Toto has been making toilets since 1917. They have grown to be one of the largest toilet manufacturers in the world. More importantly, they have earned a spot as one of the best in the marketplace due to their emphasis on quality and innovation at a number of price points. Selecting the best Toto toilet can be difficult because so many are at the top of their category.
What To Look For in a Toto Toilet
All of the toilets in this comparison are made by Toto. Comparing the features of toilets from the same manufacturer can get tricky since they are often quite similar to each other. When selecting a new commode for your home, you need to determine which features are most important and if the toilet will fit your home’s dimensions and style. Here is a list of features to consider:
- Size – The first consideration when selecting a toilet is whether it will fit into the available space. Toto toilets come in a number of sizes and dimensions, so it won’t be difficult to find a model that fits your space perfectly. Another consideration you do need to remember is the drain size and position. Your plumber can advise you on what you should order.
- Seat Height – The height of the toilet seat is another important consideration. A standard toilet has a seat height between 14 and 16 inches above the floor. A comfort height seat is between 17 and 18 inches above the floor, which is closer to normal seat height. Another name for a comfort height seat is universal height. Toilets in the comfort height range are often ADA compliant. Toto makes toilets in both height ranges.
- Seat Shape – Toilet bowl openings generally come in one of two configurations: round and elongated. The round toilet seat is the original style. It fits well into tighter spaces where you need to maximize walking and standing space. The elongated seat sticks out a couple of inches further than the round. It’s more comfortable for adults and makes it easier for those who are disabled. Toto has toilets with both seat shapes.
- Certifications – Yes, toilets can have certifications, at least in the United States. One certification is ADA compliance. Toilets that are ADA compliant must be a certain height and shape to make it easy for a person who is physically disabled to use the commode. The EPA’s WaterSense certification comes from independent testing of a commode for efficiency and performance. It must be 20% more water use more efficient than standard toilets and perform well under normal use. Other certifications toilets can obtain are CALGreen and CEC compliance.
- Water Use – New toilets in the US must use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. Some toilets, however, are more efficient than that with a few using as little as 1.1 gallons per flush. Dual flush models offer the choice of how much water to use for a particular flush. Toto offers regular flush and dual flush models in their lineup.
- Price – The amount of money you are willing to spend makes a big difference when purchasing a Toto toilet. They make basic models that are just a couple of hundred dollars. They also make high-end, multi-feature toilets that go well into the thousands of dollars. Toto also makes several models in between the two extremes.
- One or Two Piece – One-piece toilets are usually smaller and more compact than two-piece models. They often have a lower profile tank and a more modern design. Two-piece toilets have a gasket between the tank and bowl that can fail, which is a point of weakness the one-piece doesn’t have. You can find both models in Toto’s lineup.
- Design – How the toilet looks is almost as important as how it performs. Toto offers the latest modern designs alongside more traditional looks. You can get many of their toilets in multiple colors ranging from general white to almond to black. You can get models that have a skirted base that offers a smooth, rounded look that’s easy to keep clean.
- Glazing – In recent years, manufacturers have improved toilet glazing. Their goal is to make bulk waste slip down the drain easier without leaving behind streaks. They also want to keep the inside of the bowl cleaner while inhibiting mold or bacterial growth. Toto offers SanaGloss or Cefiontect glazing options on many of their toilets.
What Makes Toto Different From Other Toilet Manufacturers
You might think one toilet is the same as the other. The fact is there are multiple differences between toilets from different manufacturers. And Toto has claimed its spot as one of the leading innovators in this marketplace. Buying a Toto toilet is not the same as buying another manufacturer’s toilet.
The company was founded back in 1917 in Japan. It remained a small company for just a few years. In 1923, the Kanto earthquake damaged much of Tokyo. During the rebuilding process, the city installed a sewage system which increased the need for modern toilets. That’s when Toto’s business took off.
Toto continued innovating and dominating the Japanese market throughout the 20th century. They developed the WASHLET in 1977. This bathroom innovation introduced a bidet feature integrated into a toilet seat. It allows for the convenience of cleaning without the need for a second fixture.
The company made their debut to the US market in the 1990s. They have become known as a top-quality manufacturer that continues to innovate the bathroom industry. Besides toilets, Toto manufactures a full line of bathroom products for both the commercial and the residential market.
Comparing The Best Toto Toilets
TOTO CST744SL#01 Drake 2-Piece
The TOTO CST744SL#01 Drake 2-Piece is a two-piece toilet with a high-profile tank and an elongated bowl. The toilet uses 1.6 gallons per flush. The seat is at universal height for comfortable seating. This model is ADA compliant. It comes with a chrome lever on the left side and does not include a toilet seat. Toto’s G-Max flushing system uses an extra-large siphon jet and a large trap way to expel waste efficiently. Made from vitreous china, this toilet comes in five different colors. It comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Comes with comfort height seating
- Brings G-Max flushing for clean removal of waste
- Available in many colors
- Lower cost than other compared
Cons
- More traditional design
- Higher profile tank
- Does not include SanaGloss or Cefiontect glazing
- Does not include toilet seat
TOTO MS446124CEMG#01 Aquia IV WASHLET
The TOTO MS446124CEMG#01 Aquia IV WASHLET is a two-piece toilet with an elongated bowl. The toilet comes with the Cefiontect finish for maximum cleaning and sanitation with each flush. A smooth skirt hides the toilet trap for a modern, sleek look. While the toilet is in two pieces, the tank sits squarely on the base and gives the look of a single-piece model. It includes the Dynamax Tornado flush to bring 360° cleaning to the bowl. Toto’s bowl design minimize water turbulence for a quieter flush. A soft close seat is included with the toilet. It’s a dual flush model that offers a 0.8 gallons per partial flush and a 1.28 gallons per full flush. The toilet is ready to be upgraded to a Washlet. The Aquia IV meets the EPA’s WaterSense, California’s CEC and CALGreen requirements.
