If you have a small bathroom you must always be thinking of ways to make more room. The toilet must be among your top concerns, since it needs considerable amount of space. One of best solution for your problem is to get a compact toilet designed for small spaces. They save space and give you more legroom.
What is the best compact toilet? The best compact toilet for small bathrooms is the Horow small toilet. But almost all the bestselling compact toilets have their own pros and cons. So to make it easy for you to choose, I did a thorough research on this topic and wrote this blog post.
Best Compact Toilets Comparison Table
Here are the best compact toilets currently in the American market. I put them in a table format, so you can easily compare them against one another.
Top Small Toilets for Small Spaces
Here is my detailed opinion or review of each of these top compact toilets.
Did you know? The normal standard toilet depth is 30 inches. So getting a good small toilet in the 24 to 27 inch length range saves space and creates more legroom.
24.5-inch GALBA Small Toilet
GALBA is the top pick among most people when it comes to compact toilets. The main reason is it’s only 24.5 inches long. That’s almost 6 inches shorter than a standard 30 inch long toilet.
This small toilet is just 13.5 inches wide and 28.5 inches high. So the small size of this toilet not only creates more legroom but also allows you to move your hands around.
And it comes with an elongated bowl. Now you must be wondering how it saves space with an elongated bowl. That’s thanks to its special compact design.
A cool thing about this toilet is, it’s a single piece toilet with a sophisticated and modern look. Adding to its elegance it has a concealed trapway design.
Galba toilet is also a dual flush toilet. So it’s more eco-friendly. The half flush uses only 0.8 GPF (Gallons Per Flush), while the full flush uses 1.6 GPF.
It also has a larger 3-inch diameter flush valve, instead of a normal 2-inch valve for a better flush. The toilet is designed for the standard 12-inch rough-in.
This model also has self-cleaning, glazed surface. That help keep it clean longer and makes cleaning easier. It comes with a quick disconnect toilet seat made of harder plastic.
This GALBA toilet is made in China. It’s marketed in the United States by ‘Luxury Modern Home’ based in East Hanover, NJ.
The main downside to this toilet is its price. Many may find the price a bit too high.
But Galba has been in the market for over five years. From sales figures and online reviews on sites like Amazon lot of people are buying this. And they are also happy with the product. So it has established a niche for itself in the small toilet segment as a trusted brand and reliable toilet.
25-inch HOROW Small Toilet
The HOROW small toilet measures 25 inches in length. It is 13.4 inches wide and 28.4 inches high. Size and looks wise it’s almost the same as the GALBA small toilet.
But the best part is that this is a lot cheaper than the GALBA toilet. If you were worried about small toilets being high priced, now you know what is best for you.
HOROW toilet is relatively new to the market. But those who have used it are completely satisfied with the product as you can see on online reviews.
Horow has a great design too. It’s a modern one-piece design with a concealed trapway. It has a dual siphon flush system which is efficient in cleaning the toilet bowl. Plus the flush is also super quiet.
The self-cleaning glazed surface adds to its sophisticated look. That fact also makes the cleaning job easy for you.
The installation is not that complicated. It fits the standard 12 inch rough-in. Also, this toilet comes with a toilet seat and wax ring, which is not something you get with many toilets today.
Worried about the reliability of the product? HOROW small toilet comes with a 5-year limited warranty on porcelain parts, against fading or staining of the glaze. And there is a 3-year warranty on the flushing mechanism and soft closing toilet seat.
By looking at the price and the features of this small toilet, I would say that it is worth giving a shot. Going by stats since we started recommending it on the 24 and 25 inch depth toilets list, I would say many agree with me.
TOTO Ultimate Round Bowl Toilet
The next small toilet I can recommend is the TOTO Ultimate round bowl toilet. It measures 26.5 inches in length, 17 inches in width and 28 inches in height. It is one of the smallest Toto toilets.
No matter how small the other toilets are, some of you might want a compact toilet from one of the best toilet manufacturers. Toto is probably the best toilet brand in America and has a good track record of providing high quality toilets.
TOTO toilets guarantees higher durability than any other toilet brand I know. And it is widespread in the market. So you can find replacement parts very easily, from dealers, online stores or from the company.
TOTO Ultimate is couple of inches bigger than both the GALBA and HOROW toilets. But like every other TOTO toilet, its a very high quality product. The sleek look and elegant finish of the TOTO Ultimate is also something very desirable.
