
Best Black Toilets (2026)
ToiletsBlack has moved from a rare custom-order finish to a real stocked color across several major toilet brands, giving buyers a bold,…
Read the guideMost toilet buyers do not realize until the box is open that the toilet they ordered ships without a seat. Buying the seat separately costs extra time and money, and a mismatched seat from a different brand rarely fits the bowl curve as cleanly as a factory-paired unit. This guide covers the toilets that come complete out of the box: a quality seat, installed and ready, so the first flush is also the last trip to the hardware store. We ranked each pick using published MaP flush-test results, EPA WaterSense certification data, seat hinge quality, bowl dimensions, aggregated owner reviews across thousands of verified purchases, and overall long-term reliability by brand.
Research updated June 2026.
The TOTO Drake II is the best toilet that includes a quality seat out of the box. It ships with a factory-matched SoftClose SS114 seat and delivers a 1000 gram MaP-tested Double Cyclone flush at an EPA WaterSense-certified 1.28 GPF, giving most households a complete, high-performing toilet the moment installation is finished.
There is a consumer experience gap that toilet brands do not advertise: many of the most popular toilet models on the market ship without any seat at all. The toilet arrives, installs cleanly, and then the installer reaches for a seat that is not in the box. Buying an aftermarket seat later means matching the bowl shape, finding the right color, ordering a separate delivery, and hoping the hinge quality holds up. Factory-included seats solve all of those problems at once, because the seat is shaped, colored and engineered to fit the specific bowl it ships with.
This guide focuses exclusively on toilets where a genuine quality seat -- one with a proper soft-close or slow-close hinge, not just a basic plastic lid -- is included in the manufacturer's box at the standard purchase price. We also note where the seat quality genuinely matches the toilet quality, rather than bundling a cheap seat with an otherwise premium bowl to keep the listed configuration attractive. For the broader picture of flush performance across all configurations, our pillar guide to the best flushing toilets covers the full landscape.
Every toilet below ships with a genuine seat included by the manufacturer. Use the table to compare flush specs and seat type at a glance, then read the full pick analysis for real-world strengths and trade-offs.
| Toilet | Best For | MaP | GPF | Seat Included | Style | Rating | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTO Drake II | Best overall | 1000 g | 1.28 | SoftClose SS114 | Two-piece | 4.8 | Check price |
| TOTO UltraMax II | Best one-piece | 1000 g | 1.28 | SoftClose SS114 | One-piece | 4.7 | Check price |
| TOTO Aquia IV | Best dual-flush | 1000 g | 0.8/1.28 | SoftClose seat | Two-piece | 4.7 | Check price |
| Woodbridge T-0001 | Best modern design | 800 g | 1.28 | Slow-close seat | One-piece | 4.5 | Check price |
| TOTO Drake | Best budget TOTO | 1000 g | 1.28 | SoftClose seat | Two-piece | 4.6 | Check price |
| Swiss Madison Ivy | Best value with seat | 600 g | 1.28 | Slow-close seat | One-piece | 4.3 | Check price |
| American Standard VorMax Plus | Best with SpaLet seat | 1000 g | 1.28 | SpaLet bidet seat | Two-piece | 4.5 | Check price |
| Kohler Veil Intelligent Toilet | Best smart with included seat | 600 g+ | 1.28 | Integrated bidet lid | One-piece | 4.4 | Check price |
| Gerber Avalanche | Best trade-grade with seat | 1000 g | 1.28 | Slow-close seat | Two-piece | 4.4 | Check price |

The TOTO Drake II ships as a complete package: a two-piece elongated bowl with a 1000 gram MaP-tested Double Cyclone flush at 1.28 GPF and a factory-matched SoftClose SS114 seat that closes silently, making it the strongest combined toilet-and-seat value from any major brand.
