When you are in the back and beyond, sometimes you need to go to the toilet. Short of hiding behind a bush, there are ways to bring the comforts of home to the campsite. You need to get a portable toilet.
So, which are the best portable camping toilets? Let’s find out.
- Great price
- Manual flush action
- 330 pound weight capacity
- Battery-operated flush
- Know the water levels
- Comfort seat height
- No smells
- Good for nature
- Sturdy construction
- Complete system in one
- Compact package
- Increases camping flexibility
- Totally compact
- Total convenience
- Ideal budget option
- Bellows-style flush
- Sturdy construction
- Large carrying handles
Product Reviews
As we delve deeper into the world of portable toilets, we bring you the 7 best options to make your camping trip a breeze.
Luggable Loo Reliance products
Best Bucket Toilet
This toilet is very simple to use. It is the most basic form of travel toilet, and that reflects in the price. Compare this to some of the Porta-Potty styles, and you will see savings of over a few hundred dollars. That said, it doesn’t have any of the Porta-Potty refinements, and it is as far removed from a standard toilet.
It consists of a 5-gallon bucket with a seat and lid, as well as a waste bag to collect the solids. You could pee in the bucket, but for the best results, you should try and keep it to solids only. The bags should have a drying agent like kitty litter, sawdust and peat moss to start the composting process.
What We Like
Simplicity
You cannot argue with the concept of a bucket with a seat and lid. What more is there to say about how simple this toilet is, and yet it is effective, especially if you are hunting, fishing or wild camping.
Cost-Effective Option
Comparing the cost of a Porta-Potty style toilet with the price of this Luggable Loo is like comparing a Rolls Royce with a Toyota. You will save a few hundred dollars when you buy this toilet.
Easy To Transport
Thanks to its compact dimensions, this is a toilet that is easy to transport. It doesn’t take up much room in the trunk of your car, and it is lightweight when empty.
What We Don't Like
Pretty Basic
Strangely enough, this is Luggable Loo’s biggest attribute and largest failing. It is the least like a toilet of any on the list. This won’t be a problem for some who accept that the type of camping they like is all about challenges and hardship.
Can Be Smelly
It isn’t ideal, sharing your tent with a bucket full of human waste. And even when you bag it up, you still need to store it until you reach a trash can.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 3 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 34 x 37 x 32.5 |
| Capacity (gallons/ liters) | 5 gallons waste |
| Flush (battery/ manual) | No flush |
| Additional features | Sturdy metal handle |
| Price | $ |
| Warranty | 5-year |
Our Ratings
Camco (41541) Portable Travel Toilet
Best Portable Flush Toilet
This is a portable toilet in the same style as the Thetford Porta-Potti. It has a detachable waste tank, a sliding hatch to seal in odors and prevent leaks, and a fillable flush tank. It does have one significant difference in that it has a manual bellows-type flush mechanism.
This means that you don’t rely on batteries to activate the flush. As we know, batteries lose juice over time, but with this toilet, that isn’t an issue.
The waste tank is larger than the Porta-Potti by 0.3 gallons, but the flush tank is about a third smaller, so you won’t get as many flushes. It’s also 3 inches shorter in height, so tall people may not find it as comfortable.
What We Like
Great Price
This toilet is half the price of the Thetford, making it an affordable alternative. It may lack the sleek lines and curves of the Porta-Potti, but looks aren’t everything when you save half the cost.
Manual Flush Action
The bellows style of flush action is sturdy. It also means you are not reliant on electricity or battery power to work the flush. This toilet will keep flushing long after the batteries are dead on the Porta-Potti, and think about the savings on additional batteries.
330 Pound Weight Capacity
This toilet has a significant weight capacity of 330 pounds. This means that larger members of your family can benefit without fear of the toilet collapsing under their weight. It proves this is a sturdy and robust portable toilet.
What We Don't Like
Smaller Flush Capacity
The flush tank on this toilet is about a third of the capacity of the Thetford. It isn’t a deal-breaker, but it does mean you will be filling it more often. It makes it that bit harder to keep the toilet clean after use.
