Last updated: 3/25/2022
Swiss Madison’s slogan is “well made forever.” Their products certainly reflect that. Their toilets, are durable, reliable, and are designed to have a modern and luxury feel to them. Swiss Madison is a smaller brand when compared to the likes of Toto and Kohler, but it offers some fantastic products with remarkable features at excellent prices.
Homeowners tend to gravitate to Swiss Madison toilets because of their efficiency, affordability, but mostly because of their design. Since the company offers numerous models that fit into this category, it can be hard to pick the right one.
Swiss Madison Toilets
The models we chose to focus on for this category are already some of the highest quality toilets on the market in their own right. So, we took these and looked at their individual skirted versions to test and compare.
- Voltaire
- St. Tropez
- Ivy
- Concorde
Comparison Chart
Toilet Model | Toilet Type | Water Usage | Dimensions (in.) | Material | Seat Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Voltaire | One-piece, Elongated | 1.28 GPF | 28⅜ x 16¾ x 28⅝ | Ceramic | 16½ inches | 110 lbs |
St. Tropez | One-piece, Elongated | 1.0 / 1.6 GPF | 27 x 15⅛ x 31.18 | Ceramic | 16 inches | 108 lbs |
Ivy | One-piece, Round | 1.0 / 1.6 GPF | 27.43 x 13⅞ x 27⅞ | Ceramic | 16 inches | 95 lbs |
Concorde | One-piece, Square | 1.28 GPF | 26⅙ x 14 x 29¼ | Ceramic | 16 inches | 107.82 lbs |
Toilet Type | Water Usage | Dimensions (in.) | Material | Seat Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
One-piece, Elongated | 1.28 GPF | 28⅜ x 16¾ x 28⅝ | Ceramic | 16½ inches | 110 lbs |
If you look closely, the Swiss Madison’s Voltaire has some design similarities to the Kohler Memoirs toilet model as well. Rest assured though, there are plenty of differences that we saw.
Let’s start with the design. This one-piece toilet with a full skirt features a sleek and elegant design that looks perfect in any bathroom. The elongated bowl provides a comfortable and relaxing experience and features a soft-close, quick-release toilet seat. Since many toilets are sold without accompanying seats, this is a bonus that ensures a perfect-fitting seat for quiet closing. If you’re used to toilet seats that slam down and often get damaged in the process, this will be a nice change. The quick-release mechanism also allows you to remove the seat easily for cleaning.
The unique bowl design makes this toilet very easy to clean. The toilet is slightly higher than standard toilet seats, but this doesn’t pose a problem because it’s suitable for a wide range of users. Due to its height, this model is convenient for taller people who have trouble getting up or sitting down on standard toilets. It’s also excellent for the elderly or disabled. In that same vein, the Voltaire is ADA compliant because of it’s seat height.
The model features a single-flush mechanism, which means all waste is washed away with the same amount of water (vs dual flush capabilities). Although this might sound like a waste of water, the manufacturer did a marvelous job designing a single-flush, eco-friendly option. The average gallon per flush usage is 1.28, which matches some of the best economic dual-flush toilets on the market.
Another vital factor to consider when purchasing a toilet is the ease of installation. With some models, you’ll need to hire a plumber to help you set it up. This isn’t the case with the Swiss Madison Voltaire. The model comes with an installation guide only five steps long and doesn’t require a high level of plumbing expertise.
That being said, given that this is a one-piece that weighs 110 pounds, it might be wise to have a friend around to help carry and maneuver the toilet itself to get it into place during installation. But we foresee that being the biggest issue you have to worry about while installing it.
This toilet comes with a one-year warranty. Not the best when compared to Signature Hardware, Icera, or some Gerber models, but still on par with big brands like Kohler.
When it comes to the price, we can say that this is one of the most budget-friendly one-piece toilets that we’ve ever seen. It’s rare to find a one-piece toilet that’s any good under $500. This is certainly an outlier in that area.
Our Verdict on the Swiss Madison Voltaire
When you combine this with the warranty, a low GPF rate, ADA compliance, and easy installation, this quickly becomes a strong contender in your toilet purchase decision making.
