6 Best Handicap Toilets Reviewed for the Disabled and Elderly 

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Going to the bathroom is something people around the world do every day. It’s natural, but the task is challenging for millions with disabilities or health issues unless they have one of the best handicap toilets.

While this term is broad, toilets in this class are designed to make going to the bathroom easier for people that have difficulty using or transferring to a commode.

The best handicap toilet for many homeowners is the American Standard FloWise 3.

American Standard designed this versatile toilet with ease of use in mind for people with disabilities or the elderly, so it’s a little taller, well-built, and simple to maintain.

Whether you need a short, sturdy toilet or one that’s ADA compliant, rest assured we have an option for you.

Best Handicap Toilets – Our Picks

6 Best Handicap Toilets Reviewed

A toilet built for handicap people has to meet specific requirements. That’s easier said than done, given the array of ailments that can affect people, including the ability to use a commode comfortably. 

While you won’t find any commodes with grab bars in our handicap toilet reviews, you will find a range of options, including taller toilets that are easier on the knees and ones that flush automatically.


Best Overall

1. American Standard Cadet 3 FloWise Toilet

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PROS

  • ADA-compliant
  • PowerWash rim
  • 3-inch flush valve
  • Fully-skirted trapway
  • Universal height
  • Soft-closing seat

CONS

  • Mediocre seat

Accessibility is critical in bathrooms, but it’s hard to find a toilet that can meet any consumers’ demands – especially those with disabilities.

American Standard managed to pull off this rare feat with the Cadet 3 Flowise, a versatile toilet with a modern design. 

Do you prefer a trip lever on the right-hand side of the toilet instead of the left? That can be tricky to find and is essential when you have limitations.

The FloWise 3 allows homeowners to choose between left or right-handed flush lever, but you can also select a round or elongated toilet bowl. Both options have fully-skirted trapways, which helps keep maintenance to a minimum.

This toilet uses American Standard’s PowerWash rim system, and EverClean glazing keeps the bowl clean. It’s a single-flush commode at 1.28 GPF but powerful thanks to a 3-inch flush valve.

The Cadet 3 FloWise is a “right” height toilet, which means it’s suitable for anyone with an ADA-compliant height of 16.5 inches without a seat.

Whether you need an efficient toilet that saves space or a roomier bowl with a right-handed trip lever, the Cadet 3 has something for everyone.

That includes homeowners who simply want a comfortable toilet as easy to use as it is to clean. Consumers appreciated the large water area in the bowl and felt the toilet had plenty of flushing power as well.


Tallest

2. Convenient Height Store 20-inch Extra Tall Toilet

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PROS

  • 20 inches tall
  • Dual-flushing system
  • Sturdy metal trip lever
  • WaterSense certified
  • Slow-closing seat

CONS

  • It may be too tall for some

Taller ADA toilets are often considered a good choice for a disabled person or people with disabilities that make it difficult to sit or stand.

The best option for homeowners that want a taller commode comes from the Convenient Height Store with this 20-inch extra tall toilet.

While you may believe the height is the highlight of this tall commode, it has several features that set it apart from other handicap toilets.

It’s a dual-flush system geared towards efficiency with a flush rating of 1.28 GPF for solid waste or 0.8 gallons per flush for liquids.

The convenient height toilet not only has an efficient flush system, but it’s also built to last. It has an oversized solid metal trip lever that’s easy to access, and the toilet itself is structurally reinforced.

You can access the handle when the seat is up, and that seat will close slowly once you’re finished using the commode.

At 20 inches tall, this toilet may be too tall for shorter people, but it’s the best choice for average to taller individuals that have trouble transitioning to or from a toilet bowl.

It’s easier to get up from, and we like that it’s efficient enough to meet WaterSense standards. Remember the overall height of this model if people of different heights will use it.


Smartest

3. Trone Tahum Smart Electronic Bidet

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PROS

  • 1.28 GPF auto flush
  • Automated seat
  • Adjustable bidet features
  • Warm air dryer
  • Nightlight
  • Deodorizer

CONS

  • Height and style

Bidets have grown in popularity as more homeowners consider personal hygiene when toileting.

They aren’t necessarily handicap-friendly, however, the Trone Tahum is an exception and the best handicap toilet for homes looking for an automated bidet.

Trone went with a squared design for this toilet with an elongated bowl and rectangular seat. The design adds stability, although this toilet is shorter than ADA standards with the seat.

It can’t be replaced, but it’s smarter than most as it automatically opens and closes. You can use the remote, a foot sensor, or an automatic setting for the seat.

Flushing is handled in the same fashion – automatically. The Tahum can deodorize the air after a toilet’s been used and has a nightlight to help folks find their way in the dark.

The self-cleaning bidet system is also highly adjustable from the pressure to the temperature and wand position. Other noteworthy features include a heated seat, warm air dryer, and user presets.

It’s hard to find an issue with the Tahum even though it’s not considered a handicap toilet in the usual sense.

