The TOTO Drake II is what happens when TOTO takes its legendary clog-busting Drake and rebuilds it for buyers who also want a quieter flush, a taller body and a cleaner look. It pairs the Double Cyclone flushing system with a fully glazed trapway and the optional CeFiONtect ceramic glaze, and it carries WaterSense certification on an efficient 1.28-gallon flush. This review compares the Drake II's published specifications, its independent MaP flush-test score, its water use and the recurring themes across thousands of aggregated owner reviews, so you can decide whether it belongs in your bathroom.
Research updated June 2026.
The TOTO Drake II is our top pick for buyers who want serious flush power that runs quietly. Its Double Cyclone system and fully glazed trapway clear waste reliably while staying noticeably quieter than the original Drake, and it does it on an efficient, WaterSense-certified 1.28 gallons. The taller Comfort Height body and slick CeFiONtect glaze are the bonus.
The original TOTO Drake earned its reputation as the toilet plumbers recommend when a buyer says they never want to plunge again. The Drake II is the refined member of that family. TOTO kept the part that matters, the powerful siphon-driven flush and the slick glazed trapway, and then answered the two complaints owners most often raised about the original: it was a bit loud, and its standard-height body felt low to taller users and anyone with mobility concerns. The Drake II runs quieter, sits taller and looks cleaner, which is why it has become the default recommendation for buyers who want Drake-grade performance without the trade-offs that come with the older model.
This review looks past the family name and at the engineering and data that actually predict performance. We compare the Drake II's published specifications (flush valve size, trapway width, bowl height, rough-in), its independent MaP (Maximum Performance) flush-test score against rivals graded by the identical protocol, its WaterSense certification and gallons-per-flush figure, and the consistent patterns across thousands of aggregated owner reviews on clogging, noise, cleaning and long-term reliability. Where the Drake II has real weaknesses, we name them. To see how it stacks up against the wider field first, our pillar roundup of the best flushing toilets places the Drake II alongside its toughest competition.
We do not install the Drake II in a lab and flush it ourselves, and we will not pretend we do. Instead we read TOTO's published specifications, compare the Drake II's independent MaP flush-test score against rival toilets graded by the same identical protocol, factor in WaterSense certification and gallons per flush to reward power that stays efficient, and study the recurring themes across thousands of aggregated owner reviews. No payment buys a favorable verdict on this page.
The key published specs and the independent flush score that matter most when judging this toilet.
| Toilet | Best For | MaP | GPF | Rating | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTO Drake II | Quiet clog-busting power | 800 to 1000 g | 1.28 | 4.7 | Check price |
| TOTO Drake | Maximum raw power | 1000 g | 1.28 | 4.8 | Check price |
| TOTO UltraMax II | Seamless one-piece | 800 g | 1.28 | 4.7 | Check price |
| Kohler Cimarron | Clean styling | Up to 1000 g | 1.28 | 4.6 | Check price |
| American Standard Champion 4 | Huge waste | 1000 g | 1.6 | 4.6 | Check price |
A note on model codes. The Drake II is sold under several catalog numbers depending on bowl shape, glaze and flush volume. The most common configuration buyers reach for is the elongated, 1.28-gallon, two-piece bowl-and-tank combo (often listed as the CST454CEFG, with the G suffix indicating the CeFiONtect glaze, and the plain CST454CEF without it). Spec figures and the exact MaP score vary slightly by SKU and flush volume, so always confirm the rough-in, bowl shape and GPF on the listing before you order. The bowl and tank are frequently sold as separate parts that must be paired, so double check you are buying a complete combo and not a bowl alone.
Flush power is the reason most people seek out a Drake, and the Drake II changes how that power is delivered. Where the original Drake uses TOTO's G-Max flush, with a wide 3-inch flush valve feeding a ring of conventional rim holes, the Drake II uses the Double Cyclone system. Instead of dozens of small rim holes, the Double Cyclone bowl has two powerful nozzles, one on each side near the rim, that fire water in a centrifugal, swirling pattern. The result is a flush that uses water more efficiently and rinses the bowl more completely, because the swirling action sweeps the full inner surface rather than just dribbling down from holes that can clog with mineral scale over time.
In independent MaP testing, which measures how many grams of solid waste a toilet clears in a single flush under an identical protocol across every brand, the Drake II grades in the 800 to 1000-gram range depending on the exact configuration. Many competent toilets land in the 600 to 800-gram band, so the Drake II operates near the ceiling of the gravity class. Those numbers are not marketing figures invented by TOTO; they come from the third-party MaP program. In owner reviews the practical result is consistent: reports of clogs and double flushing are uncommon, and households moving up from a weak low-flow toilet describe the change as dramatic. The Drake II keeps the family's defining strength while feeling more modern in how it gets there.
