Decent toilets for under $300?

[Itsjustdirt]

Last time we replaced a toilet it was with $100 aqua source and we’ve been surprisingly happy with it. Not very cloggable which surprised me at the price point.

I’m thinking about just using those throughout the house but am wondering if there are any that look a little nicer and still flush well for under $300? Do you guys have any “go to” toilets?

 

[PoorOwner]

Toto Drake is a plumber go to

 

[Radix2]

You can get a Toto for around $200.

https://www.supply.com/s/toto-entrada.html?tsquery=toto entrada&tsmapped=n

It does seem like the mass market cheapies with the 3 in flush valves work pretty darn well too.

 

[48RON54]

Just had to buy one, waiting for my plumber to show up to install....bit of a hold up since he does the work at a good price for me and there is an issue with the flange as well.

When I asked him what toilet to buy his comment was "just go buy a kohler or American standard in your price range, don't bother with the other brands at HD"

Its going to replace a niagra that has broken in every conceivable fashion the last couple of months.

 

[yeldogt]

What's wrong with what you have?

If you are willing to spend a bit more you can get a nice one piece toilet .. much nicer.

Even Toto makes a low end line today for the big box stores -- noticed the last time I went looking for a rental unit .. not impressed.

 

[theoldwizard1]

When I asked him what toilet to buy his comment was "just go buy a kohler or American standard in your price range, don't bother with the other brands at HD"

A couple of years ago, my son-in-law replaced an ancient PINK toilet with whatever the generic HD brand one. Under $100. Low flush and it actually FLUSHED WELL !

They like it so much when they moved, they put one in the powder room because that low flush model didn't get the job done.

Look for a toilet that has an oversized flapper !!

 

[ishiboo]

The $200 Kohler is very decent for the money and easy to find.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/KOHLER-Hig...ht-2-Piece-Toilet-12-in-Rough-In-Size/3283830

The Totos are always a go-to as well.

 

[GMCGarage]

American Standard Champion will flush some logs! Figure 200 bucks.

 

[CoogarXR]

I have two American Standard toilets in my house, and they both are total pieces of ****. I don't know how old they are, but I've owned the house almost 10 years. One toilet plugs up about every other time it's shat in, and the other will only flush a ****. Strange. It won't flush a whiz or a squished bug or anything light. It just swirls. But drop a deuce in it, and it goes right down.

I need to replace both of them at some point. This house used to be a rental, so I assume they were the cheapest thing the landlord could get (like every other replaced item in the house was).

 

[engineer2]

American Standard Champion IV. Even teenagers have a hard time clogging it.

 

[finn]

Picked up an American Standard at Menards.

Works great and it was around $100 after a $75 rebate.

Don’t compare a 2018 toilet with a 1998 or even a 2008 toilet. The manufacturers seem to have learned how to make a relatively bulletproof low flow toilet over the past couple of decades.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

I bought one of those Auqa Source $78 dollar elongated bowl units from Lowe's about three years ago. Never had a problem, except my son. He uses way to much TP. I had to ask him to cut back and double flush as needed. The boy needs some fiber. I installed the same unit except with a round bowl in my mother's house about 10 years ago. She's never had a clog or any problems. Her plunger dry rotted. She picked it up one day when she was sweeping and it crumbled apart along the lower edge. It wouldn't stand up after that. I hate a plunger that won't stand upright.


I understand the desire to have a smooth one-piece toilet. So much easier to keep clean.

 

[LPD ret]

We opted for the builder supplied toilets in our new house built 3 years ago - Gerber 1 gallon flush. Our building field supervisor recommended them, has them in his own home. So far, I have been very impressed with the flushing performance - and I have been known to put toilets to the test! Not 100% clog-free, but a second flush usually clears it and without a risk of overflowing. I see them online for under $200.00. Their premium unit (Ultra Flush) has a 3" trapway for reportedly clog-free performance at about $275.00.

 

[tez929rr]

A couple of years ago, my son-in-law replaced an ancient PINK toilet with whatever the generic HD brand one. Under $100. Low flush and it actually FLUSHED WELL !