Side Emptying Cap
We get that the tank needs emptying, but the cap style and location increase the risks of leakage as the seal ages. You don’t get this problem on the Porta-Potti because the pouring spout is a retractable one that sits on the top of the tank.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 10.8 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 14 x 16 x 15.5 |
| Capacity (gallons/ liters) | 5.3 gallons waste and 2.5 gallons flush |
| Flush (battery/ manual) | Manual bellows-style |
| Additional features | Robust clips and additional weight support |
| Price | $ |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Our Ratings
Porta-Potti White Thetford Corp
Best Luxurious Portable Camping Toilet
Thetford is the world’s largest manufacturer of portable toilets, so they should know a thing or two. This model has a 4-gallon flush tank, which should give you 56 flushes, and a 5-gallon waste tank.
The flush is battery operated, so it removes the need for a power supply, making an ideal toilet for a tent or an RV, and it has a level indicator for the waste and fresh water tank.
It even has a concealed toilet roll holder built into the base.
What We Like
Battery-Operated Flush
Some toilets require a power supply, but this Porta-Potti is battery-operated, so it removes that worry. Installing this toilet in an RV or camper conversion will not drain any power from the leisure batteries.
Know the Water Levels
Knowing how full your waste tank is or how empty the flush tank might be is crucial if you want to stay on top of your toilets cleanliness and emptying regime.
Comfort Seat Height
The seat height is just over 17 inches, meaning that taller people or those with mobility issues will find this Porta-Potti easier to use. It means that everyone is catered for on the family camping trip.
What We Don't Like
Costs a Lot
This is not a budget option by any stretch. You can get portable toilets a lot cheaper than this model. However, it is from the leading maker of portable toilets, so you are getting a quality product. Just remember, quality costs money.
Heavy When Full
Imagine lugging 5 gallons of human waste, and you’ll soon work up a sweat. These cassettes are hard to lift when full. Some cassettes have wheels, but this model lacks that luxury, which, for the price, you might have expected it to have.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 12.79 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 17.64 x 15.28 x 17.72 |
| Capacity (gallons/ liters) | 5 gallons waste and 4 gallons flush |
| Flush (battery/ manual) | Battery |
| Additional features | Concealed roll holder, comfort height seat, optional floor plate |
| Price | $$ |
| Warranty | 3-year |
Our Ratings
Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet
Best Portable Composting Toilet
This toilet utilizes a dry system to biodegrade the waste matter in the solids tank. It has a vent pipe as well as a 12-volt fan set into the head. The fan circulates fresh air around the bathroom and aerates the solids to help them decompose.
Because the system is dry, no cross-contamination occurs because the solids and the liquids are separated. The solids bin can last 3 to 4 weeks, depending on the usage, and the great news is there is zero smell.
You do need an additive like coffee grounds or sawdust to coat the solid matter, and the agitator arm on the side helps to mix it all together.
What We Like
No Smells
By removing the liquids from the solids, you eliminate cross-contamination, which is what creates the smells associated with portable camping toilets. Keeping the fecal matter completely dry helps to break it down slowly over prolonged periods.
Good for Nature
This is the greenest way of going to the toilet because it uses no water, chemicals and relies on decomposition to turn the waste product into reusable compost. It is so green, what you pooped earlier could help to grow your flowers.
Works in Almost Any Environment
Trucks, RVs, camper conversions, boats; you name it, and this Nature’s Head toilet will work there. All you need is enough power to run the 12-volt fan, and that only draws 0.1 amps.
Sturdy Construction
Nature’s Head toilets were originally designed for the marine environment, so as a result, they are robust and built to last. They even get the thumbs up from the US Coastguard for standards.
What We Don't Like
Very Pricey
You cannot hide from the fact that this composting toilet is expensive. It makes the Zimmer camping potty look like a budget option. Even compared to other compost toilets, Nature’s Head toilets are costly.
