Do you have a home that would benefit from a tankless toilet? While shopping, you may wonder if a tankless toilet vs. a traditional toilet is the way to go.
You may also wonder if a tankless toilet can provide enough power for disposing of toilet paper and solid waste properly. The right type will ensure you have an enjoyable bathroom experience, so we give all the information needed before making any decisions on these options!
In this PlumbingNav guide, we will cover:
What are tankless toilets?
How do tankless toilets work?
Can I put a tankless toilet in my home?
Are tankless toilets worth it?
Best tankless toilet reviews
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Product
Our Top Pick
Our Top Pick
KOHLER K-6299-0 Veil Wall-Hung Elongated Toilet Bowl, White
Made by the popular Kohler name, this ceramic wall-hung toilet compliments any bathroom and even ensures the steel mounting hardware remains hidden. The wall-mount design allows you to hang the toilet at your preferred height between 15 ⅜” and 28 ½” high.
The dual flushing mechanism flushes contents at .8 GPF for the efficient setting or 1.6 GPF for the powerful flush setting.
Tankless toilets are toilets that don’t use a tank full of water to function. Many homeowners like this to save space in their bathroom, or simply for their sleek and less bulky design.
A traditional tank toilet allows water to enter the tank to fill the toilet bowl when you flush, allowing gravity and water pressure to force the waste water down your toilet and out to your sewer line or septic system.
Tankless toilets use an internal tank inside the wall. Some actually compost the waste self-sufficiently (mostly used for off-grid or remote locations).
Since most toilets flush using a handle on the tank, most tankless toilets have a button on the bowl itself or on a flush plate you install into the wall.
Manufacturers measure water consumption using gallons per flush (GPF). The federal government requires that toilets use 1.6 GPF or less, but Energy Star toilets use 1.2 GPF or less.
While tankless toilets use less water by design, you can find a dual flush toilet that save even more money on your water and sewer bill with two flush options – one efficient option for liquid waste and one more powerful option for solid waste.
Tankless Toilets Save Space
Tankless toilets also take up less space since they don’t have a bulky tank, accommodating smaller residential bathrooms and small spaces in commercial bathrooms. They extend out less and take up less space above the toilet bowl.
The toilet bowl attaches to the wall or the floor, depending on the model.
Tankless Toilet Flushing Options
Toilet bowl flushing options include:
Siphonic – High water level that exits out the bottom through an S trap for powerful flush and low chance of sewage re-entering the toilet bowl
Blowout – Waste exits through a hole in the inlet of the trapway; noisy and powerful
Rear discharge – Water exits through the back instead of the floor, making them convenient in high rise apartments
It’s important you choose the right option for your household. If the toilet doesn’t flush properly or you put too much strain on the system, you may develop a toilet clog. You will then need to use a plumbing snake or liquid drain cleaner to unclog your toilet.
This of course happens with all types of toilets, even traditional ones. If you have kids in the house (read, lots of toilet paper!) just make sure your flush power will be adequate to deal with it.
How Do Tankless Toilets Work?
Tankless toilets work using a pressurized valve.
This is what happens when you flush a tankless toilet. The relief valve opens, allowing a small amount of water from the upper chamber to enter the diaphragm, and this releases pressure.
The low-pressure levels allow the high-pressure water from the inlet to lift up the diaphragm so that contents can go down the flush pipe. A small amount of water reenters the upper chamber to prepare for the next use. This mechanism is referred to as the flushometer.
Here is a video showing you how a flushometer works:
Do Tankless Toilets Use Supply Lines?
Well, that depends on what you mean. Yes, all toilets need to be connected to a water supply in order to operate. However, wall-mounted tankless toilets will receive their water connection inside the wall. Some tankless toilets sit on the floor and will use a more traditional supply line toilet hose connector. So the type of connection will depend upon the model you choose.
Are Tankless Toilets Worth It?
While you can find some tankless toilets at prices comparable to conventional toilets, most tankless toilets do cost more.
You may make up some of the money in your monthly water bill.
More importantly, you will get value out of the toilet’s space-saving and comfort features, which can be priceless if you aren’t happy with your current setup.
Best Tankless Toilet Reviews
Now let’s explore our favorite units so you can decide on the perfect choice for your situation.
Made by the popular Kohler name, this ceramic wall-hung toilet compliments any bathroom and even ensures the steel mounting hardware remains hidden. The wall-mount design allows you to hang the toilet at your preferred height between 15 ⅜” and 28 ½” high.
The dual flushing mechanism flushes contents at .8 GPF for the efficient setting or 1.6 GPF for the powerful flush setting.
Get a tankless toilet without breaking the bank thanks to this Swiss Madison St. Tropez wall-mount toilet with an attractively sleek and glossy design that saves significant space compared to standard toilets. The dual flush system flushes the toilet at either .8 or 1.8 gallons.
