Best Low Flow Toilets: 7 Efficient Models

If you have an older toilet in your home, you might be shocked by how much water it uses. In fact, an efficient toilet with WaterSense certification can shave up to $140 or more from your water bill every year.

The best low flow toilets will do that, and while efficient, they are also incredibly stylish.

The Cadet-3 FloWise from American Standard toilet is a prime example as it’s designed for conservation while keeping modern bathrooms in mind.

Whether you’re interested in a traditional commode or one that can flush itself, we’ve found a variety of low flow toilets suitable for any bathroom or budget.

Best Low Flow Toilets – Our Picks

• Best Overall: American Standard Compact Cadet 3 Toilet
  Efficient and stylish, the Compact Cadet 3 is a comfortable commode with a one-piece design and plenty of power.
• Runner-Up: TOTO Carlyle II 1G Universal Height Toilet
  With a rate of only 1.0 GPF, this water-conserving toilet complies with the CALGreen standards and has an elongated bowl with a skirted trapway.
• Best Budget: Swiss Madison Well Made Chateau Toilet
  The Chateau is a standard height toilet with a streamlined design and affordable price tag. This dual-flush system is also efficient at 1.28 or 0.8 GPF.
• Best Tankless: American Standard Studio S Toilet
  A fully skirted trapway and tankless design are two highlights of the sleek Studio S, an ADA-compliant toilet that only uses 1 gallon per flush.
• Smartest: Smartest: TOTO Washlet G400 Integrated Toilet
  With a hands-free design and multiple wash zones, the efficient G400 washlet brings comfort and style to any bathroom.
• Most Efficient: Swiss Madison Dreux High-Efficiency Toilet
  The stylish Dreux is a single-flush toilet with an excellent MaP score and flush rating of 0.8 GPF through vacuums-assisted technology.
• Best Round: KOHLER Wellworth Two-Piece Toilet
  A Class Five flushing system provides plenty of power to the Wellworth, a traditional round bowl toilet with a flush rating of 1.28 GPF.

7 Best Low Flow Toilets Reviewed

An influx of water-efficient fixtures has hit the market in recent years, making finding the best options challenging.

You can find low flow toilets from dozens of manufacturers, and we’ve compiled a list featuring 7 of the best low flow toilets with a flush rate of 1.28 GPF or lower.

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1. American Standard Compact Cadet 3 FloWise Toilet

When you’re interested in an efficient toilet, American Standard is one of the first brands to turn to. Their popular Cadet line can answer a variety of homeowners’ needs, including those who want an efficient and compact toilet.

American Standard designed this toilet with comfort and ease of use in mind. The one-piece design cuts down on maintenance, and it has a compact, elongated bowl.

There aren’t as many crevices to deal with, and you’ll never have to worry about leaks from a two-piece design.

The Cadet 3-FloWise is one of the taller options on our list, with a height of 16.5 inches from floor to bowl.

This toilet achieves an impressive MaP score of 1,000 despite the rating of 1.28 gallons per flush. It’s a single-flush commode with a 3-inch flush valve and FloWise technology.

The surface of the toilet is treated with EverClean to prevent bacteria growth, and it comes with a soft-closing toilet seat.

The Cadet 3 is the best low flow toilet for homeowners that want a one-piece toilet with plenty of flushing power. With some toilets built for water conservation, that can be an issue, but not with the Cadet 3 FloWise.

It performs as advertised, and we like the fact it comes in three different colors with a choice of a left or right-handed trip lever.

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2. TOTO Carlyle II 1G Universal Height Toilet

One-piece toilets are a great way to cut back on cleaning time, and many homeowners find them easier to install. While TOTO has a number of stunning one-piece commodes, the Carlyle II 1G is engineered for efficiency.

The design of this low flow toilet will look good in any bathroom, but the highlight is the flushing technology.

The Carlyle II only uses 1.0 gallons of water with each flush. Thanks to the Tornado flushing system, you’ll never have to worry about a dirty bowl either.

Two powerful jets replace the rim holes on this toilet, ensuring a clean bowl. Their CEFIONTECT glazing helps as well, along with the large 3-inch flush valve.

An elongated bowl provides plenty of room to maneuver on this toilet. It’s a little under ADA standards at 16.1 inches, although the included soft-closing seat and lid help bring this toilet up to those requirements.

The Carlyle II 1G is the perfect alternative to our top choice when you need a sleeker toilet with a more efficient flush rate.

It’s CALGreen compliant, which is ideal for homeowners in California and other regions where water restrictions are tight. The only drawback is the price compared to similar options.

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3. Swiss Madison Well Made Chateau Toilet

Dual-flush toilets are often priced at a premium as they allow people to conserve water depending on the type of flush they need. Swiss Madison bucked that trend with the Chateau, a one-piece low flow toilet with a modern design.

One glance at the Chateau is all it takes to know it’s different. It’s a compact toilet with a space-saving design and smooth curves. It’s one-piece, which cuts down on cleaning even if the trapway isn’t fully enclosed.

