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.
| Brand | Type | Holder/Caddy | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Top Top Top Top | Neiko | Flange | No | Check Price and Availability |
 Top Top Top Top | simplehuman | Flange | Yes | Check Price and Availability |
 Top Top Top Top | Kleen Freak | Flange | Yes | Check Price and Availability |
Top Top Top Top Top | OXO | Flange | Yes | Check Price and Availability |
 Top Top Top Top | Korky | Accordian | No | Check Price and Availability |
A Closer Look At The Best Plunger For Toilets
1. OXO Good Grips Toilet Plunger with Caddy
- Simply lift the Plunger and the canister automatically springs open
- The Plunger head is designed to work on all toilets, including low-flush
- Long handle provides leverage and keeps hands away from water
- After use, simply replace the Plunger in the canister for neat and sanitary storage
- A built-in drip tray catches excess water and allows it to evaporate
- Extended canister neck for one-handed transport
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
- 5-Year Warranty - We use the best materials and solid engineering so our products will last in tough environments like your home for years
- Drip-Free Design: A unique magnetic collar secures the cover to the plungers stainless-steel rod so you can pick them up and carry them together-without drips
- Easy to Detach: The covers large opening makes the plunger easy to detach; It also hides the plunger discreetly out of sight when not in use
- Efficient Plunging: The plunger flange has a long and narrow profile specially designed to work more efficiently with modern toilets
- Stainless Steel Rod: Durable, high-quality stainless steel rod stands up to vigorous use
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
- GERM GUARD PROTECTION RESISTS BACTERIA BUILDUP- provides defence against odor causing bacteria, mold and mildew to protect the product.
- MESS-FREE PLUNGER – The innovative design keeps the plunger flange in place plus prevents toilet water from collecting inside the cup, creating a mess-free experience. Works on both standard and high-efficiency toilets.
- EASILY UNCLOG TOILETS – The Kleen Freak is a heavy-duty toilet plunger, featuring a high-grade rubber cup with tiered ridges. It forms an ultra-tight seal on any size toilet bowl, removing even the most stubborn blockage with minimal effort.
- PACK OF 2 – Includes 2 white and blue plungers with plastic handles
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
- POWERFUL PLUNGE: This toilet plunger is the first plunger designed to fit old & new HET toilet bowls & the beehive shape allows for an effective plunge to unclog toilets. The t-handle provides an optimum grip.
- UNCLOG TOILETS: Heavy duty bathroom plunger perfectly fits in toilet bowl outlets to create the perfect plunge for all toilet models & shapes. The beehive shape easily compresses with minimal effort.
- THE UNVERSAL PLUNGER is made of durable rubber that doesnt mark up your toilet bowl. Unlike old standard toilet plungers, this plunger works with older low flow toilets & newer elongated designs.
- WHY KORKY: Our high quality toilet products are universal & specific to both older & modern toilet models. Our repair parts are easy to install & made exclusively from long lasting chlorazone red rubber.
- Fits all toilets including American Standard, Kohler and TOTO
- Shape seals better, requiring less effort
- Made of non-marking rubber
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
- Unique 4-step heavy duty graduated suction cup fits securely in all different types and sizes of toilet drain openings
- Light weight, rustproof, and mold resistant aluminum handle with peg hole for convenient hanging
- Super pliable and durable rubber cup creates an ultra tight seal around the drain from all angles for commercial or residential use
- Special cup design never flips back and gets stuck like other comparative plungers
- Smooth edge and bottom design without interior ridges prevents toilet water from remaining inside cup
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
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.
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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