The Drake II's Double Cyclone system uses two inlet nozzles positioned at the rim rather than a standard peripheral rim channel. Each nozzle directs water in a circular arc that meets the opposite nozzle's stream, creating a rotating scrub across the full bowl wall rather than a straight-line pour. The result is a thorough rinse on 1.28 gallons that the MaP testing program scores at 1000 grams, the ceiling of the test protocol. TOTO's CeFiONtect ceramic glaze lines the interior bowl surfaces, reducing the molecular adhesion points where waste and minerals stick, which means the bowl stays visibly cleaner between scrub sessions.
The included SoftClose SS114 seat is not a promotional add-on. It is the same seat TOTO sells separately for around thirty dollars and is precision-shaped to the Drake II's elongated bowl profile. The hydraulic hinge damper slows the lid from any open angle to fully closed over approximately three seconds without slamming, even when released from a 90-degree vertical position. A push-button quick-release tab on each hinge allows the seat to lift completely off the bowl for cleaning around the mounting bolt area, which is one of the most bacteria-prone spots on any toilet. Owner reviews consistently highlight both the flush decisiveness and the seat quality as the product's two strongest features, and replacement SS114 seats remain available through TOTO dealers for the life of the toilet. For a full comparison of TOTO models, see our guide to the best TOTO toilets.
The Drake II is the reference point for the seat-included category because TOTO does not bundle a cheap plastic lid with a quality bowl. The SS114 SoftClose seat is a genuine product with a real hinge damper and a push-button release. Getting the 1000 gram MaP flush and this seat in a single box at the Drake II's price makes it the standard by which every other seat-included toilet on this list is measured.

The TOTO UltraMax II offers a seamless tank-and-bowl profile that eliminates the two-piece grime seam, ships with the same SoftClose SS114 seat as the Drake II, and flushes at a perfect 1000 grams MaP on 1.28 GPF -- a complete, factory-assembled solution that requires nothing else after installation.
The UltraMax II solves the one problem that most one-piece toilet buyers cite: the cleaning difficulty of the gap between tank and bowl on two-piece toilets. The integrated body has no external seam, no rubber gasket, and no bolt hardware connecting the two sections, which removes the grouting needed around standard tank-to-bowl connections and eliminates a cleaning surface. The Double Cyclone nozzles still generate a strong rotating flush that earned the full 1000 grams on the MaP protocol, matching the Drake II's maximum score, so households do not give up any flush power for the one-piece silhouette.
CeFiONtect ceramic glaze coats the bowl interior and, in the UltraMax II's case, continues up into the skirted external surface, making it genuinely easier to wipe down than models with textured porcelain exteriors. The included SoftClose SS114 seat is identical to the unit shipped with the Drake II: same damper mechanism, same push-button release, same hinge durability. Owner reports over several years of reviews highlight the ease of weekly cleaning as the top practical benefit, followed closely by the reliable flush performance. If the design goal is a hotel-bathroom-level clean appearance that is achievable at home without professional cleaning schedules, the UltraMax II is the correct choice. See our full guide to the best flushing one-piece toilets for additional options in this format.
The UltraMax II demonstrates that a one-piece toilet can include a factory seat without downgrading either component. The same SS114 SoftClose seat in the Drake II bundle comes in the UltraMax II box, so the hinge quality does not change as a trade-off for the one-piece design premium.

The TOTO Aquia IV pairs a Tornado Cyclone dual-flush system achieving 1000 grams on the MaP full-flush test with a factory SoftClose seat, and its 0.8 GPF partial flush mode makes it the most water-efficient seat-included toilet on this list certified by EPA WaterSense.
The Aquia IV's Tornado Cyclone system places two directional nozzles at the bowl rim rather than running a peripheral channel rinse. On the 1.28 GPF full flush those nozzles generate a rotating scrub across the full bowl wall that earned the 1000 gram MaP maximum. On the 0.8 GPF partial flush for liquid waste only, the same nozzle geometry creates a lighter rotation sufficient to clear the bowl cleanly. A household flushing ten times daily that uses the partial flush for six of those uses drops from an annual 4,672 gallons at 1.28 GPF to approximately 3,598 gallons per year, a reduction of over 1,000 gallons annually at the toilet. EPA WaterSense certifies the Aquia IV for that combined efficiency.
