Sitting down on a toilet should be as easy as getting seated in a chair. If you have a standard height toilet, you may find it’s uncomfortably low. For people who are tall, disabled, or elderly, the lower seat height can be uncomfortable or even potentially dangerous.
A comfort height toilet offers higher seating than the standard model. It’s often called a chair height toilet because it’s close to optimal seating height. Many comfort height toilets are ADA compliant, making them a good choice for those who have disabilities. Let’s see what the best comfort height toilet is in our comparison.
How to Choose the Best Comfort Height Toilet
Selecting a toilet can be a challenge. You need to find one that works efficiently, looks good, and fits into the space you have available. When you add in the need for a comfort height seat, it can be a bit daunting. It’s difficult to return a toilet if it’s not the right model. And it’s expensive to replace it too often.
Here are some key elements to look for in a comfort height toilet:
Height
A comfort height toilet will have a seat height between 17 and 19 inches, measured from the floor. That measurement includes the height of the toilet to the rim, plus the additional height of the toilet seat.
Toilets with a seat height higher than 19 inches are available. However, they can be uncomfortable for shorter adults and children. They are also above the height of a standard wheelchair, making them non-ADA compliant.
Water Efficiency
Another consideration when selecting any toilet is how water efficient it is. Saving water is environmentally friendly, plus it saves on your water bill.
All toilets manufactured and sold in the U.S. must flush using a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush. Manufacturers have designed toilets that are more water efficient. Some use as little as 1.28 gallons per flush.
Dual flush toilets offer two flush levels. The lower volume flush is good for liquid disposal, while the full volume flush is good for bulk waste removal. Some dual flush models use less than one gallon for their lower volume flush.
Flush Performance
How well the toilet flushes must be a major consideration. If it doesn’t clear the bowl in a single flush, it’s performance is lacking. Manufacturers have come up with innovative designs that can clear the bowl in a single flush. They use different technologies to achieve their goal.
Price
Toilets come in multiple price ranges from economical to pure luxury levels. Economical models are basic and usually don’t offer higher water efficiency or superb performance. As the prices go up, the efficiency and performance options increase. Luxury level toilets often offer extra features that are nice to have, but not necessarily needed.
While price should be considered, it should be balanced with the features and performance of the toilet.
Certification
Toilets can qualify for a number of certifications. Here are a couple to consider:
- ADA compliant toilets have seats between 17 and 19 inches. They usually have an elongated bowl that has a bottom that’s a minimum of nine inches from the floor for toe space.
- WaterSense toilets must be 20% more efficient than minimum water use standards. As of 2019, a WaterSense toilet uses a maximum of 1.28 gallons per flush, which is 80% of the 1.6 gallons per flush of a standard toilet.
Design
You will be looking at and using this toilet for years to come. Its design needs to be pleasing to the eye and fit into the bathroom’s style. Design considerations include:
- One-piece or two-piece construction
- Modern or traditional style
- Low-profile or high-profile tank
- Skirted or non-skirted base
Warranty
You are buying a toilet that you expect to last for more than a few years. It’s important to have a manufacturer that’s willing to back up their product with a good warranty. Some manufacturers offer a one-year limited warranty, while others offer much more.
Who Benefits the Most from A Comfort Height Toilet?
A comfort height toilet can be used by anyone in the household. They have a similar footprint to standard toilets, making it possible to install them into most bathrooms. These toilets offer benefits to some people that standard height models do not.
- People who are taller than average are often uncomfortable when using a standard height toilet. Getting up and down puts stress on the knees and back. A comfort height toilet is much easier for taller people to get on and off from.
- People with disabilities find the comfort height seat easier to access. For those in wheelchairs, it’s easier to slide from the chair to the toilet (and vice versa) when using a chair height commode.
- People who are getting older may have mobility issues that make getting up and down more difficult than it once was. A comfort height commode puts less stress on the joints, back, and legs, making it easier for older adults to get up and down without assistance.
Comparing the Best Comfort Height Toilets
Convenient Height 20 Inch Extra Tall Toilet
The 20 Inch Extra Tall Toilet from Convenient Height gives you five extra inches on top of a standard height toilet. From floor to rim, the height is 20 inches. Add a toilet seat and it rises to 21 inches. The extra height is good for people who have trouble sitting down and standing up.
