TOTO is the world’s largest toilet manufacturer, this is no surprise when you look at the high-quality products they produce. One of their best one-piece options is their Aimes toilet. Keep reading to understand why this model is a solid choice for your home!
Table of Contents
TOTO Aimes Toilet – Flushing System
As mentioned, the TOTO Aimes has one of the most effective flushing systems on the market, called the Tornado Flush. When you pull the flush lever, it creates a centrifugal force that cleans literally every part of the bowl with a strong force. This strong flush means you won’t need to spend your time cleaning those hard-to-reach surfaces every day.
But what does the Tornado Flush actually provide? To start, it’s able to provide a very powerful flush with only 1.28 gallons of water, which some toilets can’t achieve even with over two gallons. Further, with its dual-nozzle system, it uses gravity and centrifugal force to make the bowl stay cleaner for longer.
The Tornado Flush works by combining the use of gravity and centrifugal force, which then spins the water and creates a whirlpool action. Also, unlike multi-rim holes that most toilets use, this unit has only two nozzles for maximized pressure. With an anti-sticking surface and powerful flush, you will have a unit that literally cleans itself and requires almost no maintenance.
Tech Specifications
- Flushing Score:
- Water Consumption: 1.28
- Bowl Shape:
- Flushing System:
- Flush Type: Single
- Style: One-Piece
- Certifications: ADA, WaterSense
- Dimensions (sourced from manual): Toilet (28.44″ x 17.31″ x 27.94″), (12″), (2.12″), (17.25″)See image with dimensions
Performance Ratings
★ Easy to install – 4.3 out of 5
★ Softness – 4.5 out of 5
* based on Amazon’s rating system
Product Documentation
Customer Reviews
Last gathered: June 28, 2022
Walmart Customer Reviews
- ADA-compliant
- EPA WaterSense certified
- Low-profile tank and sleek design
- Elongated bowl offers more space to provide superior comfort
- Consumes only 1.28 gallons per flush
- The toilet doesn’t include a supply line for installation
Summary of Recent Reviews
While customer reviews are limited for this particular model. This model is as described with the modern elongated bowl, and the comfort height that will work well for some customers.
Main Features and Benefits
While we were looking for the best one-piece unit that’s also affordable and provides high quality, we noticed that the TOTO Aimes kept popping up. Since we noticed that many people are satisfied with this unit, we had to give it a try and provide you with our own review.
This unit has some really great features to offer, so let’s talk about our top six.
✓ Powerful Flush and Easy Clean
As mentioned above, one of the great features of the TOTO Aimes is its Tornado Flush System. It provides effective, clog-free flushing while using only 1.28 gallons of water per flush. Plus, due to its smooth and sleek surface, it will always keep the bowl perfectly clean, and prevent bacteria, mildew, dirt, and particles from sticking. It’s an ideal choice if you are looking for a powerful, effective, and hygienic unit for your bathroom.
Take a look at other strong flushing toilet reviews.
✓ Sleek Design
The first thing that you’ll notice about this unit’s design is that it looks minimalistic, sleek, and luxurious. It’s definitely an ideal choice for any modern bathroom. Further, not only is its clean geometric shape elegant, but it’s also easier to clean and requires less maintenance than other units in the same price range.
Another great thing is that, unlike most units that come only in white, TOTO offers four color choices for this model. Besides white, you can also buy the unit in Cotton, Sedona Beige, and Colonial White. However, note that the color variants besides white do cost a bit more.
No matter which option you decide to buy, they all feature a CeFiONtect glaze surface. This glaze prevents bacteria and tiny particles from sticking, ensuring a hygienic toilet surface without stains or debris.
The toilet also comes with a SoftClose seat which prevents unintentional slamming and has a left-side polished trip that comes in either brushed nickel or chrome coating.
✓ Bowl Shape
One of the essential things that you should consider when buying a new toilet is the shape of the bowl. Basically, toilets can have either a round or elongated bowl. Since the TOTO Aimes has an elongated bowl, it will be more comfortable and easier to use.
On the other hand, it adds a few extra inches to its length, which might not be ideal for smaller bathrooms.
Also, the height of the toilet seat is over 17 inches, which makes it ADA-compliant and ideal for both young children and people with disabilities. Sitting on this unit feels like sitting on a chair, which is also suitable for taller people.
✓ Water Consumption
The main goal of this unit is to preserve the environment while cutting your monthly bills. With only 1.28 gallons of water per flush, it meets EPA WaterSense criteria and also allows city tax rebates in some states. You’ll save water and money by picking an eco-friendly model like the TOTO Aimes.
✓ Standard Warranty
When buying a new toilet, it’s very important to check the warranty deals that the company offers. Most TOTO units come with a standard 1-year warranty, which might not be tempting at the first glance. Some companies will give you a warranty of up to five years, which makes the TOTO warranty seem useless. However, there are other points that you need to consider. For example, most TOTO products have exceptional reviews on various websites, and people around the world are usually very satisfied with the performance and longevity that their units provide.
✓ Price
This unit comes at a mid-range price, unlike most TOTO units. With its exceptional performance that meets high standards, you will get an excellent value for the money. However, the color that you choose will also affect the final price, so be sure to keep that in mind if you’re going for a specific toilet aesthetic.
