Comfort height toilets, right height toilets, ADA toilets, accessible toilets, or handicapped or disabled toilets – no matter what name you prefer, they’re a great help for the elderly, tall, and physically challenged people. The standard toilet is between 14 to 16 inches tall while the height of a comfort height seat is anywhere between 17 to 19 inches high.
You also need to choose an elongated bowl since it fits the shape of the human bottom more naturally when compared to the round seat. With the abundance of comfort height toilets, it might seem a little daunting to find the best handicap toilet that fits your budget and needs.
You may not want to go through the difficulty of searching the web for these units yourself, so we’re going to share with you our comfort toilet recommendations and essential features to consider to help you make an informed buying decision.
Table of Contents
5 Industry-Best Handicap Toilets Reviewed
TOTO CST744SL Drake Elongated Bowl (Editor’s choice)
Why it Stands Out To Us
The world’s largest toilet manufacturer, TOTO products are always top-of-the-line with innovative technologies that combine both form and function ality the best way possible. The Drake collection is one of their finest toilet production lines loved by so many. Sleek and smooth, the Drake CST744SL uplifts the look of your bathroom like no other. Aside from ADA compliance, this unit has a unique flushing system that’s a matter of concern for many handicapped users.
Our Experience with the Drake CST744SL
Comfort
This is the tallest toilet that Toto has to offer so far. The bowl’s rim height is 16-½” from the floor and when you add a seat with a 1/2 inch thickness the seat height will reach up to 17”. Any physically challenged and older individual will find this ADA height quite comfortable to get on and off the toilet.
Installation
The installation process is a breeze and the wax-free rings for the drainage help with that. Even those who don’t consider themselves DIYers will get it done in an hour or so. However, calling in a professional is always recommended if you’re not confident enough.
Flush
Toto’s patented GMAX flush technology features a flush valve that’s 125% wider than the standard valves while the GMAX siphon jet ensures increased flow so the water draws in and out the bowl more quickly and forcefully. This results in an impressive flush that reduces the need for double flushing – the very reason this unit has a single flush.
But you need to push and hold for a moment instead of just push and release for a powerful flush. There is a noise for two seconds but then it’s gone, which means we can call it a quiet toilet.
Others
- We’ve used it for several years without having any clogs and can’t remember the last time we used the plunger
- We loved the availability of this unit in five color options to match any bathroom decor while many models come with just one
- This unit won’t help much in saving on your water bills when compared to the 1.28 toilets. If this is really an issue for you, look for other water-saving units in our list
- The SanaGloss surface makes it a self-cleaning unit but many complained that it didn’t help much in keeping the bowl clean for longer
What We Didn’t Like
- 1.6 GPF means this is not the best water saver out there
- No seat in the package that you’ve to purchase separately
What Could Be Improved and Why
- Toto should focus on making this unit more water-efficient
Our Recommendations
Make sure you measure your bathroom space first. The size isn’t standard at the bottom back, which makes baseboard installation quite difficult if there’s not enough space.
Pros
- ADA compliant
- Sleek & durable
- Easy to install
- Available in 5 different colors
- Great value for money
Cons
- Not highly water efficient
- No seat in the package
WoodBridge T 0001
Why it Stands Out To Us
You may not be convinced to put your trust in WoodBridge immediately considering you’ve used their products yet. But they’ve made a name for themselves in this highly competitive industry in a relatively short period of time with sleek and elegant bathroom and kitchen products that’re still reasonably priced. The T-0001 is your first choice if you don’t want to compromise on the luxurious look when looking for a reliable comfort height toilet.
Our Experience with the WoodBridge T 0001
Design
It is definitely the design that sets the WoodBridge T 0001 apart from its competition. The look is so ultra-modern that this is also WoodBridge’s top-selling toilet. That’s not all. This stunning unit also function s like the workhorse of a toilet. So, while pretty, it’s still able to make life easier for any handicapped person.
Installation
We have to thank the manufacturer for such a detailed instruction manual that made installing the unit a breeze. The package had everything you’ll need – pre-installed seat, and water fitting, wax rings, floor bolts, and a hand wrench to easily tighten bolts in narrow areas.
Comfort
ADA compliant height and elongated bowl means that you’re bound to feel comfortable even during long sessions. The slow close seat is another nice addition that aged and handicapped users will find very useful in case they accidentally put it down.
