Horow's Color Catalog: Lean and Variable
Horow's color strategy reflects its position as a value-tier Chinese import: minimize SKU complexity, run high-volume on Glossy White, and offer Matte Black intermittently on the flagship models when factory capacity allows. Unlike Swiss Madison (which keeps three finishes actively stocked across multiple models) or American Standard (which runs four colors across its entire catalog), Horow effectively offers White as the only reliably-stocked finish, with Matte Black as a periodic premium option. Buyers who specifically need a black toilet should verify Amazon availability before committing, because Horow Matte Black SKUs frequently go back-ordered for 6–10 weeks during high-demand periods.
Glossy White: The Universal Default
Every Horow toilet ships in Glossy White as the base configuration — HWMT-8731, HWMT-8835, HWMT-8821, HWMT-8819 Square, HWMT-8745 Compact, and the smart variants. The brand's white runs slightly cooler than Woodbridge's and warmer than Swiss Madison's — call it a neutral white, neither clinical nor creamy. The glaze quality is acceptable: occasional minor pinholing visible under raking light, but no visible defects in normal bathroom lighting. Glaze pairs cleanly with chrome and brushed nickel fixtures, neutral with matte black accents. It pairs less well with warm-toned brass or oil-rubbed bronze — the white reads slightly cool against warm metals.
Matte Black: Available, But Verify Stock Before Buying
Matte Black is Horow's premium finish play, available on HWMT-8731 and HWMT-8835 (the two flagship one-pieces) and select smart toilet variants. Pricing runs $80–$150 above white on the same model — a HWMT-8731 Matte Black runs $429–$499 vs. $279–$369 for white. The finish itself is a fired-in matte glaze (not coating), comparable to Swiss Madison's matte black in look and durability. The visible difference is texture: Horow's matte tends to read slightly grainier than Swiss Madison's, with very minor surface variation visible under direct light. In normal bathroom lighting, indistinguishable.
Stock reality: Horow Matte Black goes in and out of Amazon inventory unpredictably. As of mid-2026, the HWMT-8731 Matte Black has been back-ordered intermittently with 4-8 week delays. If your renovation timeline is fixed, do not plan around Horow Matte Black availability — order the unit in hand before scheduling the plumber. Swiss Madison Calice Matte Black is the more reliable substitute if you need a guaranteed in-stock matte black option.
Discontinued: Bone, Biscuit, Almond
Horow ran limited Bone and Biscuit runs through 2022 on the HWMT-8731 and HWMT-8835, but discontinued both finishes as of 2024. The catalog has standardized on White + Matte Black only. If you need Bone or Biscuit to match existing fixtures, your options are: American Standard (still actively producing both), Mansfield (still producing Bone), Kohler Almond/Biscuit (premium pricing, but actively stocked). Don't waste time searching for current-production Horow Bone.
Smart Toilet Color Options
Horow's smart toilet line — typically priced $799–$1,299 — ships in Glossy White by default with no current Matte Black option in active inventory. If you want a Matte Black smart toilet under $1,500, Woodbridge BTS-80 Matte Black is your only realistic choice in this price tier. TOTO and Kohler matte black smart toilets start at $4,200+.
Finish Care Rules (Important for Matte Black Buyers)
- Glossy White: any standard porcelain cleaner — Lysol Toilet Bowl, Clorox, Soft Scrub with Bleach. Bleach soaks fine. Pumice stone safe for mineral deposit removal. Steel wool will scratch — avoid.
- Matte Black: non-abrasive only. Method Antibac, Mrs. Meyer's, Bon Ami (gently). Avoid Comet, Ajax, Bar Keepers Friend powders. Limit bleach contact to 5 minutes maximum — extended bleach dwell will dull matte finish. No pumice — it leaves permanent glossy spots. Use microfiber cloth + dish soap for routine cleaning.
- Both finishes: wipe water spots on the rim and seat hinge immediately. Mineral deposits etch into glaze over time, and the etching is most visible on matte finishes where the texture amplifies any glaze inconsistency.
Matching Existing Bathroom Fixtures
If you're trying to match an existing toilet color in a renovation:
- Matching Kohler White or Cotton White: Horow Glossy White is acceptable — slight cool-warm shift, but within tolerance for most observers
- Matching TOTO Colonial White: Horow runs cooler — visible difference side-by-side. Use TOTO Drake II if exact match matters.
- Matching American Standard White: Horow Glossy White is a close visual match
- Matching any Bone, Biscuit, or Almond: Horow cannot match. Look at American Standard, Mansfield, or Kohler.
- Matching Swiss Madison or Woodbridge Matte Black: Horow Matte Black is functionally identical — fired-in matte glaze from comparable Chinese OEM sources
Resale and Renovation Practicality
At Horow's $279–$499 price tier, color is a low-stakes decision. Glossy White is the safe universal default that 95% of buyers and 100% of flip properties should choose. Matte Black is a legitimate design choice for personal-preference renovations with 5+ year ownership horizons. The finish itself holds up under normal use; the buying friction is the back-order availability, not the finish quality. If you have time to wait and a fixed aesthetic in mind, Matte Black works. If you need a toilet in hand within two weeks, Glossy White every time.