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Best Flushing Toilets
Buying Guide

Best Toilet Deals: When to Buy for Maximum Savings

Know exactly which sales events, rebate programs, and seasonal windows deliver the deepest discounts on TOTO, Kohler, American Standard, Woodbridge, Swiss Madison, and Gerber toilets -- plus the strategies that compound your savings.

Why Trust Best Flushing Toilets

Research updated June 2026.

Quick Answer

Black Friday and Labor Day consistently offer the steepest toilet discounts (15 to 40 percent off MSRP), but utility rebates and contractor bundle pricing can cut total out-of-pocket costs by an additional 10 to 30 percent year-round -- often beating holiday sales entirely when stacked correctly.

Why Toilet Pricing Is More Complex Than Most Appliances

Toilets are priced across a wide spectrum that includes manufacturer suggested retail, distributor pricing, contractor net pricing, and promotional event pricing -- and these four tiers rarely align. A TOTO Drake II listed at full MSRP during a non-sale period can cost 25 to 35 percent more than the identical model purchased through a contractor account at a plumbing supply house, even when both are brand new in the box.

Additionally, EPA WaterSense-certified models qualify for utility rebates in hundreds of US water districts, meaning the "real" price after rebate may be substantially lower than any advertised sale price. Understanding which savings mechanisms stack -- and which do not -- is what separates a genuinely good deal from marketing noise.

The toilet market operates on several distinct pricing layers that most consumers never see. Retail prices published by Home Depot, Lowe's, and Amazon are the most visible, but they are rarely the lowest available. Plumbing supply houses such as Ferguson, Hajoca, and Consolidated Supply sell the same TOTO, Kohler, and American Standard models to licensed contractors at net pricing that can run 20 to 40 percent below retail. While individual homeowners typically cannot access contractor pricing directly, working with a plumber who supplies the fixture allows you to benefit indirectly.

On the retail side, pricing is driven by promotional calendars, clearance cycles, and inventory rotation. Manufacturers issue rebate programs, retailers run event-based promotions, and utilities layer rebates on top. Knowing when these windows open is the core skill for getting a great deal on a high-quality toilet.

Expert Take

Plumbing supply professionals note that "new model year" introductions -- which tend to hit in January and September -- create the best clearance opportunities on prior-year models. A TOTO Drake or Kohler Highline from the previous model year is functionally identical to the current listing but may clear at 20 to 30 percent off retail. The MaP score and EPA WaterSense certification on those units do not change just because a new SKU appears.

When Is Black Friday the Best Time to Buy a Toilet?

Black Friday is the single best calendar event for toilet purchases at major home improvement retailers -- Home Depot and Lowe's routinely discount select one-piece and two-piece toilets by 20 to 40 percent, with Kohler, American Standard, and Woodbridge appearing most frequently in doorbuster-style promotions. Deals typically go live the week before Thanksgiving and carry through Cyber Monday.

TOTO models appear less frequently in mass-retail Black Friday events because TOTO sells primarily through plumbing specialty channels, but Amazon does mark down TOTO Entrada and TOTO Drake models during Black Friday and Prime Day windows. The American Standard Champion 4 and Kohler Cimarron are among the most reliable Black Friday discount candidates based on historical promotion patterns.

Black Friday bathroom fixture events have grown substantially since 2020. Home Depot's "Black Friday in July" and their traditional November event both feature toilet promotions, with savings on popular models including the American Standard Cadet 3, the Woodbridge T-0001, and the Kohler Highline. Lowe's follows a similar pattern. During these events, combination "toilet plus seat" bundles often represent the best per-item value because the seat -- which can retail for 30 to 80 dollars separately -- is included at no additional cost.

Cyber Monday extends these deals into early December and is worth monitoring specifically for online-only configurations. Models available only through Amazon or specialty e-commerce retailers (including some Swiss Madison and Horow configurations) may reach their lowest annual prices during Cyber Monday rather than Black Friday itself.

