9 Best Toilets of 2023

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Today's top models combine form and function (and maybe some high-tech wizardry, too).

We updated this article in June 2023 with current information and added newly tested top picks from Duravit, Kohler and Toto.

Choosing a toilet might not seem like a major life decision — until you end up with a bum model and have to live with it every day. Maybe it’s the weak flushing performance. Or the way it always seems dirty, even though you just hit it with the scrub brush. Or that it’s somehow not as comfortable as it could be.Contributing to the complexity of the purchase decision, manufacturers continue to come up with new innovations for the once-humble toilet, many of which add real value. “From improved water efficiency to effective self-cleaning features, our testing over the last decade has found real improvements in the toilet category,” says Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. That includes the growth of so-called smart toilets, which leverage technology to vastly improve the bathroom experience, if you’re willing to pay for the luxury.For this update, our engineers reviewed and tested more than a dozen new models, and checked the technical data on previously tested models. As with other fixtures we evaluate — from faucets to showerheads — our recommendations include top performers in our tests and models from trusted brands with proven track records.

Once you've perused out picks, keep reading for all the qualities to look for when shopping for the best toilets. And don't miss out our latest list of the best toilet bowl cleaners to keep your bathroom sparkling clean.

Through years of toilet tests, Kohler has earned a reputation with our engineers and product experts as one of the best manufacturers of bathroom fixtures. That positive track record continues with the Corbelle two-piece toilet, which made short work of even the toughest solids in our flushing tests. "It was able to down 21 tissues, seven sponges and 14 golf balls in a single flush," Rothman says.

Though on the pricey side, the comfort-height design offers superb ergonomics for older homeowners, and the toilet is extremely water-efficient, using just 1.28 gallons per flush. Keeping the toilet bowl clean is also easy, thanks to the surface treatment that helps inhibit the growth of water scale and mineral stains.

While the exterior of two-piece toilets are harder to clean than one-piecers, the Kohler's skirted trapway makes it a bit easier by covering the grime-trapping bends and curves at the base of the toilet with a smooth facade.

This no-frills toilet from Glacier Bay was one of the best in our tests at flushing away solid and liquid waste. "Less expensive toilets tends to be two-piece, which are a little harder to keep clean," says Alec Scherma, test engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "This Glacier Bay combines a great price with a one-piece design."

Even with its amazing price tag, it also has some innovative features, including dual-flush technology, nice for keeping your water bill in check. The elongated seat offers maximum comfort, though you'll have to be diligent about cleaning, since the bowl doesn't have any of the surface treatments that help prevent stains and water scale. It's only available in basic white, but the soft-close lid is a nice touch.

Prefer the traditional look of a two-piece toilet? The Drake from Toto, another leading brand in toilets, is one to consider. Though we didn't test it in our labs, our engineers expect it to perform similarly to other tested Toto toilets.

That's because it features the same cyclonic flushing technology, which we have found to be extremely effective at sending solid and liquid waste on its way. The tradeoff with this model is that uses a bit more water — 1.6 gallons per flush. But Toto sells another version of the Drake that meets the EPA’s WaterSense label requirement of 1.28 gallons per flush.

The line's comfort-height design makes it an excellent choice for homeowners with more limited mobility. The rimless toilet bowl design facilitates cleaning by eliminating the build-up of hidden waste. Take note, however, that the seat is sold separately with both models.

The least expensive toilet in our winner’s circle is also one of the most capable. In our Lab tests, we were able to flush a whopping 21 golf balls!

The two-piecer from Delta with an elongated bowl and comfort height offers solid flushing performance, using just 1.28 gallons at a time, good enough for the EPA WaterSense label. The plain design only comes in white, but the slow-close lid is a feature usually reserved for more expensive models, and there’s even a splash guard to keep liquid from getting under the tank, a common complaint with two-piece toilets.

Still, there are more crevices in the two-piece design, so keeping the exterior clean will take extra work, and the bowl is susceptible to stains and water scale.

Smart toilets are taking over the luxury end of the market — and with good reason. "Most people who experience the built-in cleansing bidet are quick converts," Rothman says. "Plus, the designs are some of the sleekest we've seen." Kohler's new Innate smart toilet, released in early 2023, is a prime example.