The factory SoftClose seat is the same slow-descent hydraulic hinge design used across the TOTO lineup. The dual-button flush actuator sits on the top of the tank lid: one button for the partial flush, a larger button for the full flush. Most owners adapt within one or two uses; the tactile size difference between the two buttons is clear. CeFiONtect glaze covers the interior bowl surfaces. For households where the Aquia IV's water efficiency is the primary appeal but the dual-flush mechanism is a concern, the Drake II at 1.28 GPF single-flush is the logical alternative. For more dual-flush options with and without seats, see our guide to the best dual-flush toilets.
The Aquia IV's 0.8 / 1.28 GPF combination with a 1000 gram full-flush MaP result is the most compelling efficiency spec on this list. Including the SoftClose seat in the same box removes the friction of a separate seat order for what is already a considered purchase, and the overall package is complete from the first flush.

The Woodbridge T-0001 delivers a fully skirted one-piece siphon-flush toilet with a concealed trapway and an included slow-close elongated seat at a price point significantly below the TOTO lineup, making it the best entry point for modern design buyers who want everything in one box.
The T-0001's fully skirted exterior panels conceal the trapway curves that are visible on exposed-trapway toilets, leaving a flat side panel and a clean line at the floor. The tank integrates into the rear of the one-piece body and the chrome flush button sits flush-mounted on the tank lid. That design is the main reason buyers choose the T-0001 over the American Standard and Kohler picks at comparable price points: the skirted exterior reduces the cleaning surface area and looks closer to a European or Japanese design standard than a traditional North American two-piece profile.
The included slow-close seat uses a hydraulic damper that functions identically to more expensive damped seats; the lid descends slowly and silently from any dropped position. The seat attachment uses a standard two-bolt spacing, so aftermarket replacements from Kohler, Bemis or TOTO fit when the original seat eventually requires replacement. The 800 gram MaP result is adequate for standard one-to-three-person households; heavy daily use from a larger family pushes toward the TOTO or Gerber picks. Owners with several years of data report the flush consistency is reliable and note that the slow-close hinge occasionally requires replacement at the three-to-five-year mark, which is a realistic acknowledgment that a low-to-mid-range damper wears faster than TOTO's SS114. See our dedicated Woodbridge toilet guide for more detail on the full range.
The T-0001 is the practical entry point for buyers who want modern design and a factory-included seat without the TOTO price tag. The 800 gram MaP result and the damper longevity are genuine limitations, but for a mid-size household in a contemporary remodel those trade-offs are acceptable for the price difference.

The original TOTO Drake combines a 1000 gram MaP-tested G-Max gravity flush at 1.28 GPF with a factory-included SoftClose seat, delivering TOTO's proven flush technology in the brand's most accessible pricing tier.
The Drake uses TOTO's G-Max flush system, which drives a high-volume siphon through a large 3-inch valve and siphon jet in the bowl floor. The G-Max system earned a 1000 gram MaP score and has been TOTO's workhorse flush technology for over two decades, which means parts availability, service knowledge, and long-term owner data are more comprehensive for the Drake than for newer models. The single siphon jet differs from the Drake II's Double Cyclone dual nozzles: it is a direct-thrust flush rather than a rotating scrub, and both approaches arrive at the same 1000 gram MaP result through different hydraulic paths.
The included SoftClose seat is the same category of damped-hinge TOTO seat found in the Drake II box, providing the same silent descent and push-button quick-release for cleaning. The Drake is available in both Standard Height (15 inches) and Universal Height (17 inches), so buyers should specify the height version at purchase rather than assuming the default. At the Drake's price relative to the Drake II, the difference is primarily the flush technology: G-Max versus Double Cyclone. Both score 1000 grams on MaP. For buyers where flush technology nuance matters less than TOTO brand reliability and total cost, the Drake is the correct entry point. For a deeper comparison, see our guide to the TOTO Drake series.
