Short answer: for most bathrooms, buy the TOTO Drake. It has TOTO’s Tornado Flush, a comfort height option and a mid-range price. Choose the Entrada if price comes first, the Drake II for a more refined two-piece, the UltraMax II if you want a one-piece toilet that is easier to clean, and the Aquia IV if you want a dual flush.
TOTO sells dozens of toilets with similar names and long model codes, which makes the range hard to compare. Most of it comes down to five lines. This guide explains what separates them, how to read a TOTO model code, and which model fits which bathroom.
TOTO Toilets: Lineup at a Glance
| Model | Design | Flush | Water per flush | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrada | Two-piece | E-Max | 1.28 gal | Lowest price |
| Drake | Two-piece | Tornado Flush | 1.28 or 1.6 gal | Most homes |
| Drake II | Two-piece | Tornado Flush | 1.28 gal | A more refined two-piece |
| UltraMax II | One-piece | Tornado Flush | 1.28 gal | Easy cleaning |
| Aquia IV | One- or two-piece, skirted | Dual flush | 1.28 / 0.9 gal | Saving water |
What Makes TOTO Toilets Different
Tornado Flush
Instead of dozens of small holes under the rim, Tornado Flush uses two nozzles that send water around the bowl in a spiral. The whole bowl is rinsed on every flush, and there are no rim holes to clog or scrub.
CEFIONTECT glaze
CEFIONTECT is an extra-smooth glaze fired onto the bowl. Waste has less to stick to, so the toilet stays clean longer between brushings.
Universal Height
Universal Height is TOTO’s name for comfort height or chair height: the seat sits about two inches higher than on a standard toilet, which makes sitting down and standing up easier. Our comfort height vs standard toilet guide explains who benefits.
WASHLET+ compatibility
TOTO also makes the WASHLET bidet seat. Toilets marked WASHLET+ Ready have a channel that hides the seat’s power cord and water hose, which gives a cleaner look than fitting a bidet seat to an ordinary toilet. Prefer the bidet built in? See our best toilet bidet combo picks.
The Main TOTO Models
TOTO Entrada: Best Budget TOTO
The Entrada is the least expensive way to own a TOTO. It is a two-piece toilet at Universal Height with the older E-Max flush, which uses 1.28 gallons and a conventional rim. You give up the Tornado Flush and the CEFIONTECT glaze, so the bowl needs a little more cleaning. It comes with a round or an elongated bowl, and the seat is sold separately.
Choose it if: you want TOTO reliability at the lowest price, for example in a second bathroom.
TOTO Drake: Best for Most Homes
The Drake is TOTO’s best-known toilet. Current versions have the Tornado Flush, and versions with a G in the model code add the CEFIONTECT glaze. It is sold with a 1.28-gallon or a 1.6-gallon flush, a round or an elongated bowl, and standard or Universal Height. A version for a 10-inch rough-in is also available. Older Drake versions with the earlier G-Max or E-Max flush are still on sale, so check that the listing says Tornado Flush.
Choose it if: you want the best balance of flush performance, easy cleaning and price.
TOTO Drake II: A More Refined Two-Piece
The Drake II has the same Tornado Flush and a more sculpted tank and bowl. It uses 1.28 gallons per flush, and a 1G version uses just 1.0 gallon. Most versions come at Universal Height with the CEFIONTECT glaze. For a full comparison, see TOTO Drake vs Drake II.
Choose it if: you like the Drake but want a more modern look, or the lowest water use in a single flush toilet.
TOTO UltraMax II: Best One-Piece
The UltraMax II is a one-piece toilet: the tank and bowl are a single casting, with no seam between them to collect dirt. It has the Tornado Flush, the CEFIONTECT glaze and Universal Height, and it usually comes with a SoftClose seat. One-piece toilets cost more and are heavier to carry, but they are the easiest to wipe down.
Choose it if: easy cleaning matters most and the budget allows.
