Eco-Design Green Design The 7 Best Water-Saving Toilets Our top pick is TOTO Ultramaxx II. By Arricca SanSone Arricca SanSone Hiram College Georgia Southern University Arricca SanSone is a health and lifestyle writer, specializing in home, kitchen, and gardening. She has written for Dotdash Meredith since 2019. Learn about our editorial process Updated January 11, 2023 Eco-Design Tiny Homes Architecture Interior Design Green Design Urban Design We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Treehugger / Chloe Jeong Whether you’re doing a total bathroom reno or replacing a leaky loo, new toilets have a ton of upgraded water-saving features. That’s a good thing because your old toilet is probably a big, fat water hog. Here’s why: Toilets that were installed prior to 1992’s Energy Policy Act use 3.5 or more gallons per flush (GPF). After that, toilets were required to use no more than 1.6 GPF. The latest flushing technology now allows toilets to use 1.28 GPF or less, and EPA certifies those as WaterSense if they also meet performance criteria. In certain parts of the country, some toilets qualify for a rebate, too, from local utilities or municipalities when you replace your old lavatory. Beyond the flush, today's toilets come outfitted with features such as heated seats, night lights for overnight trips, and more comfortable seat heights. From composting to low-flow to dual-flush, here are our picks for the best water-saving toilets. The Rundown Best Overall: TOTO Ultramax II One-Piece Toilet Set at Walmart ($635) Jump to Review Best Budget: Kohler Highline Arc 2-Piece Toilet at Home Depot ($325) Jump to Review Best Low Flow: TOTO Drake II 1G Two-Piece Toilet at Amazon ($560) Jump to Review Best with Integrated Bidet: BioBidet Prodigy Smart Toilet at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review Best Dual Flush: American Standard H2Option Dual Flush Right Height Elongated Toilet at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review Best Composting: Nature's Head Composting Toilet at Amazon ($1,030) Jump to Review Best Luxury: Kohler Veil Comfort Height Compact Elongated Toilet at Amazon ($4,384) Jump to Review Best Overall TOTO Ultramax II One-Piece Toilet Set Amazon View On Walmart $635 View On Amazon $578 View On Home Depot $606 With an elongated bowl, sleek tank styling, and soft-close seat, this toilet looks as good as it performs. Its one-piece design means leaks can’t develop around bolts or gaskets, and it’s also set at a convenient universal height. Upgraded ceramic coating prevents debris from sticking, so you can use fewer cleaning products, and it meets EPA WaterSense standards. It comes in several colors including white, bone, and beige. It has a powerful and efficient flushing system, which uses two nozzles and a centrifugal washing action, and say it rarely needs a re-flush. The company’s focus has been on universal design, making products accessible for people at all ability levels, since its inception more than 100 years ago. Best Budget Kohler Highline Arc 2-Piece Toilet The Home Depot View On Home Depot $325 Kohler is known for its quality plumbing fixtures, and this toilet is no different. With a chair-height seat, which the company calls Comfort Height, and a compact round-front footprint, this toilet is a great solution for small spaces such as powder rooms. Its flushing technology uses gravity to create a siphon that leaves the bowl cleaner, and it flushes quietly. It has earned the EPA WaterSense label, has a slow-close lid, and also comes in an elongated bowl form. It comes in white and biscuit. Best Low Flow TOTO Drake II 1G Two-Piece Toilet Amazon View On Amazon $560 View On Wayfair $608 View On Lowe's If you’re determined to save water, this ultra-high-efficiency toilet uses only one gallon per flush! It sits at universal or chair height and has dual nozzles to create a centrifugal force to wash the bowl clean. It also comes in a round-front model. For either, you’ll need to purchase the seat separately. The special ceramic glaze keeps the bowl cleaner, and the flushing action is efficient and doesn’t require multiple flushes. The 10 Best Low-Flow Shower Heads Best with Integrated Bidet BioBidet Prodigy Smart Toilet Amazon View On Amazon View On Home Depot $2,049 View On Lowe's $2,359 For an integrated system with a ton of comfort features, this toilet offers more than just a bathroom break. With its sleek tankless design, the unit boasts a dual flush system, using 0.9 GPF for small flushes and 1.2 GPF for a full flush. It has a heated seat, nightlight, several different warm wash functions, and heated air dry. The seat, water, and dryer temperatures are all adjustable as well. The similar 770 model also includes an auto open-close feature, and there’s a remote to run certain functions, too. The company’s products are designed to be DIY, so that’s a plus if you don’t want to hire a plumber. Some find the dryer to be noisy, but overall it’s a