Swiss Madison Voltaire SM-1T114 pictured at top
Toilet Type | Water Usage | Dimensions (in.) | Material | Seat Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
One-piece, Elongated | 1.0 / 1.6 GPF | 27 x 15⅛ x 31.18 | Ceramic | 16 inches | 108 lbs |
The Swiss Madison St. Tropez toilet is one of the best toilets in its category due to its dual flush Vortex technology. As a result, it can easily compete with similar models from the most popular toilet manufacturers.
Dual flush Vortex is a unique technology where two nozzles perform cyclonic toilet rinsing. Contrary to popular belief, this technology doesn’t use more water. Due to its strength, dual tornado flush is more effective in one flush than other toilets with multiple flushes.
With this model, you get it all: an efficient flushing system, a sleek design, and a great price. In addition, thanks to the dual flushing system, you’ll reduce the amount of water being used, which also makes the toilet eco-friendly.
This toilet’s design might seem bulky at first, but it has numerous advantages. Since the bowl is mostly round, dirt and debris are less likely to get stuck in the exterior corners, making this toilet easy to clean. Plus, the St. Tropez is a one-piece toilet without a gap between the tank and the bowl, which means fewer crevices to clean.
The design is elegant and blends in perfectly with almost any bathroom setting. In fact, it resembles several Woodbridge models. We did a double take the first time we saw it! Besides looking sleek, the design ensures comfort, thanks to the elongated bowl.
A soft-close toilet seat is included in the package. With a soft-close, perfect-fit mechanism, the toilet seat will last longer since it doesn’t slam down to the bowl, and you’ll enjoy the peace and quiet.
Another advantage of the St. Tropez toilet is the slim tank. While it may be taller than the standard ones, this tank is narrower, making it more space-efficient. If you have a smaller bathroom, this model will fit right in.
At 16 inches (seat height), Swiss Madison St. Tropez isn’t ADA compliant, but still is better than many standard toilets on the market that hover around 15 inches. This makes it suitable not only for taller users but also for the elderly and the disabled.
This model comes with detailed installation instructions and the necessary parts to smooth the process. However, it might be hard to access the bolt area. You may need professional help to attach the toilet to the flange and get the bolts in the right place.
Our Verdict on the Swiss Madison St. Tropez
Considering the functionality and design of this toilet, we can confidently say it’s one of the best models within its price category. In fact, because the technology is superior to the Voltaire, yet with a similar price point, we would probably say that the St. Tropez edges it out. Rest assured that the St. Tropez is a toilet we like, and don’t see any significant downsides to.
Swiss Madison St. Tropez SM-1T254 pictured
Toilet Type | Water Usage | Dimensions (in.) | Material | Seat Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
One-piece, Round | 1.1 / 1.6 GPF | 27.43 x 13⅞ x 27⅞ | Ceramic | 16 inches | 95 lbs |
If you’re looking for a unique toilet with excellent performance, the Swiss Madison Ivy might be the right one. Its seamless, one-piece design will beautify any bathroom setting. In addition, the toilet is fully skirted, which has both aesthetic and functional advantages. It hides the trapway and adds style, making it nearly effortless to clean and preventing bacteria development.
The design isn’t the only impressive feature of this toilet. The model features Swiss Madison’s dual flush Vortex technology, similar to the St. Tropez. The technology uses dual nozzles to swirl the water around the bowl, reach the problematic areas, and provide thorough cleaning. Thanks to this technology, you can be 100% sure the odor and the bacteria are flushed away.
Because it features a dual flush, you can save thousands of gallons of water and reduce your water bills. In addition, the toilet is EPA WaterSense certified, confirming this is a water-efficient product.
Like the previous models, Sweet Madison Ivy also comes with a soft-close, quick-release toilet seat. This is great as it reduces the noise and keeps the seat intact for longer.
The bowl itself is elongated, providing more comfort and extra room. That’s certainly needed on the Ivy, as the width is more narrow than many other comparable models.
The chrome dual-push button on the tank contributes to the elegance and style of this toilet. The manufacturer also allows you to customize the hardware by choosing a color that matches the rest of your bathroom.
Although this is a relatively light model in terms of weight, which typically means the installation process is smoother, this may not be the case with Swiss Madison Ivy.
Many homeowners have complained that it took hours to install it, even though the model comes with the necessary parts and detailed instructions. If you want to purchase this model, you’ll most likely need to hire a plumber to install it, resulting in higher costs. More complex installation shouldn’t deter you from purchasing this toilet. The perfect combo of sleek design, exceptional functionality, and affordability makes this model excellent for all bathrooms.
