Many do not know, but a good percentage of household water usage goes to flushing the toilet. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 30% of household water is used for flushing.
For environmentally-conscious individuals and homeowners who prefer a toilet that would use less water than usual, low flow toilets make the best choices.
The low flow toilet utilizes as little as 0.8 GPF, 1.28 GPF, and 1.6 GPF of water in every flushing, which is more water-efficient and economical.
As many states now require homeowners to use low flow toilets, picking the best water-saving toilet could be a hassle, but worry not, as this review will guide you on all the basics concerning the best low flow toilets.
Contents
How Do Low Flow Toilets Work?
Unlike regular toilets, low flow water-saving toilets use less water to flush, using as little as 1.28 GPF. And based on their performance, low flow toilets use either a gravity-driven or a pressure-assisted flush.
While gravity-driven toilets use the force of gravity to carry the waste down the pipes, pressure-assisted toilets use both the force from pressure and gravity to clear the waste.
This invariably means that rather than using solely a large amount of water to flush the toilet, the flushing mechanism of low flow toilets uses the force of gravity and pressure to suck and pull the waste out while using a little amount of water.
Top 3 Recommendations
- Best Overall – KOHLER K-3987-0 Wellworth Two-Piece Toilet
- Runner Up – TOTO MS854114ELG#01 Eco Ultra Max One-Piece Toilet
- Best pro-water -American Standard 2887216.020 H2Option Dual Flush
The 6 Best Low Flow Toilet to Invest in 2021
1. KOHLER K-3987-0 Wellworth Two-Piece Round Bowl Toilet- Best Performance
The Kohler Wellworth is considered a top contender amongst the best low flow toilets thanks to its features and optimum performance.
Designed to function with a Class Five flushing technology, Kohler Wellworth offers a plug-free performance to keep your bowl clean with very little water as it’s a WaterSense certified model with a dual configuration that uses the left-hand lever and the two-piece canister flush valve to dispense a 1.1 GPF and 1.6 GPF.
Wellworth has a standard installation function with DryLock, a foolproof install system designed to prevent leaks. Despite being a two-piece, it’s space-saving with the toilet dimensions being 29.25 x 18 x 27.75 inches.
Pros
- Reduces water consumption by 30%
- Features a side flush lever
- Drylock system to prevent leaks
Cons
- Not efficient for solid waste disposal
2. TOTO MS854114ELG#01 Eco Ultra Max Elongated Toilet – Best ADA Compliant
The TOTO toilet name is synonymous with high-efficiency toilets with popular models like the CST454CUFG 01 Drake II 1G. Luckily, the TOTO Eco Ultra Max elongated toilet also makes a valid point.
Unlike traditional toilets, the TOTO Eco Ultra Max has an ADA-compliant toilet seat height of 17.6 inches combined with the elongated bowl, and the comfort level is unparalleled.
Asides from that, its flushing power is unique as it is powered by the E MAx flushing system, and technology that uses 1.28 gallons and the smooth CEFIONTECT glaze keeps the toilet clean by preventing particles from sticking to the ceramic surface.
What’s more, the seat is a soft close seat, and the model is CALGreen, CEC, and WaterSense compliant.
Pros
- Comfortable seat height and bowl length
- Capable flushing power
- Soft-close seat
- Sanigloss coating to keep the surface clean
Cons
- ●Limited cleaning products with the sanigloss coating
3. American Standard 2887216.020 H2Option Toilet – Best Dual Flush
Looking for a perfect dual flushing capacity, American Standard H2Option has you covered. Unlike most water-efficient toilets, H2Option offers a 0.92GPF which is lower than the standard level, and a 1.28GPF for solid waste.
The model is ultimately designed for saving water and goes a step further with its Everclean surface, the siphon jet bowl combined with the PowerWash Rim scrubs incorporated into each flush to give you a high-efficiency toilet that keeps itself cleans with little stress.
Also, it comes with 2 color-matched bolt caps and features a chrome-plated top mounted push button.
Pros
- Effective flushing power
- Perfect water usage
- Easy to maintain with perfect water conservation
Cons
- Faulty push button
4. Niagara Conservation Toilet – Best Ultra-low Flow
If you are looking for a new toilet that spells low flush toilet and low flow toilet in one single set, then the Niagara Stealth toilet cuts the best ultra low flow toilet on the market.
