Upflush (Macerating) Toilets: How They Work and Which SNFLEX Model to Buy
How an upflush toilet lets you add a bathroom without breaking concrete, what pump power and pumping distance mean, and the SNFLEX range compared – 500W, 600W and 750W, from $639.
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Short answer: For a half bath near the drain, the SNFLEX 500W two-piece ($639) is the value pick. For a full basement bathroom – toilet, sink and shower on one pump, or a long pipe run – get the SNFLEX 750W two-piece ($724): Simple Project lists the longest pumping distance (360 ft) and four inlets. Short on space? The one-piece slim ($759) has a 5-inch tank.
Prices and specs are from Simple Project’s US store on November 4, 2026. We haven’t installed these units; figures are the maker’s. Pumping distances are maximums under ideal conditions – vertical lift reduces how far a pump can push horizontally.
How an upflush toilet works
- You flush; the bowl empties into a pump box behind the toilet.
- Blades macerate (grind) the waste.
- The pump pushes it through a small pipe up and along to your existing drain.
That means no trench in the slab. You still need a power outlet, a water supply, and a route to a drain or soil stack – and local codes usually require venting and sometimes a permit.
SNFLEX models compared (Nov 4, 2026)
| Model | Price | Pump | Listed pumping distance | Extra inlets / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-piece 500W | $639 | 500W | 230 ft | Shower, sink or tub; 115 L/min |
| Two-piece 600W | $659 | 600W | Not stated | Toilet, sink, shower, tub, washing machine |
| 4-inlet basement system | $659 | Not stated | Not stated | Four inlets for a full bathroom |
| 19” comfort height 500W | $687 | 500W | Not stated | Taller seat |
| 19” extra tall 600W | $688 | 600W | Not stated | Taller seat |
| One-piece 600W | $709 | 600W | Not stated | Dual flush 0.8/1.28 GPF; washing machine listed |
| 19” tall 750W | $722 | 750W | 360 ft | Backorder; four inlets, WaterSense |
| Two-piece 750W | $724 | 750W | 360 ft | Four inlets, WaterSense |
| One-piece slim tank | $759 | 600W | 295 ft | 5” tank; three inlets; 145 L/min |
Swipe to see the full table →
Our picks
SNFLEX Two-Piece 750W
Best for a full bathroomBest for: Basement bathrooms with a shower and sink, or a long pipe run
- Longest listed pumping distance (360 ft)
- Four built-in inlets
- WaterSense certified
- $85 more than the 500W
- Needs a dedicated outlet and venting per local code
SNFLEX Two-Piece 500W
Best valueBest for: Half baths close to the existing drain
- Lowest price ($639)
- Connects a shower, sink or tub
- Activated-carbon odor filter
- Shortest listed pumping distance (230 ft)
Policies to know
- Returns: 30 days. Items must be unused, uninstalled and in the original packaging; on change-of-mind returns you pay the return shipping.
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty on the toilet and the macerator pump.
- Spare pumps are sold separately ($289.99–$299.99 for the two-piece models in stock on Nov 4), which is useful to know for long-term ownership.
- Ships to the US only.
Upflush or tall toilet?
If you’re adding a bathroom below the drain, you need an upflush. If you’re just replacing a toilet and want an easier seat height, a regular tall toilet is much cheaper – see comfort height and 21-inch tall toilets. Also measure your rough-in when replacing a standard toilet.
Key takeaways
- An upflush (macerating) toilet sends waste to a pump box behind the toilet, which grinds it and pumps it up and along a small pipe to your existing drain – so you can add a toilet below the sewer line without breaking concrete.
- SNFLEX upflush toilets from Simple Project cost $639–$759 (Nov 4, 2026) with 500W, 600W or 750W pumps.
- Simple Project lists up to 230 ft of pumping distance for the 500W two-piece, 295 ft for the 600W slim one-piece and 360 ft for the 750W models.
- Most models accept extra inlets – sink, shower or tub – so one pump can serve a full basement bathroom; some 600W models also list a washing machine.
- Returns: 30 days, unused, uninstalled and in original packaging; customer pays return shipping on change-of-mind returns. Warranty: 1 year on toilet and pump.
Frequently asked questions
How does an upflush toilet work?
The toilet empties into a sealed pump unit behind it. The unit's blades grind the waste and a pump pushes it through a small-diameter pipe, upward and sideways, into your home's main drain or soil stack. That's why it can go where a normal toilet can't drain by gravity.
Which SNFLEX upflush toilet should I buy?
For a simple half bath close to the drain, the 500W two-piece ($639) is enough. For a full bathroom with a shower and sink, or a longer pipe run, the 750W two-piece ($724) has the most listed pumping distance. If space is tight, the one-piece slim model ($759) has a 5-inch tank.
Do upflush toilets need a vent?
Local plumbing codes usually require the system to be vented. Simple Project says its units have activated-carbon odor control and that a vent pipe connection is available on request; check your local code and installation manual before installing.
- Simple Project – SNFLEX Two-Piece Macerating Toilet, 500W
- Simple Project – SNFLEX Two-Piece Macerating Toilet, 750W
- Simple Project – SNFLEX One-Piece Macerating Toilet, 5" slim tank
- Simple Project – SNFLEX One-Piece Macerating Toilet, 600W (0.8/1.28 GPF)
- Simple Project – SNFLEX 4-inlet basement macerating toilet system
- Simple Project – SNFLEX 600W two-piece (toilet, sink, shower, tub, washer)