Upgrading to a low-flow toilet is one of the most effective and immediate ways to reduce your household water consumption. Modern high-efficiency models have come a long way, offering powerful flush performance while using significantly less water per flush—often 20% to 60% less than older toilets. This not only lowers your utility bills but also contributes to vital water conservation efforts. With options ranging from basic, reliable designs to feature-packed smart toilets, there is a perfect water-saving model for every bathroom and budget.
Choosing the right toilet involves considering bowl shape, height, flushing technology, and installation type. This roundup highlights eight of the best low-flow toilets available, each selected for its efficiency, performance, and positive user feedback. Whether you prioritize a powerful pressure-assisted flush, a sleek one-piece design for easy cleaning, or advanced features like a bidet seat, you’ll find a standout option here to meet your needs.
Our Recommended Low-Flow Toilets
- KOHLER K-6669-0 Memoirs Stately Comfort Height Toilet
- American Standard Cadet 3 Round Front High Efficiency Toilet
- TOTO MS992CUMFG#01 Neorest 700H Dual Flush Toilet
- Duravit 2544090000 Darling New Wall Mount Toilet
- TOTO Drake Two-Piece Elongated TORNADO FLUSH Toilet
- DeerValley Symmetry One Piece Dual Flush Toilet
- KOHLER K-3987-0 Highline Pressure-Assisted Toilet
- American Standard H2Option Dual Flush Toilet
KOHLER K-6669-0 Memoirs Stately Comfort Height Toilet
This Kohler model combines classic styling with user-friendly features for a comfortable and efficient experience. The elongated bowl and Comfort Height design make it easier for most adults to sit down and stand up. It uses only 1.28 gallons per flush, meeting WaterSense criteria for water conservation.
Beyond comfort, it is designed for simpler maintenance. The concealed trapway and low-profile Clean Caps create a smooth silhouette with fewer crevices where dirt and germs can collect, making routine cleaning faster and more effective. The reliable AquaPiston flush technology provides a strong, single-flush performance.
American Standard Cadet 3 Round Front High Efficiency Toilet
The American Standard Cadet 3 is a reliable and affordable entry into high-efficiency flushing. Its round front bowl is ideal for smaller bathrooms where space is a concern. Certified by WaterSense, it uses 20% less water than standard 1.6 GPF models while maintaining excellent flush performance.
This toilet is built to last and comes with strong warranty coverage, including a lifetime warranty on the china and a 5-year warranty on mechanical parts. The 10-inch rough-in is a common measurement, making it a straightforward replacement for many existing toilets. It offers solid value and trusted performance.
TOTO MS992CUMFG#01 Neorest 700H Dual Flush Toilet
The TOTO Neorest represents the peak of toilet technology and luxury. This all-in-one smart toilet features an integrated bidet seat with multiple cleansing functions, including oscillating and pulsating sprays with adjustable water temperature and pressure. The seat is heated, and the lid opens and closes automatically.
It is also highly efficient, offering a dual-flush system of 1.0 and 0.8 GPF. The skirted design and proprietary CeFiONtect glaze create an ultra-smooth bowl surface that resists stains and mold, minimizing the need for cleaning. Additional features like an air deodorizer, a nightlight, and a Premist function make it a fully featured bathroom centerpiece.
Duravit 2544090000 Darling New Wall Mount Toilet
For a sleek, modern look and maximum floor space, this wall-hung toilet from Duravit is an excellent choice. The wall-mounted design makes cleaning the floor underneath simple and creates a spacious, open feel in the bathroom. It uses an efficient wash-down flushing system.
The tank is concealed within the wall during installation, contributing to its minimalist aesthetic. This model is also compatible with Duravit’s Sensowash shower toilet seat, allowing you to add advanced bidet functions later. It’s a sophisticated option for contemporary bathroom designs.
TOTO Drake Two-Piece Elongated TORNADO FLUSH Toilet
The TOTO Drake is consistently praised for its powerful and reliable performance. Its key feature is the TORNADO FLUSH system, which uses two nozzles to create a centrifugal, swirling rinse that cleans the entire bowl thoroughly with every use. Combined with the CeFiONtect glaze, this leads to a cleaner bowl with less maintenance.
This WaterSense certified model uses only 1.28 GPF and is designed to be WASHLET+ ready, so you can easily add a TOTO bidet seat in the future. It features an elongated bowl for comfort and a standard 12-inch rough-in, making it a versatile and high-performing choice for most homes.
DeerValley Symmetry One Piece Dual Flush Toilet
The DeerValley Symmetry offers a streamlined, one-piece design at a competitive price point. Its fully skirted trapway creates seamless, modern lines and eliminates hard-to-reach areas, making it very easy to clean. Despite its compact footprint, it features an elongated bowl for added seating comfort.
This toilet includes a dual-flush mechanism, allowing you to choose between a 1.1 GPF liquid flush or a 1.6 GPF solid flush for optimal water savings. The siphon flushing action is both powerful and relatively quiet. It’s a practical and stylish option that works well in smaller bathrooms.
KOHLER K-3987-0 Highline Pressure-Assisted Toilet
When maximum flushing power is the top priority, this pressure-assisted Kohler Highline model delivers. It uses compressed air to create an exceptionally strong flush that clears the bowl effectively, making it a suitable choice for households that frequently deal with clogs or require superior waste removal.
