When it comes to choosing a high-quality toilet for your home, there’s no doubt that American Standard products stand out among the competition.
Today, we’ll be conducting a detailed comparison between two popular models – American Standard Edgemere and Champion 4 toilets. Both models have their unique pros and cons, and by the end of this read, you’ll have a clear picture to make a well-informed decision.
A Brief Comparison Table
Feature | American Standard Edgemere | American Standard Champion 4 |
Flush System | 2-inch flush valve | 4-inch accelerator flush valve |
Water Consumption | 1.28 gallons per flush | 1.6 gallons per flush |
Design | Classic, comfort height | Robust, sturdy |
Warranty | Standard | 10-year |
Cleaning and Maintenance | Easy-to-clean EverClean surface | Easy-to-clean EverClean surface, less frequent cleaning due to powerful flush |
American Standard Edgemere: A Detailed Overview
The American Standard Edgemere toilet is a stunner in terms of aesthetics and functionality. The design is simple yet elegant, offering a classic touch to your bathroom.
Pros of Edgemere
- Efficient Water Use: The Edgemere model boasts a low consumption rate of just 1.28 gallons per flush, earning it the EPA’s WaterSense certification. It’s an eco-friendly choice that can help you save on your water bills.
- Comfort Height Design: The Edgemere toilet sports a right-height design, making it more comfortable for users, especially for the elderly or people with mobility issues.
- Easy to Clean: The Edgemere features the American Standard’s EverClean surface, a technology that inhibits the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria, ensuring your toilet stays cleaner for longer.
Cons of Edgemere
- Limited Color Choices: Unlike other models, the Edgemere is available only in white. This may not fit into all design schemes.
- Flush Valve: The Edgemere comes with a 2-inch flush valve, smaller than Champion 4’s, leading to slightly less powerful flushes.
American Standard Champion 4: A Detailed Overview
The American Standard Champion 4 toilet is popular for its powerful flush and high reliability. It offers a fantastic balance of power and efficiency, making it a great addition to any household.
Pros of Champion 4
- High-Powered Flush: The Champion 4 features a 4-inch accelerator flush valve that pushes water into the bowl 3 times faster than a standard 2-inch flush valve.
- Clog-Free Design: The Champion 4 toilet has a large, fully glazed trapway (2-3/8 inch diameter), which makes it practically impossible for the toilet to clog.
- Longer Warranty: American Standard offers a 10-year warranty on the Champion 4, demonstrating confidence in its durability.
Cons of Champion 4
- Water Consumption: The Champion 4 uses 1.6 gallons per flush, slightly more than the Edgemere, making it a bit less efficient.
- Heavier Build: Due to its robust build, the Champion 4 is heavier and may be more difficult to install.
Key Differences Between American Standard Edgemere and Champion 4
Let’s explore the major differences between the American Standard Edgemere and Champion 4 toilets. This will help you decide which model suits your needs best.
- Flush System
One of the main differences between these two models lies in their flushing systems. The Edgemere features a 2-inch flush valve, while the Champion 4 boasts a 4-inch accelerator flush valve, providing a more powerful flush.
The Champion 4 also has a larger trapway (2-3/8 inch diameter) which makes it almost impossible for the toilet to clog.
- Water Consumption
Another significant difference is their water consumption per flush.
The Edgemere model, being more eco-friendly, consumes only 1.28 gallons per flush, earning it the EPA’s WaterSense certification.
On the other hand, the Champion 4 consumes a bit more, at 1.6 gallons per flush.
- Design
When it comes to design, the Edgemere has a classic, elegant look, suitable for any bathroom decor. It also features a comfort height design, making it more accessible for a broad range of users.
Conversely, the Champion 4 has a robust, solid build that makes it slightly heavier than the Edgemere.
- Bowl Design
In terms of bowl design, the Edgemere and Champion 4 share some similarities but also have a few key differences:
- Shape – Both toilets have an elongated bowl shape. Elongated bowls are about 2″ longer than a round front bowl, providing more comfortable seating position.
- Height – The Champion 4 height is standardized at 16-1/2″ from floor to seat. The Edgemere is available in both 16-1/2″ and 15″ height. The lower height works well for shorter adults or children.
- Water surface size – The Champion 4 has a larger water surface area which contributes to its increased bulk waste flushing power.
- Rim design – Both models have a concealed trapway for ease of cleaning. The Champion 4 adds an EverClean antimicrobial surface to inhibit mold and mildew. The Edgemere does not have this added finish.
For most bathroom designs, the Champion 4’s elongated bowl will be the better choice. The added height provides a more comfortable seat position for adults. And the larger water surface area improves the flush. Go for the Edgemere’s 15″ height only if you need a toilet suited for smaller stature users.
