Toto Ultramax II Review – Pros, Cons & Comparisons
Last Updated on May 18, 2022 by toilethaven
Toto Ultramax II is one of the best toilets not only among Toto toilets but also across the entire industry. But how good of a toilet is it? What other toilets should you consider instead of it?
Toto Ultramax II is a one-piece single flush elongated and WaterSense toilet with a comfort height. It is a powerful flushing toilet using Toto’s Tornado flushing system with a consumption of 1.28 gallons per flush.
High water-efficiency, a strong flush, rimless bowl and the one-piece design is what makes the Toto Ultramax II a great toilet. It is a little pricier than most toilets but totally worth the extra cost.
Toto Ultramax II comes in a variety of colors including cotton white, colonial white, Sedona beige, bone and black/ebony. The Toto Ultramax II black toilet is one of the best black toilets in the market.
Toto improved on the Toto Ultramax to come up with Toto Ultramax II. But what is the difference between the two?
The difference between Toto Ultramax and Toto Ultramax II is that Toto Ultramax II uses 1.28 gallons of water per flush while Toto Ultramax uses 1.6 gallons. All of their features and specifications are the same.
Let us now look at the features and specifications of the Toto Ultramax II in detail
Toto Ultramax II Features and Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Style | one-piece |
| Bowl type | elongated |
| Rough-in | 12 inches |
| Flushing system | Tornado flush |
| Water use | 1.28 GPF |
| Toilet seat | soft close |
| Bowl height | 16.125 inches |
| Colors | cotton white, bone, colonial white, Sedona beige and ebony |
| Dimensions | Depth: 28.375 inches Width: 16.625 inches Height: 28.75 inches |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Flushing System
Toto Ultramax II uses Toto’s Tornado flushing system commonly referred to as double-cyclone flushing system. It involves the use of an extra-large 3-inch flush valve and a rimless bowl with 2 nozzles on each side.
The 2 nozzles replaced the usual rim holes in most toilets. Due to the big flush valve, water leaves the tank and enter the bowl with a high force as it exits through the 2 nozzles.
The design of the nozzles is such that as the water enters the bowl it forms 2 vortexes/cyclones that apart from creating a strong siphon are very effective in scrubbing and rinsing the bowl.
These 2 cyclic water patterns on each side of the bowl is the reason the Tornado flushing system is also referred to as the double-cyclone flushing system.
Because of the change in the engineering of the bowl and tank, Toto Ultramax II is able to produce a powerful flush using only 1.28 gallons per flush.
Toto has 2 types of toilets based on their water consumption. These are the E-Max toilets and G-Max toilets. Toilets with the E-Max flushing system use 1.28 gallons per flush while toilets with a G-Max flushing system use 1.6 gallons per flush.
Don’t be therefore surprised to hear Toto Ultramax II being classified under the E-Max flushing system and not Tornado flushing system. The E-Max flushing system merely indicates its water consumption.
As such, Toto Ultramax II is compliant with the requirements of the EPA WaterSense as well as CalGreen. It can therefore be sold in every part of the United States including Texas and California.
One-Piece Design
Toto Ultramax II is a one-piece toilet. One-piece toilets are designed and manufactured with their tank and bowl joined together as one whole piece.
The preference of a one-piece toilet over a two-piece toilet and vice versa comes down to an individual’s preference. Each of them have their advantages and disadvantages.
The main advantage of a one-piece toilet is that it is very easy to clean and maintain it in that state than a two-piece toilet. The seamless integration between the tank and the bowl removes the small gap which is a haven for dirt and germs, and also very hard to clean.
One-piece toilets are also more compact than two-piece toilets. If you have a small bathroom you are better off going with a one-piece toilet than a two-piece one.
With a one-piece toilet like the Toto Ultramax II you will surely have fewer toilet leaks than you would with a two-piece toilet. Leaks between the toilet tank and the bowl are as a result of worn out tank to bowl gasket, corroded bolts, worn out washes etc. With the Toto Ultramax II you will not have to worry about any of that.
If unfortunately either the Ultramax II’s bowl or tank is broken, you will have to replace the complete toilet. With a two-piece toilet you only have to replace the broken piece.
I have written a detailed article on the pros and cons of one-piece vs two-piece toilets. Read it here.
