The Best Plunger

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker
Published on
March 12th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Adam has a passion for cleaning from his youth growing up in England, and he has carried it with him to the US. Adam’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the Advanced System Cleaning specialist (For HVAC cleaning / ductwork), through NADCA (this is the highest certification that NADCA has), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Adam has either advised, consulted, or done research with dozens of cleaning and cleaning related business entities. Adam holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School.

The Cleaning Institute

Plungers are considered to be a household item that is necessary for removing clogs that occur in toilets. Most plungers are designed to be easy to use, and having one means you can avoid having to call a professional plumber to clear the pipes. Instead, you can do this on your own to ensure that both time and money are saved. We reviewed a few types of plungers to determine which product was most efficient and useful when unclogging toilets. Our top choice is the simplehuman Toilet Plunger and Caddy due to its sleek design and narrow flange, which allows it to work well without a lot of strength or pressure required to remove the clog. The product keeps the plunger discrete with a dome-shaped cover and is easy to use. Our honorable mention is the Mr. Clean Turbo Plunger and Bowl Brush Caddy Set because it includes a large round cleaning brush with the plunger, which can be used after the plunger is inserted into the toilet to remove any messes that are caused by the plunging.

Testing Categories

With our years of experience, we understand the importance of creating different testing categories to evaluate each product and rate it to determine our top choices. The categories allow us to rank and score the items to determine how they stack up to one another. Our categories for rating plungers include application, power, and design.

Application: The application and ease of use of each plunger were reviewed to determine how convenient the product was to use when unclogging toilets and if a lot of strength was required. We evaluated how long it took to unclog toilets with each product and if the plunger did most of the work.

Power: One of our top categories was the power of each product and how effective it was in unclogging toilets. We looked at how well the plungers worked after using them for several minutes.

Design: The design of each product was a top contributor to the quality and value of each plunger. We looked at the style and functionality of how it was constructed and if it fit into the toilet bowl easily or if it caused backsplash.

Top Pick

simplehuman Toilet Plunger and Caddy

The simplehuman Toilet Plunger and Caddy stands out for its sleek magnetic collar, which secures the cover with the stainless steel plumber’s rod and keeps the plunger in place as its stored.

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Most notable upside: The construction of the simplehuman Toilet Plunger is solid and durable, which allows it to maintain its quality with frequent use. Plunging toilets is now easier with the product due to its streamlined design. Its narrow shape allows it to look contemporary and discrete without becoming an eyesore. The design of the product makes it easy to pick it up and carry both parts together without worrying about any water dripping on the floor. The plunger is easy to access due to the cover’s large opening, which makes it seamless and easy to detach without touching any of the parts besides the handle. The plunger is ideal to use for modern toilets, due to its long and narrow profile, to ensure that clogs can easily be removed in seconds. Although its design is stylish, it still offers a high level of durability, with its stainless steel rod and even includes a five-year warranty. The rod is sturdy and easy to grip. The caddy is also easy to clean, as its removable portion collects water. The open design of the cover also allows it to dry easily by preventing too much water from accumulating in the caddy. The design of the plunger also allows it to work more effectively than accordion plungers, and it is lighter when compared to similar types of plungers on the market, which provides the consumer with more control over the product.

Biggest downsides: Backsplash can occur while using the plunger, which can make it messy and unsanitary to use, especially when toilets are at risk of overflowing. The odd shape of the toilet brush makes it challenging to use when cleaning deeper parts of the toilet and may not perform a thorough job. The stainless steel rod may also develop rust over time.

Honorable Mention

Mr. Clean Turbo Plunger and Bowl Brush Caddy Set

The Mr. Clean Turbo Plunger and Bowl Brush Caddy Set include a plunger and brush for a versatile product that makes it easy to maintain your toilet.

