10 Types of Toilets Homeowners Should Know

Toilets are a common plumbing fixture, but not every toilet is the same. There are a variety of sizes, shapes, flush styles, and construction options to choose from.

DIYers and plumbers can also find toilets are designed specifically to reduce the amount of water that is used to flush the contents of the toilet bowl. Other models may have assisted flush technology to increase the flushing power of the toilet, ensuring that user doesn't need to flush several times to get the desired result.

Find out more about these 10 types of toilets and how to select a toilet for your home with this informative guide.

Toilet Basics

Toilet Construction

One of the first things to consider when looking for a new toilet is the style or construction of the toilet. There are a few options to choose from, including one-piece, two-piece, and wall-mount toilets. Each these toilet styles offers a different set of benefits and drawbacks, so before selecting a new toilet based purely on the aesthetic appeal, research the toilet styles to ensure that the new toilet is suited for the home.

Generally, one-piece and wall-mount toilets take up less space than a two-piece toilet, though these models are more difficult to install than a two-piece toilet. Additionally, two-piece toilets tend to be the more affordable choice, so if the toilet is for a guest room, kids' bathroom, or you are just looking for an affordable upgrade, then a two-piece toilet is a great way to go.

Toilet Seat

Many toilets will come with toilets seats that are designed for the specific toilet model. However, you can purchase a different toilet seat to improve the comfort and functionality of the toilet. Some toilet seats will include a warming function, while others may have a built-in bidet. More basic models come in a variety of color and size options. Just make sure to measure the new toilet before purchasing a toilet seat.

Flush Method

Most toilets will rely on gravity to flush the water from the tank into the bowl to force the contents of the bowl into the drain. These toilets are referred to as gravity-flush toilets due to this flush method. However, you can also find dual-flush toilets that use the same gravity-flush mechanism, but the user can choose between a low-flow flush or a strong flush.

Similarly, some toilets are designed to increase the power of the flush in order to ensure that the contents of the toilet bowl get washed into the drain line. These toilets are generally referred to as pressure-assisted toilets. This additional force is possible because the toilet uses air pressure to increase the flushing power.

Water Usage

Older toilets use a lot of water. In fact, they can use about six gallons per flush, which means that in most cases, the toilet is using far more water than necessary to flush the contents of the bowl. Newer toilets must adhere to the current water conservation laws, so toilet water usage is limited to about 1.6 gallons per flush, though many models use as little as 1.28 gallons per flush.

Not only does this reduce the amount of wasted water and help ongoing conservation efforts, it also means that the home is using less water overall, leading to lower water bills. When looking for a new toilet for the home, research dual flush and low flow toilets to find a product that can flush without wasting a substantial amount of water.

Toilet Height

The height of the toilet generally refers to the height of the toilet bowl. Toilets can feel relatively comfortable to sit on if the height is right, but some toilets can be too tall or too short.

Typically, toilets are available in two sizes, including standard height or chair height. Chair height has also been referred to as comfort height, depending on the brand and supplier. Opt for a chair height toilet if the majority of users are taller, but consider a standard height toilet for a kids bathroom or if most of the people in the home are smaller.

Bowl Shape

The shape of the bowl is another factor to look at when shopping around for a new toilet. Consider whether an elongated bowl or a round bowl is a better option based on the sizes of the users and the space in the bathroom. While an elongated bowl provides a more comfortable experience for the user, the additional size may not fit in a small bathroom. Go with a round toilet bowl in small powder rooms, guest bathrooms, basement bathrooms, or kids' bathrooms. Just make sure to get a toilet seat that matches the shape of the bowl.

Types of Toilets

01 of 10

Gravity-Flush Toilet

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Best For: Affordability, easy installation, and availability.

A gravity-flush toilet is a great choice for any home. These toilets are the most commonly used option because the classic gravity-flush system is both affordable and relatively easy to maintain. Due to the popularity of this type of toilet, you will not have a problem finding available models at local home improvement stores or online.

