Buying guide for best kohler toilets
When you want to remodel your bathroom, you’ll want to look at Kohler products. Kohler is one of the world’s best-known brands in kitchen and bathroom fixtures, including toilets.
Since 1873, the company has focused on style and innovation, and today their high-quality toilets are among their best-selling products. But with all the styles and features available, it can be hard to choose the one that’s right for you.
At BestReviews, we’ve collected the information you need to know about Kohler toilets in this shopping guide. Whether you want to save some money, you’re looking for a specialty toilet, or you need something in between, Kohler has dozens of choices in every price range.
Kohler toilet features to consider
Bowl shape and height
Elongated: The elongated bowl and seat look a bit like an oval when viewed from above. Back to front, the Kohler elongated toilet seat measures between 18.5 and 19 inches. Many people find this seat very comfortable.
Round: This Kohler toilet has a nearly round bowl and seat shape when viewed from above (although it’s still slightly oval shaped). Back to front, this seat measures 16.5 to 17 inches. This style works well in a small bathroom.
Standard height: These are Kohler’s shorter toilets. The base measures roughly 15 to 17 inches high.
Chair height: These toilets have a base that measures 17 to 19 inches high. The taller seat is helpful for people who have trouble standing from a sitting position.
Custom: You also can find Kohler toilets with custom shapes and heights. Most of these hang on the wall, which complicates the installation. But a specialty toilet might fit your needs better because of the design or limited space in your bathroom.
One-piece vs. two-piece toilets
Like nearly all toilet brands, Kohler toilets made for residential use are available in one- or two-piece configurations. As a general rule, one-piece models cost more than two-piece models.
One-piece: The bowl and the tank are a single ceramic unit. This type of toilet can be easier to clean because there isn’t a seam between the two pieces. These toilets also come in nontraditional designs, such as low-profile or elongated tanks. Some Kohler one-piece toilets have built-in seats.
Two-piece: Most of the toilets that you’ll see are two-piece designs, including those from Kohler. The tank and bowl are separate pieces that are bolted together. This style of Kohler toilet often comes with a seat, but some customers replace the included seat with a sturdier one.
The other type of two-piece Kohler toilet is a wall-hung toilet. The tank is mounted to the wall, high above the bowl, and the pipes are hidden in the wall. This design saves floor space in a small bathroom or powder room.
Low-flow toilets
Before 1994, toilets used three gallons of water or more per flush. Beginning in 1994, the U.S. federal government enacted the Energy Policy Act requiring all new toilets to use 1.6 gallons or less per flush.
Early low-flow toilet designs did not clean the bowl very well, often necessitating multiple flushes and defeating the purpose of a low-flow toilet. Today’s better designs are able to generate the needed water pressure to clean the bowl more effectively, and some new low-flow toilets have bigger trapways to prevent clogs. New Kohler toilets sold in the U.S. meet the low-flow standard, and many use even less water.
Did you know?
Beginning in 1994, the U.S. federal government enacted the Energy Policy Act requiring all new toilets to use 1.6 gallons or less per flush.
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Kohler toilet prices
You can pay anywhere from $100 to $7,500 for a Kohler toilet. Price differences primarily relate to the design and features of the toilet, including the water pressure. These price ranges address only low-flow toilets sold in the U.S.
Basic
The least expensive Kohler toilets cost about $100 to $200. Most toilets in this price range are two-piece white units with very simple designs. Lower-priced Kohler toilets typically have low water pressure, which means they may not clean the bowl as efficiently with one flush.
Mid-range
You can expect to pay from $200 to $350 for a one- or two-piece toilet with good water pressure, meaning you only have to flush once to clear the bowl. Clogs are less common with these Kohler toilets than with less expensive models. You’ll sometimes find options other than white for Kohler toilets in this price range.
Advanced
Top-of-the-line Kohler toilets cost from several hundred dollars up to $7,500. Most of these are one-piece models. You will find features like slow-close toilet seats and continuous cleaning in these models. They also have the ability to generate extra water pressure at the time of a flush to keep the bowl cleaner. Also in this price range are nonstandard designs, such as elongated tanks, short tanks, and wall-mounted tanks. Many of these advanced toilets are available in colors other than basic white.
Other costs
These prices don’t include professional installation and removal of the old toilet, which could run from $75 to $150. And it could be significantly higher (maybe several hundred dollars) if there are installation problems. Nonstandard toilets also cost more to install. Finally, with some types of Kohler toilets, you might have to buy the seat separately for another $20 to $40.
FAQ
Q. How much of my daily water usage goes to the toilet?
A. An average American uses roughly 80 to 100 gallons of water every day. You can expect toilet flushing to account for 20% to 40% of your daily water use. If you use newer toilets that adhere to current low-flow rate limits set by the federal government, you’ll be nearer the lower end of that range.
Q. Is my toilet broken if I hear water running in it all the time?
A. When the toilet seems to be constantly filling or fills itself even when no one is using it, the toilet has a problem called “phantom flushes.” This issue rarely signifies a toilet that needs to be replaced. Most people can fix this problem by replacing the flapper inside the tank. It’s also possible that something is keeping the flapper from closing tightly and allowing water to leak from the tank into the bowl.
Q. What are some of the newest features found on toilets?
A. If you want to spend a bit more, you can add some features to make the toilet more convenient to use. Some come with an automatic seat-lowering device, for example. Others have a unique flushing mechanism, such as a plunger instead of a handle. And some may have a pressure-assist feature that drives the water with more force and keeps the toilet bowl cleaner. However, replacing these parts down the road can be expensive.
Q. How easy is it to replace an existing toilet?
A. Unless you have at least some experience with plumbing or DIY home projects, replacing a toilet can be tricky. However, you can make the process easier by purchasing a new toilet that has the same footprint as the old one. That way you won’t have gaps to fill in the flooring. And toilets are heavy (50 to 100 pounds), so if you’re installing it yourself, you might want help moving it.
