Caroma Toilet Comparison: Caravelle vs. Somerton vs. Sydney Smart Dual Flush Toilets
Executive Summary: Key Takeaways
Caroma, the world's pioneer of dual-flush toilet technology, offers three exceptional Australian toilet models that deliver superior water efficiency without compromising performance. The Caravelle Smart leads with its one-piece design and advanced gravity-assisted flushing for the ultimate no-clog toilet experience. The Somerton Smart provides versatile installation flexibility with adjustable rough-in capability and ADA compliance, making it ideal for both residential and commercial applications. The Sydney Smart excels in compact bathrooms with its rear outlet design and cost-effective water-saving solution. All three models feature dual flush technology at 1.28/0.8 gallons per flush (4.8/3 liters), skirted designs, and Caroma's signature trapway system—nearly double industry standard size—making them the best toilets that don't clog. Each includes premium soft-close seats and is WaterSense labeled, saving households approximately 19,000 gallons of water annually compared to traditional 3.5-gallon single-flush toilets. Whether you need a smart toilet for everyday reliability, maximum flushing performance, or space-conscious design, Caroma's Australian toilet lineup delivers innovation, sustainability, and dependability.
Introduction: Why Caroma Leads the Dual Flush Toilet Market
When you're searching for the best toilet for flushing large waste or the best no clog toilet for your home, the name Caroma stands out as an industry authority. As the inventor of the dual-flush toilet in 1980, Caroma has maintained its position as a global leader in water-efficient bathroom fixtures. The company developed this revolutionary technology with a singular mission: to conserve the planet's natural resources without sacrificing the performance and reliability homeowners demand.
A quality Caroma toilet is more than just a fixture—it's an investment in sustainability and engineering excellence. The dual-flush toilet innovation introduced by Caroma transformed how households approach water conservation. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, dual-flush technology offers two distinct flush options: a full flush for solid waste and a reduced flush for liquid waste. This simple yet powerful concept has saved millions of gallons of water worldwide.
Today's Caroma dual-flush toilet models—particularly the Caravelle, Somerton, and Sydney—represent decades of refinement, combining cutting-edge flushing technology with contemporary design aesthetics. Each model features Caroma's signature engineering, including an oversized trapway system that's nearly double the industry standard, making these among the best high efficiency toilets available. Whether you're upgrading your bathroom or building new, understanding the differences between these three models will help you select the perfect two button toilet or push button toilet for your needs.
Understanding Caroma's Dual Flush Technology: The Foundation of Performance
Before comparing individual models, it's essential to understand what makes a Caroma dual flush toilet exceptional. At the heart of each model lies Caroma's proprietary dual-flush system, engineered to deliver optimal performance with minimal water consumption.
Every two button toilet or push button toilet from Caroma's Smart series delivers flush volumes of 1.28 gallons for full flushes and 0.8 gallons for half flushes (4.8 and 3 liters respectively). This precision engineering results in an average flush of just 0.9 gallons per flush—one of the lowest consumption rates among high efficiency toilets on the market today.
The environmental impact is substantial. According to performance data, switching from a traditional 3.5-gallon single-flush toilet to a Caroma toilet saves approximately 19,000 gallons of water per household annually. Over the lifetime of the toilet, this translates to hundreds of thousands of gallons conserved—and lower water bills for homeowners.
Smart Glaze Technology and the No-Clog Design
One of Caroma's most significant innovations is the signature trapway system that's fully glazed and nearly twice the size of industry-standard designs. This isn't just about size—it's about strategic engineering. The enlarged trapway creates optimal water flow dynamics, virtually eliminating the possibility of clogs. For anyone seeking the best toilet that doesn't clog, this Caroma feature is transformative.
The trapway size is crucial when flushing large waste. The best toilet for flushing large waste requires both sufficient water volume and an appropriately sized passageway. Caroma's design addresses both factors. Combined with Smart Glaze nano-technology coating that makes cleaning easier and improves overall hygiene, these toilets maintain peak performance over years of use.
