Toilet Reviews

American Standard Esteem VorMax Toilet Review

A research-based look at the American Standard Esteem VorMax: a 1.28 gpf, chair-height, elongated two-piece toilet with a jetted VorMax flush and a rimless CleanCurve bowl.

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Bathroom with a toilet, sink and mirror
Photo: Ali Moradi / Unsplash

The American Standard Esteem VorMax is a two-piece, elongated, chair-height toilet that uses 1.28 gallons per flush and replaces the usual ring of rim holes with a single jet of water at the top of the bowl. American Standard’s spec sheet describes it as a complete toilet with a slow-close seat, wax ring and bolts in the box, built for a standard 12-inch rough-in. Its availability is the main question mark right now.

This review is based on American Standard’s product page and specification sheet. We have not physically tested the Esteem VorMax; see our methodology page for how we research products.

Status as of November 2026: American Standard’s US site still lists the Esteem VorMax (model 717AA101S.020) in its toilets catalog, but the product page shows the white finish as sold out or unavailable, says the item can’t be bought on American Standard’s website, and finds no sellers in its store locator. The page does not mark it discontinued. We’d call its status unclear: it may be winding down or simply out of stock at the retailer it was made for, which the page names as Lowe’s.

Esteem VorMax specifications

These figures come from American Standard’s spec sheet for 717AA101S.020 (dated January 2023) and its product page.

Esteem VorMax specifications

BrandAmerican Standard
ModelEsteem VorMax 717AA101S.020
Bowl shape compatibilityElongated; 16-1/2 in. rim height (chair height)
Seat materialVitreous china
Heated seatNo
Bidet featuresNo
Water heating1.28 gpf (4.8 Lpf), VorMax jetted flush
Warm-air dryerNo
Installation requirements12 in. rough-in
Power requirementsNone
WarrantyLifetime on chinaware, 10 years on mechanical parts, 1 year on seat
Dimensions30-1/4 x 19-3/4 x 30-13/16 in. (nominal)
Feature What American Standard lists
Construction Two-piece, vitreous china
Bowl Elongated, CleanCurve rim
Rim height 16-1/2 in.; about 17 in. with seat per the product page
Flush rate 1.28 gpf (4.8 Lpf)
Flushing system VorMax jetted flush with dual injection flush valves
Trapway 2-1/16 in., fully glazed
Water surface 9 x 8 in.
MaP (manufacturer-listed) 1,000 g
Rough-in 12 in.
In the box Slow-close seat, wax ring, bowl bolts, two bolt caps (supply line not included)
WaterSense Meets EPA WaterSense criteria
Warranty Lifetime on chinaware, 10 years on mechanical parts, 1 year on seat

How the VorMax flush works

A conventional toilet sends tank water through a row of small holes under the rim. Those holes and the hollow rim behind them are hard to reach with a brush and can collect mineral deposits and grime. VorMax takes a different route: American Standard says the system sends a powerful jet of water from a single opening at the top of the bowl, which sweeps around the bowl surface.

The spec sheet claims VorMax cleans twice as well as conventional toilets, citing a test report that compared it with conventional under-the-rim toilets from major retailers. That is a manufacturer claim. It tells you what the design aims for, but it isn’t independent proof of how it will perform in your home.

CleanCurve rim and EverClean surface

The CleanCurve rim is American Standard’s name for a bowl edge without the hidden underside of a traditional rim. The company says it removes the area where dirt and buildup hide. EverClean is a glaze treatment that American Standard says inhibits the growth of stain- and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface. Together they target the most annoying part of toilet cleaning: the spots you can’t see.

Bulk removal and trapway

The 2-1/16-in. fully glazed trapway is narrower than the 2-3/8-in. trapway American Standard uses on its Champion line, but the Esteem lists a 1,000 g MaP result, the same figure listed for the Champion 4 MAX. MaP is a third-party bulk-removal test; American Standard reports the number, and it is not a rating from this site.

