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TOTO Drake WASHLET Review: Honest Pros & Cons Worth Buying?
I spent the first three mornings of last winter kneeling on a cold bathroom floor, trying to convince myself that the constantly dripping supply line under the old toilet was not a sign that my bathroom was slowly disintegrating. The ceramic tank had a hairline crack I had been ignoring for months, and the flush mechanism required a specific two-handed technique that no guest ever mastered. That was the situation — not a grand search for the perfect toilet, but a practical need to replace something that was actively failing. I knew I wanted a bidet seat integrated from the start, not an aftermarket add‑on with a dangling hose. That is what sent me to the TOTO Drake WASHLET review,TOTO Drake WASHLET review and rating,is TOTO Drake WASHLET worth buying,TOTO Drake WASHLET review pros cons,TOTO Drake WASHLET review honest opinion,TOTO Drake WASHLET review verdict rabbit hole. What I found was a combination unit that promised to hide the bidet plumbing inside the toilet itself — which, if it worked, would solve the visual mess I hated about separate bidet seats. I ordered the MW7763346CEFG#01 in Cotton White, installed it myself over a weekend, and have been using it daily for the past two months.
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The short answer on the TOTO Drake WASHLET
| Tested for | Two months of daily use in a single‑bathroom household with three people. |
| Best suited to | Homeowners who want a clean, integrated bidet toilet that looks near‑custom and do not mind a slightly firmer seat. |
| Not suited to | Anyone on a tight budget or those who need a very soft seat cushion — the heated seat is warm but not plush. |
| Price at review | 773USD |
| Would I buy it again | Yes, but only if I could find it under 800USD. The flush performance and bidet features justify the cost, but the premium is real. |
Full reasoning below. Or check the current price here if you have already decided.
What This Thing Is and Is Not
The TOTO Drake WASHLET is a two‑piece toilet with a factory‑integrated bidet seat — that means the bidet controls, heating elements, and nozzle are built into the seat itself, but the plumbing for the water supply and power cord runs through a channel in the tank so there are no exposed hoses. It is a mid‑range combo unit from TOTO, not their top‑of‑line S7 or S5 models, but it includes the essential features most people actually use: heated seat, warm water wash, adjustable pressure, and a dryer. The S2 seat is the entry point into TOTO’s redesigned S series. What it is not is a standalone bidet attachment, nor is it a luxury smart toilet with automatic opening and closing. It is also not cheap — at 773USD it sits above most standard toilets with aftermarket bidet seats, but below the fully integrated WASHLET+ units from TOTO like the S5. TOTO has been making toilets for over a century, and their manufacturing reputation in Japan counts for something in terms of durability, but the brand name alone does not guarantee a perfect fit for every bathroom. This product is designed for someone who values a clean, low‑profile installation and is willing to pay a premium to avoid visible cords and hoses.
What You Get When It Arrives
The box is large — 62 pounds of ceramic, plastic, and cardboard. Inside you get the Drake bowl and tank, the S2 bidet seat with its metal mounting plate, a bag of hardware (plastic bolt caps, T‑bolts, rubber washers), and a paper manual that is surprisingly clear for a modern toilet. What you do not get: a wax ring, toilet mounting bolts, or a water supply line. You have to buy those separately, which is standard for most toilets but worth noting because the total cost before installation is higher than the list price suggests. The packaging itself is decent — double‑walled cardboard with foam blocks that held the ceramic in place during shipping. Mine arrived without any chips or cracks, which I credit more to the packing than to luck. The ceramic feels dense and heavy; the CEFIONTECT glaze is smooth to the touch, almost glass‑like. The bidet seat is made of glossy plastic that matches the Cotton White ceramic well, though the seat itself is thinner than I expected — it is not padded. The power cord and water supply hose are pre‑routed through a channel in the tank, which is the key design difference that makes this look cleaner than a standard toilet with a separate bidet.
Getting Started: What the First Week Was Actually Like
The Setup
I have installed three toilets in my life, so I am not a professional. The Drake WASHLET took me about two hours from opening the box to a working flush. The hardest part was feeding the supply line through the tank channel — the T‑bolts need to be aligned just right, and the steel mounting plate for the seat has to sit flush against the ceramic. The manual includes diagrams that are mostly useful, though I still had to reroute the power cord once because I pinched it under the tank. If you have never installed a toilet, budget three hours and have a second person to help lift the bowl onto the flange.
