1. Type

The first task of the buyer is to choose the type of toilet. The range of models is quite large, and the specific type of sanitary ware directly affects the following points:

  • design is a very important individual moment for the buyer;
  • delivery set - drain tank and lid ;
  • the design of the flush tank;
  • preferred installation option;
  • general functionality.

Below are the main types of toilets:

  1. Compacts. This is the most familiar, classic variation, with which the term "toilet" is associated in people. This type involves a bowl and a flush tank combined into one. A compact toilet is reliable, easy to install and maintain, and often has a balanced price-quality ratio. In terms of design, it is neutral, although some consider it old-fashioned.
  2. A separate toilet is usually without a cistern. This is a very versatile solution both in design and installation. Such models allow for different installation options - suspended (more common) or floor-standing (less common). It is advisable to consider a separate toilet if you already have a cistern, you plan to buy it separately or will use an installation.
  3. Toilets with a suspended cistern. These models can fairly be attributed to the retro style: they were quite common before, but are now rare. The suspended cistern can be placed at a medium (up to 1.5 meters from the floor) or high (up to 2.5 m). It is connected to the bowl with a rigid metal pipe or a flexible way - a corrugated hose. This model can be recommended for "antique" interiors or for creating unusual design solutions.
  4. Bidet toilets. These are models that provide the function of a hygienic shower. They are capable of performing the tasks of two sanitary ware at once - a toilet and a bidet. The main features of such solutions include several water supply modes, the ability to heat it and / or a self-cleaning option that reduces the need for manual care. In addition, it is among the bidet toilets that so-called smart devices are found. Their functionality can be quite variable and include lighting, a presence sensor with subsequent automatic lifting of the lid, seat heating, odor elimination. Models with advanced controls, including a display, remote control or access from a smartphone, also receive the "smart" designation. It is clear that all these features directly affect the price of plumbing.
  5. Children's toilets : they are smaller in size and height, can be made in a characteristic design and/or supplemented with soft pads on the seat. Such models are relevant for large families with a large bathroom (toilet) or non-domestic use - in primary schools, kindergartens, play studios.
  6. Toilets for people with disabilities. Their design features may vary, but the essence is the same - to simplify operation for this category of users.

Plus, for commercial use or in addition to standard plumbing in large bathrooms, a urinal can be installed.

Today, the choice most often has to be made between compacts and separate toilets. Moreover, the decision often depends on the preferred or available installation option. The bidet function is also welcome, but the choice of models with it is not so great, so it is often more advisable to take a regular toilet and a separate hygienic shower.

Popular compact toilets (with cistern)

2. Installation

According to the installation method, there are two large groups of toilets:

  1. Floor-standing. The traditional option with placement on the floor. Typical for compact toilets. This type of installation is simple and inexpensive, and ensures easy maintenance of the flush tank. However, there are also disadvantages: it is more difficult to maintain the space behind the toilet and it is necessary to choose the height of the bowl when buying. Corner and wall-mounted (adjacent) installations can be considered private variations of floor-standing installation. The first allows for rational use of space in cramped conditions, but can complicate the supply of communications. Adjacent installation helps to hide or reduce the visibility of sewer pipes, which slightly improves the overall aesthetics.
  2. Suspended. The bowl is attached to the wall, and the cistern is usually hidden, which looks neat, beautiful and stylish. Plus, the water intake is not heard and it is easy to do wet cleaning under the toilet. At the installation stage, you can determine the optimal height for placing the bowl - taking into account the height of the users. But the installation itself is more complicated, it involves the use of an installation system, which costs almost as much as a toilet. In addition, the installation is usually about 15 cm deep and takes up to 1.2 meters in height, and in the smallest bathrooms such space losses can be more critical than placing a compact.