Niagara offers the maximum flushing power you can require using just 0.8GPF to clean out the bowl, a feat that gets the low-flow toilet reviews buzzing.
As the master of full flush toilets with its powerful flush, the Niagara stealth toilet is easy to clean, super compact, and offers an extremely quiet flush despite the strong pressure used.
Pros
- Super water-efficient toilet
- Offers quieter flush
- Stain-resistant and easy to maintain
Cons
- No elongated bowl model is available
5. TOTO CST243EF#01 Entrada Universal Height Toilet – Best Budget
Another major TOTO model, the Entrada Universal Height toilet is a combination of efficiency and great pocket value.
The Entrada model is an ADA compliant model with universal height and great comfort level. In terms of performance, it utilizes the Emax flushing system alongside a 3-inch flush valve and extra siphon jet to rid its toilet bowls of any other toilet waste using 1.28 gallons in a single flush.
Also, the complete package includes a high-quality round bowl and a tank set.
Pros
- Universal height seat
- Powerful flushing capacity
- Water-efficient
Cons
- Toilet seat and wax ring sold separately
6. Saniflo 023 Sanicompact Self-Contained Toilet – Best Compact Low Flow
The Saniflo 023 Sanicompact toilet is a low flow model that offers efficiency in both water usage and space usage. With toilet dimensions of 18¼ x 14¼ x 19½ inches, this stylish model fits anywhere and is suitable for those with smaller bathrooms.
What’s more, the product includes a vertical pumping of up to 9-feet and 100-feet horizontally with an electrically timed flushing mechanism that includes a macerating pump cycle and allows the connection of a sink while using a single gallon of water in a flush.
Although it is a miniaturized toilet, its bowl height is 18.5 inches which is pretty comfortable and easy to use at any instance.
Pros
- Super compact and space-conscious
- High-level water conservation
- Comfortable height
Cons
- Bowl height is too high for shorter people.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Low Flow Toilet
Flush system and Gallons per flush
A low-flow toilet would be either a single flush toilet that uses about 1.3 gallons per flush for the single flush, or it could be a dual flush toilet. The dual flush toilet uses the dual flush system of partial flush for liquid and light waste using about 1.28 GPF and the full flush that uses about 1.6 gallons per flush.
Dual flush toilets are perfect for water efficiency and are the most advisable flushing mechanisms for low flush toilets.
Rough-in
The rough-in is the distance between the wall and the screws that secure a toilet to the floor. And when it comes to the water-saving toilet.
Size and toilet type
Keeping in mind that toilets are not of the same size and type, including the water-saving toilets, you must ensure that the one you would get would fit properly into your bathroom.
You could get a one-piece toilet that is smaller and fits in better and requires less cleaning while a two-piece toilet is much simpler to install.
FAQs
Are low flow toilets good for septic systems?
Yes! Low flow toilets are great options for septic systems as they reduce the amount of wastewater that ends up in the sewage systems.
This reduces the chances of the septic systems getting full faster and of course, helps to save water and save money on clearing the septic system and water bills.
How to unclog a low flow toilet?
To unclog a low flow toilet, start by placing old rags or towels around the base of the toilet bowl while you shut off the water supply to avoid overflow.
With gloves on, take a plunger and plunge the bowl by applying a little pressure repeatedly but cautiously to avoid splashing. As you use the plunger, check to see that the water within the bowl starts to return to normal, and once that occurs, you can flush the toilet.
But for tough clogs, you can add a cup of baking soda and 2 cups of vinegar into the toilet or use dish soap instead to loosen the clogs.
Do low flow toilets clog more easily?
Yes! Low flow toilets, most especially the older low flow toilet clog more easily because they use less water to push the waste down the pipe.
To avoid the frequent clogs, you can adjust the water level of the low flow toilet or add a little extra water at every flush.
Are Low Flow Toilets Worth It?
When it comes to bathroom fixtures, if you are out to save money and save water at the same time, then a low flow toilet is worth it for you.
Besides being environmentally safe, they are low cost too, and getting one of the best low flow toilets in your home would be a plus for you.
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