10 Best & Practical Portable Camping Toilets
Last Updated on May 18, 2022 by toilethaven
What is the best Portable Toilet for Camping?
Most camping grounds have restrooms or even vault toilets but are often located far from the camping sites. Trekking there at night is not an option for most people. This is where portable camping toilets come in.
Portable camping toilets give you the convenience of having a bathroom where running water and sewer lines do not exist. There are four main types of camping toilets to choose from. They are:
- Flush-type portable camping toilets
- Bucket-type portable camping toilets
- Foldable/collapsible portable camping toilets
- Composting portable camping toilets
Flush-type camping toilets have a freshwater tank and a holding tank as well as a bowl and seat. They are a little pricier but absolutely worth it.
Bucket-type camping toilets are dry toilets that are basically a 5-gallon bucket with a snap-on lid that serves as the seat. They are cheap and lightweight.
Foldable or collapsible camping toilets are also dry toilets that can be folded during transportation to make them more compact. They are also very sturdy.
Composting toilets are dry toilets that biologically turn human waste into compost with the help of a medium like saw dust or peat moss. They are a bit pricey.
All of these toilets can also be used as RV toilets instead of permanent RV toilets or cassette toilets.
The 10 Best Portable Camping Toilets are:
| Toilet | Capacity | Weight | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Thetford Porta Potti | 5.5 gallons | 13.45 pounds | Flushable |
| 2. Reliance Luggable Loo | 5 gallons | 3 pounds | Bucket |
| 3. Natures Head Composting Toilet | 80 uses | 28 pounds | Composting |
| 4. Cleanwaste Portable Toilet | 8-gallon waste bag | 7 pounds | Foldable |
| Camco Portable Toilet | 5.3 gallons | 11.5 pounds | Flushable |
| Basicwise portable toilet | 5 gallons | 5.5 pounds | Bucket |
| Dometic Portable Toilet | gallons | 12 pounds | Flushable |
| Green Elephant Portable Toilet | 8-gallon waste bag | 3.5 pounds | Foldable |
| Reliance Hassock Portable Toilet | 5 gallons | 5 pounds | Bucket |
| SereneLife Portable Toilet | 5.3 gallons | 11.25 pounds | Flushable |
Best Flush-Type Portable Camping Toilets
If you are looking for a flushable portable camping toilet, these are some of the best ones in the market. Please not that the weight is for when they are empty.
They tend to be a little heavy when full of water. Flushable portable toilets also tend to be really good for vans or even RVs since most come with a hold-down bracket.
1. Thetford Portable Toilet
- Sleek design
- 4 gallons fresh water tank
- 5.5 gallons waste water tank
- Ergonomic carrying handle
- Integrated toilet paper holder
- Tank level indicator
- Pour out sprout with cap
- Battery-powered flush
- Hold down kit
- 13.45 pounds
- Toilet dimensions: 18.4 x 15.8 x 17.8 inches
- 6 AA batteries required
- Large toilet bowl
- Average of 56 flushes per tank
Review
When it comes to comfort, the Thetford Curve Porta Potti is without a doubt the best. It does not only have a 17.8 inch height which is almost like the toilet you have at home, but also a large toilet bowl and seat.
This toilet is also beautifully designed. It has a sleek and curvaceous design which looks both modern and stylish.
Capacity-wise, this portable throne has a 4 gallons fresh water tank and a 5.5 gallons waste water tank. The waste water tank is detachable by use of a latch which easily helps you to empty it. For clean and convenient emptying, the waste tank has a sprout with a cap which also helps to contain bad odor.
The Thetford Curve will give you up to 56 flushes before emptying the toilet. It employs a battery-powered flushing system. At any one point, the toilet should have 6 AA batteries to perform optimally.
The other convenient features that comes with this toilet are an integrated toilet paper holder and a tank lever indicator. The tank level indicator tells you precisely when to empty the tank and when to add fresh water and therefore eliminating guesswork.
A hold down kit will help you to secure this toilet in place, especially during transportation. This will prevent it from shifting around and hence breaking down.
One of the thing that makes this toilet great is the same one that makes people have a bad experience while using it. This toilet’s flushing system is battery-powered. If you are out camping with no back-up batteries and the ones inside the toilet start running low, you will have to contend with squatting in the bushes.
The Thetford Curve is in our opinion the best portable toilet to buy.
2. Camco Premium Portable Travel Toilet
Features and Specifications
- 5.3-gallon detachable holding tank
- 3.75-gallon flush tank
- Pump flush
- Interior surface made of slick ABS
- 11.5 pounds when empty
- 31 pounds when full
- Swivel dumping elbow
- Sliding gate valve
- Toilet Dimensions: 18 x 16.2 x 17.5 inches
Review
The Camco premium portable toilet is Camco’s latest and best portable toilet. This is the one product that compares and competes with Thetford’s Curve portable toilet.
Just like many flush-type portable toilets, it has the toilet bowl with seat and lid, the flush tank and the holding tank. The flush tank has a capacity of 3.75 gallons while the holding tank can hold 5.3 gallons of waste.
