Best Touchless Toilet Reviews: Hands-Free Fixtures We Love
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Bathrooms have always been brimming with all types of germs and it doesn’t really take a germophobe to see the multiple advantages that come with a toilet that flushes using hands-free technology. There is somewhat of a restroom renaissance going on worldwide with all public bathrooms slowly steering towards the touchless technology. Many American public bathrooms now use touchless faucets, soap dispensers and flush valves. From automatic lavatories, to all types of motion-sensing machines in the toilet…The public bathrooms are experiencing a more user-friendly and hygienic change.
But what about private bathrooms? What about your house? The CDC calls clean hands one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and to prevent spreading germs, and it lists right after using the toilet as a key time to wash. A touchless flush means one less surface to touch, but it doesn’t replace handwashing.
More and more manufacturers are swaying towards the touchless technology and trying to incorporate it into more households instead of just public bathrooms. Plenty of households worry about germs in the bathroom, and a no-touch flush is one simple upgrade.
Now touchless toilets can easily be purchased for your house, and the technology brings a lot of peace of mind, comfort and a revolutionary hygienic approach to your house. The smart flushing system don’t require that you touch any sort of surface which is perfect for you and any guests that are visiting as well.
This cuts down on shared touch points in the bathroom. Most of these touchless toilets work quite simply: wave your hand over the sensor, and the toilet will automatically activate its flush mechanism! Simple, easy and hygienic.
In this guide, we look at some of the best touchless toilets on the market right now to help you show you the best option. We’ll also show you how you can benefit from purchasing a touchless toilet, how they work, how to choose between different brand and models, and we’ll compare the top three options so you’re able to make a well-rounded, educated opinion.
How does the touchless flush technology work?
At first glance, people stray away from having a touchless toilet at home because they think it’s too advanced. But that couldn’t be further away from the truth. The technology is quite simple and has actually been around for years, specifically at public restrooms.
A sensor, usually built into the tank or its lid, triggers a small motor that lifts the flapper. All you need to do is hold your hand above the sensor area to activate it, and voila: your toilet flushes. Most residential models run on batteries, so you don’t need an outlet.
Most also have a manual backup in case the sensor or batteries fail.
Benefits of having a touchless toilet in your house:
The idea behind it: The idea behind touchless toilets is simple: by limiting physical contact with the lever, you limit the spread of any type of bacteria and improve the hygiene in your house.
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You’ll be making a revolutionary improvement to your house and bathroom. By incorporating new technology in your bathroom, you’ll be automatically improving your standard of living.
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One less surface for everyone to touch. That would be ideal if you have kids. -
It’s a quick, hassle-free way of flushing, so it’s quite convenient. -
You’ll be quickly jumping on the modern bandwagon by installing a touchless toilet in your house.
What to consider before deciding which toilet to buy:
There are a few things you need to consider before deciding on a brand a model. You need to first learn what your personal preferences are, if price matters to you, what type of design you need, and much more. Here are some factors you need to think about before deciding on which toilet to buy:
Brand – There is no doubt that you will be bombarded by a number of different brands all with different prices, different reviews and different models. The first thing you need to decide is whether or not you have a certain brand in mind or if you’re open to choosing the one with the best value for money. The top brands when it comes to touchless toilets include: Kohler, Toto and American Standard.
Efficiency – This is one of the most important factors you need to consider before buying. Here’s a rule of thumb: the federal maximum is 1.6 gallons per flush, and WaterSense toilets use 1.28 gallons or less. The lower that number is, the more water efficient they are. You need to be choosing the more efficient ones if you’re concerned about both, water bills and the environment.
Picking the waste outlet – You’ll need to figure out what your plumbing system looks like now so you can choose between a back outlet and a floor outlet.
Budget – This is definitely important: touchless toilets usually cost more than similar manual models. Retrofit touchless flush kits are a cheaper option for an existing toilet.
Bowl Shape – Deciding on a bowl shape depends on how much space you have, and personal preference. So for example, if you don’t have a lot of space then go for a round shape, and if you have more space then go for an elongated bowl design.
Bowl Height – If comfort is important for you, then you need to decide what height is right for you. Chair-height models put the seat 17 to 19 inches above the floor.
Here are our top touchless toilet brands:
1. American Standard 2795119.020
American Standard is a well-known brand with reasonable prices compared to other brands in the market. They have a few products that incorporate the touchless technology, including the American Standard 2795119.020.
The design of the toilet is fantastic – with a sleek white design, and it’s perfect for anyone looking to brighten up their bathroom’s décor. To flush the toilet, all you need to do is move your hand over the sensor and then it will automatically flush.