WaterSense Certification and High Efficiency Standards
All three Caroma models—Caravelle, Somerton, and Sydney—carry WaterSense certification and MaP Premium ratings. WaterSense labeling from the EPA indicates these toilets meet rigorous performance standards while using 20% less water than conventional models. For homeowners prioritizing both environmental responsibility and cost savings, this certification represents verified, third-party validation of performance and efficiency.
Caroma Caravelle Smart: Premium One-Piece Design Excellence
The Caravelle Smart represents Caroma's flagship toilet, combining innovative design with uncompromising performance. As a one-piece toilet, the Caravelle offers aesthetic sophistication and installation simplicity that sets it apart in the Caroma toilet lineup.
The Caravelle Smart's one-piece construction provides a seamless visual appearance that appeals to contemporary bathroom designs. The fully skirted bowl completely conceals the trapway and plumbing connections, creating a clean, minimalist silhouette. This skirted toilet design is increasingly popular in modern bathroom renovations because it's easier to clean around and beneath the fixture.
Available in elongated configuration with an easy-height design (18 inches seat height), the Caravelle accommodates a wide range of users, including those with mobility considerations. The dimensions measure 19-15/16" in length, 14-1/8" in width, and approximately 30-3/8" in total height.
What distinguishes the Caravelle from other high efficiency toilets is its advanced gravity-assisted flushing system. This innovative mechanism propels waste down the drain before introducing water, fundamentally differing from conventional siphonic toilet designs. This approach significantly reduces the likelihood of blockages in both the toilet bowl and connected plumbing.
The result? The Caravelle Smart is truly one of the best no clog toilets available. The enlarged trapway, in combination with this unique flushing technology, makes the Caravelle an ideal choice for households concerned about reliability and performance when flushing large waste.
The Caravelle Smart offers flexible flush activation through centrally located, top-mounted dual-flush buttons. The large button triggers the full 1.28-gallon flush for solid waste, while the smaller button activates the 0.8-gallon half flush for liquid waste. This intuitive push button toilet design makes the toilet accessible to all family members, including children and elderly users.
For those preferring a lever-handle alternative, Caroma also offers the Caravelle Smart with lever activation (pull up for half flush, push down for full flush), providing flexibility in choosing activation methods.
Premium Features and Included Accessories
Every Caravelle Smart includes the premium 326611W Soft Close-Detachable seat, which closes quietly and smoothly while remaining fully removable for easy cleaning. The seat quality reflects Caroma's commitment to a complete toilet experience.
Smart Glaze nano-technology coating on all vitreous china surfaces improves hygiene and reduces bacterial growth while making routine cleaning significantly easier. The coating resists staining and maintains a like-new appearance longer than standard finishes.
The Caravelle Smart excels in master bathrooms, renovations where aesthetics matter, and homes prioritizing the latest in toilet technology. Its one-piece design and simplified installation make it the preferred choice for professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. If you're specifically seeking a Caroma smart toilet that combines cutting-edge technology with contemporary design, the Caravelle represents the premium option.
Caroma Somerton Smart: Versatility and ADA Accessibility
The Somerton Smart tackles a different market need: flexibility and accessibility. As a two-piece toilet with adjustable rough-in capability, the Somerton accommodates diverse installation requirements while maintaining the performance standards Caroma is known for.
Two-Piece Construction and Installation Flexibility
The Somerton Smart features a separate bowl and tank connected via Caroma's unique Smart Connect system. This design allows professional installers to work with either 10" or 12" rough-in configurations—a significant advantage when retrofitting existing bathrooms where plumbing is already established.
Rough-in refers to the distance from the wall behind the toilet to the center of the waste pipe. By offering adjustable rough-in, the Somerton eliminates the need for expensive replumbing work, making it an economical choice for bathroom renovations. The bowl height of 16.5 inches and available easy-height options (17" to 19" total seat height) provide ADA compliance, making this Caroma toilet suitable for commercial applications and accessible home bathrooms.
Consistent Performance Through Trapway Design
Like all Caroma models, the Somerton features the signature trapway system—fully glazed and nearly double the industry standard in size. This design ensures it performs as one of the best toilets that don't clog, even in demanding applications.
