If you’re on the hunt for the best modern toilet brand, you should first consider the size, height, toilet shape, and style you need. We’ve compiled a list of the top modern toilets that are both elegant and functional.
Thousands of years ago, after humans evolved from being nomadic foragers, cesspits and chamber pots were invented. Though they haven’t always been exactly sanitary, the concept of flush toilets has survived up to the present day.
And this doesn’t mean that modern toilets are all the same, either. Like most ancient technology, toilets seemed to have been separately conceived in different societies. These vessels had gone through many phases of innovation to become the toilets we know of today.
We’re now living in the age where toilets come with simple but clever designs that can effectively enhance and modernize your bathroom. Think of a space-saving profile and efficient, powerful flushing. Many of them boast great features that you simply won’t find in conventional toilets.
Whichever toilet you pick, a reliable one is a must-have for every home.
Obviously, there are brands that stand out from the rest. But if you want something that goes beautifully with your modern bathroom, then you must consider brands renowned for their unique designs and quality.
In this article, we’re going through some of the best modern toilet brands on the market. We’ll also include a handy buying guide to help you pick the right toilet for you.
Our Favorite Modern Toilet Brands
Finding a brand you can trust is the first step to picking the right toilet for your modern bathroom. Some of these brands are pioneers in producing quality home hardware, while others are newcomers worth checking out. In any case, here are a few names you need to know.
Woodbridge
Woodbridge is a newbie to the kitchen and bath market. In 2005, this California-based startup began manufacturing and selling high-quality, modern items. Woodbridge specializes in one-piece toilets with outstanding efficiency.
Despite being relatively new to the scene, the brand can boast positive and high customer reviews. One of their major collaborations was with Lowe’s. However, most of the brand’s toilets are more expensive than the standard ones. But, they include features that make them worth considering.
The WOODBRIDGE T-0019, for example, meets all of the standards for a modern toilet. It’s a stylish single-piece toilet with a skirted trap way for easy cleaning. If you’re one who prefers the extra height, this modern toilet is ADA-compliant.
What we love about this toilet is that it has a robust fully-glazed flushing technology that works fast and quietly, all while conserving water at 1.8 and 1 gallons per flush (GPF).
One of the downsides may be that it’s hefty and you might find moving and positioning the toilet a bit challenging. Its slim profile might also make it tricky to install and fitting the flanges and pipework can be a bit stressful.
Pros
• Sleek and stylish design
• Powerful and low noise flushing
• Elongated, comfortable height
• Efficient
• Easy to clean
Cons
• Heavy and can be tricky to install
Saniflo
Saniflo is a subsidiary of the SFA Group, which offers plumbing services to both residential and commercial clientele. Founded in 1958, the brand covers it all from water purification to indoor plumbing systems.
The innovative up-flush mechanism that transports solid and liquid waste up and away from the mainstream is the brand’s objective. Saniflo’s portfolio isn’t quite as large as other toilet brands’, but it does have several unique product lines.
The brand’s toilet designs provide a bit of a unique solution, allowing you to select the best configuration for bathrooms of any size, shape, or functional requirement. Saniflo also offers matching showers, tubs, and sinks to achieve a seamless aesthetic.
One of the crowd’s favorites on their lines is the Saniflo Sanicompact. As the name suggests, it’s a compact modern toilet that is perfect for bathrooms with limited space.
It’s tankless and operates by pumping water into your bowl and down the drain using a sump pump-like system. This modern toilet lives up to its name due to its space-saving design. We appreciate how you can’t see the pump in sight. It’s contained inside the main assembly, minimizing occupied space.
As you may have expected from a brand like Saniflo, this dual flush toilet is water-efficient, using only 1 or 1.28 gallons per flush. Also, since the flush may be so powerful, it’s best to shut the lid before flushing to avoid splash from escaping the bowl.
We find that the flush is too strong, though. But because of how the water enters the bowl, you might need to push the button a few times to get it all to flow through. Also, we suggest that you don’t connect it to a sink line or expect foul odors coming from the drain.
Pros
• Compact design
• Strong flushing system
• Offers good water conservation
Cons
• Flush mechanism might be too powerful for some users
• Possible odor issues
• Might be expensive for some
TOTO
Renowned for its modern toilet designs, TOTO is a global brand founded by Kazuchika Okura in Japan more than a century ago.
We love the vision behind this TOTO. Okura established the brand before public sewage was a problem in Japan. He was inspired by the idea of living comfortably with water conservation in mind to help protect the planet.
The brand’s modern versions of toilets recall the roots of Japanese traditions. TOTO’s modern toilets are commonly associated with hotels. But the brand also offers toilets for residential use.
