One-Piece vs. Two-Piece Toilets: Which Should You Choose?

If your bathroom remodel plans include a new toilet—or your current toilet has seen better days—one of the first decisions you’ll make is whether you’ll go with a one-piece or two-piece toilet. Several factors will influence your choice, including style, cost, and durability. Understanding the key differences between the two types can help you choose the right toilet for your space.

One-Piece Toilets vs. Two-Piece Toilets: Key Differences 

On the surface, understanding the difference between one-piece and two-piece toilets is pretty simple. A one-piece toilet features a bowl and tank that are fused together, unlike a two-piece toilet with bolts connecting the bowl and tank. But when you dig deeper, there are more differences to explore.

A one-piece toilet is more streamlined and easier to clean, while a two-piece toilet has more areas where germs and dirt can hide. Because the pieces of a two-piece toilet are separate, it can be less difficult to move it into position for installation. However, actually installing the toilet takes less time with a one-piece toilet.

Two-piece toilets cost less than one-piece toilets, but they’re also more prone to leaks because there are two pieces rather than just one that can crack or become otherwise damaged. Understanding the pros and cons of both can help you make an informed decision when it’s time to replace your toilet.

What Is a One-Piece Toilet?

One-piece toilets feature a fused bowl and tank, whereas these parts are bolted together in a two-piece toilet. The sleek design of a one-piece toilet is a favorite for modern bathrooms, and this construction is more straightforward to clean. However, these toilets are more expensive and heavier than two-piece toilets. 

Best for: 

• Taller adults or those with mobility issues

• Streamlined, modern designs

• Homeowners who want to spend less time cleaning the bathroom

Pros

One-piece toilets offer a sleek and streamlined design, and because there’s only one piece, they work well in small bathrooms. They also take less effort to clean because there are fewer nooks and crannies where dirt and bacteria can hide. A one-piece toilet also has the option for higher-end finishes, and the installation process is faster. 

This type of toilet is available in standard height (between 15 and 16 inches) and comfort height (between 17 and 19 inches), so you can choose which will work best for your bathroom. While standard height will work in most bathrooms, comfort height is ideal for taller adults or those needing an accessible bathroom. 

Cons

While one-piece toilets are more streamlined, this factor also makes them heavier than two-piece toilets that you can move in two separate pieces. There are also fewer rough-in choices—the distance between the wall and the toilet’s center drainpipe—which can complicate installation. One-piece toilets are also more expensive than two-piece ones, so they may not be the way to go if you’re sticking to a budget. 

What Is a Two-Piece Toilet?

In a two-piece toilet, bolts hold the bowl and tank together, and you can separate the two pieces when needed. With a lower price point and options for customization, two-piece toilets find their way into the bathrooms of many homeowners. But they aren’t as stylish as their one-piece counterparts and are more difficult to clean.

Best for: 

• Homeowners on a budget

• Homes with a larger bathroom

• Homeowners who want to mix and match toilet and tank heights

Pros 

Two-piece toilets offer more height choices—including comfort or standard height—and you can mix and match toilet heights and tank sizes to ensure your new toilet fits in your bathroom. This type of toilet is less expensive than one-piece toilets and easier to move if you separate the bowl and the tank. There are also more rough-in options that can make the toilet installation location more versatile.

Cons

Two-piece toilets are less stylish and can take longer to install. You can call a local toilet installation professional to do the job and ensure the bowl and tank are connected correctly. Two-piece toilets are also more prone to leaks and have the potential for more issues because there are more parts to maintain.

One-Piece Toilets vs. Two-Piece Toilets

See how one- and two-piece toilets stack up to each other regarding style, features, maintenance, and more.

Appearance: One-Piece Toilets 

Both one- and two-piece toilets come in various styles: modern, traditional, contemporary, and vintage. However, one-piece toilets offer a more elegant, trendy aesthetic.

Height: Tie 

Whether you choose a one- or two-piece toilet, you’ll have the option of a comfort height or standard height toilet. Comfort height is better for taller adults and those with mobility issues, and standard height works well in most bathrooms, especially bathrooms that young children use.

Size: Tie

If you have a small bathroom, a one-piece toilet might be the best choice. They take up less space than their two-piece counterparts. If you have a large bathroom, you might prefer the convenience of a two-piece toilet, which is lighter and easier to maneuver during the installation.

Before choosing a toilet, measure your bathroom and check that the toilet dimensions are right for your space. 

Customizations​: Tie

Both one- and two-piece toilets offer customizations, such as:

• A bidet attachment

• Energy-efficiency options

• Luxury toilet seat options

• Smart toilet features

Price: Two-Piece Toilets

The toilet installation cost for one-piece models averages $800, which is about twice as much as the average cost of two-piece models ($375). This price difference is due to a more strenuous production process because one-piece toilets require advanced assembly.

Durability: One-Piece Toilets 

While both toilets are durable, one-piece toilets have a single mold design, making them less prone to cracking and leaking. One-piece toilets also don't have couplings, a device connecting the tank to the bowl that can break. 

Installation: One-Piece Toilets

Two-piece toilets are simpler to move during installation because you can handle the tank and bowl separately. However, heavier, one-piece toilets have a faster installation time because no additional assembly is required.

Repair: Two-Piece Toilets 

Two-piece toilets are more prone to cracks and leaks in the opening between the tank and bowl. But there are also more options for repairing each part. While one-piece toilets are less likely to crack, when they do, you’ll need to replace the entire unit because repairing an internal crack isn’t an option. You can expect to pay between $150 and $400 for the cost of a toilet repair.

Maintenance: One-Piece Toilets

Because of their connected frame, one-piece toilets are easier to clean and maintain. Two-piece toilets tend to accumulate more bacteria in the space between the tank and bowl, which makes them harder to clean and the upkeep more time-consuming. 

Sustainability: Tie

Both one- and two-piece toilets offer water-saving features:

• Low flow: These toilets use fewer gallons of water per flush.

• Dual flush: This feature offers two buttons, one for flushing liquid and one for flushing waste, and reduces water consumption.

• Power flush: With its forceful flush, power systems require less flushing, which increases water savings.

• Retrofits: Attach a toilet tank displacement bag (available from retailers for around $9) to your current toilet to reduce the amount of water used for each flush.