well-appointed toilet and bidet for the price. No, You Don't Have to Spend $1200 to Get a Bidet Toilet Best Dual Flush American Standard H2Option Dual Flush Right Height Elongated Toilet Amazon View On Amazon Dual flush allows you to select the appropriate amount of flushing action as needed. A top-mounted button lets you choose a partial 0.92 GPF flush or a full 1.28 GPF flush. The ceramic surface inhibits stains and the growth of bacteria, and its available in three colors. It comes in both standard and chair height, which the company calls Right Height, as well as a rounded front option. You’ll need to purchase the seat separately. The dual flush feature can save water and the bowl doesn’t stain easily. Best Composting Nature's Head Composting Toilet Amazon View On Amazon $1,030 If you’re off-grid on a boat or cabin, composting toilets use little or no water and don’t require a sewer hookup. This self-contained unit has stainless steel hardware, a 12-volt powered built-in fan, and it’s made in the United States. The agitator to mix materials is available as a space-saving spider handle or a standard crank handle. There’s usually no smell, but liquids need to be emptied every few days, and solids every 60 to 80 uses. The toilet is designed by two long-time sailors in 2007, and the company supports charitable organizations such as Warrior Homesteads, which gives homeless veterans sustainable housing on farmable land. How Does a Composting Toilet Work? Best Luxury Kohler Veil Comfort Height Compact Elongated Toilet Amazon View On Amazon $4,384 View On Wayfair $4,725 View On Home Depot $4,725 If you’re looking to splurge on the ultimate in comfort, this sleek, one-piece tankless toilet with integrated bidet offers dual flushes using either 0.8 GPF or 1.28 GPF. It sits at a comfortable 17-inch height and features a heated seat with adjustable temperature settings, LED nightlight, motion-activated hands-free open and close, automatic deodorization, and automatic flush. These features make for a comfortable and convenient experience. The cleaning function includes front and rear washes and warm-air drying with adjustable temperature, and the touchscreen remote allows you to personalize settings. A UV light sanitizes the cleaning wand. It also has an emergency backup flush in case of a power outage, and it has earned the WaterSense label. Final Verdict We think the best water-saving toilet is the TOTO Ultramax One-Piece Toilet Set. However, if you’re looking for a toilet with an integrated bidet, consider the BioBidet Prodigy Smart Toilet. What to Consider When Buying a Water-Saving Toilet Gallons Per Flush The key metric to determine if a toilet is water efficient is the Gallons Per Flush or GFP rating. Look for a toilet with a GFP of 1.28 or less. To ensure a toilet also works as well as it should, look for a WaterSense certification, which means the toilet has been independently verified to use water judiciously while still maintaining a high level of functionality. Size Before purchasing a new toilet, don’t forget to double-check the dimensions and where the flush handle is located to ensure it fits well in your space. Today's toilets also have the option of more comfortable seat heights. You can choose between toilets at 15 inches tall, which is what we’re all used to, and toilets that are “universal” or chair height, sitting at 17 inches tall. These units make it easier for most adults to stand up, especially if you’re tall or have back issues, for example. Features In recent years, toilets have become, well, just plain luxurious with features such as heated seats, night lights for overnight trips, and seat heights, as discussed above. Meanwhile, alternative toilet types, such as composting or incinerating toilets, have improved their performance as well with new technologies as well if you don’t have sewer or septic access. Bidet If you’re searching for the ultimate in comfort, you may want to consider an integrated toilet and bidet. While bidets have been part of other cultures forever, Americans also have begun embracing them—thanks, in part, to the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020. While an add-on bidet seat can upgrade your existing toilet, integrated toilets and bidets include features such as hot and cold cleansing sprays and warm air dryers, eliminating the need for paper waste. Plus, bidets also make cleansing easier for people with limited mobility. When shopping, remember that many (though not all) bidet seats or toilet/bidets require electricity and hot water hookups, so that will add to the installation’s overall expense and complexity. Why Trust Treehugger? Treehugger has been reporting on clean technology and environmentally friendly home alternatives for over a decade. Author Arricca SanSone researched environmental certifications, reviews, and features to choose the best water-saving toilets. Tushy Launches Bamboo Toilet Paper to Help You Reduce Your Carbon Buttprint