The main differences between floor and suspended installations are summarized in the table:

Comparison parameters Floor mounting Suspended mounting
General aesthetics below higher
Selecting the height of the bowl at the purchase stage at the installation stage
Cleaning around the toilet more difficult easier
Noisiness higher below
Installation easier and cheaper more complicated and more expensive
Access to the tank open difficult

In addition to the actual installation option, when choosing a toilet, it is necessary to take into account the type of outlet (drain). We are talking about the location of the branch pipe that connects to the sewer. There are 4 types of drain, namely:

  • Horizontal. The drain is directed parallel to the floor and, as a rule, is easily connected to sewer pipes that are located along the walls. The most typical option for Europe;
  • Oblique. The drain pipe is slightly angled to the floor, which is also suitable for the usual European layout of communications and can sometimes be even more convenient than horizontal;
  • Vertical. The drain is directed straight down from the toilet. This type of outlet is considered American, but can also be found in our country (if the utilities are located under the floor).
  • Universal. Such toilets do not have a full-fledged branch pipe, and the outlet can be set using an adapter as you need for convenient installation.
Important! If you need an oblique outlet, and the model you like has a vertical one, this does not mean that you will have to give it up. You can change the direction of the drain with several adapters. But the design of the communications will be complicated as a result, plus the toilet will have to be moved further away from the pipes or raised (and the entire floor level). That is why it is ideal to choose the right outlet right away.

Also, when determining the optimal model and installation method, it is worth paying attention to:

  • Previous installation option. If new repairs are not planned, then you will have to abandon the change in the installation method;
  • Physical dimensions of the plumbing fixtures - depth, width, height of the bowl and the entire structure (for compacts);
  • Interior design. Yes, the suspended version is more aesthetically pleasing and modern, but if you have a retro design, then floor mounting is probably more appropriate.
Popular wall hung toilets

3. Bowl shape

The bowl form factor is quite an interesting characteristic. It affects both aesthetics and practicality during use. Let's look at the main variations:

  • Semi-circular. This is the most common shape today. It is universal, has no corners, which simplifies maintenance, is not too heavy and bulky compared to its analogues. Potential disadvantages - this shape may not be very convenient for large users;
  • Rectangular. Quite a rare option with the correct bowl geometry and four 90-degree angles each. Such toilets can be considered designer. They are quite expensive. Plus, the corners can cause bruises and make maintenance difficult;
  • Rectangular rounded. The bowl looks more original than the semicircular one. The beveled corners look impressive and prevent injuries from accidental foot contact. Such toilets are also quite easy to clean. They usually cost a little more than semicircular ones;
  • Rectangular with an arc. This toilet is rounded at the front, and the bowl has a straight geometry on the sides and back. It looks impressive, but due to the angular design it can be more difficult to maintain. Otherwise, it has the same pros and cons as rectangular rounded solutions.

Important! The above shapes are the characteristics of the outer contour of the bowl. All models are rounded inside, otherwise the pronounced joints would become places where bacteria and plaque accumulate, and would significantly increase the complexity of care. At the same time, the internal geometry of the bowl may also differ. Usually one of three shapes is found (plate or with a shelf, visor, funnel-shaped).

  • Plate or with a shelf. Classic geometry, which is not very popular today. There is no splashing of water during operation, but the hygiene is lower - odors can spread, more difficult to maintain - you need to use a brush more often;
  • Visor. Here all waste immediately goes into the flush, there is no "splash", but you need to work with a brush almost as often as in the case of plate-shaped bowls;
  • Funnel-shaped. This geometry provides the highest hygiene and the lowest water consumption. But a "splash" is still possible. In Europe, this shape is considered the most popular.

By the way, continuing the conversation about hygiene, it is worth mentioning at least two interesting functions. Thus, some models have anti-spasm. If this option is declared, then the shape of the bowl should ensure minimal splashing of water during drainage. Accordingly, the buyer does not necessarily have to delve into the differences between the conventional visor and funnel-shaped forms.

The second, perhaps even more useful from a hygiene point of view, feature is the rimless design. This toilet has no rim, which reduces the amount of dirt and bacteria, and therefore the cleaning procedure is usually simplified.

This is what the toilet looks like in cross-section: without the rim and with it.
Popular rimless toilets

4. Water supply

The supply determines the location of the branch pipe through which water enters the toilet cistern. This feature is relevant primarily for floor-standing compacts, and when using installation and suspended mounting it is of no particular importance.

The water supply does not particularly affect the installation of the toilet, since flexible hoses are usually used for connection, but the noise level when filling with water and the aesthetics have a direct impact. The following supply options are distinguished:

  • Side. It is easy to implement, so it does not increase the cost of the toilet. But this connection is noisy and often noticeable (negatively affects the aesthetics);
  • Lower. This option promotes silence and is almost invisible to prying eyes. It is considered the most preferable today;
  • Rear. It is accessible, more aesthetic than the side one, but like the latter it is quite noisy.

