So you have heard some good things about the TOTO Drake toilet and are wondering if it is a worthy replacement for your current model. The only thing is, now there are two Drakes to consider.
Is the TOTO Drake II really an upgrade on the original Drake? Is it worth paying extra for the newer model or is the original better value? Is the TOTO Drake II even better than the tried, tested and loved Drake? Just because it is a newer version, doesn’t guarantee it is a better version.
Well, hopefully this article TOTO Drake vs Drake II toilets will guide you in the right direction, so that you can make a more informed decision on which one of these popular toilets will be the best model for your bathroom.
If you are in a rush, here is a comparison table of the basics these two toilets have to offer.
Drake
Gallons Per Flush – 1.6
Not WaterSense or ADA Certified
G-Max Flush Technology
MaP Flush Score – 1000
Glaze Finish -SanaGloss
Drake II
Gallons Per Flush – 1.28
WaterSense and ADA Certified
Dual Cyclone Flush Technology
MaP Flush Score – 800
Glaze Finish – CeFiONtect
TOTO Drake vs Drake II Toilet Comparison
TOTO are one of the most popular toilet brands on the market today and have built a very solid reputation for providing high quality toilets, at affordable prices. The Drake is one of their more popular toilet models, but is the Drake II a better option? Lets have a closer look at these two models to see what they both have to offer.
Design
Choosing a toilet design for a bathroom is a personal decision. What one person may like, may not be another person’s taste, however in my opinion, the Drake has a nicer design compared to the Drake II. The Drake has more curvy features, where as the Drake II appears more square in design.
That being said, the TOTO Drake II is a narrower toilet. The tank is smaller due to the lower gallons per flush, however I feel like the Drake II lost a little bit of shape with the smaller tank. For me, the Drake tank looks better, however if you have a small bathroom and need to conserve free space, then the Drake II may be a better option.
It is also worth noting that the TOTO Drake II is ADA compliant, where as the Drake is not. The Drake II is that little bit taller than the Drake, so the extra seat height makes it more suitable for tall people, the elderly or disabled people.
Performance
TOTO toilets are known to perform well, however these two models use different flush technologies. The Drake uses G-Max Flush technology, where as the Drake II uses Dual Cyclone Flush technology.
The G-Max is a regular gravity style flush system, however, it is very powerful. It has a Map flush score of 1000, which means it can flush away up to 1000 grams of waste. That is pretty impressive. However, it is uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush, so it is not WaterSense certified and cannot be used in certain States in the US.
Compare this to the Drake II’s Dual Cyclone Flush, and you have a less powerful flush but certainly more efficient. The Dual Cyclone flush system is like a Tornado in a toilet. Water enters the bowl from two separate nozzles, creating a tornado like rinse that flushes the bowl using only 1.28 GPF. This efficient flush makes the Drake II WaterSense certified and more eco-friendly. The TOTO Drake II has an MaP score of 800, which is still very good and powerful enough.
Overall, the Drake wins on power but the Drake II wins on efficiency.
Cleaning
Both toilets have a powerful flush, a good rinse and shouldn’t leave anything behind. However, the Drake II should be easier to clean and maintain, with the introduction of the CeFIONect glaze finish. CeFIONect is a smooth glaze that prevents particles from clinging to the bowl surface. The TOTO Drake uses a SanaGloss glaze finish which is pretty good, but CeFIONect is an upgrade and will reduce the need for frequent cleaning and using harsh chemicals.
Overall, CeFIONect is certainly an improvement when it comes to toilet bowl cleaning. SanaGloss is good but CeFIONect is TOTO’s upgrade.
Installation
Both the TOTO Drake and Drake II are two-piece toilets and also have 12 inch rough-ins. This means the installation process will be the same. Two-piece toilets will arrive in two separate pieces, the bowl and the tank, therefore will need to be installed one at a time. Compared to installing a heavy one-piece toilet, two-piece toilets are lighter to lift and easier to fit the toilet in place. Make sure to measure your toilet rough-in to make sure it is a 12 inch, before you buy.