To use this potty, just pull out the seal handle to expose the holding tank to the toilet bowl. You can thereafter sit on the toilet seat which is not too far down than a standard height toilet and get down to business.
To flush it there is a piston-pump on the top of the toilet which after pumping will direct water through 3 jets into the bowl. After flushing, push back the sliding valve handle which will in turn seal the holding tank and therefore prevents any leak and also contain bad odor.
What people love most about the Camco premium portable toilets is that they have no bad smells and are also very easy to clean. Their interior surface is made of slick ABS materials that prevents waste from clinging on. As a result cleaning them is cinch.
A spring-loaded side latch will help you to detach the holding tank from the other part of the toilet. To empty the waste, a pivoting emptying spout which is capped comes in handy. Remove the cap and dump the waste at an appropriate area. Rinse the waste tank several times and it will be ready for the next use.
Unless you are really tall or have limited mobility, the height of this toilet is one of the highest in the portable toilet industry. You therefore don’t need to squat too low to be able to use it. Its toilet seat is also comparatively bigger. Although not the same as your elongated toilet seat at home, it is very decent for a porta potty.
3. Dometic Portable Toilet
Features and Specifications
- Push-button flush
- 5 gallons waste tank
- 2.6 gallons fresh water tank
- Smooth and easy to clean
- Made of high-strength ABS
- Tank level indicator
- Full size seat
- Lid latches well
- Pivoting discharge sprout
- Gray/tan
- 12 pounds
- Toilet dimensions: 13.5 x 15.5 x 16.5 inches
Review
The Dometic portable toilet is a sleek and modern-looking toilet which is really easy to use. It has a toilet bowl with a seat and lid, a 2.6 gallons fresh water tank and a 5 gallons waste water tank.
The waste tank is easily detachable from the other part of the toilet for emptying. A pivoting discharge spout ensures that you are able to empty your waste without it splashing back to your face.
Before you sit and get down to business, you will need to prepare the toilet for using. At the front of this porta potty is a handle connected to the sliding valve that seals off the waste tank. Pull the handle outwards to expose the waste tank to the toilet bowl.
Next you will need to pressurize the water in the fresh water tank. To do this, use the pump on top of the toilet to pump a minimum of 15 times.
From there you the toilet is ready for use. Once you are done. Push the button on top on top of the tank to flush the bowl. Pressurized water will flow from the fresh water tank to the holding hence flushing and rinsing the bowl.
The holding tank comes with a level indicator that will precisely tell you the correct time to empty it. This really helps to eliminate guess work. A latch on the side will help you detach the waste tank from the other part and you can go ahead to empty at the dumping point.
On top of the tank there is a small dial that you should set to ‘OPEN’. Once you do this, a small hole will be open which lets in air in the waste tank. This will help you to have a smooth emptying. Once you are done set back the dial to ‘CLOSE’.
Among the complaints that have been raised against this portable toilet include the pumping action being noisy especially during nights, leaking at the seal and also the emptying process can take too long because of the design of the spout.
4. Natures Head Self Contained Composting Toilet
Features and Specifications
- Stainless steel hardware
- Made in USA
- Full-size elongated toilet seat
- Vent hose and fan included
- Fast disassembling
- 28 pounds
- Granite color
- 12 volts
- Toilet dimensions: 22 x 20.5 x 21.7 inches
- 5 years warranty
- Up to 80 uses
Review
Do you have a cabin in the woods or by the lake which you need to fit with a decent and modern portable toilet? Or is it your RV that needs a modern composting toilet? Whatever scenario you are in, you won’t go wrong with Nature’s Head Self Contained composting toilet.
Unlike most portable toilets, this one does not need any water to work. It works by separating solids from liquids. The liquids which is normally urine should be emptied daily.
The solids are decomposed into humus and they can stay in the toilet bin up to after 80 uses without a smell. It however requires a 12 volts power connection for the fan. You can opt not to use the fan if you are in an area with free air circulation as long as you vent your hose in an upward direction.
Originally, this toilet was designed to be used in the boat industry and hence its all stainless steel hardware. Due to its success there it has proved useful in all other leisure related activities.
Natures Head Self Contained Composting Toilet’ seat is both full size and elongated. The top of the seat is also 21.7 inches high. Getting a comfort height portable toilet with an elongated bowl and seat is very rare but Nature’s Head composting toilet delivers it.
The one major thing that works against this toilet is its cost. It is one of the most expensive portable toilets. When you imagine that it costs almost a thousand dollars while some bucket-type portable toilets go for as low as 20 dollars, you will understand why it is clearly not for everyone.
Its price not withstanding, Nature’s Head composting toilet is the best portable composting toilet anyone could buy.
5. Camco Standard Portable Toilet
Features and Specifications
- 5.3/2.6 gallons holding tank
- 5.3 gallons: 14 x 16 x 15.5 inches, 10.8 pounds
- 2.6 gallons: 11.5 x 14 x 16 inches, 9.4 pounds
- Polyethylene material
- 330 pounds weight capacity
- 2.5 gallons flushing water tank
- Sealed gate valve
- Bellows-type pump
- Side latches to secure top and bottom
- Handle for easy portability
Review
This is one of the best portable toilet. The Camco portable travel toilet comes in 2 sizes. There is the 5.3 gallons holding tank type and the 2.6 gallons holding tank type.
