If you travel in an RV regularly or like going camping now and then, it will be easy to understand the importance of basic human facilities. One of the main priorities is to have clean and accessible toilets. With the ongoing pandemic, we are more careful about our hygiene and taking that extra step in every possible case. When it comes to living the outdoor life, taking a personal portable toilet is preferable.
Buying the best portable loo is also essential when travelling to a place lacking the most public facilities. Looking for places to relieve yourself comfortably in between long distances may not seem like the best option in such circumstances, and that is why you must have a camping toilet at hand.
When purchasing a camping toilet, you need to consider its dimensions and features. Then, analyse whether or not it would be a perfect fit for yourself. There are simple camping toilets that you can lift and take with you, and there are also those that are more complicated, complete with indicators and flush. The best camping toilet should be portable, easy to use, store, and clean.
To assist you in making the rightful decision, we have done all the hard work in your place. We have considered all the portable toilets on the list, including their dimensions, features, and ease of use. We came down with a list of the best portaloos you can buy or install in your caravans. Read through our comprehensive buying guide and make an informed decision before making a purchase.
The Best Camping Toilets for Your Journey
Out of all the camping toilets in the market, we came up with eight of the best. These portable loos are all efficient, convenient and will make your journey better. Now, let us get started with the top products available in the market!
1. Thetford Qube 335
The company behind Thetford Qube 335 has a history of making portable toilets that are easy to assemble, use, clean, and store. The Qube 335 is compact, and thus you can store it out of sight in an RV or even smaller vehicles.
This Thetford toilet is exceptionally comfortable to sit on with all the essential features. It is divided into two compartments. The upper part consists of a toilet seat, lid, 10-litre capacity water tank, and piston flush. Moreover, the lower part contains a 10-litre waste tank with a level indicator. It notifies you if the waste bin needs to be emptied to prevent accidents inside the RV.
The Thetford Qube 335 is a quality product. The brand included a mechanical seal and a sliding valve to prevent odours from escaping. Also, the lid has a latch to be locked when not in use.
Some of the best features include the hold-down kit, which secures it down to the ground. It also has a rotating waste spout which increases the distance between the toilet seat and the waste tank and reduces the chances of splashing. Furthermore, you can separate the upper and lower parts for easy dumping.
- Lightweight and compact
- Comfortable
- Piston flush
- Rotating spout
- Sliding valve and a seal
- Waste tank level indicator
- Requires frequent emptying
2. Hi-Gear Portable Camping Toilet
The Hi-Gear camping toilet is an excellent choice if you have a tight budget. The Hi-Gear portable loo is made of durable and shiny plastic. Additionally, some people mistake it for anything but a toilet due to its appearance.
The plastic construction also makes the toilet extremely lightweight. It is easy to carry around in your camping journeys due to the attached handles. There is an inner bucket that acts as a waste tank.
The Hi-Gear camping toilet is best used with a liner, and the liner bags also make the cleaning process relatively simple. It is because the toilet lacks any proper odour-controlling features. To clean the loo, all you need to do is remove and empty it.
- Lightweight
- Inner waste bucket
- Carrying handles
- Allows the use of liner bags
- Affordable
- Takes a lot of space
3. Thetford Porta Potti 565E
The Thetford Porta Potti 565E is nothing more than a luxury portable toilet. The toilet features extreme quality, robust construction, and ergonomic design with the latest technology. The Thetford 565E has an in-built electric piston that runs on four AAA batteries for quick and quiet flushing.
The Porta Potti products are so widely used that the term has become generic to describe all portable toilets. It is very lightweight, although it has several additional features. They include a toilet paper holder, a carrying handle, and a level indicator for the flush-water tank and the waste-holding tank.
The upper water-holding section and the lower waste-holding section are detachable to add to your convenience. The waste tanks are available in various sizes, so you can swap them according to how high you prefer your toilet.
The Porta Potti has more incredible features that will make you immediately add this product to your camping collection. There is a rotating spout which makes emptying pretty straightforward. Moreover, the vent button on the waste tank prevents any splashes during the cleaning process. There is also a stopper that holds the emptying spout in its place so you can reattach the two tanks without hindrance.
- Electric flush
- Toilet roll holder
- Level indicator for both tanks
- Unique rotating emptying spout
- Offers 57 flushes
- Lightweight and durable
- Makes cleaning incredibly easy
- A bit too large
- A little pricey
4. Camco Portable Travel Toilet
The Camco camping toilet is one of the best portaloos available in the market, especially in its price range. The sturdy construction makes it incredibly durable, lasting you countless camping trips. It can support up to 330 pounds of weight, while the toilet does not weigh more than 11 pounds.
Adults and children will find this portable toilet extremely helpful. Its intelligent design efficiently manages all waste. It has a detachable holding tank that uses side latches to secure the seat in place. The Camco portable toilet is a must-buy as it is very comfortable to sit on.
