Choosing between the TOTO Drake and the American Standard Cadet 3 is one of the most common dilemmas shoppers face when replacing a standard two-piece toilet. Both sit in a similar price range, both carry strong reputations, and both promise reliable performance — yet they take meaningfully different approaches to flushing technology, design, and long-term value. This head-to-head comparison breaks down everything you need to know before making a decision, from flush power and water efficiency to comfort height, installation ease, and overall build quality.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: TOTO Drake — Superior flush technology and best-in-class clog resistance make it worth every penny for most buyers.
- Best Value: American Standard Cadet 3 — A reliable, no-fuss workhorse that gets the job done at a friendlier price point.
- Best for Tight Spaces: American Standard Cadet 3 — Its compact elongated bowl design fits bathrooms where the TOTO Drake's longer footprint can be a problem.
1. TOTO Drake Two-Piece Toilet
The TOTO Drake has been a bestseller in the mid-range toilet category for well over a decade, and it has earned that status through consistent, dependable performance. At its heart is TOTO's G-Max flushing system, a 1.6-gallon-per-flush (GPF) single-flush design that uses a wide 3-inch flush valve — compared to the industry-standard 2-inch valve — to generate a powerful, virtually silent flush. The result is exceptional bulk flushing capacity that dramatically reduces double-flushing and clog incidents in high-traffic bathrooms.
The Drake is available in a comfort height (also called ADA-compliant or "right height") version, sitting at approximately 16.5 inches from floor to seat, which makes standing and sitting far easier for taller adults, elderly users, and anyone with mobility concerns. The elongated bowl adds front-to-back comfort compared to a round bowl, and the skirted trapway option on some Drake variants gives the toilet a cleaner, more modern appearance that is easier to clean around the base.
Installation is straightforward for an experienced DIYer. The tank and bowl ship separately and connect with a standard bolt pattern. TOTO's build quality is consistently tight, with minimal reports of tank-to-bowl wobble or gasket failures over time. The porcelain is dense and chip-resistant, and the glaze holds up well to cleaning chemicals without dulling. The Drake is available in cotton white and bone, and TOTO's SoftClose seat is sold separately — a minor inconvenience at this price point.
Who it's for: Homeowners who want a long-lasting, high-performance toilet and are willing to pay a modest premium. Ideal for primary bathrooms, family bathrooms, or any high-use setting where clog prevention is a priority.
Pros
- G-Max 3-inch flush valve delivers exceptional flushing power
- Extremely low clog frequency in real-world use
- Comfort height option suits a wide range of users
- Dense, high-quality porcelain with durable glaze
- Quiet flush despite high flushing power
- Widely available replacement parts
Cons
- Seat sold separately, adding to total cost
- Elongated bowl requires more bathroom floor space
- 1.6 GPF is not the most water-efficient option available
- Skirted trapway version costs noticeably more
- Limited color options (cotton white and bone only)
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2. American Standard Cadet 3 Two-Piece Toilet
The American Standard Cadet 3 occupies a similar space in the market but takes a different engineering philosophy to get there. Its signature feature is the PowerWash rim, which scrubs the bowl with every flush, and the Cadet 3 flushing system uses a large 3-inch flush valve — matching the TOTO Drake in that critical specification — to deliver strong, consistent flushing performance at 1.28 GPF in its WaterSense-certified configuration. That lower gallon-per-flush rating means the Cadet 3 uses roughly 20 percent less water per flush than the Drake, which adds up meaningfully over a year of regular use.
American Standard markets the Cadet 3 partly on its "EverClean" surface, an antimicrobial glaze that inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew on the porcelain surface. While no glaze eliminates cleaning entirely, the EverClean treatment does help the bowl stay cleaner between scrubs, particularly in humid bathrooms. The rim design minimizes hard-to-reach cleaning spots, which busy households will appreciate.
The Cadet 3 is available in a flowise compact elongated shape — an elongated bowl that fits into a round-bowl footprint — making it an excellent choice when bathroom space is at a premium but users still want the seating comfort of an elongated profile. It also comes in a wider variety of colors than the TOTO Drake, including white, linen, and bone, giving it an edge in bathroom renovation projects where color matching matters. The toilet typically ships with a slow-close seat included depending on the package, which is a welcome value addition.
Build quality is solid, though some users report the tank-to-bowl connection can require careful tightening during installation to prevent minor flex. Long-term reliability is generally strong; American Standard's parts ecosystem is massive and widely stocked in hardware stores nationwide, making DIY repairs easy and affordable for years after purchase.
Who it's for: Budget-conscious buyers who still want a quality toilet with solid flush performance. Also ideal for bathroom renovations with limited floor space, or anyone prioritizing water savings.
