5 Best Macerating (Upflush) Toilets of 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks
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Installing a toilet in your basement or below the sewer line can be difficult. As our plumbing systems are largely run off of gravity, a standard toilet is not going to be much use if you need to add one underground. Thankfully, there is a simple solution to this problem.
A macerating toilet is your best option if you need an “upflush” system. These handy appliances use a pump and cutter blades to turn waste into a slurry which can be siphoned “uphill”. The unit will allow you to create a bathroom without having to do any major construction.
The only downside to this easy solution is picking out a macerating toilet that will work as you need it to. Not to worry though, we have reviewed the five best options on the market. In the article below, we will share the details of each unit like the installation process, the vertical feet, connection possibilities, and much more. We will also give you some extra tips while shopping in the buyer’s guide at the end.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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Saniflo 023 Sanicompact |
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CHECK PRICE |
Best Value
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Silent Venus Macerating Upflush Toilet Kit |
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CHECK PRICE |
Premium Choice
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Saniflo Macerating Upflush Toilet Kit |
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CHECK PRICE |
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Liberty Pumps ASCENTII-ESW |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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INTELFLO Macerating Toilet Kit |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 5 Best Macerating (Upflush) Toilets
1. Saniflo 023 Sanicompact Self-Contained Toilet – Best Overall
Our first choice is the Saniflo 023 Sanicompact Self-Contained Toilet. This unit is an 18.2 x 14.5 x 15.8-inch size that comes in a white porcelain style. Compact and sleek, this option is a wall-hung model that will give you an extended amount of room in your bathroom. Not only that, but it can pump waste from 19 feet under the sewer line and more than 150 feet away.
The Saniflo can be connected to your sink, tub, and other water-draining appliances without an issue. It also only uses one GPF and comes with durable chrome hinges. What’s more, the elongated seat is 18.5 inches tall. This unit is easy to install, has a push-button flush, and is quiet. There is no tank with this system, plus the elbow rotates 360 degrees, so setting it up with your existing piping is not a problem.
Another benefit of this model is it doesn’t require a venting system, and it has a non-return valve installed, so backflow is not an issue. The toilet weighs a sturdy 62.2 pounds, and the glazed coating makes it resistant to mold and staining. Overall, this is our favorite option for a macerating toilet.
- No tank required
- 19’ vertical/150’ horizontal pressure
- No vents required
- No return valve
- Easy to install
- 360-degree rotating elbow
- None we can see
2. Silent Venus Macerating Upflush Toilet Kit — Best Value
If you are looking for a more affordable option, the Silent Venus Macerating Upflush Toilet Kit is a good option. This complete unit comes in either a modern or vintage style depending on your bathroom decor. Everything you need including the toilet with pump and tank is included, plus all the other hardware.
This upflush system will be able to move waste slurry from 19-feet vertically or almost 200-feet horizontally to your sewer line. It is easy to set up and requires no construction or repiping. As the name suggests, this is also a quiet toilet and registers only 39 dB. You can install this system at the place of your choosing, and it only weighs 12.2 pounds. That being said, you should note that it’s not as heavy-duty as our first choice.
The Silent Venus uses an electric pump and steel cutting blades to liquefy waste. It also removes gray water from sinks, tubs, and showers. It runs on a 0.5-HP motor, as well. What’s more, the system is water-efficient and measures 16 x 14 x 28 inches. Overall, this is the best macerating toilet for the money.
- Easy to install
- No construction required
- 19’ vertical/200’ horizontal pressure
- All parts and hardware included
- Quiet
- Not as heavy-duty
3. Saniflo Macerating Upflush Toilet Kit — Premium Choice
The Saniflo Macerating Upflush Toilet Kit is a white and sleek model that comes with the toilet bowl, tank, and pump for bathrooms that lay below the sewer line. This option is capable of pushing wastewater from 15 feet below the mainline. It can move the liquid from 150 feet horizontally, as well. This unit is easy to install and can work anywhere from your garage to your basement to an upstairs half bath.
Weighing just under 100 pounds, the Saniflo has an electric motor that runs on 3600 RPMs with 10 PSI. It uses stainless steel blades to turn waste into a moveable slurry, and you will not waste water with the 1.6 GPF. What’s more, the glazed coating on the porcelain makes this toilet easy to clean, and it won’t crack.
Something to note with this system is it’s more expensive than our other two options. Also, though you can connect it to your sink or shower, a tub or washing machine is not recommended. Other than that, this unit is easy to install, plus comes with a standard elongated bowl.
- Comes will all parts and hardware
- 15’ vertical/150’ horizontal pressure
- Stainless steel blades
- Glazed porcelain
- Easy to install
- More expensive
- Not recommended for connection to a tub or washing machine
4. Liberty Pumps ASCENTII-ESW Macerating Toilet
Our next choice is the Liberty Pumps ASCENTII-ESW Macerating Toilet. This is a system that uses 1.5HP and uses RazorCut technology to purify solid mass into gray water that can be upflushed to your sewer line. It comes with everything you need including the toilet bowl, tank, and pump. Be that as it may, you will find this option is a bit harder to install than others.
On the other hand, the Liberty Pump system comes in a classic white style. It has an easy-to-remove service panel, so there will be no need to disassemble your plumbing. The electrical motor also requires a one-volt battery for the motherboard, which unfortunately does not last as long as the rest of the system.
You will find this option to be efficient using only 1.28 GPF. It weighs 121 pounds and measures in at 29.8 x 20 x 32.2 inches. You should note that this is bigger than the typical toilet, so you will need a larger space. Other than that, the elongated bowl comes with a comfortable seat, plus it’s a quiet system. You can install this toilet from 25 feet down or 150 feet to the side of your sewer line. Finally, you can connect it to a shower, tub, or sink.
