The 4 Best Toilet Brushes, Tested by BHG

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Our top picks make your least favorite chore less of a pain.

Quincy Bulin is a writer who covers decor, furniture, and fashion.

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Better Homes & Gardens

Cleaning your toilet is far from fun, but the wrong toilet brush can make it downright unbearable (or even impossible). It’s tempting to scoop up the first one you find at your local big box store, but it’s important to do your research.

Sara Aparacio, a home cleaning expert from Homeaglow, says, “The type of toilet and design can be a huge thing to consider when buying a toilet brush. There’s no point in buying a brush with little maneuverability, for example, if your toilet is quite tight or has lots of angles or deep curves.”

We tested 16 toilet brushes on a test toilet in our lab, using a clay face mask to mimic the yucky stuff. Ease of use, maneuverability, durability, ease of cleaning, and value were all evaluated. For more on how we tested toilet brushes, see our testing process below.

This kit has everything you need, including extra heads pre-loaded with cleaner.

Because of the foaminess, the head may drip while transporting the brush to the trash.

An all-in-one solution that comes with extra heads, cleaning solution, and a storage canister, this kit takes convenience to another level. Our favorite feature was the brush’s design: It’s lightweight with a long handle that we found comfortable to hold and maneuver.

Alongside the flat, hexagonal shape of the head, we were able to get high into the rim and reach every other crevice of the toilet as well. The storage canister is also impressive. It has a large compartment for plenty of disposable heads (so you’ll never run out) and a dedicated spot for the handle.

During testing, the canister was also incredibly sturdy—it didn’t fall or even move much when bumped, and it didn’t move at all when the brush was taken out of the container. To attach one of the disposable heads, all you have to do is snap it onto the bottom of the handle.

Though you have to touch the brush head to connect it, contamination isn’t an issue because they’re unused and the handle shouldn’t be dirty. Once in the water, the head—pre-loaded with Clorox cleaner—lathered up well and removed the clay mask almost instantly.

Applying pressure to the head didn’t cause damage to the toilet (or the head itself). The handle was also unaffected. Removing the head simply requires pushing a button near the top of the brush. While it was easy, it could be messy, since the brush head foams up a lot and can get drippy.

Product Details: Shape: Flat | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 4.41 x 4.75 x 15.31 inches | Weight: 0.78 pounds

This brush is completely plastic-free, and the coconut husk heads clean thoroughly and efficiently.

It’s costly, particularly with replacement heads.

On a mission to eliminate plastic at home? With a bamboo handle, coated stainless steel stem, and lemon and tea tree oil-infused coconut husk head, this toilet brush avoids it entirely. Even better, it handles mess just as well as options with plastic bristles—if not better.

During testing, the thin coconut husk head fully removed the clay mask from the bowl, both on the surface and under the rim. All that was left over was a bit of foam and some very small smear marks. Overall, we felt it cleaned better than our plastic-bristle brush.

Cleaning the brush itself was also a breeze—just swirling it into the bucket of water made most of the clay mask come off on its own. The coconut husk heads are disposable, with the unused ones stored in an inset in the base.

To start scrubbing, all you need to do is grab the brush handle from the weighted base (pressing the claw button first), extend the claw, and push it into the top head with solid force. We found that, though the handle is comfortable, it has no contouring, making it feel slippery.

Despite being disposable, we found the heads fairly hardwearing, though we noticed that they shed, leading us to believe they might be less durable and long-lasting than other disposable heads. When you’re ready for a new head, simply push the claw button at the top of the handle.

The primary complaint we had was about the price, which is much higher than other options, especially considering you have to periodically purchase replacement heads. We recommend looking out for a sale.

Product Details: Shape: Flat | Material: Bamboo (handle), stainless steel (stem), and coconut husk (heads) | Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 16 inches | Weight: 1 pound

The head cleaned up everything under the rim and around the bowl, while the hands-free storage container covers it completely.