Pros
- WaterSense-certified 1.28 GPF saves water versus the Drake
- EverClean antimicrobial surface inhibits bacterial growth
- Compact elongated bowl fits in smaller bathrooms
- Often ships with seat included
- Widely available in home improvement stores
- More color options than the TOTO Drake
- Replacement parts are cheap and easy to find
Cons
- Flush power slightly behind the TOTO Drake in head-to-head tests
- Tank-to-bowl connection can require careful installation
- EverClean surface may wear over many years of harsh chemical cleaning
- Bowl rim can develop mineral buildup in hard-water areas
- Plastic components in the tank feel less premium than TOTO
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Our Verdict: TOTO Drake
For most buyers — especially those outfitting a primary or high-traffic bathroom — the TOTO Drake is the stronger long-term investment. Its G-Max flush system consistently outperforms the competition in real-world clog resistance, its build quality is a step above in terms of porcelain density and internal hardware, and its comfort height design suits the widest range of household users. You pay a bit more upfront, and you'll need to budget for a separate seat, but the Drake's track record of reliability over years of heavy use makes it the pick we'd choose for our own homes.
Runner-Up: American Standard Cadet 3
The Cadet 3 is no slouch — it's a genuinely good toilet that will serve most households well for years. If you're renovating a guest bathroom, working with a tighter budget, or dealing with limited floor space, it is absolutely the right choice. The water savings are real, the EverClean surface is a practical bonus, and the wider color selection gives designers more flexibility. It simply can't quite match the Drake's raw flush performance or long-term build confidence.
| Feature | TOTO Drake | American Standard Cadet 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet Type | Two-piece | Two-piece |
| Flush System | G-Max (single flush) | Cadet 3 (single flush) |
| Flush Valve Size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Gallons Per Flush | 1.6 GPF | 1.28 GPF (WaterSense) |
| Bowl Shape | Elongated | Elongated / Compact Elongated |
| Comfort Height Available | Yes (16.5 in.) | Yes (16.5 in.) |
| ADA Compliant | Yes (comfort height model) | Yes (right height model) |
| Surface Treatment | Standard glaze | EverClean antimicrobial glaze |
| Seat Included | No (sold separately) | Yes (on most packages) |
| Color Options | Cotton white, bone | White, linen, bone |
| Skirted Trapway Option | Yes (Drake II) | No |
| Rough-in Size | 12 in. (10/14 in. available) | 12 in. (10/14 in. available) |
| Best For | High-traffic, primary bathrooms | Value, small bathrooms, water savings |
Is the TOTO Drake worth the extra cost over the American Standard Cadet 3?
For most buyers equipping a primary or heavily used bathroom, yes. The TOTO Drake's G-Max flushing system offers a measurable edge in clog resistance and bulk waste removal, which reduces the frustration of double-flushing or plunging over time. The build quality of the porcelain and internal tank components also tends to hold up better over a decade or more. That said, if you're outfitting a secondary or guest bathroom that sees lighter use, the Cadet 3 performs admirably and saves you money upfront.
Which toilet uses less water, and does it matter?
The American Standard Cadet 3 uses 1.28 gallons per flush compared to the TOTO Drake's 1.6 GPF. That's a difference of 0.32 gallons per flush, which at an average household flush rate of about 5 flushes per day per toilet adds up to roughly 584 fewer gallons per year. In areas with high water rates or strict conservation rules, the Cadet 3's WaterSense certification is a genuine selling point. However, if the lower flush power means more double-flushing in practice, some of that water savings is offset.
What is a "comfort height" toilet and should I choose it?
Comfort height (also called ADA height or right height) refers to toilets with a rim height of approximately 16 to 18 inches from the floor — close to standard chair height. Standard toilets sit at 14 to 15 inches. Comfort height models are significantly easier on the knees and back for taller adults, seniors, and those with mobility limitations. Both the TOTO Drake and the American Standard Cadet 3 are available in comfort height versions, and we recommend choosing that option for most adult households unless you have young children who primarily use the toilet.
Can I install either toilet myself, or do I need a plumber?
Both toilets are two-piece models with standard 12-inch rough-in measurements (with 10-inch and 14-inch rough-in options available separately), making them suitable for confident DIY installation. You'll need basic tools: an adjustable wrench, a level, a bucket, and a wax ring. The process involves setting the wax ring on the floor flange, lowering the bowl onto the bolts, securing the tank to the bowl, and connecting the water supply. The entire job typically takes under two hours. If you're replacing an existing toilet with a matching rough-in size, no major plumbing work is required.
Does the American Standard Cadet 3 really stay cleaner with EverClean?
American Standard's EverClean surface is a proprietary antimicrobial glaze treatment that inhibits the surface growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. In practice, users report that the bowl does resist staining and biological buildup longer between cleanings compared to a standard glaze. It is not a maintenance-free surface — you'll still need to scrub regularly — but the treatment provides a real, if modest, advantage in keeping the bowl looking clean. The coating is durable under normal cleaning products, though repeated use of highly abrasive cleaners can degrade it over time.