These toilets are made of polyethylene material therefore making them easily portable. The 5.3 gallons toilet weighs 10.8 pounds while the 2.6 gallons one weighs 9.4 pounds.
Each of the 2.6 or 5.3 gallons holding tank is detachable and is secured to the toilet by two side latches. A sealing slide valve prevents the holding tank from leaking and also contains odors. It also comes with a handle for easy transportation.
Sandwiched between the holding tank and the toilet bowl is the fresh flushing water tank. It has a capacity of 2.5 gallons. There is a cap at the top of the toilet that is removable to fill the flush tank with fresh water.
A bellows-types pump is used to evacuate the waste from the toilet to the holding tank. The sliding gate valve opens for waste to enter the holding tank and closes to contain the odor and to maintain a water tight seal.
There is also a cap at the back of the holding tank that is easily removable for emptying the toilet. The toilet is quite heavy when full and emptying it a bit uncomfortable due to the odor. It is best to empty it at camp ground facilities or gas stations instead of your home.
A modern family (2 to 5 people) will comfortably use this toilet for 3 to 5 days without emptying depending on usage.
6. Thetford Corp White 92820 Porta Potti 365
Features and Specification
- Modern look
- Ergonomic carrying handle
- Standard lid latch
- Rotating pour-out spout
- 10.54 pounds
- Piston pump flush
- Average of 56 flushes
- Waste water and fresh water level indicators
- Detachable holding tank
- 16.3 inches high with lid closed
- 4 gallons freshwater tank
- 5.5 gallons waste water tank
- Toilet dimensions: 15.4 x 17.1 x 16.6 inches
Review
Thetford continues to impress with their modern and efficient porta potties. Their Porta Potti 365 is not different from their other great products.
This particular portable toilet has a sleek design and therefore looks so classy and stylish. It has 3 sections which include the bowl and seat, the freshwater tank and the wastewater tank.
The freshwater/holding tank is clipped to the other part of the toilet and is easily detachable. It has a capacity of 5.5 gallons.
To make your life easier and messy-free, the holding tank has a rotating pour-out spout. Ordinarily when the holding tank is attached to the other part of the toilet, the spout is collapsed inside the toilet assembly which ensures its compact size.
When the holding tank is full and you need to empty it, you rotate the spout and easily pour out the waste out in an appropriate place. Cleaning the holding tank is so easy. Rinse it with fresh water a couple of times and you are good.
Tall people can find refuge in this portable toilet. It has a height of 16.3 inches which really is a bargain for a toilet away from home. The toilet bowl is also big compared to other porta potties. Gentlemen will surely like that last part.
The freshwater tank has a capacity of 4 gallons which will give you on average 56 flushes. A piston flush pump is used which is located at the top of the toilet.
If you are using this toilet for the number 2, an easy thing to do to avoid waste sticking is to have the bowl pre-wet. Some people even go ahead and spray olive oil on the bowl to lubricate the load.
As expected, this portable toilet costs more than the average porta potty. With all that it is offering, this is one of the top rated portable camping toilet.
7. Zimmer Portable Toilet Camping Porta Potty
Features and Specifications
- 5.3 gallons waste capacity
- 3 gallons flush water capacity
- 50-70 flushes before changing flushing water
- Side latches to secure tank to toilet
- Bellow-type flush pump
- Caps for filling fresh water and dumping waste
- Water-tight sliding valve to contain odors
- Made of polyethylene material
- Weighs 9.75 pounds
- Toilet Dimensions: 16.5″ high x 13.5″ wide x 12″ deep
Review
The Zimmer portable toilet is an inexpensive and great working camping toilet. It can be comfortably used by adults and kids. A 16.5 inch is not too bad hence you will not need to bend your knees too much.
A high-density polyethylene material which is both light weight and easy to clean is used to make this toilet. Its overall weight is 9.75 pounds and also comes with a handle which makes it easily portable.
It has 3 sections, the top most being the toilet bowl with seat and lid, then the fresh water tank and finally the waste tank at the bottom. The waste tank has a capacity of 5.3 gallons while the fresh water tank can hold 3 gallons of clean water.
Latches on each side of the toilet are used to secure the waste tank to the toilet. The top of the waste tank has a sliding seal valve which prevents the waste from leaking and at the same time containing the odor from escaping.
You will get between 50 and 70 flushes while using this toilet. While the waste will most likely not go away with the first flush, 1 to 3 times will surely do it. A bellow-type pump on the side of the toilet is used during flushing.
Some people have complained about the toilet retaining some skid marks after using and flushing the toilet. This challenge is mostly experienced by kids who are not used to Emptying their bowels on portable toilets.
The main reason for the skid marks is because portable toilets do not have as much pressure as the ordinary home toilets.
8. SereneLife Outdoor Portable Toilet
Features and Specifications
- 3.2 gallons of fresh water tank
- 5.3 gallons of waste tank
- 50 + flushes
- Water level indicator
- Piston pump flush
- Carrying case included
- High-density polyethylene material
- Rotating empting spout
- Double-sealed drain valve protects against leaks
- 11.25 pounds
- Toilet dimensions: 13 x 16 x 16 inches
The SereneLife portable toilet is a modern and efficient toilet. It is made of light weight high-density polyethylene and hence its weight of only 11.25 pounds.