Flush
The T 0001 also excels in this department just like the Toto Drake but in a different way. The 1.0 /1.6 GPF siphon dual flush system helps save water (FYI: many don’t know that siphon flushing is just another term for gravity flushing.) WoodBridge also boasts of its Maximum Performance (MaP) flush score of 1000 grams, which means it can clear 1000 grams of human waste in a single flush.
It flushes great every time. Some users complained that their flush buttons got stuck sometimes but we haven’t faced that problem during our years of use.
Others
- This is not a self-cleaning toilet but it’s still super easy to clean. In fact, the design itself makes the cleaning process much easier when compared to two piece toilets and other one piece toilet designs.
- Those living in areas where hard water is found said they didn’t have any stain issues and hence was to clean.
- This unit costs around $400. For such a highly function al toilet with a luxurious vibe, this price seems much lower. Once you install and get it running, nobody will have any idea that this unit came at such a low price
- There is a fully glazed trapway from the bowl discharge to the closet bend that helps minimize any possibility of clogging. We also didn’t have any clogging issues over all these years.
What We Didn’t Like
The rectangular button for the flush is positioned on top of the casing. Some may find this a bit uncomfortable if they have to flush while seated on the toilet. The newer one piece models usually have a lever on the left side of the tank which is more convenient.
What Could Be Improved and Why
We heard a few complaints about WoodBridge’s customer service response and the availability of parts of this model. Maybe WoodBridge should take care of these complaints.
Pros
- Sleek & elegant look
- Soft-close lid & seat
- Designed to be easy to clean
- Dual flush system
- Great pricing
Cons
- Flush button can be tricky to use
Signature Hardware Stalnaker 413995
Why it Stands Out To Us
The bathroom fixtures market is one market we often have a tough time breaking into. We are so much attached to brands that we love like American Standard, Saniiflow, or Kohler that we can’t help but pay attention to a newcomer to this industry since this is a rare feat.
Like WoodBridge, Signature Hardware is another new brand that prides on having beautifully crafted products but built to last. They do stand by their word, and that’s exactly what launched the Stalnaker 413995 to fame.
Our Experience with the Stalnaker 413995
Design
The nice, clean look is always welcoming while the white color gives a warm feeling that really helps improve your mood (if you’re having a bad one). Well, we know that sounds weird – a toilet design can improve your mood! But that’s how we feel and thought was worth mentioning here.
Installation
The package has everything you need for installation except for the wax ring. But you will still need floor bolts, caulk, wax seal, and water hose. We got it installed and ready for use in a little over an hour.
Comfort
The height is already comfortable enough. One of our teammates with knee injuries especially loved it as it caused less strain on her knees that were screaming for relief. The elongated bowl adds more comfort but the seat’s position seemed a bit awkward. We’re not really sure if other users felt that way.
Flush
It also features a 1.6 gpf flush like the Toto Drake, which means it won’t help you much in lowering your water bill. But you can always use partial flush for liquid waste to save some water. Many other users complained about the flush not being so terrific but we found it spot on. Only rarely did we have to flush twice, which is normal for any toilet.
Others
- Fits tight spaces like a champ from every angle
- Simple and hassle-free cleaning
- Quiet flush and fill makes sure you won’t end up waking up your whole family in late hours
- The $300 price range is so great for the budget-conscious buyer. Considering its excellent design and performance, you get real value from your investment.
- You get lifetime warranty on this product – a solid proof that Signature Hardware has ultimate confidence in its build quality
- Unlike WoodBridge, they have a great customer support team ready to reply to your queries and solve any issue you face with your purchase
What We Didn’t Like
- We liked the fact that this commode did come with a seat but it looked cheap and felt funny to sit on.
What Could Be Improved and Why
- Of course the seat needs improvement since people expect a better quality seat at this price point
Pros
- Sleek look
- Tall toilet (almost 19” with the seat)
- Quiet and powerful flush action
- Value for money product
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Cheap and uncomfortable seat
KOHLER Cimarron K 3609
Why it Stands Out To Us
It’s been over 150 years that Kohler has been satisfying their loyal customer base. The K-3609 is one of their top-rated Cimarron units and very popular all over the USA. In short, this toilet excels in all fronts – design, function , performance, standards, and efficiency.
Our Experience with the Cimarron K 3609
Comfort
The chair height and elongated bowl gives the maximum level of comfort possible from an ADA compliant toilet. Just like other shortlisted choices here, you will have the peace of mind that this toilet will be your best companion when answering nature’s call as a handicapped or a tall person.
