Finding the best toilets for small bathrooms isn’t an easy task, especially if you shop online. A toilet is a life-long item that you want to get right the very first time. But how?
For a small bathroom, you must consider more factors before buying a toilet since your biggest challenge is limited space.
This article explores some important factors to consider and a handy list of the best toilets for small bathrooms on the market today. Be sure to read through and pick a favorite for your needs.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Toilets For Small Bathrooms
- OUR TOP PICK: KOHLER K-4007-0 San Souci
- RUNNER-UP: TOTO Drake CST743SR#01
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: American Standard Cadet 3 FloWise
Comparison of the Best Toilets for Small Bathrooms
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How to Choose a Toilet for a Small Bathroom
Buying a toilet for a small bathroom can be very stressful if you don’t know how to choose a good model most suitable for the little space in your home or public space.
There are several factors you should consider carefully. Such factors include (but are not limited) to the ones discussed below.
Ease of Cleaning
Most toilets are easy to clean, but you may encounter some that are harder to keep clean even when you try to clean them regularly.
The ease of cleaning a toilet will depend on the design and material used to make it.
A two-piece toilet is harder to keep clean because the tank and bowl are two interconnected parts, and the space between them is a breeding ground for bacteria.
For easier cleaning, a one-piece toilet is the better option because of its seamless design.
Porcelain toilets are generally easy to clean, but it’s advisable to check the internal surface. A rugged surface will provide spots for waste to cling onto, making cleaning harder.
Bowl Shape
In a small bathroom, your biggest challenge is limited space. The shape of the bowl is another consideration that shouldn’t escape you.
Toilets come as either round or elongated. The bowl of a round toilet has a circular shape, which takes up more space.
On the other hand, an elongated toilet has an oval-shaped bowl, which takes up less space.
The bowl’s shape will determine how much space will be left free between the bowl edges and the toilet walls on either side.
You’ll want to buy an elongated toilet for a tiny bathroom to ensure you leave enough space for leg movement between the walls and the bowl.
Toilet Dimensions
Most of the time, what matters most in the dimensions of a toilet for a small bathroom is the length. The height of the toilet won’t have an impact on space usage unless you are placing the toilet under a cabinet or shelf.
Consider the width of the toilet because it determines how much space you have for leg movement between the bowl and the walls. You should be able to sit and stand up easily.
For the length, a toilet about 25 inches long is ideal for a small bathroom. It leaves as much space as possible to place other toilet fixtures like the sink and shower.
If your bathroom door opens to the inside, you’ll want to leave enough space for the door to open and close freely. A round toilet will be the best option here since it is about two inches shorter.
Water Consumption and Flushing Efficiency
You’ll want your toilet to use the least amount of water possible and still manage to clear the contents of the bowl each time you flush.
Modern toilets consume less water than older models. You should buy a toilet that consumes as little water as possible, even if that means a higher upfront cost.
Reduced water consumption ensures you save money on n water bills while saving the environment by reducing your carbon imprint.
The flushing efficiency depends on the type of flushing system a toilet uses. A toilet with a single flush system uses more water to clear both solid and liquid waste.
A double flush toilet will help you minimize water usage. It allows you to flush more water for solid waste and less for liquid waste.
A gravity flush system uses more water than a pressure-assisted system. Be sure to check what type of flushing system the toilet uses.
Weight and Installation
The weight of a toilet is an important factor when it comes to installation. This matters whether you are installing it alone or with assistance from other people.
A lightweight model, such as a two-piece toilet, will be easier to install alone. One-piece toilets are heavier and thus harder to install alone. You will need help with lifting and positioning the toilet.
Key Terms to Know
To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.
- Gallons Per Flush (GPF): How much water is used when the toilet is flushed. This can be a single metric or include two metrics in the case of a dual flushing toilet (which flushes differently depending on whether you are flushing liquids only or solids, as well).
- Installation Method: Whether the unit attaches to the floor or the wall.
- One-Piece or Two-Piece: This is whether the toilet is molded as one unit or the tank and base are separate.
- Dimensions and Weight: The height, length, width, and physical weight of the toilet.
- Material: The main material(s) the toilet is made of.
- Seat Shape (round or elongated): The compatible seat shape.