This toilet has 3 sections which include the bowl and toilet seat, the fresh water tank and the holding tank. The holding tank is detachable for emptying and is attached to the toilet by 2 side latches.
The fresh water tank has a capacity of 3.2 gallons which should be sufficient to offer you about 50 flushes. The holding tank has a capacity of 5.3 gallons.
To use this toilet, the first thing you do is to pull out the handle of the sliding valve. This links up the toilet bowl to the holding tank. You then sit down and do your business. Push the piston pump on top of the toilet whereby water will rinse and flush the bowl. Once bowl is clean push back the sliding valve.
The sliding valve prevents the waste water from leaking and also contains bad odor in the holding tank. A level indicator shows you lever of waste in the tank so that you can empty it at the right time.
A splash-proof rotating spout ensures that the waste doesn’t not splash in your face while emptying. The fact that you can rotate it helps to direct the waste away from your face.
Although this portable toilet is among the very best, big-bodied gentlemen complain that the bowl opening is round and rather too small. Their anatomy is slightly different from lady-users who for most part say this is a great portable toilet.
Other than the above concern, the SereneLife porta potty does the job well and is a favorite for many hikers. A carrying case is included when you purchase this product .
9. Leopard Outdoor Portable Toilet
Features and Specification
- Sturdy base
- Made of polyethylene
- 11.5 pounds
- 3 gallons fresh water tank
- 5.3 gallons waste tank
- T-type 3 way flush
- Bellow-type flush
- Side latches and handle
- Toilet dimensions: 13.6 x 15 x 16.6 inches
Review
Its new 3 way flush system is very efficient. Unlike many portable toilet where you only have water from one jet, this toilet release water through 3 jets which form a T. As a result, the bowl is flushed and cleaned thoroughly.
The 5.3 gallon waste tank is easily detachable from the toilet in case you need to empty its content. It is secured to the toilet by side latches which takes no effort at all to attach and detach.
The most important things you should look while buying a portable toilet include ease of use, cleanliness and most importantly it should not leak. This toilet seems to deliver just that.
The 16.6 inches height of this toilet is not very different from a standard height toilet. That’s a big deal for people who can’t go down beyond a certain height.
As compared to regular RV toilets the Leopard portable toilet has a wider base and therefore sturdier. If you are therefore planning a portable toilet for you RV then this particular one would be worth your while.
Just like most porta potties, gentlemen still have to try and squeeze everything in to use this one too. Other than that, the Leopard portable toilet is a great product which should seriously be considered by anyone planning a camping trip.
Note: While using a flushable camping toilet, I suggest that you use toilet paper that breaks down fast, like the ones used by people on septic systems. Read more on this post.
Best Bucket-Type Portable Camping Toilets
Bucket portable camping toilets are ideal if you do not want to spend too much on a camping toilet and also when you want to travel light. Some people prefer to use their existing buckets and only buy a snap-on lid seat but the difference in price is really small.
Here are the best bucket toilets for camping:
1. Reliance Luggable Loo Portable Toilet
Features and Specifications
- 5-gallon capacity
- Weighs 3 pounds
- A bucket-type portable toilet
- Toilet seat and lid snaps on top of the bucket
- Compatible with Reliance’s Double doodle bag
- Metallic handle
- Toilet dimensions: 12.8 x 14.57 x 13.39 inches
- Gray in color
- 5-year guarantee
Review
The Reliance Luggable Loo portable toilet is the best budget-friendly camping toilet you could ever buy. It is a simple bucket-type portable toilet but it does the job.
This toilet combines a 5-gallon bucket, a plastic bag and a toilet seat with a lid lid. The plastic bag goes inside the bucket then the seat. Make sure the plastic bag goes underneath the seat. The toilet seat will then latch on the bucket rim and you can comfortably do your business.
The beauty of this toilet is that it allows you to travel light especially if you are in the woods hunting or just hiking. You will not need to carry water for flushing, only enough plastic bags. The entire toilet weighs only 3 pounds.
The choice of this toilet’s color wouldn’t be a better one. A gray color will generally go well with waste instead of another color. I cannot imagine a bright red or white bucket-toilet. Keeping it clean would be a nightmare. which is ironical because most of our home toilets are white.
The good with this toilet is that if you break your original bucket you can always replace it with any other 5-gallon bucket. You don’t have to go through the pain of ordering another toilet. You can also use your kitchen waste plastic bags with the toilet too.
Apart from just camping, you can buy this portable toilet for your home in case there is a power outage and water is not being pumped. I am sure it will be worth your while.
It’s because of its versatility and price that we have listed the Reliance Luggable Loo as the best portable toilet in this category.
2.Basicwise Portable Travel Toilet
Features and Specifications
- Made of plastic
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Integrated toilet paper holder
- Used with 8-gallons waste bags
- Removable covers seals the odor
- 5.5 pounds
- Full size seat
- sturdy
- Toilet dimensions: 14 x 17 x 16 inches
Review
The BasicWise portable toilet is a quality and well-made portable toilet. From its appearance it looks to be of superior quality which it is in reality.