Get the best in style, function, comfort, and efficiency with the Toto Neorest tankless floor-mount toilet. It comes with dual flush settings that eliminate waste at 1 gallon and .8 gallons per flush, hands-free flushing, and even heated seats for optimal enjoyment.
You even get complete control of function with the option to choose among front, soft rear, oscillating, and pulsating cleanse options. Of course, you will pay for all of the cool features.
Perfect for a smaller bathroom without access to plumbing and people who prefer to follow an off-the-grid lifestyle, you can install the Sanicompact residential toilet 9 feet below the sewer line, or even up to 120 feet away from a soil stack.
It uses an electric pump to power the dual flushing operation at 1 GPF or 1.28 GPF. You can install it alone or in conjunction with the compatible gravity-fed sink. Not a commercial toilet.
When saving space is a priority, try this low profile toilet designed to fit tight spaces and make the bathroom feel more spacious. At only 18 ½” high, its minimalist sleek design matches your modern bathroom design aesthetic while still offering the comfort of an elongated bowl.
It comes with a slow close toilet seat to prevent you from accidentally slamming the seat down when finished. The PowerFlo flushing technology and CleanCurve rim keep the toilet clean in between cleanings.
Pros
MaP Premium ultra-high efficiency
PowerFlo flushing and CleanCurve rim
Space-saving design
Cons
Plastic seat (can’t be replaced with a different seat)
Single flush
Small and may be uncomfortable for larger people
Can I Put a Tankless Toilet In my Home?
You can absolutely install a tankless toilet in your home. Most tankless toilets are designed to adhere to residential building codes. However, you may want to check your local code requirements when buying a new toilet just to make sure.
Tankless Toilet Installation
Step One: Gather Supplies
The tools you’ll need to install your toilet include:
The pipes you have may not fit perfectly. You’ll need to measure them for the proper size and mark the appropriate place.
Mark the pipes on either the bowl side or the wall side, depending on whether you’re installing a wall-mount model or a floor-mount model. If working with a floor mount toilet, it’ll be easier to mark the pipes with the bowl upside down.
After you mark the pipes, cut them where you marked them. Use a file to smooth out the rough edges.
Step Three: Install Pipes
Use sealants such as plumber’s grease, plumbers putty, or a substitute and apply it to the gaskets in the inlet and outlet holes as well as the inlet and outlet pipes.
Install the pipes to the appropriate holes and adjust the threaded rods.
At this time, you will install the seat on the toilet bowl to the mounting hardware.
Ensure the threaded rod is adjusted properly and enlist the help of another person to help you support the weight of the toilet while you install it.
Once installed, verify it works without any leaks.
Watch this video for how to install a tankless toilet:
Final Thoughts On Buying a Tankless Toilet
Most of us are familiar with traditional options, also known as a gravity flush toilet. However, if you have a small bathroom, you may benefit from the space-saving qualities of a tankless toilet. Tankless toilets mostly come in average heights, so they don’t make the best choice for an aging family member who needs the tallest toilet height.
You can find toilets that are just as powerful as a regular toilet but read the specifications to confirm your choice will meet your household needs. They are made by a variety of manufacturers due to their increase in popularity. This includes “affordable luxury” brands like Swiss Madison.
Once you find the toilet you like, consider other space-saving options for your bathroom sink. A corner sink or a pedestal sink can also give you plenty of extra room.
Finally, let’s talk about color and finish. Most tankless toilet models mainly come in white, which is still commonly used in most homes. However, more modern options are becoming available such as black toilets, but there are fewer to choose from.
Tankless Toilet FAQs
What Are Tankless Toilets?
Tankless toilets refer to toilets that don’t use a tank full of water to force contents in the toilet bowl out through the sewer line. Tankless toilets use a pressured system that uses much less water. The lack of a water tank also uses less space, perfect for small bathrooms.
How Do Tankless Toilets Work?
Tankless toilets work by using increased pressure called a flushometer instead of stored water.
Do Tankless Toilets Use a Flapper?
No, tankless toilets do not use a flapper. Instead, they use a flushometer which is a valve that allows water to enter while the flushing mechanism is in operation.
Can I Put a Tankless Toilet In my Home?
Yes. You can put a tankless toilet in your home as long as it adheres to your local building code. Tankless toilets work best in small bathrooms.
Are Tankless Toilets Worth It?
Tankless toilets tend to cost a little more than conventional toilets, but they use less water. It’s important to make your bathroom comfortable, and if your new tankless toilet can help you achieve greater comfort, that’s priceless (consider a tankless toilet with a heated seat).
How to flush a tankless toilet without water?
If you absolutely need to get your tankless toilet to flush if the power is out, pour water into it. However, the pressure created when the relief valve allows water into the diaphragm should produce enough pressure to flush the toilet on its own if you still have some left in your system.
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About Plumbing Navigator
We write about "all things plumbing," helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
About Plumbing Navigator
We write about “all things plumbing,” helping you navigate common questions, repairs, and the best plumbing products on the market.