Install
Kohler recently introduced the drylock mechanism that makes it super easy to install the unit even for the layman. The package doesn’t include the hardware to mount the unit to the flange. But don’t worry much since that should be available with the wax ring that you’ve to buy separately.
Flush
What sets it apart from other models in the same price range is that it features the AquaPiston Flush Valve Class 5 Flush technology that allows it to flush down up to 2.2. lbs or 1,000 g of solid waste in a single flush with just 1.28 gpf of water. Nobody would think that they could get such a powerful flush from a 1.28 gpf toilet.
A 1.28 gpf toilet helps save up to 16500 gallons of water per year without sacrificing on the flushing performance. Now you can understand how it got its watersense certification.
Others
- Although a two-piece unit, the design is a bit different than other conventional two-piece toilets. We personally loved the design a lot
- No seat included in the package – really disappointing. We don’t understand why so many manufacturers don’t want to go through this trouble while some do!
- Several rough-in options that’s a boon to many – 10”, 12”, 14”
- The powerful yet noiseless flush makes sure you will never have a plug in its years of service (unless you or your family members start flushing literally everything down the toilet)
What We Didn’t Like
- No seat in the package
- Several color options would have been better
Our Recommendations
We think this is the easiest-to-install toilet of the so many different toilets we have reviewed so far over the years. With some youtube videos and the instruction manual, you can save on your plumbing costs and go full DIY!
Pros
- Super powerful flush with little water use
- Easy installation
- Highly water efficient
- No clog
- 3 rough-in options
Cons
- Seat not included
20 inch Extra Tall Toilet by Convenient Height
Why it Stands Out To Us
Standing tall at 20 inches bowl height (seat height – 21 inches), this is the tallest toilet we could find in the market and the most comfortable for tall and physically challenged people. The brand name ”Convenient Height” might sound unfamiliar or weird to you. But trust us, the extraordinary quality and superb function of this toilet vouches for their credibility.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an ADA compliant toilet height should be 17” to 19” from the floor to the bowl rim, including the seat. This unit even surpasses that to provide maximum comfort.
Our Experience with the Convenient Height 20 inch Extra Tall Toilet
Height
You already know the height. But the most amazing factor is that it’s still technically a compact toilet! Any toilet shorter than 28” in length can be considered compact. Now this slender unit’s bowl height is a towering 20” – much longer than the regular size. Surprisingly, the Convenient Height Toilet’s overall length is 27” when measured from the back of the wall to the bowl’s front tip. If you take away the small gap clearance between the back part of the tank and the wall, the length stands to 27”.
Also, the elongated bowl width is 14.5” inches that can be considered standard so you can easily get a replacement seat. This space-saving toilet will provide you more leg room that you will appreciate if you have a really small space in the bathroom.
Comfort
The founder of the Convenient Height Company, Eddie, worked with assisted living communities for years and always wanted to help improve their living standards. At one point he realized that the elderly should have a better and more comfortable sanitary fixture for safety and convenience, hence the inception of this unique toilet.
Flush
The dual flush system (1.28/0.9 GPF) helps you save water for the benefits of yourself as well as the environment. You just have to push the trip lever down for solid waste or lift it up to flush down liquid waste with a partial flush.
What’s more, its trapway design with a steep inclination makes the siphon way more powerful and efficient when compared to the standard toilets with a second bend. This results in a more powerful flush with a little amount of water.
Others
- Perfectly proportioned so it looks really nice from every angle
- Features a slow closing seat and lid that you will love
- Easy to install but get professional help if needed
- Great customer care service
- The bowl’s back end is especially engineered to fit your baseboard heater
- A bit on the pricey side but worth every cent
What We Didn’t Like
Not the easiest to clean like any two piece toilet. The extra height makes it harder to reach the tank-to-bowl joint and you’ve to bend down more than usual
Pros
- Optimum comfort
- Especially designed for the elderly & handicapped users
- Powerful flush
- Easy to install
- Great customer service
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Hard to clean
Handicap Toilet Buyer’s Guide: What to Expect
1. Type
For you to understand the right toilet type to choose, it’s ideal to know the unique features that are peculiar to your bathroom needs.
- Two-Piece Toilet – Commonly found in residential apartments, a two-piece toilet consists of a bowl and a wall-mounted tank. Though it’s compatible with most bidet-style and height toilet seats, this type takes more floor space that makes it challenging for wheelchair users to maneuver, except the room is large.
