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If you’ve ever had a toilet that won’t stop running or has a weak flush, chances are you have tried to fix it by jiggling the toilet handle or removing the tank top to tinker with the rubber flapper. These are only short-term fixes; the bigger problem at hand is probably a fill valve needing to be replaced as soon as possible.
A toilet fill valve is responsible for refilling your toilet tank after being flushed. This can get worn out over time, causing leaks and other performance issues. Luckily, replacing a valve is pretty simple, and definitely more affordable than a full toilet replacement.
The experts at Toiletable are here to help you better understand everything you need to know regarding toilet valves. We’ll talk you through the basic differences, how to replace a flush valve, as well as some of our favorites on the market right now.
Favorite Picks
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Editor's ChoiceEditor's Top ChoiceWe pick our favorite model based on style, function, customer feedback, and cost effectiveness.
Fill valves are possibly the most important part of the typical gravity flush toilet found in most homes.
Keeping track of the differences can be tricky but we’ve simplified the process. Take a look at our guide to fill valves down below.
★ Plunger Fill Valves
Plungers are one of the earliest fill valve designs. Plungers work with a floating ball attached to a pivoting lever, which opens and closes to let the water out.
They are usually made with a heavy-duty brass body and function relatively quietly.
If you have a fill valve such as Mansfield 09, you should replace it because it is not anti-siphon and doesn’t meet current plumbing codes.
★ Ballcock with Brass Body
These types of fill valves have also been around for a long time. The main difference between these valves and plungers is that this option is anti-siphon, which meets the plumbing code.
An anti-siphon valve is installed to prevent the backflow of contaminated water into the clean water source.
Diaphragm-type ballcocks come in a brass body and have a diaphragm that opens and closes to control water flow.
★ Ballcock with Plastic Body
Essentially the same as other diaphragm-type ballcocks, these options are made from plastic, which is more common in newer models.
This is what you should be looking for if you want to upgrade or replace a ballcock-type fill valve with another ballcock.
★ Float Cup Fill Valve
The float-cup fill valve is considered to be a more modern solution. The first model was introduced in the 1950s by Fluidmaster. It has a floating O-shaped cup instead of a ball, and is attached to a metal spring clipped to a rod.
The water level is controlled by adjusting the position where the rod connects to the cup.
These valves are very popular and easy to maintain, making them an excellent choice.
★ Float-less Fill Valve
This type of fill valve is a new innovation, made of plastic. They don’t require a floating ball or cup to work. They have a diaphragm pressure-sensing mechanism, originally designed for low-profile toilet tanks in the 90s.
These fill valves are affordable, and since they have few moving parts they are very durable and reliable.
They operate underwater, and you will usually find them attached to the bottom of the tank.
Comparison of the Top Toilet Fill Valves on the Market
Review of the 10 Best Fill Valves for Toilets (UPDATED)
Valves on the market today come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and ranges. Each has its benefits to offer and its unique design, yet they are all simple to install or replace.
1. Fluidmaster PerforMAX Fill Valve – Editor’s Choice
“The Fluidmaster PeforMax Fill Valve is exactly what the name suggests – the master of fill valves. We love the model for its adaptability, durability, and affordable price.”
Feature List - Model no. 400AH
Universal Design/Fit: Yes
Adjustable Roller Clamp: Yes
Fill Rate: 2x regular fill values
Quiet Fill: Yes
Easy Install: Yes
Feature: Height adjustable valve shank design to adjust between 10 – 15 inches
This product is hands down the best one on the market right now!
Smart Design
The Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMax is an easy-to-install unit that is designed to replace outdated or inefficient flush valves. Its design helps it achieve a two-times-faster tank refill rate, when compared to traditional units.
Fluidmaster 400AH has a dual-flush system and a roller clamp with water flow controls that help improve water usage and cost-efficiency.
This valve is designed to be height-adjustable, between 10″ and 15”, and is adjustable to most toilet models. It works best with high-efficiency toilets, aka models that use 1.6 gallons or less per flush.
The manufacturers ensure the reliability of the product by offering a seven-year warranty, making it one of the best options on the market. The Fluidmaster takes less than ten minutes to install so you can go back to using your bathroom as per usual.
While some reviews shared that this value is louder than they’d like, the pros outweigh the cons with this one. Multiple customers were pleased with the ease of installation and the speed of the tank filling with this valve. There are also reviews from folks with different model toilets, confirming the universal fit of this valve!
2. Korky 4010PK Toilet Repair Kit – Best Universal
“The last thing you want to do is buy a fill valve and realize it’s the wrong one. The Korky 4010PK Repair Kit prevents that from happening with its universal fit.”
