Do smart toilets need a cistern?

Main Types of Smart Toilets

How to Choose and What Are the Differences

1. Installation Requirements
   • The primary reason for needing a cistern is water pressure. In regions with sufficient water pressure, such as Canada and the United States, a cistern may not be necessary for normal flushing.
   • To test if the water pressure is sufficient, you can use a simple method: turn the faucet to its maximum flow. If the water output is not less than 5 liters in 15 seconds, you can confidently choose a cistern-less smart toilet.
   • With Cistern: No water pressure requirement. Installation is usually simpler because it is similar to a standard toilet setup, directly connecting to the water supply and basic plumbing.
   • Without Cistern: Cistern-less toilets require a minimum water pressure of 0.15 Mpa (or not less than 5 liters of water output in 15 seconds). These smart toilets may require more complex installation, such as routing various wires and pipes.
   • Hidden Cistern: In common one-piece smart toilets, if a cistern is needed due to water pressure issues, it is usually designed as a hidden cistern. The cistern is mostly placed under the smart toilet seat cover.
2. Aesthetic Design
   • With Cistern: Smart toilets with a cistern resemble traditional toilets, with the cistern visible and used for storing flushing water. These are known as two-piece smart toilets.
   • Without Cistern/Hidden Cistern: Cistern-less smart toilets have a more fashionable and modern design. The absence of a cistern gives them a more compact, streamlined, and high-tech appearance, which fits well with modern bathroom designs.
3. Space Utilization
   • With Cistern: These toilets take up more space due to the presence of the cistern, which may be a consideration for smaller bathrooms.
   • Without Cistern: The absence of a cistern frees up space, making cistern-less toilets a better choice for compact or minimalist bathroom layouts.
4. Flushing Mechanism
   • With Cistern: These toilets rely on gravity for flushing, releasing the stored water in the cistern by pulling a lever or pressing a button to provide the necessary flushing power.
   • Without Cistern: Cistern-less models use an electric pump to generate flushing power on demand. This results in stronger and more efficient flushing, and usually consumes less water.
5. Energy Efficiency
   • With Cistern: Smart toilets with a cistern generally use a gravity-flushing mode, which can save some electricity to a certain extent. However, the water volume for flushing is not adjustable, which may lead to water waste.
   • Without Cistern: Cistern-less and hidden cistern smart toilets use electricity for flushing, but they can intelligently adjust the water volume according to actual needs.