The smart toilet category at the flagship end is dominated by two products, the Kohler Numi 2.0 and the Toto Neorest (specifically the NX2 and AH2 models). Both are priced at 7000 to 12000 dollars, both require a dedicated 120 volt electrical circuit, both deliver heated seat, bidet wash, dryer, deodorizer, and smart controls. The choice between them comes down to bidet design, seat ergonomics, and the integration with the broader bathroom plan. This guide compares the two flagships on the specs and the daily-use details that actually decide the purchase.
What both toilets do
Both the Numi 2.0 and the Neorest are full-feature smart toilets with the following:
A heated seat with adjustable temperature (typically 80 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit). A retractable bidet wand with multiple positions and spray patterns. A warm air dryer (typically 80 to 105 degrees, used after the bidet wash). A deodorizer (carbon filter that pulls air through the bowl during use). An automatic open and close seat and lid (the seat opens when the user approaches, closes when they leave). An LED night light. A self-cleaning wand cycle. A high-efficiency flush rated 1.0 gallons per flush (low) and 1.0 to 1.4 (full).
The differences are in the execution of each feature rather than the feature list.
Bidet wash design
The Toto Neorest uses the e-water+ system that pre-mists the bowl before use, which reduces residue and odor. The bidet wand has three position adjustments (forward, center, back) and three spray patterns (front wash, rear wash, oscillating). Water temperature ramps in 3 to 5 seconds from ambient to setpoint. The wand is fully retractable into a sealed housing and runs a self-clean cycle on retraction.
The Kohler Numi 2.0 has a similar bidet wand with two position adjustments and two spray patterns. Water temperature ramps in 6 to 9 seconds. The wand retracts but the housing is slightly less sealed than the Toto, which means more wand-area cleaning is occasionally needed.
For users where the bidet is the primary purchase driver, the Toto delivers a more refined wash. The Kohler is competent but not as well-tuned.
Seat design and ergonomics
The Kohler Numi 2.0 has a wider, more contoured seat with a noticeable lumbar curve and a slightly higher seat height (17 inches). Larger users and users who sit for longer sessions consistently report the Numi seat is more comfortable.
The Toto Neorest has a slightly narrower seat with less contour and a standard 16 inch seat height. The seat is well made but more conventional in shape.
For households with users above 6 feet or larger frames, the Numi is the more ergonomic choice. For average-sized users either seat is comfortable.
Flush mechanism and water use
The Toto Neorest uses Toto’s Tornado flush, which is a cyclone-pattern flush from two opposing nozzles in the rim. The flush is quiet and effective at clearing the bowl with the 0.8 to 1.0 gpf water volume.
The Kohler Numi 2.0 uses Kohler’s AquaPiston flush, which is a center-fed flush with a wider trapway. Slightly louder than the Toto Tornado but with a stronger initial clearing pulse, useful for difficult clears.
Both flush systems meet EPA WaterSense and are MaP-rated above 800 grams (the maximum waste clearance test, where 350 grams is the minimum passing score). Either toilet handles typical residential use without clogging.
Smart features and app control
The Kohler Numi 2.0 integrates with Kohler Konnect and Amazon Alexa for voice control. Standard voice commands include flush, raise seat, lower seat, turn on night light, adjust temperature. The integration is genuinely useful for hands-free operation.
The Toto Neorest has a remote control (a wall-mounted or handheld panel) but limited smart home integration. No native Alexa or Google Home support as of 2026. Users who want voice control will be happier with the Numi.
Both have ambient lighting in the bowl (the Numi with adjustable colors via the app, the Toto with a fixed soft blue).
Cost comparison
Kohler Numi 2.0: 6900 to 8500 dollars MSRP, often discounted to 6200 to 7500 dollars at major plumbing showrooms.
Toto Neorest NX2: 7800 to 10500 dollars MSRP, typically discounted to 7000 to 9500.
Toto Neorest AH2: 6800 to 8200 dollars MSRP, often discounted to 6000 to 7500.
For comparable feature sets, the Numi 2.0 and the Neorest AH2 are essentially price-matched. The Neorest NX2 is the premium option with the most refined wash and the highest finish quality.
Install requirements
Both toilets need a 120 volt 15 amp GFCI outlet within 36 inches of the toilet on a dedicated circuit. The outlet position is specified in the install manual and must be planned during rough-in.
Rough-in dimension: the Numi 2.0 requires a 14 inch rough-in (distance from finished wall to drain center). The Neorest uses a 12 inch rough-in. If the existing rough-in is the wrong dimension, an offset flange can adjust the position but adds 100 to 300 dollars to the install.
Both are floor-mounted (not wall-hung). Floor-mounted is the easier install and reuses the existing drain configuration.