Historical Discount Ranges by Sales Event (Major Retailers)
Sales Event Typical Discount Range Best Brands Available When It Runs Stackable with Rebate?
Black Friday / Cyber Monday 20 -- 40% Kohler, American Standard, Woodbridge Mid-Nov through Dec 2 Often yes (utility rebate)
Labor Day 15 -- 30% American Standard, Kohler, Gerber Late Aug through Sept 1 Yes
Memorial Day 10 -- 25% Woodbridge, Kohler, Swiss Madison Late May weekend Yes
Amazon Prime Day 15 -- 35% TOTO, Woodbridge, Swiss Madison July (two-day event) Yes (if WaterSense certified)
Spring Clearance 10 -- 20% Prior-year models, all brands February through March Yes
New Year Remodel Sales 5 -- 15% All major brands January Yes

How Much Can EPA WaterSense Rebates Actually Save You?

EPA WaterSense-certified toilets (those flushing at 1.28 GPF or less) qualify for rebates in more than 1,500 US water utility districts. Rebate amounts typically range from 25 to 200 dollars per toilet, though high-water-stress regions such as Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado sometimes offer rebates as high as 100 to 200 dollars per unit. These rebates apply regardless of where the toilet is purchased and can be combined with retail sale pricing.

Stacking a 30 percent Black Friday discount with a 100 dollar utility rebate on an EPA WaterSense-certified TOTO Drake II or Kohler Cimarron can bring the effective purchase price below the cost of a low-tier builder-grade toilet bought at full retail. The EPA's WaterSense rebate finder tool at epa.gov/watersense allows consumers to look up specific programs by ZIP code.

The savings potential from utility rebates is consistently underestimated. In the Las Vegas Valley Water District, qualified toilets have attracted rebates of up to 100 dollars per unit with no cap on the number of units per address -- meaning a household replacing three toilets could receive 300 dollars back after purchase. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has offered rebates ranging from 75 to 100 dollars per toilet. These are direct checks or account credits, not percentage discounts, which makes them especially powerful on mid-range models.

To qualify, a toilet generally must carry the EPA WaterSense label and flush at or below 1.28 GPF. Models that regularly appear on the EPA WaterSense product list include the TOTO Drake (1.28 GPF), TOTO UltraMax II (1.28 GPF), TOTO Aquia IV (dual flush 1.0/0.8 GPF), Kohler Highline (1.28 GPF), Kohler Cimarron (1.28 GPF), American Standard Cadet 3 (1.28 GPF), and American Standard Champion 4 (1.6 GPF -- note the Champion 4 is NOT WaterSense certified at its standard 1.6 GPF rating; only the High Efficiency version qualifies).

Expert Take

Water utility rebate programs operate on fiscal year cycles that often reset in January or July. Consumers who miss a rebate window because a utility exhausted its annual allocation (which happens in high-demand districts) can plan ahead by submitting applications within the first 30 days of the next fiscal year. Some utilities process rebates on a first-come, first-served basis and exhaust funds within weeks of the new fiscal period opening.

What Are the Differences in Pricing Between One-Piece and Two-Piece Toilets?

Two-piece toilets (separate tank and bowl) are almost universally less expensive at retail than one-piece models in the same product family, often by 100 to 300 dollars. This price gap narrows considerably during sales events where one-piece models are discounted more aggressively -- manufacturers typically discount one-piece models more steeply during promotions to move higher-margin inventory.

From a performance standpoint, the flush mechanism and MaP test scores for paired models (such as the TOTO Drake two-piece versus the TOTO UltraMax II one-piece) are often identical, meaning the price difference reflects form factor and aesthetics rather than flushing performance. Shoppers focused on maximum flush power per dollar should evaluate two-piece models first, especially when rebate programs apply equally to both configurations.

Understanding the one-piece versus two-piece pricing dynamic is essential for deal-hunting. The TOTO Drake II (two-piece) and the TOTO UltraMax II (one-piece) both use TOTO's G-Max flushing system, both carry a MaP score of 1,000 grams, and both are EPA WaterSense certified at 1.28 GPF. Yet the Drake II typically retails for 150 to 250 dollars less than the UltraMax II. During Black Friday or Prime Day, the one-piece UltraMax II tends to see steeper percentage discounts, sometimes closing that gap to 75 to 100 dollars -- at which point the one-piece becomes the better value if the look matters to you.

