If you’re comparing the TOTO Nexus vs UltraMax II, you’re looking at two of the most popular one-piece toilets in the brand’s lineup — and the differences go deeper than the design.
This breakdown covers every key distinction so you can pick the right toilet for your bathroom without second-guessing yourself.
| Feature | TOTO Nexus (MS642124CEFG) | TOTO UltraMax II (MS604124CEFG) |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
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| Dimensions (D × W × H) | 28-5/8″ × 17-1/2″ × 27″ | 28-3/8″ × 16-5/8″ × 30″ |
| Design Style | Fully skirted (concealed trapway) | Traditional (exposed trapway) |
| Flush System | TORNADO FLUSH® — 1.28 GPF | TORNADO FLUSH® — 1.28 GPF |
| Bowl Coating | CEFIONTECT® ceramic glaze | CEFIONTECT® ceramic glaze |
| Seat Height | Universal Height (ADA compliant) | Universal Height (ADA compliant) |
| WASHLET+ Ready | Yes — T40 compatible | Yes — T40 compatible |
| Trip Lever | Left-hand only (chrome) | Left or right-hand options |
| Buy Now |  |
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1. TOTO Nexus One-Piece Elongated Toilet (MS642124CEFG)
The TOTO Nexus is the brand’s sleekest standard one-piece toilet — a fully skirted design that conceals the trapway completely for a smooth, unbroken profile from every angle.
It’s built for bathrooms where aesthetics matter as much as performance, and it pairs beautifully with a WASHLET bidet seat for a seamless upgrade.
Features
- Fully skirted, concealed-trapway one-piece design
- TORNADO FLUSH® with dual nozzles for powerful centrifugal rinsing
- CEFIONTECT® ceramic glaze for a stain-resistant, ultra-smooth bowl surface
- Universal Height — comfortable for a wide range of users and ADA compliant
- WASHLET+ T40 ready with a bowl channel to conceal supply line and power cord
- Auto Flush compatible (with WASHLET upgrade)
- SoftClose seat (SS124) included
- 12″ rough-in standard; 14″ adapter available separately
Pros
- Fully skirted design is the cleanest-looking standard toilet TOTO makes at this tier
- Lower overall profile (27″ height) fits better under certain medicine cabinets or window placements
- No trapway ridges or crevices to clean on the exterior — wipe-down maintenance is effortless
- Available in four color options: Cotton White, Bone, Colonial White, Sedona Beige
- WASHLET+ cord concealment channel makes bidet upgrades look fully integrated
Cons
- Left-hand chrome trip lever only — no right-hand option for this skirted model
- Skirted base can require extra care during professional installation (access to base hardware is more limited)
- No Ebony color option with CEFIONTECT glaze
Check its current price on Amazon
2. TOTO UltraMax II One-Piece Elongated Toilet (MS604124CEFG)
The TOTO UltraMax II is one of the brand’s most established one-piece toilets — a high-profile, elongated model with TOTO’s proven TORNADO FLUSH system and a traditional design that has been a bathroom staple for years.
If you’ve been researching the best toilets with built-in bidet seats, the UltraMax II consistently comes up as one of the most recommended platforms to build on.
Features
- Sleek one-piece elongated design with a high-profile tank
- TORNADO FLUSH® — 1.28 GPF with hole-free rim and dual nozzles
- CEFIONTECT® ceramic glaze preventing particles from adhering to the bowl
- Universal Height — ADA compliant for comfort across all users
- WASHLET+ T40 compatible — concealed cord and supply line channel
- Auto Flush compatible (with WASHLET upgrade)
- SoftClose seat (SS124) included
- Available in both left-hand and right-hand trip lever configurations
Pros
- Available in right-hand lever model (MS604124CEFRG) — ideal for bathrooms where the approach is from the right
- Higher tank profile (30″ overall) gives a classic, substantial look many buyers prefer
- Trap access during installation is straightforward — no skirted base limiting clearance
- Slightly narrower at 16-5/8″ — can be helpful in tighter bathroom layouts
- One of the most widely stocked TOTO models — readily available from multiple retailers
Cons
- Exposed trapway requires cleaning around the curves and ridges behind the bowl
- Taller 30″ overall height may not fit under low-profile windows or wall-mounted accessories
- Traditional look won’t suit bathrooms aiming for a fully modern or European aesthetic
Check its current price on Amazon
Design and Aesthetics
This is where the two toilets part ways most dramatically, and it’s the first question you should settle before anything else.