TOTO Aquia IV: Best Dual Flush
The Aquia IV has a skirted design, with smooth sides that hide the trapway, and a dual flush: 1.28 gallons for solid waste and 0.9 gallons for liquid. The flush is a push button on top of the tank instead of a lever, which some people with arthritis find harder to press. It comes as a one-piece or a two-piece toilet.
Choose it if: you want to use the least water and like a modern, skirted look.
What about the Neorest?
The Neorest is TOTO’s smart toilet line, with a built-in bidet seat, an automatic lid and a tankless design. It costs several times more than the models above and is a different kind of purchase, so we leave it out of this comparison. If that is what you are after, see our guide to the best smart toilet.
How to Read a TOTO Model Code
TOTO model codes look cryptic, but a few letters tell you most of what you need. Take CST776CEFG#01, a current Drake:
| Part of the code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CST at the start | Two-piece toilet, usually sold without a seat |
| MS at the start | One-piece toilet, or a set sold with a seat |
| E, S or U near the end | Water per flush: E is 1.28 gallons, S is 1.6 gallons, U is 1.0 gallon |
| F | Universal Height. No F means standard height |
| G | CEFIONTECT glaze |
| #01 | Color. 01 is Cotton White, 12 is Sedona Beige, 51 is Ebony |
So CST776CEFG#01 is a two-piece toilet with a 1.28-gallon flush, Universal Height and the CEFIONTECT glaze, in Cotton White.
Which TOTO Toilet Should You Buy?
| Your priority | Model to choose |
|---|---|
| Lowest price | Entrada |
| Best all-round toilet | Drake |
| Small bathroom | Drake or Entrada with a round bowl |
| Easiest to clean | UltraMax II |
| Lowest water use | Drake II 1G or Aquia IV |
| Older or less mobile users | Any Universal Height model with a lever, such as the Drake II |
| A bidet seat now or later | A WASHLET+ Ready version |
Not sure about bowl shape? Our elongated vs round toilet guide shows how to measure. Buying for an older adult? See our guide to the best toilets for seniors.
Before You Order
- Rough-in. Measure from the finished wall to the center of the floor bolts. Twelve inches is standard. If yours is 10 or 14 inches, buy the version made for it.
- Seat. Most two-piece TOTO toilets are sold without a seat. Add a SoftClose seat in the same shape and color. Want a warm one? See our best heated toilet seat guide.
- Height. Check for Universal Height in the product name if you want the taller seat.
- Flush. Check that the listing says Tornado Flush if that is the reason you are choosing TOTO.
FAQs
Q1: Is TOTO a good toilet brand?
Yes. TOTO is a Japanese manufacturer and one of the largest toilet makers in the world. It is known for strong, quiet flushing and for inventing the WASHLET bidet seat.
Q2: Is TOTO Universal Height the same as chair height?
Yes. Universal Height, chair height and comfort height all describe a seat about 17 to 19 inches off the floor.
Q3: What is the difference between the TOTO Drake and the Drake II?
Current versions of both use the Tornado Flush. The Drake II has a more sculpted design and a 1.0-gallon version, while the Drake offers more choice, including a 1.6-gallon flush and standard height.
Q4: What happened to the TOTO G-Max flush?
G-Max was the 1.6-gallon flush on older Drake models. TOTO has replaced it with the Tornado Flush on current models, though some G-Max toilets are still on sale.
Q5: Do TOTO toilets come with a seat?
Most two-piece models do not. One-piece models such as the UltraMax II usually include a SoftClose seat. Check the product listing before you order.
Q6: Should I choose a round or an elongated TOTO?
Elongated if you have the space, because it is more comfortable for adults. Choose round for a small bathroom or a powder room.
Final Thoughts
For most homes, the TOTO Drake with Tornado Flush is the model to buy. Step down to the Entrada to save money, or up to the UltraMax II if you want a one-piece toilet that is quicker to clean. The Drake II and the Aquia IV are the ones to look at when design or water saving comes first.
