Toto VS Kohler Toilets: Which is Better

The day starts well when you have one of the best toilets in the world to take care of your morning routine. If you’re in the market for the best brand then you’ll have two principal names in front of you – Toto and Kohler Toilets.

As the products of both of these brands are exceptionally high-quality, durable, and efficient, it’s hard for a customer to choose between the two. They both also have an excellent reputation and a wide array of models to choose from.

If you go by the customer reviews, it isn’t hard to notice that the market is divided between the two, and there’s an ongoing debate about which one is definitively the best. Some prefer the Toto brand, while others wear by Kohler toilets.

If you want to purchase the best toilet and are confused like many others, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will compare both brands to help you make an informed choice.

Before we get into a comparison of the features and other aspects of Toto and Kohler toilets, let’s take a look at what the brands are all about.

Toto Toilets

Founded in 1917, Toto Ltd is the world’s largest toilet manufacturer and they are highly regarded for developing the Washlet and other derivative products. Based in Kitakyushu, Japan, the company has production facilities in several countries around the world.

Toto puts a lot of emphasis on innovation and technology. Some of the bestselling models are the TOTO Drake 2-Piece Ada Toilet with Elongated Bowl, TOTO Drake WASHLET, TOTO MS604114CEFG#01 UltraMax II, and TOTO MS920CEMFG#01 Washlet with Integrated Toilet.

Kohler Toilets

The roots of Kohler go even deeper, as this American company was founded in 1873 to manufacture kitchen and bath plumbing fixtures. Today, they are one of the leading brands in the world that produces the finest class toilets, bathroom sinks, and toilet accessories.

The very fact that they have sustained their place in the market for over a century speaks volumes about the brand’s reputation. Some of their best models are the Kohler K-3999-0 Highline Comfort Height Two-piece Elongated, Kohler K-3998-0 Wellworth Elongated, KOHLER K-3817-U-0 Memoirs Stately Comfort Height Two-Piece Elongated, and KOHLER 3810-RA-0 Santa Rosa Toilet.

Toto VS Kohler Toilets – Which is Better?

Having briefly introduced the two top brands, let’s get into the detailed comparison between them. We have drawn our comparison based on a few features as outlined below:

Material and build quality

Both Kohler and Toto are two of the best toilet brands you can find, and they are highly regarded for their durability and maintenance. Toto’s models are mostly made from ceramic and vitreous china and they have a nice signature SanaGloss finish that prevents bacteria from growing on the surface.

Kohler toilets are mostly made from durable materials such as china, vitreous china, ceramic, and porcelain. As this is an American brand, finding spare parts for your toilet will not be difficult. Toto, on the other hand, is a Japanese brand, so while spare parts are available, they may be more problematic to get hold of.

Another important point to consider in terms of maintenance is that, unlike Kohler toilets, Toto toilets aren’t prone to leaking. As such, Toto wins in the durability segment while Kohler scores higher in terms of the availability of spare parts.

Flushing system

Among the components that go into making a toilet, the flushing system is the most important feature to consider. It should be well-built to ensure that all waste is rinsed out of the toilet with one flush.

Kohler toilets are known to have a robust flushing system that comprises of advanced technologies such as an Ingenium flushing system, Class Five technology, and flushometer tank system. Customers typically prefer Kohler toilets for their powerful flushing system.

Toto toilets also stand ahead in their flushing technology game with advanced flushing systems such as Tornado, Dual-Max, Double-Cyclone, E-Max, and G-Max. These systems are thoughtfully designed to be water efficient and at the same time eco-friendly.

Toilet models from both brands come with single and dual flushes that are capable of conserving water and create less noise. These toilets are equipped with 1.28 GPF to 1.6 GPF flushes to ensure a high level of water efficiency.

After comparing several models from both brands, we find that Toto toilets have a more advanced flushing technology in regard to water usage, leakages, and noise levels.

Cleaning and maintenance

It’s important to keep the toilet clean at all times for proper hygiene, and both Toto and Kohler models score high in this department. You just need to keep a few things in mind, such as the fact that a two-piece toilet may be a little harder to maintain and clean.