Review of the Best Toilets for Small Bathrooms
Having discussed some key aspects you should keep in mind when buying a toilet for a small bathroom, let’s now explore the best toilets available on the market for tiny bathrooms.
Best Overall
KOHLER K-4007-0 San Souci
Specifications
Gallons Per Flush (GPF): 1.28
Installation Method: Floor Mounted
One-Piece or Two-Piece? One-Piece
Dimensions and Weight: 25.63 x 16.75 x 24.25″ ; 92 lbs
Material: Vitreous China
Seat Shape: Round
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Review
One-piece toilets are an ideal choice for small bathrooms, and the Kohler K-4007-0 is excellent for your tiny bathroom since it saves a lot of space.
The toilet has a sleek single-piece design with a round-front bowl that saves on the horizontal space to enable you to add more fixtures or have enough room for easy movement.
San Souci’s single-piece design makes the toilet easy to clean because no dirt or germs have hiding spots on the toilet.
Bottom Line
It isn’t easy finding a handy toilet that saves the day on most of the important aspects of a toilet.
The San Souci is an exceptional toilet for its seamless design, low profile tank, Quiet-close seat, and low flushing capacity of 1.28 gallons per flush.
Pros
One-piece design for easy cleaning
Low-profile tank that takes up less space
Has a round bowl hence less front space consumption
Has a Quiet-close seat and lid to minimize noise produced
360-degree water flow into the bowl for more effective flushing
Cons
Weighs 92 pounds; hence hard to install alone
Has a single flush system that can use more water when flushing
Runner-up
TOTO Drake CST743SR#01
Specifications
Gallons Per Flush (GPF): 1.6
Installation Method: Floor Mounted
One-Piece or Two-Piece? Two-Piece
Dimensions and Weight: 26.38 x 19.5 x 28.5″ ; 90 lbs
Material: Vitreous China
Seat Shape: Round
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Review
The Toto Drake CST743SR#01 two-piece toilet is ideal for small bathrooms since it has a compact round bowl.
Buyers can choose between five different colors to suit their preference and the color scheme for their bathroom.
This Toto toilet comes with a soft closing seat, and you can upgrade it to a Toto electronic washlet bidet seat for extra cleanliness and luxury.
Bottom Line
Despite its higher water consumption rate at 1.6 gallons per flush, the Toto Drake CST743SR#01 toilet is ideal for tiny bathrooms because of its compact round front design.
The standard toilet bowl height of 14.625 inches is an added advantage for homes with many young children or short members as it is easy for them to access the toilet.
Pros
Two-piece toilet for easy installation
Has a SoftClose seat for noise reduction
Available in five different colors, including cotton white
Upgradable with an electric bidet seat for extra comfort and efficiency
Has 14.625 inches bowl height ideal for homes with young or short members
Cons
Consumes a lot of water at 1.6 gallons per flush
Best for the Money
American Standard Cadet 3 FloWise
Specifications
Gallons Per Flush (GPF): 1.28
Installation Method: Floor Mounted
One-Piece or Two-Piece? Two-Piece
Dimensions and Weight: 28.25 x 15.75 x 30.75″ ; 75 lbs
Material: Vitreous China
Seat Shape: Round
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Review
American Standard is known for its Right height toilets, and the Cadet 3 FloWise is an excellent toilet for residential homes and commercial places like hotels.
This American Standard toilet is ADA-compliant, given the Right height design that’s easier for older and disabled people to use. It’s easy for people with mobility challenges to transfer onto and off the toilet.
Furthermore, the toilet is suitable for installation in homes and commercial places in California since it has the required 1.28 gallons per flush specified in the state.
Bottom Line
If you live in a home with older, disabled, or people with mobility challenges, the Cadet 3 FloWise two-piece toilet is an excellent choice.
The right height design makes it easier for users with mobility challenges to transfer onto the toilet or stand up from it after use. You can even install it in a commercial place, such as a restaurant.