Benefits and Drawbacks
There are many things that we like about this toilet. Firstly, it has a beautiful and luxurious design with a fully concealed trapway, avoiding a rim hole design. It also provides powerful but quiet operation, which is very useful when using the toilet at night. Due to its efficient flush, it meets EPA WaterSense standards and saves money every day.
The unit is also easy to install, clean, and maintain, which makes it an excellent long-term investment. Another of the top features we like about this unit is its SoftClose seat technology. This seat prevents unintentional slamming and directly increases seat longevity.
When it comes to possible drawbacks, only two things caught our attention. First, the toilet only has a 1-year warranty, which is not ideal compared to longer warranty options. However, it’s made of high-quality parts and, most likely there will be no need to use the warranty. Second, this model is a bit more costly than other options, but it provides a great performance.
If may be interested in our deep reviews of the best TOTO toilets.
Buying Considerations & Decisions
Buying a new toilet can sometimes be tricky, especially if you’ve never done it before. There are some important, yet slightly confusing things to consider. However, in this section, we will clarify all the things that you need to know to make the right choice.
1. One-Piece or Two-Piece Unit
One of the most important choices to make when buying a new toilet is whether you want a one-piece or two-piece unit. The TOTO Aimes is a one-piece unit, but both types of toilets have upsides and downsides.
For example, one-piece units are much easier to maintain, as they have no hard-to-reach places where dust and dirt might stick. Also, they look much more elegant and luxurious, making them ideal for hotels and modern bathrooms. On the other hand, imagine having to carry the unit to your home. It can be a big challenge if it weighs over 100 pounds. Also, if a one-piece toilet breaks, you will have to replace the whole unit which means higher costs. Finally, one-piece units also have a higher starting price, which is another detail to consider.
In comparison, two-piece toilets are more affordable and easier to carry to the installation location. They also cost less, which is definitely an advantage. However, they don’t look as luxurious and elegant as their one-piece counterparts, and they can be more difficult to maintain. But keep in mind that, if something breaks, you can change only a tank or a bowl without having to replace the whole unit.
2. Types of Flushes
The type of flush is, obviously, another detail that you need to consider when buying a new unit. Basically, there are four main types of flushes.
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Pressure-Assisted
Has a pressure tank filled with water, which has constant pressure. When you pull the lever, the valve opens and creates a powerful flush using gravity and pressure. However, these systems can be more difficult to repair and usually cost a bit more.
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Vacuum-Assisted
Features a vacuum tank. It works due to the water that creates suction in the tank when you pull the lever, which creates a powerful flush. Also, these systems are new, easy to repair, and very effective. On the other hand, units with these systems are also a bit more costly.
- Dual-Flush System
Widely-available today, although it’s relatively new. Toilets with dual-flush systems usually have two buttons, allowing you to choose between either a full or half flush. You can save lots of water each month and preserve the environment by using only a half flush for liquid waste.
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Gravity Flush
is an excellent choice since it provides high performance with a minimal amount of water. Most units with a gravity flush system will clean the bowl completely with only 1.28 gallons per flush, leaving surface marks behind. On top of that, these systems are affordable and very easy to repair.
3. Colors to Choose
Most toilets usually come in white color, which is ideal for any bathroom. However, if your bathroom has darker tiles, or tiles in a specific color, you might want to consider a different color variant. On the other hand, you should know that different variants can cost more, so don’t be surprised if the total price increases by up to $200.
4. Bowl Shape
As mentioned, a toilet can have either an elongated or a round bowl shape. Elongated bowls cost more, but they also look more modern and luxurious. Besides, they are more comfortable, but they do take up more room compared to round bowls.
On the other hand, a round bowl costs less but is also not very modern. It’s also a bit shorter, making it ideal for a small bathroom, but it doesn’t allow as much comfort as the elongated bowl.
5. Certifications
There are a few popular certifications that you might want your toilet to have. First is the ADA certificate. This certification consists of a special set of rules that, if met, means that the toilet is suited for most people, including young children and people with disabilities.
Another popular certification is for EPA WaterSense. Units with this label usually have a powerful flush that consumes only 1.28 gallons of water. That way, it preserves the environment and saves you some decent cash in the long term. Most toilets with EPA WaterSense certificate will save you around 16,500 gallons of water annually, which leads to 20% lower bills. You could also be eligible for rebates on your water bill depending on your location.
Frequently Asked Question
Is it Difficult to Install this Toilet Myself?
Most TOTO toilets are easy to install, even if you have only basic DIY skills and a few simple tools. One of the best things about the TOTO Aimes is that you can install it with almost no DIY skills. You only need a few basic tools that can be found in most homes. If you know how the basic piping works, and also know how to use a screwdriver and a wrench, installation won’t be a problem for you.
The only thing that requires a bit of work is its rough-in dimension. It comes with a 12-inch rough-in, but using the right adapter and a few simple hacks, you can adjust it to meet a 10 and 14-inch rough-in.
Finally, you may want a second person to help out, particularly when maneuvering the heavy toilet.
Final Verdict
As you can see, the TOTO Aimes is an excellent choice if you are looking for a one-piece unit. Although it comes with a warranty of only one year, it’s relatively affordable and provides some great, useful features. However, if you decide to want to keep searching, be sure to check our buying guide for some useful buying tips.