Spec-by-Spec Comparison
Specification
Niagara
American Standard
Price
Check current price
Check current price
Rating
—
—
Upc
C11.101.01
—
Glaze
Standard ceramic
Standard ceramic (EverClean optional)
Design
Standard two-piece, value-tier Niagara
Two-piece compact-elongated, apartment-spec workhorse
Map Score
800
800
Bowl Shape
Elongated
Compact Elongated
Flush Type
Standard Gravity (3-inch flush valve)
FloWise Gravity (3-inch flush valve)
Watersense
1
1
Ada Compliant
1
1
Height Inches
16.5
16.5
Warranty Years
5
1
Rough In Inches
12
12
Gallons Per Flush
1.28
1.28
Warranty Porcelain
Lifetime
Lifetime
Detailed Comparison
Budget-tier cross-brand match: Liberty ($180-220) vs Cadet 3 Compact ($175-195). Both 1.28 GPF, both elongated bowl shapes, both 12" rough-in. The Liberty uses gravity flushing with a Niagara-engineered larger flush valve. The Cadet 3 uses American Standard's 4" flapper with EverClean glaze. Real-world flush performance is comparable. The Cadet 3 has stronger dealer presence (Home Depot, Lowes, plumbing supply) and broader replacement-part availability. The Liberty is sold primarily through Niagara direct and online channels.
Final Verdict
We recommend the American Standard Cadet 3 for buyers who value retail availability and broader part support. The Niagara Liberty is the smarter pick for buyers prioritizing water-efficiency credentials and willing to accept narrower dealer support.
Choose Niagara if...
You prefer Niagara's strengths and feature set.
Buy Niagara — Check current priceChoose American Standard if...
You prefer American Standard's strengths and feature set.
Buy American Standard — Check current pricePros & Cons Side-by-Side
Niagara Liberty 1.28 GPF Two-Piece Elongated Toilet
Pros
- Lowest-priced Niagara at $170-$230
- WaterSense 1.28 GPF certified — rebate-eligible
- Comfort Height (16.5") + elongated bowl
- Standard 3-inch flush valve — universal Korky/Fluidmaster parts fit
- MaP 800g — solid waste-clearance performance
- No proprietary vacuum mechanism — simpler service
- Good for older homes with partial drain obstructions (more flush volume than Stealth)
- Niagara brand pedigree at value-tier price
Cons
- NOT WaterSense Most Efficient (only standard WaterSense)
- Lower rebate amount than Stealth Sabre in most utility programs
- Standard ceramic glaze
- SoftClose seat NOT included
- Less interesting brand story than Stealth ultra-low-flow line
- Limited retail availability vs Cadet 3 or Cimarron
American Standard Cadet 3 Compact-Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet
Pros
- Compact-elongated bowl (17.5") fits smaller bathrooms
- Same FloWise flush mechanism as standard Cadet 3 — MaP 800g
- AmStd brand confidence at sub-$300
- WaterSense 1.28 GPF certified
- Comfort Height (16.5") + compact-elongated bowl
- Universal aftermarket parts
- Stocked at most Home Depot and Lowes
- $20-$30 cheaper than Edgemere with same compact-elongated bowl
Cons
- Standard ceramic glaze (no EverClean upgrade on base SKU)
- SoftClose seat NOT included
- Comfort Height (16.5") vs Edgemere's Right Height (17.25") — 0.75" lower seat
- Compact-elongated may feel small for taller adult users
- Less broadly distributed than standard Cadet 3 (full elongated)