flush or less.
Toilet replacement can be done on your own or by hiring a plumber in the Los Angeles area.
Choosing the Best Toilet Brand for Your Home
Toilets are one of the most used fixtures in a home. The need to replace an old or broken toilet is an urgent matter. You not only need to find a toilet right away but also install it immediately.
Any toilet that flushes properly is a suitable replacement, but why not take the opportunity to upgrade to a modern toilet with some of the best brands? Throughout our accumulated experience, we’ve seen which brands are popular not only within the industry but also with homeowners. At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’ve witnessed how much happier homeowners are when they have a reliable new toilet from an industry-favorite brand.
If you want to learn more about toilets, read about potential issues you may face during toilet replacement.
Book an appointment online if you’re in the Los Angeles area or a surrounding city, and you’re looking to replace your toilet. Contact us at (310) 853-8690 for further assistance.