The other half of the clog-resistance story is the trapway. The Drake II uses a fully glazed trapway, meaning the internal waste passage is coated with the same smooth ceramic glaze as the bowl. A glazed trapway gives waste a slick, low-friction path out, which resists the streaking and snagging that cause partial clogs in cheaper toilets with bare, rough trapways. The trapway is a generous 2-1/8 inches wide, large enough to pass the bulky waste that defeats narrow-passage budget toilets. Together, the Double Cyclone flush and the glazed trapway are why the Drake II so rarely needs a second flush.
If the original Drake's noise was the only thing holding you back, the Drake II is the model we point people to first. The Double Cyclone flush trades a little of the raw G-Max brute force for a noticeably quieter, more thorough rinse, and in practice the difference in clog resistance is negligible for a normal household. You get the same family reliability in a body that is quieter, taller and easier to live with.
The Drake II uses 1.28 gallons per flush and carries WaterSense certification, which means it meets the EPA program's standard for using at least 20 percent less water than the federal 1.6-gallon maximum while still passing flush-performance criteria. The notable part is that the Drake II earns its high MaP score on that reduced volume. Historically, toilets that moved solids this aggressively did so by using more water. A 1.28-gallon toilet that still grades 800 to 1000 grams is doing genuinely efficient engineering, and the Double Cyclone nozzle design is a big reason why, because directing the water in a swirl extracts more cleaning work from each gallon than scattering it through rim holes.
Over a year of normal household use, that lower volume adds up to a meaningful water saving, and in regions that offer toilet rebates a WaterSense model can qualify. The Drake II is one of the toilets we point to in our roundup of the best EPA WaterSense toilets, where its blend of efficiency and real flush power is exactly the balance the certification is meant to reward. Unlike the original Drake, which still offers a 1.6-gallon version for older drain lines, the Drake II is built around the efficient 1.28-gallon flush across its common configurations, which suits the way modern plumbing is designed.
Among gravity toilets, very few models match the Drake II's combination of a high MaP score, a 1.28-gallon flush and quiet operation. The original Drake uses the louder G-Max system to reach a flat 1000 grams, and the American Standard Champion 4 competes with an enormous 4-inch flush valve that also grades 1000 grams on 1.6 gallons. The Kohler Cimarron's Class Five canister reaches the same ceiling in its best configurations while staying quiet, making it the Drake II's closest cross-shop on the quiet-and-strong axis. If you want force beyond what any gravity toilet provides, a pressure-assisted unit using a Flushmate tank or a Gerber pressure system moves water faster and far louder, which we cover in our guide to the best pressure-assisted toilets. For most homes, the Drake II delivers all the power that is actually needed without the noise.
Clog resistance comes from two things working together: how effectively water is delivered to the bowl, and how smoothly that water and waste can escape. The Drake II does both well. The two Double Cyclone nozzles handle the first half by creating a fast, swirling rinse that uses each gallon efficiently, and the fully glazed trapway handles the second half by resisting the streaking and snagging that cause partial clogs. The 2-1/8 inch trapway is wide enough to pass bulky loads that defeat narrow budget toilets. Buyers dealing with a chronically problematic bathroom should also read our guide to the toilets that never clog, where TOTO models like the Drake II are recurring recommendations.
Styling is where the Drake II pulls ahead of its older sibling. It has a cleaner, more contemporary silhouette than the utilitarian original Drake, with a smoother tank-to-bowl transition and a rim design that is easier to wipe. It still has an exposed trapway on the side of the bowl, so it is not a fully skirted one-piece, but it looks distinctly more modern. For buyers who liked the Drake's performance but found it too plain for a remodeled bathroom, the Drake II is the answer that keeps the same flush philosophy.
The Drake II is a Comfort Height (sometimes called Universal Height) toilet, sitting at roughly 17-1/4 inches to the rim, which meets ADA height guidance for accessible seating. That extra inch or so over a standard-height bowl makes a real difference for taller users, seniors and anyone with knee or back issues, who consistently single it out as a benefit in owner reviews. If accessible height is a priority, the Drake II also appears in our roundup of the best comfort height toilets, where this seating height is the central selling point.