The same pattern holds for Kohler: the Highline two-piece and the Santa Rosa one-piece both use the Class Five flush system, but the Santa Rosa carries a meaningfully higher base price. During Memorial Day or Labor Day promotions, the Santa Rosa has historically dropped to within 50 to 75 dollars of the Highline's non-sale price, making it a compelling deal for buyers who want a cleaner aesthetic.

For a complete look at which models offer the best flush performance regardless of form factor, the best flushing toilets guide compares MaP scores and user-reported clog resistance across the top-rated units in each category.

Does Buying Through Amazon Versus a Home Improvement Store Affect Your Total Cost?

Amazon frequently lists toilet models at prices below home improvement retail, particularly for Woodbridge, Swiss Madison, and TOTO Entrada, because Amazon sellers face lower overhead costs than physical store retailers. However, home improvement retailers offer price matching, in-store pickup (eliminating shipping damage risk on heavy fixtures), and local return logistics that add real value.

The most important channel consideration for toilets above 300 dollars is damage protection. Toilets are heavy vitreous china items that can crack in transit; Amazon's return process for large items can be cumbersome. For a Woodbridge T-0001 or an American Standard Champion 4 in the 200 to 400 dollar range, in-store purchase with store pickup eliminates freight damage risk and makes returns straightforward -- which matters when you factor in plumber scheduling and potential reinstallation costs.

Amazon's pricing algorithm on toilet models tends to oscillate more than home improvement store pricing. Tools such as CamelCamelCamel (a free Amazon price tracker) allow buyers to set alerts on specific ASIN listings so they are notified when the TOTO Drake, Kohler Cimarron, or Swiss Madison Clarence hits a target price. This approach is more reliable than guessing which sales events will actually discount the exact model you need.

Home Depot and Lowe's both operate price-match policies that include Amazon and each other. If you find a lower Amazon price on an identical model, you can often request a price match at the physical store and still take advantage of in-store pickup. This combination -- Amazon's lower base price plus in-store pickup logistics -- is the most reliable way to minimize both cost and risk on higher-value fixtures.

Expert Take

Plumbing contractors who purchase toilet fixtures for clients frequently use Ferguson Enterprises and Hajoca Corporation (both plumbing distribution chains) rather than home improvement retailers. These distributors carry TOTO, Kohler, American Standard, and Gerber at net pricing unavailable to the public. Homeowners who are already hiring a plumber for installation should ask whether the contractor will purchase the fixture at their trade pricing and pass the savings through -- this is standard practice in the trade and many contractors accommodate the request.

Are Toilet Bundle Deals Actually Worth It?

Toilet bundle deals -- which pair a toilet with a toilet seat, wax ring, and sometimes shut-off valve hardware -- represent genuine savings when the included components are quality items. A soft-close elongated seat from a reputable manufacturer (Bemis, Kohler, or the brand's own accessory line) retails for 30 to 80 dollars on its own, so a bundle that includes one at no extra charge is worth evaluating carefully against buying the toilet alone.

Bundle deals with generic, unlabeled seats and hardware components offer less value because those components may need early replacement, adding labor cost if a plumber is installing the fixture. Kohler and American Standard first-party bundles (where the seat is a brand-matched unit) provide the most coherent long-term value in the bundle category.

Retailers assemble toilet bundles differently. Some include a toilet, seat, and supply line kit; others include only the toilet and a basic seat. Evaluating a bundle requires checking whether the seat is soft-close (a meaningful feature for daily comfort), whether the supply line is a quality braided stainless unit, and whether the wax ring is a standard or wax-free style compatible with your flange configuration.

The American Standard Champion 4 is frequently bundled at Home Depot with a white elongated slow-close seat and a supply line during seasonal promotions. The bundle pricing during Black Friday has historically offered savings of 60 to 90 dollars versus purchasing the components separately. The TOTO Drake II is occasionally bundled with a SoftClose seat (SS113) through Amazon and specialty plumbing retailers -- these bundles are worth watching during Prime Day and Black Friday windows.