- One Piece Toilet – In case of one piece toilets, there’s no separation between the tank, bowl, and pedestal. The lack of joints makes them easier to clean, but they also occupy more space.
- Comfort Height Toilet – It’s height ranges from 17 to 19 inches, of course, that’s higher than a standard toilet. Though it could be uncomfortable for shorter visitors, tall persons and wheelchair users find it easier to use.
- Floor Standing Back-to-Wall Toilet – You can only see the bowl, but the water tank is hiding in the wall. This one takes less floor space but often tricky to install.
- Wall Hung Toilet Bowl – This type lacks a pedestal base while the bowl is attached to a wall-mounted support system. It allows you to choose your ideal seat height during the installation while the clear underneath space makes cleaning the floor and moving with a wheelchair more comfortable. However, a wall hung toilet is more expensive and might require various adjustments in your plumbing system.
- Corner Toilet – The tank has a triangular shape that allows you to mount it in a corner section of the bathroom. A corner toilet is the most reliable option in rooms with unusual shapes. But you need to maintain a minimum size of the stall for such toilets.
- Portable Toilet – It has a chair-lick seat and a bucket underneath. It’s helpful for persons with difficulty in getting to the toilet, but most users will rely on someone else’s help in emptying the bucket.
- Motorized Adjustable Height Toilet – You can adjust the entire toilet height with a push button, which is a reasonable consideration for persons with difficulty standing as well as tall users that need the extra inches. However, it’s extraordinarily complex and expensive to install and maintain.
- Toilet Bidet Combination – This toilet gets an added function ality with the bidet feature. It’s more hygienic as the wand pops with a push of a button, sending water streams to help cleanse the mess, eliminating the need for a toilet wipes. You’ll need to maintain the mechanical parts to keep it in good condition.
2. Total Height
The total height of the toilet is measured from the floor to the seat. Though a lot of people believe that the higher the bowl, the better, we recommend that you select a bowl height that you can quickly transfer to and from the wheelchair. However, it shouldn’t be too tall causing your feet to dangle in the air while you’re on the seat.
3. Weight Capacity
Since a toilet’s weight can range from 350 to 1000 pounds depending on the type, always check the weight rating on the product to know if it’ll safely accommodate the members of your household.
4. Flusher Types
As we mentioned earlier, common toilet flushers are – lever, button, pedal, and touchless.
- Lever Flusher – Often installed either on the left or right sides of the toilet and operated with one hand.
- Button – Found in the middle of the toilet tank or on the wall.
- Pedal – Excellent for those that can’t use their hands. Mounted on the base of the bowl and operable with the leg.
- Touchless – sensors added to the toilet allow you to flush with a wave of the hand.
5. Flush Power & Water Consumption
As you have interests in toilet heights, you should consider its performance at waste removal and clogging resistance. Choose a toilet that could flush under a single flow, reducing water wastage, as well as the amount you spend on energy bills.
6. Comfort
The toilet seat should be made from a material that feels soft and comfortable to sit on.
7. Installation
Most floors mounted, and portable toilets have user-friendly installation requirements, but you’ll need the services of a more experienced plumber for wall-mounted toilets.
8. Cleaning & Maintenance
A one-piece toilet with a glossy finish is more natural to wipe because the surface is smooth, and there are no joints for dirt to stick. A wall-mounted toilet will be suitable for those that can’t bend to clean the bowl and toilet’s floor.
9. Bathroom Space
Modern bathrooms are filled with advanced facilities, for example, shower panels and infrared saunas. That takes a lot of space. If you’re having limited space and using a wheelchair, it’s better to opt for wall-mounted or back-to-wall toilets that will help maximize the limited floor space. You can also manage space by choosing a round or square toilet bowl instead of one with an elongated bowl.
10. Usability
Focus on your main problem and choose a toilet that can solve the issue. For example, you’ll need a higher toilet bowl for persons having trouble sitting, and a portable type will significantly help an elder that’s facing incontinence.
11. Optional Features
Most accessible toilets come with extra features like arm bars, boosted seats, pressure-assisted flush, touchless flush, etc.
12. Budget
Toilet costs around $220 to $800 depending on the brand and features. Always decide on the amount you can pay, but note that those expensive models are more reliable than the cheaper ones.
ADA Bathroom Requirements – Toilets & Toilet Compartments
If you’re having limited space and using a wheelchair, it’s better to opt for wall-mounted or back-to-wall toilets that will help maximize the limited floor space.
