If your car needs an engine to run, your toilet needs a toilet fill valve to function. It can be terrible if your toilet tank does not refill itself. Hence, purchase the best toilet fill valve to avoid putting yourself in unpleasant circumstances. Although small in size, it has a crucial role in the functioning of a toilet tank. A leaky or overflowing cistern indicates it is time to change the fill valve. Although there is no shortage of fill valves in the market, choosing the right fill valve is crucial. Read on to know more about the various types of toilet fill valves and pick the right product from this comprehensive list.
Types Of Toilet Fill Valves
Ballcock toilet fill valves
The ballcock fill valve is one of the oldest types of toilet fill valves. This vintage-style fill valve consists of a ball and rod design. The ball or balloon is made up of either plastic or thin metal and goes up and down depending upon the water level inside the cistern. As soon as the ball is pushed upwards, indicating that the toilet tank is full, the fill valve stops taking in water. While these work well, they are large, heavy, and based on old technology.
Float cup toilet fill valves
This is an improvement in design over the tried and tested old-fashioned ball and rod fill valve. It is designed to fit numerous types of gravity-flush toilets that are floor-mounted. These float cup-type flush valves are a replacement for ballcock fill valves. Instead of a heavy, large ball, this system incorporates a float cup that drops along with a drop in the water level. As soon as the water level in the tank lowers, the float cup drops, signaling the fill valve to refill the water in the tank. As the water level rises to the predetermined shutoff level, the float cup also rises and signals the fill valve to shut off the water supply.
Pressure-activated and anti-siphon valves
This style of fill valve is quite different from both the ballcock and float cup designs. While it looks quite similar to gravity-fed fill valves, it deviates from them, in that it doesn’t have a cup or balloon to control the filling of water in the toilet tank. These fill valves are generally small in size and sit at the bottom of the tank. However, once spoilt, they need to be replaced. Anti-siphon valves are pressure-activated fill valves that prevent water from being sucked back into the water supply when there is low water pressure.
Dual-flush fill mechanics
These fill valves are quite similar to standard fill valves with the main difference being that they come with a switch that allows dual operation. In simple terms, these fill valves have a switch that allows one to alternate between a full flush and a half flush. This is beneficial in saving water during situations that may not require a full flush. Do bear in mind that standard toilets with a single flush will not support dual flush fill valves. Since you’ve taken the time to orient yourself with the different types of fill valves, it’s time that you have a look at our list of the 11 best toilet fill valves.
11 Best Toilet Fill Valves
1. Best Quick Installation:Korky 528 QuietFill Toilet Fill Valve
The new and improved technology implemented by Korky replaces old and slow toilet fill valves that not only take time to fill but are also worn down and ineffective. This plastic fill valve has been designed to easily fit both 1 and 2-piece toilets. It is a quick solution to leaky and running cisterns and also fills large cisterns in no time. Owing to its user-friendly design and accessories included for setup, this fill valve has emerged as a popular choice among consumers. The company has slapped a 5-year warranty on this product. Have a look at this video to learn more about the product. Pros
Quiet operation Easy installation Universal fit An innovative twist-lock adjustment
Cons
It may not be suitable for use where the water is extremely cold.