It is made of lightweight plastic and its total weight is 5.5 pounds only. The best thing is that you don’t need water to use this toilet and you can therefore move around with it easily.
How this toilet works is pretty easy. There is the outer shell which basically provides support for the user. Then there is smaller bucket inside where you actually do your business. You however don’t do it straight on the bucket.
You will insert an 8-gallon plastic bag in the bucket and then place the toilet seat on top of the bucket. Once you are done using the toilet, wrap the waste properly with the bag. The bucket has a removable cover which seals it when not in user to contain any odor that might be present.
The design of this porta potty makes it so sturdy. The base is slightly wider than the top and is also hollow. As a result the pressure is even distributed across its circumference creating more balance for the user.
The shape of the toilet seat is another great feature in as far us this toilet is concerned. Unlike the normal bucket toilet seats which are round, this is elongated and therefore bigger. It is hence more comfortable to sit on.
The integrated toilet holder is also an amazing addition to this toilet. The good thing about it is that it is not permanently fixed there. Once you are on the move you simply unhook it, toss it inside the loo and you are on the move. No need for it to stick outside.
The manufacturer however in my opinion slightly exaggerates its importance when they say that you can even use it as a normal seat. I don’t think there are many people who would look forward to sitting on their porta potty at sunset having a cuppa coffee.
3. Reliance Hassock Portable Toilet
Features and Specifications
- Contoured seat for Comfort
- Removable inner bucket for waste disposal
- Inners splash cover with toilet paper holder
- Black
- 5 pounds
- 275 pound weight limit
- Made of polyethylene
- Toilet dimensions: 14.7 x 14.7 x 14 inches
- 5-year warranty
Review
This is another great product from Reliance Products. The Hassock portable camping toilet is specially made for camping enthusiasts who like to travel light. It is made of polyethylene and only weighs 5 pounds.
You don’t need water to use this toilet. Setting up is also very quick. It is in essence a bucket within a bucket. The smaller bucket goes inside the outer bigger bucket and this where you put the plastic bag.
After putting the plastic bag, set the seat on top of the bucket and go on to do your business. A toilet paper holder inner splash cover is also part of this assembly. You may decide to place it adjacent to the toilet or hang it a little high up to easily reach the toilet paper.
For you comfort while sitting on the throne, the toilet seat has been contoured. It therefore assumes and accommodates the natural shape of your hind anatomy.
To avoid bad smell, although you can buy Reliance products, you can also use kitty litter pellets which works like a charm. You also can use this together with an ordinary kitchen garbage bag. Just toss the kitty litter inside the garbage and into the inner bucket. You will never experience bad smells.
Cleaning this portable toilet is extremely easy. It goes without saying that nobody likes coming into contact with human waste. Unlike in a flush-type portable toilet where there is always the risk of the waste splashing on your face during emptying, you will not have to experience any of that here.
After you are done using the toilet, you only have to fold the garbage bag and trash the waste. This also means you don’t have to carry around a heavy toilet loaded with water and waste.
A few people have complained of moisture rising and ending up wetting the toilet seat. To avoid this scenario, always fold the plastic bag after every use.
4. Reliance Products Hunter’s Loo
Features and Specifications
- 5 gallons
- Camouflage portable toilet
- 2.65 pounds
- Five-year warranty
- Toilet dimensions: 13.5 x 13 x 15.38 inches
Review
This Reliance Products camouflage portable toilet is the best portable toilet for hunters. It is camouflage and therefore not easily spotted by the prey.
Most people however use this toilet for any other outdoor activity apart from just hunting. It is actually a great emergency toilet for your home in case you’re remodeling your bathroom or there is just no running water that day.
The Hunter’s Loo is lightweight which makes it even more practical as a portable toilet. It only weighs 2.65 pounds and you can therefore move around with it easily.
Although the toilet is made of plastic and therefore lightweight, it is very sturdy. The manufacturer does not specify its weight capacity but persons weighing more than 250 pounds have used this toilet comfortably.
Comfort-wise this toilet is not so bad. It is just slightly shorter than a standard height toilet. You therefore don’t need to squat too low to get the job done. Considering that you are using a bucket, you really cannot ask for too much from this toilet.
The toilet lid and the seat snap tight on top of the bucket. If you are used to using an elongated toilet seat at home this is where it might get tricky. The hole of the seat is smaller than the circumference of the bucket. You will need to adjust your rear properly to make sure you are dropping everything in the right place.
It is a little disappointing that this toilet does not come with the doodie bags to start with. You will therefore need to buy separately which I think is part of the manufacturer’s business sustenance strategy since they sell the bags too.
What most people prefer to do though is used double ordinary kitchen garbage bags. You should always add some kitty litter in there to contain the smell. It works surprisingly well.
Overall, this portable loo is actually a decent product and works as advertised. The price is not bad either.