The quietest water supply to the tank is the bottom one.
Popular toilets with bottom water supply

5. Materials

Toilets are most often made of sanitary earthenware or porcelain. Moreover, the first is more typical for budget and mid-price segment solutions, and the second - for advanced and premium ones. Both materials look good - visually almost indistinguishable from each other. They are very strong, reliable and durable. Due to many common properties, the choice between sanitary earthenware and sanitary porcelain should probably not be considered a key point. The main differences between these materials are presented in the table:

Comparison parameters Sanitary ware Sanitary porcelain
Service life up to 15 years up to 25 years
Strength high even higher
Price below higher


Occasionally, toilets made of other materials are available for sale, for example, metal, stone (both natural and artificial), and acrylic. But there are few of them, they are more likely to be design solutions.

Toilet seats are most often made from:

  • Polypropylene is an inexpensive plastic with a high level of durability. But over time it can turn yellow, become covered with scratches and lose its original marketable appearance.
  • Duroplast is an advanced polymer material. Externally, such a seat looks like a ceramic one. Duroplast is more reliable, stronger, and has better wear resistance than polypropylene. But it is also heavier than its competitor, so it is recommended to use a closer (microlift) with it.

It is also worth making sure in advance that the seat with a cover is included in the delivery set.

Popular toilets made of sanitary porcelain

6. Additional functions and features

Useful additional options of modern toilets include the following:

  • Half flush. A practical function that allows you to empty not the entire tank at once, but about half. This is a good way to save water;
  • Circular flush. This is a function that improves the quality of washing the bowl with water against the traditional cascade (vertical) method. Circular flush makes the toilet more expensive, but, as a rule, reduces water consumption and noise level in operation;
  • Small tank. In this case, we mean a capacity of up to 6 liters (usually 5 liters or less). This option may be relevant for those with cramped conditions. At the same time, models with a small tank are often more expensive than regular ones, since they include additional design features aimed at improving the quality of flushing (the same circular feed) with a small amount of water;
  • Microlift. A popular option that involves the presence of a closer in the seat design. It provides smooth lowering, eliminates noise and impacts on the rim;
  • Antibacterial coating. Special toilet treatment that protects against active bacterial growth and improves overall hygiene during use.

Here's how circular flushing works in practice:



You can also find models with a pattern on sale, and this is typical not only for children's sanitary appliances. Plus, in addition to white, there are plenty of other color schemes today.

Popular toilets with antibacterial coating

7. Brands

The price of the toilet directly depends on the manufacturer's name. At the same time, there may not be a big difference in the reliability of the bowl itself between budget and premium models. But for the original design, the quality of the cistern fittings, as well as additional functionality, you usually have to pay extra. Plus, for example, the installation system of a proven brand is also usually more expensive, because the manufacturer claims a higher working resource. And here the extra charge is justified, because in case of premature breakdown, you will have to dismantle the false wall.

Relatively inexpensive but well-proven solutions include toilets from brands such as Cersanit and Kolo. In the middle and advanced segment, it is worth highlighting the brands Duravit, Geberit, Villeroy & Boch and Ravak. But almost every company in this group has both relatively affordable and expensive models. Top solutions usually include plumbing from brands such as Grohe, Ideal Standard, Roca and Laufen.

Modern toilets can be very futuristic.

8. Tips and Conclusions

First of all, you should decide on the type of toilet and the installation option that interests you. If you are doing a new renovation and the bathroom is not the smallest, then the variability is maximum, although modern trends suggest that it is better to opt for a suspended toilet with a bidet function or a separate hygienic shower. If renovation work is not included in the plans, and installation was not previously envisaged, then the best option is a compact model with floor mounting. There are truly original design solutions here too.

When choosing the shape of the bowl, the material of manufacture and additional functions, it is worth starting from the budget and other priorities, including hygiene, silence, and overall comfort in use.

In conclusion, we would like to remind you that in front of the toilet in the bathroom, you need to provide a platform of at least 80 by 60 cm, and ideally (so that it does not feel cramped) - 120 by 120 cm. And such space is not always available. Therefore, sometimes in order to find the best solution, you need to consult not only with a good plumber, but also with a designer.