- Toilet Dimensions
Understanding the dimensions of each toilet is key for planning your bathroom layout and replacement needs.
Here are the basic measurements for each:
Dimension | Edgemere | Champion 4 |
Overall height | 30” | 30-1/2” |
Tank height | 23” | 23-1/2” |
Bowl height | 15” or 16-1/2” | 16-1/2” |
Width | 15-1/4” | 16-1/2” |
Depth | 28” | 29-3/4” |
Seat hole center | 12” | 12” |
Rough-in | 12” | 12” |
Water surface | 8-1/4” x 6-3/8” | 9” x 8” |
Dimensions are for toilet only and do not include seat height
The Champion 4 is slightly larger than the Edgemere in most dimensions. Importantly, both models have a standard 12-inch rough-in size, making them suitable replacements for most existing toilets.
Always measure your existing toilet’s rough-in, available depth, and clearances to ensure the new toilet will fit properly in your bath space.
- Special Features
Beyond power and size, the Champion 4 includes a few standout extra features:
EverClean Surface – The permanent EverClean antimicrobial finish prevents the growth of stain and odor causing bacteria, mold, and mildew. The Champion 4 toilet bowl is easier to keep clean with this added protection.
Right Height Design – The 16-1/2″ seat height provides a chair-like seating position that is more comfortable and makes sitting and standing easier.
Slow Close Seat – The included soft-close toilet seat on the Champion 4 closes gently without slamming.
The Edgemere does not include these special finishes and just has a basic plastic toilet seat. For added comfort and convenience, the Champion 4’s extras make it more appealing.
- Styles
Both the Edgemere and Champion 4 come in the same three color options: white, bone, and linen. This allows you to match your toilet to your bath decor.
The Edgemere has a basic, streamlined style well-suited for contemporary bathroom designs.
The Champion 4 offers a few more style options:
- Round front or elongated bowl – Available with either a round front or elongated bowl.
- Skirted trapway – Option to add a concealed, skirted trapway for a sleeker look.
- Two-piece or one-piece – Offered as both a two-piece and seamless one-piece toilet.
With choices like the skirted trapway and one-piece model, the Champion provides more ways to customize the look for your space. The Edgemere has just one style.
- Price Comparison
When it comes to price, the Edgemere is clearly the more affordable option. Here’s how toilet-only prices compare:
- American Standard Edgemere toilet only: Approximately $180 – $250
- American Standard Champion 4 toilet only: Approximately $320 – $530
As you’d expect with the nicer features and improved performance, the Champion 4 commands a higher price. You’ll pay nearly double the cost of the Edgemere.
Budget is often a primary factor when choosing a toilet. The Edgemere provides reliable flushing and efficiency at a very reasonable price point. For lots of flush power and a touch of luxury, the Champion 4 commands the higher cost.
- Warranty
The warranty period also differs between these two models. The Champion 4 comes with a 10-year warranty, displaying American Standard’s confidence in its durability.
The Edgemere, however, comes with a standard warranty period, which is shorter compared to the Champion 4.
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Both models feature the American Standard’s EverClean surface, which inhibits the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew. However, the Champion 4’s larger trapway and more powerful flush system might reduce the need for frequent cleaning.
In conclusion, your choice between the American Standard Edgemere and Champion 4 toilets will depend on what you prioritize more – water efficiency and design elegance or flushing power and clog-free experience.
FAQ Section
The key difference lies in the design and power of the flush. The Champion 4 is a newer model and features a 4-inch flush valve for a more powerful flush compared to the original Champion model.
The American Standard Champion 4, with its 4-inch accelerator flush valve and fully glazed trapway, is known for its powerful flushing ability, reducing the risk of clogs.
Plumbers generally recommend toilets that offer a strong flush, are easy to install, and have good water efficiency. Both the American Standard Edgemere and Champion 4 are commonly recommended.
Absolutely. Both Edgemere and Champion 4 are durable, reliable, and offer excellent functionality. The choice between the two comes down to your specific requirements in terms of water efficiency, flushing power, and design preference.
Yes, American Standard is known for making high-quality, durable toilets with reliable flushing systems. They consistently earn high ratings from both expert plumbers and consumers. Important features like glazed trapways, strong flush valves, and siphon jet designs make their toilets stand out.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, the American Standard Edgemere and Champion 4 toilets are top-of-the-line products, each with unique features.
Whether you’re looking for eco-friendly water use and comfort or a powerful flush and higher durability, your choice will depend on your specific needs and priorities.
Happy flushing!