The toilet still maintains water efficiency with a 1.28 GPF rating. It also includes the Comfort Height elongated bowl for easier use. The two-piece design is familiar for installation, and the pressure-assist technology provides a performance edge that can be reassuring for many users.
American Standard H2Option Dual Flush Toilet
American Standard’s H2Option toilet puts water conservation directly in the user’s control with its dual-flush system. You can select a partial flush for liquid waste using only 0.92 gallons or a full flush for solid waste using 1.28 gallons, allowing for significant water savings based on daily use.
It comes with a slow-close seat that prevents slamming, adding a touch of convenience and quiet. The elongated bowl offers extra comfort, and the design is compatible with a standard 12-inch rough-in. This model is a straightforward, effective way to upgrade to a more efficient and user-controlled flushing system.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Low-Flow Toilet
When I started looking for a low-flow toilet to replace my old water-guzzler, I quickly realized there’s more to it than just picking the prettiest one. The goal is to save a ton of water without sacrificing performance. Nobody wants a toilet that clogs more than it flushes. So, here’s what I learned you should really pay attention to when choosing from the 8 best low-flow toilets to save water.
First, understand the specs. All modern toilets are “low-flow” by law, using 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF) or less. The real stars are the high-efficiency (HET) and ultra-high-efficiency models. HET toilets use 1.28 GPF, saving about 20% more water than the standard. Then you have the real overachievers, like pressure-assisted or dual-flush models, that can get down to 0.8 or 1.0 GPF. If you’re serious about cutting your water bill, aiming for 1.28 GPF or lower is the way to go.
Next, consider the flush technology. This is what makes or breaks a toilet. Gravity-flush is the most common; it’s quiet, reliable, and has fewer parts to break. Look for models with a fully glazed trapway (the pipe inside the bowl) and a larger flush valve (3 inches is better than 2). Then there’s pressure-assisted flush. These use air pressure to create a very forceful, effective flush. They’re great for avoiding clogs but can be noisier. Finally, you have dual-flush toilets, which give you a choice: a lower-volume flush for liquid waste and a full-power flush for solids. This can lead to the biggest water savings of all.
Don’t forget about the bowl shape and toilet height. An elongated bowl is generally more comfortable for adults, while a round front saves space in a small bathroom. For comfort and accessibility, a “chair height” or “comfort height” toilet (typically 17 to 19 inches from floor to seat) is much easier to sit on and stand up from compared to the standard 15-inch height. It’s a small change that makes a big difference, especially for taller people or anyone with mobility concerns.
Finally, look at the MaP (Maximum Performance) score. This independent rating tells you how many grams of solid waste a toilet can clear in a single flush. A higher score (600 and above is excellent) means better performance and fewer clogs. Always check reviews for real-world feedback on noise and cleaning ease, too. A toilet with a lot of crevices or a poor glaze can be a nightmare to keep clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do low-flow toilets actually work well, or do they clog easily?
This was my biggest worry. Older 1.6 GPF models from the 1990s earned a bad reputation, but technology has improved dramatically. Today’s best low-flow toilets, especially those with high MaP scores, are engineered for power. Features like larger flush valves, glazed trapways, and improved bowl design make them highly effective. While any toilet can clog if misused, a well-made modern low-flow model should handle its business just as well as an old 3.5-gallon toilet, if not better.
How much money can I really save with a low-flow toilet?
The savings can be significant. Replacing an old toilet (from before 1994) that uses 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush with a 1.28 GPF model can save a family of four over $100 per year on their water bill, and even more if they have a septic system (less water pumped) or live in an area with high sewer charges. The savings add up over the lifespan of the toilet, often paying for the initial cost. When you look at the 8 best low-flow toilets to save water, you’re really looking at an investment that pays you back.
What’s the difference between a single-flush and a dual-flush toilet?
A single-flush toilet uses the same amount of water for every flush, typically 1.28 gallons. A dual-flush toilet has two buttons or levers: one for a partial flush (around 0.8 to 1.0 GPF) for liquid waste, and one for a full flush (usually 1.28 or 1.6 GPF) for solid waste. This flexibility can lead to even greater water savings, as most flushes are for liquid. However, some people find the two-button system confusing for guests, and the mechanisms can be slightly more complex.
Are pressure-assisted toilets worth the extra noise?
It depends on your priorities. Pressure-assisted toilets use a sealed inner tank that compresses air to create a very powerful, scour-the-bowl-clean flush. They are extremely effective at preventing clogs and often have the highest MaP scores. The trade-off is a louder, more abrupt “whoosh” sound compared to the gentle swirl of a gravity-flush toilet. They can also be more expensive and harder to repair yourself. For a busy household or a bathroom where performance is the top concern, they are often worth it.
Is a “comfort height” toilet really that much better?
In my opinion, yes. Standard toilets are about 15 inches tall, while comfort height models are 17 to 19 inches—similar to a standard chair. This makes sitting down and standing up much easier, especially for older adults, tall people, or anyone with knee or hip issues. It’s a feature you’ll appreciate every single day. Just make sure it’s comfortable for all users in your home, as smaller children might find it a bit tall.