If you’re torn between the TOTO Nexus and the TOTO Legato, you’re looking at two of the most popular one-piece skirted toilets TOTO makes — and the differences between them are subtler than you’d expect.
This breakdown gives you everything you need to make the right call for your bathroom, your budget, and your long-term plumbing goals.
| Feature | TOTO Nexus (MS642234CEFG) | TOTO Legato (MS624234CEFG) |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
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| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 28-9/16″ x 17-1/2″ x 27″ | 28-7/16″ x 17-5/16″ x 27-15/16″ |
| Design Style | Modern, high-profile, fluid lines | Bold, contemporary, high-profile |
| Flush System | TORNADO FLUSH® (1.28 GPF) | TORNADO FLUSH® (1.28 GPF) |
| Surface Protection | CEFIONTECT® ceramic glaze | CEFIONTECT® ceramic glaze |
| Seat Included | SS234 Ultra Slim SoftClose® | SS234 Ultra Slim SoftClose® |
| Rough-In Options | 12″ standard (14″ adapter sold separately) | 12″ standard (10″ or 14″ adapter sold separately) |
| WASHLET®+ Ready | Yes — T40 WASHLET®+ compatible | Yes — T40 WASHLET®+ compatible |
| Buy Now |  |
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1. TOTO Nexus One-Piece Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet (MS642234CEFG)
The TOTO Nexus is the brand’s go-to one-piece toilet for buyers who want a sleek, fully skirted design with serious flushing power and seamless WASHLET® integration.
It combines a fluid, high-profile silhouette with TOTO’s most trusted cleaning technologies — making it one of the most popular toilet upgrades on the market right now, and a regular fixture on best toilets with bidet lists across the web.
Features
- TORNADO FLUSH® hole-free rim system with dual-nozzle centrifugal wash action at a water-efficient 1.28 GPF
- Fully skirted one-piece design conceals the trapway for a cleaner, more modern look that eliminates hard-to-reach cleaning nooks
- CEFIONTECT® ceramic glaze creates an ion-barrier surface that prevents waste and debris from adhering to the porcelain
- T40 WASHLET®+ compatible with concealed cord channel — you can add any TOTO WASHLET bidet seat and hide the power cord and water line seamlessly
- Universal Height (16-1/8″ rim) with ADA compliance for comfortable use across all ages and abilities
- Comes with the SS234 Ultra Slim SoftClose® seat included; auto-flush ready when paired with a compatible WASHLET®+
- Standard 12″ rough-in; adaptable to 14″ with separately sold adapter
Pros
- Outstanding flush power in a water-efficient 1.28 GPF package — the TORNADO FLUSH rarely needs a second flush
- Fully skirted profile makes cleaning genuinely easier — no exposed trapway to scrub around
- WASHLET®+ channel conceals the bidet seat’s cord and supply line for a truly integrated look, which matters if you’re planning to add a heated bidet seat
- CEFIONTECT® glaze significantly reduces how often the bowl needs scrubbing
- ADA compliant and widely compatible with a broad range of TOTO WASHLET models
Cons
- Only adapts to a 14″ rough-in (not 10″), so buyers with a non-standard short rough-in will need to look elsewhere
- Slightly lower profile than the Legato, which some buyers in taller households prefer against
- One-piece toilets are heavier than two-piece models — you’ll want help for installation
Check its current price on Amazon
2. TOTO Legato One-Piece Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet (MS624234CEFG)
The TOTO Legato is the brand’s design-forward option — a bold, transitional one-piece skirted toilet built for buyers who want a contemporary aesthetic without sacrificing a single ounce of TOTO’s engineering quality.
It shares most of its DNA with the Nexus but brings a slightly taller tank profile and one notable advantage: it adapts to a 10″ rough-in as well, giving it broader installation flexibility than its sibling.