Their toilets have the dual-flush capability and low-profile designs, although ADA-compliant ones are also available. Some of the features they offer with their toilets are automatic open and close, air deodorizers, hands-free auto, and efficient spray.
The TOTO Neorest sure has those features. It’s not the most affordable toilet, but it offers an unrivaled level of luxury. This comfort height toilet features sensors that open and close the heated toilet seat cover automatically, an integrated programmable bidet, and LED lighting—fancy!
If you think this toilet couldn’t get fancier, well, it uses electrolyzed water to spray the bowl’s edges for easy-breezy cleaning. And in terms of flushing capacity, the toilet’s auto flush is powerful enough to tackle even the heaviest wastes. It is also one of the most energy-efficient toilets you could find, using only 1 GPF.
Some users find this toilet a bit challenging to install, though. This might require you to hire a plumber.
Pros
• Powerful auto flush
• Automatically opens and closes the toilet seat
• Heated seat
• Illuminated bowl
• Built-in bidet
• Easy to clean
• Compact design
• ADA-compliant
• Offers good water conservation
Cons
• Not easy to install
• Very expensive
Kohler
Founded by John Michael Kohler in 1873, Kohler is among the most well-known and notable brands when it comes to the home improvement industry.
The brand started making farming equipment like plows. But in the early 1900s, it switched to making gears and the brand expanded. Kohler now leads the industry, owing to its reputation for innovation, design, and dependability.
Interestingly, Kohler purchased another well-known toilet brand in 1984, the Sterling Faucet Company. It expanded the Kohler brand to include mid-priced plumbing fixtures like toilets.
Being one of the famous names, Kohler offers a range of toilets in different shapes and sizes. It also offers toilets with unique, modern features. This includes self-cleaning and water-saving features. As well as comfort height and 360 swirl flushing technology, and more.
And it’s not hard to find a bathroom or kitchen without one of Kohler’s fixtures. The Kohler Corbelle might be something you want to add to your modern bath.
It’s a powerful and well-designed toilet bowl with modern touches like a vertical brushed nickel handle. As for performance, this two-piece toilet provides a strong flushing action owing to its unique single-flush gravity and swirl flushing technology. This feature, according to Kohler, leaves the bowl cleaner.
It also has a CleanCoat surface coating and skirted trap way, as well as the larger bowl. These features make routine cleaning easier. This toilet is more expensive than the others, though. Plus, it doesn’t come with a toilet seat, which is an extra cost.
Pros
• Powerful and well-designed
• Self cleans
• Offer good water conservation
• Innovative flushing system
• Easy to clean
Cons
• More costly investment since it doesn’t include a seat
DeerValley
DeerValley might not be the most popular brand out there, but it exceeds customer expectations. The brand offers innovative toilets with modern features and humanized designs. It provides compliant items for the public’s health and safety.
Since its founding, the brand has strived to strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality. Despite being a newcomer to the scene, DeerValley tries to improve every process and offer high-quality hardware.
Their toilets are ergonomically designed. They make toilets from high-quality raw materials for manufacture and processing. DeerValley also focuses on social responsibilities, such as environmental preservation and water conservation.
Their DeerValley DV-1F52807 is another compact modern toilet we love. Since it is smaller than a standard one-piece toilet, it’s ideal for small baths or spaces. Its modern design gives your bathroom a sleek and beautiful touch. The toilet has a one-touch design for a single flush system that uses only 1.28 GPF.
Some users find it difficult to install, though. Also, the water supply line uses a different attachment. Which is smaller than the traditional toilets used in other toilets marketed around the world. We still think it’s a great modern toilet, though. Especially if you’re looking for something compact with great design.
Pros
• Ergonomic and compact design
• Offers good water conservation
• Modern aesthetics and functionality
Cons
• Entails hiring a professional since it’s difficult to install
Swiss Madison
Swiss Madison is a New Jersey-based name in the scene. The brand offers modern, minimalist toilets that your home may need. It might be another newcomer to the industry, but we stress that it can compete with pioneer brands.
The brand was founded in 2016 with the goal of providing a low-cost variety of plumbing fittings, especially toilets. According to the brand, it offers inexpensive, ergonomic, durable toilets that complement any bathroom style.
Swiss Madison’s collection provides a range of minimalist shapes. You may choose from a round bowl, square-shaped bowl, or elongated bowl.
Their St. Tropez toilet is one of the most visually appealing modern toilets we’ve ever seen. We appreciate its sleek, low-profile design that’s available as a wall-mounted fixture or back-to-wall configuration. Swiss Madison also provides various low-cost improvements, such as concealed carrier systems.