Dimensions
Both Drakes are quite similar in size however, the Drake is a little bit wider. The TOTO Drake II is a little bit more space efficient making it more suitable for small bathrooms. Here is a list of each toilet’s dimensions for a quick comparison.
TOTO Drake Toilet Dimensions
- Depth: 28.125 inches
- Height: 30.5 inches
- Width: 19.875 inches
- Bowl height: 16.5 inches
- Bowl length: 18.5 inches
- Rough-in: 12 inches
TOTO Drake II Toilet Dimensions
- Depth: 28.5 inches
- Height: 30 inches
- Width: 17.25 inches
- Bowl height: 16.125 inches
- Bowl length: 18.5 inches
- Rough-in: 12 inches
Toto Drake Vs. Drake 2- Pros and Cons
Both of these TOTO toilets are great options, but let us have a quick look at the Pros and Cons of these toilet models.
TOTO Drake Toilets
The Toto Drake Toilet is a classic model but still hugely popular to this day. It’s G max flushing system uses a respectable 1.6 GPF and is still quieter compared to more modern models. The Drake toilet is an affordable, efficient toilet that will be a great addition to any bathroom.
- Affordable
- Water Efficient G max Flushing System
- Quiet Flush
- ADA Compliant
- Not WaterSense Certified
TOTO Drake II Toilets
The Toto Drake II is a highly rated, powerful and efficient toilet. This model uses a Dual Cyclone flushing system and only 1.28 GPF. The Drake II is WaterSense certified and ADA compliant.
- Powerful Dual Cyclone Flushing System
- WaterSense Certified
- 1.28 GPF
- Non-stick Glaze Finish
- Comfort Height Seating
- ADA Compliant
- Toilet Seat Not Included
Who is the TOTO Drake or Drake II more suitable for?
Both of these toilets are high quality and have great performance, but what else would you expect from a TOTO toilet. Both toilets are a good choice but one may be more suitable for your needs, than the other.
The TOTO Drake II may be more suitable for:
- Smaller Bathrooms
- Tall people, elderly people, disabled people
- People living in States that require WaterSense certified toilets
- Environmentally conscious households
The TOTO Drake may be more suitable for:
- Households that don’t need a taller toilet seat (with children)
- Households that want a more powerful flush
Overall, the Drake and Drake II are both great toilets that will look and perform well in any bathroom. They both have an excellent flush and are highly rated. However, if you need a WaterSense toilet, then the Drake II is the only option. The Drake II is also ADA compliant, making it more suitable for tall, elderly and disabled people.
TOTO Toilets
TOTO is one of the biggest names in the industry, mostly for their quality. They hail from Japan and are highly regarded, offering some of the best toilets on the market. However, they also have a reputation of being more expensive than other toilet brands.
TOTO has a lot more options to consider than the Drake and Drake II. They have many different types of toilets that may be suitable for your bathroom. If you are interested in seeing some more of what TOTO has to offer, then check out our Top 10 TOTO Toilet Reviews here.
Conclusion to the TOTO Drake vs Drake II Toilet Comparison Guide
The Toto Drake and Drake II toilets are both highly rated toilet models. However, there are some differences that may make either the Drake or Drake II more suitable for your needs. The Toto Drake is an affordable model that has a great flush and quiet performance. This is a good option for any household, but if you need a Watersense certified toilet, then the Toto Drake II is the better option.
The Toto Drake II flushes incredibly well, using only 1.28 GPF. The Toto Drake II is a solid option, making it a good choice for any household. Both are ADA compliant, making them a good option for elderly people or disabled people.
If you would like to dive a little deeper into each toilet, make sure to click on the Drake or Drake II toilet review buttons above. Thanks for reading through this Toilet Comparison Guide and I hope that you found it useful!