The Drake's two-decade service record is its most underappreciated asset. Parts are available everywhere, service technicians know the flush valve cold, and the G-Max system has been proven at 1000 grams MaP since before MaP testing was standardized. Including the SoftClose seat makes this the lowest-cost way to get a fully complete TOTO installation.
The Swiss Madison Ivy is a compact one-piece elongated toilet that ships with a slow-close seat at one of the lowest price points in this roundup, giving buyers a complete, modern-profile installation without a separate seat order and without a premium-brand price.
Swiss Madison is a US-marketed brand that sources its porcelain from international manufacturers and sells through online retail. The Ivy's compact one-piece form is its design strength: the tank and bowl merge into a unit that fits tighter than a standard two-piece, making it a practical solution for small bathrooms where every inch of clearance matters. The single gravity flush at 1.28 GPF is EPA WaterSense certified, and the independent MaP data for the Ivy is not as widely published as for the TOTO or Gerber models, which is an honest limitation to state. Owner reviews suggest the flush handles normal daily residential use reliably, but users in households with heavy daily load or a history of clogs would be better served by the Drake II or the Gerber Avalanche.
The included slow-close seat uses a hydraulic hinge that operates correctly when new, with a descent time similar to mid-range aftermarket seats. The seat is matched to the Ivy's elongated bowl profile and installs on standard two-bolt spacing. Swiss Madison does not have the same parts distribution network as Kohler, TOTO or American Standard, so buyers should plan on sourcing any future replacement seats or fill valves online rather than from a local hardware store. For buyers where the budget constraint is real and the installation need is immediate, the Ivy delivers a complete, modern-looking installation without any additional purchases. For more from this brand, see our guide to the best Swiss Madison toilets.
The Ivy is the honest budget pick: a complete out-of-box installation at a low price, with the trade-offs clearly stated. The seat is functional, the flush is adequate for light-to-moderate use, and the compact footprint is a real advantage in small bathrooms. For a heavier-use household, move up to TOTO or Gerber.
The American Standard VorMax Plus is available as a bundle that includes an American Standard SpaLet bidet seat with warm water wash, warm air dry and a slow-close lid, pairing a 1000 gram MaP-tested VorMax flush with the most feature-rich seat on this list.
American Standard's VorMax flush system uses a single direct jet positioned to drive water in a rotating pattern that covers the full bowl wall in one pass. The system earned a 1000 gram MaP score at 1.28 GPF, and American Standard's internal testing reports a 99.5 percent reduction in bowl residue versus a conventional rim-hole flush on a single pass -- a claim generated by American Standard's own labs rather than independent testing, so the specific percentage should be read with appropriate skepticism, but the VorMax is genuinely a strong flush in MaP-verified terms. The fully glazed 2.5-inch trapway reduces friction for waste transit.
The SpaLet seat bundle is the distinguishing feature. The SpaLet operates on a standard 120V electrical outlet and provides warm water bidet wash with adjustable temperature and pressure, warm air drying, a heated seat, and a slow-close lid. Buying the VorMax Plus with the SpaLet seat from American Standard as a bundle means both components carry the same brand's warranty support and the seat is known to fit the bowl without gap issues. The seat does require an electrical outlet within reach; bathrooms without an outlet near the toilet need one added. For buyers interested in evaluating bidet seats broadly, our bidet toilet seat guide covers the full range independently of toilet bundles.
The VorMax Plus with SpaLet bundle is the only seat-included toilet on this list that adds genuine bidet functionality to the package. For a buyer who was planning to purchase a bidet seat separately anyway, buying it bundled with a 1000 gram MaP toilet from the same brand simplifies warranty coverage and fit confirmation in one step.