For buyers who want to understand the full cost of a toilet upgrade including installation labor, the guide on how much toilet installation costs breaks down labor rates by region and fixture type.

Best Toilet Models for Deal Hunting: Specs and Deal Frequency
Model Type GPF MaP Score WaterSense Best Deal Window Rebate Eligible
TOTO Drake II (MS454124) Two-piece 1.28 1,000g Yes Prime Day, Black Friday Yes
TOTO UltraMax II (MS604114) One-piece 1.28 1,000g Yes Black Friday, Prime Day Yes
TOTO Aquia IV (MS446124CEMFG) Two-piece dual flush 1.0/0.8 800g (full), 500g (partial) Yes Prime Day, spring clearance Yes
Kohler Highline (K-3999) Two-piece 1.28 800g Yes Memorial Day, Black Friday Yes
Kohler Cimarron (K-3609) Two-piece 1.28 1,000g Yes Labor Day, Black Friday Yes
American Standard Champion 4 Two-piece 1.6 1,000g No (standard) Black Friday, Memorial Day No (standard model)
American Standard Cadet 3 Two-piece 1.28 1,000g Yes Labor Day, Black Friday Yes
Woodbridge T-0001 One-piece 1.28 800g Yes Amazon Prime Day, Cyber Monday Yes

What Is the Best Strategy for Stacking Toilet Deals in 2026?

The highest-value strategy for 2026 is to identify a EPA WaterSense-certified toilet model, confirm your local utility rebate amount using the EPA rebate finder, then purchase during Black Friday, Labor Day, or Amazon Prime Day to stack the rebate on top of a promotional discount. This combination routinely delivers 35 to 60 percent effective savings versus full-MSRP retail purchase.

A secondary strategy worth pursuing is requesting contractor pricing through a licensed plumber who will also install the fixture. Even if the contractor adds a small markup over their net cost, the combined savings from trade pricing plus a utility rebate can exceed what any consumer-facing sale offers -- without requiring you to wait for a specific calendar event.

Here is the full stacking sequence that produces maximum savings on a mid-range to high-end toilet purchase:

Step 1 -- Identify your rebate eligibility. Visit epa.gov/watersense and use the rebate finder to determine the dollar amount your local utility will pay for a WaterSense-certified toilet. Note the rebate claim deadline and documentation requirements (typically receipt plus model number).

Step 2 -- Set a price alert. For the specific model you are targeting, set a price alert through CamelCamelCamel (Amazon) or sign up for Home Depot email alerts. Many major deals send alert emails 24 to 48 hours before the sale window opens.

Step 3 -- Time your purchase to a sale event. If your replacement is not urgent, align the purchase with Black Friday (November), Labor Day (late August/September), or Amazon Prime Day (July). If the model you want rarely appears in sales, spring clearance in February and March is the next best window when prior-year inventory clears.

Step 4 -- Check for manufacturer mail-in rebates. TOTO, Kohler, and American Standard periodically run manufacturer rebate programs layered on top of retailer discounts. These typically run 25 to 75 dollars and appear on the manufacturer's website. Sign up for their email newsletters to receive notices; these promotions often run only two to four weeks.

Step 5 -- Request price matching. If you find a lower price at a competing retailer, use Home Depot's or Lowe's price-match policy to get the lower price without sacrificing in-store pickup convenience.

Step 6 -- File your utility rebate immediately after installation. Rebate claim windows are typically 90 to 180 days from purchase date. File as soon as your plumber confirms installation is complete. Keep the original receipt and the toilet's model and serial number for the application.

This six-step process on a TOTO Drake II -- with a utility rebate of 75 dollars and a Black Friday discount of 30 percent -- can bring the effective cost below 200 dollars, which is less than half the standard MSRP for a toilet that scores 1,000 grams on MaP testing and carries one of the most reliable long-term track records in the category.