5. Camco Portable Toilet Bucket
Features and Specifications
- Five gallon bucket
- Seat snaps tight on the rim of the bucket
- Metallic handle
- Made of UV-resistant polypropylene
- 3.53 pounds
- 300 pounds weight limit
- 10 toilet bags included
- Toilet Dimensions: 13.4 x 16.1 x 13.8 inches
Review
The Camco portable toilet bucket like many other bucket toilet is a 5-gallon toilet with a toilet seat and lid at the top.
It compares to the Reliance Products portable bucket toilet. These two toilet have actually the same features. It is very difficult to be sophisticated using a bucket toilet because all you need is a 5-gallon bucket and a toilet seat with lid.
Camco is actually more renowned for making flush-type portable toilet than bucket-type portable toilet. On the other hand, Reliance Products portable bucket toilets are very popular with camping enthusiasts.
If you are planning to go hiking, hunting or just on long road trip, this toilet will serve you well. It is both lightweight and easy to use and clean.
When you buy it for the first time it will be shipped with 10 toilet bags. Each bag contains biodegradable powder which gels your waste and effectively kill bad smells.
Just like with many bucket portable toilets, you can use your ordinary kitchen bag and kitty litter if you don’t want to order more toilet bags. They actually work the same way. Always pack up enough of these bags and kitty litter before commencing your trip.
The height, although shorter than your toilet home is not that bad for most people. It is also a very sturdy toilet and you are likely not to topple over. Just make sure it is resting on solid ground.
There are honestly not many negatives to say about this porta potty as it does its job perfectly well. Comfort is however minimal especially for gentleman which is not unique to this toilet alone. It is something most men have to contend with while using portable camping toilets.
Best Portable Collapsible Camping Toilets
Collapsible/foldable portable toilets are the most compact camping toilets. This makes it possible to squeeze them into tiny spots during transportation. Another thing about them is that they are very sturdy hence are unlikely to topple.
The best collapsible portable camping toilets are:
1. Cleanwaste Portable Toilet
- Compact portable toilet
- Handle for easy transportation
- Foldable legs
- The lid can be used for stability
- Comes with 1 go anywhere toilet kit
- Supports up to 500 pounds
- 7 pounds
- Gray in color
- Toilet Dimensions: 19 x 4 x 15 inches
Review
The Cleanwaste go anywhere portable toilet is in my opinion the best compact portable toilet. It resembles a briefcase with a handle on the top for easy portability.
To set up this toilet, reach to the back side of the toilet where you will find 3 folded legs. Unfold each leg at a time. To be sure the leg is completely out you should be able to hear a click sound as confirmation that the leg has been stretched out completely.
The next part is to remove the lid of the toilet. If the surface you are setting up in is not even enough, the lid is designed to go underneath the two hind legs where it will prevent the toilet from slipping.
To do your business, you will need two bags. One is where you actually do your business and then a second small sealable one where you put the first bag with the waste ready to dispose.
The first thing you therefore do is to raise the toilet seat, put the disposing bag on top of the support net followed by the big bag with poo powder inside. Tuck the edges of the bag on the rim of the toilet. This makes sure it is clean and you don’t need to touch any waster while disposing.
At this point you can now put the seat down and get down to business. When you are done simply lift off the toilet seat, fold the bag with the waste and put inside the disposing bag. Proceed to dispose your waste appropriately.
To pack up, just put the lid back on and fold the legs. The legs might need a bit of force to fold all the way.
The only complaint about this toilet is that you have to squat really low to use this toilet. The height from the ground to the top of the seat is roughly 10 inch.
2. Reliance Fold-to-Go Collapsible Portable Toilet
Features and Specifications
- Highly portable
- Folds down to 5 inches high
- 300 pounds weight limit
- 5-year warranty
- Integrated handle
- 4.5 pounds
- Toilet dimensions: 14.5 x 14.5 x 14.5 inches
Review
The Reliance Fold-to-Go Collapsible Portable Toilet is as portable as portable could possibly be. It is a round toilet with 3 foldable legs on its underside with an integrated handle for easy carrying. It only weighs 4.5 pounds.
Apart from just camping and fishing, this porta potty is a favorite for most truckers. The reason it cuts across so many users is due to the fact that you actually do not need water to use. It also takes one minute to set and another to fold up and go.
To use this toilet, just set it up where you intend to do your business. Unfold each leg at a time, ensuring that after you pull each leg you push it gently inside until you hear a click. This click acts as a confirmation that the leg has locked.
Because the toilet is circular in shape the legs are spread out even across its circumference. This makes it one of the sturdiest portable camping toilet. Despite its size it comfortably supports up to 300 pounds of weight.
Once the toilet it set up, lift off the toilet seat, set the plastic bag inside and over the bowl’s rim and lower the seat. Make sure the bag has the poo powder. Proceed to do your business. When you are done lift off the seat, fold the waste bag and put it inside another small disposing bag. Dispose appropriately.
Most people for the first time struggle to collapse the legs of this toilet. Essentially what you should do is to pull up the tabs to release the legs from the base. From there the legs collapse effortlessly.
It is however not all rosy for these small toilet though. In these days of comfort height toilets, these toilets are rather too short and you will therefore need to squat lower than you would probably like to.
3. OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty for Travel
Features and Specifications
- Opens up quickly
- Kids’ ideal portable toilet
- Foldable legs for compact storage
- Sturdy
- Made of plastic
- Smooth surface for easy cleaning
- Can accommodate standard plastic bags
- 1.5 pounds
- Toilet dimensions: 3.3 x 10.6 x 12.1 inches
Review
Often when people are out shopping for the best portable camping toilets, it is very easy to forget one very important demographic. The kids. While camping with the kids, you also want them to do their business in comfort.
Portable camping toilets for adults may not necessarily be the best ones for the young ones. And that’s where the OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty for Travel comes in.
It is a compact potty which easily fits in the diaper bag and in the car. This potty comes with a travel bag where you just put it after use. The fact that it is made of plastic means it is light, weighing 1.5 pounds only.
Another nice feature about this product is that it has foldable legs which are really easy to unfold and set up. If you are therefore held up in traffic and your kids needs to use it will take you 15 seconds or less to have it ready.
You can use standard plastic bags with these potty in case you have run out of the manufacturer’s bags. The good thing is that the plastic covers almost all its surface and therefore ensures it remains clean throughout.
To make sure you are always ready for the next use, have the plastic bag already prepared inside the potty. This way, if your kid has an “emergency” it will always find you ready.
Although this product is made for small kids, kids grow up fast and the manufacturer does not specify its weight limit. Having said that, it is very sturdy and kids of up to 12 years use it comfortably.
4. Green Elephant Folding Commode Portable Toilet Seat
Features and Specifications
- Easily foldable
- 3.5 pounds
- Metallic stands
- Used with 8-gallon waste backs
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Legs with slip-resistant rubber tips
- 250 pounds weight limit
- 15.3 inch high to the top of the seat
- 31 inch high when folded
- Length of the seat: 15.7 inches
- Width of the seat: 15 inches
- Hole size: 10.7 x 8.6 inches
Review
The Green Elephant folding commode portable toilet seat is an absolutely well thought out product for camping. It can fit in tight spots and only weighs 3.5 pounds.
Unlike most portable camping toilets in the market, this one is actually just an elevated toilet seat where you simply hook up your waste bag. It is supported by lightweight metallic stands which you simply fold and unfold as need be.
It is recommended that you use the 8-gallon waste bags with this product. You can either decide to buy from the same manufacturer as the toilet or use any other waste bag. Remember to use the poo powder to deal with the smell.
Cleaning and maintaining cleanliness in this toilet is just effortless. The waste bag completely covers the toilet seat and the waste does therefore not come into contact with any part of the toilet.
The shape of the toilet is a little elongated unlike the round toilets that come with most porta potties. It is therefore more comfortable to sit on it. The toilet seat is also at a height of 15.3 inches. This is similar to a standard height toilet. You will therefore have the same experience as using your ordinary home toilet.
When you unfold the toilet stands, the base of the toilet is widened which automatically increases its stability. This is backed up by anti-slip rubber tips at the base of the stands. You are therefore ensured of a very sturdy portable toilet.
If you are not comfortable with the idea of you waste being suspended between your legs in a waste bag, there is a solution. You can opt to us a 2-gallon bucket which will perfectly fit underneath the toilet seat.
5. Blika Folding Portable Toilet
Features and Specifications
- 16.5 inch high
- Stainless steel frame
- 300 pounds weight limit
- Gray PP plastic seat
- Rubber stoppers to prevent slipping
- Easily foldable and compact
- 14.5 inches wide
- 15.3 inches long
- 4.9 pounds
Review
If you are looking for the most versatile portable camping toilet then the Blika stainless steel Portable toilet seat is what you looking for.
Weighing only 9 pounds, you can move practically anywhere with this toilet. It is easily foldable and therefore fits in tight sports without an issue.
The Blika is not a fully made toilet, rather it’s an elevated toilet seat on a frame where you hook up a waste bag and get down to business. They are designed with joints which under the application of a little force will fold easily.
The toilet seat is at 16.5 inches from the ground. That is higher than a standard toilet. Old and tall people and basically anyone who is not comfortable squatting too low will without a doubt fall in love with this product.
The frame of this portable toilet seat is made of lightweight stainless steel. It will therefore not going to rust and will forever be shiny. The ends of the frame have rubber stoppers that prevent the toilet from slipping while being used.
Another thing that stands out about this product is that it is very sturdy. Its 4 stands form a wide base and it is therefore almost impossible to topple over while on the throne.
The toilet seat is made of polypropylene plastic which is stronger than ordinary plastic and is also thick. You can therefore sit pretty without the fear of the seat breaking underneath you. The whole set up is designed to support people weighing up to 300 pounds.
If you may need to twitch things a little you can put a 2 gallon bucket underneath the frame to use with the waste bag. This product does not come with the plastic bags and you will therefore need to buy separately.
Best Portable Camping Toilet Tent
While buying a portable camping toilet, it is also a good idea to also buy a portable camping toilet tent as well. You do not want to do your business where you are sleeping.
The WolfWise Pop Up Privacy Shower Tent is in my opinion one of the best camping toilet tents to buy. It is green in color which is great for camouflaging. You can also opt to buy the blue one.