The bidet features are beneficial to hygiene, and the ability to have a toilet function automatically should not be overlooked. While this toilet offers several methods of control, the height and style will not be suitable for everyone.


Best Budget

4. Signature Hardware Bradenton ADA Compliant Toilet

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PROS

  • 1.28 GPF
  • 16.5 inches tall without a seat
  • Easy to maintain
  • Great price point

CONS

  • The seat could be better

Finding an accessible handicap toilet can be challenging if you have a tight budget and want a commode with an elongated bowl. Signature Hardware has the solution with the Bradenton, a two-piece ADA compliant toilet.

A two-piece toilet is generally more affordable, and the Bradenton certainly won’t break the bank.

The skirted trapway prevents dust and grime from building up, and homeowners found the toilet extremely easy to install. It has an extended bowl that’s 1.5 inches longer than a round one.

This toilet is 16.5 inches tall without a seat. It comes with a slow-close seat which gives it a boost. It doesn’t have quite the same flushing power as our top two choices but has an efficient flushing system with a rate of only 1.28 gallons per flush.  

The obvious draw of the Signature Hardware Bradenton is the price, but it’s the perfect height for most homeowners.

It’s simple to install, easy to use, and of average size compared to other two-piece handicap toilets. While the soft-close seat is a nice touch, some felt it wasn’t very comfortable.


Best One-Piece

5. KOHLER Memoirs Classic Compact Elongated Toilet

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PROS

  • Compact elongated bowl
  • AquaPiston flush valve
  • One-piece design
  • Skirted trapway
  • ADA compliant

CONS

  • The price tag

Many KOHLER toilets would be a great fit as a handicap toilet. The KOHLER Memoirs Classic, a compact toilet with a unique design, is the best choice when you need a full-size commode with an elongated bowl but don’t have much floor space.

This toilet is a perfect match for KOHLER’s memoirs collection, but it will look fantastic in any bathroom with a similar sense of style.

It’s one of the more stable toilets on our list because of the design, which features a compact elongated bowl. The tank and bowl on the Memoirs Classic are joined, so there’s less chance of leaks from this one-piece toilet.

The Memoirs Classic has a fully skirted, and it’s chair height at 16.5 inches from floor to bowl without a seat attached.

Flushing power comes from the company’s AquaPiston canister system. The bowl gets a 360-degree rinse every time the toilet is flushed, and it’s well above average in the flushing department at 1.28 GPF with a MaP score performance rating of 800.

This may not be the most budget-friendly handicap toilet, but it has plenty of style and a stable base that is both comfortable and compact.

It’s a low-maintenance system and a toilet that’s ADA-compliant out of the box, courtesy of the quiet-closing Glenbury toilet seat. The KOHLER Memoirs Classic is available in White, Biscuit, or Thunder Gray.


Best Compact

6. Swiss Madison St. Tropez Back to Wall Toilet

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PROS

  • Space-saving design
  • Elongated bowl
  • Slim soft-close seat
  • Glazed trapway

CONS

  • Short height

A wall-hung toilet isn’t the best idea for disabled people or the elderly compared to a traditional toilet.

If you like the “tankless” design of these commodes and have a smaller bathroom, the St. Tropez back-to-wall toilet from Swiss Madison is an interesting alternative with a similar design.

The St. Tropez may look like wall-mounted toilets, but it actually sits on the ground like floor-mounted toilets, increasing stability.

The back is completely flush with the wall, so it can save space in a bathroom when paired with a proper in-wall tank system. That’s a bonus, and so is the ability to mount a hands-free flush actuator plate in the perfect spot.

As for the toilet itself, the SM-WT514 has a glazed trapway and comes with a slow-closing seat with a streamlined design.

The height is around 15.5 inches with that seat, so it’s shorter than your average toilet. You can replace the toilet seat but will certainly want to keep the seat height in mindl.

The Swiss Madison St. Tropez is one of the best handicap toilets for shorter people, but it’s also an excellent choice for small bathrooms that need wheelchair or walker access.

The chances of falling are also minimized, considering it’s not mounted to the wall.

Keep the installation cost of an in-wall tank in mind and any extras unless you already have a carrier in place.


elderly with handicap toilet

How To Find the Best Handicap Toilet

When shopping for a handicap toilet online or locally, you’ll notice rather quickly they don’t come with an elevated toilet seat or other features designed for the disabled.

It’s just a name, so you won’t find any motorized toilets on our list. That’s partly due to the fact that rehabilitation facilities, senior care centers, and even hospitals use traditional toilets.

You can purchase specialized equipment to make access easier, but you still have to have a high-quality commode as a base.

The first thing you should consider is the needs of yourself and anyone that will use a handicap toilet.

That’s far more important than style, and in this guide, we’ll touch on the critical areas that should be on your checklist when looking for the best handicap toilet.

Consider Your Needs

What’s the reason you need a handicap toilet in your home? Do you have shoulder or back issues that limit upper mobility, or is the problem below the waist?

Sitting and standing from a commode can be difficult if you have problems with your knees or arthritis. Reaching on top of the toilet tank to press a flush lever isn’t ideal either.