2. Best Adjustable Height:Kohler Silent Fill Toilet Valve Kit
This toilet flush valve with genuine Kohler parts is designed for smooth operation. It fits all Kohler class 5 toilets and is crafted from hard plastic. You can now replace your old fill valve with an OEM Kohler part for exceptional product performance. The cap comes in 5 smart colors like black, silver, white, red, and blue. It is important to keep in mind the shank color and model number while purchasing the fill valve. The silent fill feature allows the cistern to fill without any noise. To avoid scratches on the well-designed superior quality plastic, use soft material or sponge to clean the surface. This replacement kit comes with a fill hose, valves, inserts, and assembly hardware. Here is an informative video that tells you more about the product. Pros
Adjustable height Easy installation Water-saving Quick filling
Cons
Might get clogged with sediments
3. Best Universal Fill Valve:TOTO Adjustable Toilet Fill Valve
The TOTO assembly fill valve boasts a robust exterior that is made from high-quality plastic. It has a cutting ring inlet connection and a G-connector for an outlet connection. With its adjustable height and compact layout, it fits many toilet tanks. The height of the fill valve can be set between 7.75 inches and 13.5 inches in any TOTO cistern. This toilet valve replacement set includes a cone washer with a nut, refill tube, clamp, and valve. For more information about the product, click this video. Pros
DIY installation Flexible height Universal fill valve Standard inlet connection
Cons
May not refill the tank very quickly
4. Best Single Flush:Danco 80816 Toilet Tank Fill Valve
Restoration of a leaky or old toilet tank is made easy with the Danco toilet repair kit. The repair kit consists of a flapper with an adapter, float with a rod, ballcock with refill tube, and spring to install new life into your old cistern. The total height of the brass rod once threaded through the fill valve and float sums to 11.75 inches. The toilet flapper is designed to fit 2-inch toilet flush valves. The overall height of the fill valve is 8.5 inches. This product is available for purchase in 2 shades of white. Pros
Durable plastic design Universal fit Single-flush application Easy installation
Cons
The float rod might be too long for some toilet tank
5. Best Tool-Free Installation:Hibbent Adjustable Universal Fill Valve
The Hibbent toilet fill valve is not only designed to fix leaky or noisy toilets but also to improve the flow of water in the cistern. The easy-to-adjust valve height between 7.8 inches to 13 inches makes it a universal and well-designed plastic fill valve that fits brands like Kohler, Toto, and American Standard toilets. The water level adjustment is a unique feature allowing the levels to range from 4.7-inch to 10.2-inch. Pros
Tool-free installation Universal valve design Prevent wastage of water Inbuilt filter
Cons
The valve may not shut off immediately.
6. Best Quick Refill:Next By Danco HC660 Toilet Flush Valve
Constructed with superior quality acetal and polypropylene, Next by Danco is an advanced fill valve repair kit with an adjustable height of 11 to 13.8 inches. A built-in mini-valve to adjust water levels and an audible alert to notify a leak in the cistern ensure that no water is wasted. Its self-cleaning jets stir up dirt on the tank bed, allowing it to be flushed, keeping the cistern clean. Repairing a tank with this adjustable toilet valve is made easy thanks to its float lock that shuts off the water inside the tank. Pros
Quick refill Automatic tank cleaning Tool-free installation Full flush efficiency
Cons
It may get a little noisy.
7. Best Lightweight:American Standard Fluid Fill Valve
This well-crafted fill valve by American Standard is made of hard plastic that will stand the test of time. The fill valve is relatively lightweight and compact. Owing to its 10-inch height, it will easily fit in small as well as large-sized cisterns. It is designed to refill water in your cistern as quickly as possible without resulting in any leaks. The company bundles with the unit all necessary accessories like the shank washer, refill tube, coupling washer, coupling nuts, refill tube, and refill clips. Pros
Fits most toilets Quick installation High water fill rate Adjustable design
Cons
It may get clogged if there is high mineral content in the water.
8. Best Minimal Noise:Fluidmaster 400H-002 High-Performance Fill Valve
This fill valve by Fluidmaster is a work of sheer brilliance. The fill valve is built from plastic and designed to operate efficiently and effectively while producing minimum noise. The company has ingeniously designed the fill valve with a quick height adjustment between 9 and 14 inches. This makes it easy to fit in almost all cisterns. This fill valve is a perfect replacement for noisy, old, or leaky fill valves. Included with the fill valve are the required accessories for installation and a step-by-step instructional manual. The company provides a 7-year warranty of its Fluidmaster 400H-002 model. Pros
Adjustable water level dials 2x greater bowl refill Powerful flush Universal fit
Cons
Some may find that the quality of the rubber washer is not up to the mark.