The Learning Curve
The bidet controls are on a side panel, not a remote, which means you have to twist your torso to reach them — that took a few days to get used to. The three water temperature settings and five pressure settings are easy to cycle through, but the oscillating spray option is toggled by holding a button for two seconds, which is not intuitive. I accidentally triggered the oscillating mode on day two and thought something was broken. After a week, I had my preferred settings memorised and the side panel position stopped bothering me.
The First Result
My first real use of the bidet was anticlimactic — the water came out slightly warmer than ambient, the pressure at setting 3 was comfortable, and the nozzle retracted without dripping. The TORNADO FLUSH lived up to its name: the dual nozzles created a strong swirling motion that cleared the bowl in one flush with no double‑flushing needed. That first flush was quieter than my old toilet, and the bowl was left visibly cleaner — the PREMIST system had wetted the surface before use, so nothing stuck.
After Extended Use: What Changed
What Got Better With Time
After the first two weeks, I stopped thinking about the side panel and could operate it without looking. The heated seat became a habit I now miss on other toilets — the three temperature settings let me adjust for summer or winter. The dryer is weak even on the highest setting, so I still use a square of toilet paper, but the warm air helps reduce that usage. The EWATER+ self‑cleaning cycle runs automatically after each use, and I have never seen any residue or odour on the nozzle.
What Stayed Consistently Good
The flush performance has not degraded at all — after two months, the TORNADO FLUSH still clears the bowl in one go with no clogs. The CEFIONTECT glaze does make cleaning noticeably easier: I have only wiped the inside of the bowl twice, and waste rinses off with just a quick brush. The seat remains securely attached with no wobble. The night light is dim enough to be useful without being obtrusive, and it turns off automatically after a few minutes.
What I Wished I Had Known Earlier
First, the bidet seat does not fully cover the back of the toilet — there is a 1‑inch gap between the seat and the tank that collects dust. Second, the power cord must be plugged into a GFCI outlet near the toilet, and the cord is only four feet long, so your electrical outlet needs to be within that range. Third, the oscillating spray mode is actually useful for thorough cleaning, but the user interface does not make that obvious. I discovered it by accident three weeks in. Fourth, the soft‑close seat mechanism works silently now, but for the first ten days it made a slight click at the end of the closing motion — that went away on its own.
Any Degradation or Concerns Over Time
No mechanical issues so far. The seat heating remains consistent. The plastic nozzle shows no signs of mineral buildup, probably because I live in a soft‑water area. The only cosmetic concern is that the Cotton White plastic seat and the ceramic bowl are not an exact colour match — the seat is slightly warmer, a shade more cream. You only notice it in direct sunlight or under a bright vanity light. It is minor, but for 773USD I expected a perfect match.
The Features That Actually Matter
Features That Delivered
- TORNADO FLUSH: A rimless, dual‑nozzle design that swirls water to wash the bowl. In practice, it cleared every solid waste in one flush and left no streaks. I never needed a second flush.
- CEFIONTECT glaze: An ultra‑smooth ceramic coating that prevents waste from sticking. After two months, the bowl still looks new with minimal scrubbing. This is not marketing — it works.
- PREMIST: Sprays water on the bowl surface before use to help waste slide off. It is subtle — you hear a faint spritz — and it genuinely reduces cleaning frequency.
- Heated SoftClose seat: Three temperature settings. The heat is noticeable within 30 seconds, evenly distributed, and the soft‑close mechanism is quiet. The seat itself is firm, not cushioned.
- EWATER+ self‑cleaning nozzle: Uses electrolysed water to sanitise the wand before and after each use. I have never seen a water spot or biofilm on the nozzle. It gives peace of mind.
- Built‑in night light: A soft white LED that illuminates the bowl. It is bright enough to navigate at night without turning on the overhead light, and it auto‑off after a few minutes.
Features That Were Overstated
- Warm air dryer: The marketing implies you can skip toilet paper. In reality, the airflow is gentle and takes over two minutes to dry completely. I still use a square of paper to finish. The warm is mild, not hot.
- Oscillating stream: This is billed as a premium feature, but the button combination to activate it (hold the rear wash button for two seconds) is hidden. Once found, it works fine, but most users may never discover it without reading the manual.
- Adjustable pressure (5 settings): Setting 5 is quite forceful for some users, but setting 1 is barely noticeable. The range is fine, but the increments are not subtle — jumping from 3 to 4 is a noticeable leap.
