A clogged toilet with no toilet plunger available is a huge inconvenience that can be easily avoided! A quality toilet plunger is a staple for any bathroom, but with so many options, how do you find the best?
We’ve done the work for you on figuring out the most durable toilet plungers, check out our buying guide to help you find the best plunger for you.
Contents
Toilet Plunger Types
Keep in mind that there are different types of plungers, not all of which can be used for the same type of drain. The 2 most popular types of plungers are the toilet (flange) plungers and accordion plungers.
-
Flange Plunger
Flange plungers, on the other hand, are much more effective for toilets and curved drains in general. Unlike sink or cup plungers, flange plungers have a soft flap made of rubber that folds out from inside the suction cup. This flap can also be tucked back into the cup, so you can use a flange for both curved and flat drains.
-
Accordion Plunger
Finally, accordion plungers offer the most power and force, but they can be a bit difficult to use. These plungers are made out of hard plastic, which makes it hard to create the vacuum. The hard plastic also increases the risk of scratching the surfaces of your toilet while plunging.
Take a look at our full guide of how to use a plunger.
Top Comparisons
6 Best Toilet Plunger Reviews (Updated)
Finding the ideal toilet plunger from the thousands of different options available is a tough task. Fortunately, we researched all of the best choices out there to select the top 6 high-quality toilet plungers for the year. Read on to read all about our top choices.
1. Neiko Plunger And Brush Combo Set
- Handle Material: Aluminium
- Color: White
- Weight: 2.44 pounds
When it comes to convenience, this product does an amazing job. It is very durable and lightweight. Plus, it features an easy-to-clean, durable aluminum handle with a peg hole on the top for convenient storage options.
The plunger cup itself is made out of very tough rubber that can create an extremely tight seal on the drain. It can also create a very forceful pump that will easily break even the most stubborn clogs. Finally, both the brush and the plunger come with a convenient drip tray for easy, hygienic storage.
- Comes along with a toilet brush
- Aluminum, easy-to-clean handle
- Creates a very tight seal
- Toilet brush unscrews easily
2. JS Jackson Supplies Accordion Plunger
- Handle Material: Plastic
- Color: Black, orange, green, grey, purple, black & white
- Weight: 0.65 pounds
Furthermore, the JS plunger is very simple to use, so you only need minimal effort to get maximum plunging power. This model will also easily blend in any bathroom decor as it is available in multiple colors, from black, green, orange, purple, and grey. You can also select a white & black combination option, although this colorway is sometimes more expensive.
Not only is this plunger effective when it comes to unclogging toilets, but it also does a very good job on kitchen sink drains as well (although we recommend purchasing two separate plungers, one for the bathroom and one for the sink). Finally, as this plunger has a no-fold lip design, it is much easier to clean than other models. A simple wipe down is enough to prevent the build-up of bacteria and dirt.
- Multi-purpose
- Powerful suction
- No fold up lip design
- The plastic head is stiff
3. MR. SIGA Toilet Brush And Plunger Combo
- Handle Material: Rubber
- Color: Grey, White, Navy
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
The suction cup of this plunger is made from commercial-grade rubber, providing maximum plunging power to break down all stubborn clogs. Furthermore, the ergonomic design of this plunger provides a very comfortable and secure grip, making the plunging much easier.
Beyond plunging performance, this MR. SIGA plunger is available in multiple colors, easily blinding in with many different bathroom decors. Finally, the brush itself also does a great job, with sturdy bristles that won’t deform easily.
- Heavy-duty plunger
- Brush bristles are very sturdy
- Works on all types of drains
- Quite small
4. mDesign Toilet Plunger And Brush Combo
- Handle Material: Plastic
- Color: Bronze, charcoal, grey
- Weight: 1.83 pounds
The brush does a great job of cleaning hard-to-reach areas of the toilet. You can also trust your mDesign brush will work well for a long time thanks to the sturdy bristles. Made from BPA-free plastic, both the plunger and brush are also shatter-resistant for increased durability.
Finally, both tools are designed to save space and store easily within your bathroom. With a minimalistic, simple style, this set fits into many bathrooms. The tools themselves also feature foam padding on the bottom, protecting floors from marring or scratching. You can also easily maintain and clean both the brush and the plunger using water and mild soap.
- Very tight seal
- Durable brush head
- Multiple color options
- Made out of plastic
5. LDR Industries High Force Plunger
- Handle Material: Wood
- Color: Yellow & black
- Weight: 1.03 pounds
Unlike the previous models, this plunger has a yellow wooden handle. Although the wood material might not be as hygienic as synthetic options, the extra layer of paint makes cleaning much easier. All you need to do in terms of maintenance is wipe down the plunger between uses.
Another advantage of this handle is that it is 20 inches long, longer than many other options. With the added length, you can keep your distance from the bowl while using the plunger, and also create more force as needed.
