I went through some embarrassing and frustrating moments back in the days when I didn't have a flush-efficient toilet at my place. I used to flush several times after use, but that was hardly enough to move the mess! I can remember the day at a friend’s house, I was helping her with a few chores when I had to be excused. Then the problem arose when I had to flush the toilet.
One, two, three flushes and nothing! So I rushed over to her and ask “Are you sure your toilet works?” She then just laughed and handed me a bucket and a plunger and told me to fill it with water and do manual flushing. Well, that worked but it kept me thinking, "Aren’t there any good toilets out there that don't have this issue?"
Thankfully yes, dual flush toilets apparently solved my problem. Nowadays, these have increasingly become popular due to their water-saving capability. They are designed with two buttons or a lever that ensures two levels of water being forced in the bowl to get rid of the solid waste completely. The coolest part is that you can choose the amount of water with two separate switch options.
In this buying guide, we will discuss about the best dual flush toilets out there. Take time to read carefully, so you don't miss out on any useful information before choosing an ideal one.
Why you should trust us
The ToiletsGuide team consists of a cluster of home renovators, interior designers, and artists banded together for sharing decade-long professional experience with the world. We covered households from all 50 states, offering breathtaking interior fittings solutions. The very nature of our job exposed us to numerous bathroom accessories, fittings, and fixtures. ToiletsGuide was auspiciously launched to create a platform of sharing ideas and life-hacks so our audience gets the fundamentals of home renovation.
In terms of product reviews, we maintain a systematic approach for digging out minute details of the items subjected to review. We arrange real-life field-testing sessions on each of our reviewing unit and monitor how they operate under different circumstances. The goal is to publish our findings in the form of how-to blogs and detailed reviews for our readers.
Nonetheless, we are no spokesperson for any particular brand or manufacturer. Instead, we are here to hack market-stereotypes in order to single out the top deals. We must acknowledge that our entire enterprise will mean nothing unless our readers get to make an informed buying decision based on our in-depth analysis and recommendations.
How did we choose these products?
The methodology we applied in picking out our top models was sequential. Initially, we ran an extensive 30-hour online search and listed down 25 feature-packed dual flush toilet models from the most reliable brands. We also considered their ratings during the search. After that, we wanted to know how they would perform in real-life situations. Our team along with a group of community-based volunteers ran a field testing session. With that, we got to know how each of the testing units performed.
We then prepared a comparison chart based on our findings. We monitored closely how water-efficient these models really were and whether they really matched what the manufacturer claimed on the papers. Based on a set of criteria we shortlisted the top 10 choices. After that, we contacted industry experts and leading professionals for documenting their insights on our list. That helped us finalize our list.
Our Top 10 Best Dual Flush Toilet
So, what is the best dual flush toilet? In fact, the answer is highly subjective. But we analyzed the products of the following list based on the factors above i. e. ergonomics, durability, design, comfort, efficiency, water saving capacity and price. So let's get down to the details.
Why switch to a dual flush toilet?
We’ve all been in that awkward situation, and to make matters worse, you don’t want the owner of the house to know the kind of mess you left. I’ve even heard of people saying that they cannot go to someone else’s toilet.
If everyone switches to a dual flush system, we may not be doing the environment a favor. So, why are people falling in love with this toilet?
First, you can help reduce the climate change footprints without affecting your household hygiene buy installing this system. Don’t worry about flushing multiple times. In fact, you have complete control over the amount of water the toilet requires, the mechanism is water-efficient in operation.
Second, some are a bit costly, but the good part is you get to reduce your water bill since you are already saving water.
No home can afford to miss out on this important opportunity. And with the ever-changing trends in lifestyle and fashion, these water closets (WC) are also bought for their low water consumption and aesthetic value.
The benefits are many and the results are good. When deciding to choose between a dual or single flush toilet, you need to look at your personal preferences too.
Things to consider when buying
There are several points to consider when choosing a 2 flush toilet. We cannot say that there's just a single best unit for all, instead, you’ll have to find the one for you by looking at the features that match your individual requirements. Know that we relied heavily on field-testing and original user experience data plus information shared at the manufacturer’s site to trace out the pros and cons of duo flush systems.
So, before we get to the detailed analysis, let's get to know the terms used and the common aspects of dual flush toilets.
1. Type
Most toilets come in two majo categories: one-piece toilet and two-piece toilet
The two-piece has been around for a long time. The bowl and the tank come separately in this type and so they have to be joined together. Most people prefer them because it is a cheaper option.
The one-piece dual flush system design comes in different designs. It is a whole unit together, that is the bowl and the tank. So you don’t have to attach anything. What most people like about it is that there is no seam between the tank and the bowl, therefore fewer bacteria and it is much easier to clean.
You may have of some few misconceptions about the single toilet. Some say that when one part malfunctions, then it means the whole system is useless. But isn’t that the same thing that will happen to the two-piece? When going for any of the above types, consider who will use the toilet, based on that choose the size.
Another thing is that single piece is good for shipping since it comes in one box while the other one may incur a few complications as different parts are shipped differently. Also, they can be transported in different time intervals.