The Nexus has a fully skirted design — the trapway is completely hidden behind smooth ceramic from the base up.
Looking at it from any angle, you see one unbroken surface with no exposed plumbing or curves to work around.
If you’re building or remodeling a bathroom with a contemporary aesthetic, the Nexus is the clear choice — it looks much closer to what you’d see in high-end European or Japanese bathroom design.
The UltraMax II has a traditional one-piece silhouette with the trapway visible on the exterior.
It’s still a sleek toilet by any standard — far cleaner-looking than a standard two-piece — but there are contours on the base that require more attention to clean thoroughly.
It carries a taller, more classic profile with a prominent high-profile tank that suits bathrooms leaning traditional or transitional in style.
For more context on how design elements factor into TOTO toilet choices, our TOTO AP vs EP wall-hung comparison digs into a similar skirted vs sculptured design debate at the premium tier.
Winner: Nexus — for modern bathrooms, the skirted design and lower profile are simply more refined and easier to keep clean.
Flushing Performance
Both the Nexus and UltraMax II use TOTO’s flagship TORNADO FLUSH® system — a rim-free design with dual nozzles that create a centrifugal, 360-degree rinsing action through the bowl.
Water spirals rather than falling straight down, which means every inch of the bowl surface gets coverage with every single flush.
Both flush at 1.28 GPF, meeting EPA WaterSense standards — a genuine water-saver compared to older 1.6 GPF toilets without any trade-off in power.
Both also include TOTO’s CEFIONTECT® ceramic glaze, which fills the microscopic pores in the vitreous china to create a surface so smooth that waste simply has nowhere to grip.
Paired with TORNADO FLUSH, this means fewer cleaning sessions and less chemical use over the toilet’s lifetime — and it’s one of the main reasons TOTO dominates every highest-rated bidet toilet roundup.
In real-world flushing performance, there is no meaningful difference between these two models whatsoever.
Winner: Tie — identical TORNADO FLUSH technology and CEFIONTECT ceramic glaze across both models.
Dimensions and Fit
Both toilets are elongated one-piece models designed for a standard 12″ rough-in, and their depth is nearly identical at roughly 28-3/8″ to 28-5/8″.
But there are height and width differences worth knowing before you measure your bathroom space.
The Nexus is 27″ tall overall — notably lower than the UltraMax II’s 30″ height.
That 3-inch difference matters if you have a window sill, a towel bar, or a wall-mounted accessory positioned close to the back of the toilet tank.
The Nexus is also slightly wider at 17-1/2″ vs the UltraMax II’s 16-5/8″ — a small distinction, but worth noting if you’re fitting the toilet into a particularly narrow alcove or between two walls.
The UltraMax II’s additional height lives entirely in the tank profile, which gives it that classic, substantial presence but may create clearance issues in low-overhead installations.
If your bathroom has any height constraints above the tank area, the Nexus is the safer, more versatile fit.
Both are available in a 14″ rough-in adapter configuration, and both are fully ADA and WaterSense certified.
For a broader exploration of how TOTO one-piece toilets compare across the lineup, our TOTO Aimes vs Aquia IV comparison is a great companion read.
Winner: Nexus — the lower profile is more versatile for bathrooms with any height restrictions behind the toilet.
WASHLET Compatibility and Installation
Both the Nexus and the UltraMax II support TOTO’s T40 WASHLET+ system, which features a channel molded into the bowl rim to conceal the bidet seat’s power cord and water supply hose.
If you pair either toilet with a compatible TOTO WASHLET — like the WASHLET S5 or S7 — the result looks almost like an integrated smart toilet, with no visible wires or hoses along the side of the bowl.
Both are also Auto Flush compatible, meaning you can add a hands-free flush sensor when upgrading to a compatible WASHLET seat.
Installation for either model is a standard two-person job — one-piece toilets are heavier than two-piece units, so having a second set of hands is important for lifting.
The one real difference here is that the UltraMax II is easier to service post-installation — its traditional base means access to the trapway and base hardware is completely unobstructed.
The Nexus’s skirted design, while stunning, can make accessing internal plumbing hardware slightly trickier if issues ever arise after installation.
If you’re also exploring what WASHLET seat to pair with either toilet, our best bidets for existing toilets guide covers the full range of compatible options at every price point.
