American Standard is one of the most popular toilet brands sold in the U.S. This company offers a wide assortment of toilets, ranging from budget friendly models to innovative options that give consumers the features they most desire. Selecting the best American Standard toilet for your home isn’t easy with so many choices available. We’ve reviewed five of their top commodes to see which one fares best.
How to Buy the Best American Standard Toilet
Brand is often a factor you should consider when buying a toilet. However, all the toilets in our comparison are American Standard models. So, the decision should include functional features and model details. Here are the criteria you should consider when selecting the toilet for you:
Flushing Efficiency
American Standard, like other toilet manufacturers, offer a number of flushing mechanisms in their lineup. It’s important to select a toilet with a powerful flush that clears the bowl a single push of the lever or button. This ensures the bowl stays clean and you aren’t using too much water.
The dual flush option is one to consider. It offers two levels of flush. The partial flush can clear liquid waste using less water. The full flush clears bulk waste efficiently. It’s an efficient way to flush waste while saving water at the same time.
Toilet Design
The toilet is an integral part of your bathroom’s look. Choose one that fits into your bathroom’s overall design, while giving you the efficiency and use that you need. Here are some things to consider:
- One-piece vs two-piece – Today’s toilets usually come in one or two piece designs. A conventional two-piece toilet has the tank and base separate. A one-piece toilet has the tank integrated with the base.
- Tank vs tankless – Most toilets come with a tank to hold water used for flushing. A tankless toilet attaches directly to the water supply line. It uses pressurized water to clear the bowl of waste.
- Contemporary vs traditional- Toilet design has come a long way. There are dozens of design options on the market that range from minimal to very traditional. American Standard’s designs follow this range.
- Full skirt vs exposed trapway – The trapway of the toilet is a place where dust and dirt often accumulate. Some contemporary design toilets include an integrated skirt that provide a smooth rounded base for easy cleaning.
- Lever vs button – A traditional North American toilet usually comes with a lever on the front or side. However, buttons are an option gaining popularity.
Bowl Shape
Round and elongated toilet bowls are standard options on the market today. A round toilet bowl takes up less space and works well in small bathrooms. However, an elongated bowl offers more comfortable, spacious seating. For bathrooms that have a narrow space to place a toilet in, an elongated bowl may be the better choice.
Seating Height
A standard, traditional toilet has a seat that’s between 14 and 16 inches in height. This height is comfortable for older children and shorter adults. However, it can be uncomfortable for taller adults and hard to use for people who have mobility issues or who use a wheelchair.
Toilet manufacturers, including American Standard, offer toilets at what is called “comfort height” seating, where the seat is between 17 and 19 inches in height.
Water Efficiency
Today, toilets sold in the U.S. must use 1.6 gallons per flush or less. This is a major advance over older toilets that could use up to 7 gallons per flush (gpf). However, there’s pressure on the toilet industry to make commodes even more efficient. The U.S. EPA offers the WaterSense certification for toilets that use 1.28 gpf or less.
Installation
Toilets come in different dimensions, with many floor mounted and a few wall mounted. Some toilets work well in small spaces while others need plenty of room around them. The location of the floor drain is also crucial. It’s important to compare a toilet’s dimensions to the space available. That way you won’t need to return the toilet because it doesn’t fit.
Ease of installation is another consideration. A standard floor mounted toilet is usually easy enough for a DIY enthusiast, while a wall mounted unit can be a challenge for a plumbing professional.
Price
Select a toilet that’s within your budget. A basic model will do the same job as a high-end model with a lot of bells and whistles. If you want some extra features, decide what’s most important. Then find a toilet that has those features that’s also within your price range.
That being said, you will be living with that toilet for many years to come. Putting a bit of extra money towards a nicer toilet should be something to consider.
Warranty
Most toilets are made from vitreous china that can get broken in transit. That’s why you need a good manufacturer’s warranty to cover any broken pieces. A warranty at least one year long is a must. Most problems will present themselves within 12 months.
A Brief History of American Standard
What became the American Standard toilet brand started out as the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company, which started in 1875. This company brought innovation to bathroom fixtures including upgrades such as one-piece toilets, built-in tubs, and faucets that allowed the user to combine hot and cold water through a single tap.