The Somerton is WaterSense labeled and MaP Premium certified at 900 grams, confirming its ability to handle waste removal efficiently with minimal water consumption. The dual flush system delivers the same 1.28/0.8 gallons per flush (4.8/3 liters) as the Caravelle, with an average flush of just 0.9 gallons.
The Somerton Smart offers dual flush activation through top-mounted buttons. The two button toilet design is intuitive—users press the large button for a full flush (1.28 gallons) or the small button for a half flush (0.8 gallons). This push button toilet interface appeals to users of all ages and abilities.
For users preferring traditional lever operation, Caroma provides lever-handle variants as well, offering comparable flexibility to the Caravelle line.
The Somerton's fully skirted bowl provides the same aesthetic advantages as the Caravelle—a clean, minimalist appearance with enhanced cleaning ease. The concealed trapway eliminates the awkward spaces where dust and debris accumulate behind traditional open-base toilets.
Commercial and Multi-Application Use
The Somerton Smart's versatile design makes it an excellent choice for commercial buildings, multi-unit residential properties, and accessibility-focused installations. Schools, office buildings, hotels, and healthcare facilities frequently specify Somerton models because of their combination of durability, water efficiency, and ADA compliance.
For homeowners seeking a high efficiency toilet with proven commercial-grade reliability in a residential setting, the Somerton delivers confidence and performance.
Caroma Replacement Parts and Support
One advantage of the two-piece Somerton design is component modularity. Should repairs become necessary, Caroma replacement parts are readily available. Tank components, bowl assemblies, and flush mechanisms can be serviced independently, extending the toilet's functional lifespan and reducing replacement costs.
Caroma Sydney Smart: Space-Conscious Efficiency
The Sydney Smart addresses a specific bathroom challenge: limited space. As a rear-outlet toilet designed for floor mounting with back discharge, the Sydney excels where standard front-outlet configurations won't work—and it delivers the same water-saving performance as its premium siblings.
Rear Outlet Design and Space Advantages
The Sydney Smart's defining feature is its rear outlet configuration. Unlike standard toilets that discharge waste through a bottom outlet (requiring the toilet to sit against the wall), the Sydney connects to waste pipes exiting the back wall. This design proves invaluable in compact bathrooms, upstairs powder rooms with restricted plumbing, or unique layout situations where traditional front-outlet toilets cannot install.
The two-piece construction allows professionals to separate bowl and tank if needed during installation, maneuvering components into tight spaces before assembly. This practical advantage has made the Sydney a preferred choice for bathroom remodelers dealing with unusual spatial constraints.
Don't mistake the Sydney's space-conscious design for compromised performance. This Caroma dual flush toilet delivers identical flush volumes to the Caravelle and Somerton: 1.28 gallons for full flush, 0.8 gallons for half flush, averaging 0.9 gallons per flush. It's equally one of the best no clog toilets, featuring Caroma's signature oversized trapway virtually eliminating blockage issues.
Bowl height measures 15.5 inches with an elongated bowl shape and fully concealed trapway. The toilet is designed for 4" (100mm) waste pipe connection and features 10-12" adjustable rough-in capability, providing installation flexibility even within its specialized rear-outlet category.
The Sydney Smart features top-mounted push button dual-flush activation, making it intuitive for all users. The fully skirted bowl maintains contemporary aesthetics while simplifying cleaning around the fixture base. Included is a premium 326201 Soft Close round-front seat, ensuring comfort and durability.
As a WaterSense-labeled, MaP Premium-certified toilet, the Sydney delivers verified water efficiency. Like other Caroma models, it saves approximately 19,000 gallons annually compared to conventional toilets. The environmental benefit and long-term cost savings remain consistent across the entire Caroma Smart lineup, regardless of configuration.
The Sydney Smart is the obvious choice for:
· Compact bathrooms in apartments and small homes
· Powder rooms with space constraints
· Second bathrooms where standard rough-in doesn't align with existing plumbing
· Bathroom renovations where replumbing isn't feasible
· Situations requiring a rear-discharge Australian toilet design
The Sydney proves that performance and space-efficiency aren't mutually exclusive—you can have both in a Caroma toilet.