Feature List - Model no. 4010
Universal Design/Fit: Yes
Easy Install: Yes
Inlet Connection Type: National Pipe Tapered
Style: Quiet-fill Complete Kit
Features: Designed to fit more toilets, the Quiet-Fill toilet fill valve adjusts from 7-3/4″ to 13-1/2″
Get the job done fast and well with this Korky model.
Smart Design
The 4010PK Repair Kit universal fill valve features a design that is compatible with all brands of toilets, regardless of their age.
The valve comes with a 2-inch flush valve that’s easily adjustable.
The valve’s chlorazone composition resists chlorine, bacteria, hard water, and even city water treatment so you can breathe easy knowing the valve will withstand the test of time.
The 4010PK Repair Kit includes a 528 fill valve, 2001 flapper, refill tube, metal tube clip, a mounting nut, a cone washer, a coupling nut, 4020 flush valve, 464 tank-to-bowl gasket, and a set of hardware.
The provided instruction manual is easy-to-follow and beginner-friendly.
Customers have praised the product for its ease of installation and effectiveness in stopping leaks; we have to agree. Another great benefit of the 4010PK is the valve’s quiet design.
Pros and Cons
Universal fit that adjusts to most toilets
Chlorazone composition is durable and reliable
Some users reported that it instantly broke when attaching
With a few simple tools, customers appreciate the easy install of this replacement part, along with the quality of the part. One user said it best “Saved myself several hundred bucks and now I basically have a new toilet!”
Customers agree that this is a perfect replacement part for Kohler toilets. Many customers shared that the install is easy, one stating “It comes with everything you need.”
The NEXT BY DANCO HYR270 is an easy-to-use toilet flush valve that requires no installation tools. There is no need for the removal of the tank.
Instead, this valve converts any regular toilet into a two-button dual flush toilet within ten minutes.
This technology allows you to choose the amount of water used per flush, which helps save up to 70% of water consumption.
The HYR270 features a two-button setting. One button is for the quick-flush setting which uses significantly lower volumes of water for smaller waste loads while the second button is for the full-flush setting.
Studies find that users pick the quick-flush setting four out of five times, saving a family of four more than 15,000 gallons of water per year.
The design of this unit is sturdy and well-built to prevent leakage from faulty flapper chains or handles.
The HYR720 is chlorine, and chemical-resistant and therefore invulnerable to warping. The excellent quality ensures cost-effectiveness.
The flush valve is compatible with most 1.6 to 3.5 GPF toilets. It requires a 10” minimum clearance from the highest point of the flush valve opening to inside the tank lid.
Pros and Cons
Dual-flush mechanism helps save thousands of gallons of water per year
Chlorine-and-chemical-resistant model
Ready within 20 minutes, without any tools
Isn’t as durable as higher-rated models on this list
Customers like this water-saving toilet upgrade “They do save water…Much cheaper than replacing with a new $400 toilet!” Overall installation and functionality are pretty straightforward.
While this unit isn’t the most budget-friendly, it delivers in quality and durability.
Smart Design
Techo Touchless Toilet Flush Kit is an automatic motion-sensor toilet flush kit powered by batteries. The kit’s reliable motion sensors have an adjustable motion-sensing range and automatically flush your toilet when your hand waves over the detection range.
In the case of an emergency, your manual lever will still work as a backup.
The fill valve is simple to install in approximately twenty minutes.
Battery replacement is made easy by the well-designed external battery slot. It requires 4 AA batteries to run, which come with the kit.
It also comes with a screwdriver for adjustment and an easy step-by-step guide to help you install your kit.
These motion sensors provide sanitary convenience by automatically flushing your toilet when you wave your hand over the sensor within the adjusted detection range.
Pros and Cons
Automatic motion sensor
Batteries and screwdriver included
The controller last for over 200,000 flushes in normal use
Expensive
You have to change the batteries
Our Final Thought
While several buyers agree that instantly is a little tricky, it seems to be worth it for the quality. Many customers also purchased this after a competitive touchless value replacement and preferred this to the competition.
Danco is a well-known supplier of quality plumbing products.
Design
This fill valve is approximately 8-1/2” from the bottom of the tank’s inside.
The brass rod is 7-3/4” and the float is 5-1/2”; when the brass road is threaded into both the float and threaded into the fill valve, the total length of the rod and float ends up being about 11-3/4”.
The Danco 80816 is designed to fit 2” toilet flush valves and is made to last.
With its durable plastic and rubber exterior, the repair kit makes flushing simple.
The kit works best with standard single-flush units.
The 80816 comes with a universal flapper, adapter, spring, float with rod, and a ballcock with a refill tube.
The instruction manual helps you install the kit with no professional help required. In just under ten minutes, you’re all set to go!