21.5 Inches Tall
This composting toilet sits at around 21.5 inches tall, so little ones will struggle getting onto this unit. It also means that it might be too cumbersome for some RVs and campervan conversions.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 28 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 20 x 20.5 x 21.7 |
| Capacity (gallons/ liters) | 5 gallons waste and 4 gallons flush |
| Flush (battery/ manual) | No flush (dry system) |
| Additional features | Separator flap, spider agitator handle, 12-volt fan |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Warranty | 5-year |
Our Ratings
Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Toilet System
Best All-In-One Portable Toilet System
If you are looking for a complete all-in-one toilet package, this is the best choice. It comes with a collapsible toilet, a toilet tent, and 15 waste kits. It even has a carrying case to pack it all away.
The tent could be used as a shower cubicle if you so wished, and the fact that this set packs away so compactly means it will take up minimal storage room in the camper, RV or car. The tent stands at 6 feet 6 inches, and the floor area measures 4 x 4 feet.
There is no floor to the tent, but that is an advantage, especially if you decide to mount a shower system instead.
What We Like
Complete System In One
This set takes up such little space in your vehicle that it could be the ideal solution when taking day trips with the kids. You could pitch it at the beach or when you are on a picnic.
Compact Package
This pack folds down to 28 inches by 6 inches, which is a compact little kit. It means that you don’t need to own a massive RV to transport it to different locations. It will fit comfortably in the trunk of a saloon car.
Increases Camping Flexibility
There may be sites or locations that you have avoided in the past because you lacked the toilet capabilities to stay there. This changes that and increases the flexibility and possibilities of where you can camp.
What We Don't Like
Very Basic Toilet
The toilet that comes with this set is pretty basic. It consists of foldable legs and a plastic bag to collect your waste. This isn’t going to be an issue for some who think just having the toilet is a luxury, but keep it in mind.
Creepy Crawlies
There is no groundsheet with this tent, so check under the rim of the toilet before you sit down. Bugs love tents without floors. You may have to tolerate sharing your poop with pests.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 7.98 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 25 x 25 x 25 |
| Capacity (gallons/ liters) | No maximum capacity |
| Flush (battery/ manual) | No flush (dry system) |
| Additional features | Carry bag, 15 waste bags |
| Price | $$$ |
| Warranty | No stated warranty |
Our Ratings
Reliance Products Fold-to-Go Collapsible Toilet
Best Collapsible Camping Toilet
This is the ultimate collapsible toilet. It folds down to just 5 inches high, making it the ideal choice for those who like to hike off the beaten track and wild camp in secluded spots. It easily fits into a backpack and is compatible with Reliance Products Double Doodle bags.
The unique leg locking system will take the weight of a 300-pound person, and the lid fits snugly around the seat to create a seal that discourages smells. When the toilet is full, simply remove the bag and seal it up, ready for the trash.
You need a dry agent to add to the poop bags, such as sawdust, coffee grinds and peat moss.
What We Like
Totally Compact
The way this toilet folds down is so simple and yet ingenious. To pack a toilet this small into your backpack or car, is amazing. It may be basic, but it does the job well.
Total Convenience
The bag system means that you can take this toilet anywhere and never leave any human waste out in nature. All you need to do is tightly seal the bags to avoid smells and dispose of them when you find a trash can.
Ideal Budget Option
Sometimes you need a toilet solution that is basic and gets the task done. You might not want to spend big to get the best that money can buy. This toilet does almost the same thing as the Nature’s Head unit but for far less money.
What We Don't Like
Very Basic
This toilet is not going to please everyone. What it does best is to be basic, and for some, that is a step too far. The idea of pooping into a bag is one that horrifies some fair weather campers.
