When shopping for a new toilet, you want to consider the brand, design, as well as features. Since a toilet is a significantly costly investment that will last for several years, you’ll want to get a model that performs excellently and looks great in your bathroom space. If you’re a classy homeowner, you’ve probably thought of Toto and Kohler toilet brands due to their exemplary designs and aesthetics. This guide highlights the key differentiators between Toto Ultramax II Vs Kohler Santa Rosa to help you make an informed decision on your next toilet system.
Here is a Quick Comparison table between Toto Ultramax II Vs Kohler Santa Rosa.
| Parameter | Kohler Santa Rosa | Toto Ultramax II |
| Design | One-piece design Elongated bowl Comfort height and ADA compliant | One-piece design Elongated bowl Universal height and ADA compliant |
| Material | Vitreous china with a chrome flush handle | Vitreous china with CEFiONTECT glaze baked-on coating |
| Flushing System | AquaPiston Canister and gravity force WaterSense Certified 1.28 gallons per flush | Tornado Flush System WaterSense Certified 1.28 gallons per flush |
| Installation | Easy with a video guide, but the heavy one-piece design may require extra hands | Easy installation, but beware of the weight |
| Toilet Seat | Features Brevia Quiet-Close toilet seat | Soft close lid |
| Price | Less costly | More costly |
Kohler Santa Rosa Toilet
If you’re purchasing a toilet unit for the long-term, the Santa Rosa is undoubtedly worth the investment. It’s also very affordable and could significantly reduce your annual water bills. This toilet model consumes less water than similar models without sacrificing performance. Besides, the structure of this toilet unit is quite durable and long-lasting. With its comfort height bowl, you can expect maximum comfort and an excellent experience.
Specifications
- Colors: Almond, Black, Biscuit, White, Dune, Ice Gray, Sandbar
- Dimensions: 27-3/4 x 18-3/4 x 28-3/16 inches
- Seat Height: 16-1/2 inches (without seat)
- Handle: Left-side
- Rough-in: 12″
- Shape: Elongated bowl
- Weight: 102 lbs
- Flush: 1.28 GPF
- Certification: WaterSense & ADA Compliant
Design
The Kohler Santa Rosa is a one-piece toilet. Although choosing the design or look of a toilet is a personal choice, there are certain differences between a one-piece and a two-piece toilet design.
First of all, a one-piece toilet is often more expensive than a two-piece toilet. Secondly, if you’re going to install the toilet system yourself, you’ll need to lift the full toilet instead of installing the toilet bowl first before connecting the tank. So, if you’re opting for a one-piece design, be sure you will have enough strength to lift it up or get an extra pair of hands.
Fortunately, a one-piece toilet is easier to clean and maintain than a two-piece unit.
Typically, a two-piece toilet has a crevice between the bowl and the tank which can accumulate bacteria and mold over time.
The Kohler Santa Rosa has an elongated bowl shape which is around two inches longer than a standard round bowl. This makes it more comfortable to use by large people, especially males. However, it will also take up a little extra bathroom space, so it’s not ideal for tiny bathrooms.
Another impressive feature of the Kohler Santa Rosa is its Comfort Height design. That means that the toilet is ADA Compliant, making it suitable for a broad range of users, including the physically challenged. The seat is around two inches taller than a standard toilet and mimics the height of a regular armchair. It’s great for people who find it hard to sit and stand, such as the disabled, the elderly, and people recovering from hip or knee surgery.
Material
The Kohler Santa Rosa is made from durable vitreous china and boasts a sleek, smooth design. With rounded corners and a one-piece design, cleaning and maintaining the toilet is easy. The toilet also comes with a chrome flush handle.
Flushing System
The Kohler Santa Rosa uses an AquaPiston Canister and gravity force to ensure a powerful flush with water cycling at 360° into the bowl. This ensures that every section of the toilet bowl is thoroughly cleaned in a single flush. Besides, the canister provides leak-free performance since it has 90% less exposed seals than regular 3″ flappers.
The flushing mechanism is incredibly efficient. The Kohler Santa Rosa is also WaterSense Certified and consumes just 1.28 gallons for every flush, making it great for the environment and water bill savings.
Installation
With a modern design, installing the Kohler Santa Rosa toilet is quick and simple. You won’t need any sophisticated DIY expertise besides watching the installation video. However, you need to beware of its heavy weight before attempting a DIY installation.
Toilet Seat
Kohler Santa Rosa comes with a Brevia Quiet-Close toilet seat. Besides, the seat has a comfortable height that makes it ideal for seniors and people with mobility issues. The compact oval bowl also provides adequate seating room and ensures maximum comfort.
Price
Although the Kohler Santa Rosa Toilet is a little less expensive compared to TOTO Ultrmax II, it comes with a basic toilet seat that many customers often replace with sturdier, soft-close models.
Toto Ultramax II Toilet
The Toto Ultramax II will appeal to any homeowner looking for a compact one-piece toilet with an attractive, modern design. It’s one of the most environmentally friendly brands, using only 1.28 gallons per flush. With such little water use, the Ultramax II will pay for itself in water savings over other brands. The one-piece design reduces the risk of leaks and is easy to clean.
Specifications
- Brand Name: TOTO
- Model: MS604114CEFG#01
- Size: 28 GPF
- Color: Cotton White
- Material: Vitreous China
- Item Weight: 99 pounds
- Finish: CEFiONTECT glaze
- Shape: Elongated
- Certification: WaterSense
Design
The TOTO Ultramax II has a similar design to Kohler Santa Rosa, with very smooth lines and a stylish look. Both toilets have a one-piece design, elongated bowl, and ADA Compliant height. However, the Toto Ultramax toilet tank looks a little narrower.
The Ultramax II has a universal height of 16.8 inches from the floor to the seat without the toilet seat and 17.25 after installing the soft close lid.
Material
The TOTO Ultramax II toilet is also made from durable vitreous china but comes with a CEFiONTECT glaze baked-on coating to provide a smooth surface on the inside and outside of the bowl. This prevents stains from sticking to the toilet and minimizes friction between solid waste and the toilet. As a result, you can expect a stronger flush a cleaner bowl with minimal maintenance.
Flushing System
The TOTO Ultramax II utilizes its Tornado Flush System to ensure a very powerful flush. This flushing mechanism pulls water into the bowl to create a cyclonic action that cleans the bowl as it grasps the waste before expunging it with powerful force. Besides, the toilet is WaterSense Certified and consumes just 1.28 gallons of water per flush.
Installation
Installing the TOTO Ultramax toilet is easy – you just need to follow the video guide. To install the toilet unit, you’ll need a new wax ring and a new inlet hose to draw water from the water valve to the tank.
Price
The TOTO Ultramax II is a little more expensive than the Kohler Santa Rosa. However, the difference is a little insignificant.
Toto Ultramax II Vs Kohler Santa Rosa: The Final Verdict
Overall, both Toto Ultramax II and Kohler Santa Rosa toilets are great one-piece toilet options. They are both ADA Compliant, WaterSense Certified, and provide robust and efficient flush mechanisms. Their designs are also similar since they are both one-piece toilets. So, it’s hard to choose one over the other. Although the TOTO Ultramax II carries the day in terms of quality slow close toilet seat and lid, its higher price tag probably offsets this.