Our Top Picks
- Odor-free
- Made in the USA
- Features an electronic agitator
- Spider handle agitator
- 22-liter liquids bin
- Includes a 12-volt fan
- 5-year warranty
- Swedish design
- AC and DC compatible
- Compact footprint
- Bellows-type flush pump
- Ideal for RVs
- Urine-separating design
- Under 9 pounds
- Made in Germany
- Battery-operated flush
- 21-liter capacity
- Tank level indicator
- No power required
- Urine-diverting bowl
- Made in the USA
Our Review Criteria: Odor control came first, since it decides whether a composting toilet is worth living with day to day. We ranked each unit on urine-to-solids separation, liquid and solid capacity, footprint and seat height, power requirements, and how easy it is to empty and clean. NSF/ANSI Standard 41 certification for performance and safety carried real weight, as did warranty terms and build materials, and we cross-checked manufacturer specifications against verified owner reviews. Every pick is verified as currently available, and any discontinued model is swapped out.
A composting toilet cuts your water use to almost nothing and turns waste into usable compost. Because these units do not need a sewer or septic connection, they work where plumbing cannot go: off-grid cabins, RVs, boats, and tiny homes.
Most models bolt down in an afternoon, so installation is rarely the hard part. Picking the right one is. You need a unit that controls odor and keeps emptying manageable, because a toilet that smells or that you dread cleaning is the one you stop using.
We compared the best composting toilets you can buy right now, weighing the factors that decide whether you will be happy six months in: footprint, urine and solids capacity, odor control, and how much hands-on upkeep each one asks of you.
What Is a Composting Toilet?
A composting toilet collects human waste and breaks it down using natural aerobic bacteria rather than flushing it away with gallons of water. Think of it like a garden compost bin, but for your bathroom. This process turns waste into safe, soil-like material that can often be returned to the earth.
Unlike standard flushing toilets, these units rely on oxygen and time. To help things along and keep smells at bay, you typically add carbon-rich organic material, like peat moss, coconut coir, or sawdust, after every use.
Benefits of a Composting Toilet
The old image of a composting toilet is a smelly outhouse, but urine diversion and continuous venting have largely solved that. Here is why you might want one:
Eco-Friendly Impact
If you garden, this is a closed-loop system. What you empty from the toilet is not finished compost yet; it needs to cure in an outdoor pile for several months to a year before the heat and bacteria fully break it down. After that, the finished material is safe to use around ornamental plants and trees.
Massive Water Savings
Traditional toilets flush away precious drinking water. Composting toilets are usually dry or use a negligible amount of water, saving thousands of gallons a year.
Total Freedom
No sewer connection? No septic tank? No problem. These units go where pipes can’t, making them ideal for remote cabins or van life.
RV and Marine efficiency
Hauling around a tank full of blackwater adds weight and requires frequent pump-outs. Composting toilets significantly extend your time off-grid before you need to worry about emptying anything.
Disadvantages to Consider
It is not all roses; there is a learning curve involved:
Hands-On Maintenance
You can’t just flush and forget. You have to manage the compost medium, empty the urine bottle frequently, and dump the solids bin.
Upfront Cost
Good composting toilets are an investment. They generally cost more than a standard porcelain bowl, and you have ongoing costs for bulking material like peat moss.
Space Requirements
Some units are taller or bulkier than standard toilets. You also need room to remove the bins for emptying, which can be tricky in tight boat heads or wet baths.
The “Ick” Factor
For guests or first-timers, the concept can be intimidating. If not maintained perfectly, you might deal with an occasional bug issue or earthy smell.
How to Choose a Composting Toilet
The market is split between simple buckets and high-tech waste processors. Here is what you need to look for.
Product Reviews
We compared the current lineup to separate the units that genuinely manage waste from the ones that just store it. The picks below span electric and non-electric models, true urine-diverting composters and simpler portable cassettes, so there is a fit whether you are outfitting a tiny home, a van, or a weekend campsite. Every recommendation is checked for current availability and swapped when a model is discontinued.
