Comfort-Height Toilet Upgrade Guide
Should you upgrade to a comfort-height toilet?
If you've shopped for a toilet in the last few years you've seen the term everywhere: comfort height, right height, chair height, ADA height. All four mean roughly the same thing — a toilet bowl that sits 17–19 inches off the floor instead of the traditional 14–15 inches.
Is it worth specifying when you replace yours? In Scottsdale, almost always yes. Here's the honest breakdown.
What "comfort height" actually means
- Standard (kid-height): 14–15 inches floor to seat
- Comfort / ADA / chair height: 17–19 inches floor to seat
The difference feels small on paper but is dramatic in person. A comfort-height toilet puts your knees at roughly chair-sitting position. A standard toilet puts your knees noticeably higher than your hips.
Who clearly benefits
- Adults over 6 feet tall — standard toilets force a deep squat
- Anyone 55+ — easier on knees, hips, and lower back
- Anyone with knee, hip, or back issues at any age
- Pregnant homeowners in their second and third trimester
- Homes you plan to age in place in (you, your parents, or future buyers)
Who shouldn't bother
- Households with young kids only. A 4-year-old on a 17-inch toilet either dangles or uses a stool. If kids are the primary user (e.g., a dedicated kids' bath), stick with standard height.
- Anyone under 5'2". Feet not touching the floor changes the posture in a way some people find less comfortable.
What about resale?
In Scottsdale's primary buyer pool — relocating retirees, second-home owners, and 35–55 year-old professionals — comfort height is now the expectation in primary and guest baths. Standard-height toilets read as "original to the house."
What to look for when shopping
- "Comfort height," "Right Height," "Universal Height" or "ADA" on the spec sheet
- 1.28 GPF or dual-flush (meets WaterSense; Scottsdale rebates may apply)
- Elongated bowl if you have the space (about 2 inches deeper than round front; far more comfortable)
- Skirted trapway for easier cleaning around Scottsdale's hard water deposits
- Quality brand: TOTO, Kohler, American Standard
Our Scottsdale recommendation
For most adults' primary bath: a TOTO Drake II Comfort Height elongated ($400–$500 installed) or Kohler Cimarron Comfort Height ($350–$450 installed). For a higher-end remodel: TOTO Aquia IV one-piece comfort height ($800–$1,100 installed).
For a kids' bath: a quality standard-height two-piece is fine and probably preferred until they're teenagers.
Related services from Dominick Plumbing
Licensed in Arizona (ROC #350819). Call (623) 323-4538 for a free in-home toilet replacement quote.