Water supply: standard 1/2 inch shutoff valve with a 1/4 inch supply line, identical to a standard toilet.
Reliability and service
Both manufacturers have established service networks in the US. Kohler and Toto both honor multi-year warranties on the porcelain (lifetime), the seat mechanism (5 years), and the electronics (1 to 2 years).
The main long-term wear point is the bidet wand mechanism. Both manufacturers offer wand replacement at 200 to 400 dollars in parts, plus 100 to 250 in service labor if not DIY.
Power outage behavior: the Toto Neorest has a 5-second pulse battery that allows one emergency flush during a power outage. The Kohler Numi has no equivalent. Households in areas with frequent outages or with critical bathroom availability should weigh this.
Picking between them
For users primarily buying for the bidet experience: Toto Neorest, especially the NX2. The wash is more refined and the pre-mist makes a daily difference.
For users primarily buying for the seat comfort and the smart home integration: Kohler Numi 2.0. The wider seat fits more bodies and the Alexa integration is genuinely useful.
For users where price matters and the bidet is the priority: Toto Neorest AH2, which delivers most of the NX2 experience at the Numi price point.
For users where price matters and ergonomics is the priority: Kohler Numi 2.0.
For users who do not need the full flagship feature set, both manufacturers make less expensive bidet seats (the Toto Washlet S550e at 1500 to 2000 dollars, the Kohler C3-455 at 1000 to 1500) that retrofit onto a standard toilet and capture most of the bidet experience at a fraction of the cost.
For broader bathroom planning see the brass vs nickel vs chrome fixtures decision guide and the marble vs tile shower surround comparison. Methodology at /methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Do smart toilets really need their own electrical circuit?+
Yes, dedicated. Both the Kohler Numi and the Toto Neorest need a 120 volt 15 amp GFCI outlet within 36 inches of the toilet, on a dedicated circuit (not shared with vanity lights or a bath fan). The dedicated circuit prevents nuisance trips when the heater, the dryer, and the seat warmer all draw simultaneously. The outlet location must be planned during rough-in because retrofitting an outlet behind a wall-mounted toilet is invasive. Both manufacturers publish exact outlet position specs (typically 6 to 8 inches above the floor, 6 to 12 inches to the left or right of the toilet centerline).
Which has a better bidet wash, Kohler or Toto?+
Toto, by a meaningful margin for most users. The Toto Neorest uses a fully retractable wand with three position adjustments and three spray patterns, and the wash temperature ramps up faster (3 to 5 seconds vs 6 to 9 on the Numi). The Toto pre-mist system also dampens the bowl before use which reduces residue. The Kohler Numi 2.0 has a competent bidet but the spray feels slightly less directed and the wand cleaning cycle is shorter. For users buying primarily for the bidet feature, the Toto is the better choice. For users buying primarily for the seat design and the night lighting, the Kohler Numi is competitive.
How much does it cost to install a smart toilet?+
The toilet itself runs 7000 to 12000 dollars depending on model and finish. Install adds 600 to 2500 dollars. The base install (replacing an existing standard toilet, reusing the existing rough-in) runs 600 to 1000. Adding the required electrical outlet and dedicated circuit if not already present adds 400 to 1200. Adjusting the rough-in dimension to match the smart toilet specification (the Numi uses a 14 inch rough-in, the Neorest 12 inch) adds 300 to 800 if the existing rough-in is wrong. Total installed cost typically lands at 8000 to 14000 dollars.
Will a smart toilet save water compared to a standard toilet?+
Yes, modestly. The Kohler Numi 2.0 uses 1.0 gallons per flush (gpf) for the low flush and 1.4 gpf for the full flush. The Toto Neorest uses 0.8 gpf low and 1.0 gpf full. A standard modern toilet uses 1.28 gpf (the federal high-efficiency standard). Over a year of use in a 2-person household (roughly 5000 flushes), the smart toilet saves 500 to 1500 gallons compared to a standard, which is 5 to 15 dollars in most water markets. The water savings do not pay back the smart toilet premium. Buy these toilets for the bidet, seat warming, and convenience features, not for water savings.
Are smart toilets reliable long term?+
Both the Numi and the Neorest have established service histories. The wand mechanisms (which are the main wear point) typically last 8 to 12 years before requiring service. The heated seat and dryer have similar lifespans. The flush mechanism is essentially identical to a standard high-efficiency toilet and lasts the lifetime of the porcelain. The biggest reliability risk for both is power loss in the bathroom, neither toilet flushes manually with the electronics powered down (the Toto has a 5-second backup pulse for one emergency flush, the Numi does not). Households in areas with frequent power outages should plan accordingly.
Priya Sharma
Priya Sharma writes for The Tested Hub.