Best Toilets for Home: What Actually Matters

The best toilet for your home is the one that clears the bowl in one flush, sits at a height that suits you and doesn't waste water. Brand matters less than those three numbers.

The short answer: look for a model on the MaP PREMIUM list. Every toilet on it uses no more than about 1.1 gallons per flush and removed at least 600 grams of waste in an independent flush test. The longer answer depends on your bathroom and who uses it.

We didn't test these toilets ourselves. The picks below come from the MaP PREMIUM list dated June 19, 2026, and from the manufacturers' model numbers on that list.

What actually matters when you choose a toilet?

1. Flush power (the MaP score)

MaP is an independent test that measures how much waste a toilet removes in a single flush, in grams. The WaterSense label requires at least 350 grams. MaP PREMIUM requires at least 600. Higher means fewer double flushes and less time with a plunger.

2. Seat height

Standard toilets sit lower. Chair-height models (sold as "Comfort Height," "Universal Height" and similar names) sit higher. For reference, the ADA standard for accessible toilets puts the seat between 17 and 19 inches from the floor, measured to the top of the seat. Sit on a display model if you can, and pick the height that feels right for everyone in the house.

3. Water use

A WaterSense toilet uses no more than 1.28 gallons per flush. MaP PREMIUM models go further, to about 1.1 gallons or less. All six picks below use 1.0 gallon or less per flush.

Two shape questions

• Elongated or round? An elongated bowl is longer. A round bowl takes less space in a tight bathroom.
• One-piece or two-piece? A one-piece toilet has no seam between the tank and the bowl to clean around.

Six toilets that pass all three checks

Every model below is on the MaP PREMIUM list of June 19, 2026. Flush volume, bowl shape and seat height are as listed there. Check the exact model number before you buy: the same name is often sold in several versions.

TOTO Drake EL CH (CST746CEMF)

Best for: a classic two-piece toilet at chair height.

• Flush volume: 1.0 gallon
• Bowl: elongated
• Seat height: chair height

What it gets you: a two-piece chair-height toilet on the MaP PREMIUM list, at 1.0 gallon per flush.

What to watch for: TOTO sells several Drake versions. The listing above is the 1.0-gallon chair-height model.

TOTO Ultramax II (CST604CUF)

Best for: easier cleaning, with no tank-to-bowl seam.

• Flush volume: 1.0 gallon
• Bowl: elongated
• Seat height: chair height
• One-piece

What it gets you: a one-piece body, so there's no gap between tank and bowl to wipe.

What to watch for: the list shows several model numbers for the same toilet. Match yours to the list.

Kohler Highline (K-44298)

Best for: a two-piece chair-height toilet from Kohler.

• Flush volume: 1.0 gallon
• Bowl: elongated
• Seat height: chair height

What it gets you: the chair-height version of the Highline, at 1.0 gallon per flush.

What to watch for: other Highline versions on the list (Flair, Classic) are standard height, not chair height.

Glacier Bay by Niagara (N2410E)

Best for: a store-brand option at The Home Depot.

• Flush volume: 1.0 gallon
• Bowl: elongated
• Seat height: chair height

What it gets you: a Home Depot store-brand toilet that still meets MaP PREMIUM. The list shows it's made by Niagara.

What to watch for: Glacier Bay sells many toilets. Check the model number or SKU against the list.

Niagara Stealth (N7717)

Best for: the lowest water use in this list.

• Flush volume: 0.8 gallon
• Bowl: elongated
• Seat height: chair height

What it gets you: the smallest flush volume of the six, while still on the MaP PREMIUM list.

What to watch for: a round-bowl version (N7716) also exists. Pick the one that fits your space.

Gerber Viper (DF-20-521)

Best for: a dual-flush toilet.

• Flush volume: 1.0 gallon (dual flush)
• Bowl: elongated
• Seat height: chair height

What it gets you: two buttons, so you can use a smaller flush for liquid waste.

What to watch for: Gerber lists other Viper models at standard height. Match the model number.

How much does a new toilet cost?

The toilet itself usually runs $200 to $600, according to Fixr. Installed, This Old House reports an average of $467.

Before you order, measure the rough-in: the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the center of the floor drain. Your new toilet has to match it.

If the toilet is part of a bigger project, see what a full bathroom remodel costs.

Sources

Figures checked on October 20, 2026.

1. MaP Testing, "MaP PREMIUM" criteria and the list of retail MaP PREMIUM models dated June 19, 2026. map-testing.com/map-premium
2. MaP Testing, "WaterSense" requirements, page modified June 25, 2026. map-testing.com/watersense
3. 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, section 604.4, "Seats."
4. Fixr, "How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?" updated January 27, 2026. fixr.com/costs/bathroom-remodeling
5. This Old House, "Bathroom Remodel Cost," updated July 2, 2026. thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/bathroom-remodel-cost

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It doesn't change which models we list.

Common questions