Think about what makes using a standard toilet challenging, then decide if you need one that’s ADA-compliant.

handicap toilet

What Is an ADA Compliant Toilet?

One term you will frequently encounter when looking for any type of toilet is ADA-compliant.

These are guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act for the United States that ensure facilities meet specific requirements for people with handicaps.

With bathrooms, that includes the distance between the front of a toilet and the wall, toilet height, and other factors.

While you have to consider wheelchairs and walkers with bathroom access in a residential home, the term mainly refers to height.

If you have trouble getting up after using a toilet, you may want one that’s ADA-compliant. This means a toilet must be at least 17” tall or higher from the floor to the bowl with a seat attached.

Toilet Height

People without mobility issues have learned to enjoy comfort height toilets that comply to ADA standards, along with homeowners that have disabilities. These toilets are not the best choice for everyone, however.

Any toilet listed around 16.5 inches without a toilet seat is a comfort or chair height toilet. They are widely considered comfortable for people of average height to those well over 6’ tall. There are even “extra height” toilets between 19 to 21 inches if you require something taller.

People under 5’10” may prefer a standard height commode. These toilets are considered universal in height as they can accommodate a broader range of people once you factor in the seat.

You don’t want your feet to dangle as you sit on the bowl but rest comfortably on the ground with no stress on the legs or muscles.

You can’t make a tall toilet shorter, but you can pick up a raised toilet seat which adds 2-4 inches by simply choosing a taller toilet seat or one built to provide lift.

Ease of Use

Toilets should be comfortable, but they also need to be simple to maintain and use. That largely depends on the design, along with the type of disability the person has will use the commode.

If reaching for a trip-lever on the left side of a toilet is a problem, choose a model with a right-handed flush handle.

Most dual-flush toilets have mechanisms on the top, which may not be suitable as you have to reach up and around. An automatic flushing system is also an option but only available on premium toilets and intelligent commodes.

Maintenance also comes into play with ease of use. Toilets with an enclosed trapway are easier to keep clean.

One-piece toilets with a fully skirted trapway are the simplest to maintain but are priced at a premium compared to a two-piece toilet.

Toilet Bowl Shape

The shape of the bowl impacts three areas – the price, comfort, and bathroom space. If you need access to get a wheelchair into a bathroom, space is a significant concern, so a round bowl may be the best choice.

Round bowls are standard and something most people are accustomed to. They provide plenty of support and are up to 2 inches shorter than a toilet with an elongated bowl. Using less material also means they are cheaper regardless of the size or manufacturer.

By comparison, an elongated bowl is roomier, giving people more room to wipe. Most adults consider these bowls more comfortable, even if they aren’t a good choice for children.

Unless the toilet has a compact elongated bowl, it will also take up more floor space in a bathroom.

Flushing Power

Some toilets are more powerful than others. That depends on the flushing mechanism inside the toilet tank and has a lot to do with the toilet’s design.

If you currently have a toilet that has trouble clearing the bowl, you’ll want a system with a powerful flush.

Larger flush valves will accomplish this, and having a large trapway helps. The average flush valve is 2-inches, and bigger is usually better.

Even if a toilet has a 3-inch canister valve, it may not prevent waste from sticking to the bowl. That’s where glazing is essential. Glazing covers every bowl, but quality matters, and some are far more resistant to stains than others.

Dual-flush toilets are often the most efficient, but can lack power compared to a single-flush commode.

Having a toilet with a strong flushing system and good glazing will cut down on maintenance and ensure a clean bowl after every flush. 

The Bottom Line

There’s no reason to make going to the bathroom difficult, and choosing a commode suitable for people with a disability doesn’t have to be either if you follow our tips.

While there is no perfect option for everyone, the American Standard Cadet 3 FloWise Toilet is about as close as you can get.

It provides homeowners with a stable base to work with, along with the choice of flush lever placement and bowl shape.

Whatever model you choose, think about access and accessories to make life easier, whether it’s a set of grab bars or an elevated seat for your new commode.

FAQ

Can You Use a Bidet Toilet Seat on a Handicapped Toilet?

Yes, you can put a bidet toilet seat on a handicap toilet. But you have to make sure it’s the right fit for the commode and it doesn’t have any supply lines or features that could complicate things for users.  

What Is the Weight Capacity on Toilets for Disabled People?

The weight limit for handicap toilets or any ADA toilet is the same as regular ones. We found that most floor-mounted bowls have a weight limit of 500 pounds. Toilet seats often have the same weight limit. 

Is a Wall-hung Bowl a Good Idea for a Disabled Person Compared to Regular Toilets?

It depends on the person’s disability or impairment. Wall-hung toilets require less floor space and are more accessible than a regular toilet in that regard.

A handicapped person that has trouble with balance or requires stability may prefer a floor mounted toilet over a wall hung bowl, however. 

Are Dual-flush Toilets Easier To Flush Than Standard Toilets?

With ADA compliant toilets, we found that top-mounted flush actuators can be more challenging for people with handicaps. 

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