Well, it has almost everything you might want in a toilet. The toilet’s simple, beautiful design includes a skirted trap way for easy-breezy cleaning, a soft-closing seat cover, and a dual flush system.
With 1.28 gallons per flush, the Swiss Madison St. Tropez is eco-friendly without sacrificing flush efficiency. The flushing system is powerful enough to push everything down while being also quiet.
You might find it challenging to install, though. Its flange holes are weirdly placed and difficult to access. You may need to hire a professional and delegate the task to them. But, once fitted, you will have a high-quality toilet that is both modern and less expensive than most of its rivals.
Pros
• Powerful yet quiet flushing system
• Eco-friendly
• Soft-closing seat
• Minimalist and beautiful design
• Inexpensive than other brands with comparable quality
Cons
• Flange holes are weirdly placed; requires a professional for proper installation
Things To Consider in Finding the Best Modern Toilets
A lot goes into finding the right toilet since not all of them are made equal. You’ll need to consider the dimensions, shape, and style, among others. Let’s have a look at some crucial features and factors to consider in picking the best toilet for your home.
Size
The size of your new toilet depends on how much space you have in your bathroom. For replacing an old toilet, you’ll need to measure the rough-in. This is the distance from the bare wall to the drain pipe.
You can start with a more compact toilet like the TOTO Neorest if you have a small bathroom or are setting up a half-bath. A standard or comfort height toilet would still be fine, but you need to consider how wide and lengthy it might be.
For bathrooms with more space to spare, you may go for a larger toilet like the Kohler Corbelle. Larger and taller toilets are great for users with limited mobility, impairments, or the elderly.
Height
You have two choices: standard height and comfort height.
Standard height toilets are the most common type of toilet used in many households. These toilets are typically 14 to 16 inches high from the seat to the ground. They are ideal if you are short or of average height. However, they might not be the right choice if you’re taller than average.
And that’s when you go for comfort height toilets. Comfort height toilets are typically 17 to 19 inches high from the seat to the ground and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Their extra height makes it easier for users to sit and stand.
Bowl Shape
While many might not realize it, the bowl’s shape can affect its ergonomics or how comfortable it is to sit on. There are three main shapes of toilet seats and bowls to choose from: round, elongated, and compact elongated.
Round-front toilets will require the least amount of space and are ideal for compact bathrooms. Elongated toilets have a more oval form. They provide larger seating spaces and are ideal for home use. Compact-elongated toilets have a smaller footprint and need less room while providing superior comfort.
Toilet Style
You will most likely come across a few different types of toilets.
The two-piece toilet is the most common. It features two separate units (the bowl itself and the water flush tank) that need to be bolted together during the installation process.
There are also one-piece models, which are our favorite. While they tend to cost more than two-piece toilets, they have a seamless design which makes them even greater for modern bathrooms. These toilets are also easier to clean, more compact, and have more cutting-edge features.
But then there are also wall-mounted toilets. This toilet design often has a sleek, modern look, however, it’s more challenging to install. It will require more reinforcing along with plumbing adjustments if upgrading from a conventional toilet.
Flushing Type
You’ll need a toilet with a lot of flushing capacity. Having a toilet with a high flushing power makes things go down much easier and reduces clogging. It also keeps the bowl cleaned. You have a few options to choose from:
Touchless Flush
With touchless sensors, a battery-powered sensor activates a flush with the wave of a hand. This feature is great because there is a low likelihood of microbial and germ transfer because there is no physical contact. Such toilets tend to be on the more expensive side, though.
Single Flush
Toilets with single flushes are meant to consume the same amount of water with each flush. But most of them consume at least 1.5 GPF. These toilets come in different shapes, colors and patterns.
Dual Flush
Dual flush toilets have a two-stage lever system that allows for a full or light flush. This means that you have the option to select between a full or partial flush based on what’s in the bowl. Light flashes typically only consume 0.6 liters of water while heavy flush consumes 1.5 liters of water.
Flushing Technology
Most modern toilets, such as the Kohler Corbelle, feature a gravity-flush system. This flushing technology expels both water and its contents from the bowl. It’s popular since it flushes down solid waste quietly and needs minimal upkeep.
Pressure-assisted toilets are another great choice. This flushing system uses pressured air. Then, it powerfully drives water into the bowl.
Each model with such flushing features has its own advantages. But you must consider the fact that they are usually more expensive and may need more maintenance.
Material
Besides durability, picking the sensible material influences how simple it is to clean your toilet. Most modern toilets like the TOTO Neorest and the WOODBRIDGE T-0019 are made with porcelain. This material is a durable and simple-to-clean ceramic.
