Swapping out old faucets and toilets - what brands actually last?

Manual faucets just hold up better in my experience, especially if you’re not around to keep an eye on things. I swapped out a bunch of touchless ones in a duplex after tenants kept complaining about dead batteries and random shutoffs. Honestly, the old-school Delta and American Standard models have lasted me years with barely any issues. Less tech, less to break.

I hear you on the manual faucets. I tried those fancy touchless ones in a couple of my rentals, thinking they'd be a cool upgrade, but tenants kept calling about weird malfunctions or batteries dying at the worst times. Ended up switching back to basic Moen and Delta models - haven't had a single call since. Sometimes simple just works better, especially when you’re not on-site all the time.

I totally get where you’re coming from. I tried touchless faucets in my own house, thinking it’d save water and be more hygienic, but honestly, the battery thing drove me nuts. I’d forget about them until they died - always at the most inconvenient times, like when I had guests over. I ended up swapping back to a regular lever-style faucet (Kohler, I think?) and haven’t looked back.

Have you noticed any difference in water usage with the manual models? I’m always trying to balance durability with eco-friendliness, but sometimes those “smart” upgrades just add stress. Also curious if you’ve tried any of the WaterSense-labeled fixtures - are they actually holding up for you? I’ve had decent luck with Toto toilets, but I’m still hunting for a faucet brand that’s both sturdy and efficient. Sometimes I wonder if all the tech is worth it when the basics just keep working.

I hear you on the battery thing - mine always died when my hands were covered in dough or something. I’ve got a Moen WaterSense faucet now, and honestly, it’s been solid. Not sure I see a huge water savings, but at least it’s one less thing to maintain. The Toto toilets are tanks, though. Never had a clog yet, knock on wood. Sometimes I think the “smart” stuff just adds more things to break.

I get what you mean about “smart” fixtures - sometimes it feels like they’re just another thing to troubleshoot. I’ve had decent luck with Moen too, though I do think the WaterSense models help a bit with water bills over time, especially if you’ve got a few in the house. As for Toto, those things are practically indestructible. I do wish more brands would focus on durability and easy repairs instead of adding features most folks don’t really need.