We're still completing performance and usability tests, but our experts are impressed by the specs and feature set, including the toilet's dual-flush mechanism (with an ultra-low one gallon per flush option for liquid waste), one-piece design for easy cleaning and comfort-height design for easy on-and-off. The self-cleaning, stainless-steel bidet wand features adjustable water pressure and temperature control, plus the option of personalized his and her settings.

Other creature comforts include a heated seat, warm-air drying and motion-sensor night light. Make no mistake: This is a high-end toilet that costs 10 times as much as other perfectly serviceable models in our roundup. But if it's in the budget, it certainly won't disappoint.

Using a miserly one gallon per flush, the WaterSense-certified Vormax is among the most water-efficient toilets on the market, without any sacrifice in flushing power of both solid and liquid waste, based on our testing. Its 17-inch height straddles the line between standard and comfort (American Standard uses the term “right height").

It may be a little pricey, but antimicrobial agents in the material are designed to inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and odor-causing bacteria, though as with any toilet, you’ll still need to clean it regularly — just maybe not quite as often. As is fairly common with toilets, the seat of the Vormax is sold separately.

In our tests, one-piece toilets are easiest to keep clean because there are fewer cracks and crevices to trap grime. They also offer a more sleek, modern look. That’s certainly the case with this eye-catching commode from Swiss Madison.

In addition to its shapely design, the dual-flush technology makes it water-efficient. "This toilet is the standard 15 inches, if you prefer a traditional height," says Rothman, noting that some testers find comfort height to be a little awkward. All of our testers like the soft-close lid which, combined with the quiet, gravity-fed flush, will keep things quiet in the middle of the night.

Bidet seats allow you to take advantage of the best features of a smart toilet without having to replace your existing unit. Simply swap out your old seat for the new high-tech one.

When it comes to the Toto Washlet, the installation is extremely easy, taking under 30 minutes. In our months-long home test, we found the feature-rich, remote-controlled unit takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, the experience is transformational, delivering a shower-fresh feeling from the toilet (though to be clear, some toilet paper is still required, if only for a spot check). The heated seat, night light and water-temperature controls were favorites of our testers, as was the pre-mist feature that helps keep waste from sticking to the bowl.

Keep in mind, however, that in addition to the steep up-front cost of the Washlet, it uses more energy and water. The device's energy-saving features will help reduce those costs, but that's another thing to think about. Still, our experts say that once you experience the performance of the Washlet, you won't go back to being a toilet paper-only household anytime soon.

While wall-hung toilets are still relatively novel in the U.S. consumer market, the style has been around for decades and is particularly well-suited to urban dwellers or others who have small bathrooms. Designed by renowned industrial and interior designer Philippe Starck, Duravit's Sensowash Starck F model is a sleek, modern take on the concept.

Its features can be operated via remote control or an app on your phone that allows you to program profile settings. Plus, this smart toilet offers automatic open and close, auto flushing, various washing settings, a heated seat, a warm-air dryer and more. “I love the style and design of the toilet, which is spectacular to look at,” says the general manager of the Good Housekeeping Institute Laurie Jennings, who installed the Sensowash in her home. “The bidet for back and front really delivers a sense of clean that you might find surprising at first, but then really love. The night light feature is cool, and the powerful heated seat is next-level awesome.” She also appreciates that it is wall-mounted and has a robust remote control and invisible bidet feature.

As with all wall-mounts, installation is more complicated because it requires opening the wall, rerouting the waste pipe and possibly reconfiguring the wall studs. Keep in mind that this model needs to be plugged in so you'll need a power source nearby as well.

Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute start by analyzing the current marketplace to identify the toilets you’re most likely to find at home centers, bath showrooms, plumbing supply stores and online. They also keep up with the latest trends by attending trade shows and industry events, including the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS).

Hands-on toilet testing took place over more than 20 hours in our Lab, as well as over several months in our homes, where we were able to evaluate the toilets under real-world conditions. Rigorous lab tests were carried out by our engineers, who put each toilet through a battery of tests to find models that best combined performance and efficiency.

