The Worst Toilet You Can Buy At Home Depot (And The Better Affordable Option)

For many people, the bathroom serves as a quiet, peaceful escape from the chaos of everyday life. It's where you start and end your days, give yourself pep talks in the mirror, and find guaranteed solitude. But when your toilet is on the fritz, your once tranquil retreat can quickly become a messy nightmare. When looking for replacements, there are a number of things to know before buying a new toilet for your bathroom, with quality being chief among them. Whether you're looking to upgrade your current bathroom or are working on a brand new build, there are some unreliable toilet brands to stay away from, and the Glacier Bay 2-Piece High Efficiency Single Flush Round Toilet from Home Depot may be one of them. If you had your eyes on this particular toilet, don't worry — there is a better option that won't break the bank.

At just $99, the Glacier Bay model is appealing, but negative reviews from the Home Depot website suggest there may be some issues when it comes to quality control, making it one of the worst toilet choices. Complaints such as the porcelain tank cracking and breaking inside of a year, the seat not staying up on its own, missing pieces, and inadequate flushing power have all been reported. On the other hand, The American Standard Rumson 2-Piece Single Flush Elongated Toilet also boasts an affordable price tag ($159) but comes with far fewer negative reviews and added benefits that help justify the price. 

In addition to the flaws listed above, the Glacier Bay toilet is round, not elongated. Round toilets, while often more affordable and compact, are notoriously less comfortable, especially for tall people or those dealing with arthritis. Many reviewers also claim the flushing action is not dependable at clearing the bowl of waste, often leaving bits stuck to the side. The American Standard model features an elongated seat for added comfort and a 3-inch flush valve that releases more water for a more powerful and effective flush.

Another reported issue with the Glacier Bay toilet involves cleaning. Even positive online reviews from Plumbing Lab note that having the tank and bowl as two separate entities makes cleaning more complicated. Even if you know all of the best toilet cleaning hacks to make your bathroom sparkle, getting into each nook and cranny might prove troublesome. The American Standard option is also a two-piece toilet, so you may encounter the same issues with cleaning. However, this model does feature an EverClean finish designed to prevent bacteria, mold, and mildew that can lead to odors and stains. Based on reviews from the Home Depot website, the general consensus is that this particular American Standard toilet, despite a few minor flaws, offers great value for the price point.