Toto Ultramax II vs. Kohler Santa Rosa

[dannehboy]

Hi, I am looking to purchase 3 units of one of these toilets, I just can't decide which. My highest priority is that it is as difficult as possible to clog. However, I do care about other things such as price, ease of cleaning, anti-stick coatings (e.g., Cefiontech, etc.). Based on my research, I have the following pros for each toilet:

Toto Ultramax II Pros:
- Cefiontech coating may perform better than Kohler's coating (not really based on anything solid)
- Trapway shape has more gradual bends which I've seen it suggested is meaningful in terms of avoiding clogs
- Overall better reputation for flushes (though not really based on anything solid as far as I can tell)

Kohler Santa Rosa Pros:
- About $100 cheaper per unit for the version with ContinuousClean (approx $470) (I don't mind spending more but worth taking into account)
-ContinuousClean feature: As far as I can tell this feature allows you to put a cleaning tab in your tank without the tablets negatively affecting the hardware in the tank. It seems that Kohler's coating isn't harmed by bleach as they seem to allow you to use bleach tabletss for this feature

As far as cleaning goes, they both seem to be more or less identical. As far as I can tell Santa Rosa seems to have the tornado type flush that Ultramax II has so they both benefit from good coverage during flush and don't have the water coming out of the rim for keeping-it-clean purposes. I'm assuming Ultramax II has the better flush and perhaps better quality control (maybe?), but Kohler's significantly cheaper price and ContinuousClean feature are making me wonder if the Ultramax II is worth it.

I'm quite OCD about cleanliness and toilet clogs kinda freak me out so if there if it is meaningfully less likely that the Ultramax II will clogs, then I don't mind spending the money, but if it isn't clear, then I may lean towards the Santa Rosa as the ContinuousClean feature seems quite appealing.

I would appreciate any input.

Thank you.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

get the toto

 

[Sponsor]

 

[dannehboy]

get the toto

Thanks for the input. Do you mind explaining your reasoning? Anything negative about Kohler Santa Rosa? I have been researching but can't find much useful information, mostly just anecdotes from people who haven't used or even looked into both.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

The common toto Drake just seems to be a better quality toilet... the parts are better and easy to repair
very easy indeed... and of course if you shit something larger than golf balls for turds they
will not stop up the toilet.....

The brass bolts that mount the tank to the bowl are actually much better on the Toto
than the shitty compression grommet plug type "dog shit leaking junk bolts"
that Kohler supplies you with and expects you to struggle with.... I refuse to use them

Its very frustrating to always have to modify those Kohler toilets with my own tank
to bowl bolts with solid washers and nuts that
never leak just to be extra sure and confident that they will not leak on me some day
especially on the second floor of someone's house

I would guess that they are close to the same price...
I really dont know for sure.... but the Toto quality is much more desireable

 

[rest_in_pasta]

Hi, I am looking to purchase 3 units of one of these toilets, I just can't decide which. My highest priority is that it is as difficult as possible to clog. However, I do care about other things such as price, ease of cleaning, anti-stick coatings (e.g., Cefiontech, etc.). Based on my research, I have the following pros for each toilet:

Toto Ultramax II Pros:
- Cefiontech coating may perform better than Kohler's coating (not really based on anything solid)
- Trapway shape has more gradual bends which I've seen it suggested is meaningful in terms of avoiding clogs
- Overall better reputation for flushes (though not really based on anything solid as far as I can tell)

Kohler Santa Rosa Pros:
- About $100 cheaper per unit for the version with ContinuousClean (approx $470) (I don't mind spending more but worth taking into account)
-ContinuousClean feature: As far as I can tell this feature allows you to put a cleaning tab in your tank without the tablets negatively affecting the hardware in the tank. It seems that Kohler's coating isn't harmed by bleach as they seem to allow you to use bleach tabletss for this feature

As far as cleaning goes, they both seem to be more or less identical. As far as I can tell Santa Rosa seems to have the tornado type flush that Ultramax II has so they both benefit from good coverage during flush and don't have the water coming out of the rim for keeping-it-clean purposes. I'm assuming Ultramax II has the better flush and perhaps better quality control (maybe?), but Kohler's significantly cheaper price and ContinuousClean feature are making me wonder if the Ultramax II is worth it.

I'm quite OCD about cleanliness and toilet clogs kinda freak me out so if there if it is meaningfully less likely that the Ultramax II will clogs, then I don't mind spending the money, but if it isn't clear, then I may lean towards the Santa Rosa as the ContinuousClean feature seems quite appealing.

I would appreciate any input.

Thank you.

I have the been using the Ultramax II (1.0 GPF) for two years. It replaced a Sterling (a Kohler brand) Windham (?) as the bowl rinse and porcelain finish were subpar. At least the Sterling didn't have Kohler's odd flush tower. I wouldn't count on the ContinuousClean feature as cleaning a bowl with a brush is easy (I use Flushing Bubbles toilet wand with the disposable heads).

The few times the Ultramax II had clogged I was able to slowly push down on the flush lever to have it unclog itself. Can't do that on a Kohler/Sterling due to the trapway design (debatable).

 

[Rmk9785e]

Please see my experience with Toto Ultramax II.

https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/toto-ultramax-ii-disappoints.113217/

 

[GL77]

I have the same issue as Rmk9785e with the Toto eco ultramax. Also I find the Toto seat to be insanely uncomfortable. It tips to the inside so that in effect all your weight is resting on the outer rim of the seat. Can you get a different brand seat that is a more flat design that will fit the Toto? It's really tough picking out a toilet, you read tons of reviews and testing and specs and after a while your brain gets tired but you don't really know until you actually install and use the thing and when it was expensive it's really disappointing.