The Kohler Veil Intelligent Toilet integrates the tank, bowl and bidet seat functions into a single sleek unit, with warm water wash, air drying, heated seat and a powered slow-close lid all built in and included as part of the toilet's standard configuration.
The Kohler Veil Intelligent Toilet takes the concept of seat-included further than any other toilet on this list by integrating the seat electronics directly into the bowl-and-tank unit rather than offering the seat as a separate attachment. The result is a one-piece profile that has no visible hardware between bowl and seat -- no hinge bolts, no seat-mounting plates, no visible damper units. The integrated lid opens and closes on a powered slow-close mechanism controlled by the remote, by motion detection, or manually. The dual-flush system at 1.28 GPF and 0.8 GPF carries EPA WaterSense certification.
Bidet features include an adjustable warm water wand with pressure and temperature control, a heated seat with multiple temperature levels, and a warm air dryer. The remote control manages all functions. Installation requires a 120V GFCI outlet within six feet of the toilet, which many bathrooms already have but some do not, and adding one is typically a half-day electrical job. The Veil represents the top tier of the seat-included category in terms of feature integration; it is also the highest price point on this list and the one model where the "seat" is inseparable from the toilet body. Our guide to the best smart toilets covers the full range of integrated and bolt-on options.
The Veil answers the seat-included question at the highest specification level available from a mainstream US brand. When a buyer says they want everything included and they mean it, the Veil is the product where that statement is literally true: one unit, one purchase, one remote.

The Gerber Avalanche is a trade-specification two-piece toilet that includes a slow-close seat in its residential bundle configurations, combining a 1000 gram MaP-tested gravity flush at 1.28 GPF with Gerber's reputation for long-term durability and parts availability through professional supply channels.
Gerber is a brand designed and specified for professional installation. The Avalanche uses a high-efficiency tower flush valve at the 3-inch size and a fully glazed trapway that ensures waste transit without friction buildup. The 1000 gram MaP result places the Avalanche at the top tier of flush performance alongside the Drake II and Kohler Highline, and the fully glazed trapway means the interior porcelain path from the bowl sump to the drain does not have the unglazed spots that allow scale and biofilm to accumulate over time in budget alternatives.
Gerber's residential Avalanche bundles include a slow-close seat in the box in most SKU configurations sold through distribution. The seat is a quality elongated slow-close unit that functions correctly and matches the white glaze of the bowl. Unlike TOTO's push-button quick-release hinges, the Avalanche's seat uses a standard integrated hinge that requires lifting the seat off the bolt posts for cleaning -- functional and common, just not as convenient as a push-button release. Gerber parts availability through plumbing supply houses is the brand's long-term advantage: replacement fill valves, flush tower parts and seat options are available for decades through the trade supply chain. For full Gerber coverage, our guide to the best Gerber toilets includes the full residential lineup.
The Avalanche is what professional plumbers choose when they want a set-it-and-forget-it installation for a rental property or buyer home that will need to perform reliably for fifteen to twenty years without a callback. The 1000 gram MaP result and the slow-close seat in the box make the professional-grade reliability accessible without any additional sourcing steps.
TOTO is the most consistent major brand for including a quality factory seat: the Drake, Drake II, UltraMax II and Aquia IV all ship with a SoftClose SS114 or equivalent seat in the standard retail package. Kohler's Highline, Cimarron and Santa Rosa models are most commonly sold bowl-only, requiring a separate Cachet or Reveal seat purchase. American Standard's standard two-piece models like the Champion 4 and Cadet 3 are bowl-only, but the VorMax Plus bundle configuration includes a SpaLet seat.
Woodbridge and Swiss Madison consistently include a slow-close seat with their one-piece models as a standard bundle rather than an optional add-on. Gerber's Avalanche includes a slow-close seat in its residential bundle SKUs. Smart and integrated toilet models from Kohler (Veil) and TOTO (Neorest) include the seat electronics as part of the unit itself. Always confirm by checking the specific model number's specification sheet, because seat inclusion can vary between SKUs within the same toilet line.