Features
- TORNADO FLUSH® hole-free rim with dual-nozzle centrifugal rinse action at 1.28 GPF — same class-leading flush system as the Nexus
- Bold high-profile skirted one-piece design with a transitional aesthetic that pairs beautifully with modern and contemporary bathroom styles
- CEFIONTECT® ceramic glaze for superior surface resistance against waste and staining
- T40 WASHLET®+ compatible — same concealed cord channel as the Nexus for seamless bidet seat integration
- Universal Height at 16-1/8″ rim, ADA compliant, and WaterSense® certified
- SS234 Ultra Slim SoftClose® seat included; auto-flush ready when upgraded with a compatible WASHLET®+
- Standard 12″ rough-in; adapts to both 10″ and 14″ with separately sold adapters — a key advantage over the Nexus
Pros
- Broader rough-in compatibility: adapts to 10″, 12″, and 14″ — the Nexus only covers 12″ and 14″
- Slightly taller overall height (27-15/16″) suits bathrooms where a more commanding toilet presence is preferred
- Same TORNADO FLUSH® power and CEFIONTECT® protection as the Nexus at comparable pricing
- Fully skirted and easy to clean — no exposed trapway nooks to worry about
- WASHLET®+ ready for anyone planning to add a TOTO WASHLET S5 or S7 down the line
Cons
- The bolder, higher-tank aesthetic won’t suit buyers who prefer a lower, more understated toilet profile
- Slightly narrower (17-5/16″ vs. 17-1/2″) — a negligible difference, but worth noting in very tight spaces
- Like all one-piece toilets, heavier to install solo than a two-piece equivalent
Check its current price on Amazon
Design and Aesthetics: Which One Looks Better?
This is where the two toilets diverge most clearly.
The TOTO Nexus leans toward a fluid, modern silhouette — clean, slightly rounded lines that blend seamlessly into contemporary and transitional bathrooms without making a statement on their own.
The TOTO Legato is a more deliberate design choice.
It has a taller tank profile and a bolder, more angular contemporary look — the kind of toilet that reads as a design decision, not just a fixture.
If your bathroom is sleek and minimalist, the Nexus tends to disappear into the room in the best possible way.
If your bathroom features strong architectural lines or you want the toilet to complement a contemporary vanity setup, the Legato’s more assertive look often works better.
Winner: Tie — depends entirely on your bathroom’s existing aesthetic.
Flushing Performance: Is There Any Difference?
No — and that’s actually reassuring for both camps.
Both the Nexus and the Legato use the identical TORNADO FLUSH® system: a hole-free rim with two powerful nozzles that creates a centrifugal, cyclonic rinse across the entire bowl surface.
Paired with CEFIONTECT® glaze on both models, you get a toilet that essentially maintains itself between cleanings.
Both are rated at 1.28 GPF, WaterSense® certified, and ADA compliant — so there is genuinely zero performance difference between the two when it comes to the flush itself.
If flushing power is your primary concern and you’re also exploring bidet seat pairings, our bidet toilet seat comparison chart covers the best WASHLET options to pair with either toilet.
Winner: Tie — identical flush technology on both.
Installation Flexibility: Nexus vs Legato Rough-In Options
This is the one category where the Legato has a genuine, practical edge.
The TOTO Nexus adapts to a standard 12″ rough-in or a 14″ rough-in with a separately sold adapter.
The TOTO Legato adapts to 10″, 12″, and 14″ rough-ins — giving it the most installation flexibility of the two.
If your bathroom has a 10″ rough-in (common in older homes), the Legato is the only option between these two.
If you have a standard 12″ rough-in — which is by far the most common configuration in American bathrooms — both toilets work equally well.
Both require the same basic installation materials (wax ring, mounting bolts, water supply line) sold separately, and both are genuinely manageable as DIY installs if you’re comfortable with basic plumbing.
Winner: TOTO Legato — three rough-in options vs. two for the Nexus.
WASHLET® Compatibility and Bidet Seat Integration
Both toilets are built with TOTO’s T40 WASHLET®+ system in mind.
The concealed cord channel running along the bowl surface allows you to hide the power cord and water supply line from any compatible WASHLET®+ seat, giving you the look of a fully integrated bidet toilet without the price tag of a full smart toilet.
Compatible seats include the TOTO S5 and S7 WASHLET seats, the C5, and the auto-flush S7A — all of which pair seamlessly with either the Nexus or the Legato.
If you’re working toward a full hands-free bathroom setup, both toilets also support auto-flush compatibility when upgraded with a compatible WASHLET®+ that includes the auto-flush kit.
For buyers exploring the wall-hung alternative instead, check out the TOTO AP vs EP comparison as a very different but equally valid approach.