In a gravity-flush toilet, water runs into the toilet tank through the fill valve. When the toilet tank is full, the water will stop filling the tank. You can then flush the toilet, which will open up the flapper in the base of the tank, allowing the water from the tank to rush into the toilet bowl. The gravitational force behind the water flowing into the tank forces the contents of the bowl into the drain.
02 of 10

Pressure-Assisted Toilet

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Best For: Improving toilet flushing power, avoiding clogs, and reducing water usage.

A pressure-assisted toilet uses a combination of water and air to increase the flushing power of the toilet. For this reason, some manufacturers and suppliers will refer to these toilets as power flush toilets. Pressure-assisted toilets have a sealed pressure tank where air and water are housed. As the toilet tank fills with water, the air trapped inside the tank is compressed. When the toilet is flushed, this compressed air forces the water into the bowl and increases the force of the flush without using more water.

This type of toilet is more expensive than a gravity-flush toilet and may be more difficult to install, but a pressure-assisted toilet can help to reduce water usage. Pressure-assisted flushing systems also help to prevent clogs from forming in the drain line by flushing the contents of the toilet bowl at a higher force than a gravity-flush model.
03 of 10

One-Piece Toilet

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Best For: Modern bathroom aesthetics, small bathrooms, and easy cleaning.

One-piece toilets offer a more sleek and streamlined toilet design that works well with modern bathroom decor. These toilets come in one complete piece, instead of having a separate tank and bowl. Due to this construction style, there are fewer gaps in the exterior of the toilet for dirt, dust, grime, and other debris to get trapped in, reducing the time and effort it takes to clean the toilet.

One-piece toilets are available in a range of sizes, shapes, and flushing styles, so you can select a product that suits the needs of the household as well as fitting in the space provided. Generally, one-piece toilets are smaller than two-piece toilets, making them an ideal option for smaller basement bathrooms, en-suites, or guest bathrooms.
04 of 10

Two-Piece Toilet

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Best For: Affordable renovations, easy installation, and medium-to-large bathrooms.

Two-piece toilets are a bit bigger than one-piece toilets, so they are not the best option if space is a concern. Instead, invest in a two-piece toilet for a medium or large bathroom that has the extra room. However, if you are set on a two-piece toilet, you can select a model with a round toilet bowl to reduce the amount of space required for the installation.

A two-piece toilet comes in two pieces. The bottom pieces consists of the base and toilet bowl, while the top piece is the toilet tank, which also houses the fill valve and flush valve assemblies. These toilets are typically less expensive than one-piece or wall-hung toilets. While they may be a bit more difficult to keep clean, two-piece toilets are easier to install than one-piece toilets because each piece weighs less than a full one-piece toilet, and the small size of each piece is makes them simpler to lift, maneuver, and put in place.

Continue to 5 of 10 below
05 of 10

Wall-Hung Toilet

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Best For: Small bathrooms or ensuites, easy cleaning, and sleek style.

Wall-hung toilets or wall-mounted toilets can be an excellent way to improve the appearance of the bathroom, while giving the illusion of more space. For this reason, wall-hung toilets are ideal for small bathrooms and en-suites where there isn't a lot of space. This type of toilet is mounted to the wall, instead of sitting on the floor.

The flushing mechanism and drain are installed inside the wall, reducing the amount of space that the toilet takes up. This also has the added effect of making the bathroom look more sleek and modern. Additionally, this style of toilet is typically much easier to clean than either one-piece or two-piece toilets because a bulk of the toilet is hidden in the wall.
06 of 10

Low-Flow Toilet

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Best For: Reducing the cost of water bills and improving water conservation efforts.

Toilets do not need to use five or six gallons of water per flush to get the desired results, so invest in a low flow toilet, which limits the amount of water that is used to help reduce the cost of water bills.

This also helps to save water in the community, improving water conservation efforts for the region. These toilets are more than capable of flushing liquid waste and most solid waste, though some users may need to flush the toilet more than once to fully clean the bowl due to the low flushing power. Consider installing a low flow toilet in the primary bathroom or use this type of toilet in the guest bathroom.
07 of 10

Dual Flush Toilet

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Best For: Reducing household water use and customizing flush power.

Dual flush toilets have two buttons that are used to flush the toilet. This type of toilet is ideal for a primary bathroom because users can press one button for a half flush, which is suitable for disposing of liquid waste, or they can push the other button for a full flush depending on how much water is required to flush the contents of the bowl.