It incorporates a bellow-type flush and a sealing slide valve. The role of the slide valve is to prevent odours from escaping. In addition, the valve seal helps prevent any leaks and maintains a feeling of cleanliness.
- 5.3-gallon capacity
- Sealing slide valve
- Bellow type flush
- Strong construction
- Leak and odour proof
- Detachable holding tank with side latches
- The inside of the toilet seat is quite small
- No ventilation which causes pressure-related splashes
5. Dometic Portable Toilet
Dometic understands that the environment of wildlife areas and most campsites are subjected to harsh environments in a matter of seconds. Therefore, they designed this camping toilet using high-grade ABS construction. The end product is incredibly durable and is capable of withstanding pressure.
This portable toilet offers a 5-gallon tank capacity, making it ideal for most camping trips. It weighs about 12 pounds when empty, and thus, carrying it around should not be much of a problem.
The Dometic portaloo has certain other unique features as well. The prismatic level indicator alerts you when you need to empty the tank. With just a push of the button, the toilet flushes its bowl instantly, saving you some extra effort. The makers included a latching lid and brackets that you can install on the floor. Both these features provide safety and prevent any possible mishaps.
- ABS construction
- 5-gallon capacity
- Tank level indicator
- Push-button flush
- Latching lid
- Brackets
- Side latches
- Housing scratches easily
- The pump makes undesirable noises
6. Triptips Portable Loo
If your number one priority for a camping loo is portability, then this would be your perfect choice. It is a foldable toilet and includes a travel bag in the package. This portable toilet is also available in various shapes and sizes to satisfy your aesthetics.
The design is plain and lightweight. However, this product does not support more than 100 kg of weight. So if you weigh more than that, avoid making its purchase.
The toilet seat of Triptips Loo is quite comfortable and made using waterproof material. However, you will need to make separate purchases for disposable bags and other sanitary chemicals. Place the garbage or a liner bag inside the toilet to set it up. Once done, dispose of the bag and fold down the toilet in a two-inch bag.
- Portable and foldable
- Does not require extensive cleaning
- Versatile design
- Waterproof
- Comfortable
- Does not come with liner bags
- Does not support more than 100 kg weight
7. Sfeomi Camping Toilet
The Sfeomi camping toilet can be purchased at half the price of other luxurious toilets, offering similar features. It uses high-grade polyethylene in its construction and does not require external power to operate. It has a net capacity of 20 litres, making it remarkable for its cost value.
The Sfeomi portable loo allows a maximum of 50 flushes, making it a perfect choice for extended camping trips. Its durable design can withstand up to 330 pounds, ideal for children and adults.
- Detachable lid
- Large waste outlet
- Durable and affordable
- Offers 50 flushes
- Double flush system
- Sealed drain valve
- Several leaks have been reported
- Demands proper cleaning
8. Cleanwaste Portable Toilet
This camping toilet is the most portable due to its unique design. You can fold the Cleanwaste portaloo into a briefcase-like shape, and it also has a carrying handle.
Thus, no one would guess it is a toilet kit when you carry it around. The design is very cost-effective and efficiently handles your waste.
Collapsibility is the top feature that makes this portable toilet popular among campers. Moreover, the portable loo is convenient and easy to store in the smallest places. With such a feature, you will be surprised at the stability and comfort of the seat once it opens up. The toilet can withstand a weight of around 500 pounds.
Instead of incorporating storage tanks, the Cleanwaste portable toilet uses waste bags that you can easily discard after you are done. Hence, you will not have to do extra cleaning for this product. However, it takes some time to disassemble the legs as the plastic tabs are hard to press.
- Affordable
- Folds into a portable toilet kit
- Integrated handle
- Supports around 500 pounds of weight
- Comfortable with easy set-up
- Tabs to fold legs are hard to press
- Short height
Best Camping Toilets — the Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
Now that you know all the best options for a camping toilet, you need to select one out of them. This guide will show you the factors that you need to consider.
Capacity
The prime factor you must consider while choosing a portable toilet is its capacity. The most available options consist of a three to five-gallon tank. In addition, a larger capacity tank does not require you to empty it more often. However, you will have to carry extra weight, and it will be heavier to lug around at the time of need.
Therefore, choose a size that is not too big to make you carry extra weight or too small that would require frequent cleaning. Also, consider your trip duration and distance from the toilet facilities at the site. Compare the time you will be spending away from on-site bathrooms to the capacity of your portable toilet. Making a decision will become easy from there.
Odour Control
What is worse than not having a bathroom nearby on your camping trip? It is getting a portable toilet that fails to control foul odours. It is a significant factor to consider when deciding what portaloo you should buy.
The best camping toilet brand is the one that takes an additional step to trap all the odours inside. They either include a tightly sealed lid or a slide valve for this purpose.
