The 5 Best Plungers For Toilets: Never Fear A Clogged Toilet Again

It’s the worst. That sinking feeling you get when you flush the toilet and the water starts to rise in the bowl. How high will it rise? What will you do if it overflows? Why didn’t you stash an emergency stock of rags under the sink? Why is the toilet clogging again?!

The time to think about the best plunger for toilet is before this happens. Being prepared will mean that you never have to fear a clogged toilet again.

Best Plunger For Toilets Comparison Table

The best toilet plunger is obviously the one you (hopefully) have in your hand. While there are ways to unclog a toilet without a plunger, having one tucked behind your toilet is the best insurance against a potentially day-ruining situation.

Let’s plunge right in (groan…) and I’ll straight up say that the OXO plunger is my favorite (and the one that’s behind my own toilet). It has a flexible flange that seals up nicely and a strong handle, but the reason it’s my top pick is because of the caddy. I think a plunger should always be close at hand in a bathroom, but I don’t want to see it all the time! The caddy on the OXO plunger is sleek enough to be seen and yet it opens up quickly when the plunge handle is lifted.

A Closer Look At The Best Plunger For Toilets

1. OXO Good Grips Toilet Plunger with Caddy

This one is a top seller for good reason. A trusted brand, a reliable product, and a great design all combined into a plunger that you can keep in your bathroom and rely on when needed for its primary function.

The flange is flexible, creating a good seal in the toilet drain without scratching the porcelain, and the handle is sturdy and strong to withstand the pressure of pushing on it to create the pressure and suction needed to remove the clog.

And it looks as great as it works. The caddy is sleek and clean looking – so it can sit behind your toilet without being an eyesore.

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2. simplehuman Toilet Plunger and Caddy

This is another great plunger option with a nice looking caddy (it’s also available in black). The flange is flexible enough to fit into even the odd shaped drains that low flow toilets have – these can be difficult to get adequate suction in but this plunger fits nicely.

Once again, the caddy is sleek and clean looking; keep it behind the toilet for quick access when needed.

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3. Kleen Freak Antibacterial Toilet Plunger

With a shorter flange I was concerned that this plunger wouldn’t create a proper seal in the toilet drain. It’s very sturdy though and does sit directly in the drain to create the seal required to plunge effectively.

The ‘Germ Guard Protection’ provides some protection against bacterial contamination but, in reality, a used plunger should be washed thoroughly and allowed to dry in order to really combat the nastiness that lurks in toilets.

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4. Korky Beehive Max Toilet Plunger

This is the plunger you need. As one of the most highly reviewed, and recommended, plungers out there, the Korky Beehive has the power of user testimonials behind it. Its unique design combines the power and suction of an accordion plunger with the superior toilet drain sealing of a flange-style plunger.

The beehive shape is sturdy but also compresses easily to create the force and suction needed to clear the clogged drain. The unique T handle design also contributes to the control the use has when plunging; it allows for a two-handed grip rather than the awkward single hand grip that most plungers require.

Keep it nearby and say good-bye to ever having a clogged toilet again.

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5. Neiko Accordion Toilet Plunger

This plunger marries the best parts of an accordion-style and flange-style plunger. The graduated base ensures that, no matter the size or shape of the toilet drain, the plunger will fit and create a proper seal. These graduations also then form the accordion functioning portion of the plunger.

An aluminum handle keeps the weight of the plunger down while still being very strong to manage the force required to remove the clog from the drain. The aluminum handle is also easier to clean that a traditional wooden handle; important in damp, bacteria-laden environments such as bathrooms.

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3 Types Of Plungers

types of plungers

Toilet plungers can generally be sorted into three categories:

1. Cup (or Sink) Plungers

This is what we all envision when we think of a plunger. Made of rubber (usually red), in a ‘cup’ shape, with a classic wooden handle. These are meant to be used on sinks, not toilets; their flat bottom surface is designed to lay over the flat drain, creating a seal that will allow the plunger to build up the suction necessary to dislodge a clog.

2. Toilet (or Flange) Plungers

A toilet, or flange, plunger initially looks a lot like a cup plunger. The difference is that these plungers have a soft, flexible, ‘flap’ that unfolds from inside the cup creating a narrow extension that will fit into the toilet drain. This allows a seal to be created, which is necessary for a plunger to work.

3. Accordion (or Bellows) Plunger

Accordion plungers have a narrow section at the bottom, much like a flange plunger to fit into the toilet drain. Above this is what can only be described as an accordion-like section; this piece allows the plunger to create even more force as the accordion is compressed.

Best Way To Clear A Clogged Toilet

Using a plunger to clear a clogged toilet is relatively easy. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to an unclogged toilet in no time:

What Is Clogging The Toilet?

The most likely culprit is too much toilet paper, but check with your family members to be sure that no-one dropped a comb in the toilet, or flushed their ‘blanky’ to wash it, or wanted their favorite toy to ‘go for a ride’. If it’s toilet paper then you’re good to go; if it’s something larger that may be lodged in the drain pipe then you may need to remove the toilet to get at it – definitely a bigger job!

Let The Water Level Lower

You can’t plunge a toilet filled with water. It will just sploosh back at you and onto the bathroom floor. Usually the clog isn’t complete and some of the water will drain within a few minutes. If that doesn’t happen, scoop the water out of the toilet bowl to create some room.

Insert The Plunger Into The Drain

Ensure that the flange is fully pulled out and insert the narrow end into the toilet drain at the bottom of the toilet bowl. The goal is for the plunger to create a seal in the drain so that enough pressure and suction an be created.

Plunge

Push down on the plunger handle – gently at first to remove the air from inside – then more forcefully to push the water through the pipe. The lifting of the plunger is just as important as it creates suction on the clog – so pull back up gently but firmly. A few cycles of plunging will usually dislodge the clog and allow the water to drain. If this doesn’t work, then try different cycles of plunging using longer and shorter plunges to work the clog free.

If All Else Fails

Sometimes the clog is too big, or too deep, for a toilet plunger to eliminate. If plunging with even the best plunger for toilet doesn’t work then you may need to use a toilet snake (also called an auger).

A toilet snake works to physically reach the clog and then mechanically break it up to clear the drain. Inserting the flexible metal ‘snake’ into the drain allows the snake to reach the clog. The snake is then rotated (or augered) within the drain to clear away any debris that is clogging the drain.

It’s a simple mechanism that simply works.

RIDGID 59802 K-6 DH Toilet Auger, 6-Foot Toilet Auger Snake with Drop Head to Clear Clogged Toilets with Hard Angles

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Toilet snakes are a little more expensive than plungers but every house should have both a plunger and a snake at hand so that toilet clogs can be managed quickly before any damage is done. The cost of a toilet snake is significantly less than that of calling a plumber or, even worse, having to replace rugs and flooring because a toilet overflowed.

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5 best toilet plungers

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