We can all agree that a clogged toilet is a very annoying issue we all prefer to avoid. However, should you find yourself in this situation, you’ll want to have a toilet plunger on hand to help quickly and painlessly resolve the issue.
In today’s article, we’ll go through some of the best toilet plungers you can find in 2022. We’ll also provide you with a brief buying guide to help you find the ideal toilet plunger for you.
Table of Contents
Comparison of the Best Toilet Plungers in 2022
Our Top Picks
| • | Editor's Choice: | NEIKO 60167A Toilet Plunger |
| • | MR.SIGA Toilet Plunger |
Types of Toilet Plungers
Keep in mind that there are different types of toilet plungers, not all of which can be used for the same type of toilet drain. The 2 most popular types of toilet plungers are the toilet (flange) plungers and accordion plungers.
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Flange Plunger
Flange plungers, on the other hand, are much more effective for toilets with curved drains. 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.
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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.
Reviews of the Top 6 Toilet Plungers
Finding the best 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 plungers for the year. Read on to read all about our top choices.
1. Neiko Plunger And Brush Combo Set – Editor’s Choice
- Handle Material: Aluminium
- Color: White
- Weight: 2.44 pounds
Performance Ratings
★ Easy to Clean – 4.4 out of 5
★ Value for Money – 4.4 out of 5
★ Sturdiness – 4.5 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Last Gathered: May 4, 2022
- Set includes a toilet brush
- Aluminum, easy-to-clean handle
- Creates a very tight seal
- Toilet brush unscrews easily
Summary of Recent Reviews
Buyers are drawn to this toilet plunger because of its modern look, but they are also raving about its strong performance. Many customers state that both the plunger and the holder are sturdy and hold up well to regular use. Customers purchased this plunger after getting frustrating with others “It is simply, the BEST plunger.”
2. MR. SIGA Toilet Brush And Plunger Combo – Review Champion
- Handle Material: Rubber
- Color: Grey, White, Navy
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
Performance Ratings
★ Easy to Use – 3.6 out of 5
★ Value for Money – 3.6 out of 5
★ Sturdiness – 3.6 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Last Gathered: May 4, 2022
- Heavy-duty plunger
- Brush bristles are very sturdy
- Works on all types of drains
- Quite small
Summary of Recent Reviews
This one is small but mighty. While some customers were not happy with the performance of this plunger, most agree that it’s quite efficient when used correctly. One customer even mentioned this was successfully used on a clog that his old plunger couldn’t handle. Several customers commented on how durable this plunger is – “The plastic suction cup and handle are very sturdy.”
3. JS Jackson Supplies Accordion Plunger
- Handle Material: Plastic
- Color: Black, orange, green, grey, purple, black & white
- Weight: 10.5 ounces
Performance Ratings
★ Easy to Clean – 4.2 out of 5
★ Easy to Use – 4.2 out of 5
★ Value for Money – 4.2 out of 5
★ Sturdiness – 4.3 out of 5
★ Easy to Assemble – 4.7 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Last Gathered: May 4, 2022
- Multi-purpose
- Powerful suction
- No fold up lip design
- 6 color options
- The plastic head is stiff
Summary of Recent Reviews
Buyers are pleased with this plunger, which requires low effort to take care of clogs. According to customers, this has strong suction, minimizing splashes and maximizing performance. Pay attention to the specs, the manufacturer mentions it doesn’t work well with all toilets and some buyers experienced issues because of that.
4. LDR Industries High Force Plunger
- Handle Material: Wood
- Color: Yellow & black
- Weight: 1.03 pounds
Performance Ratings
★ Easy to Use – 4.0 out of 5
★ Sturdiness – 4.1 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Last Gathered: May 4, 2022
- Works well with all kinds of toilets
- Long handle
- Creates a very powerful seal
- Water inside the plunger doesn’t drain easily
Summary of Recent Reviews
This plunger is a tried and true design. The long handle helps you get more leverage when clogging, and as several buyers confirm, the rubber is sturdy enough to get the job done. Customers agree that this is an efficient, durable choice – “This one plunges down smoothly and pulls itself back up cleanly, leaving the water in the toilet.”
5. mDesign Toilet Plunger And Brush Combo
- Handle Material: Plastic
- Color: Bronze, charcoal, grey
- Weight: 1.95 pounds
Performance Ratings
★ Easy to Clean – 3.5 out of 5
★ Easy to Use – 4.3 out of 5
★ Value for Money – 3.4 out of 5
★ Sturdiness – 3.6 out of 5
★ Durability – 3.3 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Last Gathered: May 4, 2022
- Very tight seal
- Durable brush head
- Multiple color options
- Made out of plastic
Summary of Recent Reviews
Buyers love this stylish, compact, and efficient plunger and brush set. This is a great option for small spaces, and with the multiple color options, you can choose the one that’s best for your space. Customers state that this plunger works well and is efficient in removing clogs.
6. Luigi’s Toilet Plunger
- Handle Material: Plastic
- Color: Green & blue
- Weight: 8.8 ounces
Performance Ratings
★ Easy to Use – 3.6 out of 5
★ Sturdiness – 3.2 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Last Gathered: May 4, 2022
- Easy to store
- Unique and long-lasting design
- High pressure
- Won’t fit every type of toilet
Summary of Recent Reviews
Several buyers shared that they tried out this plunger as a last resort before calling a plumber and they’re glad they did! While this is made of lighter plastic, it still gets the job done for customers. “I wasn’t expecting much based on the price but this is the only plunger I’ve ever used that unclogs the drain after 1 or 2 pushes.”
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. They should create a good seal. For instance, flange plungers are well-known for their powerful seal. However, not all types of toilet 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 toilet 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 toilet 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 toilet 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 ones with longer handles to maintain a distance from the toilet water. Secondly, as mentioned, sink plungers don’t have flanges as plungers do, so they can’t be used on a curved drain. On the other hand, they can be used on both curved and flat surfaces.
However, they 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 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 splash back. 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.