Top 10 Toilets You Can Buy in the UK | Expert Picks

Choosing the Right Toilet for Your Bathroom

Choosing a toilet might not seem like a momentous decision, but considering you will use it several times a day for years, getting it right matters more than most people realise. The right model improves your bathroom’s appearance, saves water, and delivers reliable performance without demanding constant attention. The wrong choice leads to weak flushes, difficult cleaning and regret.

This guide covers specific toilet models rather than brands in general. If you want a broader comparison of toilet manufacturers and their reputations, our guide to the best toilet brands in the UK explores that territory in depth. Here, we are focused on ten particular toilets you can actually buy and install in a UK bathroom today. Our team has fitted every model on this list during bathroom renovation projects across Greater Manchester, so these recommendations come from hands-on trade experience rather than spec sheets alone.

What to Consider Before Buying

Before settling on a model, a few key factors will narrow your choices considerably.

Type and Configuration

The four main toilet types each suit different situations. Close-coupled toilets are the most common in UK homes, with the cistern mounted directly on the pan. They are straightforward to install and widely available. Back-to-wall models hide the cistern behind furniture or a concealed unit, creating a cleaner look. Wall-hung toilets mount to the wall on a concealed frame, freeing up floor space and simplifying cleaning beneath. Smart toilets add electronic features like bidet functions, heated seats and automatic lids.

Your bathroom layout, budget and plumbing setup will determine which type makes sense. Wall-hung toilets require a strong wall or stud frame to support the concealed cistern, while close-coupled models connect to a standard floor outlet.

Water Efficiency

Every toilet sold in the UK must meet water efficiency standards, but performance varies. Dual-flush mechanisms let you choose between a full flush (typically 6 litres) and a reduced flush (3-4 litres) for liquid waste. Over a year, a dual-flush toilet can save thousands of litres compared to an older single-flush model. For our bathroom renovation services, we recommend dual-flush as standard.

Flush Performance

A powerful flush clears the bowl in one go, which saves water by avoiding double-flushing. Rimless bowls, where water flows around the entire rim rather than through jets under a traditional rim, tend to clean more effectively and are easier to maintain. Several models on our list feature rimless technology.

Ease of Cleaning

Rimless bowls eliminate the hidden channel under the rim where bacteria and limescale accumulate in traditional designs. Soft-close seats reduce wear and prevent the slam that loosens hinges over time. Quick-release seat fittings let you lift the seat off entirely for thorough cleaning. These are not luxury features but practical ones that save time every week.

The Top 10 Toilets in the UK

Each model below has been selected based on build quality, flush performance, customer satisfaction and availability from UK suppliers.

1. Roca The Gap Rimless Close-Coupled

The Roca Gap Rimless consistently ranks among the best-selling toilets in the UK, and for good reason. Its compact dimensions suit smaller bathrooms and cloakrooms without feeling cramped, while the rimless bowl delivers thorough flushing and effortless cleaning. Roca’s build quality is evident in the dense, well-glazed ceramic that resists staining over years of use.

The dual-flush mechanism offers 3/6 litre options, and the soft-close seat comes as standard on most packages. At a mid-range price point, the Gap Rimless represents outstanding value. It is the toilet most bathroom fitters in the UK recommend when customers ask for a reliable, no-fuss option.

Type: Close-coupled | Flush: Dual 3/6L rimless | Best for: Compact bathrooms and reliable everyday use

2. Ideal Standard Concept Air Wall-Hung

The Concept Air is Ideal Standard’s flagship wall-hung toilet, and it delivers a genuinely sleek installation when paired with a quality concealed frame. The slim profile sits close to the wall, maximising floor space, and the rimless flush technology keeps the bowl cleaner than traditional designs.

Wall-hung installation requires more upfront work and a compatible frame (Ideal Standard’s own or a Geberit frame both work well), but the result is a bathroom that looks more spacious and is far easier to clean around. The Concept Air’s soft-close seat and understated design make it a natural fit for contemporary bathroom renovations.

Type: Wall-hung | Flush: Rimless with concealed cistern | Best for: Modern bathrooms where clean lines and easy floor cleaning matter

3. TOTO Washlet RW

TOTO’s Washlet system represents the pinnacle of toilet technology, and the RW model brings the full Japanese smart toilet experience to UK bathrooms. Integrated bidet functions with adjustable water temperature and pressure, a heated seat, an air dryer and automatic deodoriser are standard. The PreMist function sprays a fine mist inside the bowl before use, preventing waste adhesion.

The Washlet RW requires both electrical and plumbing connections, making professional installation essential. It is a substantial investment, but for homeowners who have experienced smart toilet technology, there is rarely any desire to go back to a conventional model. Our article on smart toilets and bidet seats covers the technology in more detail.

Type: Smart toilet (integrated bidet) | Flush: Tornado flush technology | Best for: High-end renovations and anyone prioritising hygiene

4. Vitra S20 Short Projection

The Vitra S20 punches well above its price point. This is the toilet that trade professionals install in rental properties and first-time buyer homes because it is affordable, genuinely reliable and unobtrusive. The short projection (just 520mm from wall to front) makes it excellent for tight spaces without the hefty price of specialist compact designs.

Available in close-coupled and back-to-wall configurations, the S20 is compatible with most bathroom layouts. The ceramic quality is solid, the flush is dependable, and replacement parts are readily available through UK suppliers. It will not win design awards, but it will work faultlessly for years.

