The battle between one-piece versus two-piece toilets is never-ending. If you’ve never used both of these toilets, then you can never really know the benefits and shortcomings of every type. But as a plumber, I have not only installed but as well as used both 1-piece & 2-piece toilets for many years. I must say that both of these toilets are exceptional in their way, and it depends on your needs and budget. Please read this One piece VS Two-Piece toilet article to find out the differences between them.
If you don’t know which to choose between the one-piece toilet and the two-piece toilet, then read this review to the end to be informed. We’ve featured all the relevant categories that you need to make the right choice. So, take your time and find out which toilet best suits your needs.
General Comparison: One piece VS Two-Piece toilet
Features |
One Piece Toilet |
Two Piece Toilet |
| Cleaning: | Easier | Hard |
| Performance: | No Difference | No Difference |
| Durability: | Yes | Not Enough |
| Size: | Smaller | Bigger |
| Installation: | No need for technical knowledge | Need technical knowledge |
| Replacement: | Hard | Easier |
| Replacement Cost: | High | Low |
| Maintenance: | Easy | Not Easy |
| Leaking Issues: | Less | More |
| Maintenance Cost: | High | Low |
| Compactness: | Fit in a small area | Need Large area |
| Toilet Cost: | High | Low |
| Buyer %%: | a lot | increasing |
| Our Recommendation: |  Check Price |
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Summary of content
One-Piece Toilet
One-piece toilet features an integrated tank and bowl. Because of this, they are easy to clean. Also, they eliminate the gap between the toilet tank and bowl that is a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and other substances. Also, this makes the toilet compact as the tank is lower.
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Pros:
- Straightforward to clean
- Well-built to last long
- They are more compact to fit in tight spaces easily
- Sleek and elegant design
- Straightforward to install
Cons:
- They are slightly expensive than two-piece units
- Quite challenging to ship as the bowl and tank are integrated into a one-piece
- They have fewer rough-in options
Two-Piece Toilet
Two-piece toilets come with a bowl and tank separately. As a result, the toilet is easy to ship, and you can maneuver or mix and match different bowls and tanks. Also, it is easy to maintain as spare parts are easy to find. Some of the best 2-piece toilets are Toto Drake II, American Standard ActiClean, and 20-inch convenient height toilets.
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Pros:
- They are easy to ship
- More affordable than one-piece toilets
- Simple to maneuver pieces for installation
- They allow the user to mix and match tank and bowl
- They offer a broader range of height, style, rough-in options
Cons:
- Quite challenging to maintain as they leak and break with much ease
- Not self-cleaning toilet as they are difficult to clean
- They usually take up more space
- Similarities and Differences between one-piece and two-piece toilets
Features Comparison between 1 piece and 2 piece toilet
Durability
A toilet is not something that you select randomly. Since you will be using your toilet for many years to come, why not pick the best and most durable? When it comes to the battle of a 1-piece VS 2-piece toilet in terms of durability, the one-piece toilet has an edge. This is because two-piece toilets come with a coupling between the tank and bowl. The coupling may crack after some time, and the rubber gasket found in this section may degrade and start to leak. With one-piece toilets, there is no coupling; hence, you won’t experience such challenges.
Space considerations
If you want to save space, then the one-piece compact toilet is the way to go. Since a one-piece toilet comes with the tank and bowl incorporated into one unit, it doesn’t take up much space. However, two-piece toilets come with lots of rough-in options when compared to one-piece toilets.
Related product: Install Galba Toilet If You Have a Small Space
Even though a one-piece toilet comes in a single unit, it is not very convenient to ship. On the other hand, two-piece toilets are simple to transport as they come in different pieces. Also, one-piece toilets are quite heavy, which is a disadvantage during shipping.
Appearance
Unfortunately, one-piece or two-piece toilet designs do not determine how beautiful the toilet is. With that said, one-piece toilets look more elegant with a modern appeal when compared to two-piece toilets. The good news is that some one-piece toilets feature a traditional design and some two-piece toilets a modern look. So, you won’t be limited to what type of toilet to choose.
Ease of installation
Two-piece modern toilets are quite challenging to install as you need to bolt the tank to the bowl. On the other hand, one-piece toilets don’t need this as the tank and bowl are integrated into a one-piece. But a two-piece toilet gives you the chance to move and maneuver as you install it. Always get some help when installing the one-piece toilet as they are quite heavy.
Maintenance
Today, many people are embracing one-piece toilets because they are straightforward to clean and maintain. In addition, one-piece toilets don’t feature a coupling, which is a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. So, cleaning is made easy, and you don’t have to continually clean the tank and bowl-like with two-piece toilets.
Related article: Which one is Better Between Dual Flush and Single Flush Toilets?
Costs
Typically, one-piece toilets cost more than two-piece toilets. It doesn’t matter if they have the same features and even color; they will still cost more. This might be attributed to their durability, ease of cleaning, and overall aesthetics.
Final thoughts: One Piece or Two Piece Toilet?
All-in-all, there is no significant difference between a one-piece and two-piece toilet. It all depends on your taste. However, a one-piece toilet such as Toto Eco Ultramax, Toto Aimes, or American Standard Champion 4 offers more comfort and is easier to maintain than a two-piece toilet. Also, they look more beautiful as they have the tank and bowl seamlessly integrated into a one-piece. The only challenge is that they are slightly costly than two-piece toilets.
Whichever toilet you choose, you will still get the same comfort and performance as long as they share the same features. Still, have questions after reading this One piece VS Two-Piece toilet comparison? Comment below.
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Comparison: Toto Ultramax II vs Toto Drake II
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Hi, I am Jose S. Franz. Currently, I am working as a professional plumber, and our team offers various plumbing services at an affordable price. After my college education, I completed a vocational certification course in plumbing systems and worked with several construction companies. Since then, I have fixed lots of different toilet models, from older to the latest versions. So I have more than 22 years of experience installing plumbing systems and toilets in both residential and commercial buildings.
Two years ago, I had a Huberhaus 1 piece toilet at the cottage. In the fall, I drained it and poured RV antifreeze in the tank and flushed it. Then flushed it until only antifreeze remained in the bowl. It didn’t survive the winter. Temperatures in Ottawa Ontario, Canada can reach -40 -50 in winter. I have installed a similar one this summer because of its smaller footprint. Other than removing and storing it at home, is there a means of ensuring that it is completely drained. Would it be necessary to leave any antifreeze in the bowl? Your comments would be appreciated.