Elongated Toilet
Toto Ultramax II is an elongated toilet. An elongated toilet is one with an oval-shaped bowl than is longer than a standard bowl. The opposite of an elongated bowl is a round-front bowl which as its name suggest has a round bowl.
Elongated toilets are way more comfortable to sit on than round toilets. This is because they offer a bigger surface area than round ones. An elongated bowl has a length of 18.5 inches while a round front bowl has a length of 16.5 inches.
Round toilets are sometimes preferred to elongated ones because they are more space-economic. For people with small bathrooms, installing a round-front toilet makes more sense. If space is not a problem then go with an elongated one.
For a decent round-front toilet that is almost as good as the Toto Ultramax II, I suggest you check out the Toto Eco-Ultramax. It is a one-piece single flush round-front and compact toilet. Check it out here on Amazon.
Cefiontect Glaze
Toto Ultramax II toilets (apart from Toto Ultramax II black toilet) are coated with Toto’s Cefiontect glaze. This substance makes the toilet shiny and smooth like a mirror, inhibiting the adherence of mold, mildew, bacteria and any kind of dirt.
Have you ever used a toilet and after flushing you notice streaks of poop left sticking on the bowl forcing you to scrub it off with a brush? This is what the Cefiontect glaze will help you avoid.
The glaze also helps you to easily clean the toilet without the need to use harsh chemicals. Just squirt a little amount of cleaning gel and gently scrub the bowl with a brush to maintain top hygiene.
Toilet Dimensions
It is very important to get the accurate measurements of a toilet prior to buying it. You do not want to buy a toilet that cannot fit in your bathroom.
The dimensions of the Toto Ultramax II are:
- Depth: 28.375 inches
- Width: 16.625 inches
- Height: 28.75 inches
- Bowl height: 16.125 inches
- Rough-in: 12 inches
As you can see, the Ultramax II is quite compact for an elongated toilet. It also comes with a standard rough-in of 12 inches.
With a toilet bowl height of 16.125 inches, Toto Ultramax II is a comfort height toilet. The toilet seat height will be at 17.25 inches which falls between the 17-19 inches set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Comfort heights toilets which are also known as right/universal/chair height toilets are very easy to sit and stand up from especially by the seniors and tall folks.
Soft Close Toilet Seat
Toto Ultramax II comes with a soft close toilet. Soft close toilet seats eliminate the irritating sound of a toilet seat slamming hard on the bowl every time the toilet is used.
Toto also sells Toto Ultramax II with a washlet. A washlet is basically a bidet toilet seat. You get to choose the washlet you need to go with your toilet from a selection of Toto washlets. check it out here on Amazon
Washlets are a big improvement from toilet paper. They clean your rear and front with warm water and then dry you off using a warm air dryer.
High-end Toto washlets comes with features such as auto opening and closing lid and seat as well as bowl premist. Some of these however cost more than the toilet.
Toto Ultramax II vs Toto Carlyle II
A good alternative to the Toto Ultramax II is the Toto Carlyle II. But what is the difference between Toto Ultramax II and Toto Carlyle II?
Toto Carlyle II is the skirted version of Toto Ultramax II. All of their other features are similar. If you like toilets with a concealed trapway then the Carlyle II is the one for you. It is however slightly expensive than the Ultramax II.
One thing to remember is that while Toto Carlyle II is a 12-inch rough-in toilet, it can also be converted into a 10 or 14-inch toilet. You will just need to buy a Toto unifit adapter. Toto Ultramax II cannot be converted to either a 10 or 14-inch rough-in toilet.
Toto Ultramax II vs Toto Drake II.
Toto Drake II is another fantastic toilet. It is the improved (water-efficient) model of the famous Toto Drake toilet.
The main difference between Toto Drake II and Toto Ultramax II is that Toto Drake II is a two-piece toilet while the Ultramax II is a one-piece model. All of their other features are similar. If you love 2-piece toilets then the Drake II will be worth your while.
The dimensions of the Toto Drake II are:
- Depth: 28.5 inches
- Width: 17.25 inches
- Height: 30 inches
- Bowl height: 16.125 inches
- Rough-in: 12 inches
As you can see from the above dimensions, Toto Drake II is slightly bigger than the Toto Ultramax II. Other than that the above differences these toilets are similar.
The skirted version of the Toto Drake II is the Toto Vespin II if it would interest you. Check the comparison between it and Toto Drake II in this post.