What we like

  • Jetted VorMax flush with no under-rim holes to scrub
  • 1.28 gpf and WaterSense criteria
  • Chair-height 16-1/2-in. rim, listed as ADA compliant
  • Spec sheet lists seat, wax ring and bolts in the box
  • Lifetime warranty on chinaware

Things to consider

  • Availability unclear as of November 2026
  • Conflicting seat information on the product page
  • 12-in. rough-in only
  • 2-1/16-in. trapway is narrower than Champion models
  • Retailer-specific model, so shopping options are limited

Esteem VorMax vs Optum VorMax

American Standard made two near-twin complete VorMax toilets for different retailers: the Esteem (listed as a Lowe’s exclusive) and the Optum (listed as a Home Depot exclusive). Their spec sheets share the same core recipe, with a few differences worth knowing.

Feature Esteem VorMax (717AA101S) Optum VorMax (707AA101)
Flush rate 1.28 gpf 1.28 gpf
Rim height 16-1/2 in. 16-1/2 in.
Trapway (spec sheet) 2-1/16 in. 2-1/16 in.
MaP on spec sheet 1,000 g Not listed
Seat Slow-close seat Slow-close EverClean seat with telescoping cover
Nominal size 30-1/4 x 19-3/4 x 30-13/16 in. 30-5/8 x 18-1/16 x 30-13/16 in.
Status (Nov 2026) Listed, shown unavailable Listed, shown unavailable

Our Optum VorMax review covers that model in detail.

Who it’s for

  • Cleaning-focused buyers who dislike scrubbing under a rim and want a jetted, rimless-style bowl.
  • Taller adults and anyone who prefers a higher seat, since the rim sits at 16-1/2 in. The ADA Standards call for a seat height of 17 to 19 in. measured to the top of the seat, and American Standard lists this model as ADA compliant. Our guide for older users covers other accessibility features.
  • Water-conscious households that want a WaterSense model at 1.28 gpf, below the federal 1.6 gpf limit.
  • DIY installers who like a complete kit; American Standard says everything needed can be hand tightened.

It is not a fit if your drain sits at 10 or 14 in. from the wall, or if you specifically want the widest possible trapway.

What to check before you buy

  1. Model number: 717AA101S.020. Other VorMax toilets share the flush system but differ in seat, height and parts.
  2. Seat in the box: ask the seller to confirm, given the conflicting product title.
  3. Rough-in: measure from the finished wall to the floor bolts; you need 12 in.
  4. Space: the elongated bowl projects about 30-1/4 in. from the wall. Compare shapes in our elongated vs round guide.
  5. Bidet seat plans: a jetted, curved rim can affect how some bidet seats sit. Check the bidet seat maker’s fit list first.
  6. Supply line: not included, so buy one if yours is old.

Alternatives if you can’t find one

American Standard’s toilets catalog lists several other VorMax models, including a VorMax two-piece 1.28 gpf chair-height elongated toilet sold without a seat (238AA104), Heritage VorMax, Estate VorMax and Astute VorMax two-piece models, and a Townsend VorMax one-piece. The 238AA104 page lists a 1.28 gpf rate, 12-in. rough-in, WaterSense certification and a 2-1/16-in. trapway, but it also showed the white finish as sold out when we checked, so confirm availability for any model you consider.

Compare models on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

Is the Esteem VorMax discontinued?

American Standard’s site doesn’t say so. As of November 2026 it still lists the model, but shows it sold out or unavailable with no sellers found. Treat its status as unclear and check with the retailer.

Does the Esteem VorMax include a seat?

The spec sheet says it includes a slow-close seat, plus a wax ring and bowl bolts. The product title says “less Seat,” so confirm before ordering.

Is the Esteem VorMax WaterSense certified?

Yes. American Standard’s spec sheet says it meets EPA WaterSense criteria, and the product page lists it as WaterSense certified at 1.28 gpf.

What warranty does it have?

American Standard lists a lifetime warranty on the chinaware, 10 years on mechanical parts and 1 year on the seat. Keep your receipt and model number for any claim.

Bottom line

Next steps: compare installation types in our one-piece vs two-piece guide or browse all toilet reviews.