On cleaning, the Drake II has two advantages over the original. First, the Double Cyclone nozzles replace the ring of small rim holes, so there are no tiny holes to clog with mineral scale and discolor over time, a common long-term gripe on older toilets. Second, many Drake II SKUs add CeFiONtect, TOTO's ultra-smooth ceramic glaze (also marketed as SanaGloss), which fills in the microscopic pits in the ceramic surface so waste, mold and bacteria have far less to cling to. Owners with hard water especially appreciate this, since it slows the buildup of mineral rings. The exposed trapway still collects dust and needs an occasional wipe, but the bowl interior stays cleaner with less effort than most toilets in its class.
The Drake II fits the standard 12-inch rough-in (the distance from the finished wall to the center of the floor drain) that covers most homes. As a two-piece, it arrives as a separate tank and bowl, which keeps each piece lighter and easier to carry into a tight bathroom than a heavy one-piece like the UltraMax II. Owners with basic DIY confidence routinely report a straightforward install, and because the Drake family is so common, any plumber recognizes it instantly. Confirm the rough-in and bowl shape on the listing, since the Drake II is sold in both elongated and round-front forms, before you order.
Parts support is a genuine strength of any TOTO. The Drake II uses TOTO's own flush valve and fill valve designs, and because the model sells in volume, replacement seals, fill valves and flush valves are widely available and inexpensive. The flush valve seal is the component owners occasionally mention needing to replace after years of service if the toilet starts to run, and it is a quick, low-cost fix. When you weigh that serviceability into the long-run cost of ownership, the Drake II's value holds up well. Check the current price on Amazon to see where it lands today.
The Drake II sits in a smart spot on price-to-performance. It costs a touch more than the original Drake and more than basic builder-grade toilets, but it delivers flush engineering, a comfort-height body and an easy-clean glaze that together outperform toilets costing far more. It also costs less than designer one-pieces while clearing waste better than most of them. For buyers who want a toilet that simply works for a decade, stays cheap to maintain and looks at home in a modern bathroom, the value case is strong, which is why the Drake II keeps appearing in our roundup of the best flushing toilet for the money.
The MaP (Maximum Performance) test measures how many grams of soybean-paste test media a toilet removes in a single flush under a standardized protocol, giving a brand-neutral way to compare flush strength. Many older low-flow toilets graded poorly, sometimes under 350 grams, which is where the reputation for weak flushing began. Modern high-efficiency toilets routinely exceed 600 grams, and the best, including the Drake II, reach 800 to 1000 grams. When you shop, treat a MaP score under 500 grams as a warning sign and a score of 800 or more as a confident pick.
The Drake II is the toilet to buy when you want Drake-grade clog resistance but a quieter, taller, cleaner toilet to live with every day.
The Double Cyclone flush uses two angled nozzles instead of conventional rim holes to create a centrifugal rinsing action, which cleans the bowl more thoroughly and runs noticeably quieter than the original Drake's G-Max. Paired with the fully glazed 2-1/8 inch trapway, it earns an 800 to 1000-gram MaP score, which is why owner reviews so rarely mention clogs or double flushing.
Aggregated owner reviews are among the most consistently positive of any toilet, with repeated praise for the quiet flush, the comfortable taller height and the easy-clean bowl. The most common criticisms are the higher price than the plain Drake, the exposed trapway that needs occasional wiping, and an eventual flush-valve seal replacement after years of heavy use, all minor against the performance.
This is the Drake we recommend to most people. Unless you are counting every dollar or you specifically need the absolute loudest, brute-force flush, the Drake II's quieter Double Cyclone system, comfort height and easy-clean glaze make it the more livable choice in nearly every bathroom.
The original Drake trades the Drake II's quiet refinement for the brute G-Max flush at a usually lower price, the choice for buyers who want maximum power over polish.
The G-Max system pairs a wide 3-inch flush valve with a fully glazed trapway, the formula behind its maximum 1000-gram MaP score. It is a gravity flush with no loud bang like a pressure-assisted toilet, but it is decidedly louder than the Drake II's Double Cyclone, and the standard-height body sits lower.
Owner reviews praise the original Drake for first-flush clearing and bulletproof reliability, with the plain styling and noise being the main complaints. Our TOTO Drake vs Drake II comparison breaks down exactly which one suits which buyer, and the standalone TOTO Drake review covers it in full.
Choose the original Drake if budget is tight or you have a genuinely problematic bathroom and want the loudest, most forceful gravity flush available. For everyone else, the small upgrade to the Drake II is worth it.