Pros
Consumes less water at only 1.28 gallons per flush
Lightweight toilet at 75 pounds for easier installation
Right height toilet for enhanced comfort and easier use by older people
Two-piece toilet with a sleek vertical design to utilize more vertical space
California and ADA compliant toilet ideal for residential and commercial places
Cons
Has a single flush system that uses the same amount of water for both heavy and light loads
Best Round Toilet for Small Bathroom
TOTO Eco UltraMax
Specifications
Gallons Per Flush (GPF): 1.28
Installation Method: Floor Mounted
One-Piece or Two-Piece? One-Piece
Dimensions and Weight: 26.56 x 16.56 x 27.13″ ; 65 lbs
Material: Vitreous China
Seat Shape: Round
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Review
Unlike most one-piece toilets, one of the best strengths of the Toto Eco UltraMax toilet is its lightweight nature. At only 65 pounds, the toilet is easier to install than ordinary one-piece models.
This Toto toilet has a round front bowl and a tall tank. The round bowl saves space to the front of the toilet, while the tank better utilizes vertical space to ensure the toilet fits well in a tiny bathroom.
Bottom Line
Besides the compact round front shape of the Toto Eco UltraMax, its lightweight nature is another plus. The lower weight makes it easier to install than most one-piece toilets.
The 1.28 gallons per flush feature makes the toilet an ideal choice for people who want to save on water usage and reduce their carbon imprint.
However, the toilet often requires a double flush to clear the contents of the bowl, especially for heavy loads. It may even clog easily, necessitating using a plunger quite often.
Pros
Water-saving toilet at a rate of 1.28 gallons per flush
Lightweight one-piece toilet at only 65 pounds for easier installation
SoftClose seat to eliminate the annoyance of the intrusive toilet seat slam
Has a round front bowl that saves space between it and other fixtures in front of it
Toilet seat made of high-impact solid plastic for improved durability and less injury
Cons
Harder to get a good deal if you have to use a plunger due to awkward bowl shape
Best One-Piece Toilet for Small Bathroom
Swiss Madison SM-WT450
Specifications
Gallons Per Flush (GPF): 0.8 / 1.28
Installation Method: Wall Mounted
One-Piece or Two-Piece? One-Piece
Dimensions and Weight: 20.68 x 14.75 x 13.37″ ; 48 lbs
Material: Porcelain
Seat Shape: Elongated
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Review
The Swiss Madison SM-WT450 is an ideal toilet for the tiniest of bathrooms because of its compact design as a one-piece toilet.
The toilet can be hung on any suitable wall, with a concealed tank and Wall Actuator. The wall-mount option utilizes vertical space, while the sleek round bowl saves on horizontal space.
One other notable advantage of the toilet is that you can use it at both standard height of 15 inches and comfort height of up to 19 inches, depending on family members’ age, height, and physical fitness.
Bottom Line
If you have an extra tiny bathroom, the Swiss Madison SM-WT450 is the right toilet for you. The wall-mounted toilet saves on space, and you can place it on any suitable bathroom wall.
Furthermore, the toilet allows you to install it at either standard height or comfort height.
The standard height toilet is ideal for younger children and short people, while a comfort height toilet better suits older, taller, disabled, and people with mobility problems.
Pros
Dual flush toilet to save more water
Easy to clean because of the seamless one-piece design
Lightweight toilet at 48 pounds suitable for wall mounting
Super compact toilet with concealed tank ideal for hanging in tiny bathrooms
Height adjustable between the standard height of 15 up to comfort height of 19 inches
Cons
Requires you to buy the concealed tank and Wall Actuator separately
Types of Toilets for a Small Bathroom
You have the liberty to choose from different types of toilets to find the best model for your small bathroom. The following types are ideal for small bathrooms.
One-Piece Toilets
One-piece toilets are ideal for small bathrooms because of their sleek design. The tank and bowl are fused into one whole piece to maximize space usage.
A one-piece toilet is prettier and requires less maintenance.
Two-Piece Toilets
Two-piece toilets have a separate tank and bowl that connect with fittings. As such, they take up a bit more space.
The many connected parts make two-piece toilets less physically attractive and harder to clean and maintain than their one-piece counterparts.
Round Toilets
A round toilet is also ideal for small bathrooms, but you must ensure it leaves enough leg room between the bowl and the walls on either side.
They are 16.5 inches long from the center of the seat hinge line to the end of the bowl on the far end.
Round toilets leave more space between them and the wall opposite them or other fixtures like the sink, unlike elongated toilets that are two inches longer and use more space.
Wall Hung Toilet
If your bathroom is a super tiny one, a wall-hung toilet is an excellent choice. It can fit virtually anywhere on the wall, making it easy to position it relative to other bathroom fixtures.
