Our Top Picks
- Twin service panels
- Elongated bowl
- 15-foot vertical lift
- Pumps waste up 15 feet
- Whole-bathroom inlets
- 3,600 RPM macerator
- Removable service panel
- WaterSense-certified
- RazorCut macerator
- Concealed pump and macerator
- Dual flush
- No vent stack needed
- Dual flush 1.26/0.8 GPF
- Carbon-filter vent
- Four water inlets
- Four water inlets
- Top service cover
- Stainless steel blades
Our Review Criteria: Rated pump lift came first: a macerating toilet only works if its vertical and horizontal lift figures clear your actual basement or attic layout. From there we compared maceration design and blade material, the number of fixture inlets, noise level, and whether a service panel lets you clear a clog without pulling the toilet. We checked WaterSense efficiency and CSA or IPC listing where they apply, and favored brands with a stocked parts network so one failed seal does not strand the install. Our comparisons drew on manufacturer specifications, plumbing-code guidance, and owner feedback. Every pick is verified as currently available, and a discontinued model is replaced.
Adding a bathroom the conventional way means breaking up a slab and running new drain lines, which can cost thousands before the first fixture goes in. A macerating toilet skips that. The unit grinds waste with a high-speed blade and pumps the slurry through narrow pipe, so you can put a toilet below the sewer line or far from the soil stack without gravity drainage.
The category is smaller than standard gravity toilets, and it splits into clear niches: self-contained one-piece units for tight powder rooms, two-piece pump systems that also drain a sink and shower, and high-lift pumps for deep basements where the sewer line sits well overhead. We sorted the current lineup by those use cases.
Here are the best macerating toilets you can buy in 2026, chosen for pump lift, serviceability when a clog happens, and how well each one matches a specific install.
What Is a Macerating Toilet System?
A macerating toilet, often called an upflush toilet, operates differently than the standard gravity-fed model you likely have in your main bathroom. When you flush, waste moves into a macerating pump tank. Inside, high-speed stainless steel blades shred solids and paper into a liquid slurry. The pump then pushes this liquid upward or sideways through small-diameter piping to connect with your home’s main sewage stack.
When To Choose a Macerating Toilet
Because these units do not rely on gravity, they are the perfect solution for spaces where conventional plumbing is impossible or too expensive. If you want to add a half-bath to a bedroom or attic, a macerating unit saves you from major structural changes.
They are most popular for adding a bathroom to a basement. Since basements are typically below the main sewer line, you cannot install a standard toilet without digging up concrete to install an ejector pump. A macerating toilet sits right on top of the finished floor, making it a much simpler DIY project.
How To Choose the Best Macerating Toilet
Buying a macerating toilet is a significant investment. You need to consider specific electrical and plumbing requirements before making a purchase. Keep these factors in mind to ensure you pick a unit that can handle your household’s needs.
Product Reviews
We compared the current upflush systems on the market to help you add a bathroom where gravity plumbing cannot reach. Each pick below is matched to a specific job, from a self-contained powder-room unit to a whole-bathroom basement pump, and judged on pump lift, maceration, serviceability, and build quality. Where a previous pick was discontinued, we replaced it with a currently available model in the same category.
Saniflo SaniAcess 3 Elongated Toilet
Best Elongated Macerating Toilet
Saniflo has sold macerating systems longer than almost anyone, which matters for a fixture you will own for a decade and need parts for. The SaniAccess 3 is the model built around serviceability: the name points to twin access panels on top of the pump, so when something jams you pop a cover instead of pulling the toilet off the floor. For most owners that is the difference between a ten-minute fix and a plumber call.
It pairs an elongated bowl with a pump rated to lift waste 15 feet vertically and 150 feet horizontally, and the housing accepts extra inlets for a sink or shower. That makes it a realistic choice for a full basement bathroom, not just a standalone toilet.
What We Like
Twin Service Panels
Two access covers on the pump let you reach the blades or a dropped object without disconnecting the toilet. That is the SaniAccess line’s whole reason to exist, and it turns the most common upflush headache into a quick job.
Parts You Can Actually Get
Because Saniflo dominates the category, replacement seals, blades, and pressure switches are stocked by most plumbing suppliers years after purchase. An off-brand unit can leave you stranded when one part fails.