Ogo Composting Toilet
Best Composting Toilet for Odor
The Ogo is a modern, compact powerhouse that solves the biggest annoyance of composting toilets: the crank handle. Instead of manually churning the mix, the Ogo uses an electric agitator. You just push a button, and it does the dirty work for you.
It has one of the smallest footprints on the market, making it perfect for van builds or tight boat heads where space is premium. The design is sleek and doesn’t look like a piece of agricultural equipment.
Odor control is excellent thanks to the built-in fan and urine diversion. It separates liquids into a front bottle and solids into the main bin. The only catch? You need a 12v power source for the agitator and fan, so it’s not truly “unplugged.”
Pros
- Electric agitator (no cranking)
- Very small footprint
- Urine level indicator light
- Easy-to-empty waste bin
- Modern aesthetic
Cons
- Requires power to mix
- Pricey
- Smaller capacity than Nature’s Head
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 28 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 15 x 16 x 18.38 |
| Agitator | Yes |
| Bin capacity | 2.4-gallon |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Warranty | 5-year plastic components; 1 year electrical components |
Nature's Head Composting Toilet
Best Self Contained Composting Toilet
The Nature’s Head is widely considered the gold standard for off-grid living. It is rugged, reliable, and uses a proven urine-diverting design to keep odors to an absolute minimum.
It features a “spider” handle agitator. This is a space-saving crank that you turn after using the toilet to mix the compost medium. Because it is compact, you can install this toilet closer to a wall than models with long crank handles.
The build quality is bomb-proof. It uses a 12v computer fan to continuously pull air through the solids bin and out a vent hose. This dries out the waste, drastically reducing volume and smell. Two people can use this full-time for about a month before needing to dump the solids bin.
Pros
- Industry-leading durability
- Excellent urine diversion
- Compact spider handle
- Simple, tool-free emptying
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- High price point
- Urine bottle needs frequent emptying (every 2-3 days)
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 28 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 22 x 20.5 x 21.7 |
| Agitator | Yes (spider handle) |
| Bin capacity | 2.2-gallon |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Warranty | 5-year |
Separett Villa 9215 AC/DC
Best High Capacity Composting Toilet
The Separett Villa brings a touch of Swedish sophistication to the bathroom. Unlike Nature’s Head or Ogo, you don’t have to look at your waste. When you sit down, a pressure-sensitive blue screen slides open; when you stand up, it closes, hiding the contents from view.
This unit is designed for permanent installation. It does not have a urine bottle. Instead, it has a drain hose that you plumb into a gray water tank or a soak pit outdoors. This gives it infinite liquid capacity, you never have to carry a bottle of pee through your house.
It also doesn’t use an agitator. Instead, the bin rotates slightly every time you sit down to distribute the waste. When the bin is full, you just lid it and swap it for a fresh one.
Pros
- Privacy screen hides waste
- No urine bottle to empty
- Feels like a standard toilet
- Quiet operation
- Includes AC and DC adaptors
Cons
- Requires plumbing for urine drain
- Larger footprint
- No built-in agitator (uses rotation)
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 30 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 26.5 x 18 x 21.3 |
| Agitator | No |
| Bin capacity | 27.3 liters |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Warranty | 5-year |
Camco 41541 Portable Travel Toilet
Best Composting Toilet for RVs
Let’s be clear: the Camco 41541 is a portable “cassette” toilet, not a true composting unit. It doesn’t break waste down into soil; it holds it in a tank until you can dump it. However, for weekend RV trips or emergency use, it is a fantastic, budget-friendly option.
The top half holds freshwater for flushing, and the bottom half holds the waste. When the bottom is full, you detach it, walk it to a dump station or toilet, and empty it via the pour spout.