Despite the extra tall seat, this toilet is only 27 inches tall and 14.75 inches wide, making it a good option for smaller bathrooms. Its two-piece design is modern and streamlined.
This toilet is extremely efficient with water use. It comes with dual flush capability, using 1.28 gallons for a full flush and 0.9 gallons for the partial flush. The user pushes the handle down for a partial flush and up for a full flush. It is WaterSense certified. This commode has also been accepted by the Board of Registration of Plumbers GF and the California Energy Commission (CEC). It is NOT ADA compliant.
The toilet comes with a slow-closing plastic toilet seat. It does not include the wax ring and bolts necessary to fasten it to the floor. The manufacturer packages the toilet extremely well and guarantees a safe arrival. Manufacturer requires certified plumber installation to activate warranty, which is three-year limited on the chinaware and 1 year limited for the internal mechanical parts.
Pros
- Extra height for people with mobility issues
- Extremely efficient with water use
- Dual flush capability, using 0.9 gallons for partial flush and 1.28 gallons for full flush
- Energetic flush that clears bowl easily
- Stylish two-piece design with small foot print, perfect for smaller bathrooms
- Accepted by CEC
- Includes toilet seat
Cons
- Not ADA compliant
- Extra height is not comfortable for shorter adults or children
- Higher price compared to others
- Does not include parts to secure to toilet drain
WOODBRIDGE T-0019 Dual Flush
The sleek modern design of the WOODBRIDGE T-0019 Dual Flush toilet works in almost any decor. A full skirted base flows smoothly up to the low-profile tank with the handle secured in the lid. The smooth skirt makes it very easy to keep the fixture clean with minimal effort. The included slow-closing toilet seat creates a compact, modern commode that’s contemporary and timeless.
This one-piece toilet has a comfort height seat, perfect for people who have mobility issues or need a couple of extra inches for comfortable seating. Despite the comfort seating height, it is not ADA compliant.
The toilet uses siphon flushing to clear the fixture with one flush. The dual flush system uses water efficiently, requiring 1.0 gallons for partial flushes and 1.6 gallons for full flushes. It is WaterSense certified.
When you order this toilet, you get almost everything you need to install it, including a DIY installation manual. The toilet comes with the wax ring, installation bolts, preinstalled water fitting, and a preinstalled soft close toilet seat. It also includes a special hand wrench for tightening bolts in tight spaces.
The manufacturer offers a five-year warranty against fading and staining of the porcelain finish and a one-year warranty on the flushing mechanism and the soft closing toilet lid.
Pros
- Sleek modern one-piece design that works well in most bathrooms
- Full skirt design makes it easy to keep clean
- Siphon flushing clear waste complete
- Dual flush system using 1.0 gallons for a partial flush and 1.6 for full flushes
- Comfort height seating standard
- Includes all parts needed for installation, including wrench for tight spaces
- WaterSense certified
- Excellent manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- Not ADA certified
- Finish on handle wears off fast
American Standard 2988101.020 Cadet 3 FloWise
The American Standard 2988101.020 Cadet 3 brings together some of the best features for a commode that will stand the test of many years of use. The two-piece design has a timeless look that works in bathroom styles. A full skirt around the base makes it easy to keep clean and sanitary.
This toilet offers a round seat which is a good idea in smaller bathrooms with limited floor space. It includes slow-close toilet seat that’s silent and prevents slamming.
The Cadet 3 uses FloWise technology for maximum water efficiency. The single flush design uses 1.28 gallons per flush, which is 20% less than a standard toilet. It is WaterSense certified.
Keeping the bowl clean is easy with help of the EverClean glazing. Its smooth surface prevents waste from sticking to the inside of the bowl. It also keeps mold and bacterial growth to a minimum. The PowerWash rim helps clear bulk waste with a single flush.
The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty on the chinaware, a five-year warranty on the mechanical parts, and a one-year warranty on the included toilet seat. The toilet does not come with the wax ring and bolts needed for attaching the fixture to the drain.
