Comfort Height Vs. Standard Height Toilets – Pros & Cons

Last Updated on July 27, 2023 by toilethaven

What is the Difference Between Standard Height and Comfort Height Toilets?

There are 2 types of toilets as far as toilet seat height is concerned. These are standard height toilets and comfort height toilets.

So, what is the difference between standard-height toilets and comfort-height toilets? And is one better than the other?

Comfort height toilets, also known as right/universal/chair height or ADA-compliant toilets, are toilets with a seat height of 17 to 19 inches. Standard-height toilets are toilets with a seat height of 14 to 15 inches.

It is important to make sure that when measuring the height of a toilet, you measure from the floor to the top of the seat and not the bowl. This is because you sit on the seat and not the bowl.

This can be confusing since most toilets are sold without a seat, and only the toilet bowl height is quoted in the specifications. Most toilet seats, however, have a height of 1 inch, so you should always add that to the toilet bowl height.

Standard Height vs. Comfort Height Toilets Comparison Table

Pros and Cons Comfort Height Toilets

Are comfort height toilets better than standard toilets?

Most people are more and more embracing comfortable height toilets because of the benefits that they come with. They are the ideal toilets for physically impaired, old, and generally tall people.

Let us not look at the pros and cons of comfort height toilets and see if they are something you would consider or if you are better off buying a standard height toilet.

Pros

• ADA-compliant
• Easy to sit and stand from
• No need for toilet risers
• Best for tall people
• An excellent choice for seniors

Cons

• They are Heavy
• Uncomfortable for kids and short people
• Can’t fit in a tight space

Pros and Cons of Standard Height Toilets

Standard height toilets are the oldest type of toilets, between them and comfort height toilets. Although comfort-height toilets are growing in popularity, standard-height toilets still have their place.

So why should you buy a standard-height toilet instead of a comfortable-height toilet? Are standard height toilets better than comfort height toilets? Let us look at their pros and cons.

Pros

• Best for kids, short, and people of average height
• Can fit in a tight spot
• Better user position
• Lighter

Cons

• Not ADA-compliant
• User-unfriendly to people with disabilities, old, and tall people
• You might need a raised toilet seat

Best Comfort Height Toilets

There are a couple of decent comfort height toilets in the market, but I will only give you 3 recommendations here. If you want to see a more detailed review of the 10 best comfort height toilets, check out this post.

The 3 best comfort heights toilets are:

1. Toto Drake Elongated Toilet

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Toto Drake is a powerful flushing and comfortable height toilet, which is one of the most popular toilets by Toto. I rank it highly since it is a powerful flushing toilet and is competitively priced.

Its toilet bowl height is 16.5 inches, translating to 17.5 inches after the seat is installed. Toto Drake is unfortunately not WaterSense compliant as it uses 1.6 gallons per flush which is more than the required 1.28 gallons per flush.

If you would like to compare Toto Drake with other Toto Comfort height toilets, check out this post.

2. American Standard Champion 4

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American Standard Champion 4 is considered one of the strongest flushing toilets due to its 4-inch flush valve. It is available in white, bone, and linen.

The good thing is that the Champion 4 is available in both comfort height and standard height and also in either round or elongated. It is a one-piece toilet and, therefore, more compact.

American Standard Champion 4 comfort height toilet has a seat height of 17.5 inches. Its surface is coated with American Standard EverClean surface to inhibit the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria.

To compare the Champion 4 with other American Standard comfort height toilets, check out this post.

3. Kohler Cimarron Comfort Height Toilet

Kohler Cimarron is a single flush two-piece elongated and comfort-height toilet. It is available in white, black, biscuit, and almond.

Using Kohler’s AquaPiston flushing technology, Kohler Cimarron is among the most powerful flushing toilet on the market. It uses only 1.28 gallons per flush, meaning it is WaterSense labeled and can be sold all over the United States.

Although it is sold without a seat (you buy a seat separately), its seat height will be 17.5 inches which is really comfortable to sit and stand.

To compare Kohler Cimarron with other Kohler Comfort height toilets, check out this post.

Best Standard Height Toilet

Most toilets these days have a comfortable height, and getting a decent standard height toilet can be a little harder. I will list 2 of the best standard-height toilets in the market.

1. American Standard H2Option

American Standard H2Option is a dual flush two-piece toilet. It is available in white, bone, and lines in both standard height and comfort height models. You can also choose to have either an elongated or round model.

Dual flush toilets like this one give you the option to use less water to flush liquids and a little bit more water to flush solids. With a flushing rate of 0.92/1.28 gallons per flush, this toilet can be sold in every state without restriction.

If you would like a more high-end standard-height toilet, check out the American Standard Champion 4 standard-height toilet. It, however, uses 1.6 gallons per flush and cannot, therefore, be sold in some states like California and Texas.

2. Toto Drake CST744S

Toto Drake CST744S is a single flush two-piece elongated and comfort-height toilet. Its toilet seat is 15.625 inches in white, black, and Sedona beige.

