Hands-on review and real-world installation experience from Ultimate DIYer.
I recently replaced a conventional toilet with the EPLO U8 MAX, an all-in-one smart toilet that combines the toilet, bidet, heated seat, warm-water washing, dryer, automatic functions, and other convenience features into one fixture.
Instead of treating this as a simple feature list, I wanted to see what the upgrade was actually like for a homeowner doing the work. That meant dealing with the plumbing and electrical requirements, setting up the smart features, testing the flush and bidet functions, and learning some of the details that are easy to miss when you only look at a product page.
This article focuses on the product itself: what it does, what I learned during installation, what I like, what I don’t like, and who I think this type of toilet makes the most sense for. The full installation is covered in the video below.
Disclosure: EPLO provided the U8 MAX toilet and paid for this sponsored video project. The opinions and hands-on experience here are my own. This article contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Where to buy the EPLO U8 MAX and available discounts
EPLO official website (preferred long-term link): Shop EPLO using Ron’s affiliate link. Enter code RONK7 at checkout for the current EPLO website promotion. EPLO has confirmed that qualifying purchases of the U8 MAX, other EPLO smart toilets, and its replacement foaming agent through this link can earn me a 10% commission. Promotions and prices can change; confirm the discount at checkout.
Amazon: EPLO supplied the following campaign tracking links. Enter code AZRONK7 for the advertised 7% discount on eligible purchases while the promotion is active. EPLO says this discount code and its associated 10% creator commission expire on January 31, 2027; availability and final discounts are determined at checkout.
Replacement Foam Shield agent: Available through the EPLO official website affiliate link. Use RONK7 at checkout. EPLO confirms that qualifying foaming-agent purchases also earn an affiliate commission.
Why I chose an all-in-one smart toilet
My wife, Reegan, had been asking about upgrading to a bidet-style toilet, and at first she was looking at the seat-replacement approach, similar to the TOTO Washlet systems I’ve installed and worked on for customers. I don’t have anything against that style, but I was more interested in an all-in-one smart toilet because the toilet, bidet, dryer, controls, sensors, and flushing system are all designed to work together as one package.
I look at it a little like an HVAC system: you can replace just one major component, but a fully matched system is usually designed to work together more efficiently than a mix of older and newer equipment. That was my thinking here too — I wanted to see whether a purpose-built smart toilet would feel more complete and better integrated than simply adding a bidet seat to a conventional toilet.
One major difference is the flushing system itself. A typical residential toilet relies mainly on gravity to move stored water through the bowl. The EPLO U8 MAX uses an integrated water tank and booster pump to assist the flush — what EPLO calls its Power Flush system. That means replacing the complete toilet upgrades not only the bidet features, but also the way the toilet actually flushes.
EPLO rates that Power Flush at 1000 grams on the MaP test, or roughly 2.2 pounds of standardized test material. A bidet seat can add washing, heat, and sometimes drying, but it cannot change the flushing system of the toilet underneath it.
What is the EPLO U8 MAX?
The EPLO U8 MAX is an integrated smart toilet. Rather than adding an electronic bidet seat to a conventional toilet, the bowl, seat, wash system, dryer, sensors, controls, and automatic features are designed as one complete unit.
Key features I tested or demonstrated
- Built-in tank and booster-pump Power Flush system
- 1000-gram MaP-rated flush performance — approximately 2.2 lb of standardized test material
- Heated seat with adjustable temperature
- Warm-water bidet with adjustable temperature, position, and pressure
- Oscillating wash and child-wash functions
- Warm-air dryer
- Automatic opening, pre-rinse, and flushing functions
- Urinal foot sensor and half-flush function
- Foam Shield splash-control system
- UV-related nozzle sanitation/cleaning functions
- Automatic deodorizing
- Dual remote controls, night light, and power-outage/emergency flushing provisions
Before you buy: will the U8 MAX fit your bathroom?
Before ordering any smart toilet, measure first. The EPLO adds a few fit and clearance considerations that are easy to overlook if you are replacing a conventional toilet.
