You may not give much thought to the toilet you’re sitting on – until it has a problem, and by then it’s too late. That’s why getting a high-quality toilet is so important from the start. While there are many excellent toilet brands on the market today, one way to know that you’re getting an excellent product is to go with one of the best Kohler toilets.
Kohler has been around for nearly 150 years, and they’ve managed to stick around that long simply because their toilets have remained among the best on the market for all of those years. While other toilet companies have gone into niche markets, Kohler has managed to keep up to date with modern high-efficiency and sanitary technologies while maintaining offerings that cater to a wide variety of needs. At the same time, they have managed not to stray too far from the classic toilet design that so many people have come to love. In this review, we’ll cover seven of the best Kohler toilets on the market. We read through hundreds of reviews, compared specifications between tons of toilet systems, and found out what features people most care about when purchasing a new toilet. Our picks incorporate all this research as well as span the entire market for those who are on a shoestring budget or for those who are looking for a high efficiency or extra powerful toilet.
The table below provides a quick overview of our favorite toilets and the features that set them apart from the competition. Then, we delve into detailed reviews of each toilet, highlighting special features and considering the pros and cons of each model. Finally, our buying guide explains the different features found on Kohler toilets and how these features might help guide you towards the toilet that’s perfect for you.
Customers absolutely rave about the Highline Classic toilet thanks to its impressive Pressure Lite flushing system. The flush is extremely powerful because of the use of compressed air to force the water downward, so clogged toilets and fighting with the plunger will be a thing of the past. Plus, the flush is so strong that it can actually help to keep gunk from collecting on the inside walls of your pipes. The only downsides to the powerful flush are the loud flushing noise that is inevitable with a pressure flush system, and the fact that some water can accidentally splash out of the bowl and onto the seat.
The remainder of the toilet may seem like a standard two-piece toilet, but Kohler thought of many minor design aspects that set this model apart from the competition. First, the rim is 17” off the ground – about the height of a standard chair, making it easy for adults and particularly elderly people to get onto and off of the toilet. The large, elongated shape is extremely comfortable when you’re on it, although it can take up a significant amount of space in a small bathroom.
This two-piece toilet from Kohler’s Cimarron collection offers style and a powerful flush while using less water than a traditional toilet. The tank incorporates Kohler’s patented canister flush valve, which enables either partial or full flushing by either quickly pressing or pressing and holding the lever. When the full flush is activated, customers report that needing to flush twice is a rare occurrence and clogs almost never happen. The flush itself is not quite powerful but also is not as loud as on pressure assisted toilets. Plus, the water savings from having the ability to flush partially can drastically reduce your water bill over the course of a year.
This toilet also features Kohler’s Comfort Height design, which uses a 17” rim height as opposed to the 15” height found on most standard toilets. The elongated bowl and raised height make this toilet very comfortable, although it does take up significant space in a small bathroom.
This stylish two-piece toilet is a great option for those who want to save water, but also don’t want to sacrifice on comfort or flushing. The 1.28-gallon per flush is released using a canister valve rather than a traditional flap valve, so in the case that you need a larger flush, more water can be released from the tank simply by holding down the lever. However, most customers report that the standard flush is sufficient to clear the bowl in nearly all cases, and that the flush is quiet and does an excellent job of cleaning the bowl.
This toilet is also extremely comfortable, thanks to Kohler’s building it to the 17” Comfort Height standard and the large, elongated rim. Note, however, that the stylish design of the toilet leaves plenty of areas for grime to collect that can be difficult to clean.
If you have a tight half bathroom or used up the majority of your bathroom space on a sink and shower, then this toilet is the perfect size without forcing you to resort to a hanging toilet. However, this toilet does not have Kohler’s Comfort Height design and stands only 14.5” off the floor, which can be difficult for people with joint pain. In addition, some people find the small, round seat shape to be far less comfortable than an elongated shape.
One major advantage to this toilet is its dual flush lever, which allows easy switching between 1.1 gallons and 1.6 gallons per flush. The lever is designed such that it’s easy to pick the flush volume that fits your needs, and having the 1.1-gallon option offers tremendous water savings when you don’t need the power of a 1.6-gallon fill.
For those looking for a one-piece toilet, the Santa Rosa is a great option. The one-piece design is significantly easier to clean than a traditional two-piece toilet, but consider the added width of this model compared to most two-piece toilets before purchasing.
