American Standard H2Option vs Champion 4: Which Is Better?

Which one should you buy

The H2Option is the water-saving pick; the Champion 4 is the simplicity pick. The H2Option is a dual flush toilet, so you choose a reduced flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste. The Champion 4 is a single flush toilet, so every flush uses the same volume. Toilets are the main source of indoor water use in an average home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of indoor consumption, and the EPA says replacing old inefficient toilets can reduce water used for toilets by 20 to 60 percent. If you will use the light flush when it fits, the H2Option has the edge on water. If you want one lever and no choices, the Champion 4 is the simpler buy. See our best dual flush toilets and best single flush toilets roundups to compare both families.

Both are American Standard toilet families, so the real difference is the flush mechanism, not build quality or materials. Design improvements now let toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less while still providing equal or superior performance, which is 20 percent less than the current federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flush. That means an efficient single flush model and a dual flush model can meet the same efficiency target; the dual flush simply adds extra savings on the flushes that happen most often.

What the H2Option dual flush does

The H2Option toilet family uses a dual flush design with two flush options. The EPA describes the reduced flush as a mode that uses a smaller volume of water to remove liquid waste, while the full flush handles solid waste. Because liquid waste flushes are the most common in a household, the reduced flush is the one you will likely use most, and that is where the savings come from. For more detail, see how dual flush toilets work.

The full flush still has to clear solid waste and toilet paper, and the EPA notes that a labeled dual flush toilet can save even more water than a single flush model when you use the reduced mode for liquids. The caveat is habit: the reduced flush only saves water if you actually select it. If the smaller flush is used for everything, a dual flush toilet effectively behaves like a low-volume single flush toilet. Compare the approaches in single vs dual flush toilets.

What the Champion 4 single flush does

The Champion 4 toilet family uses a single flush design: each flush delivers the same volume, with no mode selection. A single flush toilet can still be a WaterSense labeled model at 1.28 gallons per flush or less, which is 20 percent below the federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flush. If you want a specific efficiency target, start with the best 1.28 GPF toilets.

With a single flush, every flush uses the same water, whether the waste is liquid or solid. That makes usage predictable and the controls simple, which many buyers prefer. The tradeoff is that you never get the smaller liquid flush that a dual flush toilet can provide. The practical difference is covered in dual flush vs single flush water use.

Performance and certification requirements

Both flush types are relevant to the EPA WaterSense program, which certifies toilets that use 1.28 gallons per flush or less and meet specific performance criteria. The EPA says WaterSense labeled toilets are independently certified to meet criteria for both performance and efficiency, and that despite using less water, today's labeled toilets far outperform older models from the 1980s and 1990s. The WaterSense label, part of the EPA's WaterSense program, identifies water-efficient products.

The EPA lists several performance requirements for labeled tank-type toilets: mixed testing media flushability, bowl surface cleaning, drainline waste transport, and waste extraction using soybean paste and toilet paper. These criteria apply regardless of whether the toilet has a dual flush or single flush mechanism. So when you see a WaterSense label on either an H2Option or a Champion 4, it means the model has met those independent tests. For a deeper look, see WaterSense toilet certification.

Water use comparison

The EPA's WaterSense specification has set a maximum flush volume of 1.28 gallons for both single flush toilets and the full flush mode of dual flush toilets. For dual flush toilets, a reduced flush mode uses a smaller volume to remove liquid waste. The exact reduced volume varies by model, but the point is that each flush is at or below the federal standard of 1.6 gallons.

According to the EPA, toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption. Replacing older inefficient toilets with WaterSense labeled models can reduce water used for toilets by 20 to 60 percent, saving nearly 13,000 gallons per year for the average family. This means that if you have an older toilet, either an H2Option or a Champion 4 will be a substantial improvement; the H2Option simply offers an extra way to save on the most frequent flushes.

If you want to focus purely on water economy, the best 1.2 to 1.4 GPF toilets and best dual flush toilets are the categories to browse. For a single flush with a strict efficiency target, best 1.28 GPF toilets is the right guide.

Which family meets your needs

If you live in a household with multiple people, the H2Option dual flush can save more water because liquid flushes tend to dominate. The EPA specifically notes that opting for a WaterSense labeled dual flush toilet can save even more water by choosing the reduced flush mode for liquid waste. If you want that flexibility and you are comfortable with a two-button or two-lever control, the H2Option is the better choice for water efficiency.

If you prefer a toilet with one control that behaves the same every time, the Champion 4 single flush is the easier choice. It still meets WaterSense efficiency when it is a 1.28 GPF model, and it avoids the habit question of whether you will remember to use the light flush. If you are replacing an old toilet, either family will reduce water use dramatically: the EPA says replacing old inefficient toilets can cut water used for toilets by 20 to 60 percent.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Which American Standard toilet saves more water: the H2Option or the Champion 4?

The H2Option can save more water because it is a dual flush toilet. You can select a reduced flush for liquid waste, which uses a smaller volume than the full flush. The Champion 4 uses the same flush volume every time, so it cannot adjust to the lighter load.

Are both the H2Option and Champion 4 available as WaterSense labeled toilets?

Yes, individual models in each family can earn the WaterSense label when they use 1.28 gallons per flush or less and pass the EPA's independent performance tests. Check the specific model's label or spec sheet to confirm certification.

Is the Champion 4 flush stronger than the H2Option flush?

The EPA's WaterSense performance criteria apply to both single and dual flush toilets, covering waste extraction, bowl cleaning, and drainline transport. A certified Champion 4 or H2Option model will have met the same minimum performance tests, so strength should be comparable when both are certified.

Which toilet is easier to use: the H2Option or the Champion 4?

The Champion 4 is easier because it has a single flush control; you do not have to decide which flush strength to use. The H2Option requires you to choose the reduced or full flush, which some users appreciate for saving water and others find unnecessary.

Does the H2Option full flush use more water than a Champion 4's flush?

No. Under the current WaterSense specification, the full flush of a dual flush toilet and the flush of a single flush toilet both have the same maximum of 1.28 gallons per flush. The dual flush's reduced flush uses less, which is where the additional savings come from.

Can I use the H2Option's reduced flush for solid waste?

You could, but the reduced flush is designed for liquid waste, and the EPA says it uses a smaller volume to remove liquid waste. For solid waste, you should use the full flush to ensure waste and toilet paper are cleared thoroughly and to avoid double flushing.