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Most notable upside: The plunger and brush are more attractive when compared to similar products that have an industrial design. The caddy proves to be useful by keeping the brush and plunger off of the ground. The large brush makes for easy cleaning and conveniently sits next to the plunger in the caddy. It’s also extremely durable and is designed to last long-term. The sturdy handle of the brush prevents it from feeling flimsy and makes it easy to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl. The turbo plunger is designed to include a rubber grip handle, along with an extended rubber plunger, that delivers excellent results. The non-slip base on the caddy also prevents it from sliding around when it’s stored next to the toilet or in the corner of a bathroom. The Mr. Clean Turbo Plunger is compact, which makes it easy to fit in small spaces. The caddy also has a functional design that minimizes the mess that is created while plunging. The drip tray is also efficient and makes it easy to remove water that accumulates after storing away the wet plunger. The plastic materials of the product are durable and don’t cause rust or accumulate build-up which develops over time. This can increase its lifespan and overall quality. The product allows consumers to have a complete set of tools that are readily available and are easy to access to maintain the toilet each day, which contributes to its versatility.

Biggest downsides: The handle on the plunger is short and pointy, which can make it uncomfortable to hold and apply pressure while attempting to unclog a toilet. More leverage is needed to increase the effectiveness of the product. The plastic materials on the product don’t look as upscale or high-end compared to similar plungers. The design of the caddy, plunger, and brush look low-quality and outdated compared to similar types of products.

Green Pick

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Toilet Plunger and Canister

The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Toilet Plunger features a sleek design and durable construction with a plunger head that works on all types of toilets and a canister drip tray to collect water.

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Most notable upside: The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Toilet Plunger is constructed with a canister that springs open automatically when the plunger is lifted each time and allows the plunger to be neatly stored when it’s not in use. The plunger head has a minimal design and can work on all types of toilets to remove clogs quickly and efficiently. The handle of the product features a flat top surface to provide a secure, comfortable grip. The canister drip tray also offers ventilation to prevent mold or mildew from forming with water that collects after plunging the toilet. The compact design of the plunger makes it easy to keep discrete when it’s stored next to the toilet or under the sink. The white and clean design of the product allows it to look appealing even when it’s left out in the open.

Biggest downsides: The metal material on the OXO plunger is prone to forming rust when coming in contact with water, which can affect its construction and durability. The rust can also drip through the canister and lead to stains on the floors, which creates a mess. The product also tends to leak around the bottom rim. It also doesn’t plunge as well as products that have a larger head, which can require extra strength and more time trying to unclog the toilet.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Plunger Cleaning

After using a plunger, it’s important to clean and sanitize the product to ensure that it doesn’t spread bacteria or viruses after it’s been inserted into the toilet bowl. Flush the toilet several times after it’s unclogged to wipe off residue on the plunger. Use a mixture of detergent and bleach to remove germs and bacteria on the item, which can be poured or sprayed onto the surface over the toilet. Bleach can also be sprayed on the product to kill any remaining germs. Wipe down the handle with a disinfecting wipe to kill any bacteria that may have spread. Allow the product to air dry outside if the plunger doesn’t include a caddy where water collects. It can also be dried off with the use of a clean towel or rag. The product should be cleaned after each use.

A Note About Safety and Storage

Toilet plungers are easy and safe to store in different areas of the bathroom, which includes next to the toilet to ensure that they’re easy to access when clogs form. Place it in an area that is out of sight but is still within reach if the toilet begins to overflow unexpectedly. The product can also be stored underneath the sink to keep it in a discrete location that is still easy to access. Avoid storing the plunger and cleaning brush next to cosmetic items or near toiletries to avoid contamination of personal items and products. The plunger should also be stored in a well-ventilated area after it’s used each time to ensure that it can dry properly without forming mildew or mold on the parts.

The Best Plunger

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

simplehuman Toilet Plunger and Caddy

Mr. Clean Turbo Plunger and Bowl Brush Caddy Set

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Toilet Plunger and Canister

All Our Picks

simplehuman Toilet Plunger and Caddy

Mr. Clean Turbo Plunger and Bowl Brush Caddy Set

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Toilet Plunger and Canister

Tips for Effective Plunger Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

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