- Larger floor space – You’ll notice that you can quickly move about in a wheelchair in a larger room. Also, a massive restroom space will be useful for persons requiring physical support from someone else.
- Doors – Accessible toilets should have wider doors (at least 32 inches) for wheelchair users to pass without obstructions. Besides, doors should open with a little effort, having handles that you can grab with a single hand.
- Taller height toilet bowl – The bowl of the toilet measured from the floor to the seat should be at least 16.5 inches tall. This height is necessary because it’s more comfortable to sit down or stand up with a taller seat than a short one.
- Grab bars – There must be grab bars attached to the toilet walls to support the user when sitting or standing up from the toilet seat. These bars should be circular, with an outside diameter of 1.5 to 2 inches, and should be tight fitted to the wall, making it safer to hold and can support up to 250 pounds of weight.
- Sinks – According to ADA standards, sinks should have a maximum height of 34 inches from the floor and a knee clearance of 27 inches. The depth should be between 11 to 25 inches and an equal width of 30 inches.
- Faucets – Whether you need auto, push, touch or lever-operated faucets, they should be sensitive, easy to reach, and use with one hand.
- Mirrors – The reflecting side of the mirror shouldn’t be mounted more than 40 inches above the bathroom’s surface.
- Urinals – You should provide a minimum width of 30 inches and a height of 17 inches for the urinals.
- Dispensers – The paper dispenser’s outlets should be between 15 to 48 inches from the floor, and their position shouldn’t hinder your correct use of the grab bars. Soap dispenser buttons should need a maximum push of 5 pounds and must be operable with one hand.
- Clear pathways – You should clear the paths of loose trash cans or anything that could block access to the toilet’s fixtures.
Toilet Safety Tips for People with Disabilities
Now, we’ll discuss how you can keep yourself and your family safe when using the toilet.
- Avoid standing on the toilet and place the “no standing on toilet” sign at your door to warn everyone, including children from attempting it.
- All kids like adventures, such as drinking from the tub or toilet bowl, locking the bathroom door, or the toilet seat lid, will be a good idea to protect the most daring young ones.
- Make sure to check the base of your toilet for exposed bolts and cover them to prevent fatal injuries to the feet.
- If you have a disabled, elderly, or toddler in the house, use a door lock that anyone can open from the outside when someone else is inside.
- Make your restroom safer by installing grab bars near the toilet for one to hold for support in the event of a fall.
- If possible, allow a 4ft clearance from the toilet and other bathroom fixtures to create space for a wheelchair user to turn.
- Always pay attention to the diameter and texture of your grab bars, ensure it’s not slippery, and it’s comfortable to grip.
- You can use a bidet to aid those with mobility issues as well as maintain proper hygiene.
- Always confirm ADA compliance in all your toilets installations and bathroom fixtures.
Conclusion
Of the different types of toilets, comfort height toilets can make life easier for disabled people as they pose minimal risk for the user.
If you’re planning to install a handicap toilet in your home, you can always look beyond the height by choosing a unit with the right features that’ll complement the user’s needs. For example, if the person is having issues with fingers and may not be able to engage a hand-lever switch, you can opt for a toilet with a touchless flush.
Do you want a pocket-friendly and reliable accessible toilet? We recommend picking any of our TOTO choices. They have the superior build quality, easy to install, safe for use, and quick to flush.
The Woodbridge T-0001 is an exceptional masterpiece for any bathroom. Besides its super quiet and powerful flushing, it has a luxurious modern design that’ll match with any home’s décor.
All the products on our best accessible toilets reviews are ADA-approved and will provide the perfect comfort for people with special needs.
We hope you have found this guide to finding best handicap toilet quite useful and have already made up your mind. Please share your experience with us using the comments section below.
FAQs:
1. What’s the difference between a handicap toilet and a regular toilet?
Ans. Toilets made for disabled people are easy to get onto from a wheelchair. They are large and long in size, so the users don’t have to press themselves in. Bathrooms with these kinds of toilets need a 1.5 square meter open space at the front for wheelchairs and handicapped people.
2. Why is a standard toilet not good for a handicapped person?
Ans. People who have weak legs or barely move may have a hard time sitting on a conventional 15-inch toilet. Squatting on a toilet engages their body muscles. If they don’t have the strength or can’t feel their muscles, they will fall. For such cases, a higher toilet is the right solution.
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