The UltraMax II takes the Drake II's Double Cyclone flush and wraps it in a sleek one-piece body that is even easier to keep clean.
The one-piece body removes the tank-to-bowl seam, so there is no gap collecting dust and grime, and the CeFiONtect glaze further resists buildup. The Double Cyclone flush is the same engine as the Drake II, so clog resistance stays strong while running quietly.
Owner reviews highlight the clean look and easy maintenance, with the higher price and heavier single-piece install being the main downsides. If you like the Drake II's flush but want a seamless body, the UltraMax II is the natural step, and our best flushing one-piece toilets guide compares it against rivals.
Choose the UltraMax II when you want the Drake II's exact flush quality in a body that looks and cleans like a premium toilet. It is the design-forward sibling for buyers who care about the seam.
The Drake II is the right call for homeowners who want a toilet that flushes strongly, resists clogs, saves water, sits at a comfortable height and stays cheap to maintain. It suits standard 12-inch rough-in bathrooms, rewards buyers who want power and quiet operation together, and offers genuine peace of mind through TOTO's proven track record and easy parts support. The comfort-height body makes it a smart pick for seniors, taller users and anyone with knee or back concerns, and the CeFiONtect glaze is a real benefit in hard-water homes.
You should look elsewhere if budget is your single top priority, in which case the original Drake offers similar power for a little less, or if you want a fully skirted, seamless body, in which case the UltraMax II or a Woodbridge one-piece may serve you better. If you want force beyond what any gravity toilet provides, a pressure-assisted model is the step up, at the cost of a much louder flush.
When buyers describe a bathroom they want to fix once and forget, the Drake II is the most well-rounded single recommendation in the Drake family. Match the rough-in and bowl shape to your space, opt for the CeFiONtect glaze if you have hard water, and confirm you are buying a complete bowl-and-tank combo. The Double Cyclone flush, glazed trapway and comfort-height body then do the rest, quietly, for a decade.
Kohler's Class Five canister flush in a refined, quiet body that also reaches 1000 grams on MaP in its best configurations. The closest cross-shop to the Drake II if you prefer Kohler styling and a comparably quiet flush.
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A giant 4-inch flush valve and wide trapway that grades up to 1000 grams on MaP. A strong gravity rival with even larger passages than any Drake, though it runs on 1.6 gallons in many versions.
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A sleek skirted TOTO with a dual-flush Tornado system and a water-saving half flush. A good option if you want a more modern look and lower average water use than the Drake II's single 1.28-gallon flush.
Check price on AmazonIf you are weighing the Drake II against its closest rivals, our TOTO Drake review covers the louder, cheaper original, our Kohler Cimarron review looks at the quieter Class Five canister, our American Standard Champion 4 review details that toilet's giant 4-inch valve, and our TOTO Aquia IV review breaks down its dual-flush Tornado system. The Drake II also appears throughout our pillar guide to the best flushing toilets.
Yes. The Drake II is one of the most well-rounded toilets TOTO makes. Its Double Cyclone flush grades 800 to 1000 grams on the MaP test on an efficient 1.28 gallons, it carries WaterSense certification, and aggregated owner reviews repeatedly praise its quiet operation, comfort-height body and clog resistance. The slightly higher price than the original Drake is the main trade-off.
The original Drake uses the G-Max flush with a 3-inch valve feeding conventional rim holes, while the Drake II uses the quieter Double Cyclone system with two nozzles. The Drake II also sits taller at comfort height and has a cleaner body, whereas the original Drake is plainer, louder, lower and usually cheaper. Both are highly clog resistant.
Very powerful for a gravity toilet. The Double Cyclone system uses two angled nozzles to create a fast, swirling rinse paired with a fully glazed 2-1/8 inch trapway. It grades 800 to 1000 grams on the MaP test depending on configuration, which is why clogs and double flushing are rare in owner reviews.
The Drake II grades 800 to 1000 grams in independent MaP (Maximum Performance) testing, depending on the exact SKU and configuration. That places it near the top of the scale among gravity toilets. A score in that band means the toilet clears a heavy test load in a single flush under the standardized protocol.
No, clogging is uncommon. The Double Cyclone flush builds a strong swirling siphon, and the fully glazed 2-1/8 inch trapway gives waste a slick, wide path out. Aggregated owner reviews report very few clogs and rare double flushing, putting the Drake II among the more clog-resistant gravity toilets you can buy.
Yes. The Double Cyclone system runs noticeably quieter than the original Drake's G-Max siphon jet. The swirling nozzle design moves water with less of the loud rush the G-Max produces. The Drake II is far quieter than any pressure-assisted toilet and one of the quieter strong-flushing gravity toilets available.