You Need a Trash Can
The idea of storing your waste in bags while you try and find a trash can is far from appealing. If you are remote camping, you might be better off digging a hole to defecate in and then burying the waste.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 4.5 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 14.5 x 14.5 x 14.5 (5 inches when collapsed) |
| Capacity (gallons/ liters) | No maximum capacity |
| Flush (battery/ manual) | No flush (dry system) |
| Additional features | None |
| Price | $ |
| Warranty | 5-years |
Our Ratings
Zimmer Portable Camping Porta Potty
Best Chemical Camping Toilet
This Portable camping and RV toilet has a bellows-style flush and a freshwater tank that holds 3 gallons. The waste tank is 5 gallons and has a pouring spout mounted to the rear at the base.
The sliding trap-door seals the waste tank, containing all the odors inside. It also ensures there is no leakage. The two parts of the toilet clip together using sturdy latches, and both the freshwater and waste tank benefit from large and robust handles.
The toilet sits approximately 16 inches in height, so it should be comfortable even for the tallest people, and it weighs 9.75 pounds.
What We Like
Bellows-Style Flush
With this type of flush action, you don’t need any power to engage the flush. It’s all done manually, which is an advantage because it is less prone to breaking down, and it won’t lose power like battery-operated systems.
Sturdy Construction
This toilet is made from high-density polyethylene, so it will last the rigors of life in the wild. It can take the knocks of constant travel and emptying.
Large Carrying Handles
Two large carrying handles make it easier to transport both elements of the toilet for filling and emptying. It also makes it easier to maneuver to and from the car.
What We Don't Like
High Price Tag
Expect a hefty bill when you buy this toilet because it is the most expensive Porta-Potty style toilet included on the list. It’s even more costly than the Thetford, our luxury pick.
Not Comfort Height
This is a few inches shorter than some in its class, which means those with mobility issues or taller people will find this less comfortable to sit on.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 9.75 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 16.5 x 12 x 13.5 |
| Capacity (gallons/ liters) | 5 waste tank and 3 flush tank |
| Flush (battery/ manual) | Manual (bellows-style) |
| Additional features | Sturdy clips, leak-free spout |
| Price | $$$ |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Our Ratings
| Product | Best | Weight | Dimensions | Capacity | Flush (battery/ manual) | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luggable Loo Reliance products | Bucket | 3 lbs | 34 x 37 x 32.5″ | 5 gal | No flush | 5-year |
| Camco (41541) Portable Travel Toilet | Flush | 11 lbs | 14 x 16 x 15.5″ | 5.3 gal | Manual | 1-year |
| Porta-Potti White Thetford Corp | Luxurious | 13 lbs | 17.64 x 15.28 x 17.72″ | 5 gal | Battery | 3-year |
| Nature’s Head Self-Contained Toilet | Composting | 28 lbs | 20 x 20.5 x 21.7″ | 5 gal | No flush | 5-year |
| Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Toilet | All-In-One | 8 lbs | 25 x 25 x 25″ | None | No flush | N/A |
| Reliance Products Fold-to-Go | Collapsible | 4.5 lbs | 14.5 x 14.5 x 14.5″ | None | No flush | 5-years |
| Zimmer Camping Porta Potty | Chemical | 10 lbs | 16.5 x 12 x 13.5″ | 5 gal | Manual | Not stated |
Types of Portable Camping Toilets
While they all fall under the banner of portable, there are different varieties of camping toilets.
Bag/Bucket Toilet
The description of this type of toilet leaves little to the imagination. It is precisely what it claims to be; a bucket or a bag that you defecate into and then throw in the trash or empty at a chemical toilet disposal point.
A bucket toilet consists of a bucket, a seat with a closable lid and a liner bag to collect the waste. The bag should have kitty litter or sawdust in it to reduce the moisture and combat odors.
You can dispose of the bag in the trash just like you would a used diaper.
Flush Toilets
Flush toilets are a step up from bags or buckets in that they have a separate chamber to collect the waste product. The best bit about this type of toilet is that they have a sealed sliding flap to trap in the smells and chemicals are added to the tank and the flush to reduce odors and help break down the solids.
There are 4 main elements to a flushable cassette toilet:
- A water pump.
- A toilet seat with a lid.
- A freshwater reservoir for flushing.
- A detachable chemical waste tank that forms the base of the toilet.