Whole-Bathroom Capacity
The 15-foot vertical, 150-foot horizontal pump plus secondary inlets handle a sink or shower alongside the toilet, so one unit can serve a complete basement bath below the sewer line.
What We Don't Like
Sits at the Top of the Range
This is one of the pricier picks here, and the bowl ships without a seat in some configurations. You are paying for the brand’s parts network and the access panels rather than a bargain.
Audible Cycle
The motor is clearly louder than a gravity flush, closer to a dishwasher draining. It is fine for a basement or utility space but noticeable in a quiet house at night, so think twice before installing it next to a bedroom wall.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 18 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 10.75 x 18.75 x 6.75 |
| Dual/single flush | Single |
| Material | Ceramic |
| Soft-close seat | No |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Pumping height | 15 feet |
Saniflo SaniPLUS Macerating Toilet
Best Two-Piece Macerating Toilet
The Saniflo SaniPLUS is the pick when you are plumbing a whole bathroom, not just a toilet. The pump body carries inlets for a sink, shower, and bath, so one unit drains an entire basement suite below the sewer line instead of forcing a separate gray-water solution.
The motor spins at 3,600 RPM and lifts waste 15 feet vertically or 150 feet horizontally, which covers most basement runs. The round bowl saves a few inches over an elongated one, useful when the room is already tight from framing around the pump.
What We Like
Full Bathroom Capability
The SaniPLUS is designed to handle gray water from a tub, shower, and sink alongside the toilet waste. It is a complete plumbing solution in one box.
Reliable Performance
This is one of the most time-tested models on the market. The high-speed motor ensures waste is processed rapidly, reducing the chance of clogs.
Flexible Installation
With a 150-foot horizontal pumping range, you can install this toilet far away from your main soil stack, giving you freedom in your floor plan design.
What We Don't Like
Seat Sold Separately
The kit does not include a seat, so add a standard round seat to your order. It is a small thing, but easy to overlook on a system that already costs as much as this one.
Premium System
This is one of the more expensive picks here. It earns its place against the cost of breaking concrete for a conventional bathroom, but it is not the choice for a single occasional-use toilet, where a simpler unit does the job.
Audible Motor
Like the rest of the Saniflo pumps, the SaniPLUS is clearly louder than a gravity flush while it cycles. That is normal for the category but worth planning around near a bedroom.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 99.7 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 27.9 x 20 x 17.5 |
| Dual/single flush | Single |
| Material | Porcelain |
| Soft-close seat | No |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Pumping height | 15 feet |
Liberty Pumps Ascent II Macerating Toilet
Best Maintenance Macerating Toilet
The Liberty Pumps Ascent II is the unit to reach for when the sewer line sits far above the bathroom. Its RazorCut stainless steel cutting system shears waste rather than just spinning it, which is the practical reason it clogs less than basic grinder pumps over time.
The headline number is lift: 25 feet vertical, more than the Saniflo pumps here, so it suits a deep basement where the main stack is two floors up. A removable service cover keeps maintenance reasonable despite the power, which is why plumbers reach for it on harder installs.
What We Like
RazorCut Technology
The advanced cutting system is highly efficient at liquefying waste, which significantly reduces the risk of clogging compared to standard grinding mechanisms.
Exceptional Vertical Lift
With a 25-foot vertical pumping capacity, the Ascent II is the best choice for deep basements or installations where the main sewer line is significantly higher than the bathroom.
WaterSense Certified
Using just 1.28 gallons per flush, this toilet is highly efficient. It meets EPA standards, helping you save water without sacrificing flushing power.
Serviceability
Like the SaniAccess, this unit includes a removable access cover. This allows you to clear debris or service the unit without detaching the plumbing.
What We Don't Like
Loud Under Load
The strong motor and cutting blades are noticeably louder than a gravity toilet, the trade-off for the extra lift and shredding power. Plan for it if the bathroom shares a wall with a living space.
Cutter Needs Periodic Checks
Liberty recommends inspecting and eventually replacing the RazorCut cartridge to keep maceration sharp, so factor in that extra upkeep over the unit’s life.