Yes, in most cases. A factory-included seat is designed for the specific bowl's outer rim geometry, front radius and mounting hole position, which means the seat sits flush against the bowl edge without overhang or visible gaps. Aftermarket seats are made to universal elongated or round dimensions that fit most bowls adequately, but occasionally show a small gap at the front edge or a slight overhang at the rear where the bowl shape differs from the seat manufacturer's template.
The practical difference is most visible on one-piece and skirted toilets like the TOTO UltraMax II and the Woodbridge T-0001, where the seat profile follows the tank-bowl transition curve. A factory-matched seat follows that curve precisely; a universal aftermarket seat may not align along the rear edge. The functional difference in use is minimal, but the aesthetic fit is noticeably better with a factory-matched seat on these models.
The three most important seat quality indicators to verify in a toilet-with-seat bundle are: hinge damper type, quick-release capability, and material durability. A hydraulic or pneumatic damper slows the lid throughout its descent arc; a simple spring-loaded non-slam bumper only catches the lid in the last inch. A quick-release or easy-clean hinge that allows the seat to lift completely off the bowl for cleaning the mounting bolt area is a genuine hygiene advantage. Material matters because thin polypropylene seats crack and yellow faster than thicker injection-molded or molded wood composite alternatives.
TOTO's SS114 SoftClose seat includes all three: a hydraulic hinge, a push-button quick-release, and durable polypropylene construction. Woodbridge's and Swiss Madison's included seats include a hydraulic damper but typically use a standard lift-off hinge rather than a push-button release. The Gerber Avalanche's included seat is a standard slow-close without quick-release. Verifying these three points for any seat-included toilet tells you whether the included seat justifies the bundle or whether a higher-quality aftermarket seat would be a worthwhile addition after purchase.
MaP flush score and seat inclusion are independent variables: a high MaP score does not imply a seat is included, and a seat-included toilet does not necessarily have a high MaP score. MaP testing measures flush clearing power in grams of standardized waste per flush at the toilet's rated GPF, published by the Maximum Performance program at map-testing.com. Seat inclusion is a manufacturer packaging decision that varies by model and SKU within the same brand.
The best toilet purchases combine both: a high MaP score (800 grams or better for most households, 1000 grams for larger families or heavy use) and a factory seat included. The TOTO Drake II, Drake and Aquia IV achieve both, as does the Gerber Avalanche. When these two factors are present together, the buyer gets a verified flush performance and a complete installation without any additional product sourcing.
Yes. EPA WaterSense certification is applied to the toilet's flush mechanism, not to the seat. A toilet earns WaterSense status by flushing at 1.28 GPF or less and meeting minimum performance requirements in independent testing. The seat type, whether included or aftermarket, has no bearing on WaterSense status. WaterSense-certified toilets use at least 20 percent less water than the federal 1.6 GPF maximum, and the program's requirements have been unchanged since 2007, giving manufacturers years of data on which models consistently meet the standard.
All TOTO models on this list carry EPA WaterSense certification. The Woodbridge T-0001, Swiss Madison Ivy, Gerber Avalanche and American Standard VorMax Plus also carry WaterSense certification. Buyers can verify certification status for any specific model number at epa.gov/watersense.
The seat-included category is narrower than most buyers expect. Many toilets advertised as premium purchases ship in a box with nothing but porcelain, a fill valve and a flush valve, and the buyer discovers the gap at installation. The toilets on this list are specifically selected because they close that gap -- the seat in the box is a genuine quality component, not a promotional plastic placeholder. For any toilet purchase where the seat was an afterthought in the buying process, this is the list to use first.
No. A significant proportion of residential toilets, including many popular Kohler, American Standard and Gerber models, are sold as bowl-only without a seat. The seat is priced and shipped separately, which gives buyers flexibility to choose hinge type, material and color independently but also means an extra purchase and potential fit concerns. TOTO and Woodbridge are exceptions that routinely include seats with their consumer models.