This included tough clog tests involving colored powder, wads of toilet paper, sponges and even golf balls (though not all at once!). Our top toilets were able to handle more than 12 golf balls in a single flush (some upwards of 20!). We also used sensitive sound equipment to measure noise, knowing there may well be a sleeping baby in the next room. Home-based consumer testing focused on usability, with consumer testers assessing factors like comfort, cleanability and intuitiveness of the high-tech features.

Engineers use this rig to elevate toilets during testing. A bucket underneath catches the flushed water — along with sponges, golf balls and other items used to simulate waste.

The humble commode has become more complicated in recent years, thanks to improvements in design, efficiency and technological innovations. To find the model that’s right for you, weigh these options:

✔️ Height: Many new toilets come in "comfort height," usually between 17 and 19 inches high, versus the 15 inches of traditional toilets. The extra few inches make them easier to get on and off, which older homeowners or those with knee issues may appreciate. Another important size consideration is the toilet’s rough opening or the distance from the finished wall to the center of the toilet's floor drain. Twelve inches is the standard, but some models come with 10-inch and 14-inch openings. It’s important to match the new toilet with the existing one, otherwise, you’ll have to make pricey modifications to the floor and plumbing.

✔️ Flush mechanism: Traditional toilets have one flushing option, typically a lever on the tank that you press down. They still exist, but the market has become crowded with dual-flush toilets. These usually have two buttons on the top of the tank that let you do a partial flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste. In theory, dual-flush toilets save water, but sometimes their flushing power is a little weak, so you end up having to flush twice. Though that’s not the case with the dual-flush models that have made our list here.

✔️ Flush system: Unless you have a large household, you’re probably better off with a gravity-feed toilet, which uses a traditional tank and the law of gravity to move waste down the drain. Pressure-assisted toilets use compressed air to force water and waste down the line, making for a very noisy flush. They’re very effective and can handle a lot of flushing, which is why they’re more common in commercial buildings.

✔️ Style: The key decision here is between a one-piece and two-piece design. One-piece toilets are made with a single mold, integrating the tank and the bowl. They tend to have a sleeker, more modern look with fewer cracks and crevices in their exteriors, which makes for easier cleaning. But they usually cost more than two-piece toilets, which have a separate bowl and tank, giving them a more traditional look. Two-piece toilets also have the advantage of being lighter, which along with their simpler mechanics, makes them easier to install.

✔️ Bowl shape: It’s not a huge factor, but if you’re short on space (say in a powder room), you’re better off with a round bowl, since those toilets are a bit smaller than elongated models. If space is really tight, you might want to consider a wall-mounted toilet. With this option, the tank is hidden behind the wall, so you gain a good six inches. They tend to be more expensive and installation is more involved and pricey, but they’re a great fit for tight spaces.

✔️ Water efficiency: All toilets made today must meet the federal limit of 1.6 gallons per flush (compared with the 3 to 5 gallons per flush that used to be the norm). The EPA's WaterSense label recognizes toilets that use 1.28 gallons per flush. Some dual-flush models in our tests do even better by using a single gallon for their liquid-waste flush.

The latest innovation in toilet design, smart toilets are loaded with different bells and whistles, including night lights, self-opening and closing lids and built-in digital assistants ("Hey Google, what’s the weather like today?"). But the key distinguishing feature is the built-in bidet that provides a gentle cleaning spray, eliminating, or at least reducing, the need for toilet paper. The market for smart toilets has grown leaps and bounds in recent years (pandemic-era runs on toilet paper added a big push), so much so that we now have a separate report on them. Check out our top smart toilet picks for all the details.

Dan DiClerico has tested and written about toilets for more than two decades. As Director of Home Improvement & Outdoor at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Dan oversaw the latest round of toilet testing in our Lab, as well as the continuous in-home, survey-based consumer testing that allows us to evaluate these devices in real-world conditions.

For this report, Dan worked closely with Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman. She brings extensive hands-on testing of toilets, leveraging her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics. She leads efforts for the constant evolution of GH’s technical and testing protocols, responding both to market drivers and growth opportunities. Rachel has also tested several toilets in recent years at her home on Long Island, NY.

Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.

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