Going shopping for a new compact toilet can be confusing and tiring because there are so many models that vary in size, price and design as well as functionality. However, the first thing that you need to do is find out what your rough-in distance is.
Rough-in distance is the distance from the wall to the center of the sewage drain. Another thing, you would need to consider is whether you would want to buy a toilet with an elongated or round bowl, just remember that the round one is much more compact and cheaper than elongated ones.
Benefits of Compact Toilet for Small Space Bathrooms
Some people evade buying a small toilet, thinking that they lack benefits. However, these toilets are an excellent choice, especially for small spaces. At first, they are easy to wash. Less space, of course, means less space to wash.
Additionally, they are an ideal choice for physically challenged persons. They come in standard height, which is another advantage of buying a small toilet. In the end, small toilets are perfect for children. The fact is, young children can have difficulties using the toilet since the seat is usually too high. However, most of these units have a height that perfectly fits any child.
Table of Contents
Our Comparison Table
9 Compact Toilets for Small Bathrooms
1. American Standard H2O Siphonic 2 Piece Dual Flush Toilet
| Seat Height | 16 inches |
| Consumption | 1.0/1.6 GPF |
| Flush Type | Siphonic action dual flush |
| Style | Two-Piece |
| Shape | Elongated |
| Material | Vitreous china |
Plus, it is easy to clean with minimal effort as the surface is non-stick and the toilet does not have many crevices, corners or grooves.
The seat has an optimal height for children, elderly and tall individuals.
The toilet is US made using high-end porcelain and comes in a box with all the necessary screws and bolts.
Moreover, the toilet has been certified as water-friendly due to the low consumption dual flush.
2. Galba White Small Toilet
| Seat Height | 16.5 inches |
| Consumption | 1.6 GPF |
| Flush Type | Dual Siphonic Flush |
| Style | One-Piece |
| Shape | Elongated |
| Material | Vitreous china |
Galba White Small Toilet has been reported by many customers to look really luxurious with its sleek and clean design and shiny white finish.
Plus, it is very easy to clean as the toilet is designed to have minimal crevices, corners, and grooves. Moreover, the skirted trapway creates a flawless look and enables easy cleaning plus the dual flush system only uses about 1.2 gallons of water per flush making this Galba model very water efficient.
Furthermore, the toilet uses a siphoned flushing tube that reduces the noise and helps prevent leaks, clogs and other problems caused by waste. The seat is designed to have an optimal height for seating and standing and does not weigh much when compared to other similar models.
The toilet is made using high-quality ceramic and comes with a pre-installed seat, wax ring, bolts, and a very clear instruction booklet. Plus, the packaging contains a hand wrench for tightening the bolts and screws. Also, the toilet has been tested for water efficiency and found to comply with the strict UPS and CSA guidelines.
3. Kohler K-3810-0 Santa Rosa
| Seat Height | 17 inches |
| Consumption | 1.28 GPF |
| Flush Type | Single gravity flush |
| Style | One-Piece |
| Shape | Compact Elongated |
| Material | China |
Kohler Santa Rosa is designed with an integrated tank for seamless and easy to clean design without any crevices, hooks or corners.
It is made with a comfortable height seat that offers chair-height seating that will suit everybody. The seat and the lid are also included in the packaging as well as clear instructions on how to set them up and adjust all the necessary screws and bolts.
Moreover, it is water efficient and the canister flush packs a strong water push to eliminate any possible clogs due to waste, paper, or other waste.
However, customers have reported that the flushing does make a little more noise than other models in this price segment.
4. TOTO UltraMax II
| Seat Height | 17.25 inches |
| Consumption | 1.28 GPF |
| Flush Type | Tornado Flush system |
| Style | One-Piece |
| Shape | Elongated |
| Material | Vitreous china |
TOTO UltraMax II 
is designed with the Dual Cyclone Flushing System that uses a minimal amount of water yet cleans the toilet bowl thoroughly.
The trip lever has a chrome finish that prevents rusting, scratches and scuffs marks plus the elongated front bowl is fitted with a SoftClose seat that quietly closes and opens.
Moreover, the seat is designed to be at a height of 17 ¼ inches making it optimal for short and tall individuals alike, including the elderly and people with special needs.
Plus, the porcelain is easy to clean and is much more resistant to water and rust markings. Furthermore, this toilet has been tested and ADA certified under the Californian ‘low flow standard’.
5. American Standard Champion 4
| Seat Height | 16.5 inches |
| Consumption | 1.6 GPF |
| Flush Type | Siphonic Flush |
| Style | One-Piece |
| Shape | Elongated |
| Material | Vitreous china |
American Standard Champion 4 is made from porcelain and has a patented glaze finish that gives it a beautiful shiny finish that is resistant to scratches, stains and waste sticking.
On most occasions, the system will flush down even the heaviest of solid waste in one single flush cycle. Plus, these toilets have been certified as ADA and CEC compliant as these toilets use only 1.28 gallons of water per flush making them some of the most water-efficient toilets on the market.