Because the head and handle are so stiff, it may not be able to clean the S-trap very well.

Cleaners don't have to be fancy to be effective, and this toilet brush is proof. We found it simple to use, clean, and store, and it comes in below the median price for toilet brushes. The tapered head effortlessly fit under the rim and around the toilet bowl, clearing the clay mask with no problem.

Because the plastic bristles and handle are fairly stiff, we had doubts about the brush reaching into the S-trap. One benefit, however, is that it held up to the pressure we applied while cleaning without bending or breaking. A potential con is that the bristles may be hard on porcelain after a number of uses.

The handle on the brush is mostly round, becoming wider and flatter at the top to better fit in the palm of your hand. We found it a little big, though it helped us keep control of the brush. The storage canister covers the head completely, automatically opening as you pull the brush out.

Rinsing off the leftover mud mask only required a quick rinse in the water, and there were no stains in sight. After 24 hours, both the brush and the canister were completely dry and scent-free with no signs of mildew.

Product Details: Shape: Tapered | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 4.5 x 4 x 17 inches | Weight: 0.7 pounds

This scrubber cleaned the mud mask off our test toilet with zero elbow grease required from us.

The storage hook was difficult to mount and may be unsanitary in real life.

For a toilet brush that does all the work for you, this one is your best bet. We didn’t need to apply any pressure in order to completely remove the clay mask, and we found the electric brush more impactful and easily able to get into the nooks and crannies than a manual one.

Even better? It’s a well-priced multi-tasker that comes with three easily interchangeable heads—a flat brush, a round brush, and a tapered brush. We found that the latter was best for cleaning toilets, but noted that the other ones could be used for cleaning grout or a bathtub.

This versatility is made even more convenient by the wide, extendable handle and cordless, rechargeable design. Though the brush is powerful (a firm grip is required!), it didn’t leave any scratches or scuffs during testing.

At the end of the tests, we were able to instantly clean the bristles by dipping them in water, with no odor beyond a strong plastic smell detected. The tested brush heads also weren’t frayed or bent and looked brand new, though they were still ever-so-slightly damp after 24 hours.

The one drawback is that the brush doesn’t come with a storage container. Instead, you receive a grip on a hook that was difficult to figure out how to mount. We were concerned about how sanitary this would be in real life, and might suggest putting the heads into a bag or bin when not in use.

Product Details: Shape: Flat, tapered, and round | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 17 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds

The Clorox Toilet Wand Disposable Cleaning Kit is the best toilet brush for most households. It includes the toilet brush, six disposable heads packed with cleaning solution, and a storage canister. The brush is easy to maneuver, and the hexagonal head reaches every crevice of the toilet.

We first evaluated the sturdiness of the storage canister (where applicable), quickly pulling the toilet brush out, putting it back in, and gently tapping the handle in different directions to mimic bumping into it. We then pushed and pulled the container itself to see how easily it moved from its spot or tipped over.

After inspecting the toilet brush for any special design features, we checked to see if it could scratch the porcelain by applying added pressure from various angles to the exterior bottom of the toilet. From there, we spread ¼ teaspoon of the clay face mask around the bowl and under the rim.

Two minutes later we began cleaning, relying on the wet brush alone unless it had an integrated cleaning solution. We recorded the total runtime for electric models, and tested multiple brush heads where applicable, observing how well they cleaned the mask.

Upon completion, we swished the brush in a bucket of water to remove any residue, gently shaking out the excess before putting it in its container to dry. Disposable heads were discarded in the trash. Finally, after 24 hours, we inspected each toilet brush for odor, mildew, and leftover water.

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Tapered bristle brushes are the most traditional, and Aparacio says they’re usually the cheapest. “However, they must be replaced frequently, as the bristles quickly and easily pick up and trap dirt, bacteria, and odors. They can also struggle to get under the rim or deeper into the S-trap.”

Spiral/frill heads are similar, but use silicone or a similar material like synthetic rubber to provide the scrubbing action, she says.

