Were you aware that toilets come in different heights? 90% of toilets will come in the standard size height, but if you look hard enough you’ll find toilets that are a little taller. These taller toilets are known as “comfort height” toilets.
Now that you know there are lower and taller toilets, which toilet is better? Answering that question isn’t so easy. There are pros and cons to each type of toilet and there are ways to adjust a toilet to make it feel lower than it actually is.
In this article, we’ll look at lower and taller toilets and I’ll share which type is best. It depends on the person buying it and their age, mobility, digestive health, and preference.
Let’s get started.
Toilet Sizes (Regular Height and Comfort Height)
The height of a standard toilet is 15 inches. This measurement is taken from the floor to the seat.
A comfort seat toilet is slightly taller and measures anywhere from 17-19 inches from floor to seat. The comfort height toilets fit the requirements put forth in the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), which specifies toilet requirements for people who are disabled.
If you’ve ever used the wheelchair accessible toilet in a public restroom, you may have noticed it sits taller than most toilets. This is because the comfort height is easier for people with limited mobility, whether they are in a wheelchair or not.
Tall individuals who have great mobility will likely appreciate a comfort height toilet. It can be used by all people!
What The Research Says About Toilet Height
It doesn’t take much thought to understand how we evolved. Hundreds of years ago, before there were toilets, people squatted to relieve themselves. There are still many cultures that use and prefer the squat position to a Western-style toilet.
Squatting positions the body in a way that helps open up the bowels and relaxes the muscles around the sphincter. With this in mind, think about the height of the toilet and the squatting position.
A taller toilet will reduce the squat position, while a lower toilet will enhance the squat position.
When considering a standard versus comfort height toilet, it’s important to think about your digestive system and others in your family (or others who will use the toilet).
A high percentage of Americans have digestive issues, such as constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These individuals may have problems going to the bathroom and a lower positioned toilet will likely be more helpful than a taller toilet.
Make Your Taller Toilet Feel Low
People who suffer from constipation or IBS may still be able to use a taller toilet. A stool, or brand name “Squatty Potty”, can help raise the legs and simulate a hybrid squat position.
I like the Squatty Potty because it allows users to adjust their leg position while on the toilet without moving the toilet itself. The stool is designed to fit around the toilet discretely when it’s not in use but can be pulled out easy where the feet are placed on top.
The product is popular, especially with people who have digestive issues, and has thousands of positive testimonials. I wrote an article about the Squatty Potty if you want to read more.
Taller Toilets
Let’s take a closer look at taller toilets. As I mentioned above, tall toilets are known as comfort height toilets and they stand 2-4 inches taller than standard toilets (17-19 inches).
There are pros to using this type of toilet but there are a few things you should be aware of.
Pros
- Easier to sit and stand
- Great for elderly or people recovering from injury
- Wheelchair accessible
- Looks the same as a standard toilet
- Fits homes with standard “rough-in” measurements
- Preferred by taller people
- Comparable price to standard toilet
Cons
- Not the ideal position for using the toilet
- May make it more difficult to go to the bathroom
- Challenging for children or people with short legs
Lower Toilets
Lower toilets aren’t exactly low. They are standard height and 15 inches from the floor to the seat (check out the best overall toilets here).
Standard toilets work well for most people and require a little more leg strength to get low and stand up. Let’s look at the pros and cons of standard toilets.
Pros
- Most common toilet
- Great for kids and adults
- Better position for releasing waste
- Used with Squatty Potty, it can put in good squat position
- More options at a lower price than comfort height
Cons
- Harder for older people to sit down and stand up
- Tough for injuries and those recovering from surgery
- Not the best for tall people
- Not ideal for handicapped persons
Final Verdict
Even though there are only a few inches between tall and low toilets, using one over the other can make a big difference when it comes to comfort.
I’m fairly picky about toilets and I am a tall guy, so I’d prefer the comfort height toilet. It’s easier to sit and stand and fits my height well. If I had children, I’d definitely want the standard height to make using the toilet easy for them.
For people who have digestive issues, they can still use a comfort height toilet combined with a Squatty Potty (or homemade stool). A Squatty Potty will give the user the impression they are sitting lower than they really are because their feet will be positioned higher.
Conclusion
If you’re looking at toilets you might be wondering the pros and cons of a lower toilet versus a taller toilet. Before you make up your mind, it’s important to know the difference between the two.
Taller toilets are called “comfort height” toilets and measure 17-19 inches from the floor to the seat. Lower (or standard) toilets are what you’ll find in most homes across America and measure 15 inches from floor to seat.
If your home or business has visitors who are disabled, the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) states you should have a comfort height toilet. But these taller toilets aren’t just for people with disabilities.
They work great for tall people and seniors who lack the strength to stand or sit but don’t work well for small children who may have trouble sitting in a comfort height toilet. In addition, people who have difficulty going to the bathroom (constipation or IBS) may find that comfort height toilets make it harder to go to the bathroom.
A Squatty Potty can help with positioning on a tall toilet by lifting the feet off the ground. The idea behind the Squatty Potty (or stool) under the feet comes from our evolutionary history of squatting.
The squatting position helps open the sphincter and relax the muscles so the process is easier. The Squatty Potty can be used on any size toilet.
Consider the pros and cons of tall or standard toilets and find one that’s best for you. There will be a wider selection of styles for standard toilets, however, I think you’ll find there are enough comfort height styles to choose from too.
Thanks for reading another Toilet Travels article. I try to provide helpful information and bring an entertaining perspective on the good ole toilet.