When it comes to toilet paper, there are two kinds of people: The people who go into the store and grab whichever toilet paper is cheapest, and the people who put thought into the products that grace their derrieres.
If you fall into the latter category, then choosing the best toilet paper for you might hinge on a number of factors from eco-friendliness to softness, durability, or septic compatibility. Not sure which of the many toilet paper brands to choose? Let this guide be your starting point to find a toilet paper that best suits your needs.
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7 of the Best Toilet Paper Options
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Angel Soft Professional Series Standard Toilet Paper
This soft, high-quality toilet paper is long-lasting with 450 sheets per roll. While it's soft and thick, it's also more environmentally-friendly than some options on this list because it's made from 20 percent postconsumer recycled fiber. Plus, this toilet paper complies with EPA and LEED standards to reduce its impact on the environment. As an added touch, this option features an embossed design on every square.
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Charmin Ultra Soft Toilet Paper
If softness is your primary criterion when choosing a new toilet paper, then it's tough to beat Charmin Ultra Soft. As the name of this two-ply bathroom tissue implies, it's very soft. But that softness doesn't come at the sacrifice of durability; this toilet paper also earns points for its strength and absorbency. Just be aware that this strength might challenge sensitive plumbing systems because the paper doesn't dissolve easily. It also doesn't earn points from an environmental standpoint.
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Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper
Charmin's Ultra Strong toilet paper consistently earns rave reviews. Business Insider even dubbed it “the best toilet paper overall,” calling this option “soft, strong, easy to tear, and ultra-absorbent.” This two-ply toilet paper is designed to be durable and to have cleaning capabilities nearly like that of a washcloth. Despite the industrial-sounding name, Charmin Ultra Strong also earns points for being ultra-soft. One downside? This paper is no friend to the environment.
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Cottonelle Standard Toilet Paper
With a rippled texture, this toilet paper is both strong and absorbent and won't break or tear when wet. It's also a more cost-effective Cottonelle option compared to Cotonelle's Ultra CleanCare toilet paper, making it a great bulk buy option.
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Cottonelle Ultra CleanCare Toilet Paper
Per the reviewed.com rankings, Cottonelle's Ultra CleanCare line earns points for comfort and sturdiness—and it does it all while remaining single-ply. While this option might break down faster than others on this list, if you're looking for a durable, single-ply option, this roll is hard to beat. That said, if you're looking for an eco-friendlier toilet paper, this is not the best choice.
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Quill Brand 100% Recycled Toilet Paper
For a decent, all-around toilet paper with a smaller eco-footprint than conventional brands, look to Quill Brand. This bathroom tissue made from recycled paper is septic safe and contains no dyes or fragrances. While it's not the softest or most absorbent option out there, it gets the job done without any fuss.
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Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue
This popular recycled toilet paper is a decent all-around option thanks to its dissolvability, relative eco-friendliness, and function. The fact that it's free of dyes, fragrances, and inks means it's not only kinder to the environment, it's kind to sensitive skin and finicky septic systems. While it may not be the softest toilet paper around, it cleans well and doesn't leave behind lint.
This isn't a comprehensive list of every toilet paper option on the planet, but it does give you a great range of options to choose from whether you prioritize softness, sturdiness, eco-friendliness, or all three.
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Laura Newcomer
Laura Newcomer is a writer, editor, and educator with multiple years of experience working in the environmental and personal wellness space. Formerly Senior Editor at the health site Greatist, Laura now lives and works in Pennsylvania. Her writing has been published on Washington Post, TIME Healthland, Greatist, DailyBurn, Lifehacker, and Business Insider, among others. She has taught environmental education to students of all ages in both Pennsylvania and Maine, and prioritizes living an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. She's a big proponent of creating self-sustaining communities and accessible healthy food systems that care for both people and the earth. An avid outdoorswoman, she can often be found hiking, kayaking, backpacking, and tending to her garden.