Specifications Reference
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 28.38 x 17.19 x 30.13 inches |
| Weight | 62 lbs |
| Material | Ceramic, plastic |
| Gallons per flush | 1.28 GPF |
| Flush type | Tornado Flush (rimless dual nozzles) |
| Seat height | Universal Height (ADA compliant) |
| Bidet seat model | WASHLET S2 |
| Water pressure settings | 5 levels |
| Water temperature settings | 3 levels |
| Seat temperature settings | 3 levels |
| Power requirements | 120V AC, GFCI protected outlet |
| Included components | Bowl, tank, S2 seat, mounting hardware, instruction manual |
| Items not included | Wax ring, toilet bolts, water supply line |
The Honest Scorecard
| What We Evaluated | Score | One-Line Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of setup | 4/5 | Straightforward if you have installed a toilet before; the hidden routing is a nice touch but adds time. |
| Build quality | 4/5 | Heavy ceramic and smooth glaze, but the plastic seat has a slight colour mismatch and feels less premium than the ceramic. |
| Day-to-day usability | 3.5/5 | Bidet controls on the side panel are functional but require awkward twisting; once learned, it becomes second nature. |
| Performance vs. claims | 4/5 | Flush and cleaning features work as advertised; dryer and oscillating stream are overhyped but still present. |
| Value for money | 3.5/5 | At $773, you pay for the integrated look and reliability; comparable performance can be had for less with separate components. |
| Noise level | 4/5 | Quieter than my old toilet; the bidet spray is audible but not disruptive. |
| Overall | 3.8/5 | A solid, reliable integrated bidet toilet that excels at flushing and cleaning ease, but the seat ergonomics and control location keep it from being excellent. |
The overall score reflects a product that does the fundamentals extremely well — flush, cleanliness, durability — but stumbles on the interface and the seat feel. If those are not priorities for you, it is a strong buy.
How It Stacks Up Against the Real Alternatives
| Product | Price | Strongest At | Weakest At | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTO Drake WASHLET (this) | $773 | Integrated hidden plumbing, flush efficiency, bowl cleanliness | Seat comfort, side control location, colour mismatch | Homeowner who values clean look over seat plushness |
| Kohler San Souci with PureWash E930 | $1,050 | Softer heated seat, remote control, designer aesthetics | Much higher price, bulkier tank, fewer pressure settings | Those who want a plush seat and don’t mind spending more |
| American Standard Champion 4 with SpaLet | $550 | Lower price, strong flush, easy installation | Separate bidet seat with exposed hoses, less glaze technology | Budget‑conscious buyer willing to live with visible plumbing |
The Case For This Product Over the Alternatives
If you care about a clean, uncluttered bathroom look, the TOTO Drake WASHLET wins because the power cord and water supply are completely hidden inside the tank. No other integrated bidet toilet under $800 hides those as well. The TORNADO FLUSH and CEFIONTECT glaze also mean less cleaning effort than the American Standard. Against the Kohler, you save nearly $300 and get a more compact footprint.
The Case For Choosing Something Else
If you have a larger budget and want a remote control and a softer seat, the Kohler San Souci with PureWash E930 is the better choice. If you are on a strict budget and can handle a separate bidet seat with exposed hoses, the American Standard Champion 4 with SpaLet will save you over $200. The TOTO Drake is not for anyone who wants a cushioned seat or a wireless remote.
Who This Is Right For, Stated Plainly
This product is for the homeowner who wants one clean, integrated unit and is willing to pay a premium for that look. The right buyer is someone who lives in a single‑family home, has a GFCI outlet within four feet of the toilet, and is comfortable performing a DIY installation or paying a plumber. They value a toilet that flushes powerfully with low water consumption and appreciate a bowl that stays cleaner longer with minimal scrubbing. They do not mind a firm seat and can adapt to the side‑mounted controls after a week of use.
The wrong buyer is someone who wants the softest possible seat, expects the dryer to replace toilet paper completely, or is on a tight budget. If you have a small bathroom where the side panel will be awkward to reach, or if you have mobility issues that make twisting your torso difficult, consider a toilet with a wireless remote instead. Also, if the colour match between plastic and ceramic is a deal‑breaker for you, this is not the unit.
