Is your toilet a water guzzler? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, replacing your old regular toilet with a low-flow water-saving toilet can save up to 13,000 gallons of water annually – saving around $140/year or $2,900 over the lifetime of the toilet.
By installing a low-flow toilet in your bathroom or upgrading your regular toilet, you can save water and help the environment.
Let’s take a look at the best water-saving toilets on the market, including the best water-saving smart toilets, the best for small bathrooms, the cheapest water-saving toilets, the best looking ones, and more!
Best Water Saving Toilets of the Year
Choosing a new toilet can be a daunting task as so many are available. Have a look at my list of the best water-saving toilets for some great ideas.
1. The Best Overall Water Saving Toilet – EPLO Smart Toilet
The EPLO Smart Toilet is the Rolls-Royce of modern smart toilets and earns the #1 position on my list of the best water-saving toilets.
This is no ordinary toilet. Built-in smart dual-flush technology will activate either a full flush or a half flush on startup, using only 1.6 GPF or 1.1 GPF, saving water on unnecessary flushing!
Aesthetically, this ultra-thin ceramic toilet is suitable for most bathrooms and has the following standard features:
- An electric toilet with a built-in LCD screen reflecting the seat and water temperatures – 6 adjustable temperatures are available for your convenience
- A hands-free flushing operation using a wireless remote control device or a foot sensing button
- A built-in bidet provides an arc-shaped nozzle and a warm air dryer
My article Why Buying a Smart Toilet is a Smart Move & Top Picks provides an in-depth look at why smart toilets like this one are the intelligent choice for your bathroom!
2. The Best-Looking Water Saving Toilet – Swiss Madison Well Made Forever Toilet
The Swiss Madison Well Made Forever toilet is a stylish, sleek, elegant floor standing unit with a modern design.
With its skirted trapway and quick-release matte chrome toilet seat hinges, this one-piece unit is designed for convenient, easy cleaning.
Built for comfort, the Swiss Madison is available in different styles and colors to complement your bathroom while saving water with a dual flush system using 0.8 or 1.28 GPF.
3. The Best Value Water Saving Toilet – American Standard H2Option
The American Standard H2 Option is an affordable, water-efficient, dual flush, gravity-assisted two-piece toilet. Using only 0.92 or 1.28 GPF, this model conserves water and provides Siphon jet bowl technology for an ultra-high efficiency flush!
This toilet is higher off the ground than some others, but it offers comfort and an EverClean surface that helps to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew.
A limited lifetime warranty is provided on the chinaware with a limited 5-year warranty on the mechanical parts. The seat is sold separately.
4. The Best Water Saving Toilet for a Small Bathroom – GALBA Small Toilet
Smaller bathrooms require compact toilets. The GALBA small toilet is ideal for any small space. At only 28.5″ high and 13.5″ wide and weighing 90 pounds, this dual flush mini commode takes up as little space as possible while still performing as intended!
Although not ideal for taller people, don’t be fooled by its size – the GALBA can withstand heavyweights, making it the perfect toilet for any sized bathroom.
The one-piece unit has a self-cleaning glazed surface that will not scratch, fade or rust. The dual siphonic flush system uses two powerful nozzles to clean the bowl while using less water, making this an all-around water-saving, compact toilet.
Read my post 10 Cheap Ways to Make a Small Bathroom Feel Luxurious for other ideas on how to make a small bathroom feel more spacious.
5. The Best Low-Flow Toilet – TOTO Vespin II 1G
The TOTO Vespin II 1G toilet is a two-piece, low-flow, high-quality toilet. It sports the ultra-powerful “Tornado Flush” system, using only 1.28 GPF.
The eco-friendly TOTO Vespin has a Cefiontect ceramic glaze designed to keep the bowl cleaner for longer. This prevents debris and mold from sticking to the surfaces, using less water for cleaning.
The skirted design is an elegant addition to this toilet as it hides the trapway allowing for easier cleaning.
TOTO offers a one-year limited warranty on this unit.
6. The Best Dual Flush Toilet – DeerValley DV-1F026
The DeerValley DV-1F026 dual flush toilet is a sleek, stylish, floor-mounted ceramic toilet, ideal for the modern home.
This one-piece design is easier to maintain than a two-piece design, with the soft close seat and super-quiet flush of the DeerValley offering simpler maintenance and easy cleaning.
The dual flush system saves water by using only 0.8 or 1.28 GPF, a saving of up to 16,500 gallons per year compared to a regular toilet. The fully glazed, powerful flush action is super quiet, allowing for discreet use at any time of the day or night.
A supply line inlet hose is provided for easy connection to the supply line and toilet.
The toilet has a defect warranty for 12 months from the date of purchase and a one-year limited warranty on the soft-closing toilet lid and flushing mechanism.
7. The Most Eco-Friendly Toilet – Nature’s Head Composting Toilet
The best eco-friendly toilet has to be Nature’s Head Composting Toilet. Before you say, “Yuck. I’m not using that!” remember that not all water-saving toilets need water to flush away your waste.
