Buying Guide for the Best Small Toilets
When choosing a small toilet, your main goal is to maximize comfort and functionality within a limited space. It's important to carefully consider how the toilet's design and dimensions will fit your bathroom layout, ensuring there's enough room for cleaning and other fixtures. Pay attention to how the toilet looks and operates, as well as water efficiency and ease of maintenance. By understanding key features and what they mean for your everyday use, you can find a toilet that’s just right for your specific needs.Dimensions (Depth, Width, Height)Dimensions are the physical measurements of the toilet – how far it sticks out from the wall (depth), how wide it is (width), and how tall it stands (height). These are crucial because they determine whether the toilet will actually fit in your bathroom and how comfortable it will be to use. Toilets are generally offered in compact, standard, and elongated sizes. Compact models are best for very small spaces or bathrooms with awkward layouts, standard sizes usually suit most bathrooms, and elongated sizes provide more comfort but take up more space. If your bathroom is tight, lean towards a compact or round-front model, and always measure your available space before buying.
Bowl ShapeThe bowl shape affects comfort and space. The two main types are round-front and elongated. Round-front bowls are shorter, taking up less space, and are usually the go-to for small bathrooms. Elongated bowls are longer and a bit more comfortable for adults, but they do extend further from the wall and take up more floor space. If you need to save every inch, choose a round-front bowl, but if you can spare a bit more room and comfort matters most, consider the elongated shape.
Rough-In SizeThe rough-in size is the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the center of the drainpipe (the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor). Standard rough-ins are 12 inches, but some older homes have 10 or 14-inch rough-ins. Picking the right rough-in size is important because a mismatch can prevent the toilet from fitting correctly or flush properly. Measure your current toilet’s rough-in before buying to ensure compatibility with your plumbing.
Water Usage (Gallons Per Flush)Water usage tells you how much water the toilet uses per flush (often listed as GPF – gallons per flush). Older toilets can use several gallons, while modern ones typically use 1.28 or 1.6 gallons per flush to conserve water. Low-flow toilets save water and are environmentally friendly, but you want to ensure they still flush effectively. If you’re concerned about water conservation or live in an area with water restrictions, opt for a toilet with a lower GPF.
Height (Comfort/ADA or Standard)Toilet height is the measurement from the floor to the top of the seat. Standard toilets are about 15 inches high, while Comfort Height or ADA-compliant models are around 17-19 inches high, making them easier to use for taller adults or anyone with mobility concerns. For smaller bathrooms, standard heights may fit better visually, but if ease of getting up and down is important, consider a comfort height model.
Type (One-Piece vs Two-Piece)One-piece toilets combine the tank and bowl into a single unit, making them more compact and typically easier to clean, which is great for small spaces. Two-piece toilets have separate tanks and bowls, and are often more affordable and easier to repair. If you want a sleek look and easier cleaning, a one-piece toilet is a good choice for a small bathroom; if flexibility and repairability matter more, consider a two-piece model.
Flush MechanismThe flush mechanism refers to how the toilet actually flushes – there are gravity-fed, pressure-assisted, and dual-flush options. Gravity-fed systems are common and quiet, pressure-assisted provide a stronger flush, and dual-flush toilets let you choose between a full or partial flush to save water. For a small bathroom, a gravity or dual-flush system is usually quiet and efficient, while pressure-assisted is for those who prioritize powerful flushing.