Comparative Analysis: Caravelle vs. Somerton vs. Sydney
Installation and Configuration
The Caravelle Smart stands alone as the only one-piece option, offering the quickest installation and seamless appearance. Its one-piece design is ideal for new construction and renovations where plumbing is flexible.
The Somerton Smart and Sydney Smart both utilize two-piece construction with adjustable rough-in (10-12" or specific rear-outlet configuration), making them more suitable for retrofit installations. The Somerton accommodates standard floor-mounted configurations, while the Sydney specializes in rear-outlet situations.
All three models deliver identical dual-flush performance: 1.28/0.8 gallons per flush (4.8/3 liters per flush) with a 0.9-gallon average. The water savings differential lies in user behavior—models that best match your bathroom layout encourage consistent dual-flush usage, maximizing efficiency.
Clog Resistance and Performance
All models feature Caroma's signature oversized trapway and are equally effective at being the best toilet that doesn't clog. The Caravelle's advanced gravity-assisted flushing system provides additional assurance for high-waste-volume situations, making it marginally superior for the best toilet for flushing large waste applications.
The Caravelle leads in contemporary design appeal with its seamless one-piece construction. The Somerton and Sydney offer solid modern aesthetics with fully skirted bowls but maintain two-piece lines that experienced eyes can detect. All three utilize Smart Glaze nano-coating for enhanced cleaning and hygiene.
The Somerton explicitly markets ADA compliance with easy-height options. The Caravelle and Sydney provide accommodating dimensions but aren't specifically marketed as ADA-compliant. For installations in commercial settings or accessibility-focused residential applications, the Somerton is the specified choice.
Pricing generally follows design complexity: the one-piece Caravelle typically costs more than two-piece models. The Somerton and Sydney occupy similar price points, with specific pricing varying by distributor and configuration.
Caroma Replacement Parts Availability
All models benefit from Caroma's established parts network. The two-piece Somerton and Sydney offer the advantage of component replaceability, while the Caravelle, as a one-piece unit, may require wholesale replacement if major components fail (though Caroma's quality standards make this uncommon).
Why Choose Caroma? The Competitive Advantages
In the high efficiency toilets market, choosing a Caroma toilet means selecting from the proven innovator in dual-flush technology. Several factors distinguish Caroma from competitors:
Caroma didn't just participate in the dual-flush revolution—they created it. Since 1980, when they introduced the world's first dual-flush toilet, Caroma has maintained continuous innovation in water-efficient bathroom fixtures. This heritage translates to mature technology, refined engineering, and proven reliability.
The signature Caroma trapway system—nearly double industry standard size—isn't just a specification. It's the result of decades of research into optimal water flow dynamics and waste removal physics. This engineering delivers a best-in-class no-clog toilet experience across all three models.
WaterSense labeling and MaP Premium certification provide independent verification of performance. These aren't marketing claims—they're third-party validations that the toilet meets rigorous EPA standards for efficiency and waste removal performance.
Caroma doesn't just sell toilets; they provide complete toilet systems. Included soft-close seats, Smart Glaze nano-coating, and comprehensive design integration mean you're purchasing a finished solution, not components requiring additional investment.
The annual savings of approximately 19,000 gallons per household when switching from conventional toilets to Caroma models is more than an environmental statistic—it's a financial benefit. Over a 20-year toilet lifespan, a single Caroma toilet saves enough water to fill tens of residential swimming pools.
Integration with Your Bathroom Design
Selecting between the Caravelle, Somerton, and Sydney involves considering your specific bathroom requirements beyond just water efficiency.
Master Bathroom and Aesthetic Priority
If your primary concern is creating a cohesive, contemporary bathroom design with premium finishes, the Caravelle Smart is the natural choice. Its one-piece construction creates the seamless appearance that modern designers seek. The centered button control and fully skirted design provide visual elegance that commands attention in guest bathrooms or luxury master baths.
Multi-Purpose and Commercial Applications
For properties with multiple bathrooms serving different users—particularly commercial applications or multi-unit residential buildings—the Somerton Smart offers the practical advantages of accessibility compliance, adjustable rough-in flexibility, and proven durability in high-usage environments. Its versatility makes it the business choice for property managers and commercial specifiers.
