Innovations in Toilets

You’ve heard it referred to as “the throne” but thanks to the recent advancements in toilets, using the restroom can seem like the royal treatment.

Companies like Brondell, Toto, and Envirolet have set out to send simple porcelain seating down the drain. Here are a few of the most fascinating innovations in flushing:

Brondell’s Breeza is a deodorizing toilet seat. This battery operated wonder has a 4 stage deodorizing system that traps and neutralizes odors. The body-activated smart sensor freshens the air automatically using vent fragrances in Citrus and Eucalyptus, Rainforest, or Jasmine and Lavender. The air is purified with an odor-absorbing carbon replacement filter, and the fragrances available last for 6 months. Priced at $155, the Brondell Breeza may just bring a breath of fresh air to the restroom experience.

-Jamie Walden,

Birmingham Home & Garden Intern

Available in August 2009, the Perfect Flush is Brondell’s first economical existing toilet upgrade. Using dual flush technology, this restroom improvement is designed to improve water efficiency by 30-50%. A half-flush/full-flush option is present to reduce the amount of water used, and the Perfect Flush serves to prevent landfill waste with its dual, adjustable flush volume. The upgrade fits most one and two piece tank toilet fixtures and has an installation time of just 30 minutes. For $119, the Perfect Flush provides an environmentally aware alternative to the typical lavatory.

Toto combines the traditional toilet with the bidet for its sleek looking Washlet S400. With a spray of aerated warm water for front and rear washing, a massage feature, and a 3 temperature warm air drying function, this bathroom wonder has the appearance of a toilet but the convenient cleanliness of a bidet. The Washlet S400 also has an automatic open/close lid and an autoflush activated sensor for the ultimate hands-free experience. Even the seat is temperature can be controlled thanks to a wireless remote with an LCD panel. Ranging between $1,985 and $2,283, the Washlet S400 is a fascinating fusion of convenience and comfort.

Toto’s Neorest 600 is a tankless toilet that uses the integrated Washlet system. Using just a little over a gallon per flush, the Neorest 600 is ideal for those trying to save water. It features a rimless design for a clean bowl rinse and the lid opens and closes automatically. Using the Washlet technology, 3 cleansing modes are present with adjustable positioning of the spray and users can choose between oscillating or pulsating comfort washing. The toilet is covered in SanaGloss glaze for shiny sanitation and the air purifying system provides a scentless restroom experience. Toto’s high performance Neorest 600 costs between $5,460 and $6,279.

Envirolet merges vacuum flush technology with environmentally conscious composting in its FlushSmart Vacuum Flush Composting Toilet System. The toilet uses less water per flush than regular toilets (just 0.2 liters) and recycles waste into compost with aeration and pulverizing action. Perfect for installation in unconventional places like basements and work shops, single tank models range between $3,499 and $3,999 while double tank capacity models cost from $5,699 to $6,199.

-Jamie Walden
Birmingham Home & Garden Intern