Bristle-less brushes “are great for cleaning harder-to-reach corners and giving the toilet bowl and rim a deep clean.” However, Aparacio notes that they can struggle to reach the S-trap and are often more expensive, especially ones that use disposable heads.

Relatively new to the market are D-shaped heads. According to Aparacio, “they get under the rim and deeper into the S-trap. Plus, they are often easier to clean, so they don’t need replacing as frequently.” The downside is that they cost more and can break if the handle isn’t good quality or you exert too much force.

The two types of toilet brushes are manual and electric. In general, Aparcaio says, manual brushes are often far cheaper and have more varied designs to suit bathroom styles. Electric brushes “can be incredible time and effort savers for deeper cleaning or frequent cleaning at scale.”

However, they’re often much more expensive and require frequent maintenance and cleaning to keep them in working order. Because of this, she recommends manual brushes for typical day-to-day usage.

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Most toilet brushes use plastic or nylon bristles, though silicone and synthetic rubber are also popular choices. “While plastic is often the cheapest, it degrades and wears down in shorter periods than the more premium silicone or ‘rubber’ heads,” Aparacio says.

“They also trap and become breeding grounds for bacteria and other nasties within the bristles.” Silicone and synthetic rubber are typically more expensive, but the pro is that they offer an easier and more hygienic clean, requiring fewer replacements.

You can also find more eco-friendly versions that use natural materials. “However, these can often become moldy or degrade quite quickly if they aren’t appropriately dried or even come into contact with some chemicals,” finishes Aparacio.

“You can typically count on all toilet brushes to come with a part that scrubs the bowl, a handle, and a tray or holder,” Aparacio says. One feature designed to make cleaning deeper and quicker is having specific “under-rim” scrubbers or bristles at a 45-degree angle.

Cordless, rechargeable electric models that do all the work for you and often come with an adjustable handle and two or more heads so they can multitask.

For those concerned about hygiene in addition to efficiency, there are “toilet brushes without bristles that use silicone ‘teeth’ to scrub and rub away dirt and debris.” They hold on to less bacteria and allow you to get in and under hard-to-reach areas.

Finally, disposable scrubber attachments that come with toilet cleaner inside them are becoming more popular due to the all-in-one experience.

Though this toilet brush earned top marks for ease of use, performance, maneuverability, and durability, it lost points for cleanliness. After rinsing, we placed the brush back in the canister with a small reservoir designed to catch drips. After 24 hours, both the brush and container were still wet and smelled musky.

We were unimpressed with this toilet brush as a whole, as it’s heavy, making it uncomfortable to hold and maneuver. The shape of the head also made it difficult to take care of hard-to-reach areas like the rim. Overall, we felt it moved the debris around more than actually cleaning it.

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The Tilswall brush had a lot going for it, including four brush heads that performed well, but we felt it was better suited for cleaning tile and grout. The long handle made it awkward to maneuver in the toilet and we couldn’t figure out how to remove the head without handling the brush, which would be unsanitary in real life.

According to Aparacio, the general rule is to replace the brush every six months to a year, but this depends on use and maintenance. If you use your brush a lot or don’t clean it, you’ll likely have to replace it more often.

“The best way to know when your brush needs changing is to look at the bristles and see if they are flattened, brittle, or discolored, or if the brush smells foul when you use it,” she says. To prevent odors, rinse the bristles and empty out the drip trays to prevent your brush from “stewing” in the runoff water.

The short answer is yes. “They won’t trap dirt, bacteria, and odors like more traditional plastic bristles,” Aparacio says. “This makes them far easier to clean and [they] often last longer before needing to be replaced.”

That said, they do need thorough cleaning frequently to keep them in working condition, just like any other brush.

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Quincy Bulin is a writer who covers products and home, making this story the ideal intersection of her work. She consulted with Sara Aparacio, Homeaglow’s expert in home cleaning tips, for expert intel on toilet brushes.

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.