These are the best toilets to use if you are staying in one place for an extended period. The downside with this type of toilet is you can only empty them at designated chemical disposal points. So, they are better suited to gentile camping on authorized sites with facilities rather than wild camping.
Also, unless you have an indicator on the tank, you might have to open the reservoir to check if it is full.
Compost Toilet
Composting toilets are the pinnacle of camping and RV commodes. They are far removed from the basic bucket and chuck it option. Compost toilets are a favorite of RV-ers because they are clean, environmentally friendly and can be used for prolonged periods between emptying.
The main components of a composting toilet are as follows:
- A liquid waste bottle.
- A toilet seat with a lid.
- A solid waste bucket.
- A trap door to separate the liquids.
- A composting agitator crank.
- A vent pipe.
- A 12-volt vent fan (optional).
They work by separating the solids from the liquids, which reduces cross-contamination. The solids tank typically has a drying agent added, like coffee grinds, sawdust or peat moss. This helps to draw out the liquid and start the composting process.
The agitator crank turns to mix the solids and helps to break it down, and the vent pipe channels bad smells to the outside. The 12-volt fan helps to aerate the waste material to ease the decomposition and to stop odors.
Just like the bucket option, you can safely dispose of your waste in the trash. It will need emptying every 2 weeks or so, depending on how many people use the toilet. The liquids will need emptying more regularly.
Compost toilets are better suited to RVs and campervan conversions because they are not portable like chemical toilets and often require an electrical supply to power the fan.
How To Choose a Portable Camping Toilet
Whether it’s capacity or price, there are many elements to consider when choosing a portable toilet.
Watch That Price
Price is top of the list because the costs can range from a few dollars to a couple thousand. The bucket option is always going to be the budget option, and the composting toilet will have you counting the zeros.
Type of Toilet
The type of portable toilets vary to suit different environments. For those who like to leave the well-trodden path, a bucket/bag combination would work best. Wild camping is not the same as visiting a campsite with facilities. You have to travel light, and the bucket toilet is about as light as it gets.
Flush toilets are better suited to campsites because you can only empty them at designated points. The chemicals in the waste tank are harmful to wildlife.
Compost toilets need a power supply for the 12-volt fan and so fit the RV and campervan conversion environment better. They are not as portable, so taking one on a tenting trip is not going to work.
Love the Environment
Flush toilets use chemicals, which are not environmentally friendly. You can only empty them at designated points. You can’t even flush them into your septic tank when you get home. The most nature-friendly option is the compost toilet because there is no contamination, and it is a dry process that uses time, air and a drying agent to break down the waste.
Urine is full of plant-friendly ingredients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which plants love. Don’t fret about emptying your pee into a hedge; just don’t choose the same spot each day.
Dry or Wet System
This choice boils down to bucket or flush versus compost toilets. Dry systems produce the least amount of odor and have a higher capacity between disposal. But, and this is a biggie, they are expensive compared to the other varieties.
Wet systems are perfectly adequate for depositing your waste, but they are prone to producing smells that aren’t pleasant.
How To Clean and Maintain a Portable Toilet
The correct cleaning regime depends on the type of toilet you have. Bucket toilets are for solids only, and they collect in a bag, so it is merely a case of lifting out the bag with the waste and disposing of it safely. Some disinfectant spray will suffice to give the rim and seat a wipe around.
Compost toilets have a solids chamber that operates in the same manner. The waste collects in a bag, which lifts out for disposal. The urine pot is the most likely cause for odors, so after emptying, rinse it with some hot soapy water and then sterilize it with vinegar and baking soda.
Chemical flush toilets require the most maintenance and cleaning because the solids and liquids mix in the same chamber. After emptying, rinse around with water and ammonia to neutralize future smells.
FAQs
Can You Poop in a Portable Camping Toilet?
100 percent, yes! That’s what they are designed for. Bucket toilets are for solids only, flush toilets combine solids and liquids in the same tank, and compost toilets allow you to separate the two.
Do Portable Toilets Smell Bad?
