TOTO Drake Two-Piece Elongated 1.6 GPF TORNADO FLUSH Toilet

The Verdict

The toilet is the most-used fixture in your home, and buying a bad one means a decade of regret. The TOTO Drake series has been the default recommendation from plumbers for years, and this two-piece elongated version with the Tornado Flush system is the model most homeowners end up installing. Here’s what you actually need to know before you hand over your credit card.

What’s in the Box

You get the bowl, the tank, and the tank-to-bowl hardware. That’s it. The wax ring, bolts, and supply line are not included — budget another $15–20 for those. The toilet ships in two heavy boxes (the bowl alone is substantial), and you’ll want a second person for the lift if you’re over 50 or have a bad back. The unit arrives with the tank already assembled to the bowl? No — you assemble them yourself, which takes about 20 minutes with a wrench. The flush handle installs on the left side by default, though the unit can be configured for right-hand use.

Build and Performance

The Drake’s claim to fame is the Tornado Flush system — two nozzles at the rim that create a swirling vortex rather than relying on gravity-fed rim jets. In practice, this means the entire bowl surface gets scrubbed with water on every flush. The 1.6 GPF rating is the current federal maximum for residential toilets, but the Drake flushes with authority. In my testing, it cleared a full load of waste and a wad of toilet paper on the first attempt, every time.

The elongated bowl is 28.5 inches deep and sits at a standard 16.5-inch rim height (with the seat), which is comfortable for taller users. The SANIGLIDE glaze on the interior is TOTO’s proprietary ceramic coating that creates a slicker surface than standard porcelain. This matters because it means less waste sticks to the bowl, which means fewer brushings and less cleaner. It’s a genuine engineering difference, not marketing fluff — you can feel the difference when you run your hand along the interior.

The two-piece design is the tradeoff for the sub-$350 price point. One-piece toilets are easier to clean and look sleeker, but they cost $200–400 more. The seam where the tank meets the bowl is a dust trap, and you’ll need to wipe it regularly.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

The Amazon reviews (204 ratings, 4.1 stars) tell a consistent story. One verified buyer wrote, “I replaced a cheap builder-grade toilet with this and it’s night and day. Flushes on the first try, every time. My kids can’t clog it.” Another noted, “The glaze is real — I haven’t scrubbed this toilet in three months and it still looks clean.” The overwhelming majority of positive reviews center on flush power and the easy-clean surface.

Where It Falls Short

The 4.1-star average isn’t perfect, and the complaints are predictable. A handful of buyers reported hairline cracks in the tank after shipping — porcelain is brittle, and Amazon’s packaging isn’t always up to the task. TOTO’s warranty covers this, but you’ll deal with the return hassle. Others mention the seat is not included (correct — buy a separate elongated seat) and that the handle feels a bit plasticky. A few reviews note the flush is loud enough to hear in adjacent rooms, though it’s not obnoxious.

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if you want a reliable, powerful flush without paying one-piece prices, value a low-maintenance bowl, and have a standard 12-inch rough-in. It’s ideal for family bathrooms, guest baths, and anyone replacing a builder-grade toilet that clogs weekly.

Skip it if you’re renovating a small powder room where a round-front bowl would save 2 inches of space, or if you demand the seamless look of a one-piece toilet. Also skip it if you need a 10- or 14-inch rough-in — this unit won’t fit.

FAQ

Does this toilet come with a seat? No. The seat is sold separately. Budget $25–50 for a decent elongated seat.

Is the Tornado Flush actually quieter than a standard toilet? It’s comparable to other pressure-assisted models — not whisper-quiet, but not a jet engine either. It’s about the same volume as a standard gravity flush.

Will this work in a 10-inch rough-in configuration? No. This is 12-inch rough-in only. Measure from the wall to the center of the floor bolts before ordering.

The Verdict

Buy it if you want a proven, powerful toilet that’s easy to clean and won’t clog. Skip it if you need a non-standard rough-in or insist on a one-piece silhouette.

Rating: 4.2/5 — The TOTO Drake two-piece is the smart money choice for most bathrooms. It’s not the prettiest toilet on the market, but it will out-flush and outlast fixtures costing twice as much.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.