The Chateau isn’t in the comfort height class as it’s a compact low flow toilet. It measures 15.5 inches tall without a seat but still has an elongated bowl.

The slow-closing seat will add a bit more height and a dual-flushing mechanism on top of the tank makes this toilet efficient.

For a partial flush, it uses 0.8 gallons of water and only needs 1.28 GPF to flush solid waste.  While it has a smaller 2-inch flush valve, the trapway is 2.75 inches.

Swiss Madison Well Made toilets have gained popularity because of their attractive designs and reasonable price tags.

The Chateau is the best option for a budget-friendly toilet with dual-flush capabilities. Some consumers found this toilet a little more challenging to install due to its size, but that’s the only significant complaint.

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4. American Standard Studio S Toilet

Manufacturers have strived to find new ways to save space in bathrooms. Tankless toilets are one of the latest innovations, and they are also very efficient.

The top tankless water-saving toilet comes from American Standard with the sleek Studio S.

The Studio S may resemble a smart toilet, but you won’t need electricity for this low-profile commode. With a 1.0 gallons per flush rating, this toilet is geared for efficiency but designed for comfort.

This toilet has a height of 16.5 inches without a seat. According to American Standard, it’s “right height” and will fall into ADA compliance with the slim seat attached. That seat detaches in seconds through a quick-release mechanism and has slow-close hinges.

Toilets with fully skirted trapways are the best choice for low maintenance, and the design of the Studio S certainly makes it a breeze to keep clean. The CleanCurve rim also helps by eliminating narrow crevices where grime collects.

While the Studio S only needs a gallon of water to flush, the bowl stays tidy because of the dual waterways and PowerFlo flushing system.

The height and length will be comfortable for most homeowners as well.  The Studio S is sleek but requires around 2-3 more inches of depth than a traditional low flow toilet.

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5. TOTO Washlet G400 Integrated Toilet

Smart toilets are better known for their features than efficiency, but sometimes you can find a commode that provides the best of both worlds. The tankless TOTO G400 toilet is an efficient low flow toilet with an integrated washlet and an amazing array of features.

The G400 has a similar design to the Studio S as both are tankless systems with streamlined, modern designs. That’s where the similarities end, however.

As you approach this low flow toilet, the lid will automatically open. The seat is heated, and a built-in air deodorizer can help remove unwanted odors from the bathroom.

It will even flush itself based on the type of waste left in the bowl with a rate of 0.9 for a half flush and 1.28 GPF at full power.

3D Tornado Flush technology utilizes three nozzles to clean the bowl and send waste down the trapway. The company’s CEFIONTECT glaze prevents any build-up along with a pre-misting rinse before the toilet is put to use.

TOTO gave this intelligent toilet dual wash zones with five adjustable pressure and temperature settings.

This hands-free toilet is the best low flow toilet for smart homes and is perfect for people interested in a low flow bidet system.

The bidet features are top-tier, but we’re big fans of the automated nature of the G400 and the efficient Tornado flushing system.

Remember to keep the size of this toilet in mind and the price if you need a professional installation. 

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6. Swiss Madison Dreux High-Efficiency Toilet

We’ve seen more companies move towards toilets that use a gallon of water per flush. While it’s not uncommon to find a dual-flush low flush toilet under a gallon, the Swiss Madison Dreux takes things a step further.

A flush rate of 0.8 gallons per flush makes the Dreux the most efficient toilet to make our list. Even more impressive is the fact it has a MaP score of 1,000.

That puts it on par with powerful flushers like the Cadet line, courtesy of the company’s vacuum-assist elite technology and a 3-inch trapway.

The pressurized flushing system transfers air with each flush to clear the bowl with less water. This toilet has a fully-skirted trapway with access holes on either side for easy installation.

It also has an extended bowl and a quick-release toilet seat that puts the Dreux a little over 16 inches tall.

Swiss Madison put a lot of thought into the design of this dual-flush toilet as it’s easy on the eyes and incredibly efficient.

It doesn’t have the problem with other toilets this size because of the vacuum-assisted design and certainly won’t break the bank.

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7. KOHLER Wellworth Two-Piece Toilet

Most of the best low flow toilets have one thing in common; a modern one-piece design. Homeowners interested in something more traditional will appreciate the KOHLER Wellworth, a two-piece toilet with a round bowl.

Elongated toilet bowls may be more comfortable for men and women, but they take up more space and are more expensive. The Wellworth K-33987-0 provides a more traditional approach with a rounded bowl and shorter height.

This is a standard height toilet at 14.5 inches without a seat which puts it over 15 inches tall. It has a sturdy chrome trip-lever that triggers the Class Five flushing mechanism in the tank.

That includes a 3-inch canister flush valve which gives the KOHLER Wellworth a flush rating of 1.28 gallons per flush.

The design of this low flow toilet won’t be for everyone, especially for homeowners interested in something a bit more modern.

It’s powerful, however, with a MaP score of 1,000 and has a price tag that’s tough to beat. An elongated version of the WellWorth is also available if you prefer an extended bowl.