Verify the 12-inch rough-in
Measure from the finished wall — not the baseboard — to the center of the toilet flange or the hold-down bolts. The EPLO U8 MAX requires the standard 12-inch rough-in. If your flange is closer to the wall, find that out before ordering.
Check the water shutoff and working clearance
The U8 MAX is a skirted toilet, so its body extends closer to the wall than many conventional toilets. A shutoff valve that worked perfectly with your old toilet may interfere with the skirt. You also need room for EPLO’s valve assembly, its two water connections, and access to the water filter for later maintenance.
Real-world fit warning: My shutoff valve is about 7.5 inches from the toilet centerline, and the U8 MAX barely cleared the skirt and valve assembly. If you have the option to locate the plumbing during a remodel, I would aim for about 8–10 inches from centerline for easier installation and future service.
EPLO lists the toilet’s overall width at 346 mm (about 13.62 inches), or about 6.81 inches from centerline to each side. To estimate your drain centerline without removing the old toilet, use the midpoint between visible floor bolts or the center of a symmetrical bowl. Measure horizontally to the shutoff and check the valve height, too.
Quick clearance check before ordering: Measure from the finished wall to the flange center (12-inch rough-in), then measure horizontally from that centerline to the water shutoff. My shutoff was approximately 7.5 inches off center and barely cleared the skirt. About 8–10 inches from center can provide more room for the valve and future service, but confirm clearances against the actual fixture and manufacturer installation diagram.
Check electrical power before ordering
My bathroom already had a receptacle near the pedestal sink, and the toilet’s approximately five-foot cord reached it without any new wiring. The toilet’s plug includes built-in GFCI protection; I still recommend GFCI protection at the receptacle or the supplying breaker as required by applicable instructions and code. In my bathroom, the GFCI protection is at the electrical panel. Check the outlet location, circuit, and cord reach before buying.
Plan where both remotes will go
The EPLO includes two remotes: a larger control for bidet and advanced functions and a smaller large-button control for guests. Their holders can be attached with screws or adhesive. Sit on the toilet and check reach before choosing permanent locations, particularly in a small bathroom.
Installation: what to check
The full step-by-step installation belongs in the video. In summary, remove the existing toilet and inspect the flange; confirm the rough-in; verify shutoff location; install the EPLO valve assembly and both water connections; connect power and confirm GFCI protection; set up the foam reservoir and remotes; and test the flush, bidet, sensors, dryer, and emergency controls.
If your bathroom already has nearby power, the shutoff valve is in a workable position, and the flange has the required 12-inch rough-in, installation is fairly straightforward. Otherwise, plan for additional plumbing or electrical work.
Foam Shield: gimmick or useful?
At first I really didn’t see much value in the Foam Shield. I didn’t want to start spending extra money on something I thought I might never use. After actually using it, though, I changed my mind. I found that it helps with odor control and splash control, making the bathroom experience more pleasant.
At the time of this article draft, EPLO listed replacement foam agent in a 470 mL bottle and said one bottle was good for roughly 250 foam cycles. You probably won’t use the feature every single time, so a bottle may last quite a while. Check EPLO’s current refill price and specifications.
Setup detail: The small white grid-style cap at the fill opening can look like the place where you pour the agent, but remove that cap first and use the supplied funnel to fill the reservoir.
Comfort and everyday features
Automatic functions
One of the first things I liked was how easy it is to turn the automatic functions on and off. With automatic mode enabled, the lid opens and the toilet starts a pre-rinse as you approach. In a small bathroom, walking up to the sink can trigger it unnecessarily. Turning the feature off made a big difference for me.
Night light and heated seat
I really like the night light — it is genuinely useful in the middle of the night. The heated seat has also been a favorite on colder nights, more than I expected.
Urinal foot sensor and half flush
The foot sensor works exceptionally well in my testing. Two taps open the lid and seat; one tap closes them and activates a half flush. It quickly became one of those features that feels more useful than it sounds on paper.
Dual remotes
The larger remote provides detailed controls; the smaller remote has simple, easy-to-understand buttons that are more approachable for guests.
Bidet, dryer, and temperature controls
The warm-water bidet provides adjustable nozzle position, water pressure, and temperature. The warm-air dryer surprised me: it works better than I expected and makes the integrated system feel more complete. Practical, accessible controls matter more to me than a long feature list.