Pros
- Dual-flush model with high efficiency partial and full flushes
- Modern skirted design for easy cleaning and fine deisgn
- Includes Cefiontect glazing for maximum cleaning and hygiene
- Has Dynamax Tornado flush for maximum waste removal
- Ready for Washlet installation
- Includes soft close toilet seat
Cons
- Higher price than others compared
- One-year manufacturers limited warranty
TOTO Drake Elongated Bowl and Tank
The TOTO Drake Elongated Bowl and Tank is a two-piece toilet with an elongated bowl. It has a contemporary design with a high-profile tank. The toilet includes the G-Max flushing system that offers powerful commercial grade flushing power. The 3″ wide flush valve helps expel waste faster than smaller valves. It uses 1.6 gallons per flush. The toilet comes in five different colors. It does not include a toilet seat.
Pros
- Offers a transitional design that works in most bathroom designs
- Includes siphon jet flushing for efficient waste removal
Cons
- Does not include toilet seat
- Does not include SanaGloss or Cefiontect glazing
TOTO MS854114ELG#01 Eco Ultramax
The TOTO MS854114ELG#01 Eco Ultramax is a one-piece toilet with an elongated bowl. The bowl includes the SanaGloss finish for efficient cleaning and the prevention of mold and bacterial growth. This toilet is ADA compliant with a Universal Height seat for maximum comfort. The toilet has a lower profile and a modern design. It’s an E-Max toilet that uses only 1.28 gallons per flush. Its siphon jet flush removes waste efficiently while cleaning the bowl at the same time. The toilet comes with a soft close toilet seat.
Pros
- Lower profile, modern design
- ADA compliant with Universal Height Seat
- Excellent water efficiency using 1.28 gallons per flush
- Includes SanaGloss glazing for sanitation and cleanliness
- Wide 3″ flush valve offers powerful fast flush
- Includes soft close toilet seat
Cons
- Does not include skirting to disguise trapway
Toto MS604114CEFG#01 UltraMax II
The Toto MS604114CEFG#01 UltraMax II is a one-piece toilet with an elongated bowl. It has a universal height seat that’s ADA compliant. The tank is low-profile and rounded with a modern design. It uses only 1.28 gallons per flush for maximum water efficiency. The toilet uses Toto’s Tornado Flush system which uses dual nozzles to create a centrifugal cleaning action to remove all traces of waste. It includes the CEFIONTECT glazing to create a smooth surface where mold and bacteria can’t grow. The toilet includes a left-hand chrome trip lever and soft close toilet seat.
Pros
- Modern design with low profile tank
- Comfort level seating that’s ADA compliant
- Very water efficient, only using 1.28 gallons per flush
- Uses Tornado Flush to clear bowl quickly and efficiently
- Includes CEFIONTECT glazing for easy cleaning and sanitation
- Includes soft close toilet seat
Cons
- Highest priced toilet in our comparison
- Base is not skirted, exposing the trapway
And The Best Toto Toilet Is
The best Toto toilet in our comparison is the TOTO MS446124CEMG#01 Aquia IV WASHLET. This toilet’s modern design, dual flush water efficiency, and sanitary glazing make it the clear winner. While it has a higher price than some models, the money is well spent for a well-designed modern commode.
A single look at the Aquia IV shows the eye for design Toto brought to this toilet. It has a smooth skirt to disguise the trapway. It’s two-piece design is hard to detect because the tank sits squarely on the back of the bowl. Its modern design fits well into any contemporary space. The exposed trapways on the Eco Ultramax and the Ultramax II make them far less attractive.
Another highlight of this toilet is the dual flush feature. The chrome button in the middle of the tank lid allows the user to select a partial flush or a full flush, depending on what’s needed. The partial flush uses only 0.8 gallons per flush for lighter waste, while the full flush uses 1.28 gallons per flush for bulk waste. Compared to the 1.6 gallons per flush of the Drake models, the water savings is exceptional.
The Cefiontect glazing creates an ultra smooth surface to keep debris moving down the drain. It also helps prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. This maximizes sanitation and ease of cleaning. The Aquia IV’s bowl design helps reduce water turbulence for an ultra quiet flush. That’s perfect for a bathroom next to bedrooms or guest spaces. It includes the Dynamax Tornado flush, which pushes water around the entire bowl for maximum efficiency and cleaning.
One downside to this toilet is its price. It is on the higher end of the range of those we compared. However, it is still quite reasonable in the Toto price range, especially with the features it includes. It comes with the sanitation glazing, a soft close seat, and dual flush, which is not available in the lower cost Drake models. The sleep modern design is the only one of its kind among those we compared.
While the Aquia IV has a one-year limited warranty, it’s the same as all of the others in our lineup. For the price, these toilets should have a longer, more comprehensive warranty.