Fact: Usually, one flush does it.
Many toilets in our ratings, including low-flow models, can remove simulated solid waste in just one flush. That’s because water isn’t the only factor when it comes to effective flushing—or what sets apart good and poor performers.
Other design elements matter more—like whether the toilet relies purely on gravity or is pressure-assisted, the direction and force of the water that jets into the bowl, and even the shape of the bowl.
It’s important to note, too, that using too much toilet paper can cause even a high-performing toilet to clog. “Anyone trying to flush half a roll of toilet paper down at once is going to have an issue,” Halevah says. (If you do experience a clog, don’t just flush repeatedly. Turn to a plunger, a bowl or enzyme cleaner, or when all else fails, a plumber, our experts say.)