Bulky Footprint
At roughly 135 pounds and a tall back tank, this is one of the larger units here. Confirm the clearance behind the bowl before you commit, especially in a tight powder room.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 134.5 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 29.25 x 20 x 32.25 |
| Dual/single flush | Single |
| Material | ABS plastic |
| Soft-close seat | No |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Pumping height | 25 feet |
Saniflo Sanicompact 4C Self-Contained Toilet
Best Self-Contained Macerating Toilet
The Sanicompact 4C is Saniflo’s current self-contained one-piece, the direct successor to the older Sanicompact, and it hides everything inside the china base. There is no external pump box and no back tank, so the toilet reads like a normal modern fixture instead of an upflush system bolted to a plastic housing. That is the whole point for a closet conversion or an under-stair powder room where a pump box would not fit or look right.
Despite the compact body it pumps 9 feet vertically or 120 feet horizontally, runs a dual flush at 1.28 and 1.0 gallons, and takes a 1.25-inch gray-water inlet for a nearby sink. It needs no vent stack, which is the feature that lets it go into spaces a standard upflush unit cannot.
What We Like
Everything Hidden in the Base
The macerator and pump live inside the china body, so there is no external box to find space for and nothing to disguise. In a tiny apartment or tiny-home bath that hidden footprint is what makes the install possible at all.
No Vent Stack Required
Because it is self-contained, it does not need a connection to the home’s vent stack, which removes the single hardest part of most upflush installs and is why it fits closets and under-stair nooks.
Dual Flush and a Soft-Close Seat
The 1.28 and 1.0 gallon flush modes keep water use low and ease the load on the macerator, and the included soft-close seat is a finish touch the budget self-contained units skip.
What We Don't Like
No Power, No Flush
With no gravity tank, the flush is fully electronic, so an outage means the toilet is out of service until power returns. The cord is also short, so plan a GFCI outlet right behind the unit.
Only 9 Feet of Lift
Nine feet vertical rules it out for a deep basement where the stack is well overhead. It is built for ground-floor, attic, or shallow installs that mostly move waste sideways, not the high lifts the Ascent II handles.
Install Is Not Plug-and-Play
Several owners report the setup is fussier than it looks and often warrants a Saniflo-certified plumber plus an electrician for the outlet. Budget for professional help if you are not confident with both trades.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 62 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 18.5 x 14.5 x 18 |
| Dual/single flush | Dual (1.28/1.0 GPF) |
| Material | Vitreous china |
| Soft-close seat | Yes |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Pumping height | 9 feet |
Simple Project 750W PRO Macerating Toilet
Best Dual Flush Macerating Toilet
The Simple Project 750W PRO is the dual-flush pick for owners who want to cut water use without paying Saniflo money. It runs a true two-mode flush, 1.26 gallons full and 0.8 gallons for liquids, so light use barely draws from the tank while the macerator still gets enough water to clear solids.
This is a two-piece system with an external pump rather than a hidden one, which is the trade you make for the strong 750-watt motor and four inlets. It moves waste up to 36 feet vertically and connects a sink, shower, or tub alongside the toilet, so it doubles as a basement bathroom drain rather than just a standalone seat.
What We Like
Real Dual Flush
The 1.26 and 0.8 gallon modes meaningfully lower water use on a unit that flushes many times a day. The half flush still feeds enough water to clear the blades, which a too-stingy eco flush can fail to do.
Strong 750-Watt Motor
At 750 watts and a rated 36-foot vertical lift, this is one of the more powerful pumps in the budget tier, enough headroom for a deep basement where lighter units stall.
Carbon-Filter Vent
Instead of demanding a hard vent-stack tie-in, it uses an activated-carbon filter on the pump to handle odor, which simplifies the install in a finished space. You can still duct it to house ventilation if you prefer.
Four Inlets and Soft-Close Seat
Four ports let you drain a sink, shower, or tub through the same pump, and the included soft-close seat keeps it from slamming, a finish detail many budget units skip.
What We Don't Like
Smaller Parts Network
This is a value brand, not Saniflo or Liberty, so stocked replacement seals and blades are harder to source if something fails years later. Keep the manufacturer’s support contact and warranty paperwork.
External Pump Box
The pump sits behind the toilet rather than hidden in the base, so it takes more depth and is less discreet than a self-contained unit. Hiding it in the wall is possible but adds work.