A wall-mounted toilet saves much more space because the tank is hidden into the wall or behind it such that only the bowl and flushing kit is inside the bathroom.
Floor Mounted Toilets
Most of the toilets on the market today are floor-mounted models. While they use more space, they are easy to install and maintain because their parts are easily accessible.
Toilet for Small Bathrooms Comparisons
Not all types of toilets are suitable for small bathrooms. Here’s a breakdown of how different types compare in suitability for tiny bathrooms.
One-Piece vs Two-Piece Toilets in a Small Bathroom
The main difference between one-piece and two-piece toilets is the design. A one-piece toilet has the tank and bowl molded as a single unit, while the two parts are made separately in 2-piece toilets.
The difference in design introduces differences in size, cost, appearance, weight, installation process, cleaning, and maintenance.
One-piece toilets are smaller and take up less space, are more expensive, prettier, heavier, easier to clean, and require less maintenance. Their weight makes them harder to install alone.
On the other hand, two-piece toilets are bigger, lighter, cheaper, harder to clean, and require more maintenance. Their lightweight nature makes it easier to install them on your own.
Two-piece models are more popular and easier to repair or replace since the parts are readily available compared to one-piece toilets.
Some notable similarities between one-piece and two-piece toilets include durability, customizability, functionality and performance, and home resale value.
The two models can last upwards of 40 years if well-kept and maintained. They are also available in different colors and shapes.
The home resale value is the same, provided the toilet is in good condition. In terms of performance and functionality, both types serve the same purpose well.
Wall Hung vs Floor Mounted Toilet for Small Bathrooms
The main difference between wall hung and floor mounted toilets is the installation. A wall-hung toilet is an excellent choice for a tiny bathroom as it saves space hanging on the wall.
Floor-mounted toilets are also ideal for small bathrooms, but you must ensure the dimensions of the toilet won’t take up too much space.
Price Points of Small Toilets
You can expect to spend different amounts of money on small toilets based on the manufacturer, toilet type, and superior features.
Below is a quick overview of how much you should budget when buying a small toilet.
Below $250
The Swiss Madison SM-WT450 wall-hung toilet is an excellent example of small toilets in this price range.
Some key features to expect here include water-saving flushing systems, wall-mount options, space-saving one-piece designs, and lightweight, easy-to-install toilets.
$360-$480
The American Standard Cadet 3 FloWise and Toto Eco UltraMax are excellent small bathroom toilets between $360 and $480.
Key features to expect here include lightweight one-piece toilets, space-saving round bowl, SoftClose seats, and water-saving flush systems.
800+
The Kohler San Souci toilet is a good choice for toilets above $800. You can expect features such as low-profile one-piece toilets, round bowls, and single flush systems.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
It can be tricky buying and installing a toilet for a small bathroom. Several aspects have to be right for the toilet to function well without any hitches. Here are some aspects to keep in mind.
Above-the-Toilet Fixtures
You might want to install your toilet under a bathroom fixture like a cabinet or shelf.
It’s important to first measure the distance from the floor to the fixture to ensure the toilet you buy will fit under it. An ideal toilet for this purpose would be a low-profile toilet, given its short tank.
Legal Requirements
Federal law requires both residential and commercial toilets to meet EPA standards for water-saving to reduce water wastage and enhance environmental conservation.
If you are putting up the toilet in a public space like a restaurant, there are ADA standards to fulfill, such as installing comfort height toilets that are more favorable for older and disabled people.
Furthermore, you must check with your state for any laws. For example, in California, you can’t install a toilet with a water consumption exceeding 1.28 gallons per flush.
Conclusion
The toilet you pick for your small bathroom should serve you well for several decades to come. Be sure to pick the best toilet depending on its size, bathroom size, preferences, and overall needs.
People Also Ask
Now that you have picked your favorite toilet for your bathroom, let’s end the discussion by looking at some questions people usually ask about toilets and small bathrooms.
A corner toilet is preferred as a space-saver in tiny bathrooms since the tank has a triangular shape that fits in corners easily. It’s also called a space-saving toilet or triangle toilet.
Besides the triangular shape, a corner toilet is ideal as it allows opening up the bathroom by leaving the middle space open.
A bathroom measuring 15-40 square feet is considered a small one.
