Siphonic vs Washdown Toilet: Which Flushing System Is Better?

Siphonic vs Washdown Toilet: Which Flushing System Is Better?

July 18,2025

Waste removal and flushing are the fundamental functions of a toilet. There are two common types of toilets on the market: Siphonic and Washdown toilets.

Many friends may not be clear about the differences between siphonic toilets and washdown toilets when choosing:

1. Which flushing system is better? Siphonic or Washdown.

2. Whether the flushing force is large or not?

3. Whether the flushing is clean or not?

In fact, both flushing systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. Which one you choose depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Below, we will discuss in detail the flushing methods of Siphonic and Washdown toilets and what to pay attention to when purchasing.

1、Flushing method

The flushing methods of toilets are mainly divided into two types: Siphonic and Washdown Toilet flushing.

1) Washdown toilet type

Washdown toilets feature a large slope design and a short flushing path. They utilize the principles of height difference and gravitational acceleration to create a concentrated and powerful water flow.

Advantages:

①Strong Flush Power: The concentrated water flow effectively removes waste.

②Quick Waste Removal: Ideal for situations that require rapid cleaning.

Disadvantages:

①Higher Water Consumption: They require more water to complete a flush.

②Noise Issues: The flushing sound can be loud, potentially affecting comfort during nighttime use.

③Poor Odor Control: The smaller water trap area is less effective at preventing odors compared to siphonic toilets.

2) Siphonic toilet type

The design of siphon toilet is more advanced, the slope of the pool wall is slower, the water flow is sprayed out along the wall, forming a siphon effect.

Advantages:

①Water saving: Compared to washdown flush type, siphon is more water saving.

②Silent design: relatively low sound when flushing, suitable for home use.

③Effective odor prevention: The larger water storage area prevents odors from rising.

 

Summarize it on a table for easy visualization of the difference between direct and siphon types.

According to different water outlet design, siphon can also be subdivided into jet siphon and vortex siphon.

Jet siphon: through the bottom of the jet port and ring-shaped outlet holes, the formation of a strong water flow, rinsing effect is significant, but the water consumption is slightly higher.

Vortex siphon: the water flow along the wall to form a whirlpool, enhance the rinsing strength, but also increase the siphon suction, effectively remove dirt, and flush quietly.

2、Sewage pipe

There are two different flushing methods, washdown and siphon flushing, and the corresponding sewage pipes are also different.

Washdown flushing sewage pipe: V-shaped structure, no return water bend, thick pipe diameter (usually 9 to 10 centimeters in diameter), small arc, and short path.

Siphon sewage pipe: an “S” shaped structure that forms a water seal by utilizing the height difference between the water levels on both sides. The pipe has a smaller diameter and a larger curvature.

When selecting a toilet, the efficiency of waste removal is just as crucial as the flushing mechanism. The technology of fully glazed pipes is a key factor in enhancing toilet waste removal capabilities.

1) What is Fully Glazed Pipes?

Fully glazed pipe treatment significantly reduces friction between waste and the pipe walls, thereby minimizing the chance of residue buildup and improving waste removal efficiency. However, this technology requires a high level of manufacturing precision. Some smaller manufacturers may claim their waste pipes are fully glazed, but they might only be injecting glaze material into the pipes. True fully glazed pipes require immersion glazing techniques to ensure that the glaze adheres thoroughly to the inner walls of the pipes.

2) How to Identify Fully Glazed Pipes?

Since the glaze treatment on the inner walls of the waste pipes is difficult to assess visually, wholesalers and distributors can use the following methods when purchasing:

①Touch the Inner Wall: If possible, reach into the waste pipe to feel if the inner wall is smooth.

②Request Cross-Sectional Views: If conditions permit, ask the seller to provide cross-sectional views of the toilet to confirm whether the deepest parts of the waste pipe have undergone glazing treatment.

 

It's worth noting that OVS toilets utilize fully glazed pipe technology and undergo rigorous flushing function tests to ensure exceptional waste removal capabilities in real-world use. This significantly enhances OVS toilets' competitiveness in the market, making them an ideal choice for wholesalers and distributors.

By choosing OVS toilets, you not only gain high-quality products but also provide customers with a better user experience.

 

3.Siphonic vs Washdown Toilet. Which Flushing System Is Better?

For wholesalers and distributors in North America, offering a diverse range of product options is key to meeting the varied needs of customers.

Choosing the right flushing system should be based on the customer's priorities. If water conservation is a concern, a washdown toilet may be the ideal choice. These toilets typically use less water and operate at lower noise levels, but they may not perform as well as siphonic toilets in clearing larger solid waste and may require more maintenance.

On the other hand, if customers prioritize strong waste removal capabilities and reduced clogging risks, a siphonic toilet may be more suitable. While siphonic toilets generally perform better in terms of efficiency, they tend to be noisier and use more water.

Therefore, the choice between siphonic and washdown toilets should be based on individual customer preferences, local water regulations, and specific bathroom requirements. When making decisions, it's advisable for customers to consider factors such as water efficiency, maintenance needs, and noise levels.

For more information, please visit our OVS official website. We hope this information is helpful to you!