Pros:
· The toilets are WaterSense certified. That means this model uses 1.28 gallons or less with each flush, which is water efficient. If you’re interested in more eco-friendly products and want to save more on water bills, then this model is a good fit. WaterSense toilets use about 20 percent less water than the 1.6-gallon federal standard.
· The brand is very well-known and is one of the best selling for toilets in general.
· The décor of the toilet is modern and contemporary, adding a smooth touch to your bathroom.
· There is a three inch flush valve, which lets water into the bowl quickly for a strong flush.
· The flush sensor is located on the side instead of on top. This allows you to put any decorations or items on top of the toilet.
· The toilet comes with a manual override. This works by taking off the lid in case the sensor stops working.
· The design also focuses on hygiene, with a PowerWash rim that scrubs the bowl during each flush and an antimicrobial surface.
Cons:
· They are not cheap, and if you’re on a budget it’s better to get an add-on kit instead.
· They are still not widely used.
Type:
Two-piece.
Dimensions and weight:
Check the spec sheet; listings often show shipping dimensions.
Flush:
HET.
GPF:
1.28.
Bowl:
Elongated.
2. Kohler K-6418-0 CIMARRON
This is definitely one of the best Kohler toilets when it comes to the incorporation of technology in its design. The Cimarron toilet is more expensive than normal Kohler toilets but is worth the price.
This design runs on four AA batteries. Battery life depends on how often the toilet is flushed, so keep spares on hand.
Kohler mounts its touchless sensor inside the tank, so you wave your hand over the lid to flush.
Other features of this toilet include the tone it makes right before the toilet flushes.
This is a two-piece model and comes in white.
Pros:
The sensor is hidden inside the tank, which keeps the outside clean and simple.
It uses 1.28 gallons per flush, making it water efficient.
Some listings mention a nightlight; check the model details if that matters to you.
The flush system does not cause a lot of noise.
The toilet uses AquaPiston technology – a powerful tool to remove excess waste
It is often priced competitively with the American Standard model, and comes from a reputable brand in the industry.
There is a round front bowl, which is perfect if you don’t have enough space or leg room in the bathroom.
Cons:
Users have reported that sometimes the toilet flushes completely on its own or when they leaned forward to grab something, raised the toilet seat, or even lowered the seat.
Quality is not as nice as the American Standard.
They are still not widely used, so you won’t find a lot of reviews from other people that can help you make an educated decision.
The sensor reads through the tank lid, so keep the top clear of storage or decoration.
Type:
Two-piece.
Dimensions and weight
Check the spec sheet; listings often show shipping dimensions.
Flush
HET
GPF
1.28
Bowl
Round
3. KOHLER K-4000-95 San Souci
As mentioned above, Kohler is a well-recognized brand name in the industry. The San Souci combines the advantages of a one-piece toilet, with a contemporary and modern design, and the touchless flush technology as well.
Out of the options here, this is the most expensive – so if you’re on a tight budget, then this is not the ideal product for you. If, however, you’re looking for quality, then you can spend your money on that.
Kohler’s San Souci sell sheet describes the K-4000 as a Comfort Height, compact elongated toilet with a concealed trapway. The flush is triggered by a no-touch sensor mounted inside the tank and powered by four AA batteries. Compact elongated bowls fit in about the space of a round-front bowl.
Pros:
The Kohler brand is respected all over the industry, and buyers report helpful customer service.
Uses 1.28 gallons per flush, thus making it another highly water-efficient toilet.
It utilizes the AquaPiston technology for powerful flushes, and the water comes down from every angle down the bowl for efficient waste removal.
Compact elongated bowl with Comfort Height seating.
The one piece design is low profile, comfortable and gives a new sleek finish.
The -95 suffix is Kohler’s Ice Grey color; the model also comes in white and other colors.
Cons:
Some users reported that the toilet flushes on its own at times.
The battery set-up is confusing to many, and people complain about having to remove the lid every once in a while as this increases the chance of the lid breaking.
Not the best option if you’re on a tight budget.
As with any one-piece toilet, inspect it for shipping damage before installing it.
Type
One-piece
Flush
HET
Color
Ice Grey (-95)
Shape
Compact elongated
Water consumptions
1.28 GPF
In the end, touchless flush toilets may not be for everyone. Some people prefer to flush manually; while others would much rather have a touchless feature to avoid any hygiene-related problem. Deciding whether or not to buy a touchless toilet depends on what you want to get out of it, and deciding on which brand depends on price, brand model, comfort and brand design. These are all factors that can make or break your opinion. Check out our best toilets guide now.
Sources
- San Souci Toilets sell sheet, Kohler
- About Handwashing, CDC
- Residential Toilets, U.S. EPA WaterSense
