Traditional toilets are 15-inches high, but what if you’re looking for a taller option to accommodate a disability of tall family members? Comfort height toilets are the answer! These are typically 17-19 inches high and are becoming a popular choice in homes because of the increased comfort (it’s not just a clever name!).
Keep reading to learn more about the features of comfort height toilets are check out some of our top choices!
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
| Kohler San Souci | ||
| Kohler Highline |
Four Types of Comfort-Height Toilets
When buying a comfort-height toilet, you can choose between four basic options.
-
Close-Coupled
Similar to casual units but offer a taller height.
-
Back-to-Wall Models
Toilets which are fitted firmly against both the floor and wall, are also available with extended height for improved comfort.
-
Combination WC Units
Connect to the concealing cistern, also come with a seat height greater than 17 inches.
-
Low-Level Units
Comes with a cistern positioned slightly above the pan, were previously unavailable in comfort height, however, you can now find these units with comfort-height seats.
Comfort Height Toilet Reviews – 3 Top Choices
When purchasing a toilet, common advice says to make sure your legs rest at an angle of 90 degrees while sitting. However, some doctors recommend that a toilet bowl that provides a smaller angle could also be a good substitute. Always test the height of any new toilet you’re considering to ensure that it offers the optimal support for your needs.
1. Kohler San Souci Comfort Height – Editor’s Choice
- Flushing Score:
- Water Consumption: 1.28
- Bowl Shape:
- Flushing System:
- Flush Type: Single
- Style: One-Piece
- Dimensions (sourced from manual): Toilet (27.87″ x 16.37″ x 25.32″), (12″), (2.12″), (17.25″) See image with dimensions
Another great feature of this unit is its flush technology. It delivers excellent performance while only using 1.28 gallons of water per flush, which makes it a good long-term investment. Finally, due to its sleek and elegant design, this toilet is an ideal choice for most modern bathrooms.
Performance Ratings
★ Easy to clean – 4.7 out of 5
★ Easy to install – 4.5 out of 5
* based on Amazon’s rating system
Product Documentation
Customer Reviews
Last gathered: June 20, 2022
- High-performance flush
- Modern design
- Comfortable height
- Slightly pricey
Summary of Recent Reviews
Customers love the height of this toilet, sharing that the height adds extra comfort and is a huge convenience for those with mobility issues. Multiple customers commented that they received stellar customer service and any issues they had were resolved quickly. While this is a higher-priced toilet option, the consensus is that it’s worth the price – “Expensive but well worth the purchase price.”
2. Kohler Highline – Review Champion
- Flushing Score:
- Water Consumption: 1.28
- Bowl Shape:
- Flushing System:
- Flush Type: Single
- Style: Two-Piece
- Dimensions (sourced from manual): Toilet (29.75″ x 18.12″ x 31.25″), (12″), (2.12″), (17.25″)See image with dimensions
Style-wise, this toilet has a sleek and modern design and promises durability with its construction from strong and durable vitreous china.
Check out our full review of the Kohler Highline toilet.
Performance Ratings
★ Easy to clean – 4.5 out of 5
★ Easy to install – 4.4 out of 5
★ Value for money – 4.3 out of 5
★ Comfort – 4.6 out of 5
* based on Amazon’s rating system
Product Documentation
Customer Reviews
Last gathered: June 20, 2022
- Water-efficient
- Good price
- Powerful flush
- Easy to install
- Might arrive without a flush valve
Summary of Recent Reviews
Users love the height of this ADA-compliant toilet! Customers like the dual flush option and several reviewers mention that they haven’t had any clogging issues. Even with this water-efficient option, this packs a powerful flush – “flushes using very little water and never leaves anything in the bowl.”
3. DeerValley DV-1F026
- Water Consumption: 0.8/1.28
- Bowl Shape:
- Flushing System:
- Flush Type:
- Style: One-Piece
- Certification: WaterSense
- Dimensions (sourced from manual): Toilet (28.75″ x 14″ x 28″), (12″), (2″), (17″)See image with dimensions
This model is dual-flush, and unlike most toilets, the half flush option consumes only 0.8 gallons of water per flush. Although it only needs a minimal amount of water, the flush is still powerful enough to get the job done. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the package includes all the necessary parts for the installation of this toilet.
Performance Ratings
★ Easy to clean – 4.5 out of 5
★ Easy to install – 4.0 out of 5
★ Softness – 3.7 out of 5
★ Comfort – 4.1 out of 5
* based on Amazon’s rating system
Product Documentation
Customer Reviews
Last gathered: June 20, 2022
- Beautiful design
- Package includes all the necessary parts
- Water-efficient
- Clogs easily
Summary of Recent Reviews
Buyers love the looks of this toilet, several saying this performs as good as or better than some more prominent brands. Instructions and installation were pretty straightforward, even for buyers with little plumbing experience. Customers appreciate the sleek, modern design, with some customers even purchasing multiple for use in their homes.
Comfort Height Toilet | Buying Guide
In this section, we provide you with many topics to help make the proper choice when choosing your next comfort height toilet for your home.
Comfort Height Description
Simply put, a comfort height toilet is a toilet that follows ADA standards. These types of toilets are known for their chair height, which is 17 inches or higher. Thanks to their elevated height, these toilets are great options for disabled persons, tall persons, and the elderly.
You can find Comfort Height toilets in a variety of sizes – 17 inches, 19 inches, or even higher. No matter the final size, if the toilet is “comfort height”, it’ll be comfortable and easy to use.
Eco-Friendly
Many comfort height toilets are eco-friendly, but not all. If you want to reduce monthly bills and still have a toilet with a powerful flush, look for models that include eco-friendly features. For example, any toilet with EPA WaterSense certification is a great environmentally-conscious choice.
