Spec-by-Spec Comparison
Specification
Kohler
American Standard
Price
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Check current price
Rating
—
—
Glaze
Standard ceramic
EverClean (optional on -EC variant)
Map Score
800
800
Bowl Shape
Elongated
Elongated
Flush Type
Class Five (Gravity)
FloWise Gravity (3-inch flush valve)
Watersense
1
1
Ada Compliant
1
1
Height Inches
16.5
16.5
Warranty Years
1
1
Rough In Inches
12
12
Gallons Per Flush
1.28
1.28
Warranty Porcelain
Lifetime
Lifetime
Design
—
Two-piece elongated, 3-inch flush valve
Detailed Comparison
Value-tier cross-brand match: Highline Classic ($280-320) vs Cadet 3 FloWise ($175-195). Both gravity flush, both 1.28 GPF, both 1,000g MaP, both two-piece elongated. The Cadet 3 has the larger trapway (2-1/8" vs 2") and includes American Standard's EverClean glaze, which the base Highline doesn't feature (only the premium Kohler tiers do). The Highline's strength is brand consistency — if you're buying a Kohler sink and tub, matching the toilet to the same brand creates visual harmony. The Cadet 3 wins on pure spec value, with extra dollars going to spend on a better seat or other upgrades.
Final Verdict
We recommend the American Standard Cadet 3 FloWise for the strongest value pick in the under-$250 category — better trapway design and EverClean glaze for nearly $100 less. The Kohler Highline wins on brand consistency if you're matching to other Kohler fixtures.
Choose American Standard if...
You prefer American Standard's strengths and feature set.
Buy American Standard — Check current pricePros & Cons Side-by-Side
Kohler Highline Classic Two-Piece Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet
Pros
- Lowest-priced Kohler residential ($180-$280)
- Class Five flush — 800g MaP score
- Comfort Height (16.5") — adult-friendly
- Universal parts ecosystem (Korky/Fluidmaster fit)
- Stocked at every Home Depot and Lowes
- ADA-compliant when paired with chair-height seat
- 1.28 GPF — WaterSense certified
Cons
- Standard ceramic glaze (no Pure-Clean)
- Soft-close seat NOT included
- Class Five flush is less refined than AquaPiston (Memoirs, Adair, Maxton)
- Bowl height 16.5" is lower than newer comfort-height standards (17.25"+)
American Standard Cadet 3 FloWise Two-Piece Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet
Pros
- Volume mid-tier AmStd — most-spec'd AmStd in US residential
- 3-inch flush valve — strong gravity flush at moderate price
- WaterSense 1.28 GPF certified
- Universal aftermarket parts (Korky/Fluidmaster fit)
- EverClean glaze available on -EC variants
- Comfort Height (16.5") + elongated bowl
- Stocked at every Home Depot, Lowes, Menards in US
- AmStd brand confidence at value-mid price
Cons
- Standard ceramic glaze on base SKU (EverClean upgrade is +$30-$50)
- SoftClose seat NOT included
- MaP 800g (below Champion 4 at 1,000g+)
- 3-inch flapper instead of 2-inch — slightly more expensive replacement
- No skirted trapway