And even though the single piece is modern and preferred the most, it can never beat the two-piece when it comes to price.
2. Configuration
As seen above, the two-piece toilet comes with separate pieces but the one-piece comes as a whole unit. So installing a two-piece can be a bit complicated. It can be simple to move this one, but you need to have it unbolted then bolted.
3. Size & shape
Generally, toilet bowls come in two shapes, elongated and round. Elongated are rectangular or oval in shape while the round ones are circular. Elongated bowls are two inches longer than the circular bowls. For the size, elongated ones measure 18 to 19 inches long while the circular is 16 to 17 inches.
Round bowls are a space saver and perfect for a small bathroom since they require a limited amount of space. They are also cheaper than the elongated. The latter is the most comfortable and a bit expensive. You may also find hybrid bowls which are a combination of the above shapes. They offer the most comfort.
4. Flushing system
One part of the entire household that uses the most gallons of water is a flush toilet - not the kitchen nor the shower. And when you are living with a couple of people in the house, then what is the results? Waste of water and a crazy high water bill. However, that can be reduced to a significant degree by using a dual flush pressure assist toilet.
The flushing system will depend on personal interest and the options are many. A button is most hygienic than one with a knob. But a knob will be better if you store things on top of your tank.
You may also consider the toilet’s trap way and the valve flapper. The larger these are the easier it will be to clean and the fewer the clogs.
5. Design & style
The customization of your toilet will also depend on your preference. There are so many different designs and it is up to you to find the one that suits you most. For instance, you can go for a tankless toilet. This will require a bit of expertise to install it near an outlet and plumbing. You can decide to fit it in near a wall or let the water pipes be underneath the toilet.
You can also find a flush on top designs that flaunt modern sleek or a classic porcelain design. A better way to go about this is by looking at your bathroom décor. You can then look at the size and space, angles and lines, color, among many more.
Is your bathroom a traditional look, contemporary or transitional, or is it modern? For a traditional style, there are options for that. You’ll find that a two-piece work well with this look.
Whether you want the toilet to be at the corner, near the sink, center or just by the door, it is all up to you. What about color? Well, many toilets are still in white but there other options like peach and glacier blue. Remember to pick a color that is likely to stay in style and one that suits you.
6. Comfort & durability
You probably are going to spend a couple of minutes for number two, so you want a toilet that has the maximum comfort. And since we know most people nowadays play mobile games while sitting on the toilet, it's wise to get a comfortable dual commode. Some prefer a taller toilet which is about 15 inches from the floor with a seat ring of a half or one.
Choose a shorter model if you have just completed potty training on a toddler or if you are planning to teach them on the toilet. So when getting a toilet, make sure to check with the people living in the household.
A one piece toilet has high durability since it doesn't have a separate part and does not allow modular attachments. It also has no out-leaking problems. But since a two-piece comes with separate parts, its durability lessens a little bit. The lesser the connecting parts, the more the reliability. Moreover, the very reason it's called 'dual' flush system is it offers two different options for flushing-- half flush and full flush. Get to know which button to push based on your requirement.
7. Warranty coverage
Most of these toilets are really expensive though you have to ensure that they have a warranty. And no matter what you spend, it is wiser to get a model that is covered for a long time. Even though some of these manufacturers offer generous coverage, be a clever buyer and check on the warrant first so you don’t have to worry about replacements.
8. Price
How much are you willing to spend on the flush toilet? Are you going to install it on your own or will you require an expert? These are just some of the few things you’ll need to look at. We’ve already seen that the one-piece designs are a bit expensive than the two-piece due to its many advantages.
Other than that, the two-piece, though highly competing with the single unit is not going anywhere soon as it wins most consumers. Depending on what you have, remember to calculate all the costs including buying, shipping, and installation. Another thing, the higher the comfort, durability, and quality feature, the higher the price.
Final words
Let's not miss out on some other dark horses in the business and their popular models: Costco (popular model- WaterRidge), Aquasource, and Rona (popular model- Uberhaus), Members Mark, Geberit, Niagara Setalth (popular model- Stealth), Glacier Bay Faucets (popular model-- N2420, N2316T, N2430E), Proflo, Foremost, Jacuzzi, Zurn (popular model- z5572), Next by Danco, Sterling (popular model- Rockton), and Mansfield.
We believe we’ve exhausted every detail and provided you with an all-inclusive buying guide. It should help you figure out which is the best dual flush toilet for your home.
The above ten models our pick for the dual flush category, but there are other good toilet systems as well, for example, wall hung toilet, and up-flush toilet. However, these ones are just to show you the way to go and as you’ve already seen, TOTO and Swiss Madison seem to be the manufacturer of the top models on the market.
Other than that, our top pick is the American Standard 2887218.020 because of its high performance, affordability, and great features. Remember that when picking a dual flush toilet, it will all depend on your budget and your personal preference.
Lastly, it is important to mention that there are other high-quality products out there. You may find that some outshine these ones in the dual toilet flush review but know that it will all depend with your choice