Expert Take

The spring clearance window (February through March) is underutilized by most buyers. Retailers receive new-model-year inventory in January and need to move prior-year stock to free shelf and warehouse space. The prior-year TOTO Drake, Kohler Cimarron, and American Standard Cadet 3 at spring clearance prices are among the most dependable value buys in the toilet category -- the products are identical in performance to current SKUs, and clearance discounts are sometimes deeper than Black Friday promotions on those specific units.

How Do Contractor and Trade Pricing Channels Compare to Retail Sales Events?

Contractor net pricing through plumbing distributors (Ferguson, Hajoca, Consolidated Supply, and regional chains) typically runs 20 to 40 percent below retail MSRP on TOTO, Kohler, American Standard, and Gerber models -- and this pricing is available year-round without waiting for a sale event. For homeowners working with a plumber, asking the contractor to supply the toilet at trade pricing is often the most reliable path to a low effective purchase price, particularly for higher-end models where retail sale frequency is low.

However, when a major retail sale event (Black Friday, Labor Day) discounts a popular model by 30 to 40 percent, the resulting retail price can actually fall below trade net pricing on some entry-level and mid-range models. This is rare for premium TOTO and Gerber models but relatively common for Kohler Highline and American Standard Cadet 3 configurations during their deepest promotional events.

The plumbing trade pricing ecosystem is worth understanding even if you cannot access it directly. Distributors such as Ferguson and Hajoca stock a far broader selection of colors, configurations, and rough-in variants (10-inch, 12-inch, 14-inch) than home improvement retailers. If you need a specific configuration -- for example, a TOTO Drake II in Cotton White with a 10-inch rough-in -- that configuration may not appear in any retail sale, making a trade-channel purchase through your plumber the only practical path regardless of timing.

For a deep dive into which models dominate contractor-specified projects (a strong indicator of real-world reliability), the guide on toilets most recommended by plumbers provides context from aggregated trade surveys and contractor preference data.

Timing Your Purchase Around Model Year Transitions

Manufacturers introduce updated configurations on a rolling basis rather than strict annual cycles, but there are predictable patterns. TOTO tends to introduce new models and colorway expansions at KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, held each January). Kohler and American Standard follow similar tradeshow schedules. The two months after KBIS -- January and February -- are reliable windows for prior-model clearance at retailers who need to make space for newly announced SKUs.

The Gerber Viper and Gerber Maxwell are examples of models that periodically go on clearance when Gerber refreshes its lineup. Gerber is less commonly featured in mass-retail promotions but appears frequently in regional plumbing supply clearance events. Monitoring Ferguson's and Hajoca's outlet or clearance sections online is a niche strategy that works well for Gerber buyers.

Swiss Madison models, which are sold primarily through Amazon and a smaller set of online-focused retailers, follow Amazon's promotional calendar more closely than manufacturer model-year cycles. Swiss Madison's Clarence, St. Tropez, and Ivy models appear regularly in Prime Day and Cyber Monday promotions, often at discounts of 25 to 35 percent, and their WaterSense certification at 1.28 GPF makes them rebate-eligible in most utility programs.

For buyers interested specifically in how these models perform on the metrics that matter most -- MaP scores, trapway diameter, and clog resistance -- the MaP score guide explains how each rating tier translates to real-world flushing performance, which directly affects the long-term value of any toilet purchase.

Expert Take

Buyers replacing a toilet in a home they plan to sell within five years should weight the purchase toward models with strong resale association -- TOTO and Kohler carry stronger brand recognition with home buyers than lower-profile brands, which can translate to perceived value in a pre-sale bathroom upgrade. The TOTO Drake series and Kohler Cimarron are among the models that real estate agents most frequently cite when asked which bathroom fixtures improve buyer perception. Purchasing one of these at a Black Friday or Labor Day discount -- and qualifying for a utility rebate -- delivers genuine functional value plus brand equity at a fraction of full retail cost.

Which Specific Models Offer the Best Deal-to-Performance Ratio?

