Toto Toilet Review After 14 Years
If you’re looking for a toilet that rarely if ever fails then you’ll want to read this Toto toilet review. We’ve had 3 Toto toilets for more than 14 years and will never buy another brand.
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Toto Toilet Review
Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing one, having a good toilet is something you don’t want to worry about. We’ve remodeled three bathrooms in our 1964 house and have installed Toto toilets in all three with zero regrets.
After nearly 50 years it was time to update our bathrooms. Fortunately we didn’t have to do them all at the same time or we would have had to take out a loan.
This is our hall bathroom after remodeling it in the fall of 2013.
See more of our hall bathroom remodel from 2013 here ==> Hall Bathroom Renovation & Details
For obvious reasons we needed a new toilet in that hall bathroom in addition to the new tile, tub, vanity, and hardware. Our youngest made this sign as a reminder. 😄
We all hated the old toilet. It was apparently an early model of the water-saving type toilets and didn’t always, ahem, perform it’s task well.
We chose a Toto toilet for each bathroom at my husband’s recommendation. He’s well known for thoroughly researching a product before he invests in it, and found the Toto Drake toilet with softclose seat to be the best investment and most recommended, so that’s what we ordered.
Here’s how it looks in our primary bathroom, remodeled in 2012.
Want to see more of this bathroom and how we made our vanity? Read more here ==> How to Make a Vanity from a Buffet or Dresser
After having them installed in our primary and hall bathrooms and loving them so much, we also had one installed in our half bathroom when we updated it in 2016. Here’s how that one looks.
See more of this room here ==> Half Bathroom Renovation Reveal & Details
Toto Toilet Best Features
It’s a toilet, right? But there are definitely things that matter when purchasing one.
Reliability
It doesn’t matter how pretty the outside of the toilet is if what goes in doesn’t always go down. Know what I mean? The model we have features the Tornado flush which is more effective with one flush than most are with two flushes. Â
In the 14 years since we had our master bath Toto toilet installed, it has performed perfectly 99.9% of the time. It would be 100%, but there has been once or twice when too much toilet paper caused it to backup. Â It didn’t overflow completely, but did struggle and have to be plunged. Â Also, we have a 60+ year old house with old plumbing, and even the best toilet can’t always overcome that.
Easy to Clean
There are no marks or stains even after 14 years. And it’s very easy to clean. One of the nice features of the Tornado flush is that it the force of the water reduces waste buildup and keeps the bowl cleaner.
Comfortable
If you’ve ever been on toilet that’s not too small or short then you’ll appreciate a comfortable one.
Quiet
Compared to other toilets, the flush and seat are quiet. The soft close seat is just what it sounds like. Â It closes slowly and silently and is nice for those times when your bladder makes you visit the loo in the middle of the night and you don’t want to wake anyone else up when you close the lid.
NOTE – if we could go back and change anything about the toilets, we would upgrade to the Washlet bidet seat.
Needs Improvement
Although it’s nearly perfect, there’s always room for improvement.
Generic Style
The style of the toilets are pretty basic and they look very utilitarian. There are prettier models from different brands, but let me tell you…there’s nothing uglier than when a toilet overflows, and nothing more frustrating than having to keep an ugly, gross plunger right next to a “pretty” one just in case it’s needed.Â
Price
It’s expensive. Yes, there are cheaper models. But our Toto toilets work like a tank and has for 14 years in our home.
Replacement Parts
The only thing we’ve had to replace is the flapper in one toilet and the fill valve replacement on another. Only Toto parts will work with Toto toilets and they’re not cheap either. But they do last a long time.
Recap
If you’re shopping for a reliable, easy to clean, comfortable toilet then I can highly recommend purchasing one from Toto. No fuss, no worries, no problems. They get the job done right every time.
Where to Buy Toto Toilets
You can find them at various places online.
Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below. I’ll answer to the best of my ability.
Huge improvement Angie! I love it and am quite jealous because our toilet seats consist of 2 oak colored ones and a foam padded one. Love a house built in the 80's. They are definitely on our to-do list… I'll head over to see what National Builder Supply has in stock. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks, Holly! I'll bet your 80's bathrooms are in better shape than our 60's ones! One remodel down, 1 1/2 to go!
Great post Angie! I had to laugh out loud when I saw here duct taped sign to the toilet lid! LOL
Thanks, Clydia. I laughed out loud when I saw it the first time too. My daughter is a hoot!
First of all, Angie, your master bath remodel is gorgeous, love your repurposed buffet! Having done that room, I'm sure it is helping as you plan for your guest bath, not to mention all the toilet testing involved. Like nails on a chalkboard, the clatter of a toilet seat slamming down can annoy the heck out of me, so I'm really liking the sound of that softclose seat. I'm heading over now to check out National Builder Supply as I have a few rooms in the works, myself. Nice giveaway, too ~ Amy
Thanks, Amy! We love the way the master bath turned out and can't wait to tackle the guest bath. And that softclose seat is so nice! Have a great week!
Angie, I love the meme, all the different names for a bathroom! Crapper my personal fav! 😉 And yes, while toilets aren't "beautiful" in the sense of being aesthetically pleasing, you are so right, that panic you feel as the dirty water is cresting that top is horrific! I say your toilet is a beauty, and I don't say that to all the bloggers! 😉 ~ xo
I love that meme too! It made me giggle when I first found it. Function over form is my motto when it comes to neccessary items like a toilet. Not that this one is ugly, but I've seen some more "decorative" ones that have not worked well. And that's not very attractive at all!
Thanks for dropping by!
It's the little things that make the biggest difference. I could hear the relief in your voice to have everything in working order. I've never experienced a soft close toilet seat, but it sounds wonderful.
And the faucet is beautiful! I'll have to check out National Builder Supply…I have a bathroom remodel in mind. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, we are certainly relieved to not have to worry about the toilet overflowing any longer. The softclose seat is a nice little luxury. And you're right, it is the little things…
Be sure to check them out. Their products and service are great, and their prices can't be beat. Thanks for dropping by!
Sounds like a great toilet- we have to hold the handle down on ours to make sure everything goes away….
It is a great toilet. A toilet is definitely something that you take for granted when it works, but if it doesn't…aaack! Thanks for stopping by!
Love your daughter's sign on the old toilet. Gave me a good laugh. The new toilet looks so nice, and how wonderful to have a soft close toilet seat. (I love the vanity and sink in your master),. laurie
It made me giggle the first time I saw it too. She's quite the funny, clever girl. Thanks for stopping by!
With 2 boys I totally need a soft closed toilet seat! Although I need to start with getting them just to put the toilet seat down period.
I've got daughters, but also have a husband who has been reminded so many times over the last 22 years that now he usually remembers to put the seat down. Usually! Thanks for dropping by!