Power Flush vs. a traditional gravity-fed toilet
This is one of the biggest differences in the whole review. A typical household toilet uses water stored in a tank and relies mainly on gravity to move it through the bowl and trapway. The EPLO U8 MAX has an integrated tank and booster pump to assist the flush, marketed as its Power Flush system.
EPLO rates the system at 1000 grams on the MaP test, approximately 2.2 pounds of standardized test material. The rating offers a performance reference, while the tank-and-pump design explains how this toilet differs mechanically from a conventional gravity-fed model.
With an aftermarket bidet seat, you’re upgrading washing and comfort but retaining the original flush hardware. With the EPLO U8 MAX, the Power Flush is part of the complete toilet upgrade.
All-in-one smart toilet vs. a bidet seat
Without a traditional tank sitting above the toilet, my small guest bathroom actually feels larger. The useful comparison isn’t EPLO versus TOTO as brands — it’s an integrated smart toilet compared with adding a bidet seat to a conventional fixture.
| Category | EPLO U8 MAX all-in-one | Bidet seat on existing toilet |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet and bowl | Part of the integrated system | Existing toilet remains |
| Flush technology | Built-in tank and booster-pump Power Flush | Existing flush system, typically gravity-fed |
| Flush rating | 1000g MaP-rated | Depends on the existing toilet |
| Bidet | Built in | Added by seat |
| Heated seat/dryer | Integrated | Depends on the seat |
| Water connections | Integrated valve and two connections | Added bidet connection |
| Appearance | Tankless-look skirted fixture | Separate toilet and seat |
| Service | More proprietary components | Toilet and seat serviced separately |
Serviceability and long-term ownership
My biggest long-term concern with smart toilets is maintenance. A conventional toilet is comparatively simple, with common replacement parts. A smart toilet has heaters, motors, electronics, sensors, controls, and a booster pump that may eventually need attention. If a proprietary component fails, you could wait for a replacement part to arrive.
EPLO described a two-year warranty and continued support for troubleshooting and replacement parts, including paid parts after warranty expiration. EPLO’s published limited warranty covers qualifying smart toilets for two years from purchase, with replacement parts for covered defects during that period. For assistance, contact service@eplo.com. I recommend keeping the manual — ideally a digital copy — and finding a plumber or service technician comfortable with smart-toilet repair.
Basic owner maintenance includes checking the inlet/filter screen for weak bidet spray, cleaning the nozzle and sensor lens, changing remote batteries, refilling the foam agent, and learning emergency-flush operation.
If the toilet clogs
Stop repeated flushing, protect the floor, and use a toilet-safe flange plunger. Avoid boiling water or anything that could damage internal components or seals. Because this is an electrically operated, proprietary fixture, follow EPLO’s instructions over generic plumbing advice.
What I don’t like and things to know
A smart toilet is more complicated to repair than a conventional toilet. You may need proprietary components or assistance from someone familiar with the equipment.
The side control knob is helpful as a backup, including during a power failure, but the different functions are not necessarily intuitive to remember. Most people will become familiar with the remotes and may forget the backup controls. Keep the manual where you can find it.
Who is this toilet for?
If simplicity, widely available replacement parts, and minimum maintenance are your top priorities, a conventional toilet or bidet-seat add-on may be the better fit.
If you’re remodeling a bathroom, want an integrated appearance, value heated washing and automation, have suitable nearby power, and appreciate the upgraded flushing system, an all-in-one smart toilet is worth considering.
Final verdict
I really like TOTO toilets and have installed many toilet brands over the years. But after installing the EPLO U8 MAX myself and having my family use it for the past couple of weeks, I’ve been impressed with its build quality and the way its features work together. Everything has worked as it should so far, although I can’t honestly speak to long-term durability yet.
With a nearby receptacle, appropriately located water valve, and standard 12-inch rough-in, the installation is fairly straightforward. The integrated design is compelling because you’re upgrading not just washing and comfort features but the entire flushing system, including EPLO’s booster-pump Power Flush.
Would I buy it with my own money? Based on what I’ve experienced so far, absolutely.