Our top pick is the SimpleHuman Toilet Plunger because it can be tucked away in its included case. Plus, the stainless steel handle is durable and perfect for resolving a toilet clog after an unplanned incident or occasional mishap. Here are the best toilet plungers for every home and every budget. When it comes to cleaning gadgets and home essentials, SimpleHuman is a household name. So, it’s really no surprise the brand makes the best toilet plunger on the market. The very purpose of a plunger makes it hard to pass off as sleek and classy, but this one does an excellent job at looking stylish in a corner of your bathroom. Not to mention, the rubber cup and flange have a long and narrow profile for fast, effective suction on modern toilets, and you can count on the stainless steel handle to hold up under vigorous use. There’s also a freestanding cover with a magnetic collar that attaches to the steel rod. This ensures drip-free closure without you having to touch the rubber piece that just took a dip in your toilet’s bowl. What’s more, the brand backs this toilet plunger with a five-year warranty. While it’s a bit on the heavier side, we ultimately love this pick because it’s durable, functional, and stylish, and worth investing in for all the clogs to come. Price at time of publish: $35 Now, the plunger doesn’t come with a caddy, which can make storing it in your space a more difficult feat. However, the overall design of the plunger makes it a good option for unclogging sinks and other drains as well. Just be aware: the rubber head can flip on itself, and require you to set it back by hand. Price at time of publish: $4 The caddy pops open when you lift the handle and conceals the head when you’re all done using it. This feature alone makes this stylish pick worth it, even though other models may be more powerful or have a more flexible rubber head. Price at time of publish: $27 When it’s tucked away, this plunger looks a lot like a decorative toilet brush. It’s also so easy to hide, because it’s a little smaller than the average toilet plunger. All in all, you’ll likely have few complaints about its look or effectiveness. Price at time of publish: $25 Not only that, but the extra-long aluminum handle allows you to reach further into the drain if needed. While this plunger doesn’t come with a caddy, you can hang it from the peg hole on the handle, and easily reach for it whenever you need to handle a bigger mess. Price at time of publish: $19 As for the plunger, the rubber head and grippy handle make it easy to battle blockage. The only downsides to this set are: the handles are rather short, and the set comes in one color so it’s hard to match it to your bathroom. Price at time of publish: $18 The design aesthetic of this plunger is on point, too. Both the plunger and its included hideaway base have an attractive terrazzo-inspired finish. However, if you don’t have an elongated toilet, this pick may not be very helpful. Price at time of publish: $20 The reliably thick cup delivers great suction power and fits in most toilet basins. While it’s not decorative and doesn’t come with a caddy, it certainly does the trick and won’t break the bank either. You’ll just want to be aware of the fact that the handle isn’t very comfortable, and large blockages may need some extra elbow grease. Price at time of publish: $15
Functionality
As mentioned above, most types of toilet plungers feature a rubber cup at the end. The idea is that it suctions air to force pressure against the blockage, ultimately releasing the clogged waste and pushing it down the drain. However, some plungers work slightly differently. Models with longer, graduated heads that bend into the basin work by forcing water down the drain to break up clogs. This style is best for elongated toilets.
Size
The rubber suction cups on toilet plungers can be anywhere from 4 to 7 inches in diameter and about 5 to 7 inches tall. Most are designed to fit in multiple toilets, but if you have a particularly large or small drain, you might want to size up or down. Toilet plunger handles range from about 16 inches to 24 inches in length. Longer handles are generally more comfortable to use and offer a better grip, plus they allow you to keep your face further away from the bowl of the toilet.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement and lifestyle. For this story, she considered a wide range of plungers from a myriad of brands and retailers. Before making her selections, she scoured user reviews, checked the product specifications, researched key features, considered various toilet types and bathroom layouts, and ultimately selected well-made models with the most effective designs. Theresa has been writing for The Spruce since 2019, where she covers cleaning supplies, home decor, and bath essentials.