Type: Close-coupled (short projection) | Flush: Dual flush | Best for: Small bathrooms, budget renovations and rental properties

5. Grohe Bau Ceramic Rimless

Grohe’s reputation for quality extends beyond taps and showers to their ceramic range. The Bau Rimless close-coupled toilet combines Grohe’s engineering precision with a clean, contemporary design. The rimless flush ensures thorough bowl coverage, and the PureGuard hygienic coating resists dirt and bacteria.

The Bau sits in the mid-range price bracket and represents excellent value from a premium brand. It pairs particularly well with other Grohe bathroom fittings if you are creating a coordinated look. Our guide to bathroom basin mixers covers Grohe taps and other mixer options.

Type: Close-coupled | Flush: Dual rimless with PureGuard | Best for: Coordinated Grohe bathrooms and mid-range renovations

6. Duravit ME by Starck Wall-Hung

Philippe Starck’s design for Duravit is arguably the most visually refined wall-hung toilet available. The ME by Starck combines exceptionally thin edges and a floating aesthetic with Duravit’s HygieneGlaze antibacterial coating and Rimless flushing. The visual impact in a finished bathroom is striking.

This is a premium product with a premium price, best paired with a Geberit Sigma concealed frame and flush plate for the complete system. It demands professional installation, but the end result justifies the investment for homeowners who value design as much as performance. For more on wall-hung toilets, see our wall-hung toilets review.

Type: Wall-hung | Flush: Rimless with HygieneGlaze | Best for: Designer bathrooms and high-end renovations

7. Twyford Alcona Close-Coupled

The Twyford Alcona proves that a budget-friendly toilet does not have to feel cheap. Twyford has been manufacturing bathroom ceramics in the UK for over a century, and the Alcona benefits from that heritage. It is a straightforward close-coupled toilet with a dual-flush mechanism and a comfortable, standard-height bowl.

The Alcona is the workhorse of social housing, new builds and budget renovations across the country. Parts are universally available, installation is simple, and it does exactly what a toilet should do without demanding attention. If your priority is reliability at the lowest sensible price, this is the one.

Type: Close-coupled | Flush: Dual flush | Best for: Budget renovations, new builds and practical installations

8. Geberit iCon Wall-Hung

Geberit is the brand most professional bathroom fitters associate with concealed cistern systems, and the iCon ceramic range is designed to integrate perfectly with their Duofix frames. The iCon wall-hung toilet features a rimless flush, KeraTect glazing that keeps the surface smoother than standard ceramic, and a design language that is distinctive without being overpowering.

The advantage of buying the Geberit ceramic alongside a Geberit frame is guaranteed compatibility and a single manufacturer warranty. The iCon is the professional installer’s choice for wall-hung systems, which says a great deal about its real-world reliability.

Type: Wall-hung | Flush: Rimless with TurboFlush | Best for: Professional installations where system compatibility matters

9. RAK Resort Rimless Back-to-Wall

RAK Ceramics has grown rapidly in the UK market by offering premium features at competitive prices. The Resort Rimless back-to-wall toilet tucks neatly against furniture or a concealed cistern unit, delivering the clean aesthetic of a wall-hung installation without the complexity of frame mounting.

The rimless flush and hidden fixings create a streamlined appearance, while the soft-close quick-release seat makes maintenance straightforward. At its price point, the RAK Resort offers features that rival more expensive alternatives. For more on back-to-wall toilets, see our dedicated guide.

Type: Back-to-wall | Flush: Rimless dual flush | Best for: Furniture-fitted bathrooms and mid-range renovations

10. Heritage Granley Traditional Close-Coupled

For period homes, Victorian terraces and bathrooms designed around classic British style, the Heritage Granley is the standout choice. Its traditional high-level or close-coupled configuration, decorative cistern lever and elegant lines complement heritage interiors without looking like a reproduction pastiche.

Beneath the traditional exterior, the Granley incorporates modern dual-flush technology and meets current water efficiency standards. It proves that choosing a period style does not mean sacrificing performance. See our article on bathroom remodelling ideas for Greater Manchester homeowners for more inspiration on blending traditional and modern elements.

Type: Close-coupled (traditional) | Flush: Dual flush | Best for: Period homes, heritage renovations and classic bathroom designs

Quick Comparison

How to Choose Between These Models

Selecting the right toilet comes down to matching your priorities with your bathroom’s constraints.

If space is tight, the Vitra S20 Short Projection or Roca Gap Rimless both minimise how far the toilet extends from the wall. Wall-hung models like the Concept Air or Geberit iCon create visual space by lifting the toilet off the floor.

If budget is the primary concern, the Twyford Alcona delivers reliable performance at the lowest price on this list, while the Vitra S20 and RAK Resort offer more features without a dramatic price increase.

If design matters most, the Duravit ME by Starck and Geberit iCon represent the pinnacle of contemporary toilet design. The Heritage Granley serves the opposite aesthetic with equal conviction.

If technology excites you, the TOTO Washlet RW offers features no conventional toilet can match. For a wider look at this category, read our smart toilets and bidet seats guide.

Whatever you choose, professional installation ensures the toilet performs as intended. Poorly fitted toilets leak, rock on uneven floors, and develop problems that proper installation prevents entirely.

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