The function of the slide valve is to prevent the odours from escaping the waste tank. The slide valve is a plate inserted at the bottom of the bowl. To allow waste to fall into the waste tank after use, pull the lever to the front to open the valve. When you are done, push it back in its position to close.
Flushing System
The flush system of a portable toilet will be different from the ones at home. The basic portaloos will have a spray down rather than a full flush to get rid of solid waste from the drain.
We recommend filling it with a chemical before use, and it will help turn your solid waste into a gel-like substance. This way, it will diminish the growth of odour-causing bacteria, and chances of any leaks will become zero. The chemicals add a pleasant fragrance to your toilet for a more tolerable experience.
There are also flushing camping toilets available in the market. It is a separate section from the waste tank and built into the toilet seat, and they require a freshwater reservoir to work the process.
The water reservoir and the waste tank can come apart in most portable toilets. Moreover, it allows for quick and easy dumping of waste without affecting the water in its tank. The clamps used to detach the two tanks are also used to hold them together to make the toilet functional.
Waste Removal
As there are two main types of portaloos, the cleaning process of each is different too. The kind that does not include a flushing system uses a bag. In addition, it allows you to remove the inner tub, which you can then dispose of in a hole in the ground.
For the toilets that run on water reservoirs, you will need to empty and rinse off the waste container once it is full. Most people prefer the former option as it does not require much effort. It is also a safer option with lesser chances of leaks, spills, or any accidents that might ruin your trip.
Weight
The dimension of the camping toilet and its weight play an essential role in the final decision. As you need to be carrying around your portable toilet, it should not be too heavy. For most people, 15 pounds and under is the most convenient.
The purpose of a camping toilet gets defeated the second it becomes difficult to move around. The best among all is the one with a large capacity yet remains lightweight and portable. It is noteworthy that some brands put in that extra effort and produce carrying cases that enhance their portability.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where should I empty the portable camping toilet?
When camping on an official site, it should have a Chemical Disposal Point or CDP to dump your toilet waste. If you are not staying at a campsite or the location does not have a dumping point, flush the waste content down a regular toilet. However, if you are in an unfortunate situation and cannot even execute the second suggestion, wait for the trip to end and do it at your home.
2. How to prevent your camping toilet from smelling?
We all know that camping toilet odours can be pretty dreadful. Therefore, there are certain cleaning tablets and chemicals that you can use to control the bad smell. Keeping an air freshener at the site can be pretty useful too. You should also regularly let the bad smell out and fresh air in.
3. How to maintain a camping toilet?
You need to follow a few steps to keep your camping toilet in good condition.
First, keep the toilet as clean as possible. Give a general wipe every day while you are on the journey and a thorough clean-up when you return home. Do not store any water in the portable toilet. Moreover, all tanks must be emptied, cleaned, and flushed adequately before putting it away.
Open the spout a bit to provide some ventilation to your portaloo. Also, do not leave any covering between the toilet seat and the waste tank. To prevent cracking of the rubber seal, keep it moist with any kind of lubricant. Lastly, store the camping toilet in a dry environment.
Conclusion
Choosing a portable toilet for your trip is time-consuming, especially if you are looking for the best camping toilet. As it is a basic human need, you must conduct thorough research. We have done all that, so all you have to do is read through the guide to make a final decision.
Having a portable toilet at sites where fixed bathrooms are not available is nothing less than a blessing. Portaloos are helpful, especially if you are travelling with seniors or children. Moreover, its convenience during a long trip will make the purchase worthwhile. Thus, while shopping for your next trip, you should not neglect this purchase since it is essential. Now that you know what features to look for in a camping toilet, making the final decision should be easy.
Just wondering, do any of these models use biodegradable bags or have eco-friendly options? Trying to keep things green on my camping trips. Thanks, OutdoorMag!
Good list, but missed including weight for each. For backpacking, every ounce counts.
We tried the Triptips Portable Loo last summer and it was a game-changer for camping with the kids! Highly recommend for anyone camping with family.
Remember to check local regulations on waste disposal when using portable toilets in the wild. Always leave no trace!
Great point, Emily! Respecting nature is key.
Anyone know which of these is the most budget-friendly?
Curious how the flushing systems compare across these models. The Porta Potti 565E sounds advanced but is it the best?
The Dometic Portable Toilet fits perfectly in my van setup. Space-saving and reliable for long trips!
Some of these seem overcomplicated. When camping, simpler is often better. Has anyone tried these and found them too bulky or fiddly?
I’ve personally tested the Camco Portable Travel Toilet on a two-week road trip. It’s easy to use and clean, but the capacity could be an issue for longer trips or larger groups. Perfect for solo travelers or couples.
Any of these work well in a kayak? Space is tight, and it needs to be light.