It is well built, seals tightly to keep smells inside, and costs a fraction of what a diverting toilet does. Just keep in mind that you will be dealing with a slurry of chemicals and waste, which is heavier and smellier to empty than dry compost.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Portable and lightweight
- Effective flush mechanism
- Seals odors well when closed
- 5.3-gallon waste capacity
Cons
- Not a true composting toilet
- Heavy to carry when full
- Requires chemicals to manage smell
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 10.8 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 14 x 16 x 15.5 |
| Agitator | No |
| Bin capacity | 20 liters |
| Price | $$ |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Trelino Evo S Composting Toilet
Best Composting Toilet for Camping
The Trelino Evo S is what a camping toilet should be: a real urine-separating composter shrunk down to the size of a cooler. At about 13 by 15 inches and under 9 pounds, it slides under a van bench or into a tent vestibule, then does the one thing a basic bucket never could, it keeps liquids and solids apart so the whole thing does not turn sour overnight.
A funnel at the front routes urine into a sealed 1.2-gallon bottle while solids drop into a separate 1.6-gallon bin lined with a bag. That separation, not a fan or chemicals, is why reviewers who lived with it in a campervan describe it as close to odorless. The trade-off is capacity: the small bins suit one or two people on a weekend, not a full-time household.
Build quality is the other reason it earns the camping pick. The ABS shell is water-resistant enough to rinse out or use in a wet shower stall, and it is rated to hold up to 330 pounds despite the light weight. For tent camping, truck-bed trips, or a simple van build, it is a genuine step up from a lined pail.
Pros
- True urine separation in a tiny footprint
- Under 9 pounds, easy to carry and stow
- No power, water, or chemicals needed
- Water-resistant ABS shell rinses clean
- Supports up to 330 pounds
Cons
- Small bins fill fast with daily use
- No vent fan, so it relies on the lid seals
- Premium price for a portable unit
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 8.6 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 13 x 15.4 x 11.7 |
| Agitator | No |
| Bin capacity | 1.6-gallon solids; 1.2-gallon urine |
| Construction | ABS plastic, supports 330 lbs |
| Made in | Germany |
Porta Potti White by Thetford
Best Portable Composting Toilet
The Thetford Porta Potti is the Cadillac of portable chemical toilets. It features a battery-powered flush, a comfortable seat height, and a sleek design that feels more like a home toilet than a camping gadget.
Like the Camco, this is a holding tank system. However, Thetford has refined the experience. It has a tank level indicator so you are never surprised by a full tank, and the pour-out spout rotates to make emptying the cassette much cleaner and splash-free.
It even includes a hidden toilet paper holder. If you want the convenience of a flush without the plumbing of a full composting system, this is the best portable unit money can buy.
Pros
- Battery-powered electric flush
- Tank level indicators
- Mess-free rotating pour spout
- Standard toilet height
- Integrated toilet paper holder
Cons
- Chemical smell can be strong
- Heavy when full (approx 40-50 lbs)
- Does not create compost
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 13.45 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 18.39 x 15.75 x 17.83 |
| Agitator | No |
| Bin capacity | 21 liters |
| Price | $$ |
| Warranty | 3-year |
Nomad by Ogo Portable Composting Toilet
Best Non-Electric Composting Toilet
Most units that control odor well lean on a 12-volt fan, which means a battery, wiring, and one more thing to fail off-grid. The Nomad by Ogo skips all of that. It is a no-power, no-plumbing toilet that gets its odor control the same way the pricier electric units do: by separating liquids from solids at the source, where the smell actually starts.
The front of the bowl diverts urine into a 4.5-liter (roughly 1.2-gallon) bottle, while solids drop into a compostable bag clipped at the back, good for around eight to ten uses before a swap. There is no agitator and no vent fan, so you keep things fresh by capping the bottle and tying off the bag rather than running power. That makes it ideal for truck campers, hunting blinds, small boats, and primitive sites where there is simply nothing to plug into.
At about 9 pounds and roughly 12 by 15 by 13 inches, it stows under a seat and is made in the USA. The honest limits: the bag system means recurring liner cost and more frequent dumping than a large self-contained composter, so it is built for short trips and minimalist setups, not full-time family use.
