TOTO Neorest AC Review – 4 Awe Inspiring Features

TOTO Neorest AC Washlet (Wall Hung Intelligent Toilet) Review

TOTO Neorest AC Washlet

TOTO Neorest AC Washlet – The Mother Of All Wall Hung Toilets

Finally, an intelligent toilet has taken off the floor, literally. The TOTO Neorest AC washlet is nothing short of revolutionary. And, at a time when Americans are shifting the paradigm in their toileting habits and bathroom aesthetic.

So, is it going to be like the way of the smartphones as we know it? Can we expect a “Samsung” equal to kill the “Apple” monopoly?

Honestly, who cares. What’s more pressing for you is, how does this Neorest AC toilet pair up with its predecessor, the Neorest 750H, in features. And most important of all, how much is it going to cost?

Let’s pry into the mysteries one by one for your reading pleasure. Or perhaps, for your buying decision later.

The Neorest AC wall hung toilet is not available on American soil just yet. Well, probably in mid-2017. But that’s just a timing being thrown around during the CES 2017.

NOTE: It’s a long post buddy. So please use the Table of Content and anchor for your easy browsing.

A Levitating TOTO Neorest 750H?

TOTO Neorest AC & Neorest 750H
One glance at the features of this TOTO Neorest AC Washlet, instinctively you would think of the Neorest 750H. Besides not being a floor mount toilet, most of the features are similar. The only difference perhaps is that one is a washlet while the other is a true-blue tankless toilet.

But it is safe to call the Neorest AC a wall-hung toilet since the bowl can’t be without the washlet and vice versa. You can never find another washlet (even within TOTO) or toilet seat that will fit the rectangular bowl.

So call it a floating Neorest 750H if you like since the washlet has all the same features as the 750H. But despite the similarities, the Neorest AC wall hung toilet has some advantages over the floor mount 750H.

Let’s get on with the features first before exploring the benefits of this Neorest AC washlet against the floor mounted Neorest 750H.

TOTO Neorest AC Washlet Versus Neorest 750H Toilet Features

FeaturesNeorest AC WashletNeorest 750H
Actilight
HYDROTECT Coating
eWater+
Premist
Tornado Flushing
Manual Flushing**
Comfort Height**
Elongated Bowl**
Rimless Bowl
Tank
Standard Features

As you can see, there isn’t much of a difference between the Neorest AC and 750H feature wise. The only difference is the presence of a concealed tank on the wall hung Neorest AC toilet.

If you have been reading up on wall-hung toilets, you should know how it works and the installation method. This TOTO Neorest AC wall hung toilet adopts the same in-wall carrier system like any wall hung toilets. The frame structure support and provide water and power supply for the bowl and washlet. (More on the in-wall carrier system later)

So in essence, if you take away the washlet it will be like another wall-hung toilet with an HYDROTECT Coating bowl. Which, the coating is pretty much useless without the Actilight function coming from the washlet.

TOTO integrated a UV light in the seat lid that is activated when the lid is closed. Once the UV light hits the HYDROTECT’s titanium dioxide coating on the toilet’s bowl, photocatalysis occurs, accelerating the decomposition of all organic substances in the bowl.

The other differences are subtle, but the Neorest AC washlet gets the better of it. So let’s have a look at the advantage this Neorest AC has over the 750H floor mount model.

4 Distinct Advantage Of Neorest AC Washlet Over Neorest 750H

A wall mount toilet has the no-footprint advantage, obviously. Besides providing the easy-to-clean benefit and aesthetic, the most significant good it offers is the shorter depth (front to back). This Neorest AC washlet has a depth of only 26-1/2″, measuring from the tip of the washlet seat lid to the back wall. Perfect for a small bathroom with narrow width or depth. A space saving toilet no doubt.

Whereas the TOTO Neorest 750H has a depth of 31-7/16″, and that’s not including the clearance gap between the wall and the back of the toilet.

So, Advantage No. 1 – This TOTO Neorest AC Washlet Toilet Can Save Precious Bathroom Real Estate.

Neorest AC vs Neorest 750H - Depth Comparison
TOTO Neorest AC Washlet vs Neorest 750H

Advantage No. 2 – This Neorest AC Wall Hung Toilet Can Still Flush Normally Without Power Supply.

And why is this an advantage when you have paid for all the ingenious features just to flush normally?

You will appreciate how you can still do a flush without the need to open up any cover, make some adjustment and only to pull a flush once during a power failure.

Neorest AC Washlet
Image Originally From gb.toto.com
Unlike the Neorest 750H, this wall mounted Neorest toilet has the in-wall tank with a dual flushing mechanism. Through the dual button push-plate on the wall, you can initiate a full or partial flush as many times as you like (as long as the water supply doesn’t fail). Just like a regular wall-hung gravity flush toilet.