9. Best Water-Saving:Cosybreeze 400AH High-Performance Toilet Fill Valve
The Cosybreeze fill valve looks as good as it functions. The build quality of this fill valve is phenomenal because of its ability to withstand debris and sediments. The fill valve fills the toilet tank as soon as the water is released. Thanks to its state-of-the-art design and functionality, it serves as a replacement for fill valves that are outdated and inefficient. The PerforMAX technology incorporated into this flush valve allows the water to flow out of the cistern at a desirable force. To ensure that it fits most cisterns, the company has equipped it with an adjustable height, ranging between 10 inches and 15 inches. Pros
Quick and easy installation 2x greater fill rate Water-saving roller clamp Quiet operation
Cons
Some may find installation slightly tricky.
10. Best Leak-Free Design:RDEXP White Inlet Fill Valve
This water-saving flush valve is ideal for most toilets. This fill valve can control the amount of water flushed into the toilet through a quick switch. Since it fits most cisterns, it is used to easily replace aging or noisy fill valves. The entire body is crafted from hard plastic that is resistant to water stains. This highly functional flush valve is lightweight and compact. Pros
2-piece float Leak-free design Momentary shutoff Easy installation
Cons
It may not be the best fit for a 3-inch toilet bowl.
11. Best Space-Saving:Plumb Pak Anti-Siphon Toilet Valve
The flush valve by Plumb Pak is designed to fit standard 2-piece toilets. Its compact size makes it a replacement for flush valves that are using outdated technology like ballcocks. The plastic shell is connected to the water inlet pipe to allow for continuous and seamless water flow into the cistern. While this may not have all the bells and whistles like other fill valves, it is easy to install, use, and maintain Pros
Space-saving layout Gravity controlled Water level control knob Quiet operation
Cons
The flush pressure might be a little less.
Now that you’ve had a look at our list of the 11 best fill valves, it’s time for the next step. Before choosing one for your toilet tank, you need to know what to keep an eye out for. Lucky for you, we’ve outlined some of the main considerations to bear in mind when choosing a toilet fill valve.
How To Choose The Best Toilet Fill Valve
Type and model
The kind of fill valve that you will need will be determined by the toilet tank you have. Replacing your fill valve includes identifying the old one to know which type of fill valve to purchase. While there are different types of flush valves to choose from, you might be limited by your toilet tank. So, do check carefully before purchasing a toilet fill valve.
Material
While plastic might not always be as durable as metal, when it comes to a flush valve, it is the better choice. Plastic fill valves are more durable than their metal counterparts because they are not subject to rust and corrosion. Corrosion of metal fill valves often leads to leaks and malfunction.
Noise level
There is a considerable amount of noise while emptying and refilling the toilet tank and that can be quite annoying. If noise bothers you to the extent and gets on your nerves, it is advisable to purchase a fill valve that provides quiet operation.
Fill and flush rate
While it may seem like the only factor to consider would be how fast it fills and flush, it isn’t so. The fill valve of the toilet tank depends on the inlet through which the water passes. The inlet of the toilet flush valve should be able to handle the water pressure that the fill valve supports for the valve to be most effective. The flush rate of the fill valve is directly related to the toilet’s flush cycle. You must choose one that matches the flush cycle of your toilet. Most older toilets support a 2-inch flush valve, while most modern ones require a 3 or 4-inch flush valve.
Other features
Some other features to look out for include whether the flush valve has an adjustable height, a switch to change between half and full flush, and ease of installation. Having a fill valve with an adjustable height ensures that the size of your cistern will not prove to be a restriction. Having the ability to switch between half and full flush results in saving water, and a toolless installation will avoid the need for a plumber.
Why Trust MomJunction?
We have compiled this list of the best toilet fill valves while keeping your quality parameters and needs in mind. Numerous websites and products reviews have been analyzed to ensure you are introduced to high-quality toilet fill valves for smoothly functioning toilets. This article provides the necessary details about their features and a buying guide to help you choose the right one.
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