They like it so much when they moved, they put one in the powder room because that low flush model didn't get the job done.

Look for a toilet that has an oversized flapper !!

We put two of those in the guest house we built and they work amazingly well. Refill in less than 30 seconds. Amazing.

 

[Killer95Stang]

Toto Drake or Drake II. Very good flush systems... American Standard Champion IV is also good, but can be hit or miss with quality control of the china.

 

[yeldogt]

I have two American Standard toilets in my house, and they both are total pieces of ****. I don't know how old they are, but I've owned the house almost 10 years. One toilet plugs up about every other time it's shat in, and the other will only flush a ****. Strange. It won't flush a whiz or a squished bug or anything light. It just swirls. But drop a deuce in it, and it goes right down.

I need to replace both of them at some point. This house used to be a rental, so I assume they were the cheapest thing the landlord could get (like every other replaced item in the house was).

Manufacturers had some issues with the first low flows in the mid 90's -- Kohler had some real dogs. So much so that it sort of warped the market ... Toilets were much more stylish prior to the mandate -- often part of bathroom sets. Kohler and American Standard made so many cool models -- many used 5g a flush and just could not be made to work low flow. 15 years ago many just wanted a toilet that would work and Consumer Reports recommended Toto -- it became the go to toilet over night. I think it was the "Drake" Unfortunately it was ugly and most times only in white .. it really hurt Kohler and AS sales.

Actually, the new low flows work better than many of the old 3.5s ... the traps are huge on the new ones .. they just don't have much water in bowl. i'm trying wall units in my new build.

 

[Dadillac]

I bought my first American Standard Champion about 6 years ago for our first house. When we moved it came with us. Moved one of the toilets from the new house to the old house. Bought a second one for the second bathroom about 4 years ago. Haven't had a clog since that day. I can't even remember where my plunger is

Don

 

[Jazzman442]

I am a kohler guy myself. I have an entire Kokler house. in my retal I installed new American Standard Champion I think. They say they can Flush 12 or so Golf balls. They never clog awesome toilet. Stay clean. I had them installed for way less than $300.00. I think it was around $250.00 Installed.

 

[Bandit]

I bought two " Water Ridge " ( Private Label ) , Two-Piece , Dual Flush , ADA , Quiet Close Elongated Toilets at " Costco " for $ 89. each , and are very pleased with them .
But You have to grab them when you see them in stock as they sell out FAST .

Bob

 

[TommyK]

Toto FTMFW

 

[alexb2000]

We use Toto.

My wife dropped something on one of the tank covers and cracked it. It was easy to get a replacement part with the color that matched exactly.

One more nice thing about Toto.

 

[jeffmattero76]

I have 10 rental properties with 2 baths each as well as my own home with 3 baths. Every one of my toilets is a Gerber Viper. No problems with any of them.

Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk

 

[doubleot]

I bought two " Water Ridge " ( Private Label ) , Two-Piece , Dual Flush , ADA , Quiet Close Elongated Toilets at " Costco " for $ 89. each , and are very pleased with them .
But You have to grab them when you see them in stock as they sell out FAST .

Bob

I have this in our master and am going to buy a second for our guest bathroom. Never had an issue with it.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[kngelv]

Toto Drake or Drake II. Very good flush systems... American Standard Champion IV is also good, but can be hit or miss with quality control of the china.

Exactly. I bought two Champions at Home Depot a few years. I unboxed them and checked to see if they were level. They were not and when I flipped them over to look at the base there were obvious factory repairs and plenty of burrs. I immediately returned them. I then purchased two Toto Drake II’s from a local supply house. Perfectly level and a very smooth burr free casting. Another advantage was the tank, bowl and seat are in separate boxes so they were much easier to haul upstairs. Three years of clog free use and made down in Georgia.

James

 

[Radix2]

I don't know if most people understand how the current gravity flush toilets work, but for the 1-1.6 GPF models, the amount of water used is based on the flapper timing.

So if you want to use say 2.5-3.5 gal to flush (whatever the tank holds) all you need to do is hold down the flush handle to hold the flapper open longer than it would be on its own.