Winner: Tie for WASHLET compatibility — UltraMax II has a slight practical edge for long-term service access.
Color Options and Lever Configuration
Both toilets are available in Cotton White, Bone, Colonial White, and Sedona Beige with CEFIONTECT glaze.
If you’re uncertain which white finish fits your existing fixtures, our TOTO Colonial White vs Cotton White guide gives you the full side-by-side breakdown.
The UltraMax II also offers an Ebony (matte black) option without CEFIONTECT, and critically, it is available in both left-hand and right-hand trip lever configurations.
The Nexus, by contrast, is left-hand only — a real limitation if your bathroom layout places the approach from the right side of the toilet.
If lever position matters to your specific layout, the UltraMax II has an unambiguous advantage here.
Winner: UltraMax II — more color flexibility and the only option for a right-hand trip lever.
Verdict — Which One Should You Buy?
These are both exceptional TOTO toilets that will serve you reliably for decades.
The flushing performance, CEFIONTECT coating, Universal Height, and WASHLET+ compatibility are identical — so the decision comes down entirely to design priorities and your specific bathroom situation.
Buy the TOTO Nexus if… you want the cleanest, most modern-looking toilet in this class, you have a contemporary or minimalist bathroom, you prefer a lower-profile tank, or effortless day-to-day cleaning is a top priority.
It’s the obvious pick if you’re also planning to pair the toilet with a WASHLET bidet seat and want the whole setup to look like a single seamless fixture.
Buy the TOTO UltraMax II if… you need a right-hand trip lever, you prefer the classic high-tank profile, you want a slightly narrower toilet footprint, or you value easy service access after installation.
It’s also the better pick for buyers who prefer a traditional aesthetic, or who want the Ebony color option.
For more context on TOTO’s toilet lineup, check our TOTO Drake vs Nexus vs Aquia IV three-way breakdown and the TOTO Drake II vs UltraMax II comparison as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TOTO Nexus or UltraMax II better for pairing with a WASHLET bidet seat?
Both are equally capable — they use the same T40 WASHLET+ cord concealment system, so either toilet gives you a clean, cord-free look when paired with a compatible TOTO WASHLET. For seat recommendations at different price points, our bidet toilet seat comparison chart covers the full TOTO lineup and beyond.
Does the skirted design on the Nexus cause any installation problems?
Generally, no — standard installation follows the same process as any one-piece toilet. The skirted base does limit access to the trapway area after installation, so if your home has a history of plumbing issues behind the toilet, factor that in. Both models require a standard 12″ rough-in and are manageable for two people with basic tools.
Which toilet is better for a small bathroom?
They’re nearly identical in depth, so floor space is not a major differentiator. The Nexus is slightly wider (17-1/2″ vs 16-5/8″) but significantly shorter (27″ vs 30″). If you have overhead clearance constraints, the Nexus wins. If you need to minimize side-to-side width, the UltraMax II has a slight edge. For bathrooms with very limited space, our TOTO wall-hung toilet guide covers options that save up to 9 inches of floor space.
Do both toilets come with a seat included?
Yes — both the Nexus and UltraMax II include TOTO’s SS124 SoftClose seat in the box. If you’re planning to add a WASHLET bidet seat, you’ll replace that standard seat with the WASHLET seat of your choice. Our best bidets for home use guide is a great starting point for finding the right seat to pair with either toilet.
Conclusion
The TOTO Nexus and UltraMax II are two of the most dependable one-piece toilets TOTO makes — and either one is a meaningful upgrade over a standard two-piece toilet.
They share the same flushing engine, ceramic protection, WASHLET+ integration, and ADA-compliant seating comfort.
Where they differ is in personality: the Nexus is modern, sculptural, and maintenance-friendly with its skirted base and lower profile; the UltraMax II is a proven classic with broader installation flexibility and lever options.
For most buyers upgrading a contemporary bathroom — especially those planning to add a WASHLET bidet seat — the Nexus is the stronger choice.
But if your bathroom has a more traditional aesthetic, you need a right-hand lever, or you simply prefer the classic high-tank look, the UltraMax II delivers everything you need without compromise.
Still exploring your options? Our highest-rated bidet toilet guide covers integrated smart toilet alternatives for buyers ready to go beyond a standard toilet-plus-seat setup.