Way better than the manual flush of the Neorest 750H, which is only a contingency backup when the power supply fails. And to access the flush lever, you need to open up the back cover and follow some steps to pull a flush. That’s assuming you remember the steps from the last read of the owner’s manual. Or, are you going to permanently paste the instruction on the wall of your designer bathroom?

Comfort Height Or Not You Decide

Advantage No. 3 is the seating height setting. Unlike the floor mount toilet, wall hung gives you the freedom to decide after your purchase. So you won’t have to fight with your spouse before hitting the buy button.

This Neorest wall hung toilet can be set to the maximum 19″ seat height or below 17″ for a regular height. But you can’t change it after the installation is done, as in all sealed up behind the wall. Unless you seriously regretted your decision and don’t mind the mess of re-setting the height. It’s still an option there mind you.

Unlike the floor-mounted Neorest 750H, like it or not it’s comfort height all the way. Not negotiable.

Advantage No. 4 is About Finer Aesthetics & Sitting Comfort

Though this has nothing to do with the product performance, it carries more weight than some of the working features. And it better be since you are going to pay a bomb for a toilet.

Willie Nelson famous quote

This TOTO Neorest AC Washlet certainly has the style, for the fact it’s a wall hung toilet and its performance will make you sing.

Its beauty can be felt from within with its intelligent functions. And the exterior is enriching with a large and stylish rectangular bowl with a curve front. A clear break away from the boring elongated oval shape mantra. The guys will appreciate the extra space offered by the curve to accommodate their unique body part.

Neorest AC Bowl Dimension - Top View
Neorest AC Bowl Dimension – Top View
The bowl width of the Neorest AC washlet is 16-5/8″, over 2 inches wider than a standard wall-hung bowl (like the Aquia). The wider seat provides 70% more seating area than regular toilet seats. And the depth is a nice 26-1/2″, a generous 5 inches longer than a typical wall-hung bowl.

So as it seems, the bowl dimensions are designed to provide the luxurious feel instead of the squeezy narrow bowl of a regular compact toilet. And, despite being shorter in depth compared to the Neorest 750H, there is no compromise on sitting comfort.

And just like the Neorest 750H, this TOTO Neorest AC toilet spot a Tornado Flushing System. Which means, the bowl is rimless. So dirt, mold, and whatever filth will have no place to hide. And the CeFIONtect bowl surface will always keep the bowl clean and shiny.

The overall feel is sure to bring out your refined taste for a bathroom, as the Neorest AC washlet will blend seamlessly with any contemporary or modern bathroom design. Enhancing the level of aesthetics you desire.

Laser Focus On Hygiene

With an unwavering focus on hygiene and the environment, TOTO has been relentless in pursuing breakthroughs in cleaning technology that is both efficient and eco-friendly.

As evident from its latest Neorest AC washlet and Neorest 750H tankless toilet, which, both features the Actilight and eWater+ technology. The eWater+ alone is a potent disinfectant which is now a standard feature in all of TOTO Neorest line of smart toilets.

And now with the introduction of Actilight, TOTO has taken toilet hygiene to a whole new level. In the battle against invisible microorganism, Actilight plays a significant role in total sanitization.

With a third component, a unique hydrophilic zirconium coating (HYDROTECT) on the bowl surface when exposed to the UV light (Actilight) triggers a photocatalytic process. When combining with eWater+ during after-misting, activated oxygen is produced. This combination of light, water, and oxygen is an effective decontaminant that breaks down any micro waste and bacteria which stayed on after a flush.

This photocatalytic process takes place after every flush. When the lid is closed, After-mist starts then followed by the UV lamp lights up. And when the toilet is not in use for about 10 hours, the process begins again.

The result is a (really) clean bowl always ready for the next user.

Feature Terms Explained

  • Actilight is TOTO’s patented UV light technology which is integrated into the washlet lid. Actilight is only available on TOTO Neorest AC Washlet and Neorest 750H tankless toilet.
  • eWater+ is electrolyzed water produced by the electrolysis of ordinary tap water containing dissolved sodium chloride. The electrolysis of such salt solutions produces a solution of hypochlorous acid and sodium hydroxide. The resulting water is a known cleanser and disinfectant. EWater+ is used for Pre-Misting, After-Misting and wand cleaning.
  • HYDROTECT is a unique self-cleaning protective coating (zirconium) for materials such as ceramic. When exposed to ultraviolet light, the hydrophilic zirconium coated surface triggers a process that breaks down all organic substances on the surface. This feature is available only on TOTO Neorest AC Washlet and Neorest 750H tankless toilet.
  • Pre-Mist or PreMist is a mist of eWater+ sprayed onto the bowl surface before use. This film of eWater+ over the CeFiONtect glaze helps eliminate dirt and waste 80% better with each flush.
  • After-Mist or AfterMist is a mist of eWater+ sprayed onto the bowl surface after every flush. Its role in the photocatalytic process is to produce the activated oxygen that disintegrates organic deposits.

