If you’re in the process of remodeling or perhaps even building a new bathroom, you will probably need a new toilet as well. After all, you can’t have a sparkling new bathroom complete with gorgeous tiles and lighting and have its centerpiece be a discolored toilet that looks like it could clog whenever it’s used, instead upgrade to a new one and look into putting a bidet toilet seat on top.
A new toilet can be a terrific addition to your home.
There are models that consume significantly less water than their older counterparts. Some are so easy to clean that you will no longer dread routine maintenance. On top of that, newer toilets can be very comfortable.
Getting a new toilet is a good idea in so many ways.
The only real issue is that toilets tend to be expensive. Many of the models available currently are priced over $500. When you have other expenses to worry about, dropping over $500 on a new toilet can seem extravagant even though it’s a worthy investment.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend that much on a toilet. It is now possible to find high quality toilets that are available for under $500.
You don’t even have to settle for a toilet from a relatively unknown manufacturer. Even the top brands in the industry are offering budget options for people to choose from.
The Brands You Need to Know
When it comes to the top toilet brands, there are really three that jump to mind right away, with those being American Standard, Kohler, and Toto.
American Standard has been in the business of providing quality home fixtures dating back to 1929, per Wikipedia. While the company itself has undergone a fair amount of change, especially in recent years, they continue to be at the forefront of the toilet industry.
Kohler has been around even longer than American Standard. The aforementioned manufacturing company has been the provider of toilets and other plumbing-related products since 1873.. The company is still continuing to expand nearly 150 years since its founding.
TOTO differs from the two companies mentioned above in that it is based in Japan instead of the United States. It speaks to the quality of TOTO’s products that they have been doing great business all over the world ever since the company was founded in 1917.
You may assume that the toilets sold by the aforementioned companies would be on the more expensive side given that they are among the most reputable brands in the industry. While it is true that the premium offerings of American Standard, Kohler, and TOTO can be quite pricey, they also have more economical options available.
According to Home Advisor, you will be able to find a variety of toilets from American Standard, Kohler, and TOTO that are available for under $500.
The Toilets You Need to Know
To make the search for an affordable toilet easier for you, we have highlighted specific products from American Standard, Kohler, and TOTO that are all priced under $500. Check them out if you are still undecided with regards to which toilet you want to get.
American Standard H2Option Dual Flush Elongated Toilet
List price on official website: $414.00
American Standard’s H2Option toilet will help you save money in more than a few ways. Apart from its sub-$500 price tag, this is also one of those toilets that really cuts down on the amount of water you use whenever you flush.
With a gpf (gallons per flush) rating of 1.28, you can rest assured that your frequent flushes won’t suddenly have an adverse impact on your monthly bills. The dual flush options also provide you with a way to save even more water.
The EverClean surface featured by this toilet helps keep it spotless for a longer period of time. Thanks to the elongated bowl, you can also easily remain comfortable while using this toilet.
Kohler Wellworth Elongated Toilet
List price on official website: $298.00
Similar to American Standard’s H2Option, Kohler’s Wellworth prioritizes comfort in its design. The elongated toilet bowl is a great addition that prevents you from cramping up.
Since this toilet has a gpf rating of 1.6, it does indeed use more water than the item mentioned previously. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though given the powerful flush it features. You won’t have to repeat your flushes because this toilet can easily dispatch the waste in one go.
The canister flush valve created by Kohler helps this toilet produce those more powerful flushes.
TOTO Entrada Close Coupled Elongated Toilet
List price on official website: $268.00
Last up is TOTO’s Entrada Close Coupled Elongated Toilet and here you have yet another product that aims to keep users comfortable. The elongated bowl is a feature that you will really grow to appreciate the more you get to use it.
In addition to the elongated bowl, this toilet also has a gpf rating of 1.28, making it another hyper-efficient product.
The universal height feature on this TOTO toilet allows it to be easily usable for a wide range of people. It should be able to provide adequate comfort to everyone in your household.
An Additional Consideration When Installing Your New Toilet
Since you’re reading this article, you’re probably keeping a close eye on your budget. This is where it becomes important to point out that it’s not just the cost of the toilet itself that you have to worry about.
You may also have to pay to get it installed.
If you’re confident enough in your skills, you can certainly take on that job yourself. For those who are not very familiar with toilet installations though, it’s not a bad idea to hire a plumber. Paying a plumber is certainly preferable to having a broken, brand new toilet.
With that in mind, BestToilets (source: https://besttoilets.co/) notes that the national average cost for getting a toilet installed by a plumber is $355. Home Advisor has that number closer to $348.
Remember to set aside a portion of your budget for paying the plumber because you don’t want a new toilet just sitting around instead of working.
Once you pay for the installation, you can expect the process to be finished in around one to two hours.
