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    Best Toilets of 2023

    Models from American Standard, Glacier Bay, Gerber, and Icera shine in Consumer Reports' tests

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    From left: American Standard Champion 747BA107SC.020 (Home Depot), St. Thomas by Icera Richmond (6123.218, 6125.028), and Glacier Bay N2428R-DF (Home Depot)
    Good news, budget shoppers: Some of the best toilets in CR's tests cost $200 or less.
    Photos: Consumer Reports

    If you havenā€™t updated your commode lately, you may be surprised to find that todayā€™s toilets are, ahem, flush with improvements.Ā 

    New toilets use less water than ever, yet weā€™ve found in our tests that they tend to work better than previous generations of low-flow thrones. Recent improvements include optimized bowl shapes, stronger flushing mechanisms, and sometimes even nonstick coatings, which can all add up to better flushing and cleaner bowls.

    Weā€™ve tested dozens of toilets to help you find the best one for your bathroom. In our labs, we connect each toilet to a specially built plumbing system that measures the volume and flow of water into and out of the toilet.

    More on Toilets

    In the crucial solid waste removal test, our tester uses a 5-gallon bucket filled about a quarter full with simulated waste: 160 solid polyethylene balls, seven sponges studded with No. 10 screws for realistic weight, and nonlubricated latex condoms filled with water. If that sounds a bit extreme, itā€™s meant to be. Because very few toilets can remove the simulated waste in just one flush, weā€™re able to get differentiating data to score each toilet. Our tester notes how many flushes each toilet requires to finish the job. The best in our tests can do it all in one go; the worst clog with the first flush.

    We also test each toiletā€™s self-cleaning skills, noise level, and ability to carry a load through a drain line, out of a home, and into a sewer or septic system. All of this data allows us to separate the good toilets from, well, the crappy ones. You can see some clips of CRā€™s toilet tests.

    What to Watch Out For

    State-level restrictions: Some of our top-rated toilets are actually illegal in a handful of states. California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington have all banned the sale or installation of toilets that donā€™t meet the Environmental Protection Agencyā€™s WaterSense standard of 1.28 gallons, on average, per flush. (Several other states are scheduled to enact similar regulations over the next few years.) But any loo that meets the EPAā€™s standard is lawful nationwideā€”and several of those models rate among the best toilets weā€™ve tested, including some dual-flush models with a partial-flush button for liquid waste. (If youā€™re on a budget, check out our compilation of the best water-saving toilets for $200 or less.)

    Variants: Before you purchase a toilet, double-check to make sure youā€™re getting the exact model you want. Weā€™ve seen some toilets with similar model names or numbers that are available in multiple variants. For example, one version of the Kohler Kelston meets the WaterSense standard, while another does not. Similarly, the Glacier Bay N2420 has an elongated bowl, while the Glacier Bay N2428-DF has a round bowl. Chris Regan, CRā€™s senior test project leader for toilets, says that when it comes to variations in water use or bowl shape in toilets that seem similar, ā€œsometimes thereā€™s no difference, sometimes there is, so we have to take it on a case-by-case basis.ā€

    Seats and hardware: Also note that some toilets recommended by CR donā€™t come with a seat, a wax ring, or mounting hardware, so youā€™ll need to buy those separately. Expect to pay at least $40 extra for all the necessary accessories.

    CR members can read on to find a handful of our top-ranked models across a few popular styles and prices. Dozens of other great toilets have earned CRā€™s recommendation as well, all tracked in our full toilet ratings. And for more information as you shop, check out our toilet buying guide.

    5 Best Toilets From CR's Tests

    @consumerreports #answer to @drerikaup A toilet that gets the job done with one flush = bliss šŸ„°. We test to see which toilets make that happenā€”the rest is up to you. Learn more at cr.org/toilets šŸš½ #toilettok #cleantok #cleaningtiktok ā™¬ original sound - Consumer Reports