New toilet recommendations

Remodel in progress and want to replace my toilet with a new elongated unit.

Which ones should I stay away from?
What do the experts recommend?

Of course I'm trying to keep the cost down as usual.

Thank you

I use the Gerber Viper in my rental properties, and have used them for years without a problem. I like them do much that I replaced 2 of the 3 toilets in my own house with the Viper. Elongated white toilet costs around $125 at the plumbing supply house.

American Standard Champ 4 comfort height. That thing will flush a badger.

I'm also replacing my toilet and looking at home Depot I see that their toilets start at $99 and go to about $400. is their really a difference in performance, etc.?

yes you get what you pay for......i use TOTO and KOHLER

I personally like the Toto Drake with Sanagloss (I think they now call it CeFiONtect™). The Drake has a 1,000 MAP rating and a 3" flush valve so it flushes efficiently and does not splash. Mine is the 1.6GPF version. It also comes with 1.28GPF (called the Eco Drake). Of course, you can get it for cheaper without the sanagloss. For that matter, you could get the Toto Entrada for even less. It is single flush and has a narrower tank, but it has the 3" flush valve.
I've had the Drake since 2008 and it works great. I'm going to install another when I finish remodeling my bathroom and I plan to buy a 3rd one for another bathroom reno.

I don't like American Standard toilets because I've always found the kind that splash when they flush.

lamothe1 said:

I'm also replacing my toilet and looking at home Depot I see that their toilets start at $99 and go to about $400. is their really a difference in performance, etc.?

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If you haven't bought a toilet in the last 5 - 7 years you will be surprised at what is available. In order of importance I would say:

#1 flush performance
#2 ease of cleaning
#3 Seat height

The ones with high flush performance are amazing! They will flush anything that can fit down the hole.
As for cleaning, look for toilets that have a rise from the bowl to the tank so than nothing ever gets into the joint between tank and bowl. One piece units are even better if you want to pay a premium. Anti bacterial finish inside the bowl is nice but a bit overrated from what I have seen.
I'm not that picky but lots of people (average sized adult) prefer the taller seat height. Or, if this will be for a family home with small kids, short height is better.
No need to talk about water saving features. You can't buy a toilet that uses more than 1.6 gallons per flush. Lower flush volumes and dual flush are available if necessary. Stay away from anything that is "smart"! You don't need a lighted toilet and hands free flush is for public restrooms, not you house.

I go along with Jeff. I have the Gerber viper and it works great. Also Mansfield makes some nice toilets
too, but I prefer Gerber. The Mansfield Products factory is about 5 miles from me.

I really like the Gerber Vipers. I put 2 of them in our house, 2 in a a rental house and 6 in our church. You might get a skid mark sometimes, but that washes away with the next flush.
However, I used the $99 toilets from HD a few months ago for a house that we flipped. Those toilets are fine and they worked ok, but I thought the flush valve was cheap. I would not use it for my own house.

The Gerber toilet seat is too cheap. the thin plastic part that stays bolted to the bowl is very thin and breaks easily and only a thin piece of plastic snaps down to keep the seat from sliding out from the receiver on the bowl. Church toilet seats are much more durable and functional.
I don't like Kohler because most of the parts are proprietary. Toto is good. I have also installed Mansfield and American Standard without problems.

I believe that Church & Mansfield are subsidiaries of Bemis (if you ask any questions about those brands on HomeDepot, someone from Bemis answers). Bemis, Church, and Mansfield ones have some seats that advertise "sta-tite hinges" or something like that. They have some system where it locks the seat on and supposedly doesn't need tightening. Only complaint I've heard about the ones that make their seats out of wood coated in enamel is that the enamel can start to peel off.

I have a Kohler seat with a closed cell foam cushion that is not cold to the touch and is nice and comfy. It also doesn't stick to your skin like some toilet seats. Unfortunately, it stains from skin oils so they discontinued that seat. So after about 9 years of use, the seat looks horrible, but it's still comfortable.

Geofd said:

yes you get what you pay for......i use TOTO and KOHLER

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Toto FTW. I like the eco ultra max 11 but it is a bit spendy. I seem to recall $400. Gerbers are decent quality for the money.

I chose Kohler highlands elongated for $170 and I'll report the results. Could be a while though. .