When cleaning Kohler toilets, remember that the company recommends using only soft abrasive cleaners for the vitreous china models. Using any kind of strong abrasive cleaners will scratch the surface and make it look more dull.

Toto also encourages customers not to use any kind of harsh cleaners or acidic products to clean their toilets, as this can damage the surface. Instead, always use a soft-bristled brush.

A big advantage of Toto toilets is that they have a SanaGloss surface finish that ensures that dust particles do not stick on the surface of the toilet.

Bowl Types

There is no scarcity of options when it comes to toilet types and bowls. Kohler presents you with an array of one-piece and two-piece toilets, wall-hung toilets, urinals, and bowl types that come with elongated and round-fronted designs.

Toto also offers an amazing selection of one-piece, two-piece, wall-hung, and wall-faced toilets with elongated and round-fronted bowl designs. The official sites of both toilet brands have a complete selection of the models available.

Design and Colors

If you fancy a nice designer toilet that looks great and matches with the décor of the rest of your home, then both manufacturers have options for you. They offer sleek and computer-designed toilets that come with elongated and round-fronted bowl designs.

All of these toilet models are also ADA compliant with Comfort Heights to ensure that they meet the needs of all people, including the disabled and elderly. Kohler comes in attractive color options such as almond, dune, biscuit, black, and white. Toto also offers a good selection including cotton, Sedona beige, ebony, colonial white, bone, and white.

Difference in Price

Getting a new toilet is an important decision, as you want it to last for a long time without having to bear the hassles of plumbing repairs every now and then. When you compare Toto toilets to Kohler models in terms of durability, the former takes the cake.

As a result, Toto models are slightly more expensive than their Kohler counterparts. While the Kohler Stately Memoir is available for less than $450, the Toto Ultramax 2 comes in at more than $500. So, if you’re working with a tight budget and find it difficult to afford a Toto toilet, then a Kohler still offers exceptional quality and service.

Certifications

Both Kohler and Toto toilets come with several certifications, so you don’t have to worry about that. They are both ADA compliant, with the models certified by WaterSense, Beyond Green, Declare, California Proposition 65, CalGreen, and Universal Height.

Both Toto and Kohler also stand behind every product that goes out of their factory and provides a one-year limited warranty on every purchase. Below, we have reviewed some of the top models of both Toto and Kohler to help you make a decision.

Toto Toilets

After reviewing several models, our team has handpicked these two Toto toilet models for you based on their features, convenience, and price. Read on to find the complete reviews.

1. Toto MS604114CEFG#01 UltraMax II One-Piece Elongated

The UltraMax II One-Piece Elongated toilet from Toto (see Amazon) gives you a high efficiency of 1.28 gallons per flush with its Tornado Flush system. It has an amazing CEFIONTECT glaze on the exterior of the bowl that gives it a lubricious quality and prevents it from picking up excessive dust.

Universal Height of the UltraMax II one-piece elongated bowl offers a comfortable seat position for all types of users. It is ADA complaint and certified by WaterSense and CALGreen. The product comes with a tank cover, chrome plated trip lever, fittings, and SoftClose seat.

Product features and specifications

Weighs ‎99 pounds
‎Elongated bowl design

1.28 Gallons per Flush
‎Gravity Flush
‎Chrome finish

One Year Limited Warranty

User/Customer reviews

Most customers were impressed by this amazing toilet with its excellent design and flushing system that thoroughly cleans the rim and bowl with every flush. Several customers have mentioned how quiet the flush sound is. A few users have warned that the only issue is that it requires a special outlet fitting to be installed.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a Toto toilet with a powerful flushing mechanism that doesn’t create a lot of noise, then the Toto MS604114CEFG#01 UltraMax II One-Piece Elongated toilet is your best bet. Everything from the quality, finish, make, and style oozes class. Overall, this Toto toilet is worth the investment you make.