It uses Toto’s G-Max flushing technology, known for powerful flushing. Unfortunately, it does not come with a toilet seat, and you will hence need to buy one separately.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements For Comfort Height Toilets

The comfort height vs. the standard height toilets issue was not a big deal, especially for toilet manufacturers and the general public, until ADA was enacted. ADA recommends, among other issues, that:

• A toilet should have a height of 17 to 19 inches.
• The center line of the toilet must be between 18 inches from the sidewall.
• A 30-inch by 48-inch access to the sink. The door should not swing into that rectangle.
• A circle of at least 60 inches around the side wall and 56 inches from the rear wall. This is to accommodate wheelchair users.

Comfort Height vs. Standard Height Toilets – Detailed Comparisons

So, is the comfortable height toilet the best toilet for you? Or is the standard-height toilet the best option? What factors should you look for while buying one instead of the other? Let us compare and contrast them and find out.

Height

Comfort height toilets have a seat height of between 17 and 19 inches. This is just about the same height as the height of a chair. Standard-height toilets have a seat height between 14 and 15 inches or slightly more.

The decision to buy the comfortable height toilet vs. the standard height toilet depends on the end user. If your bathroom is in an institution or any public place, you will have no alternative but to install a comfortable height toilet.

If you are a very tall person, disabled, old, or have mobility problems, the comfortable height toilet should be what you buy.

The standard-height toilet will better suit your needs if you are of average height or just short. If you need to install a toilet in the children’s bathroom, the standard-height toilet will be, without a doubt, the clear winner.

A better option sometimes is to buy a standard-height toilet and then install a raised toilet seat, especially for the elderly or disabled. A raised toilet seat gives you an extra 2-6 inches over your existing toilet height.

Toilet seat risers with handles are especially great. Check out 10 of the best-raised toilet seats here.

Cost

The cost of a comfortable-height toilet is slightly more than that of a standard-height toilet. In this case, we assume both toilets have the same features and are from the same manufacturer.

There is, for example, a $100 difference between a Toto Ultramax II comfort height toilet and a Toto Ultramax II standard height toilet.

For someone with serious physical challenges or who loves sitting high, $100 is a small price, considering the convenience of a comfortable height toilet.

Health

Apart from mobility issues, there are other body conditions that may influence the comfort height vs. standard height toilets decision. The most obvious is constipation.

The most natural position for defecating is the squatting position. But we can’t go back to squatting since we live in modern times. The shorter standard-height toilet may be as close as possible to squatting. This a good choice for people seeking to prevent or alleviate constipation.

If you still want to use a comfortable height toilet, you should put a small stand/stool at the front of the toilet. You can then use the toilet with your feet in a raised position.

Installation

The installation of a comfortable height toilet is similar to that of a standard height toilet. Plumbers also charge the same amount of money to install a comfortable height toilet or a standard toilet.

One thing you will. However, notice that comfort-height toilets are taller than standard-height toilets. If you want a toilet to fit in a tight-spot space, for instance, under a shelf, then a standard-height toilet should be the obvious choice.

Repairs and Maintenance

A comfort height toilet and a standard toilet from the same manufacturer and of the same features and specifications have the same components.

As a result, these toilets’ repairs, maintenance frequency, and costs are the same. It is also dependent on the end user. Needless to say, some people are more careful with things than others.

Design

Comfort height toilets and standard height toilets from the same manufacturer and with similar features and specifications have a similar design. The only difference is the height of the toilet bowl from the floor.

Factors to Consider

Choosing the best toilet for your home or business these days is getting tougher than years ago when just any toilet model would suffice. Apart from just the comfort height vs. standard height toilets issue, you will also need to choose from the:

Elongated vs. Round Toilets

Elongated toilets are more comfortable, with an average toilet bowl length of about 18.5 inches. Round toilets are less comfortable, with an average toilet bowl length of 16.5 inches. Round toilets are ideal for small bathrooms.

One-Piece vs. Two-Piece Toilets

One-piece toilets have the toilet tank and toilet bowl manufactured as one piece. Two-piece have the toilet bowl and toilet tank as two separate pieces and have to be joined together during installation.

Dual Flush vs. Single Flush Toilets

Dual flush toilets are toilets that give the user the option to either use little water for flushing liquids or a little bit more water to flush solids. Single-flush toilets are without flushing options.

Floor-mounted vs. wall-hung toilets

Floor-mounted toilets are mounted on the bathroom floor using toilet bolts, a wax ring, and a toilet flange. Wall-hung toilets are mounted on the bathroom walls, and their tanks are normally concealed in the bathroom wall.

Slow Close Toilet Seats vs. Slamming Toilet Seats

Soft/slow-close toilet seats are features in toilet seats’ hinges that enable them to avoid slamming on the bowl by closing slowly after use. Slamming toilet seats, on the other hand, is always obeying the law of gravity.

FAQs

Can I replace a comfort-height toilet with a standard-height toilet?

Yes. A comfort height toilet is similar to a standard height toilet in all the other ways apart from the toilet bowl height.

What is the difference between toilet bowl height and toilet seat height?

A toilet bowl height is the distance from the floor to the top of the toilet bowl rim, while the toilet seat height is the distance from the floor to the top of the toilet seat.