Toto Ultramax II vs Toto Ultramax
Before there was Toto Ultramax II there was Toto Ultramax. But what is the difference between the 2 toilets?
Toto Ultramax has a consumption of 1.6 gallons per flush, using Toto’s G-Max flushing system. Toto Ultramax II as we have seen is more water efficient using only 1.28 gallons per flush.
Due to its high water consumption, Toto Ultramax is not compliant with the regulations set out by both WaterSense and CalGreen. It therefore cannot be sold in some states like California, Texas and Colorado.
If you are not a resident in those state then you can comfortably enjoy the Toto Ultramax. Its flushing power is amazing and actually hardly ever clogs.
Toto Ultramax II vs American Standard Champion 4
American Standard Champion 4 is among the best flushing toilets in the market. There are many models of the Champion 4 but the American Standard 2034.314.020 is the newest and best one to buy.
It is a one-piece single flush elongated and comfort height toilet. The color finishes available are white, linen and bone. Linen and bone toilets are pricier than white ones.
The main difference between Toto Ultramax II and American Standard Champion 4 is that while Toto Ultramax II uses 1.28 gallons of water per flush, American Standard Champion 4 uses 1.6 gallons for every flush.
American Standard Champion 4 uses a 4-inch flush valve while Toto Ultramax II uses a 3-inch flush valve. The Champion 4 is therefore able to push water faster and forcefully into the bowl, and that is why it is taunted as being able to flush golf balls.
Another difference between these 2 toilets is that American Standard Champion 4 has a bowl height of 16.5 inches compared to Toto Ultramax II’s 16.125 inches. You will therefore sit higher while using the Champion 4.
The dimensions of the American Standard Champion 4 are:
- Depth: 29.75 inches
- Width: 16.75 inches
- Height: 29.5 inches
- Rough-in: 12 inches
As you can see, The Champion 4 is bigger than the Ultramax II. Toto Ultramax II therefore becomes a good option for anyone looking to buy a compact elongated toilet.
To be honest, both Toto Ultramax II and American Standard Champion 4 are fantastic toilets. I would probably consider the Ultramax II due to its water efficiency but other than that you wouldn’t go wrong with either.
Unfortunately the Champion 4 cannot be sold in California, Texas and Colorado.
Toto Ultramax II vs Kohler Santa Rosa
Kohler Santa Rosa is one of the best Kohler Toilets. It is a one-piece single flush elongated and comfort height toilet. It comes in white, sandbar, dune, almond, biscuit, black and ice gray color finishes.
The main difference between Toto Ultramax II and Kohler Santa Rosa is their flushing systems. While Toto Ultramax II uses the Tornado flushing system, Kohler Santa Rosa uses the AquaPiston flushing technology.
In this flushing technology, Kohler user a canister type flush valve instead of the usual flapper type flush valve. The difference is that while the flapper is hinged to one side, the canister lifts off completely during flushing allowing water to flow down to the bowl from a 360 degrees.
As a result, the water flows out faster and with more force creating a stronger siphon effect and hence powerful flushing. Kohler Santa Rosa just like Toto Ultramax II uses 1.28 gallons per flush.
The dimensions of the Kohler Santa Rosa are:
- Depth: 27.75 inches
- Width: 18.75 inches
- Height: 28.18 inches
- Rough-in: 12 inches
- Bowl height: 16.5 inches
Both Kohler Santa Rosa and Toto Ultramax II are compact elongated toilets but the Santa Rosa has a slightly shorter depth which may give it an edge.
Kohler Santa Rosa’s toilet bowl height is 16.5 inches, which is more than Toto Ultramax II’s 16.125 inches. It also comes with a soft close toilet seat.
Toto Ultramax II is however more expensive than Kohler Santa Rosa. If finance is an issue then the Santa Rosa will be a great choice.
If I were to choose one between these 2 I would go with the Toto Ultramax II. I really like the Tornado flushing system because of its cleaning action on the bowl. It is also a powerful flushing toilet.
Conclusion
Toto Ultramax II is actually one of the best toilet you can buy. Its best features are:
- Water-efficiency
- Powerful flush
- One-piece design
- Cefiontect glaze
- Comfort height
- Easy cleaning
It costs slightly more than most toilets but I can assure you that in the long it will prove to be value for money. You will receive a 1-year warranty effective from the date of purchase.