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#2. Toto MS920CEMFG#01 1.28-GPF/0.9-GPF Washlet with Integrated Toilet

Our second recommendation from Toto is the Toto MS920CEMFG (see Amazon) that comes with an integrated dual flush toilet and 3D Tornado Flush technology. It offers a front and rear warm water cleanse to give you a thorough cleanup every time for optimal hygiene.

There are five adjustable temperature and pressure settings to suit the requirements of different individuals. Some of the luxury features include an auto open and close lid, warm air dryer, heated seat, and a deodorizer for added comfort.

Product features and specifications

Measures ‎28.62 x 15.37 x 26.93 inches

Weighs ‎102 pounds
Elongated bowl design
Floor Mounted Installation method

Water temperature control
Wand cleaning mode
Auto energy saver

One year limited manufacturer warranty

User/Customer reviews

Many customers who have used this luxurious Toto toilet have said that you don’t know that you need it unless you get it. Some people have also said that it has an attractive design and that installation is easy. A few users have warned that the front wash spray-wand could be a bit longer and the dryer could be a bit more powerful.

Conclusion

The Toto MS920CEMFG#01 1.28-GPF/0.9-GPF Washlet with Integrated Toilet boasts an amazing design and functionality that will make you fall in love with it. We love the easy adjustability of the toilet that makes it perfect to use for people of all age groups. Overall, we feel that this toilet is worth your money.

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Kohler Toilets

Now, let’s take a look at the reviews of two Kohler toilets selected by our team. Read on to know more about the features, design, functionality, and customer feedback of each product.

#1. Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa Comfort Height Elongated 1.28 Gpf Toilet

The Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa is a one-piece toilet that integrates the bowl and tank into a beautiful and seamless design. It has a compact and elongated bowl that adds a lot of comfort to the user, while occupying the same amount of space as a round-front bowl.

We love the comfortable chair height of the bowl that makes sitting and standing easy for all including the elderly and disabled. It provides 1.28 gallons per flush and uses a single flush gravity for enhanced cleaning. It also includes a brevia quiet close seat for noiseless and easy function.

Product features and specifications

Measures 31 x 20.75 x 29 inches
Weighs 102 pounds
‎Floor Mounted Installation

1.28 Gallons per Flush
Gravity Flush
One-year limited warranty

User/Customer reviews

Most people have said that if you want a single-piece toilet at a reasonable price, then this one will fit your requirements well. Many have also said that the product is exactly as advertised and easy to install. A few customers have warned that the installation might be slightly difficult and will require some additional plumbing if you have an old toilet.

Conclusion

The Kohler 3810-0 Santa Rosa Comfort Height Elongated 1.28 Gpf Toilet is a well-designed yet super cheap toilet. It comes with all attachments required for installation, and the quiet smooth flush makes it one of the best for those working on a budget.

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#2. Kohler K-5401-PA-0 One-Piece Elongated Dual-Flush Intelligent toilet

This elongated dual-flush toilet by Kohler is beautifully sculpted with flowing and balanced curves. It has a comfortable height with its chair-style seating to suit users of all ages. The Veil dual-flush toilet is ADA compliant and its minimalist style provides ease of cleaning.

We love the pump-assisted flushing technique that offers a peak flush performance every time. It comes with a complete array of features such as night-light, automatic flush, heated seat, hands-free opening/closing, and touchscreen remote.

Product features and specifications

Measures ‎26.13 x 17.25 x 21 inches
Weighs ‎86 pounds

Elongated bowl design
Compact 1-piece toilet with integrated bidet
Toilet seat included

Dual flush 0.8 or 1.28 GPF
Direct water supply

User/Customer reviews

Most users have said that this toilet has the look and feel of an expensive fancy toilet and it’s worth the premium treatment. Some customers have said that setup as easy while others have mentioned that they had a hard time with installation. Regardless, the extra plumbing requirements pay off really well with the luxury you receive after installation.

Conclusion

The Kohler K-5401-PA-0 One-Piece Elongated Dual-Flush Intelligent toilet is a premium model that not only looks great but also delivers amazing performance when it comes to hygiene, comfort, and convenience for users. Although it is slightly on the expensive side, it is totally worth the price you pay.

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Toto Toilets

Kohler Toilets