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The Best Toilet Flappers For a More Efficient Toilet: Everything You Need to Know


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Best Toilet Flappers are integral when it comes to your toilet’s flushing system. Without a proper flapper, chances are a toilet might not flush properly. Worse, it can also have a hard time refilling.

For today’s article, we’ll focus on the best toilet flappers to guarantee foolproof flushing! Stay tuned!

My Top 5 Picks Of Best Toilet Flappers

Picture
Best Pick
Fluidmaster 502P21 PerforMAX Universal Water-Saving Long Life...
American Standard 7381129-200.0070A Universal Flapper and Chain...
Reasonable Price
Korky 2001BP Premium Universal Flapper, 1 Pack, Red
Korky 818BP QuietFILL Universal Toilet Fill Valve and Premium...
Kohler K-GP1078441 PART GP1078441 FLAPPER FOR TWO-PIECE TOILETS...
Size
Universal PerforMax design
It comes with a float
Flapper kit also comes with an extremely quiet fill valve
Premium red Chlorazone rubber
Made from corrosion resistant material
Notable feature/s
2 inches
2 inches
2 inches
2 inches
3 and ¼ inches
Warranty
Comes with a 5-year warranty
Comes with a 1-year limited warranty
Comes with a 5-year guarantee
Comes with a 5-year guarantee
Warranty depends, inquire at Kohler for more information
Best Pick
Picture
Fluidmaster 502P21 PerforMAX Universal Water-Saving Long Life...
Size
Universal PerforMax design
Notable feature/s
2 inches
Warranty
Comes with a 5-year warranty
Price
Picture
American Standard 7381129-200.0070A Universal Flapper and Chain...
Size
It comes with a float
Notable feature/s
2 inches
Warranty
Comes with a 1-year limited warranty
Price
Reasonable Price
Picture
Korky 2001BP Premium Universal Flapper, 1 Pack, Red
Size
Flapper kit also comes with an extremely quiet fill valve
Notable feature/s
2 inches
Warranty
Comes with a 5-year guarantee
Price
Picture
Korky 818BP QuietFILL Universal Toilet Fill Valve and Premium...
Size
Premium red Chlorazone rubber
Notable feature/s
2 inches
Warranty
Comes with a 5-year guarantee
Price
Picture
Kohler K-GP1078441 PART GP1078441 FLAPPER FOR TWO-PIECE TOILETS...
Size
Made from corrosion resistant material
Notable feature/s
3 and ¼ inches
Warranty
Warranty depends, inquire at Kohler for more information
Price

Last update on 2024-04-26 at 05:48 PST - Details

Best Toilet Flappers

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Fluidmaster’s 502P21 Universal Performax Flapper with Microban would be the Editor’s Pick for today. FluidMaster claims to be of Universal PerforMax design which ideally fits most toilet sizes. It is even suitable for 2” flush valve toilets.


This design also helps in solving common running toilet problems. It serves as an excellent replacement of corroded and leaky flappers. It is effortless to install and is adjustable helping you save on water usage as well.


We like


  • Unlike other brands, FluidMaster offers a five-year warranty to all its customers
  • That can help give your money its worth as well that “safety net,” in case you encounter issues within the next five years. No need to waste money
  • Just as advertised, its size is universal, and it fits most toilet sizes
  • The adjustment feature is handy in reducing the amount of water flushed for every cycle

We do not like

  • You might have to add a foam bobber to the chain if you experience it jumping into a closed position
  • It might not be as ideal for 3” valve toilet models because just as mentioned earlier, it is ideal for 2” flush valve toilets
  • List Element

As for our alternative or runner-up pick, it would be American Standard’s 7381 Flapper and Chain. It is originally meant to be a replacement part for American Standard toilet tanks. However, it is also a universally designed replacement for flappers with float, making it extra versatile.

It is ideal for 2” flush valves. Aside from its ergonomic design, it is also designed to look aesthetically pleasing with your other fixtures.

We like

  • Unlike other brands, American Standard comes with precise directions and a bead setting chart to help you with the installation
  • It is useful both as a preventive and a maintenance product for leaky toilets
  • It comes with a one-year limited warranty just in case you encounter some issues

We do not like

  • The chains might not be the best of quality when used for so long
  • It might be a little confusing adjusting the position of the float
  • Especially, if your previous flapper didn't have a float that comes along with it

On the other hand, if you’re on a budget, Korky’s 2001BP Universal Toilet Tank Flapper might be a good option for you. It comes in one pack or a three pack option which you can also get by just adding a few more dollars.

It comes with a premium red Chlorazone rubber which is claimed to resist chlorine, bacteria, city water treatment, hard water and even well water. The Clorox helpline also recommends this one. Most importantly, it is universally designed to fit most plastic valve flushes.

We like

  • Similar to FluidMaster’s, Korky offers a five-year guarantee
  • The materials used for the product make it highly ideal for long-term use
  • The rubber is resistant to a lot of substances. Also, the chain comes with stainless steel
  • It is effortless to install, even for those who don’t usually do home repairs
  • This perfect for those who want to save up by not calling in professionals to do the task anymore

We do not like

  • List Element
  • The red rubber might stain your tank a bit, and this might be an issue
  • It might come off as a little flimsy if you are new to using rubber flappers

The Korky QuietFill Valve enters our list as the upgraded pick because it boasts top-notch quality with extra add-ons. For starters, this Korky set comes with both a refill valve along with the flapper. That gives you an advantage because now you have two products of the same brand. Because of this, a more cohesive operation is a guarantee.