By only using half of the tank to flush liquid waste, the toilet reduces the overall water usage for the home, leading to lower water bills and less wasted water. However, while a low flush toilet may struggle to get rid of solid waste, a dual flush toilet has the built in option to increase the flushing power simply by pressing the full flush button, instead of the half-flush button.
08 of 10

Elongated Bowl Toilet

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Best For: Improved comfort and medium-to-large bathrooms.

An elongated bowl toilet is differentiated from other toilets by the shape of the bowl. Generally, an elongated bowl toilet will have a toilet bowl that measures about 18.5 inches in length from the back of the bowl to the front of the bowl. This increased size makes elongated bowl toilets great for anyone that might not feel as comfortable using a round bowl toilet.

This type of toilet takes up more space than a round bowl toilet. With this in mind, elongated bowl toilets are better for medium-to-large bathrooms where the additional length of the toilet bowl won't take up too much space or make you feel cramped. Just keep in mind that elongated bowl toilets tend to cost more than round bowl toilets.

Continue to 9 of 10 below
09 of 10

Round Bowl Toilet

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Best For: Kids' bathrooms, ensuites, and affordability.

A round bowl toilet has a round toilet bowl that measures about 16.5 inches from the back of the toilet bowl to the front of the bowl. Similar to toilets with an elongated bowl, toilets with a round bowl can be one-piece, two-piece, or even wall-hung models. These toilets can also have a variety of flushing mechanisms and can come in either standard or chair height.

The only factors that sets this type of toilet apart from other toilets is the shape of the toilet bowl. The small, round size of the toilet bowl makes this type of toilet a great choice for kids' bathrooms and en-suites where space is a concern. Additionally, round bowl toilets typically cost less than elongated bowl toilets, though they may not offer as much comfort.
10 of 10

Chair Height Toilet

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Best For: Tall users, commercial bathrooms, and people with mobility issues.

A chair height toilet has a seat that is taller than a standard height toilet. While a standard height toilet has a seat that ranges from about 14 to 15 inches in height, a chair height toilet sits at 15 to 17 inches in height, making it more comfortable for taller users. This added height can also help people with mobility issues.

Due to the added comfort for taller people, chair height toilets are sometimes referred to as comfort height toilets by manufacturers and suppliers. Consider installing a standard height toilet if the majority of the users are shorter or if the toilet will be installed in the kids' bathroom. Go with a chair height toilet if the bathroom will mostly be used by tall adults or individuals with mobility issues that could make it more difficult to stand up after using a standard height toilet.

Choosing a Toilet

An old toilet may be using more water per flush than necessary, leading to high water bills. Similarly, older toilets are more susceptible to efficiency issues, worn components, and leaks, so if you notice any problems with the existing toilet, it may be a good opportunity to replace it before the problem gets worse.

When selecting a toilet, there are a variety of factors to consider including the height, toilet bowl shape, toilet construction, water usage, and flush style. For a smaller bathroom, consider investing in a standard height toilet with a round bowl and a wall-mounted design in order to save space. Taller people will feel more comfortable with a chair height toilet, while an elongated toilet bowl provides more room to sit.

Those that are looking to save money on their monthly water bills should look into purchasing dual-flush toilet or a low-flow model to reduce the amount of water that is being flushed into the drain. If you are just looking for a quick, inexpensive replacement, opt for a standard height, gravity flush, two-piece toilet for the best value.

FAQ

Which type of toilet is best?

The best type of toilet for the home depends on a variety of factors. This can include your height, mobility needs, space in the bathroom, aesthetic appeal, and flush style. Research these product specs when looking for a new toilet for your home.
What is the new technology in toilets?

Toilets have improved greatly over the years to incorporate new flush styles, water-saving technologies, and toilet designs. Some new toilet technology includes self-cleaning toilets, hands-free flush sensors, detachable bidets, and in-bowl lighting to help navigate at night.
Which type of toilet is the most common and affordable?

Standard height, two-piece, gravity flush toilets are the most commonly used type of toilet. These toilets are also one of the most inexpensive options, though prices can vary between brands and suppliers.

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