:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-toilet-papers-4688295-57429a2f67054f8d8e784e1cf92d397c.jpg)
The Spruce / Lecia Landis
The best toilet paper is soft, strong, and won't clog your toilet or dissolve mid-wipe. We conducted hours of research to find the best toilet papers, evaluating each on material, performance, softness, and septic safety. We also considered eco-friendly and budget options.
Here, the best toilet papers to stock your bathroom with.
Best Overall
Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2022-03-04at12.09.28PM-327d8e2b67804ae78007a442209c7e1d.png)
Source: Charmin
Cleans well
Septic safe
Widely available
Prioritizes strength over softness
Rolls are narrower than standard roll
Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper is reliably strong and an excellent choice for nearly everyone, and that's why it's our top pick. Charmin toilet paper has superior strength so it won't tear or dissolve while you're using it. This toilet paper provides an excellent clean without requiring a big wad of sheets, and using less toilet paper will also save you money in the long run.
The design is woven like a washcloth, which helps aid the cleaning process and feels great on the skin. Despite its thickness, this toilet paper is still safe for septic tanks, and unlikely to cause clogs, per the manufacturer. It's not as soft as some other rolls on the market, but its strength is appreciated.
You’ll get a great value with this purchase since each mega roll is equal to four regular rolls, so go ahead and stock up so you won't run out of toilet paper any time soon.
Price at time of publish: $59
Number of Rolls: 30 | Ply: 2-ply | Material: Wood pulp | Septic Safe: Yes
Best Budget
Angel Soft Toilet Paper
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2022-03-04at12.25.24PM-b12d764cf18e4fb4b7b1b9433c0eaace.png)
Source: Angel Soft
Soft feel
Safe in most septic tanks
Strong 2-ply sheets
Not a sustainable option
Rolls may not fit on toilet paper holder
You use toilet paper daily, so while comfort and functionality are key, so is cost. This toilet paper from Angel Soft is budget-friendly, without sacrificing other priorities. Angel Soft 2-ply toilet paper is both soft and strong, and each mega roll is considered the equivalent of four regular rolls. It’s also safe for standard septic systems.
However, some toilet paper holders may struggle to hold these oversized rolls, so you might need to opt for Angel Soft's standard size. And note that in a 2021 report, the environmental nonprofit advocacy group the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) gave Angel Soft a failing grade for sustainability.
Price at time of publish: $15
Number of Rolls: 18 | Ply: 2-ply | Material: Wood pulp | Septic Safe: Yes
Best Eco-Friendly
Seventh Generation Bathroom Tissue
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/seventh-generation-bathroom-tissue-6c4c7f4fe3ec4d42b3eb830e272c5973.jpg)
Amazon
Environmentally safe
Thick and soft
Safe in septic tanks
May be prone to shedding
There are many brands that tout their environmental habits, but Seventh Generation is a stalwart in the space. This toilet paper gets an A rating from the NRDC—and, in fact, all of their at-home tissue products received that same score. That’s in contrast to other brands, which may have both high- and low-ranked options in the NRDC report.
Seventh Generation toilet paper is septic safe. It’s made from recycled paper without any dyes or fragrances. It’s thick and soft, which makes for a comfortable experience when you’re using it, although some people may find that it sheds with use.
Price at time of publish: $44
Number of Rolls: 12 | Ply: 2-ply | Material: 100% recycled paper | Septic Safe: Yes
Best for RVs
Camco 40274 RV Bathroom Toilet Tissue
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2022-03-04at12.44.03PM-31fed387dedf43d295c0bcc7b1ae1aa4.png)
Source: Camco
RV safe
Strong 2-ply sheets
Clog-resistant
May feel scratchy
If you’re taking a road trip in an RV, you’ll want toilet paper that breaks down quickly to avoid issues in the black tank, which is the RV’s holding space for waste. Camco RV is quick to dissolve and clog-resistant. It’s considered safe for both RV and marine usage. Plus, it’s a 2-ply option with some softness to it, so using it should be a comfortable experience, although some report that it can be scratchy.
Price at time of publish: $5
Number of Rolls: 4 | Ply: 2-ply | Material: Wood Pulp | Septic Safe: Yes
Best for Septic Systems
Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare Toilet Paper
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2022-03-04at12.56.44PM-50b3d5d6056b421d9e42bcb6ccd5957e.png)
Source: Cottonelle
Septic safe
Soft feel
Strong sheets
May leave residue behind
Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare is a soft and gentle one-ply option that is excellent if you have a septic system and are worried about clogs. This toilet paper is biodegradable and safe for sewers and septic systems. The ridges on the paper help give a clean feeling. It's strong enough that you won’t wind up with any rips or tears, although some may feel it leaves a bit of a residue behind, post-wipe.
Price at time of publish: $25
Number of Rolls: 12 | Ply: 1-ply | Material: Plant-based fibers | Septic Safe: Yes
Best Dissolving
Scott Rapid-Dissolving Toilet Paper
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScottRapid-DissolvingToiletPaper-3204e7911e444b91a3f60b70fbbfffc0.jpg)
Courtesy of Amazon
Septic safe
Soft feel
Safe for boats and RVs
Rolls are a small size
Need to use more tissue
Consider Scott Rapid-Dissolving Toilet Paper for use in a boat or RV, or if you have a finicky septic system. This is a quick-dissolving option that helps to prevent clogs and back-ups. It’s both sewage and septic-safe. It has a soft texture, though some customers note that you must use more tissue per wipe.