Some do, but it depends on the toilet and how frequently you empty it. Compost toilets produce almost zero odors because they are a dry system. Bucket toilets produce odors because they are poorly sealed, and no chemical additives are used to control the smell.
Cassette flush toilets create a slight odor if the waste material festers in the tank for too long, but the chemicals mask the smells to some extent.
How Do You Dispose of a Camping Toilet Bag?
You throw it in the trash just like you would a diaper. Human waste, sealed in a marked bag is perfectly safe in a trash can, unlike dog waste. Dog feces contains bacteria that can cause stomach upsets and toxocariasis, which is a type of roundworm.
How Often Does a Portable Toilet Need To Be Emptied?
It depends on how the toilet gets used and how often. A bucket toilet should need emptying every couple of days. A chemical toilet can last 2 to 3 days for 2 people using it and 3 to 4 days if you are using it solo.
A compost toilet can last 2 to 3 weeks between disposal, and the urine pot lasts 2 to 3 days.
How Long Do Portable Toilets Last?
On average, a portable toilet should last around 10 years with proper care and maintenance. Most portable toilets are made from corrosion-resistant materials that can withstand the test of time.
Most manufacturers offer their products warranties and regular maintenance services to ensure the toilet remains in good condition over its lifetime. But, this lifespan can be shortened if the toilet isn’t properly maintained or installed correctly.
Some recommended maintenance practices include regularly cleaning the exterior of the toilet with a mild detergent, emptying tanks as needed, and visually inspecting all parts of the toilet for signs of wear or damage each time it is used.
Can You Put Bleach in a Portable Toilet?
Don’t put bleach in a portable toilet because it can cause damage to the septic tank and internal components of the toilet. Using bleach can also be hazardous for humans and animals.
Instead, portable toilets should be cleaned with a detergent like Aqua-Kem or Raritan KO. These detergents are specifically designed for portable toilets, and their formulations are safe for both plastic and metal parts.
They also help to eliminate odors and break down waste quickly without harming internal parts of the toilet.
How Often Should Portable Toilets be Cleaned?
It’s recommended that portable toilets be cleaned at least once per week. This ensures the toilet remains sanitary and free of bacteria and odors. It helps to keep the waste tank functioning properly by preventing clogs and the buildup of materials.
When cleaning a portable toilet, use an approved detergent to avoid damaging the internal components of the toilet or septic systems.
All surfaces should be wiped down with a cloth using an approved cleaner to ensure maximum hygiene and prevent the buildup of dirt or bacteria.
Where Do You Empty a Portable Toilet When Camping?
Several factors should be considered when deciding where to dispose of your wastewater, so it’s important to research before setting out on your camping trip.
First, determine whether it’s legal to empty a portable toilet in the area you plan on visiting. Many public parks and campgrounds may have regulations against emptying waste from a portable toilet onto their grounds.
Check with local authorities for additional restrictions or permits that may be required for dumping waste in certain areas.
When choosing a spot for emptying the portable toilet, make sure it’s located away from water sources and trails used by hikers or other wildlife. If possible, find an area with good drainage, such as a ravine or gully, so that wastewater can quickly disperse.
However, if this isn’t possible, use biodegradable cleaning supplies such as RV-safe detergents or natural enzymes to help speed up the decomposition of waste materials.
What Is the Best Portable Toilet for Camping?
Camping excursions are made even better with the Camco Portable Toilet, the best toilet for adventurers. This detachable tank overflows less and provides an effortless flushing experience, even in locations without plumbing!
Unlike other Standard camping toilets, it seals up without any odors and has a convenient carrying handle. With the Camco Portable Toilet, outdoor trips are a no-hassle experience that all can enjoy.
The Scoop on the Poop
Some people like their creature comforts and will refuse to use a portable toilet point-blank. The idea of using a plastic bag horrifies them. But others see the benefit of roughing it and view any type of toilet as a luxury when camping.
There are toilet styles to suit everyone, but if you want a top-range portable toilet, be prepared to spend a lot of money.