The Drake II uses 1.28 gallons per flush and is WaterSense certified, meaning it uses at least 20 percent less water than the federal 1.6-gallon maximum. Remarkably, it earns its high MaP score on that reduced volume, because the Double Cyclone nozzles extract more cleaning work from each gallon than conventional rim holes.
Yes, the 1.28-gallon Drake II is WaterSense certified. The EPA WaterSense program certifies toilets that use at least 20 percent less water than the federal maximum while still passing flush-performance criteria. The Drake II meets both, which is notable given how strongly it flushes.
CeFiONtect, also marketed as SanaGloss, is TOTO's ultra-smooth ceramic glaze offered on many Drake II SKUs. It fills the microscopic pits in the ceramic so waste, mold and mineral scale have far less to cling to, keeping the bowl cleaner with less scrubbing. It is especially helpful in hard-water homes. Look for the G suffix in the model code.
The Drake II is a Comfort Height (Universal Height) toilet, sitting at roughly 17-1/4 inches to the rim. That meets ADA height guidance and is easier on the knees and back than a standard low toilet. Taller users, seniors and anyone with mobility concerns frequently single out this height as a key benefit.
Yes, the comfort-height Drake II meets ADA height guidance for accessible seating with its roughly 17-1/4 inch rim height. This makes it a common choice for accessible bathrooms, aging-in-place remodels and households with users who find a standard-height toilet too low.
It depends on the listing. Many Drake II combos are sold as bowl and tank only without a seat, while some bundles include a SoftClose seat. Always check the specific product page, and confirm the rough-in, bowl shape and 1.28-gallon flush volume at the same time so you get the configuration you expect.
The Drake II fits a standard 12-inch rough-in, the distance from the finished wall to the center of the floor drain, which covers most homes. Measure your existing rough-in before ordering, since a 12-inch toilet will not sit correctly on a 10-inch or 14-inch drain location.
Both bowl shapes are available. The elongated version is the most popular and offers more seating room, while a round-front version exists for smaller bathrooms where space is tight. Confirm the bowl shape on the listing before ordering, since it affects the toilet's footprint.
With normal use the Drake II typically lasts many years, and the ceramic body itself can last for decades. The flush-valve seal is the part owners occasionally replace after long service if the toilet starts to run, and it is an inexpensive, widely available fix that keeps the toilet serviceable for the long term.
Both are excellent and both can reach 1000 grams on MaP. The Drake II's Double Cyclone flush and optional CeFiONtect glaze run quietly and resist buildup well, while the Cimarron's Class Five canister is also quiet in a slightly different body. Choose the Drake II for TOTO's glaze and nozzle design and the Cimarron if you prefer Kohler styling.
They share the same Double Cyclone flush. Choose the Drake II if you want a two-piece that is lighter to install and usually cheaper, with an exposed trapway. Choose the UltraMax II if you want a seamless one-piece body with no tank-to-bowl seam to clean, and you are willing to pay more for the cleaner look.
Yes, though many landlords pick the cheaper original Drake. The Drake II's strong, quiet, clog-resistant flush reduces tenant complaints and service calls, its parts are cheap and widely stocked, and the comfort height suits a wide range of tenants. The two-piece design also keeps each component lighter to carry during installation.
For buyers who want quiet, high-performance flushing with a comfortable height, yes. The Drake II costs a little more than the original Drake but adds quieter operation, a taller body and an easy-clean glaze, and its cheap, widely available parts keep long-term ownership low. If you only care about raw power at the lowest price, the original Drake is the better value.
The TOTO Drake II is the Drake we recommend to most buyers. Its Double Cyclone flush and fully glazed 2-1/8 inch trapway grade 800 to 1000 grams on the MaP test on an efficient, WaterSense-certified 1.28 gallons, and aggregated owner reviews back that up with rare reports of clogging or double flushing. It runs noticeably quieter than the original Drake, sits at an accessible comfort height, and its optional CeFiONtect glaze keeps the bowl cleaner in hard-water homes. It costs a little more than the plain Drake and still has an exposed trapway that needs an occasional wipe, but for quiet, dependable, high-efficiency flush power in a body that is genuinely pleasant to live with, it is one of the safest picks on the market. If budget is your only priority, the original Drake saves a little, and if you want a seamless one-piece, the UltraMax II uses the same flush. Check the current price on Amazon to see where it sits today.
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