Across all the variables -- MaP score, GPF, EPA WaterSense certification, sale frequency, and rebate eligibility -- five models consistently deliver the best deal-to-performance ratio when purchased at the right time:

TOTO Drake II (two-piece, 1.28 GPF): A MaP score of 1,000 grams, EPA WaterSense certified, and among the most frequently discounted TOTO models on Amazon during Prime Day. Combined with a utility rebate of 50 to 100 dollars, this is the benchmark value buy for buyers willing to time their purchase. The G-Max flushing system uses a 3-inch flush valve and a large siphon jet to deliver reliable waste removal. Owner reviews across thousands of verified purchases consistently rate it above 4.5 stars. Check price on Amazon

Kohler Cimarron (two-piece, 1.28 GPF): A MaP score of 1,000 grams on the AquaPiston canister flush valve configuration, EPA WaterSense certified, and one of the most reliable Black Friday and Labor Day discount candidates at Home Depot and Lowe's. The Cimarron is also widely available in 10-inch and 14-inch rough-in variants, which makes it a practical option for older homes where 12-inch rough-in is not standard. Check price on Amazon

American Standard Cadet 3 (two-piece, 1.28 GPF): A MaP score of 1,000 grams, EPA WaterSense certified, and available at a lower base retail price than the TOTO or Kohler alternatives. The fully glazed trapway (2-3/8 inch) reduces friction and resists clogs. During Black Friday and Labor Day, the Cadet 3 frequently appears in bundle deals with a slow-close seat included. The value-per-flush metric on the Cadet 3 is among the best in the category. Check price on Amazon

Woodbridge T-0001 (one-piece, 1.28 GPF): A sleek skirted one-piece design at a price point well below comparable TOTO or Kohler one-piece models. EPA WaterSense certified. Frequently discounted on Amazon during Prime Day and Cyber Monday. The T-0001 is not MaP tested through the official program as consistently as the major brands, but aggregated user reviews indicate strong performance on solid waste clearance. The skirted design eliminates crevices at the base, making it easier to clean -- a practical benefit that compounds over years of use. Check price on Amazon

TOTO Aquia IV (two-piece dual flush, 1.0/0.8 GPF): The lowest GPF among the recommended models and the strongest rebate candidate in high-restriction water districts. The dual-flush system at 1.0/0.8 GPF means liquid waste uses only 0.8 gallons per flush, well below the 1.28 GPF threshold. MaP scores are 800 grams on the full flush and approximately 500 grams on the partial flush -- adequate for the scenarios where each flush mode is intended. In California and Nevada, where some utilities offer rebates specifically for sub-1.0 GPF toilets, the Aquia IV can attract rebates up to 150 dollars in certain districts. Check price on Amazon

For a broader comparison of these models in competitive context, the best toilets under 500 dollars guide ranks the top performers at this price point with full specification breakdowns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Black Friday or Labor Day a better time to buy a toilet?

Black Friday consistently offers deeper discounts (20 to 40 percent) compared to Labor Day (15 to 30 percent) at major home improvement retailers. However, the specific model you want matters more than the event -- if your target model appears in a Labor Day promotion but not Black Friday, Labor Day is the better time to buy.

Can I combine a retailer sale with a utility rebate?

Yes. Utility rebates from EPA WaterSense programs are independent of where and when you purchase the toilet. A 30 percent Black Friday discount and a 100 dollar utility rebate can both apply to the same purchase, significantly reducing your effective out-of-pocket cost.

What is the EPA WaterSense program and which toilets qualify?

EPA WaterSense is a voluntary certification program for water-efficient products. Toilets that flush at 1.28 GPF or less and meet EPA performance standards qualify. Certified models include the TOTO Drake II, TOTO UltraMax II, TOTO Aquia IV, Kohler Highline, Kohler Cimarron, American Standard Cadet 3, and Woodbridge T-0001, among many others.

Does the American Standard Champion 4 qualify for utility rebates?

The standard American Standard Champion 4 at 1.6 GPF does not carry EPA WaterSense certification and does not qualify for most utility rebates, which require 1.28 GPF or less. American Standard offers a Champion 4 High Efficiency variant at 1.28 GPF that does qualify.

What MaP score should I look for when buying a toilet?