TOTO's US marketing strategy positions its toilet packages as fully complete installations, and the SoftClose seat is part of that complete-package value proposition. Kohler's strategy allows buyers to select from a range of Kohler-branded seats, finishes and materials independently, which offers more customization but requires a separate order. Neither approach is a quality indicator for the toilet itself; both result in quality completed installations when the right seat is paired with the Kohler bowl.
The TOTO SS114 is TOTO's standard elongated SoftClose seat for most of its residential two-piece and one-piece models. It uses a hydraulic damper inside each hinge post that slows the lid to a silent descent from any open angle. The seat includes TOTO's SoftClose quick-release system, which allows the seat to be removed by pressing a button on each hinge for cleaning underneath. It is sold separately and also bundled with Drake, Drake II, UltraMax II and Aquia IV configurations.
The Woodbridge T-0001's included slow-close seat is functional and correctly matched to the bowl, but it is not equivalent to TOTO's SS114 in durability or design. The SS114 uses TOTO's damper technology refined over decades, includes a push-button quick-release, and has a long owner-reported lifespan. The T-0001's seat uses a standard hydraulic damper without the push-button release, and long-term owner reviews note the hinge occasionally loses damping resistance at the three-to-five-year mark. Both are genuine slow-close seats, but the SS114 is the higher-quality unit.
Yes, in most cases. Both Woodbridge and Swiss Madison toilets use standard two-bolt elongated mounting hole spacing. TOTO's SS114, Kohler's Cachet Quiet-Close and Bemis's 1200SLOWT all fit standard elongated mounting dimensions and can be used as replacement seats on these bowls. The front profile of the replacement seat may or may not align perfectly with the bowl curve, but functionally and hygienically the upgrade works correctly.
Yes, in most cases. TOTO offers a one-year limited warranty on its SoftClose seat accessories, which is separate from the toilet body's warranty. The seat warranty covers manufacturing defects in the hinge mechanism and seat material but does not cover normal damper wear over years of use. Kohler similarly offers a one-year limited warranty on its seat products. Gerber's seat warranty terms vary by bundle SKU and are available through Gerber's customer service documentation.
Slow-close and quick-release are two distinct and independent hinge features. Slow-close, also called soft-close, refers to the damped descent mechanism that prevents the lid from slamming. Quick-release, also called easy-clean or lift-off, is a separate button or tab that allows the entire seat to detach from the bowl completely for cleaning. TOTO's SS114 has both. Most entry-level included seats have slow-close only, without quick-release. Buyers who want both should confirm both features are present in the seat specification before purchasing.
No. The MaP flush score measures the toilet's flush valve, trapway and siphon jet performance, not the seat. The seat is not in contact with the water path during a flush and has no measurable effect on waste clearing, water volume or bowl rinse quality. MaP testing is conducted by Veritec Consulting at their laboratory and is performed on the bowl-and-tank unit without the seat attached.
Elongated bowls measure approximately 18.5 inches from the bolt holes to the front rim, while round bowls measure approximately 16.5 inches. Elongated bowls are more comfortable for most adults because of the additional front-to-back depth. All toilets on this list use elongated bowls and include an elongated seat. Buyers replacing a round-bowl toilet with one of these models should confirm the measurement from the wall to the toilet front fits their bathroom before ordering.
A bidet seat replaces the standard toilet lid and seat with an electronic unit that includes a retractable warm water wash wand, typically warm air drying, a heated seat and a slow-close powered lid. Buying a toilet with a bidet seat included, as with the American Standard VorMax Plus with SpaLet or the Kohler Veil, means both the flush technology and the hygiene technology are matched by the same manufacturer and covered by coordinated warranty service. The trade-off is the need for a nearby 120V GFCI electrical outlet.