Most modern composting toilets are odor-free, don’t require too much maintenance, and can be emptied in 5 minutes – and then only every 4–6 weeks!
The Nature’s Head composting toilet is a self-contained tank making for effortless waste removal. This toilet type is ideal for off-grid living and RVs but can easily be used as an eco-friendly solution in any home.
Composting toilets are pricey initially, but a water-free toilet will reduce your water bill in the long run.
8. The Best Wall Mounted Toilet- Kohler K-6299-0 Veil
The Kohler K-6299-0 Veil toilet is the best water-saving wall-mounted toilet! All wall-mounted toilets are designed to save you space in your bathroom. This particular model is an easy-to–install and easy to clean, one-piece model.
The compact elongated bowl is available in black or white, adding elegance and style to your bathroom. An added bonus is the concealed mounting hardware designed to create a seamless look while allowing flexible installation – set up can be from 15 3/8 “to 28 ½” above the floor.
The dual flush action saves water by providing 0.8 GPF for light waste and 1.6 GPF for bulk waste.
If you are going to install a wall-mounted toilet, check that the wall behind the toilet can hold an additional weight of 53.5 pounds.
The Kohler K-6299-0 Veil toilet is also a tankless toilet. Read my post, Will You Go Tankless: Toilet Pros and Cons to learn more about tankless toilets.
KOHLER provides a 1-year limited warranty on the unit.
9. The Best Bidet Toilet Attachment – TUSHY Classic
If you’re particularly attached to your comfortable, regular toilet but would love to own a bidet, there is a solution.
The Tushy Classic Spa Bidet toilet seat attachment is an easy-to-install, self-cleaning water sprayer with an adjustable nozzle.
Simply attach the unit to the side of your toilet. No additional plumbing or electricity is required. Ergonomically designed and made from brass metal or sustainable bamboo, the Tushy is protected by The Smart Shield, keeping the unit free from nasty grime build-up.
Attaching the Tushy to your toilet will save you money. It uses only 1 pint (500mls) of water per wash!
If you are thinking about installing a bidet in your bathroom, read my article Is a Bidet Worth it? Yes, and Here’s Why! I discuss the health, environmental and economic benefits of a bidet. If you are looking to add a bidet to your toilet and want to ensure you choose the right model, read my post How to Find a Bidet That Fits Your Toilet.
This table is a short summary of the 9 best water-saving toilets and their features
| BRAND | FLUSH TYPE | BIDET INCLUDED | ADDITIONAL FEATURES |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPLO Smart Toilet | Dual flush | Yes | A one-piece unit Heated seat Wireless remote LCD screen reflecting water and seat temperature Hands free-flushing system |
| Swiss Madison | Dual flush | No | A one-piece unit Soft closing seat included Sleek design Elongated bowl designed for extra comfort Chrome seat hinges allow for easy removal and cleaning Fully skirted trapway |
| American Standard | Dual flush | No | A two-piece unit EverClean surface protects against bacteria, mold, and mildew Siphon jet bowl technology for a more efficient flush |
| Galba | Dual flush | No | Small, compact one-piece unit The self-cleaning glazed surface will not scratch, fade or rust The dual siphonic flush cleans the bowl while using less water Best for small bathrooms |
| Toto Vespin II | Single flush | No | A two-piece unit Uses the Tornado Flush system Cefiontect ceramic surface keeps the bowl cleaner for longer The skirted design makes for easier cleaning |
| Deer Valley | Dual flush | No | One-piece sleek, modern design Self-cleaning glazed surface Quiet, powerful flush The skirted design makes for easier cleaning A soft close seat included |
| Nature's head | Water-free | No | A self-contained toilet Water-free Ideal for off-grid and RV living |
| Kohler | Dual flush | No | A one-piece wall-mounted unit Concealed mounting hardware Space-saving |
| Tushy Classic | Bidet Attachment - No Flush | No | Used as an addition to any low-flow toilet to create the bidet function Easy to install Self-cleaning water sprayer Adjustable nozzle No additional plumbing or electricity required |
Why Is a Water Saving Toilet Good To Have?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water usage in toilets accounts for 30% of the indoor water consumption for an average household, with some toilets using 6 gallons per flush.
This means that your household could be flushing good clean water down the drain while costing you a fortune!
To combat this reckless waste of water, the EPA has introduced the WaterSense label for toilets that have been certified to meet specific criteria to save water. These high-performance toilets are water-efficient, using only 1.28 gallons per flush – or less.( Source)
Upgrading to a water-saving toilet could save your household 4,000 gallons of water annually! Watch the excellent video above from www.FusionNW.com for more info on just how much water you can save.
The Benefits of Water Saving Toilets
Water-saving toilets are designed to save water with every flush. Regular toilets are called full-flush as they empty the bowl of water with every flush.
Low-flow or low-flush toilets are designed to use much less water while performing the same function – hygienically removing the contents of the toilet bowl without any fuss. A single flush from a low-flow toilet uses 1.28 GPF compared to the 6 GPF used by a regular toilet.