Winner: Tie — identical WASHLET®+ integration on both.
Dimensions and Footprint: Which Fits Better in a Tight Bathroom?
The size difference between these two toilets is genuinely minimal — we’re talking fractions of an inch in most dimensions.
The Nexus measures 28-9/16″ deep × 17-1/2″ wide × 27″ tall.
The Legato measures 28-7/16″ deep × 17-5/16″ wide × 27-15/16″ tall.
The Legato is about an inch taller overall, which some taller users prefer for comfort.
The Nexus is very slightly wider (by 3/16″) and slightly deeper (by 1/8″), but neither of these measurements will meaningfully affect fit in any standard bathroom.
What matters more is the rough-in measurement — and for that, the Legato’s 10″/12″/14″ flexibility gives it a real edge in older homes.
Always measure your rough-in before purchasing either model, and confirm there is adequate clearance on both sides of the toilet (typically 15″ from center to any obstruction) as per ADA standards.
Winner: TOTO Legato — slightly taller for comfort; no meaningful footprint disadvantage.
Verdict — Which One Should You Buy?
Both toilets deliver the same core TOTO experience: powerful, water-efficient flushing, an ultra-clean skirted bowl, and seamless WASHLET®+ integration.
The decision really comes down to two factors: your rough-in measurement and your aesthetic preference.
Buy the TOTO Nexus if…
- You have a standard 12″ or 14″ rough-in and want a slightly lower, more fluid modern profile
- Your bathroom has a minimalist or transitional design that benefits from a toilet that blends in
- You’re choosing between this and a TOTO Drake and want to stay in the Nexus one-piece family
Buy the TOTO Legato if…
- Your bathroom has a 10″ rough-in — the Legato is the only option between these two in that case
- You prefer a bolder, taller toilet with a more assertive contemporary design statement
- You want the same TOTO engineering but slightly more installation flexibility across different home configurations
FAQ
Is the TOTO Nexus or TOTO Legato better for a WASHLET bidet seat?
Both are equally capable — they share the same T40 WASHLET®+ compatible system with the same concealed cord channel for a clean install.
The choice of seat matters far more than the toilet here: models like the TOTO S5 and S7 represent the current generation, while the S7A adds auto-open/close lid functionality.
For a full breakdown of which seat pairs best with your budget, see our bidet toilet seat comparison chart.
What is the main difference between the TOTO Nexus and Legato?
The biggest functional difference is rough-in flexibility: the Legato adapts to 10″, 12″, and 14″ rough-ins, while the Nexus only covers 12″ and 14″.
Design-wise, the Legato is taller and has a bolder contemporary look; the Nexus is slightly lower with a more fluid, understated modern profile.
Both use the identical flush system, surface protection, seat, and WASHLET®+ integration.
Are the TOTO Nexus and Legato ADA compliant?
Yes — both toilets feature TOTO’s Universal Height bowl (16-1/8″ rim height) and are fully ADA compliant, making them suitable for users across all ages and mobility levels.
If you’re specifically shopping for senior-friendly bathroom options, also check out our guide to the best bidets for seniors, which pairs well with either of these toilets.
Can I upgrade the TOTO Nexus or Legato to a full smart toilet system later?
Yes — both toilets are designed with future WASHLET®+ upgrades in mind.
Adding a heated bidet seat like the TOTO S7A transforms either toilet into a near-integrated smart toilet experience, with the cord and supply line hidden inside the bowl channel for a completely seamless look.
For the full integrated smart toilet experience without a second install step, consider the TOTO Neorest lineup instead.
Conclusion
If you have a 10″ rough-in or you love a bold, tall contemporary toilet design, the TOTO Legato is the clearer choice between these two.
If you have a standard 12″ rough-in and prefer a slightly lower, more fluid modern silhouette, the TOTO Nexus is an equally excellent toilet that won’t let you down.
Either way, you’re getting TOTO’s best one-piece flushing technology, CEFIONTECT® protection, and a fully WASHLET®+ ready platform — which means your toilet is already set up for a bidet seat upgrade the moment you’re ready for it.
Still comparing other TOTO toilet options?
Check out our TOTO Drake vs Nexus comparison and our full best toilets with bidet roundup for more context on how these models sit within the broader TOTO lineup.