Our Verdict on the Swiss Madison Ivy
The installation process would be a concern of mine if I were thinking about purchasing the Ivy. That said, because the Ivy is a good price point and has unique advantages in regards to size and technology, it may still be worth it to purchase the Ivy and hire a plumber for the installation.
The argument could be made that the lower price of the toilet could offset the cost of hiring a plumber. There are a bit too many unknowns for me in particular though, I would suggest passing and looking at another Swiss Madison toilet instead of the Ivy.
Swiss Madison Ivy SM-1T112 pictured at top
Toilet Type | Water Usage | Dimensions (in.) | Material | Seat Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
One-piece, Square | 1.28 GPF | 26⅙ x 14 x 29¼ | Ceramic | 16 inches | 107.82 lbs |
This one-piece toilet looks slightly different from the other models from Swiss Madison because its square-shaped. If you’ve never sat on a square shaped seat, don’t worry, it’s not anything to different from what you’re used to. In fact, many people claim that they favor this design for a number of reasons. Space-saving, minimalistic design, and more comfortable than the traditional oval shape. This can be particularly useful if you have a smaller bathroom.
Thanks to its shape, it’s easy to clean and maintain. The fully skirted design hides the trapway and makes the toilet look modern in every bathroom decor.
Of course, the toilet’s design isn’t purely aesthetical. The square bowl provides extra comfort and creates an illusion of being bigger than it actually is. Although it may seem bulky at first, this model is very compact and won’t take much space in your bathroom.
It’s also important to mention that the glazed trapway allows a smoother exit path for water and waste. This feature is extremely valuable because it prevents clogging.
Swiss Madison decided to use single-flush technology for the Concorde. This means this model has only one flushing mechanism and uses the same force and amount of water for each flush. While dual-flush models are typically more eco-friendly, single-flush have their advantages.
Toilets with this mechanism are excellent for common use. Since they typically don’t feature advanced technology, single-flush toilets are an excellent option for the elderly or anyone who wants a model with basic functions. In addition, because they are so common, single-flush toilets are generally easy to repair, and spare parts are widely available.
The packaging comes with a soft-close, quick-release seat that enhances your comfort and prevents damage to the seat or the bowl. The quick-release feature lets you remove the seat and clean it easily.
Like other models, this one also has a one-year limited warranty as well.
Price-wise, this model matches St. Tropez and Ivy, which may seem odd because those models feature a more advanced dual-flush Vortex feature. But, as mentioned, single-flush models have their upsides, so it’s up to you to choose which one you prefer.
Several customers have complained that the toilet seat on this model isn’t particularly good. However, bearing in mind most manufacturers sell their toilets without the seat, this is still a terrific deal. Important note: Seats that are unique, like a square shape, are much harder to find outside of the manufacturer. Keep this in mind if you are looking to purchase this toilet, or any square or D-shaped toilet.
Our Verdict on the Swiss Madison Concorde
I personally love the idea of a square toilet. Bathrooms are small enough, and if I can open up that space a bit more with a toilet that’s built with that in mind, then I’m all for it. Combine that sentiment with the minimal design and price point, and this toilet becomes an easily-endorsable toilet.
Swiss Madison Concorde SM-1T107 pictured at top
The ToiletsMan Verdict
So let’s recap: all these models are well-built, have a minimalistic design, and are backed by a one year warranty.
As far as downsides go, all these toilets have very little variation within the Swiss Madison brand. For example, most only have the standard 12 inch rough-in available, are only available as a one-piece, and only have the single bowl shape variation (i.e., elongated, but not round, or vice versa).
This isn’t a deal breaker, but you may want to make double sure in your selection before buying. What you buy is what you’re “stuck” with for a while.
All that said, our selection is the Swiss Madison Concorde. The ability to purchase a square, one-piece toilet that’s of good quality for less than $400 is absolutely way too good of a deal to pass up.
Of course, the specs are great too, truly. And speaking of variations, the Concorde is available in bisque and matte black colors as well. Just in case you needed it to be more stylish than it already was.
Whichever option you choose, feel secure that these are all solid options that will work for any home.