TOTO Ultimate also has a powerful gravity flushing system. So it makes sure that the toilet bowl gets cleaned effectively at all times.
That’s one of the hallmarks of a high quality toilet, that make this stand out for me among other small toilets.
The model that I am talking about is here is the TOTO MS853113#01 Ultimate Round one-piece toilet. This comes in white colour. But for those of you who prefer other colors, it also comes in Bone, Colonial White and Sedona beige. In that case, the prices may differ due to the color.
24-inch Swiss Madison Sublime II Compact Toilet
Swiss Madison Sublime II toilet is another space-saving compact toilet in the market. It was introduced only recently to the market. Yet it has become popular due to its small size, elegant design and features it offers.
This toilet is 24 inches long, 14 inches wide and 28 inches high. So like Galba and Horow, it is a great space saver for a small bathroom.
The Sublime II compact toilet has a dual flush system. It uses just with 0.8 GPF for a half flush, and 1.28 GPF for a full flush.
It also has an elongated bowl. That makes it more comfortable for users. The design and skirted trapway gives it a more sophisticated and modern look.
When you buy this toilet you also get a soft-close toilet seat with it. You are also provided with anchors and brackets needed for installation. As most toilets its designed for the standard 12-inch rough-in.
During my research, I noticed that this compact toilet has an equal amount of good and bad reviews. The Swiss Madison Sublime II compact toilet is new to the market. So, we cannot really say how well or how bad it would do in the long run.
But if you consider its price, it is definitely cheaper than most other small toilets. Because of its looks and features even I am tempted to buy it. But I would at the same time be careful as its reliability is still questionable.
WoodBridge T-0001 Compact Toilet
Woodbridge T-0001 dual flush elongated toilet is highly popular at present. This toilet model has many attractive features like sleek modern, one-piece design, high quality and low price.
But size wise it is bit larger than the toilet models we looked at so far. When looking at its dimensions, it is 28.5 inches long, 14.5 inches wide and 27.5 inches high.
This toilet has a dual flush system of 1.0 GPF half flush and 1.6 GPF full flush. Also, it has WaterSense certification which means that it meets all the EPA standard guidelines for water efficiency.
WoodBridge toilets have a comfort height seat level. This makes it easier for you to sit comfortably.
The WoodBridge compact toilet comes in an all-in-one package. This means it includes a pre-installed soft closing toilet seat, high-quality wax ring and floor bolts. From what I’ve heard it is very easy to install and you can do it by yourself by following its manual.
The skirted trapway will make the task of cleaning easier. And unlike many normal toilets, you will not find corners or grooves difficult to reach. You can reach all places easily when cleaning.
They give you a 5-year limited warranty on porcelain parts in case of fading or staining of the glaze. There is also a 1-year warranty on flushing mechanism and soft closing toilet seat.
From online reviews and sales figures I find you can rely on them to offer you a great product. So I would recommend this if your space allows it.
KOHLER K-4007-0 San Souci Small Toilet
If you are looking for compact toilet for a nice powder room or elegant bathroom, I recommend the KOHLER San Souci toilet for you. It is only 25.6 inches long. It’s probably the smallest toilet you can find today from the top toilet brands.
This toilet is also only 16.8 inches wide and 24.2 inches high with a round shaped bowl. This is one of the smallest toilets by KOHLER which is one of the top 3 brands in the market.
The San Souci small toilet has a sleek look even with its low-profile design which saves space. It is a one-piece toilet with a streamlined shape which makes it easier to clean.
This toilet also has the WaterSense certification. So it meets the EPA guidelines and saves water than most normal toilets.
San Souci’s 1.28-gallon per flush not only saves water but is highly efficient as well. It comes with the AquaPiston flush system which allows water to flow into the bowl from all angles (360 degrees). So it gives a powerful and effective flush.
This model is available in white color and also 8 other colors. Namely almond, biscuit, black, cashmere, dune, ice gray, sandbar and thunder gray colors.
KOHLER products are a bit on the expensive side due to its brand value, quality, performance and trusted reputation. But I am sure you would not regret your choice if you go for this model.
American Standard Colony Small Toilet
Some of you must be looking for compact toilets which have a 10-inch rough-in. That is 2 inches smaller than the normal standard rough-in size most toilets are designed for.
The best small toilet model I have across for 10-inch rough-in is the American Standard 221DB.004.020 Colony small toilet. This round shaped toilet measures just 25.8 long by 18.7 wide by 29.5 inches high.