Overall, customers are pleased with the replacement valve – ” the toilet is not only working, its working like a charm and better and more reliably than before.” Along with the quality, they also agree that install is no problem and comes with all the parts you will need.
Korky is another toilet part manufacturer with a fantastic reputation in the industry.
Design
The Korky Replacement Toilet Fill Valve is a fill valve to replace the TOTO G-Max and Power Gravity as well as the E-max.
Its easy installation process does not require any tools or excessive labor.
This unit is designed to replace slow-filling, leaking, and noisy toilets.
It is equipped with an innovative twist-lock adjustment that provides a hassle-free installation.
You can remove your old fill valve or ballcock and replace it with this Korky model.
It fits several toilets and is adjustable between 7-1/4″ and 13-1/2” and has a G-connector outlet type.
This valve also comes with a 528GT Fill valve, a refill tube, a metal refill tube clip, a mounting nut, a cone washer, a coupling nut, and an instruction manual.
Pros and Cons
Fixes slow-filling, leaky, and noisy toilets
Wide range for adjustable height
Specifically designed for G-max and Power Gravity toilets
Customers like this Made in the USA option for its ease of install and reliable performance. “There is quality in the item and is a bargain compared to the original equipment that cost four times as much.”
Buying the right fill valve can be quite tricky. There are a few things that you should keep in mind, so in this section, we will talk about everything related to buying the right fill valve for your toilet.
Ease of Installation
One of the first things that you should consider, especially if you are not a DIY professional, is ease of installation. Thankfully, most fill valves are relatively easy to install, and the fitting of most brands is more or less the same. For example, you would be able to fit a TOTO fill valve in a Kohler toilet with no problems.
Further, most fill valves come with a useful user manual that guides you through the installation step by step. The key steps in the process are setting the required height, fixing the valve in the tank, testing the valve, and making any final adjustments.
One-Button vs. Two-Button Valves
This choice depends mainly on the type of toilet you’ll be using with the valve. For example, two-button valves are not a top priority for modern houses. However, these are a good choice for cabins, RVs, and other situations where the supply of water is limited.
Adjustability
Buying a valve from the store is simple. You can walk into a store with a sample of a piece that you want to replace and they will give you exactly the same model. However, buying a fill valve online can be tricky. If you’re planning to make your purchase online, you might want to buy a valve that is adjustable, to be sure that it will fit your toilet.
Compatibility
As mentioned, most fill valves are universal, but not all. Different models come in different sizes and shapes, so make sure to get the right description and dimensions that match your toilet model before you buy. Also, check if you should buy a valve that is singular or dual-flush.
Low Water Inlet Holes
A nice advantage of a fill valve with low water inlet holes is that it consumes less water without compromising the performance. This factor might not seem like a big deal, but you will notice quite a difference after a month’s use.
Noise Insulator
No one wants to hear any noise that comes from the bathroom. To promote comfort and privacy, modern valves are designed with sound insulation that minimizes any noise. If you notice that your toilet flushes with noise, it could mean that the valve has worn out.
Refill Rate
The refill rate is the time it takes for the toilet to refill after a flush. This detail is important because it directly affects how long another person has to wait after the previous person has used the toilet. It might not be of great importance for small families, but a quick refill rate is important for larger families and public bathrooms.
Water Intake
Another factor you may want to consider is the water intake adjustability caps or a roller clamp. These features allow you to adjust the water intake, which prevents having to store up large volumes of water after every flush.
How to Replace
Replacing a toilet valve is easier than it seems. These simple steps will help you replace your valve in no time!
Disconnect your water supply line. In the back of your toilet, you’ll see the water supply valve. To turn it off, turn it clockwise. Don’t forget to flush in order to drain the water from the tank.
Unlock the old fill valve. Depending on your fill valve, you’ll need pliers or a wrench to remove the valve nut. After removing the nut, pull the valve towards you and lift.
Insert the new valve. Insert the fill valve shank into the fill valve. Push down and tighten the nut.
Adjust the refill tube and adjust the water level. Reattach the refill tube and angle adaptor to the overflow pipe holder.
Adjust the water level. Turn your water supply line on by turning it counterclockwise. You can adjust the water level by pressing on the adjustment clip and moving it up or down.
Now that you know the basics of the toilet fill valve, it’s time to pick the best fill valve for your needs. Toiletable saves you the trouble, as our experts compile the best products for all toilet types. Check out our Top 10 toilet fill valves down below.
In Summary
Finding the right fill valve kit can be a hassle, but it’s worth the research so you don’t end up with more problems down the road. Toiletable has your back in every step of your toilet journey.
Our experts do the research so you don’t have to. Our top 10 picks are a great place to start for your fill valve needs, regardless of your toilet brand.