Price at time of publish: $57
Number of Rolls: 4 | Ply: 1-ply | Material: Biodegradable tissue | Septic Safe: Yes
Best Bamboo
Betterway Bamboo Toilet Paper
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/betterway-bamboo-toilet-paper-4c6d8c43879d42aca49d4f0e0c40c536.jpg)
Amazon
Sustainable
Offers dual textures
Plastic-free packaging
A pricier pick
Texture may be unappealing
Betterway Bamboo Toilet Paper is a sustainable, environmentally friendly material that's soft and thick. One side of the paper is smooth, and the other side is textured. Some people may find the textured side of the roll to be a bit rough and sandpaper-like in texture. However, the brand offers a 100-day money-back guarantee, so it's worth trying it for yourself.
Price at time of publish: $30
Number of Rolls: 12 | Ply: 3-ply | Material: Bamboo | Septic Safe: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin
Public Goods Boxed Toilet Paper
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2022-03-04at1.49.00PM-d841e7af668542a0a10b31c1def3adaa.png)
Source: Public Goods
Sustainable choice
Soft and strong
Does not contain additives
May feel a bit rough to some
Limited retailer availability
If you have sensitive skin, opt for a roll that’s free from scents and other additives, like Public Goods toilet paper. Like most of their products, it's also a sustainable choice. This toilet paper is made from bamboo and sugarcane pulp, and it’s free from any tree products. It also doesn’t contain potentially irritating scents, lotions, or other add-ons.
Price at time of publish: $12
Number of Rolls: 8 | Ply: 3-ply | Material: Bamboo and sugarcane pulp | Septic Safe: Yes
Best Subscription
Cloud Paper Tree-free Toilet Paper
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cloud-paper-tree-free-toilet-paper-2fb8813880c34834b49a0ee90c0af36a.jpg)
Cloud Paper
Ships directly to you
Sustainable option
Plastic-free packaging
24 rolls delivered at a time
Cloud Paper ships 24 rolls in each bulk order (with no charge for shipping) and you can choose how frequently your orders arrive based on the number of people in your household.
Cloud Paper offers 2- or 3-ply toilet paper made from bamboo—it’s both a sustainable, planet-friendly option and one that’s comfortable to use. The packaging is completely free from plastic, and is compostable and recyclable. If you live in a small space, storing 24 rolls at a time may be challenging.
Price at time of publish: $45
Number of Rolls: 24 | Ply: 2- or 3-ply | Material: Bamboo | Septic Safe: Yes
Our best overall pick is Charmin's Ultra Strong Toilet Paper which can stand up to any wipe. This pick is strong, pliable, and septic-safe. For a more affordable pick, consider Angel Soft Toilet Paper, which offers a soft, pleasant bathroom experience without breaking the bank. It is also a strong 2-ply toilet paper that's septic-safe.
What to Look for in a Toilet Paper
Value
Toilet paper manufacturers market many variations of the standard toilet roll. This can make choosing a roll of toilet paper feel like a math problem. Do you want a 12-pack of regular rolls or a 6-pack of mega rolls? Suddenly you're comparing the size and length of the sheets to their absorbant 1- or 3-ply qualities. It doesn't have to be so complicated.
To choose toilet paper with the best value, look for quality construction. Cheap, thin toilet paper will require you to use more, so it won’t last as long or be as comfortable to use. On the flip side, don’t pay for extras that you don’t want or need when making this very personal choice.
Septic and Sewer Safe
“The [toilet paper] options can feel endless and striking the balance between softness, dissolvability, and level of use can be overwhelming,” says Glenn Gallas, vice president of company operations at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly company.
Two key considerations to keep in mind are the ply and the dissolvability of the paper. “With thicker toilet paper, like 2-ply or 3-ply, you can use less squares but if you are a little more price-conscious, 1-ply toilet paper rolls tend to be less expensive per sheet,” Gallas says. The more layers for each sheet, the longer it will take to dissolve—that’s something to keep in mind if your septic tank or plumbing is finicky.
If you have an RV or a boat, take extra care to choose toilet paper that is septic tank appropriate and safe.
Ingredients
Many brands market toilet paper with an array of extras, including scents or additives like aloe vera and vitamin E meant to pamper sensitive skin. Pay attention to specific ingredients for scented toilet paper if you are sensitive to artificial perfumes. Eco-conscious consumers can choose eco-friendly toilet paper made with responsibly-sourced trees, renewable energy, and recycled packaging.
-
How long is a toilet paper roll?
The standard length of a toilet paper sheet is 4.5 inches, and an entire roll is around 75 feet long. Keep in mind that this can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer. Despite the proliferation of maxi and mega rolls that emphasize volume and make rolls appear larger, individual toilet paper rolls have reportedly been shrinking in recent years. This is in part due to shortening sheets, narrowing tubes, and enlarging cardboard rolls.
-
What is toilet paper made of?
Toilet paper is typically made from water, trees, fiber-extracting chemicals, and bleach (to whiten the paper). The manufacturing process varies according to the material used. Materials can range from virgin tree pulp and recycled paper to hemp pulp and fiber.
-
When was toilet paper invented?
The use of paper for toilet hygiene has been traced back to China in the 6th century, where it was made from rice. In the U.S., toilet paper became mass-produced and commercially available in 1857, thanks to Joseph Gayetty, who invented J.C. Gayetty’s Medicated Paper for the Water Closet.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Madeleine Burry, who has been writing commerce features for The Spruce since 2019. You can find more of her work on Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, and Health. For this roundup, she considered dozens of toilet paper brands, evaluating each on material, performance, softness, and safety in septic systems. Additional input was provided by Glenn Gallas, vice president of company operations at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly company.