Powder rooms, small apartments, upstairs bathrooms with unique plumbing, or any situation where space is limited and rear-outlet discharge is required makes the Sydney Smart the obvious selection. Its specialized design solves genuine installation challenges that the other models cannot address.
Maintenance, Support, and Long-Term Ownership
Choosing a Caroma toilet means entering into a relationship with a company committed to supporting your purchase long-term.
Caroma Replacement Parts Ecosystem
Caroma maintains an extensive network of replacement parts for all models. Whether you need specific flush mechanisms, fill valves, flapper assemblies, or seal components, caroma replacement parts are available through authorized distributors. This commitment to parts availability means your toilet investment remains functional and serviceable for decades.
The premium soft-close seats included with each model are replaceable should they ever require service. Caroma offers compatible soft-close seat upgrades and replacement components, ensuring you can maintain the comfort and convenience of the original purchase.
Technical Support and Installation Resources
Caroma provides comprehensive installation guides, specification sheets, and technical documentation for all models. The company's website and customer service resources help with troubleshooting, maintenance questions, or replacement part identification.
The Environmental and Economic Impact of Switching to Caroma
The decision to install a Caroma dual flush toilet extends beyond personal bathroom improvement—it contributes to broader environmental and community benefits.
When a single household saves 19,000 gallons annually, multiply that by millions of Caroma toilet installations worldwide, and the cumulative impact becomes staggering. That's billions of gallons conserved annually, reduced strain on municipal water systems, and preserved resources for future generations.
While Caroma toilets may carry a higher initial purchase price than basic models, the monthly water bill savings quickly offset this investment. For many homeowners, the payback period is less than two years. After that, every year represents pure savings—typically $50-150 annually depending on local water rates and family size.
Supporting Sustainable Manufacturing
Caroma's leadership in water-efficient fixture design has elevated industry standards. By choosing a Caroma toilet, you're supporting a company that prioritizes sustainable manufacturing practices and continues investing in next-generation water conservation technologies.
Deciding between the Caravelle, Somerton, and Sydney Smart toilets comes down to answering three key questions:
1. What is your installation situation?
· New construction or flexible plumbing = Caravelle (one-piece advantage)
· Retrofit installation with standard rough-in = Somerton (10-12" adjustability)
· Space-constrained with rear outlet = Sydney (specialized design)
2. What aesthetic priorities matter most?
· Contemporary seamless design = Caravelle
· Professional/commercial grade = Somerton
· Functional efficiency = Sydney
3. What is your budget?
· Premium investment for top-tier features = Caravelle
· Mid-range balance of quality and value = Somerton
· Budget-conscious without performance compromise = Sydney
Regardless of which model you select, you're choosing from Carama's proven lineup of high efficiency toilets that deliver on the promise of water conservation without compromising the performance and reliability you expect.
Conclusion: Why Caroma Remains the Industry Leader
The dual-flush toilet revolution that Caroma launched in 1980 continues defining the company's mission today. The Caravelle, Somerton, and Sydney represent three distinct expressions of this core principle: exceptional water efficiency combined with reliable, high-performance waste removal and contemporary design.
Whether you prioritize aesthetic elegance with the one-piece Caravelle, installation flexibility with the Somerton, or space-efficient rear-outlet design with the Sydney, Caroma delivers on its commitment to "conservation without compromise."
In an era where sustainable building products increasingly define competitive advantage, the choice of a Caroma toilet demonstrates environmental responsibility while enjoying the practical benefits of lower water bills and superior flushing reliability. These aren't just toilets—they're evidence-based solutions to household water consumption that align your personal bathroom choices with global environmental stewardship.
Make the choice that has resonated with millions of homeowners and thousands of commercial properties: choose Caroma. Choose water efficiency without sacrifice. Choose the pioneer in dual-flush toilet technology, now enhanced with Smart technology, Smart Glaze coatings, and Smart Connect installation systems.
Your bathroom deserves a toilet from the company that invented the technology. Choose Caravelle, Somerton, or Sydney—and choose conservation with confidence.