Pros
- Modern minimal design
- Full skirt makes it easy to keep clean and sanitary
- Round toilet seat makes it a good toilet for smaller bathrooms
- FloWise technology offers efficient water use
- Use 1.28 gallons per flush
- WaterSense certified
- EverClean glazing keeps bowl clear and prevents mold/bacteria growth
- PowerWash helps clear waste
- Comes with exceptional manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- Not ADA compliant
- Does not include parts to finish installation
- Difficult to install
Kohler K-3493-0 Highline Classic
The Kohler K-3493-0 Highline Classic brings together comfort height seating and pressure assist flushing for a high performance toilet. Its classic design works in traditional and transitional bathrooms. The two-piece design includes an elongated bowl for maximum comfort.
The Comfort Height seat offers most adults a comfortable way to get up and down with ease. Made from vitreous china, this toilet will last for many years.
The Kohler K-3493-0 uses the standard 1.6 gallons per flush. The Pressure Assist system uses air pressure to push the water out at great velocity, helping to keep the bowl clean after every flush. The enclosed water tank is actually inside the toilet tank, eliminating sweating on hot, humid days. The pressure feature does require between 20 and 30 psi to run properly.
The toilet does not include any of the parts needed to complete installation. Buyer will need to purchase toilet seat, supply line, wax ring, and flange bolts separately. The toilet comes with a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros
- Conventional design works well in traditional and transitional bathrooms
- Pressure assist clears bowl of bulk waste with single flush
- Elongated bowl offer maximum comfort
Cons
- Not ADA compliant
- Not WaterSense Certified
- One-year limited warranty
- Does not include toilet seat, wax ring, supply line, or bolts for installation
KOHLER K-6669-0 Memoirs
The KOHLER K-6669-0 Memoirs is part of the coordinated Memoirs bathroom fixture collection. Its elegant architectural design works well in a traditional bathroom setting. The rectangular base conceals the trapway for an effortless look. The low profile bolt caps make it easy to keep things clean at floor level.
Comfort height elongated seat makes this a good choice for adults and those with mobility issues. The toilet does not include a toilet seat with it. This toilet is water efficient even with its single flush design, using only 1.28 gallons per flush. Made from vitreous china, it will last for many years.
The manufacturer offers a one-year limited warranty. It comes with everything except the wax ring and the toilet seat.
Pros
- Part of architectural Memoirs line from Kohler
- Water efficient, using only 1.28 gallons per flush
- Elongated comfort height seat makes it nice for adults and those with disabilities
Cons
- One-year limited warranty
- Does not include seat or wax ring
- Comes poorly packaged
- Not ADA compliant
And the Best Comfort Height Toilet is
The WOODBRIDGE T-0019 Dual Flush toilet is clearly the best comfort height toilet in our comparison. Its sleek modern design, easy to clean skirting, powerful flush, and good warranty all make it the clear winner.
What really stands out with the WOODBRIDGE T-0019 is the number of features it offers compared to its price. It has the lowest cost of all the toilets in our comparison. The toilet comes with all the parts you need to complete the installation, including a manual and tool to complete the work.
The clean, sleek look of this toilet works well in contemporary bathrooms, but also looks good in traditional, modern, craftsman, and industrial decor as well. The full skirt offers a smooth curve with no corners or grooves to keep clean. A low-profile tank makes it less obtrusive than toilets with higher tanks.
Flushing is not a problem with this toilet. Siphon flushing and a fully glazed trapway offers a clear flush that’s powerful and super quiet. It offers dual flushing for excellent water efficiency. The partial flush uses 1.0 gallons, while the full flush uses 1.6 gallons. While not as efficient as the Convenient Height 20-Inch Extra Tall toilet, it is WaterSense certified.
The comfort height seat is quite comfortable for people of different heights. Its within the 17 to 19 inches recommended by the ADA. Although this toilet is not ADA compliant, it is a good choice for those with mobility issues or those who are on the taller size.
Another feature that stands out with the WOODBRIDGE T-0019 is the manufacturer’s warranty. They offer a five-year warranty against fading and staining of the porcelain finish and a one-year warranty on the flushing mechanism and the soft closing toilet lid. This is much better than the one-year limited warranty offered by the Kohler models. It is not as good as that offered by American Standard.
This toilet is not ADA compliant. None of the toilets in our comparison were. It would not be a good choice for someone who needs extra space under the bowl. Another noted issue is the finish on the handle tends to wear off quickly.