Buying guide for best dual-flush toilets
Whether you’re concerned about your water consumption because of its impact on the environment or how it affects your monthly bill, replacing your toilet can dramatically reduce your home’s water use. In fact, upgrading to a dual-flush toilet can cut the water used by over 50%, making it both more eco-friendly and kinder to your wallet.
A dual-flush toilet has two flush options, allowing you to choose the amount of water used. The half-flush mechanism provides a low-volume flush for liquid waste, while the full-flush mechanism offers a high-volume flush for solid waste. By not using the same amount of water each time, you have a toilet that saves a significant amount of water over the course of each day. Sound too good to be true? A dual-flush toilet uses, on average. 2 gallons less water per flush than a traditional toilet.
But there are quite a few dual-flush toilets on the market, so finding the right one for your home is key. With our buying guide, you have all the facts necessary to choose the best dual-flush toilet for your home.
Key considerations
One-piece vs. two-piece
When you’re shopping for any toilet, you have two types to choose from: two-piece and one-piece toilets.
Two-piece: These toilets are the more common option and generally regarded as the more reliable type of toilet. They feature a separate bowl and tank joined together to form a single toilet for your bathroom. They’re typically more affordable because the two-part construction is cheaper to make.
In recent years, wall-hung or wall-mounted toilets have become more widely available. These attach to the wall, but installing one requires an adjustment to your plumbing setup because the separate carrier tank has to be installed inside the wall.
One-piece: These toilets are becoming more popular. The bowl and tank are constructed in one piece, so there’s no seam between the two where dirt and bacteria can gather. That can make cleaning your toilet much easier, and it offers a sleek, modern look for your bathroom. One-piece toilets generally cost more than two-piece toilets, so they may not fit all budgets.
Flush rating
When you’re shopping for a dual-flush toilet, it’s essential to consider the model’s minimum and maximum flush ratings, or settings, so you can be sure that it’s suitable for use in your home. The larger the rating, the more power behind each flush. In general, a minimum rating should be approximately 0.9 to 1 gallon of water per flush. A maximum flush rating is typically about 1.28 to 1.6 gallons per flush.
Flush mechanism
Unlike traditional single-flush toilets, most dual-flush toilets don’t have a flushing lever or handle. Instead, the toilet has a large button that’s divided to control the two different flush types.
Top: Most dual-flush toilets have the flushing mechanism on top of the tank, which is convenient for anyone who prefers flushing while standing but doesn't want to bend or stoop to flush the toilet.
Base: Other toilets have the mechanism at the toilet’s base, making it easy to press the button while seated.
While most dual-flush toilets have a button flushing mechanism on the top of the tank, some models have a lever. Depending on the type of waste, you move the lever up or down to flush.
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Features
Shape and size
Like traditional toilets, dual-flush toilets are available in two basic shapes: round and elongated. A toilet’s shape affects its size, too.
Round toilets have a circular bowl and are typically 16 to 17 inches long. Because they take up less space, round toilets are the better option for small bathrooms. They cost less, too.
Elongated toilets have an oval or rectangular bowl and usually measure 18 to 19 inches long.
EPA rating
Some dual-flush toilets receive a rating from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifying that they use 1.28 gallons of water or less per flush. If the toilet uses 1.28 gallons of water per flush and doesn’t require multiple flushes to completely rid the bowl of waste, it earns EPA’s WaterSense certification.
Noise
As with any toilet, some dual-flush toilets are quieter than others. It might not be an issue for some homeowners, but if you have small children who might be awakened in the night by a loud flush, you’ll appreciate a quieter model.
Tank lining
During warm summer months, a dual-flush toilet with a lined or insulated tank produces less condensation than an unlined model. This can be a particularly important feature if your home doesn’t have air conditioning, your water source runs cold, or you live in an especially humid climate.
DID YOU KNOW?
The EPA reports that a dual-flush toilet can save a household an estimated 4,000 gallons of water per year.
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Dual-flush toilet prices
Dual-flush toilets vary in price based on the quality of the construction, flush rating, shape, size, and other features. Most models range from $200 to $3,260.
Inexpensive: The most affordable dual-flush toilets are smaller round two-piece styles. These typically offer a minimum flush rating of 1 gallon and a maximum flush rating of 1.5 gallons per flush, but they don’t provide many special features. These dual-flush toilets generally cost between $200 and $475.
Mid-range: These dual-flush toilets come in one- or two-piece styles with a round or elongated shape. They have a minimum flush rating below 1 gallon and a maximum flush rating below 1.5 gallons per flush. Some may have special features like EPA certification or a lined tank. These toilets typically cost between $415 and $960.
Expensive: The most expensive dual-flush toilets are elongated one-piece styles. They can have a minimum flush rating as low as 0.6 gallons and a maximum flush rating of around 1.28 gallons. They often provide special features such as EPA certification and/or a lined tank. These dual-flush toilets cost between $790 and $3,260.
In some jurisdictions where drought is a concern, laws require that any new toilet installed must be a dual-flush or low-flow model.
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Tips
- Look for a dual-flush toilet with a good flush rating. Make sure that the toilet can move waste in a single flush. You won’t save any water if you have to flush it twice to get rid of all the waste.
- Use the right toilet paper. Avoid using very fluffy toilet paper in a dual-flush toilet. The liquid waste flushes don’t use as much water, so the toilet paper could absorb too much in the system and cause clogs.
- Don’t flush anything but toilet paper. You shouldn’t flush any other super-absorbent materials like paper towels, baby wipes, or tampons down your dual-flush toilet. These items can be a problem for any toilet, but their absorbency is a particular problem for toilets that use less water.
- Keep a plunger nearby. It’s always good to have a plunger beside your toilet.
FAQ
Q. What are the benefits of a dual-flush toilet?
A. The main benefit of a dual-flush toilet is that it uses about half as much water per day as a standard toilet. That can help you save more than $100 a year on your water bill and make a small, positive impact on the environment by not wasting as much water. Dual-flush toilets are newer models, too, so they’re less likely to experience upkeep issues, such as clogs. Most of these toilets also have an attractive modern design for a sleeker look in your bathroom.
Q. Is the installation different for a dual-flush toilet?
A. It depends on the model you buy. Some dual-flush toilets are installed in the same way as traditional toilets, so an experienced DIYer can usually handle the project. Other models have a more complicated setup, which means you’ll probably need to hire a plumber to install it.
Q. Do dual-flush toilets come with a warranty?
A. Like most toilets, dual-flush models typically come with some type of warranty protection. The specific terms vary from toilet to toilet, but you’ll usually get at least a year of warranty coverage for any issues that arise due to defects in workmanship or materials.