Two-Piece Install
Four inlets and a separate pump mean a more involved setup than a one-piece toilet, and every unused port has to be sealed properly to avoid leaks and odor. Plan the extra time or hire it out.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 88 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | Two-piece with external pump |
| Dual/single flush | Dual (1.26/0.8 GPF) |
| Material | Ceramic bowl, stainless steel blades |
| Soft-close seat | Yes |
| Price | $$ |
| Pumping height | 36 feet |
SUPERFLO 750W Macerating Toilet System
Best Versatile Macerating Toilet
The SUPERFLO 750W is built for the install with more than one fixture. Its separate pump carries four water inlets, so a toilet, sink, shower, and even a laundry tub can all drain through the same unit, which is why it earns the versatile pick over the single-purpose units here.
The 750-watt motor and stainless steel non-clogging blades push waste up to 36 feet vertically, enough for a deep basement run, and the system installs without breaking concrete or cutting new gravity drains. A top service cover means you can open it for a clog without pulling the toilet, the one feature sealed budget units lack.
What We Like
Four Fixture Inlets
The pump accepts a toilet plus a sink, shower, and a fourth fixture such as a laundry tub, so it can serve a whole basement room rather than one toilet. That flexibility is the reason to pick it over a one-piece unit.
Strong 36-Foot Lift
The 750-watt motor is rated to 36 feet vertical, near the top of this list, so it holds up in a deep basement where the stack is well overhead and lighter pumps stall.
Top Service Cover
Unlike sealed budget toilets, the pump has a service cover on top for inspections and clog clearing. That alone saves you from uninstalling the toilet the first time something jams.
Stainless Steel Blades
The macerator runs metal blades rather than plastic, which hold an edge longer and handle solids more reliably over the unit’s life.
What We Don't Like
Value-Brand Construction
The blades are steel, but parts of the casing and connectors are plastic, so it does not feel as solid as a Saniflo or Liberty unit. Treat it as a strong budget choice, not a lifetime fixture.
Smaller Parts Network
As a newer value brand, SUPERFLO does not have the supplier shelves Saniflo enjoys, so keep your warranty and the maker’s support contact in case a seal or switch needs replacing.
Multi-Inlet Setup Takes Care
Four ports mean a more detailed install, and every unused inlet must be sealed tightly or you will get leaks and odor. Budget extra time or hire a plumber for the connections.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 90 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | Two-piece with external 750W pump |
| Dual/single flush | Single |
| Material | Ceramic bowl, stainless steel blades |
| Soft-close seat | Yes |
| Price | $$$ |
| Pumping height | 36 feet |
| Product | Best | Weight | Dimensions | Dual/single flush | Material | Soft-close seat | Pumping height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saniflo SaniAcess 3 Elongated Toilet | Elongated | 18 lbs | 10.75 x 18.75 x 6.75″ | Single | Ceramic | No | 15 feet |
| Saniflo SaniPLUS Macerating Toilet | Two-Piece | 100 lbs | 27.9 x 20 x 17.5″ | Single | Porcelain | No | 15 feet |
| Liberty Pumps Ascent II Macerating Toilet | Low Maintenance | 135 lbs | 29.25 x 20 x 32.25″ | Single | ABS plastic | No | 25 feet |
| Saniflo Sanicompact 4C Toilet | Self-Contained | 62 lbs | 18.5 x 14.5 x 18″ | Dual | Vitreous china | Yes | 9 feet |
| Simple Project 750W PRO Macerating Toilet | Dual Flush | 88 lbs | Two-piece, external pump | Dual | Ceramic | Yes | 36 feet |
| SUPERFLO 750W Macerating Toilet | Versatile | 90 lbs | Two-piece, external pump | Single | Ceramic, stainless steel | Yes | 36 feet |
Macerating Toilets FAQs
Does a Macerating Toilet Need to Be Vented?
The Bottom Line
A macerating toilet earns its keep wherever gravity plumbing is impractical, but the right pick is the one matched to your install. Start with the location: a self-contained Sanicompact 4C for a tight powder room, a high-lift Liberty Ascent II for a deep basement, and a multi-inlet SaniPLUS or 750-watt pump for a full bathroom that also drains a sink and shower. Then plan the electrical, since a nearby GFCI outlet trips up more installs than the plumbing does. Buy the lift and serviceability your layout needs, use only rapid-dissolving paper, and descale on schedule, and the unit should run for a decade or more.