Price, Value, and Where to Buy
At 773USD, the TOTO Drake WASHLET sits in a fair spot for an integrated bidet toilet. You would pay roughly $250–350 for a standard Drake toilet plus $350–400 for a TOTO S2 seat separately, so the combined package is roughly at parity. The value becomes clearer when you consider the hidden plumbing — you would pay more for an aftermarket installation to achieve the same clean look. For a household that uses the bidet daily, the reduced toilet paper and cleaning time offset some of the upfront cost over a few years. I recommend buying from Amazon or an authorized TOTO dealer to ensure genuine product and warranty coverage. Check the current price on Amazon — prices fluctuate, and I have seen it drop below $700 during sales. Avoid third‑party sellers that are not authorized, as TOTO warranty claims require purchase from an approved source.
Price and availability change. Check current figures before deciding.
Warranty and After-Sales Support
TOTO offers a one‑year limited warranty on the WASHLET seat and a limited lifetime warranty on the ceramic toilet against defects. The fine print excludes labour, shipping, and damage from improper installation. I have not needed to file a claim, but TOTO’s customer service is known for being responsive within the US. The warranty is standard for the category.
Questions I Get Asked About This Product
Is the TOTO Drake WASHLET actually worth the price?
If you buy it for the integrated look and the cleaning technology, yes. The TORNADO FLUSH and CEFIONTECT glaze genuinely reduce maintenance. You can find a cheaper toilet and add a basic bidet seat for around $500 total, but the exposed hoses and cord will not look as clean. The premium you pay is for aesthetics and the convenience of a single‑brand package that fits together without guesswork.
How does it compare to the TOTO S5 WASHLET?
The S5 is a higher‑end seat with a wireless remote, longer nozzle, and more intuitive controls. It costs about $200 more. The S2 seat on this Drake uses a side panel, which is less convenient. If you can stretch your budget, the S5 with a Drake bowl would give a better user experience. But the S2 still does the job — you just have to twist to reach the controls.
How long does setup realistically take?
For someone who has installed a toilet before, plan on two to two and a half hours. The longest part is routing the water line and power cord through the tank channel. If you have never done it, budget three to four hours, including a trip to the hardware store for the missing wax ring and bolts. The instructions are clear enough that a confident DIYer can manage alone.
What do you actually need to buy alongside it?
You need a wax ring (or a wax‑free gasket), toilet mounting bolts, and a water supply line. That is roughly $15–25 extra if you do not have them. Some kits include a supply line, but this one does not. I also recommend a GFCI outlet if you do not already have one near the toilet — that can add $100–200 if you hire an electrician. Check the package contents before ordering so you are not surprised.
Has it had any reliability issues over time?
In my two months of use, none. The flush mechanism and bidet functions have been consistent. I have seen online reports from long‑term owners (two to three years) who mention occasional mineral buildup on the nozzle in hard‑water areas, but the EWATER+ cleaning cycle seems to mitigate that. For soft‑water areas like mine, I expect it to last many years without issues.
Where should I buy it to avoid fakes or poor service?
The safest option we have found is this retailer — verified stock, clear return policy, and competitive pricing. I ordered from them and received an authentic TOTO product with no damage. Avoid third‑party marketplace listings from unknown sellers; TOTO is widely counterfeited, and warranty support will not cover unauthorised purchases.
Is the night light bright enough to see the toilet bowl?
Yes. It is a soft white glow that illuminates the bowl interior without being harsh. It is not bright enough to read by, but it is perfect for midnight visits. It turns off automatically after a few minutes, which saves energy.
Does the seat stay warm when not in use?
The heated seat has an energy‑saving mode that keeps the temperature consistent when the toilet is not in use. It does not turn off completely unless you unplug the unit. The heat is gentle and covers the entire seat surface evenly. I leave it on the middle setting, and my electricity bill barely noticed the difference.
My Actual Take, After All of It
What Tipped It For Me
The moment I realised I had not cleaned the inside of the bowl in three weeks and it still looked spotless — that was the tipping point. The combination of CEFIONTECT, PREMIST, and TORNADO FLUSH works better than I expected. I also appreciate that the water hose and power cord are not dangling behind the toilet. Those two things made the premium feel justified, even though the seat is firmer than I would like.
The Honest Verdict
I would buy this again at $773, but only if I valued the hidden plumbing and reduced cleaning effort. If you are okay with a separate bidet seat and exposed hardware, save the money and get a standard Drake with a basic bidet. But if you want a clean, integrated toilet that flushes powerfully and stays clean with minimal work, this is one of the best options under $800.
If You Have Used It, Tell Me What You Found
I would genuinely like to hear from others who have installed it. Did you have the same colour mismatch? Did the side panel bother you after a month? Drop your experience in the comments — it helps everyone decide. And if you are ready to buy, see the latest price here.
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