- Works well with all kinds of toilets
- Long handle
- Creates a very powerful seal
- Water inside the plunger doesn’t drain easily
6. Luigi’s Toilet Plunger
- Handle Material: Plastic
- Color: Green & blue
- Weight: 0.55 pounds
Even when not in use, Luigi’s toilet plunger is quite simple to store and maintain. All you need to do in order to keep it clean is pour some bleach into the toilet bowl and plunge the clean water for a couple of seconds. Then, after drying, you can easily dismantle the plunger by unscrewing the handle before storing the parts out the way.
- Easy to store
- Unique and long-lasting design
- High pressure
- Won’t fit every type of toilet
- Doesn’t work without water
Choosing the Right Toilet Plunger
Now that you know what the best toilet plungers of 2021 are, here are some top picks for how to choose the ideal one for you. Even if you think that none of the products mentioned above would suit your needs, this brief buying guide will help you find exactly what you need:
1. Seal
One of the most important factors when it comes to the effectiveness of a toilet plunger is the seal. Every toilet plunger should create a good seal. For instance, flange toilet plungers are well-known for their powerful seal. However, not all types of plungers can create such tight and powerful seals. Therefore, you should always take a look at the customer reviews before purchasing to ensure your plunger will work effectively.
2. Suction Power
Another essential factor that goes along with plunger seals is the suction power. The power of a toilet plunger can vary from brand to brand. In general, the most powerful types of plungers you can find are flange and accordion plungers. We’ve highlighted several very powerful options with our top 6 selections.
3. Handle Design
Although it may not seem like a big deal, the handle of a plunger is extremely important. First off, you must always consider the length of the handle before buying a plunger. If it is too short, your hand will be much closer to the water in your toilet. This alone can make the task of unclogging a toilet quite unpleasant. A longer handle will also sometimes give you more power, but it may be harder to maneuver and store compared to a shorter option.
Aside from the length, the material the handle is made out of is also quite significant. Handles made out of wood are more difficult to maintain and less hygienic than metal or plastic handles but are also more natural. Plastic, while synthetic, is easier to clean but may not last as long.
Finally, some plungers come with ergonomic designs that make them more comfortable to hold while using.
4. Drain Type
It’s also important to keep in mind that not every plunger works with every drain type. For example, if your toilet has a flat drain, any type of plunger will probably work. However, many toilets have a curved drain, which means traditional sink plungers probably won’t work as well on them. Pay attention to your toilet’s drain type and make sure your new plunger is compatible with your toilet before purchasing.
5. Style
And last but not least, the style of a toilet plunger can also factor in. While not as important as the other factors that impact performance, it’s still nice when a plunger matches your bathroom decor. Nowadays, you can find plungers available in multiple color options to help pick the perfect one. Many plungers also come with a storage case to tuck them away when not in use, which can be very convenient.
Common Sink or Cup Plunger
In most cases when someone mentions a plunger, cup plungers are the first thing that comes to mind. These plungers typically consist of a rubber cup (usually red-colored) attached to a straight handle. Cup plunger handles are usually made out of wood.
These plungers are ideal only for drains that sit on flat surfaces. Basically, in order for the suction cup to create the vacuum, it has to lay flat over the drain. Because most sinks have a flat bottom, cup plungers work well, however, when it comes to curved drains, it’s better to select a different type of plunger. In particular, a sink or cup plunger isn’t the right choice if you are looking for a plunger that can unclog a toilet, since most toilets have curved drains.
Toilet Plungers vs. Sink Plungers
Now that you know about the different types of plungers, let’s highlight the main differences between plungers marked for toilets vs plungers for sinks. To start, you may find sink plungers with shorter handles compared to toilet plungers with longer handles to maintain a distance from the toilet water. Secondly, as mentioned, sink plungers don’t have the flange-like toilet ones, so they can’t be used on a curved drain. On the other hand, toilet plungers can be used on both curved and flat surfaces.
However, while a toilet plunger will work on both types of drains, we still recommend keeping two separate plungers in your home. Otherwise, be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect your toilet plunger before using it anywhere outside of your toilet.
Full review: Sink vs. toilet plungers
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Toilet Unclog Itself Eventually?
Your toilet may eventually unclog itself over time, but you won’t be able to use it at all while you wait. Therefore, it is definitely not convenient to wait, especially if you don’t have any other toilet in your house. You also increase your risk of overflowing if you try to flush your toilet when it’s already clogged.
Is It Safe to Pour Boiling Water Into the Toilet?
Pouring boiling water into the toilet bowl is one of the worst things you can do. First off, aside from the fact that boiling water can melt the seals if you have PVC pipes, it can also cause the bowl to crack. Furthermore, you could also injure yourself as the boiling water might splashback. We highly recommend using a plunger or one of our other top methods if you want to unclog your toilet. Boiling water will only cause more harm than help.
Final Words
All in all, a toilet plunger is definitely something you want to have in your house. Choosing the ideal one can be a little overwhelming, but if you stick to our buying guide, you shouldn’t have any problems. While each of our top 6 selections makes great choices, if we had to select one, the Neiko plunger and brush combo offers great performance and power.