All models on this list are available in the standard 12-inch rough-in, which covers the majority of North American home installations. The rough-in is measured from the finished wall surface behind the toilet to the center of the floor drain flange. TOTO and American Standard also offer 10-inch and 14-inch rough-in variants of some models for homes with non-standard drain locations. Measure before ordering.
No. EPA WaterSense certification verifies the toilet uses 1.28 GPF or less and meets minimum performance benchmarks, but it does not test clog resistance directly. The MaP flush score is the better metric for clog resistance: a 1000 gram MaP result means the toilet cleared the maximum tested waste load in a single flush. A WaterSense-certified toilet can carry any MaP score, and both metrics should be checked when clog resistance matters.
A genuine slow-close seat descends at a controlled, slow speed from any open angle, including nearly vertical. A non-slam bumper only slows or catches the lid in the last few inches of descent, so the lid falls freely at higher angles. Test by opening the lid to 90 degrees and releasing it; a genuine slow-close will descend slowly throughout the entire arc. If the lid falls quickly and only slows or cushions at the last moment, it has a bumper rather than a damper.
Yes. Many municipal water utilities and state programs offer rebates for EPA WaterSense-certified toilets, typically ranging from twenty-five to one hundred dollars per unit depending on the program. All TOTO, Gerber, American Standard and Woodbridge models on this list that carry WaterSense certification qualify where the program covers the specific model. Check the toilet rebate programs at your water utility's website or at the EPA WaterSense rebate finder at epa.gov/watersense before purchasing. See our 2026 toilet rebate guide for a summary of available programs.
In most cases, yes, when the included seat is a quality unit rather than a promotional plastic placeholder. The TOTO Drake II with the SS114 seat is priced competitively with the Drake II bowl purchased alone plus an SS114 seat purchased separately. Woodbridge and Swiss Madison toilet-plus-seat bundles are similarly priced at or below what a comparable quality aftermarket seat would cost on top of the bowl-only price. The saving is in time and convenience as much as in direct cost, since a factory seat also eliminates the risk of ordering an incompatible size.
Toilet seats are designed to be replaced independently of the bowl. Any replacement elongated or round slow-close seat with standard two-bolt spacing fits the bowl after the original seat wears out. TOTO's SS114 is available as a standalone replacement through TOTO dealers and major online retailers. Kohler's Cachet and Bemis seats are available at home centers nationwide. The toilet itself typically outlasts two to three seat replacements over a fifteen-to-twenty-year service life, and a seat replacement is a tool-free or single-screwdriver task that takes under ten minutes.
Buying a toilet with a seat included makes sense when the included seat is a verified quality unit -- specifically when it has a hydraulic damper, quick-release hinges and durable construction, as is the case with the TOTO SS114. Buying separately makes sense when the buyer wants a specific seat material (such as molded wood composite or colored plastic), a specific color to match a non-standard bathroom suite, or a bidet seat that the toilet does not bundle with. For most buyers choosing from standard white or bone finishes and prioritizing convenience, seat-included is the better path.
The TOTO Drake II is the best toilet that includes a quality seat out of the box for most households. Its factory SoftClose SS114 seat is a genuine hydraulic-damped unit with push-button quick-release, paired with a 1000 gram MaP-tested Double Cyclone flush at an EPA WaterSense-certified 1.28 GPF. Buyers who prefer a seamless one-piece silhouette will find the same factory seat quality in the TOTO UltraMax II. For the most water-efficient seat-included option, the TOTO Aquia IV reaches a 0.8 GPF partial flush without sacrificing its 1000 gram full-flush MaP result. Buyers on a tighter budget who want a modern skirted profile with seat included should look at the Woodbridge T-0001, and the Gerber Avalanche bundle is the professional-grade choice for long-term reliability and trade parts availability. Whatever the priority, the clear rule is this: confirm the seat in the box has a hydraulic damper and matches the bowl profile before ordering -- and all nine picks on this list meet that standard.
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 July 11, 2026 · Our review method

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