By 1929, the company was the world’s largest manufacturer of bathroom fixtures. That year they merged with the American Radiator Company to become the American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Company. In 1967, they renamed the company to American Standard. Today, this company is part of the global LIXIL Corporation, the leading brand within their Water Technology division.
For over 140 years, American Standard has brought innovation to bathroom fixtures, including the humble toilet. It has given this brand a lasting reputation for quality and responsibility.
The Comparison
American Standard 288DA114.020 288DA.114.020 Toilet
The American Standard 288DA114.020 288DA.114.020 Toilet is an ultra-high efficiency toilet that uses only 1.1 gallons per flush. It is a two-piece toilet with a transitional design that would work well in contemporary or traditional spaces. This toilet is very easy to install.
The design of this toilet allows it to clear most waste from the bowl with a single flush using siphon bowl technology and a power rim. The water gets released faster and goes through more holes around the rim for efficient flushing. It is WaterSense certified and meets California’s efficiency standards with no issues.
To keep the interior clean, this toilet comes with American Standard’s EverClean Surface. That’s a special glaze that provides an ultra smooth surface. It also helps prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
The toilet requires a 12″ rough-in for the drain. The rim sits at 15″ for standard height seating. It includes a 2″ fully glazed trapway for efficient waste removal. The toilet measures 15″ wide by 30″ high, and sits 27 3/4″ from the wall. American Standard offers a lifetime warranty on the china and a five-year warranty on mechanical parts.
Pros
- Ultra high efficiency water use at 1.1 gallons per flush
- EverClean glaze keeps bowl cleaner and prevents mold and bacteria growth
- Siphon jet technology and PowerRim flush removes waste efficiently
- WaterSense certified
- Generous manufacturer’s warranty
- Lowest price among those compared
- Very easy to install
- Narrow toilet with round seat, great for small bathrooms
Cons
- Does not include toilet seat
American Standard 2988101.020 Cadet 3 FloWise
The American Standard 2988101.020 Cadet 3 FloWise combines water efficiency with a smooth contemporary design, perfect for almost any bathroom. It uses 1.28 gallons per flush, which beats the standard by 20%. The smooth rounded base makes this toilet easy to clean and sanitize.
While this toilet is very water efficient with FloWise technology, it achieves a power flush with the use of American Standard’s PowerWash rim. It has a 3″ oversized flush valve for a powerful release of water into the bowl. This design distributes water around the entire bowl to clear waste with a single touch on the lever. The inside of the bowl has the EverClean glaze that keeps the bowl cleaner, while preventing the growth of mold and bacteria.
The round bowl design makes it easy to install this toilet in smaller bathrooms. It’s a two piece unit, though the contours of the tank fit tightly to the base for a modern, minialist look. The trapway is hidden behind the rounded skirt. This rounded skirt makes installation more difficult than others.
This toilet is WaterSense certified. It requires a 12″ rough-in. The toilet is 15 3/4″ wide by 30 3/4″ tall, and sits 28 1/4″ from the wall. It has a 16.5″ rim height which makes it good for accessible applications. The toilet comes with a slow-close seat and cover. American Standard includes a lifetime warranty on the china, a five-year limited warranty on the mechanical parts, and a one-year warranty on the toilet seat.
Pros
- Modern two-piece design works in most bathroom styles
- WaterSense certified, using only 1.28 gallons per flush
- Cadet 3 flushing system is water efficient and powerful
- Includes EverClean glaze for easier bowl cleaning and sanitation
- Excellent manufacturer’s warranty
- Comfort height seating
- Includes slow-close toilet seat
Cons
- Difficult to install, often requiring professional help
American Standard 3071.000.020 Town Square
The American Standard 3071.000.020 Town Square toilet bowl brings comfort height seating and EverClean sanitation to your bathroom. The square lines of this toilet base offers architectural details that enhance your bathroom’s decor. It includes a slow-close seat that fits perfectly with this elongated bowl.
The strong corners of the toilet’s base conceal the trapway. It’s an easy-to-clean design that provides a distinct style. It has an elongated bowl that provides extra space and more comfortable seating.
