Kohler Gleam One-Piece Compact-Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet

The Kohler Gleam positioning

The Gleam (K-31633) is Kohler's newer (2021 introduction) contemporary one-piece — designed to compete with the TOTO Nexus and Swiss Madison Concorde in the modern-designer one-piece segment under $600. At $380-$540, the Gleam delivers AquaPiston canister flush + skirted-trapway styling + compact-elongated bowl + included SoftClose seat — a comprehensive feature set that Kohler hadn't previously offered at this price point.

For buyers comparing Gleam vs Maxton ($330-$480) within Kohler's one-piece lineup: the Gleam adds compact-elongated bowl shape (17.5" vs Maxton's full elongated 18.5"), making it the right choice for space-constrained bathrooms. Maxton is the better choice when full-elongated comfort is preferred. Both share AquaPiston canister + skirted-trapway styling + Class Five hydraulic engineering.

What the Gleam adds vs Maxton

• Compact-elongated bowl (17.5") vs Maxton's full elongated (18.5") — fits tighter bathrooms by 1 inch of floor depth
• Slightly more refined contemporary curves through the bowl-to-tank transition
• Newer design language — Gleam is the newer Kohler one-piece (2021); Maxton has been in the lineup since 2017
• Same SoftClose seat included — Brevia compact-elongated

What the Maxton has that Gleam doesn't

• Full elongated bowl for households with space
• Longer track record (Maxton has been in production since 2017 with more reliability data)
• Broader retail availability at Home Depot and Lowes
• Slightly lower price floor ($330 vs Gleam's $380)

The variant matrix

What's in the box

• One-piece bowl + tank molded as single porcelain unit (~108 lbs)
• Pre-installed AquaPiston canister flush valve
• Chrome trip lever (front-mount)
• Kohler Brevia SoftClose compact-elongated seat included
• Wax ring NOT included — buy separately ($5-10)
• Concealed mounting hardware
• Installation manual

Install requirements and procedure

• Rough-in: 12 inches (standard).
• Weight: ~108 lbs as single unit — two-person install recommended.
• Skirted-trapway floor considerations: floor flange must be at or below finished-floor level. Skirted base sits low.
• Wax ring with horn recommended for centered seal.
• Concealed mounting hardware — bolts pass through internal channels, not visible bowl-side holes.
• Floor must be flat — out-of-level floor can crack porcelain during install.

Install procedure (90 minutes, two people)

1. Remove existing toilet. Scrape wax ring. Inspect floor flange — verify at finished-floor level.
2. If floor isn't perfectly flat, apply Korky setting compound ($6) for level seating surface.
3. Install new wax ring on flange.
4. Two people: lift Gleam straight down onto wax ring. Press straight down with no twisting.
5. Use the supplied concealed mounting hardware to anchor bowl to flange (bolts pass through internal channels).
6. Reconnect supply line to bottom of tank.
7. Open shutoff valve. Test flush several times.
8. Verify Brevia SoftClose seat is properly attached.

What owners report (2-5 year ownership — Gleam is newer)

• The contemporary aesthetic is the buying reason. Owners specifically choose Gleam over Cimarron for the modern silhouette.
• The compact-elongated bowl fit smaller bathrooms where full-elongated wouldn't.
• AquaPiston canister flush is quiet and effective. MaP 800g (same as Maxton, Memoirs, Cimarron AquaPiston).
• Included Brevia SoftClose seat is the value add — saves $45-$75 separate purchase.
• Limited long-term data — Gleam has only been in market since 2021, so 10-year reliability is still being established. Early signs are positive.
• Less broadly stocked than Cimarron/Maxton — may require special-order at some retailers.

Where Gleam wins vs competitors

The verdict

Buy Gleam if:

• You want contemporary one-piece Kohler in a compact-elongated bowl shape
• Bathroom is space-constrained (apartment, condo, smaller home)
• You value the included SoftClose seat and AquaPiston canister at sub-$500
• You prefer Kohler over Swiss Madison / Woodbridge value tier

Skip Gleam and choose Maxton if:

• Bathroom has space for full-elongated bowl (Maxton is the equivalent)
• You want longer track record (Maxton has more reliability data)

Warranty

Kohler Gleam residential warranty: 1 year on tank trim, lifetime on porcelain, 5-year on AquaPiston canister. Brevia SoftClose seat: 1 year. Standard Kohler customer service.

Pricing reality (2026)

Gleam K-31633-0 (White): $380-$460. Home Depot: $419-$479. Lowes: $389-$449. Build.com: $359-$429. Biscuit/Almond +$40-$80. Black Black +$80-$160 (special-order).