Others, such as the Kohler Corbelle, are coated with vitreous china. It’s a special glaze that provides a modern streamlined design and a high-class glossy finish.
Installation
Toilets are quite simple to install even if you have no plumbing expertise. However, if you intend to install a new toilet on your own, this is still an important factor to consider.
Luckily, most modern toilets include detailed step-by-step instructions on how to install them. However, there are certain models that may require you to hire a professional. But, once fitted correctly, you will have a stylish and functional toilet that you will appreciate for many years.
Extra Features
When it comes down to the essentials, it is entirely up to you to decide what extra functionality you want to take advantage of. You can choose from auto flush, heated seats, a warm air dryer, LED-lit bowls, and powerful flushing technology.
These are some serious luxuries that will surely improve your toilet visits. But keep in mind that the cost of your new toilet will rise with each extra feature you choose.
Being the most expensive model on the list, the TOTO Neorest boasts the wealth that not all toilets have. While it has fancy and useful features, it might take some time to learn how to use it.
Bidet
For many years, we’ve relied solely on toilet paper to clean up. But thanks to bidets, we can now become more hygienic. Today, owing to bidets, we can practice being more sanitary.
But keep in mind that just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’ll work for everyone. However, many households become instant converts after using a bidet for the first time.
Water Usage (GPF)
Laws now require toilets to consume no more than 1.6 gallons of water every flush. This way, users won’t have to worry about their new toilet wasting water. What makes most modern toilets even better than conventional toilets is that they use only 1.1 or 1.2 gallons per flush (GPF). Which helps save significantly more water.
You can always spot a high-efficiency toilet if it has the Environmental Protection Agency’s “WaterSense” mark.
Noise Level
This is an important consideration when purchasing a toilet. Toilets that make a loud noise when flushing is not a smart option. This is especially important if you have a small space or want to install a toilet in powder rooms.
For toilets installed near the bedroom, kitchen, bedroom, or living room, you may go for a quiet toilet that does not create a loud noise when flushed. The WOODBRIDGE T-0019 and Swiss Madison’s St. Tropez are our favorites for low-noise flushing.
Although high-pressure assisted flush toilets efficiently eliminate solid waste, they may produce a loud flush noise. But there are ones that do so quietly, too.
Gravity-flush systems are often the quietest, and some toilets have unique fill valves meant to be lower in producing noise. You may also opt for toilets with a soft-closing seat that prevents slamming shut.
Brand Reputation
So, this is why we came to help. Finding a reputable brand is essential for equally dependable bathroom hardware.
Being thrifty is great. But, we highly suggest that you get your toilet from a reputable brand. So when something goes wrong with your purchase or you need to claim a warranty, you’ll feel better knowing you’re dealing with a professional.
Warranty
Finally, you must consider the duration and coverage a brand’s warranty offers. Well, lucky for you, all the toilets and brands we’ve featured come with a warranty. As a result, you can acquire them with assurance, knowing that you are covered by the warranty.
Also, make sure to read the product reviews to see if the brands of the toilet you want to buy provide decent customer support.
Modern Toilet Brands FAQs
What measurements should you take before buying a new toilet?
Before buying a new toilet, take a measurement of the rough-in size. This is the distance between the bare wall and the center of the drainpipe or bolts. If the toilet comes with four bolts, measure the center of the bolts from the back. You may also want to measure the area around the toilet if you have a small bathroom.
In case you’re having difficulty getting the right measurements, it would be best to just hire a professional plumber.
How do you install a new toilet?
To start, you must first uninstall your old one and repair or replace the toilet flange when needed. Then, test-fit your new toilet by laying it on top of the flange, making sure that the bolts fit with the holes in the base. Doing so also helps ensure that the unit is level.
Lastly, apply a wax ring to the horn, then install the toilet, secure the bolts, and plug the water supply line.
What are the modern toilets?
Modern toilets often provide heated and adjustable seats. Some of them even have motion-activated seats. These toilets also include built-in bidets. Which makes it convenient to clean the backsides after use.
Our Verdict
With so many modern toilet brands on the market, deciding which ones to trust can get quite overwhelming. By doing thorough research and hours of going through customer reviews and looking at brand reputation, we were able to identify some of the best brands and products that stand out from the rest.
I hope you’ve found the perfect toilet for your modern bathroom from our list!
We made sure to include models at a variety of price points to accommodate a range of budgets. Don’t feel bad about treating yourself to a few extra features and conveniences. You deserve the best!
Good luck!