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How To Find the Best Water Saving Toilet

As the United States and the rest of the world turn towards water conservation, we’ve seen manufacturers across various industries take up the cause. That includes companies that produce toilets, which can use more water than you think,

The best low flow toilet will save water and money on the utility bill while providing your home with a more effective flush.

Whether you’ve been considering an efficient commode or committed to a low flow toilet for your home, our guide will tell you what to look for.

Flush Rates

If you’re looking for the best smart toilet or a high-end bidet seat, there are other areas you’ll need to focus on before getting to the flush rate. Well, it’s the first specification to consider with the best low flow toilets.

Measured in GPF or gallons per flush, this rate tells you how much water a toilet will use every time it’s flushed.

The maximum flush rate allowed under current standards in the United States is 1.6 gallons per flush. While 1.6 GPF provides more than enough water power to clean a well-designed toilet bowl, that’s more water than is allowed in some areas.

A toilet needs a rating of 1.28 GPF to qualify as a low flow toilet. This is the standard in California and other areas prone to drought. The best low flow toilet should have a rate at 1.28 gallons per flush or below.

Read more: 1.28 GPF VS 1.6 GPF Toilets: Which One To Choose?

Flushing Systems

While the flush rate measured in GPF lets homeowners know how much water a toilet uses, it doesn’t tell you anything about the flushing power.

Flushing power comes down to the mechanism inside the toilet, along with the design of the bowl and trapway. It all starts with  gravity with most toilets, which helps push water and waste through a bowl with a flush valve.

There are more than a half-dozen types of flushing mechanisms, although the styles below are popular with any water saving toilet.

• Gravity Flush – This is the most popular flush system and something you’ll find on almost every toilet to make our list. These commodes have a valve and the weight of water to power each flush. They are simple, effective, and easy to maintain.

• Pressure Assist – When you see pressure assisted toilets, they have a small air-filled tank inside the toilet tank. When the toilet flushes, a blast of pressurized air helps strengthen the flush. These toilets can use less water without sacrificing power. They are more expensive and louder, however.

• Dual Flush – Any system with two flush rates listed is considered a dual-flush toilet. These toilets have trip levers with a set GPF rate for solid or partial flushes. While they can be more challenging to repair, they are cost-effective and a significant improvement over single-flush commodes.

The Design

When you understand the flush rates and technology behind the systems, think about the design of the toilet.

There are hundreds of models with styles ranging from modern to traditional toilets, but it comes down to a one or two-piece design for most homeowners.

Two-piece toilets were the only option for decades before giving way to one-piece toilets. Both perform in the same way when it’s time to flush, but there are significant differences when it comes to maintenance and price.

A one-piece low flow toilet is easier to maintain. There’s less chance for leaks considering the tank and bowl are already attached – not bolted together.

That design also makes them easier to clean. There aren’t as many crevies to deal with, which cuts down on maintenance even if the toilet doesn’t have a fully concealed trapway.

This type of low flow toilet is more expensive than two-piece models and can be more challenging to deal with in some cases.

Moving and installing a commode in two pieces is certainly easier than managing one piece of porcelain weighing over 100 pounds. While more affordable, these commodes are also easier to replace if something goes wrong.

If there’s an issue, you can buy a replacement tank or even change the bowl style, which isn’t an option with one-piece commodes. If you’re unsure which type is right for your home, check out our one vs. two-piece toilet breakdown.

Comfort

Features generally aren’t a concern with low flow toilets outside of the trip lever location unless you opt for a brainy commode. Comfort isn’t necessarily a feature, but the last thing to consider when shopping for the best water saving toilet.

Most people think about a toilet seat when it comes to comfort, but it starts with the height and the size of the bowl.

A round toilet bowl is cheaper and provides more stability for children and smaller individuals. They also save depth in bathrooms, something many homeowners overlook. By comparison, an elongated toilet bowl adds 1-2 inches to the front of the bowl.

Elongated bowls are more popular and considered comfortable by most adults. With that in mind, they will increase the cost and are not the best choice for smaller bathrooms.

The height of a toilet can also raise the price of a toilet, although not like an extended bowl. Height is arguably more important than bowl shape, especially for tall homeowners or people with mobility issues that have trouble sitting or standing.

Chair or comfort height low flow toilets usually range around 16-17 inches in height. Anything below that mark is considered standard height. Measurements are typically given without seats, which can add another inch or more in height.

The Verdict

Finding a low flow toilet that saves water is a great way to help the environment while conserving money with each flush. After seeing the stylish low flow toilets available, it’s easy to understand why more homeowners and manufacturers are turning to these efficient models.

The American Standard Compact Cadet 3 is the best low flow toilet for most people – especially those concerned with flushing power. That will never be a problem with this commode which has a modern design and attractive price tag.

The TOTO Washlet G400 Integrated Toilet is a fantastic alternative for homeowners interested in a bidet low flow toilet, while the KOHLER Wellworth is best suited for people looking for something traditional and affordable.

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