- 25’ vertical/150’horizontal pressure
- Comes with tank, pump, and toilet with seat
- water -efficient
- RazorCut technology
- Harder to install
- Requires more space
- Control board malfunctions
5. INTELFLO Macerating Toilet Kit
Our final choice is the INTELFLO Macerating Toilet Kit. This is an electric run system that uses 500-watts, and a 3600 RPM motor. You will receive the toilet with a silent seat cover, the tank, a pump, and an extension pipe with this system. It’s easy to install, and there is an activated charcoal filter to help keep your bathroom fresh.
The INTELFLO has a few issues of note. First, the stainless steel blades have been known to clog frequently. Second, though you can connect this to other water-draining appliances, it is not recommended. The unit specifies that you can use it anywhere from 18-feet below the sewer line and 150-feet away, but it is not as effective when pushing the limits of those measurements.
You should also note that this toilet is harder to install, plus it’s somewhat louder than our other choices. That being said, the gallons per hour is rated at a respectable 1750. This system is also on the bigger side at 35.5 x 31 x 22 inches, so you will need a bigger space. Finally, it comes in a white and modern style.
- Comes will all required materials
- Silent cover seat
- Water-efficient
- Harder to install
- Loud
- Not as efficient at moving wastewater
- Not recommended to be connected to other appliances
- Blades clog easily
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Macerating Toilet
Important Things to Know About a Macerating Toilet
If you are planning on installing a toilet that is not in a convenient location to your sewer line, you will run into issues getting the unit to “flush” in the right direction. The basic plumbing in your home works with gravity and a series of vents to allow anything you “flush” to run downhill.
When you are installing a bathroom in a basement that is below the sewer line, or in a garage that is off-center of said line, it will require more assistance than gravity can handle. This is why a macerating toilet has become popular in these situations. Let’s take a look at the functions of the toilet, so you have a better idea of what you should be looking for in an “upflush” system.
- Blades: One of the most important functions of your macerating toilet is its ability to turn solid waste into a slurry that will be easy to move vertically. These units are equipped with a blade system that will essentially puree waste. For a system that will operate correctly for many years, look for an option with steel or stainless steel blades.
- Motor: These bathroom accessories are also equipped with a motor that is typically electric. This is what will power the pump and push the wastewater from point A to point B either vertically or horizontally.
- Pump: As mentioned, this toilet system requires a pump to be effective. This is what will convey the waste to your sewer line. With these appliances, the manufacturer will list the distance the pump and motor can handle. For example, a standard macerating system will be able to upflush approximately 15 feet and 100 feet horizontally. It is important to know how far away your bathroom is from the sewer line.
Shopping Tips
Now that you have an idea of how this type of toilet system works, we wanted to touch base on a few other features that are important when choosing the best upflush toilet for your home.
- Tank: You have three tank options. Choose from a standard tank, behind-the-wall tank, or tankless system. The decision is typically based on how often the bathroom will be used, how much space you have, and how far away from the sewer line your toilet will be.
- Energy: Most of these systems will require an electrical outlet to power the motor and pump. For the most part, they can be run off of a basic 120-volt household plug. Some will require a higher wattage depending on the horsepower. Keep this in mind when picking a system as you may also need an electrician.
- Water consumption: Every toilet will have a maximum flush capacity of 1.6 gallons per federal regulations. That being said, many brands provide better GPF ratios to keep your water bills low.
- Connections: If you are planning to install a full bathroom, many macerating toilets can be connected to your tub, shower, and sink, so the gray water will be eliminated through the pump. Be advised, however, that some options are not capable of moving a tub full of water.
- Service Panel: You want to look for an option that will have a removable service panel. If you have an issue with your blades or motor, you will need access to the area. A removable panel will allow you to do so without having to disconnect your plumbing.
- Toilet Bowls: There are a few considerations you can determine when it comes to the bow itself. First, elongated bowls are the most popular for their comfort. Also, glazed porcelain is easier to clean and is resistant to mold. Finally, some options come with silently closing lids.
- Flushing: Flushing is another common issue you want to figure out. Depending on your preference, you can opt for a traditional lever, an automatic option, or there are dual flushing toilets that allow you to choose the amount of water needed based on the “type” of flush.
- Weight: This is important if you are going with a wall-hung system. The heavier the toilet, the more the system will need to be reinforced. Older homes with horsehair sheetrock can make things difficult especially with wider-placed studs. Keep in mind, though, many of these options are construction-free…which brings us to our last point.
- Installation: As mentioned, the typical macerating system is designed to be construction-free, but not all of them. Many will still require venting, a carrier, or other installations that can add up to a pretty penny if you are not able to tackle the project on your own. The simplest systems will feature things like a 360-degree elbow, ventless installations, and a non-return valve.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed our reviews of the best macerating toilet systems. Being able to install a bathroom in convenient locations is made much easier with these units, but finding a reliable throne can be easier said than done. We hope the above info has shed some light on which details are important to a well-functioning John.
If you want the best of the best, we recommend going with the Saniflo 023 SaniCompact Self-Contained Toilet. This system comes with all the bells and whistles you need to have a fully functioning bathroom at the location of your choosing. On the other hand, if you require something less-costly, try the Silent Venus Macerating Upflush Toilet Kit. You will still have a great system with this one, plus it has a lower price tag. The only drawback is it’s not quite as heavy-duty as our first pick.
Interested in a modern wall-hung toilet system? Take a look at our article outlining the six best options you can buy today!
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