High-efficiency (HET) or ultra-high efficiency (UHET) toilets are energy-efficient low-flow toilets that are designed to use the least amount of water in the most effective way possible.
These toilets use 0.8 to 1.1 GPF (Gallons per flush) to remove waste, effectively using water velocity instead of water volume.
If you install one of these water-saving toilets, you could qualify for a rebate from your water provider or local municipality – a great way to keep your cash in your pocket while helping the environment. (Source)
How much water will you save with these toilets? Read my post, Water-Saving Toilets: How Much Will You Save? to find out and to learn more about water-saving toilets.
Pros and Cons Summary
Advantages of Water-Saving Toilets
- Low-flow toilets use less water, so they are good for the environment.
- Toilets that use less water result in savings on your utility bills.
- A dual-flush option offers you a choice of 2 different settings using more or less water.
- Low-flush toilets are easy to use and easy to clean.
- Low-flush toilets add value to your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers.
Disadvantages of Water-Saving Toilets
- Water-saving toilets can be a bit more pricey than regular toilets
- The installation could cost more as most water-saving toilets should be installed by a professional.
- Low-flow toilets are prone to clogging due to the low water pressure.
- Older models might not be as effective and could leak.
What to Look for When Choosing a Water-Saving Toilet
If you’re thinking of replacing your old-fashioned, regular toilet, you have two options:
- Upgrade to a newer model
- Replace the current flushing mechanism in your regular toilet
Why Retrofit Your Toilet?
Unless your toilet bowl is cracked or the toilet is really old and outdated, you should consider upgrading or retrofitting your toilet.
Replacing your not-so-old toilet with a newer model would likely mean that your old toilet would end up in a landfill somewhere while retrofitting it could be more economically viable and eco-friendly!
The below table lists the different types of low-flow toilets and how they work:
| TYPE OF TOILET | HOW IT WORKS |
|---|---|
| Gravity-Assisted | Water flows down from the cistern into the toilet bowl and washes away the waste |
| Dual-Flush | Full flush or partial flush levers. A 1.6 gallon flush for solid waste and 0.8 to 1.1-gallon flush for liquid waste |
| Pressure- Assisted | Water fills the tank and compresses the air inside, creating pressure. When flushed, the water is forced into the bowl, washing away the waste. |
| Vacuum-Assisted | Waste is powerfully sucked out of the bottom of the toilet through the trapway. |
| Tank inserts | Placed inside the tank, reducing the water usage by 0.5 to 1 gallon per flush |
If you’re seriously considering a bathroom remodel and would love a new, eco-friendly, and more sustainable toilet, these are the features you should consider before you buy:
1. Design
Consider the size, space, and color scheme of your existing bathroom. Measure the available space before you buy your new toilet to make sure that the model you like will, in fact, fit the space.
If you love the idea of a wall-mounted toilet, check that the walls can carry the weight. Taller toilets have a more powerful flush as the water has further to fall. Round bowls will clear easier than elongated bowls.
Set a budget to match your needs before deciding on what to buy.
Two-piece toilets are generally cheaper than a one-piece. However, a more expensive toilet does not necessarily mean better quality than a more affordable model.
Also, if you are planning to move the plumbing wall in your bathroom to a new location, be prepared to incur considerable expense.
2. Water Consumption Certification
Always look for the WaterSense label on the toilet.
The WaterSense label ensures that the toilet is low-flow and has been approved by the EPA as an environmentally friendly, high-efficiency toilet, using not more than 1.28 GPF.
3. Waste Removal And Water Usage
It’s essential to consider the different flush types when choosing a low-flow toilet. A “full-flush” system will use much more water than a “partial-flush” system to remove waste.
A “dual-flush” toilet allows you to use more or less water as the need arises, while a “single-flush” system using the “tornado flush” is more economical.
The tornado flush system propels water into the toilet bowl from jets located around the rim of the bowl. This powerful spray of water creates a whirlpool effect, swirling the water around the bowl to clean off all the debris.
This system is one of the quietest flushing mechanisms as gravity is used to move the water around the bowl, reducing the pressure and the noise.
“High-efficiency” models offer the most potent flush using the least amount of water.
4. The Noise!
Toilets make funny noises! Gushing, flushing, and gurgling sounds can be a thing of the past with water-saving toilets.
Water-wise toilets are quieter than regular toilets as they use less water in the cistern.
Are Water Saving Toilets Worth it?
Water-wise toilets are great for the environment and can save you money, so why wouldn’t you install a water-saving toilet during your next remodel?
The bidet function is a great to have feature, saving you further on toilet paper costs while keeping your tushy clean!
A smart toilet is on the top of my list because of its pure convenience and WOW factor! I can’t wait to warm up my toilet seat by remote control before sitting on it next winter!
For other eco-friendly bathroom ideas, read my post on 17 Tips to Make a Bathroom More Energy Efficient (& Save Money!)
Note: If you’re about to embark on a bathroom remodel — or you’re already in the middle of one —fill out the form below. I’ll send you designer hacks that can literally save you thousands of dollars on your project.
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