Pros
- Runs with zero power or plumbing
- Urine diversion controls odor without a fan
- Light and compact for trucks and tents
- Simple 8-gallon bag system, no special liners
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Bag system means ongoing liner cost
- Smaller capacity suits short trips, not full-time use
- No vent fan to clear lingering odor
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 9 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 12.38 x 15.4 x 13 |
| Agitator | No |
| Bin capacity | 8-gallon bag solids; 4.5-liter urine |
| Power | None required |
| Made in | USA |
| Product | Best | Weight | Dimensions | Agitator | Bin capacity | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogo Compost Toilet | Odor | 28 lbs | 15 x 16 x 18.38″ | Yes | 2.4-gal | 5-year |
| Nature’s Head Composting Toilet | Self-Contained | 28 lbs | 22 x 20.5 x 21.7″ | Yes | 2.2-gal | 5-year |
| Separett Villa 9215 AC/DC | High-Capacity | 30 lbs | 26.5 x 18 x 21.3″ | No | 27.3 L | 5-year |
| Camco 41541 Portable Travel Toilet | RVs | 10.8 lbs | 14 x 16 x 15.5″ | No | 20 L | 1-year |
| Trelino Evo S Composting Toilet | Camping | 8.6 lbs | 13 x 15.4 x 11.7″ | No | 1.6-gal solids | Made in Germany |
| Porta Potti White by Thetford | Portable | 13 lbs | 18.39 x 15.75 x 17.83″ | No | 21 L | 3-year |
| Nomad by Ogo Portable Composting Toilet | Non-Electric | 9 lbs | 12.38 x 15.4 x 13″ | No | 8-gal bag | Made in USA |
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Composting toilets are generally considered “low tech,” but they do require specific setup to ensure they don’t smell. The goal is to create an environment where aerobic bacteria can thrive.
In the US, many units aim for NSF Standard 41 certification. This ensures the toilet actually handles the capacity it claims and contains bacteria safely (1).
How to Install
Most urine-diverting toilets (like Nature’s Head or Ogo) follow a similar install path. Here is the general workflow:
- Location: Ensure you have clearance to open the lid or remove the drawer. If the toilet has a side crank, make sure it isn’t hitting the wall.
- Venting: This is critical. You need to run a hose from the toilet to the outside. Avoid sharp 90-degree turns in the hose, as these restrict airflow and trap smells.
- Power: If your unit has a fan (highly recommended), wire it to your 12v DC system. A small fuse is usually included.
- Mounting: Screw the brackets to the floor. The toilet usually clips onto these, allowing you to remove the whole unit if necessary.
Daily Maintenance
Using these toilets is slightly different from what you are used to.
- Sit Down: Everyone needs to sit. The urine diverter is located at the front of the bowl. If you stand, you will miss the target and contaminate the solids bin.
- Cover It: After doing “number two,” you usually need to turn the agitator handle to mix the waste with the medium. If you don’t have an agitator, you manually cover the waste with a scoop of sawdust.
- Paper: Most people put toilet paper right in the bowl. It breaks down fine, though single-ply works fastest.
Emptying the Bins
This is the part everyone worries about, but it is surprisingly not gross if done right.
1. The Urine Bottle
This needs to be emptied frequently, usually every 2 to 4 days for two people.
- Unlock the toilet latch and lift the upper bowl.
- Remove the bottle and cap it immediately.
- Pour it into a regular toilet, a dedicated outhouse, or dilute it with water (10:1 ratio) to use as fertilizer on non-edible plants.
2. The Solids Bin
You only empty this when it’s full, which can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months depending on usage.
- If the crank is hard to turn, it is full.
- Tip the contents into a compostable trash bag. It should look and smell like damp soil, not sewage.
- Place this bag into your main outdoor compost pile to finish curing. Do not put this directly on your vegetable garden yet; it needs more time to kill off pathogens.
- Pro Tip: Re-prime the empty bin with a layer of hydrated coconut coir before using it again.
Top Tip
Composting Toilet FAQs
In Conclusion
For most off-grid and tiny-home setups, a urine-diverting model like the Ogo or Nature’s Head is the safest bet: separating liquids from solids is what actually stops the smell. If you only need a toilet for weekend camping or a backup, the Trelino or Nomad keeps it simple with no power required, while the Camco and Porta Potti suit anyone who just wants a portable flush and does not care about making compost. Match the unit to how many people use it and how often you can empty it, and the rest tends to take care of itself.