Customers can choose from 5 different colours and 3 different finishes hence you can be assured that you will find the best toilet to fit in with your bathroom interior.
6. TOTO CST243EF#01 Entrada
| Seat Height | Universal |
| Consumption | 1.28 GPF |
| Flush Type | Powerful flush |
| Style | Two-Piece |
| Shape | Round |
| Material | Vitreous china |
There are multiple things we adore about this toilet. At first, it features an elegant and modern design and easily fits any bathroom. It also utilizes the E-max flushing system and has a wide flush valve. Additionally, the unit comes with a left-hand lever and meets the EPA and CEC standards.
Installing the unit is very simple. However, you might need to buy additional items, such as water supply lines and a toilet seat. The toilet is comfortable and requires minimum maintenance. It’s an ideal choice if you want compactness.
7. Macerating Toilet with Pump
| Seat Height | Universal |
| Consumption | 0.75 GPF |
| Flush Type | Dual-flush |
| Style | One-Piece |
| Shape | Round |
| Material | Vitreous china |
An interesting thing about this toilet is that it comes with a built-in pump. After flushing, the content is sent to the pump and is then cut into a semi-liquid mixture.
It can also be used in low-pressure areas and uses less water than most toilets in the market.
Another nice fact is that it can be installed almost anywhere. It can be your attic, garage, or even basement. The unit doesn’t require a large drain hole; instead, you only need a 32 mm pipe.
8. KOHLER K-5172-0 San Souci
| Seat Height | 17.5 inches |
| Consumption | 1.28 GPF |
| Flush Type | Plug-free flush |
| Style | One-Piece |
| Shape | Elongated bowl |
| Material | Vitreous china |
We adore how many different variants of this toilet you can choose. Depending on your bathroom, you can choose between Cashmir, Biscuit, Black, White, Almond, and many more. Additionally, the unit is well-designed and is very easy to clean.
The unit also features a Quiet Close and Grip Tight seat. It allows a much easier use for adults and kids. Also, it’s very comfortable and consumes around 1.28 gallons of per flush, which is fantastic.
9. Johnson Pumps 80-47229-01 Aqua Toilet
| Seat Height | Not specified |
| Consumption | Not specified |
| Flush Type | Powerful flush |
| Style | One-Piece |
| Shape | Ergonomically designed |
| Material | Porcelain |
Made from porcelain, this toilet is elegant, durable, and corrosion-resistant. It comes with a hand-powered piston, and on top of that, the unit is very quiet and reliable.
The only downside that we noticed is its price. Compared to similar units in the market, it’s slightly pricey, but still, it offers a fantastic quality. Additionally, it’s very simple to install and requires no DIY skills.
How to Choose the Best Compact Toilet for Small Bathrooms
Size Dimensions
Of course, since you want to buy a small toilet, you don’t have lots of space to spare. It’s essential to do the measurements properly, or you might end up with a unit that you can’t return. The most important measurement to do is a rough-in size. It’s the length between the center of the toilet and the wall.
Additionally, you should consider the shape of the bowl. For example, oval and round bowls take a different amount of space.
Water Consumption
Wasting water is bad for both the environment and your wallet. That’s why you should aim for an efficient toilet. For example, you should note that old toilets consume around four times more water. New models might be expensive, but they make an excellent long-term investment.
Flush Efficiency
Flush efficiency means how much water the toilet requires to clean the bowl after use. Additionally, even Federal law requires toilets to meet EPA standards for water-saving. Basically, there are two types of toilets when it comes to flushing efficiency.
Some units have traps to prevent clogging or valves that allow powerful flush. You should choose carefully based on the size and needs of your household.
Ease of Cleaning
Nowadays, we live in a busy world and can’t do the toilet-cleaning every single day. When choosing a small toilet, go for the models that are easy to clean. Your main indicators should be the material and design of the tank and bowl.
Toilet Height
Toilet height is an important factor, especially for adults and children. For example, a certain height might cause little or no restrain on adults’ backs and knees. Also, improper toilet height might cause irregular toilet habits in children. However, modern toilets have a convenient height, ideal for both adults and children.
About Your Space
We talked about toilet dimensions, but you should also think about your space. With compact toilets, you need to carefully measure the space in your bathroom. If your room is shallow, it might happen that your knees press against the wall while using the toilet.
Also, it’s a good idea to mark the toilet dimensions on the floor using tape. It will give you a better insight into what it will look like in the end. If your bathroom is awkwardly shaped, you might want to search for a corner-fitting toilet.
Consider The Environment – and Your Wallet
Buying a water-efficient toilet will affect the environment, as well as your wallet. The best option is to aim for Dual Flush. It allows you to use the light flush for liquid waste and solid flush for solid waste. Also, it’s good to consider using greywater for flushing. Some toilets come with a nice, long rubber hose, which allows you to do just that.
