American Standard Cadet 3 Right Height Toilet Buying Guide

American Standard 288DA114.020 Cadet 3 Right Height — Full Review

The Cadet 3 line has been a workhorse in American Standard's lineup for well over a decade, and the 288DA114.020 represents the refined, water-efficient evolution of that heritage. The Right Height designation refers to the bowl's 16.5-inch rim height, which matches the seat height of a standard chair and is sometimes called "comfort height" or "ADA-compliant height." For taller adults, seniors, or anyone with limited knee mobility, that extra inch-and-a-half over a standard bowl makes a meaningful difference in daily comfort and ease of use.

The flush system is where the Cadet 3 earns its reputation. American Standard's PowerWash rim scrubbing technology sends water around the entire bowl with each flush, reducing buildup and helping keep the bowl cleaner between scrubs. The flushing valve is a large 3-inch flapper-based design — significantly larger than the 2-inch valves common in older toilets — which generates a powerful, fast, near-complete bowl evacuation using only 1.28 gallons per flush (GPF). That places it squarely in the WaterSense-certified tier, meaning it uses at least 20% less water than the federal maximum of 1.6 GPF, saving the average family thousands of gallons per year.

The bowl surface is treated with American Standard's proprietary EverClean antimicrobial surface, which is permanently bonded to the vitreous china rather than applied as a topcoat. EverClean inhibits the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew on the surface, and American Standard backs it with a lifetime guarantee on that specific feature. Paired with the elongated bowl shape — which provides roughly 2 more inches of seating area versus a round front — this is a toilet designed to be both hygienic and genuinely comfortable.

As a two-piece toilet, the tank and bowl ship and install separately. This makes it easier to maneuver through tight hallways or up staircases during installation, and it generally means lower repair costs since tank components are widely available. The cotton white (020) finish is a clean, neutral white that pairs with virtually any bathroom decor. American Standard also offers this model in bone for those with coordinating fixtures. The included EverClean slow-close seat on qualifying packages adds a layer of everyday convenience and eliminates the jarring slam of a standard seat drop.

Who Should Buy the Cadet 3 Right Height?

The Cadet 3 Right Height is genuinely versatile, but it shines brightest in a few specific scenarios. Aging-in-place renovations are the most obvious use case. The 16.5-inch bowl height means less strain on knees and hips when sitting down and standing up — a quality-of-life improvement that compounds over thousands of daily uses. If you or someone in your household has arthritis, limited mobility, or is simply getting older, the comfort height alone justifies the upgrade from a standard toilet.

Taller adults often find standard 15-inch bowls uncomfortably low, and the Right Height model resolves that immediately. Family bathrooms also benefit from the combination of a powerful flush and the EverClean surface — in a high-traffic bathroom, a toilet that resists stains and requires less frequent scrubbing is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade. The 1.28 GPF flush is strong enough to handle everyday use confidently while keeping water bills lower.

Budget-conscious remodelers will appreciate the Cadet 3's positioning in the market. It sits in a mid-range price band that delivers features typically found on higher-priced models — a large flush valve, antimicrobial surface, and ADA compliance — without pushing into premium territory. If you're renovating a bathroom and want reliable, attractive, efficient performance without breaking the budget, this is a very strong candidate.

Installation Overview

Installing the Cadet 3 Right Height is within reach for a confident DIYer with basic plumbing knowledge and a few common tools. The two-piece design is actually an advantage here: you never have to lift the full assembled weight at once. The bowl typically weighs around 60–70 lbs, and the tank is significantly lighter, so you can handle each component separately.

The process follows a standard toilet replacement sequence: shut off and drain the old toilet, disconnect the water supply line, remove the old wax ring and floor bolts, set the new wax ring, lower and seat the bowl, hand-tighten the nuts, attach the tank to the bowl using the included hardware, reconnect the supply line, and restore water. American Standard includes a wax ring and mounting hardware with the toilet. You'll need to supply the braided stainless water supply line (typically 12-inch) separately if yours is old or incompatible.

Professional installation typically takes 1–2 hours for a journeyman plumber and will add cost depending on your market and whether any unexpected complications arise (corroded floor bolts, non-standard rough-in, etc.). If you're removing an older toilet and unsure about your rough-in dimension or the condition of your flange, a professional assessment before purchasing is worthwhile.

Flush Performance: What 1.28 GPF Actually Means

Water efficiency standards have advanced dramatically since the 3.5–7 GPF toilets common before 1994. The federal maximum has been 1.6 GPF since the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and WaterSense-certified toilets like the Cadet 3 go further at 1.28 GPF. In a household of four, the difference between a 3.5 GPF toilet and this 1.28 GPF model can translate to over 20,000 gallons of water saved per year — significant both environmentally and on your water bill.

The key to making 1.28 GPF work without constant double-flushing is the 3-inch flapper valve. Most older 1.6 GPF toilets used a 2-inch valve; the larger 3-inch opening releases water into the bowl roughly 50% faster, creating a stronger, more complete flush despite using less total water. The PowerWash rim channels direct water across the full bowl perimeter on each flush, helping clear the bowl while also rinsing the sides.

In real-world use, the Cadet 3 passes the MaP (Maximum Performance) flush test, which measures a toilet's ability to clear solid waste in a single flush. Scores above 500 grams are considered good; toilets scoring 800+ grams are considered high-performance. The Cadet 3 consistently scores in the 800–1,000 gram range in independent MaP testing, placing it among the top performers at its price point. Double-flushing should be the exception, not the rule.

EverClean Surface: What It Is and What It Isn't

American Standard's EverClean surface is one of the brand's most-marketed features, and it's worth understanding accurately. EverClean is an antimicrobial additive bonded into the vitreous china glaze during the kiln-firing process. Because it's part of the surface rather than a topcoat, it doesn't wash off over time. The antimicrobial properties inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew on the surface.

What EverClean is not: it is not a self-cleaning toilet, and it doesn't eliminate the need for manual cleaning. What it does do is reduce how quickly bacterial colonies and the staining they cause develop between cleanings. In practical terms, most users report that the bowl stays visibly cleaner longer and is easier to wipe down when cleaning time does come. The smoother, harder surface also resists scratching from standard toilet brushes better than lower-grade china finishes.

How the Cadet 3 Right Height Compares

The table below places the Cadet 3 Right Height in context alongside common alternatives in the same price bracket and category.