MaP (Maximum Performance) testing rates toilets on their ability to flush solid waste measured in grams. A score of 800 grams indicates reliable performance for a household with 2 to 4 people. A score of 1,000 grams (the maximum) indicates the highest flush performance and is recommended for heavy-use households, large families, or anyone who has experienced repeated clogs. Most top-rated models from TOTO, Kohler, and American Standard reach 1,000 grams.

Are Amazon Prime Day toilet deals as good as Black Friday deals?

Prime Day toilet deals are competitive with Black Friday for brands sold primarily through Amazon, particularly TOTO (Entrada, Drake), Woodbridge, and Swiss Madison. For Kohler and American Standard models primarily sold through home improvement retailers, Black Friday at Home Depot and Lowe's typically offers deeper discounts than Prime Day.

How do I find out if my water utility offers a toilet rebate?

Visit epa.gov/watersense and use the rebate finder tool. Enter your ZIP code to identify programs in your area. You can also call your local water utility directly -- most utilities that offer rebates have a dedicated conservation department that processes applications.

Is it worth waiting for a sale if my toilet needs immediate replacement?

If the replacement is urgent (active leak, cracked bowl, nonfunctional flush mechanism), do not wait for a sale. The cost of water damage from a leaking toilet or the inconvenience of an inoperative fixture outweighs the savings from a delayed promotional purchase. However, if the current toilet is functional and you are planning a proactive upgrade, timing the purchase to a sale event is well worth the wait.

What is the difference between TOTO G-Max and Tornado Flush?

G-Max is TOTO's gravity-fed flush system found in the Drake series, using a large 3-inch flush valve and siphon jet design. Tornado Flush is TOTO's cyclonic dual-nozzle rim wash system found in the Aquia IV and Nexus, which uses two powerful streams to create a cyclonic rinse of the bowl. Both are MaP-tested and EPA WaterSense certified in their respective configurations, but Tornado Flush provides more thorough bowl washing with less rim buildup.

Do toilet prices drop after the holidays?

Yes. January and February represent a post-holiday clearance period where prior-year inventory moves at reduced prices. Spring clearance in February and March can offer discounts comparable to Labor Day promotions, and the selection of prior-year models at clearance may be broader than during holiday events because retailers are clearing warehouse space for new-model inventory.

Can a plumber get me a better price on a toilet than retail?

Often, yes. Licensed plumbers typically purchase fixtures through plumbing distributors at net pricing that runs 20 to 40 percent below retail MSRP. Not all contractors pass this discount directly to homeowners, but asking your plumber whether they can supply the fixture at trade pricing is always worthwhile, especially for premium TOTO or Gerber models that rarely appear in retail promotions.

What is a good toilet for the money if I do not want to wait for a sale?

The American Standard Cadet 3 at 1.28 GPF offers a MaP score of 1,000 grams, EPA WaterSense certification, and a fully glazed 2-3/8 inch trapway at one of the lowest price points in the category. Combined with a utility rebate, it represents strong value even at non-sale retail pricing.

Are two-piece toilets cheaper to repair than one-piece models?

In most cases, yes. Two-piece toilets have separately replaceable tank components (fill valve, flapper, flush valve, handle) that are widely available from brands like Fluidmaster and Korky at hardware stores for under 20 dollars per part. One-piece toilets use the same internal components but may have less accessible tank geometry, which can increase repair labor time modestly.

Which toilet brands most frequently appear in seasonal sales?

American Standard, Kohler, and Woodbridge appear most frequently in Black Friday and Memorial Day retail promotions at Home Depot and Lowe's. TOTO appears most frequently in Amazon Prime Day and Cyber Monday promotions. Gerber and Swiss Madison appear less frequently in mass-retail events but offer value through trade channels and online-only promotions respectively.

Is there a best month to buy a toilet for a bathroom remodel?

For planned remodels, aligning your fixture purchase with the Labor Day weekend (late August to early September) allows you to take advantage of significant retail discounts while leaving enough time before the typical fall home improvement season. Scheduling installation in September or October also aligns with plumber availability before the holiday season increases demand for service calls.