This Colony models is very popular among many toilet buyers. It’s not only due to the 10-inch rough in. But also because it comes with a very low-price tag and is built by American Standard.
The specialty of this compact toilet is that you can choose the 1.6 GPF normal version or the water saving 1.28 GPF high-efficiency version. No matter what you choose, the power wash rim makes sure the bowl gets completely cleaned with each flush.
It is the same with the rough in size as well. If you want to get this model in the standard rough-in size too. You can buy the American Standard Colony toilet that comes with the 12-inch rough in instead of the 10-inch rough-in version.
It’s available in white color but you can get it in other color options like bone and linen as well. It is built with vitreous china and is very easy to clean.
Best Small Toilet for 10-Inch Rough-in
As I mentioned above, the most popular small toilet for 10-inch rough-in is the American Standard 221DB.004.020 Colony small toilet.
It is also gives you the option to choose whether you want a normal 1.6 GPF version or the high efficiency 1.28 GPF version with the 10-inch rough in. So, whatever you buy is totally your decision.
While I was looking for similar products, I came across another small toilet from American Standard. That is American Standard 270DB001.020 Cadet 3 Round Front Two-Piece Toilet.
This Cadet 3 toilet model also fits with the 10-inch rough in size. Like the Colony toilet, this is also built with vitreous china and the seat is not included. The water consumption is 1.6 GPF. And it comes in white only.
So, Colony gives you better options to select from when it comes to this 10 inch than the Cadet 3 10-inch rough-in. For me, the Colony toilet is the best small toilet currently in the market for 10-inch rough-in.
Small Toilet Buyer Guide
As you saw there are many compact toilets for your small bathroom or to save space. You must be wondering how to select the best out of them for your needs and preferences.
When buying a compact toilet or a small toilet, there are several things to consider. Let’s have a look at what they are in the guide that I have compiled below.
Size and Dimensions
Any toilet which is less than 28 inches in depth is called a compact toilet or a small toilet. But as you saw in the reviews, the top brands like TOTO, KOHLER and American Standard offer toilets which are between 26 inches to 28 inches long. And not any smaller.
So if you want a really small toilet which is around 24 or 25 inches in depth you have to go for brands like Galba. Galba toilet measures 24.5 inches in length, 13.5 inches in width and 28.5 inches in height. It has become a standard size to comare small toilets. As I mentioned earlier, lesser known brands like HOROW, Swiss Madison and WoodBridge also offers small toilets of similar dimensions.
Gap Between Toilet and Wall
Another thing that you should consider is the gap between the back of the toilet and the wall.
Most toilets are designed in a way that they leave a gap between the toilet tank and the wall when installed on a standard rough-in size. This gap is good to prevent mold and mildew forming.
But this gap will add to your toilet length and make your toilet take little more space than you thought it would. So be aware of this gap if you have a tight space for your toilet.
So, when installing a compact toilet, there is a high chance that 1/2 or 1-inch gap would be left between the toilet and the wall. Specially if you install it on an exactly 12-inch rough in.
Flushing Performance
When you buy a small toilet, you should consider the GPF of it too so that you can get an idea about its performance. The ADA requirement is that a toilet should have less than 1.6 GPF to ensure efficient performance.
I’m sure you have no idea of replacing your toilet at least for 10 years. So, when you are buying a compact toilet, I would advice you to go for a model with high flushing performance.
Also, if you are keen on saving water and space both, then you should go for a dual flush compact toilet.
Comfort
Even if you have a space-constrained bathroom, I am sure you aren’t ready to give up your creature comforts while using it. Thankfully, most of the small toilets I found and discuss here are very comfortable to use.
When choosing a compact toilet go for an elongated bowl toilet. It might take up a bit more space than a round bowl toilet. But it is much more comfortable. If you can spare a few inches for your comfort, I would advice you to go for a longer toilet like a Toto elongated bowl toilet.
Height is another important factor which decides how comfortable your toilet is. Comfort or Chair height toilets are better for taller and older people. It is easy to stand up from than lower seat toilets. Also on shorter toilets, elderly people can strain themselves which can result in aches and pains.
So it is a good idea to buy a compact toilet which has the taller, ADA compliant, comfort height seat level. Example check the WoodBridge compact toilet I reviewed above. Think of the comfort needs of all those who will be using it before you buy one.