Toilet Design
Toilets are something that we use every single day. It’s important to consider the design, especially if you have a nice-looking bathroom. If you have a traditional bathroom, a two-piece unit will do the job. However, for modern bathrooms, a single-piece unit would be the perfect fit.
Bowl Shape
Finally, you should carefully choose the bowl shape – round front or elongated. The first is excellent for small spaces, while elongated bowls feature longer rims. Also, they provide more comfort, but they have to properly fit the bathroom. Even if the difference in size is small, it can be crucial. For example, it might interfere with opening the door of your bathroom.
How to Install a Compact Toilet
Installing a compact toilet is usually simple. However, it might vary between models, and you should follow the user manual. Although some units might be more difficult than others, in general, it’s an easy process.
To start, cut out the water supply to the existing toilet. After you remove it, do the final measurement. Now, it’s time for the installation. Note that there are differences between single-piece and two-piece models. Additionally, some parts of the process will require checking the user manual.
When the toilet is installed, you can attach the water line and turn it on. Before using the toilet, make sure to flush it a few times. There might be some leaks, and it’s better to notice them on time.
Can You Install in a Compact Toilet?
Installing a toilet is not difficult, but you should still hire a professional. Improper installation can lead to unit damage over time. Over time, you will spend more cash on servicing.
When it comes to price, it depends mainly on the toilet model and the area you live in. Also, the installation of floor-mounted toilets is usually cheaper than wall-hung toilets. It’s mainly because the installation of wall-hung toilets requires additional work.
Are Compact Toilets More Difficult to Install?
Most compact toilets can be installed the same way as the casual units. If you already did it before with a larger toilet, it won’t be a problem. However, tankless and wall-mounted units are more difficult due to their features.
Cleaning Your Compact Toilet
Cleaning a compact toilet is as important as cleaning any type of toilet. However, some toilets have features that allow them to stay cleaner for longer. You should clean it once a week, but of course, it’s not a problem if you skip a few days.
The cleaning requires tables, toilet bowl cleaner, and stick-cleaning pads. If you frequently clean the unit, you won’t have to remove the potential build-up. It will make your life simpler, and you won’t have to dedicate a big part of your life to cleaning now and then.
What Is the Difference Between One-Piece or Two-Piece Toilet?
Most toilets, regardless of their size are made in either 1-piece or 2-piece designs with the main difference being that the two-piece toilets are a bit more affordable. In terms of how easy to clean the two models are, remember that the two-piece toilets have crevices, bolts, and hooks that could take time to clean whereas single-piece toilets are virtually seamless.
Furthermore, professional plumbers recommend to fully avoid wall-mounted toilets because they can be a headache to install and maintain. Firstly, they would need a much thicker wall that will be able to withstand the weight of the toilet also customers would need to be willing to reopen the wall if the toilet will require repairs.
Once you have decided on your budget, the size of the toilet and its mounting style, think about the type of flushing system that your plumbing can withstand. Back in the day, old toilets could use up to 3.5 gallons per flush than in an attempt to conserve resources US government has passed a law requiring new toilets to have a maximum 1.6-gallon flush limit.
The first generation of low flush toilets had a hard time flushing solid wastes however new models are highly efficient thanks to new technologies such as power-assisted or gravity flush systems. Furthermore, if you are looking to save even more on annual water bills then you might want to look at toilets with double flush systems.
Dual flush toilets have a button for flushing solid and liquid wastes with different water limits, thus you are controlling the amount of water that is used for flushing. Consequently, if you want to flush liquid wastes you will be using a lesser amount of water than if you would want to flush solid wastes.
ADA institutions have written that pushing a dual flush button for liquid wastes uses 0.8 gallons of water instead of 1.6 gallons it uses for solid wastes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Compact Toilet to Buy for Small Bathrooms?
Obviously, every unit has its pros and cons. However, when it comes to price, quality, and comfort, we recommend you to check out Kohler K-5172-0 San Souci.
How to Upgrade Your Toilet?
To upgrade your toilet, you should first consider a SmartClose seat. It automatically closes in slow motion, so you won’t have to worry about the unexpected toilet seat slam. These are usually safer, which makes them ideal for houses with children.
Which Toilet Is the Most Space-Compact?
It’s difficult to answer, since not every toilet is good for every type of bathroom. First, you should consider the final look of your bathroom. If you simply want more space in your bathroom, a wall-mounted unit is the best choice. However, to achieve a certain look, you might want a single-piece or two-piece unit. Additionally, a corner-mounted toilet is also nice.
Do Compact Toilets Work the Same Way as Their Larger Counterparts?
Small toilets with tanks usually work the same as the classic units. However, tankless units usually require an electrical connection and work in a different way. Those toilets have features that break up solid waste and then flush it.
Verdict
As you can see, buying a compact toilet doesn’t have to be confusing. We have presented you with our top picks, but with our Buying Guide, you can also shop by yourself. However, if you can’t decide which unit to buy, we strongly advise you to check out any compact toilet made by Kohler. They come at a decent price and offer fantastic quality.
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