What Are Rimless Toilets? | Pros, Cons & Everything You Need To Know

Were you scrolling through toilet designs or perhaps wandering through the plumbing supplies department and noticed a sign that read, “Rimless Toilets?” Is there something new and exciting in the world of WCs?

Actually, yes! And this post has got all the info you need to decide if this design is right for you and your family.

What Is A Rimless Toilet?

A rimless toilet appears just like your traditional toilet. Its rimless features are all hidden, but make a huge difference in your ability to keep a cleaner bathroom. A traditional toilet has a rim around the inner edge of the bowl. When you flush, the water enters the bowl from under that rim. It is nearly impossible to clean under the rim and with the downward motion of the waterfall, the bowl does not always remove all the solids after flushing.

A rimless toilet changes the way water enters the bowl during flushing. It uses a rear-mounted valve that pushes water into the bowl horizontally along the sides. There are no hidden crevices for waste to enter and get stuck. It produces a cleaner flush every time.

It also uses less water than a traditional toilet. Your older WC will use up to 6 litres of water with each pull on the handle. Rimless only needs about 4.5 litres, lowering your water usage by as much as 25-30%.

What about cleaning?

The rimless design means that when you run a sponge along the edge of the bowl, it will make full contact with the porcelain. There is no wondering if you got it all. You will also notice that over time the bowl is less likely to suffer from discolouration and scratches. It resists the buildup of minerals and scale.

You can order your rimless toilet designed to match your vintage fixtures or as a contemporary version with a hidden cistern and sleek sides. It requires no special installation procedures and is not significantly more expensive than the standard WC found at your bargain hardware store.

Do Rimless Toilets Splash?

If you are researching rimless toilets, you may see that many users comment about splashing which they never encountered with a traditional toilet. It all has to do with installation.

There is a flow-rate valve at the back of the rimless toilet that must be properly adjusted when it is first installed. A good adjustment sends just enough water into the bowl to swirl along the sides without washing over the top. If you have too much water pressure, it will create an unwelcome fountain.

The manufacturers recommend doing several test flushes before the toilet is put into use so that the valve can be properly positioned. If your home experiences a change in water pressure, you may need to make further changes to the setting in the future.

You May Also Like:
Low Flow Toilets | Everything Explained

Advantages Of Rimless Toilets

Smooth Bowl Sides: There are no hidden cracks or crevices so that waste is fully flushed down every time.
Easy to Clean: Your bowl brush or sponge can reach every part of the bowl, supporting better hygiene and family health.
Conserves Water: Lowers consumption by up to 25-30% with each flush.
No Special Installation Required: The rimless toilet connects to all the same pipes and uses the same space as your old toilet.
A Wide Variety of Designs: You can find a rimless toilet to match your current sanitaryware or as part of an ultra-modern upgrade.
Familiar Controls: Unlike a Japanese or smart technology toilet, there is no learning curve to use a rimless toilet. The seat and flushing handle work just like your old one.

Disadvantages Of Rimless Toilets

A Tendency to Splash: It is really the only drawback to the design, but it is a big one. If the flush flow valve is not properly positioned, you could have water and other things splashing over the side of the toilet. Proper installation is crucial.
Cost: Typically rimless toilet models cost more than their ‘standard’ counterpart. — Not by very much though.

How Much Do Rimless Toilets Cost?

As with all sanitaryware, the price will vary. The price of Rimless toilets can vary from around £200 – £500 depending on the make and model. As a general rule, they are typically slightly more expensive than a ‘standard’ toilet of the same design (close-coupled, wall-hung etc…).

I’ve listed some of the best-selling brands, their average pricing, and most popular features below:

Harbour Acclaim Rimless Toilet

Approx: £225
Traditional styling with new-age function and cleanliness. Top flush button and sized to fit into most current bathroom footprints.

RAK Resort Mini Rimless Toilet

Approx: £250
A smaller cistern and bowl designed to squeeze into your powder room while still providing a modern solution to an age-old cleaning challenge.

Grohe Solido Euro Rimless Toilet

Approx: £450
The floating mounted toilet includes a hidden cistern for a flawless installation. Hang it at a height that supports your comfort. A soft-close lid eliminates slamming capable of waking up the house. Flush controls are wall-mounted for that modern designer appearance.

Final Thoughts…

There you have it! The pros, cons and everything you need to know about rimless toilets.

Water saving, easy to clean and more hygienic. It’s easy to see why rimless toilets are growing in popularity. Will you go rimless for your new toilet?

DISCOVER MORE

Michael R

Michael is a KBB designer from the UK. He's been designing and project managing new Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom installations for over eight years now, and before that, he was an electrician and part of a KBB fitting team. He created The Bathroom Blueprint in early 2020.