There can be other small toilets that come at the price of your comfort. But scarifying comfort for size is not worth it unless you are severely limited in space. So, take care when you select a random small toilet because of its tiny size.
Reputation
Small toilets are often manufactured by lesser known brands. But the reliability of these small toilets are often questionable as the brands are not very reputed. So, if you do a bit of online research you will find reviews, ratings and various forum comments which will help you decide which brands and models to trust.
This will also help you to anticipate various problems that can arise during installation. And in the long run while using the product. Basically, you will know what you are getting yourself into.
In my opinion, before you buy a toilet (or any other household product), it is always good and safer to go to websites like Amazon.com and check the reviews for it. Personally I have found Amazon reviews to cover a wider cross section of public opinion about a toilet than in other online stores.
Rough-in Size
Rough-in size is the distance between the toilet drain hole on the floor and the bathroom wall. The standard rough-in size is 12 inches. But you will find rough-in sizes between 10 inches to 14 inches in some homes. But if you are building a new bathroom you have the option of deciding the rough-in size you need.
When you are replacing or installing a toilet remember to always buy a toilet which fits your current toilet rough-in size.
Maintenance & Parts
No matter what sort of a small toilet you buy, it is inevitable that you will have to repair it or replace parts in the long run. Due to this, it is always better to buy a toilet from a manufacturer that is well established in the market.
For example, you can easily find replacement parts for TOTO, KOHLER and American Standard toilets. And also get maintenance assistance from any plumber.
But if you decide to go for a toilet made or marketed by a lesser known toilet manufacturer there is no guarantee that you will be able to find replacement parts. Sometimes the toilet brand might not even be in the market anymore in a few years time.
Price
Small toilets are generally more expensive than normal toilets because they are rare. That’s why you will notice some of the small toilets I reviewed are quite expensive.
The GALBA small toilet which I recommend as the best is also one of the most expensive. The same may apply for TOTO and KOHLER compact toilets.
But new brands like HOROW, Swiss Madison and WoodBridge currently offer small toilets at very affordable prices. The American Standard compact toilet model is also at a lower price range.
Small Toilet Design
The design of the toilet is another aspect that you should consider when buying a compact toilet.
Small Toilet Round Bowl
As you saw in the review, small toilets with a round bowl take up lesser space than the elongated one. But according to most users of round bowl small toilets, it is not very comfortable. Specially for large people or adults who look for a bit of comfort.
So if large people will be using the toilet, look for a short length toilet with a larger bowl. It makes using and cleaning yourself easy, even for small people.
Compact Elongated Toilet Bowl
Compact elongated toilet bowls have a more comfortable to use elongated shape in a compact design. So they most often take up the same space or only little more space than a round toilet bowl. The improved design provides more comfort for its users. So, compact elongated bowl toilets are better than a round bowl toilet.
Low Profile Toilets
The whole purpose of buying a small toilet is to reduce the space occupied by the toilet in your bathroom. Low profile toilets (short height toilets) are useful when you need to install toilets in powder rooms, small baths. And in instances where you need to install a toilet under a shelf or staircase and such spaces. The 24 inch high Kohler San Souci round front toilet is an example for low height toilets.
Thin Narrow Toilets
Some of you who are looking for a small toilet might want toilets with a thin toilet tank. The American Standard 270DB001.020 Cadet 3 toilet that I reviewed earlier is one such thin narrow toilet. Since it is thin and narrow, width wise it will save even more space than other compact toilets.
Top Small Toilet Brands
It’s very important to know more about the toilet brand before you buy a toilet. So lets have a look at the details of some of the top small toilet brands currently in the American market.
GALBA
GALBA is perhaps the most popular small toilet sold online today. This small toilet brand is made in China. They are imported, marketed and sold in the United States by “Luxury Modern Home” a companybased in East Hanover, NJ.
I’m familiar with the Galba toilet and from what I have seen and heard, the company is reliable and provides good customer service. This company sells Galba toilets through their own website and online stores like Amazon.
HOROW
Horow is a new entrance to the toilet market. From what I have learnt so far this brand seems to be a good established toilet brand in China and they are now entering the US market. They manufacture their toilets in Hunan, China.
So far the reviews about Horow are good. And people we recommended and bought this toilets seem satisfied. HOROW is gaining popularity and market share previously held by Galba due to their lower price.
TOTO Toilets
Toto brand is well known for there high quality toilets and great flushing performance. Their toilet designs are also elegant and modern and provide comfort and luxury to users.
