Trying to choose between 1-piece toilet or the traditional 2-piece? We were, too, but after having lived with both, it’s not even close:
We favor the 1-piece by a wide margin. It’s sleeker and more modern-looking, it’s easier to clean and it’s less likely to leak or break.
In terms of performance, except for very cheap or very costly models, 1-and 2-piece toilets are effectively the same. But for my money, here’s what gives 1-piece toilets the edge:
Sleeker. They just look modern, more European, with smoother lines because it doesn’t have a boxy tank to bolt on. Though the seat height is generally the same as 2-piece toilets (standard 17″), 1-piece toilets are almost always slightly smaller and take up a little less room. That’s nice when you’re working with a small bathroom.
Easier to clean and less gross. I’m just sayin’. The worst thing about 2-piece toilets is trying to keep the part where the bowl joins the tank clean. There’s too much crevice, too much room for germs and gross stuff to hide. A 1-piece toilet is smooth, without corners and without that nasty joint. One smooth surface, easy to clean—and easy to see that it’s clean.
Less likely to leak or break. My last 2-piece toilet lasted almost 15 years, but every few years it developed a small leak at the bowl-tank joint. Annoying, and worrisome if you don’t notice it quickly. No concerns about that anymore: wit a 1-piece toilet, there’s no joint, so no leak. 1-piece toilets are also less likely to break because they typically use thicker porcelain at the bowl and base.
Do the same job but cost more
So, if 1-piece toilets are that much better than 2-piece toilets, why don’t more people have them? In a word, cost.
There are exceptions of course, but most 2-piece toilets are in the $100-$250 range. 1-piece toilets, however, generally cost $250-$500.
(Why so much more? The short answer is ‘demand’, not because it costs so much more to make. Arrgh, at least prices are coming down.)
That’s a sizeable difference in cost. Seems like a lot for two toilets that work the same.
But then again, it’s for a toilet that better last another 20 years. So the question was: would we pay an average of $10 more a year for a toilet that’s sleeker, cleaner and not leaky?
Instantly updated bathroom
I’m glad we said yes! We researched the different brands and keep coming back to the Toto model shown below; it had the best performance, value and reviews for the money.
Works like a dream: Easier to clean, flush is plenty powerful, and it instantly made the whole bathroom look more modern and up-to-date.
It installed just like a regular toilet, so I put it in myself. One-piece toilets weigh a little more than just the base of a 2-piece toilet of course, so it was a bit harder to maneuver into place, but not undoable at all.
This one has a 1.28 gpf (gallons per flush) which is pretty efficient and works great for us. Of course, you can get models with more gpf or less gpf depending on your requirements. It’s also standard seat height (17″); you might want a lower model if you’re short.
Color choices, 1- or 2-button flush, etc.
Here’s a link to some other popular 1-piece toilets on Amazon. You’ll see you have other choices like color, 1-or 2-button flush, seat height, etc.
That’s my 2 cents on the 1-piece toilet. I think it’s a winner, it just costs more. Hope this helps!
– Hank