Toilets with EPA WaterSense certification meet standards set in the US and Canada to save water and encourage water efficiency. Those toilets also have a lower gallon-per-flush rate to directly lower your monthly bills without compromising the performance.
Flushing Capabilities
No matter which comfort height toilet you intend to buy, always consider its flush capabilities. There are a few key types to consider:
-
Dual-Flush Feature
This feature allows you to choose between two flush options depending on whether the waste is solid or liquid. By using the lower consumption flush option for liquid waste, you’ll see a big difference in your water consumption over time.
-
Gravity Flush
This flush option is seen in most traditional toilets. As the name suggests, it uses gravity and water weight to make enough pressure to execute the flush. Among all the flushing systems, the Gravity Flush has been around the longest.
-
Pressure-Assisted Flush
While similar to the Gravity Flush, this option offers a higher flow rate, making it more effective than gravity flush systems. However, pressure-assisted flushes can be quite loud, so if you want a quiet toilet, this option might not be ideal for you.
-
Tornado Flush (or Double Cyclone)
This option is a flushing system made by TOTO company. Thanks to advanced technology, this system offers an incredibly efficient flush that removes all waste in a single flush while only consuming 1.28 gallons per flush.
Installation Process
Installation of a comfort height toilet depends mainly on your experience and your skills. Removing the old toilet and installing a new one is labor-intensive, and requires some plumbing knowledge to execute perfectly.
Another installation factor to consider is whether the toilet is one-piece or two-piece. Two-piece toilets have a separate bowl and a tank that you need to connect. These require some extra steps during installation, which adds complexity, but one-piece toilets are also much heavier by comparison.
Finally, some toilets come with parts that you will have to install or buy separately. Depending on your personal comfort level, plumbing experience, and the toilet itself, you may want to consider calling a professional to help with the installation of your new toilet.
What to Avoid
These are some of the things that you should avoid when buying a comfort-height toilet:
- Non-standard Replacement Parts: Some people prefer toilets that defy the ordinary, from custom seats to unique construction parts. However, you should always think about the cost of replacing those parts before deciding to invest in a new and unique component
- Slamming lid: One way to improve the user experience is using a SoftClose toilet seat. These seats minimize accidental slamming of the toilet seat, which can be disruptive particularly at night. Additionally, slamming the lid many times can lead to cracking or breaking, which SoftClose toilet seats help avoid
- Toilet Size: Particularly for comfort height toilets with an elongated bowl, be sure to measure the space and ensure you’ll have enough room when using the toilet. The added height provides a lot more comfortable but may require more space in your bathroom than previous toilets, particularly if this is your first comfort height toilet purchase.
- Low-Quality Construction: While it’s possible to buy a toilet for less than $100, be extremely cautious of any toilet with too low of a price. A toilet is something that you will be using for years, so it’s smart to invest in a high-quality unit. If you choose a cheap or low-quality option, you may end up spending more on repairs and replacement parts in the long run.
- Hard to Clean Construction: Two-piece models have a separate bowl and tank, and often have many nooks and crannies that can be difficult to clean. If you are a busy person who can’t spend much time cleaning the toilet, it’s a nice idea to buy a one-piece unit which minimizes tricky cleaning areas
Comparison Guide
Kohler K-3999-0 vs. American Standard 221DA004.020
Unlike Kohler’s toilet, this American Standard unit doesn’t have as efficient of a flush. However, the American Standard unit is much more affordable and would be a good choice if you want to buy a toilet on the budget. Even with a less efficient flush, this toilet also uses a special coating to minimize any residue build-up. While not as stylish, the American Standard does have a dual-flush and features the same water consumption rate as the Kohler K-3999-0.
DeerValley DV-1F026 Dual Flush vs. American Standard Cadet PRO
These two units have some similarities, but they are still quite different. For example, while the DeerValley has a nice, smooth surface that prevents waste from sticking, but Cadet PRO does an even better job thanks to its EverClean surface. Further, unlike DeerValley, the Cadet PRO comes with a 5-year warranty, which means that you can install and use it without any fear. Finally, the Cadet PRO is CALGreen compliant and meets EPA WaterSense criteria, but is also more expensive than the DeerValley model.
Convenient Height Store Toilet vs. Woodbridge T-0019
Both of these models offer a powerful, efficient flush that consumes only 1.28 gallons of water. However, the Woodbridge toilet also has a specific design that targets effortless cleaning and maintenance. Due to its powerful siphon flush, you will never have problems with clogging or leaking. Finally, when you buy a Woodbridge toilet, everything that you need will come in a package, so there are no additional costs. Without these additional features, it’s hard for the Convenient Height Store Toilet to compare, although it does offer an extended 20 inch height seat for those looking for even more comfort.
Deciding Factors
While purchasing a comfort height toilet, it is a good idea to look for a model that is ADA compliant. The standard ADA requirement for seat heights is 17 to 19 inches from the floor to the top of the toilet seat.
Additionally, if you are an environmental-friendly person, opt for an eco-friendly product to help reduce water consumption.. Further, if the model is EPA WaterSense certified, you could be eligible for rebates on your water bills.
When making your choice, pick a toilet that will fit perfectly with the rest of your bathroom aesthetically. It’s also important to consider the material, flushing mechanism, and whether it’s a single or two-piece model, which impacts installation.
Ultimately, models with additional height can be used by both residential and commercial users.
Conclusion
Buying a comfort height toilet is an ideal choice for tall persons, disabled persons, and the elderly. However, if you live in a family with kids, make sure that the toilet is not too tall, because it might be uncomfortable for them to use. If you are looking for a new comfort height toilet today, we hope these recommendations help inform your decision.