Do toilet warranties change if I buy through Amazon versus a licensed plumber?

Manufacturer warranties generally apply to the product regardless of purchase channel, provided the toilet is installed according to manufacturer guidelines. TOTO offers a one-year warranty on electronic parts and a longer limited warranty on china and vitreous components. Kohler's limited lifetime warranty on vitreous china applies regardless of retail versus trade purchase channel. Always register your purchase on the manufacturer's website to activate warranty coverage.

What is the TOTO Drake versus Drake II difference for deal hunters?

The TOTO Drake (original) uses a 1.6 GPF G-Max system; the Drake II uses a 1.28 GPF G-Max system with EPA WaterSense certification. Both achieve a 1,000 gram MaP score. For rebate eligibility and water savings, the Drake II is the better choice. Both models appear in Prime Day promotions, with the Drake II generally commanding a small price premium that is usually recovered through utility rebate savings.

What does "comfort height" mean and does it affect price?

Comfort height (also called chair height or ADA compliant height) refers to a bowl height of 16 to 18 inches from floor to rim, which is taller than the standard 14 to 15 inch height. Most major brands offer comfort height versions of their popular models at the same price as standard height -- the Kohler Cimarron, TOTO Drake II, and American Standard Cadet 3 all come in comfort height at identical retail pricing to their standard height counterparts.

Can I use a coupon code on top of a Black Friday toilet sale?

Retailer coupon codes (such as Home Depot or Lowe's percent-off coupons sent to credit card holders or loyalty members) sometimes stack on top of sale pricing on select items, but toilet fixtures are frequently excluded from additional coupon stacking during major promotional events. Amazon's "clip coupon" discounts on toilet listings do sometimes apply on top of Prime Day pricing and are worth checking at the time of purchase.

What should I check before buying a toilet online to avoid returns?

Before purchasing, confirm your rough-in measurement (typically 12 inches, but 10-inch and 14-inch are common in older homes), bowl shape preference (elongated versus round), desired height (standard versus comfort height), and available installation clearance for the chosen model's depth. Verify the model number matches the configuration you need rather than relying solely on listing photos, which can show different colorway or hardware variants. A return on a large vitreous china fixture is logistically difficult and may involve return shipping fees.

Sources

  • EPA WaterSense, epa.gov/watersense
  • MaP flush testing, map-testing.com
  • Manufacturer published specifications
  • TOTO product specification sheets, totousa.com
  • Kohler product specification sheets, us.kohler.com
  • American Standard product specification sheets, americanstandard-us.com
  • Gerber Plumbing product data, gerberplumbing.com

Our Verdict

The best toilet deal is not a single event but a stacked strategy: identify an EPA WaterSense-certified model with a MaP score of 1,000 grams (TOTO Drake II, Kohler Cimarron, or American Standard Cadet 3 are the benchmarks), confirm your utility rebate amount, then purchase during Black Friday, Labor Day, or Amazon Prime Day to combine promotional pricing with the rebate. Buyers who follow this approach routinely pay effective prices 35 to 60 percent below MSRP for toilets that perform at the top of MaP testing and carry manufacturer warranties measured in years, not months. The stacking discipline -- not just chasing the biggest advertised discount -- is what separates a genuinely excellent value from a deal that looks good in the cart but delivers mediocre long-term performance.

Related Guides

How we rank & our data sources

We do not run physical lab tests. Rankings are built from published, verifiable data and real owner feedback, never paid placement.

Researched by Marcus Bell · Last updated June 28, 2026 · Our review method

M
Researched by Marcus Bell

Marcus compiles bathroom-fixture data, MaP flush scores, GPF ratings, trapway and flush-valve specs, and weighs them against thousands of verified owner reviews to build our rankings. He does not run physical lab tests; every verdict is sourced from published specifications, certifications (MaP, EPA WaterSense) and real owner feedback.

Updated June 2026 · Toilets
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Toilets
4.6

Clean-lined skirted and one-piece toilets with simple geometry and low profiles that suit a broad East Asian-influenced bathroom, backed by real verified…

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