The toilet uses only 1.28 gallons per flush compared to the typical 1.6 gallons, which is great for saving water. Customers report that clogs are extremely uncommon, but that the gravity flush system used in this toilet is not as quiet as in others, does not necessarily clean the bowl every time, and sometimes makes a strange gurgling noise. However, the bowl refill is fast thanks to Kohler’s AquaPiston canister.
The toilet is designed with Kohler’s Comfort Height style, so be aware that the toilet is an extra 2” off the ground – many people appreciate this, but it may cause difficulty for shorter people and children. The bowl is a compact elongated shape, which many people find to be a comfortable compromise for small- to medium-sized bathrooms. This toilet also comes with a seat, unlike many others, although most customers sought to replace it for a quiet shut style seat.
This two-piece toilet uses the same robust AquaPiston canister found in many of Kohler’s water-saving toilets but releases 1.6 gallons per flush for a more powerful flow. That means a higher water bill but can add peace of mind for those who never want to find themselves with a clogged toilet. And many customers find that the larger flush volume does a better job of cleaning the bowl while still making little to no noise.
The design of this toilet is classic, but sleek, making it perfect for nearly any bathroom. Many people appreciate the Comfort Height design, while the elongated bowl is comfortable for those who spend longer periods on the toilet.
The Tresham collection from Kohler is not only elegantly stylish thanks to its sharp trim, but also perfect for people with smaller bathrooms who don’t want to compromise on an elongated bowl shape. That’s because the tank on this toilet is narrower than most other toilets of this size, allowing you to place the toilet closer to the wall. Best of all, the toilet is also designed with Comfort Height so it is easy to sit down onto and get up off of, even for people with bad joints.
The toilet itself is also excellent and uses the same 1.28-gallon-per-flush AquaPiston canister found in many other Kohler toilets. This canister mechanism saves water while also providing a powerful flush that virtually eliminates clogs.
Now that we’ve covered our seven favorite Kohler toilets, it’s important to understand how the different features that these toilets offer can play a role in determining which toilet is right for you. Here, we’ll explain some of the most common and important distinguishing features of toilets.
Toilets come in two basic types: one-piece and two-piece. Two-piece toilets, which have a separate bowl and tank, are the traditional design, while one-piece toilets are a newer technology and thus come at a price premium. However, the one-piece design has several important advantages thanks to the fact that there is no seam between the tank and bowl. This seam is difficult to clean on two-piece toilets and can often be an area where bacteria grow. One-piece toilets are also several inches shorter because of the seamless design. Lastly, one-piece toilets require little to no assembly.
The shape and size of your toilet play an important role in your comfort when sitting on it as well as the amount of floor space that the toilet takes up. The primary shapes are known as compact and elongated. Compact toilets have a round or square-shaped seat and take up two inches less floor space than their elongated counterparts – perfect for people with small bathrooms. However, elongated bowls, which have an oval shape, are typically found to be more comfortable for most people. Hybrid bowls are also available, which use a compacted oval to save space while increasing comfort.
The flushing system is one of the most important parts of the toilet – after all, if the flushing system isn’t doing its job, it’s going to be a bad day! One of the main considerations in a flushing system is the efficiency of water usage. A typical flush uses 1.6 gallons of water, which can add up to a significant cost in your water bill over the course of a year. Alternative high-efficiency flushing systems that use less water can save thousands of gallons of water and hundreds of dollars.
While gravity flushing – which uses the weight of the water itself to force the water downward – is among the oldest technologies still available, many newer flushing systems are out there as well. Pressure-assisted flushing uses pressurized air to force water down into the bowl. This system offers a large amount of flushing power but is also quite noisy.
Dual flush systems have become popular as a mechanism for saving water. The toilets with such a system allow you to choose whether to do a partial flush or a total flush, and allot water accordingly.
If you have problems with your flushing system, check out this Kohler’s brief guide on how to install and adjust a canister valve. This works for most Kohler toilets.
Toilets come in a variety of styles, from “classic” white porcelain designs, to “modern” streamlined designs that look sleek, to everything in between. Your choice of style will largely depend on how you want your bathroom as a whole to look and feel.
Toilets can vary widely in price depending on the style you choose. A typical floor-mounted toilet can cost anywhere from $200-$800, with that estimate varying depending on the exact model and whether you install the toilet yourself or hire a professional. Wall-hung toilets, which require purchasing a separate carrier tank and installing that tank inside the wall, can cost much more – in the range of $1,500-$2,000.
You’ll spend time on the toilet every single day of your life, so why not invest in a toilet that provides comfort, style, and peace of mind when flushing? These toilets from Kohler do just that, and with our reviews and buying guide, you have the information you need to choose the toilet that’s perfect for you.