Generally toilets are now designed for either a 1.6gal or 1 gal flush - the difference between 1 and 1.28 gal models is the flapper timing installed.

So better than double flushing, you can usually get a better clear by just holding until the tank is empty.

 

[gmtech]

My house that was built in 2006 had just your standard "contractor" toilets. The $100 ones from lowes/HD. I recently (within past 2 years) replaced all of them with the American Standard Champion toilets. WOW! Best upgrade to date. Yet to have one not flush and that's with two 7 year old children putting who knows what in them. I even took the plungers out of the bathrooms. There about $200 at lowes although I'd replace the seats as the ones that come with them are pretty cheap.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[GA_Brown]

American Standard Champion IV. Even teenagers have a hard time clogging it.

This is what we have in all four bathrooms. It has a 4 inch pipe, have yet to clog one up. Only issue is the rubber gaskets seem to not last long, but no big deal in swapping the gasket out.

 

[GA_Brown]

I’ve always thought that the big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s should have the toilets they sell in the public bathrooms in the stores. Have the stall doors with what toilet is in the stall and then have sales matererial on the toilet, kind of a test it before you buy it kind of thing.

 

[Slupie]

I replaced the builder grade toilet in our powder room with this Kohler https://www.homedepot.com/p/KOHLER-...et-in-White-Seat-Included-K-45979-0/203915126.

Flushes very well and haven't had any issues in 4 years that we've had it.

 

[polizei1]

New house, decided on the Kohler Highline 1.6GPF, I've been very happy with them.

 

[Lynden]

I own my house and two rental houses. The rentals have 1.6-gallon Toto Drakes. My house has two Toto Drake IIs and one Toto UltraMax one piece. If you want to spend a little more money, the Promenade, Dartmouth and Clayton are good-looking models.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Bath-To...=None&storeSelection=6623,6681,1040,6638,1012

 

[59 wagon man]

beware of private brands before checking out availability of repair parts. some of these are not able to be easily repaired.
the problems facing us now are the low flows do not provide enough force to keep the waste products moving down the sewer line causing clogs on long runs

you can also compare toilets flushing capability by going to m.a.p. testing of toilets

 

[biggziff]

Sams, Costco, Lowes, Home Depot all have a $100 dual flush that works great. We've had several in service for a decade or more.

 

[yeldogt]

beware of private brands before checking out availability of repair parts. some of these are not able to be easily repaired.
the problems facing us now are the low flows do not provide enough force to keep the waste products moving down the sewer line causing clogs on long runs

you can also compare toilets flushing capability by going to m.a.p. testing of toilets

An issue with older suburbs. Most have cast iron or clay lines and with large lots the distance to the street main is longer. 1g is not enough water to flush everything through the pipes .. modern dishwashers and washers also use less.

It is a problem in my area when people change all the toilets and have a modern low water washer.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

TOTO Drake

 

[fsae0607]

American Standard Cadet 3 from HD.

 

[6768rogues]

American Standard makes a toilet with a larger diameter trap than most other toilets. It is nearly unpluggable. I like the handicap height elongated bowl model.

 

[Negen]

The trap diameter is just as important as the diameter of the hole that the water drops from the tank to the bowl. 3"+ in that hole will allow the water move from tank to bowl faster.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[dogdog]

I have the champion 4... the golf ball flusher... it's great, so good, I installed 2x of them, but really wanted the Vormax more badass golf ball flusher... So far champion4 does what I dish out. but but but dam, vormax is the one to go.

Lowes have a version of this also, but name it a bit different.... same thing just names different...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/America...e-with-Slow-Close-Seat-707AA101-020/205195423

 

[6768rogues]

I have the champion 4... the golf ball flusher... it's great, so good, I installed 2x of them, but really wanted the Vormax more badass golf ball flusher... So far champion4 does what I dish out. but but but dam, vormax is the one to go.

Lowes have a version of this also, but name it a bit different.... same thing just names different...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/America...e-with-Slow-Close-Seat-707AA101-020/205195423

I have passed some nasty things in my time, but never a golf ball. That must hurt every bit of the way through your colon.