The toilet bowl includes American Standard’s siphon-jetted action PowerWash rim. It uses multiple holes set around the entire rim to remove waste with a single flush. It includes an over-sized 3″ flush valve.
This toilet base requires a 12″ rough-in. The rim of the bowl sits at 16 1/2″ for comfort height seating. It includes the slow-close toilet seat. The manufacturer offers a 10-year warranty on the entire toilet. The tank must be purchased separately.
Pros
- Strong architectural style
- Enclosed base conceals trapway
- Coordinates with Town Square bath collection
- PowerWash rim cleans bowl with every flush
- EverClean glaze inhibits bacteria and mildew growth
- 10 year warranty on entire toilet
- Includes slow close seat
- Comfort height seating
Cons
- Only includes bowl, tank must be purchased separately
American Standard 2467016.020 Cadet
The American Standard 2467016.020 Cadet offers comfort height seating and pressure assisted flushing for top performance. Its classic design makes it a good toilet for almost any bathroom style. With a two-piece design, this commode is very easy to install.
This toilet uses a pressure-assisted flush for powerful waste removal. As the tank fills with water, it enters a tank which builds up air pressure. When the toilet is flushed the next time, the air pressure forces the water out in a powerful jet which pushes waste efficiently out of the bowl.
Its rim sits at 16 1/2″ for comfort height seating. It has the EverClean glaze that helps inhibit bacteria and mildew growth inside the bowl. The elongated bowl offers more comfortable seating.
It requires a 12″ rough-in. It is 20 1/2″ wide by 30 3/4″ tall. It extends out 30 1/4″ from the wall. The manufacturer does not include a toilet seat. American Standard offers a one-year limited warranty on this model.
Pros
- Pressure assisted flush clears bowl easily
- EverClean surface prevents mold and bacterial growth
- Elongated seat offers more comfort
- Comfort height seating
- ADA certified
- PowerWash rim keeps bowl cleaner
Cons
- Does not include toilet seat
- Includes one-year limited warranty
- Toilet paper dropped in front of bowl does not go down
American Standard 2891.128.020 Boulevard
The American Standard 2891.128.020 Boulevard brings high efficiency and a concealed trapway design. It uses only 1.28 gallons per flush and meets the EPA’s WaterSense criteria. The smooth sides of the base conceal the trapway for easy cleaning and a clean design.
Its one-piece design is inspired by the mid-century Bauhaus design movement. It’s part of the Studio Collection offered by American Standard. It includes a siphon-action elongated bowl for comfortable seating and a powerful flush. It uses a 3″ flush valve to release water faster than the standard 2″ valve. The bowl’s rim sits at 16 1/2″ for comfort height seating.
The toilet has the EverClean glazing that inhibits bacterial and mildew growth. The PowerWash rim scrubs the bowl with every flush. This toilet includes the Duroplast slow close toilet seat that’s easy to remove for cleaning.
This toilet requires a 12″ rough in. It is 14 1/2″ wide by 30 1/2″ tall. It extends 29 3/4″ from the wall. American Standard offers a limited lifetime warranty on this toilet.
Pros
- Strong design statement that works in almost any bathroom
- EverClean surface prevents mold and bacterial growth
- PowerWash rim cleans bowl with every flush
- Includes Duroplast slow close toilet lid
- Elongated seat sits at comfort height
- Part of Studio Collection
- Concealed trapway for easy cleaning
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Shut-off valve may need to be moved for installation
- Toilet seat shape is not standard
- Installation can be difficult
- Most expensive in our comparison
And the Winner Is…
While all the toilets in our comparison had strong positives, the American Standard 2988101.020 Cadet 3 FloWise is the clear winner. It offers a modern look that’s water efficient and easy to keep clean.
It includes some of the best features American Standard has to offer, including the EverClean glaze, the PowerWash rim, and the FloWise technology. This toilet uses 1.28 gallons per flush, 20% less than the Cadet model. Its concealed trapway makes it easy to clean and sanitize.
The biggest downside is that it can be difficult to install. However, installation should be a one-time endeavor. American Standard offers an excellent warranty on the china, mechanical parts, and toilet seat.