Signature TOTO Neorest Features

The feature-rich Neorest AC wall hung toilet inherits the trait of TOTO’s hallmark features in its line of intelligent water closets. However, some of the features will need confirmation pending its official launch in the United States.

The flush volume of this TOTO AC Washlet is 1.28 GPF for a full flush and a partial flush of 0.9 GPF. As water saving is a key element for the US market, a WaterSense certification is not an option. Otherwise, they will be missing opportunities in the state of California, Colorado, Georgia, and Texas which mandates the maximum flushing capacity should not more than 1.28 GPF.

TOTO Neorest AC Washlet Features Overview
TOTO Neorest AC Washlet Features
Basic FunctionsCleansingRear cleansing
Rear soft cleansing
Front cleansing
Washing modeWand position adjustment
Water pressure adjustment
Oscillating cleansing
Pulsating cleansing
Personal setting lock
DryingWarm air drying
TemperatureTemperature adjustment for water, air & seat
Washing Spray Temperature: 86ºF/30ºC to 104ºF/40ºC (5 level)
Drying Air Temperature: 95ºF/35ºC to 130ºF/55ºC (5 level)
Seat Warming Temperature: 82ºF/28ºC to 97ºF/36ºC (5 level)
Sanitary FunctionseWater+ sanitizingAuto wand cleaning
Auto bowl cleaning
MistingPreMist & AfterMist
Bowl hygienePhotocatalyst cleaning
(Actilight + HYDROTECT + eWater+)
Odor removalDeodorizer
Operation FeaturesFlushingTornado Flushing System
Dual flush (Full/Partial flush)
1.28 GPF/4.8 LPF & 0.9 GPF/3.4 LPF
Dual Flush Button (manual flush)
Remote control flushing
Auto flushing
Opening & ClosingOpen/Close toilet seat with remote control
Auto Open/Close (lid)
LightingSoft night-light
Toilet seat heatingHeated seat
Energy savingEnergy saving timer
Auto energy saver
BowlFinishCeFIONtect glaze
DesignRimless with 3 internal water channels
MaterialCeramic
Dimensions16-1/8″ (H) x 16-5/8″ (W) x 26-9/16″ (D)
In-wall Carrier SystemPending update
PowerPower Rating120 VAC 60Hz, 1300W (Pending update)

The In-Wall Tank Unit

The entire system includes the WT174M in-wall tank unit and carrier. The hidden framework that holds the tank and bowl. And depending on your selection of wall stud size (2″ x 4″ or 2″ x 6″), they come with a waste outlet kit respectively.

Neorest AC In-wall Tank Unit

And if you are just starting to look into installing a wall hung toilet, the usual concern you may have – How much weight can it hold?

The in-wall frame can hold up to 880 lbs. That’s more than enough capacity to worry about the bowl giving way to your weight. But that will also depend on the wall which must be more than capable of supporting the maximum load. This is the reason why you should engage experienced hands to do the entire installation for you. Unless you are the expert yourself.

Another feature of the in-wall carrier is the flexibility to choose the bowl height of 15 to 19 inches, which is measured from the floor to the top of the bowl rim. If you are a six-footer or an elderly person, you can fix the bowl to a maximum of 19-inch high for easier access. That will give you a 20-inch seat height.

The WT174M tank unit also comes with a set of flush plates for the Dual-Max flushing system and provisions for auto-flush function. It is also pre-plumbed for Washlet connection to save time on installation. Most of all, the seamless one-piece blow-molded polyethylene tank offers no leaks with insulation to prevent sweating. This simply means, once it is installed you will never have to worry about leaks or condensation resulting from the tank, for life.

Neorest AC Wall Hung Toilet

What Are The Disadvantage(s)?

Among the biggest drawbacks associated with a wall hung toilet is the cost. And more so with this Neorest AC wall hung crapper. Estimate to cost more than the 750H (over $10000) is not going down well for the faint-hearted.

But there’s a cheaper version if you like the Neorest features so much. And TOTO seems to know your pain by offering a non-Actilight version which goes at half the price of this Neorest AC washlet (more on this later). After all, there are no such thing as Actilight in this world until now and coming only from TOTO.

Like all smart toilets, this Neorest crapper has a huge appetite for electricity. With a power rating of around 1300 watts, that’s enough power to light up 100 light bulbs all at the same time. But don’t worry, you are not going to light up those bulbs all the time. There’s the energy saving function remember?