Toto was founded in 1917 in Japan, but is now well established in the United States. They have local toilet manufacturing factories and plants. TOTO toilets have a tendency to be a bit high priced. So may not be affordable to all.
KOHLER Toilets
KOHLER which was established in 1873, is one of the leading American bath fixture manufacturers. They are reputed for their high-quality plumbing products. They are among the top most manufacturers for Toilets in the world today, with a wide range of unique and exquisite designs of their own.
American Standard Toilets
I need not give you an intruction to this brand. It is a brand that is widely used in many American households. American Standard (AS) is one of the oldest and most well known bathroom fixture brands in the United States if not the world.
American Standard toilets are ok and popular for their reasonable pricing. Together with Toto and Kohlder, AS is one of the top 3 toilet brands in America today.
WoodBridge Toilets
Like many compcat toilets brands WoodBridge is a relatively new toilet brand. They are popular online for their elegant one-piece design toilets sold at affordable price. WoodBridge products are of a high standard but are cheaper than those of the other brands in the market.
WoodBridge products are supplied and marketed directly by WoodBridge Bath, a kitchen and bath fixture marketer. Trends and reviews online stores like Amazon show they sell lot of toilets and are gaining popularity in the market at present.
Swiss Madison Toilets
Swiss Madison is another upcoming toilet brand. So far, the reviews gained by Swiss Madison products have both good and bad. Therefore, I think it is too soon to jump into conclusions about this brand. But they provide a wide range of toilet models that are compact and space saving. The designs look very nice and appealing and the price is affordable.
Small Toilets at Home Depot
Since most of you must be shopping at Home Depot, I checked out the small toilets they offer as well. I found the KOHLER San Souci small toilet, American Standard Colony small toilet, American Standard Cadet 3 small toilet and TOTO Ultimate round bowl toilet which I reviewed as best small toilets among their top choices as well.
Apart from that, I found the Swiss Madison Ivy 1-piece dual flush elongated toilet and Swiss Madison St.Tropez 1-piece dual flush elongated toilet among the available smallest toilet models to be quite good.
Compact Toilets at Lowes
When I was having a look at the compact toilets that were trending at Lowes, I found the American Standard Cadet 3 small toilet and KOHLER San Souci small toilet, which I have already reviewed here.
Apart from that, I came across another good small toilet that they recommend which is the KOHLER Santa Rosa compact toilet.
Small Toilet Alternatives
If you cannot find a small toilet that fits into the space that you have in your small bathroom, You have several other alternatives to pursue. Some good alternatives to small toilets are
- Wall hung toilets like the TOTO CT418F#01 Aquia toilet,
- Macerating (upflush) toilets like the Saniflo SaniPLUS macerating toilet
- Tankless luxury toilets like Toto Neorest.
RELATED QUESTIONS:
How much room do you need to install a toilet?
The building code requires a distance of at least 15 inches from the center of your toilet to the nearest walls on either side of the toilet. If any other fixture the distance should be not less than 30 inches from the center of the toilet to the center of any other sanitary fixture. Also, you need to have at least 24 inches (2 feet) of clear space in front of a toilet.
What is the smallest toilet?
The smallest toilets are the HOROW small toilet and the Swiss Madison Sublime toilets. But some macerating toilets and tankless toilets can be smaller than them.
Do corner toilets save space?
Yes, they save space as they are designed to fit into the corner of the bathroom. With a corner toilet installed in your bathroom, you can gain more free space or have a larger vanity, sink, or shower etc.
How much room do you need for a toilet and sink?
If the sink is fixed sideways to the toilet it should have at least 15 inches distance between the two. If it is to be fixed in front of the toilet, it is better to have at least 32 inches between the two.
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This article was written by Rasanjanee Polgampala. She is a research enthusiast and contributing writer.
Hi Aksam,
Thank you very much for the post, and apologies for duplicate reply from your other post (shortest depth toilets). Do you have any recommendations for small/compact toilets that fit 11 inch rough-in among these? I read your 11 inch rough-in post as well, but I also need to find a shorter depth (not height) toilet.
Hi June,
No worries. From my online checking only the American Standard colony toilet which comes in 10 inch rough option might fit a 11 inch rough-in.
Galba toilet is said to have worked for a 11.5 rough-in according to a Amazon review.
You might also try to install a 1 inch offset flange on your toilet drain hole to make it 12 inches. Its a small job for a good plumber.