Although this kit is the most expensive in our list, it’s still worth it. Moreover, spending north of 10 US dollars isn’t such a bad investment, especially since valves and flappers are necessary. The pipe that you get here is extremely quiet, but the flapper kit is even more impressive.

The flapper works brilliantly with the QuietFill valve. It securely fits whenever your toilet is at rest, guaranteeing zero leaks!

We like

  • This set gives your toilet a more coherent mechanism during operation
  • When you use two essential products like that of Korky, you’ll have a bathroom that works smoother
  • Refill valve is extremely quiet
  • Compared to other float-ball types, the QuietFill valve works better with lesser noise
  • Durable flapper
  • The flapper has a no-leak design and has a sustainable chain that doesn’t tear down easily
  • Easy installation overall
  • It has a neat twist and lock mechanism for easier installation and fits most toilet sizes easily

We do not like

  • The chain of the flapper may be a bit too short compared to other products
  • The material of the refill valve is not that flexible
  • That makes it quite hard to attach without using extra force

Lastly, would be the Kohler Genuine Part Flapper. Kohler’s is highly ideal for two piece toilets with Class Five Technology and is most compatible with most Kohler toilet models. The flapper itself is made of corrosion resistant material, making it extra durable.

It is a genuine part and not just a copy replacement. So no need to worry about the legitimacy of the product. As per packaging, the size of this flapper is three ¼ inch.

We like

  • It is easily compatible with most, if not all Kohler toilet models
  • That makes it easier for you if you own a Kohler toilet and you don’t have to worry because it is a genuine part
  • It is beneficial in fixing a leaking toilet making it a versatile and convenient product
  • For a genuine part, it is very cheap
  • It does not compromise on quality and durability

We do not like

  • It doesn’t have a warranty/guarantee/returns policy if it is not compatible with your toilet
  • You might encounter issues with the water level controller because it does not seal as tightly 100%

How Does a Flapper Work?

Toilets, like many home appliance and fixtures, have several sub-components. These components help the toilet efficiently perform without flaw. It’s essential that we understand that these accessories aren’t as simple as sinks or shower areas.

Some of the essential parts of a toilet are the fill valve and the flappers. These two components are what enables the flushing mechanism of the bathroom. Thus, it’s its life support.

To better understand how a flapper works, it’s best to explain the toilet system as a whole. By defining it all together, you’ll have a more precise grasp on not just a flapper, but other parts of the toilet. That is important given that you might find yourself buying these other components in the future.

Best Toilet Flappers

How flushing works

Before discussing the mechanism, remember that your toilet has two significant components. That is the bowl and the tank. The tank is where the other subparts are. These parts inside the tank are the toilet fill valve, flapper, overflow tube, and fill pipe.

It’s important to understand that this is called a tank because it contains water. The water present inside the container is what helps push down and flush the toilet. Thus, it’s added water that pushes the existing water in the bowl.

How flushing works

So, how does the water in the tank transport to the bowl? That first starts with the flush handle that we all use. The handle is just a metal lever that’s connected to the flapper via a chain.

The flapper acts as a plug to prevent water inside the tank from leaking down the bowl. Thus, once you push the handle down, it opens up the flapper. Once the flapper opens, all that water in the tank goes down the flush valve. The flush valve then transfers it down the bowl.

After the tank empties, the flapper then closes tight until it refills. The tank fills with water through the fill valve, which gets water from the connected supplier. That then repeats until the next flush happens.

Importance of the flapper

As you might’ve noticed, the importance of this part centers around its sealing capability. Flappers are meant to be airtight plugs that prevent any water from escaping the tank when not used.

That is extremely valuable when it comes to water conservation and efficiency of the toilet overall. Let’s first discuss the latter, which is all about toilet efficiency. Flappers can make or break your bathroom when it comes to refilling time and flushing time.

Refilling always goes hand-in-hand with flushing. If your toilet does not refill correctly, then you won’t be able to flush it immediately. It can be a cause of concern, especially if you have a lot of family members using the toilet.

Best Toilet Flappers

With that said, faulty flappers can be a culprit when your toilet is not refilling correctly. The main reason is leakage. If a flapper is a little snug on the drainage, then it will slowly suck out the water in the tank.

That is why flappers must fit perfectly inside the tank. Even just a tiny gap in between can cost your toilet its efficiency. Another thing to look at is the material of the flapper and how it interacts with the chain.

The chain connects to the flapper, most commonly through a hook. Over time, if you have a bad flapper, the material can wear down. That causes not just the flapper to break, but also the connection with the chain.

Remember, the chain is one connects the handle to the flapper. A loose chain makes your flapper just a scrap of rubber and the handle as metal junk.

The Verdict

In a nutshell, flappers may look like simple rubber plugs that are an extra need for your toilet. However, it’s importance is more than that. Hence, it can dictate how your toilet’s efficiency will be. Keep in mind; a toilet flapper is just like a gasket or a sealer of an engine. Should it be faulty, leaks are going to ruin overall performance.

When buying the best toilet flapper, it all boils down to the specifications of your toilet as well as the limitations of your budget. If you want to play it safe both for money and quality, my editor’s pick, the Fluidmaster, is the best out of all.

You can also check out the Korky 2001BP if you’re on a budget. Its quality is enough to give you quite some usage time. It is straightforward to install, comes in a universal size/design and also helps fix water leaking issues.

But then again, if you want to find the best toilet flapper that will last you years, it is still best not to compromise on price. We wish you luck in finding the best toilet flapper for your tank!

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