And during a power failure, you can forget all about the wonderful features that require electricity. Fortunately, you can still do the flushing manually and remember to keep some toilet rolls within reach.

This Neorest AC toilet is electronics heavy, so if any of the electronic parts act up on you, no plumbers can save your day except the dudes at TOTO.

Is It Easy To Install?

Yes, it is. That’s when you’ve got a professional to do up the entire in-wall setup for you, including the drain pipes and electrical wiring. All you do is to hang up the bowl with the washlet and hook up the power and water supply. Easy peasy.

No, it isn’t.

Do not attempt to try and install this TOTO Neorest AC wall hung toilet all by yourself. Unless you are a plumbing, electrical and structural all-in-one specialist. Even if you are, why would you? Nobody is going to believe you are trying to save a thousand bucks on installation anyway after you have paid over $10000 for a toilet.

Unless you absolutely know and love what you are doing, hiring professionals is not an option.

Where to Buy TOTO Neorest AC Washlet In the USA And What’s The Price?

Now that’s a ten thousand dollars question. Be hopeful that it will be available in mid-2017 according to hearsay. And for now, the best place to check the availability of this Neorest AC washlet is none other than totousa.com or call Toll Free: 1-888-295-8134, Direct: (770) 282-8686.

Typically, wall hung toilets are more expensive than the floor mounted models. So price wise, expect to cost more than the Neorest 750H model.

Until there is more information available, this post shall be updated accordingly.

Competition From KOHLER?

Just when the buzz about TOTO new Neorest AC wall hung toilet is heating up during CES 2017, KOHLER has ‘quietly’ launched a new wall hung model of its signature Veil intelligent toilet. While still fresh from the oven, it will be interesting to see how the two match up against each other.

Neorest AC vs KOHLER Veil

But before you jump straight to the comparison table, you should be introduced to the other TOTO Neorest model.

As mentioned earlier, TOTO has a lower cost version of its Neorest AC washlet, the Neorest EW, which has similar features except without the Actilight. So instead of the photocatalytic cleaning of the bowl, the Neorest EW uses only eWater+ for bowl sanitization.

So how does KOHLER’s Veil fare against the Neorest AC & Neorest EW?

TOTO Neorest AC & Neorest EW Versus KOHLER Veil K-5402-0

FeaturesNeorest ACNeorest EWKOHLER
Veil K-5402-0
Rear & Front
Cleansing
Wand Position
Adjustment
Water Pressure
Adjustment
Oscillating &
Pulsating Mode
Warm Air Drying
Temperature
Adjustment
Auto Wand
Cleaning
Wand Cleaning
with Electrolyzed
Water

(And UV light)
Bowl Misting
Bowl Sanitizing with Photocatalysis with eWater+
Odor Control
(Deodorizer)
Dual Flushing
Flush Volume1.28 GPF/4.8 LPF &
0.8GPF/3.0 LPF
1.28 GPF/4.8 LPF &
0.8GPF/3.0 LPF
1.6 GPF/6.0 LPF &
0.8GPF/3.0 LPF
Remote Control
Flushing
Auto Flushing
Auto Open/Close
Lid
Night Light
Bowl GlazeCeFIONtectCeFIONtectConventional
Bowl ShapeSquare ElongatedSquare ElongatedOval Elongated
Bowl Width X
Depth
16-5/8″ x 26-9/16″16-5/8″ x 26-9/16″16-3/4″ x 25-3/8″
CostEst. over $10kEst. around $5kList Price $5,400

From the comparison, it looks like KOHLER Veil K-5402-0 has most of what TOTO Neorest AC & EW has to offer. Except it doesn’t do bowl sanitizing nor PreMisting/AfterMisting, and its water consumption is higher at 1.6 GPF.

And just like the Neorest, the new Veil wall-hung toilet bowl is rimless. So you can expect a similar swirl during a flush. But with its conventional bowl glaze is it going to have the same cleaning efficiency as the CeFIONtect glaze of TOTO? Assuming it does, TOTO will still have the advantage of bowl sanitizing to ensure even the invisible waste gets eradicated.

Then, comes aesthetic. Which bowl shape appeals more to you? Square or oval? Or rather, the overall feel. KOHLER certainly has all the curves which, honestly, is sexy. 😉

Finally, the cost of TOTO Neorest AC washlet is nowhere near the new KOHLER Veil intelligent wall-hung toilet. Perhaps it’s only fair to compare the Veil with TOTO Neorest EW washlet which is expected to cost half of the Neorest AC model.

2 Comments

  1. TOTO USA has posted a price of $12000 USD as of 08/12/2017.

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