Its base measurements are 47.2 inches by 47.2 inches with a height of 74.8 inches. It has a removable rain cover and a side window. All these are great in air circulation and will especially help to prevent bad odors in the tent.
The frame is made of galvanized steel making it very sturdy and also non-corrosive. Its total weight is 4.4 pounds.
Portable Camping Toilets Comparisons
In every classification of the best portable camping toilets, we compared the top 2 toilets before deciding on the number 1 which was not that easy.
The portable toilets industry is very competitive and every manufacturer wants to have an edge over the other. In order to arrive at our decisions this are some of the questions we asked ourselves:
- What is the most comfortable portable camping toilet?
- What is the best portable toilet for a van?
- What is the best portable toilet for a boat?
- What is the easiest portable toilet to clean?
- What is the best portable toilet for truckers?
- what is the smallest/compact portable toilet?
1. Thetford Porta Potti vs Camco Premium Portable Camping Toilets
Thetford curve portable toilet has a height of 17.8 inches while the Camco premium portable toilet has a height of 17.5 inches. Both are really comfortable heights for a portable toilet but still the curve has a slight edge.
With the Camco premium toilet, the handle of the seal valve protrudes outwards when in an open position. The Thetford toilet valve handle slides alongside the body of the toilet. This is a much better design which prevents it from breakage.
Camco premium toilet uses a piston pump which you pump severally to flush. Thetford portable toilet has battery powered flush button which you push once to flush.
Both the Camco and Thetford toilets’ lid snap on the bowl. The difference however is that with the Camco toilet you have to use more force to lift the lid while the Thetford lid lifts easily.
At the bottom of the Thetford curve there is a toilet paper holder slot which is really cool.
2. Reliance Luggable Loo vs Basicwise Portable Toilet
These two bucket-type portable toilets function in about the same way. It is hard to expect sophistication from a bucket portable toilet anyway.
The one area the Reliance Products portable toilet have an edge over the Basicwie toilet is in its simplicity. They use an ordinary 5-gallon bucket and a toilet seat and that’s it.
If the luggable loo’s bucket breaks, you will simply need to buy another $4 bucket and get back to work. The same is not possible with a Basicwise portable toilet because of its design.
3. Reliance Fold-to-Go vs Cleanwaste Portable Toilet
Both of this porta potties come with collapsible legs, are very compact and sturdy. It was not easy to decide the best between the two since both perform really well.
The Cleanwaste portable toilet however slightly edged out the Reliance Products Fold-to-Gold collapsible portable due to its compact and briefcase-style which is more aesthetically appealing.
Other than that small difference they some of the best and reasonably priced portable toilets.
Portable Camping Toilets Buying Guide
What are the factors to consider when buying the best portable camping toilets?
Buying the best portable camping toilet is not an easy job. You have to weigh in all the different factors that contribute to a good portable. We will therefore look at the factors that you need to consider before buying a portable camping toilet. It would be very wasteful to end up with a product that you would completely never use.
So what factors should you consider before buying a portable camping toilet?
1. Portability
Portability means the ease of carrying from one point to another. Although all portable toilets can be carried around, some are more portable than others.
The contributing factors to the portability of a toilet are weight and shape. Some portable toilets weigh less than 5 pounds while some weigh upwards of 15 pounds. A 5 pound toilet is therefore easy to carry about than a 15 pounds toilet.
Some toilets might be lighter but their shape might be awkward and therefore hard to carry about. A compact shape definitely helps. Portable toilets with a handle are easier to carry than those without.
2. Cost
Portable camping toilets costs from little as a 20 bucks to hundreds of bucks, for example the Natures Head composting toilet which costs nearly a thousand bucks.
It is therefore paramount to work with a budget and know the amount of money you need to invest to buy a portable toilet. You will be surprised by how well some of the cheapest toilets work.
Cost is not only in terms of the final price of the final product. It could also involve the cost of maintenance and especially the cost of buying replacement parts.
3. Toilet Dimensions
For some people, every inch counts. In this review we have given you the dimensions of each portable toilet because we know how vital dimensions are.
If you need a portable toilet in your van, RV, tents, cabin or boat, you will need to plan before acquiring the toilet and making sure that it is going to fit.
Another importance of dimensions is for the comfort of the user. This involves the height of the toilet, the size of the toilet hole, length of the toilet seat among others.
4. Toilet user(s)
The one sure thing is that gentlemen and ladies have totally different experiences while using portable camping toilets.
Often, ladies are happier and more comfortable than gentlemen. This has nothing to do with portable toilet manufacturers but all to do with the anatomy of men.
For a man doing the number 2, it is always a challenge ensuring than the front and hind anatomy are all accommodated by the toilet. The size of the toilet hole has to be right which is always not the case.
It is therefore important to look for a seat that caters for the need of gentlemen if they are part of the intended end users.
5. Sturdiness
The importance of a sturdy portable camping toilet cannot be overemphasized. A good camping toilet should be solid on the ground.
A wobbly toilet especially while camping can send you to the ground easily. And there is always the possibility of the contents of the toilet spilling either on you or the surface.
Unlike home toilets which are mounted to the floor or to the wall, portable toilets are simply standing on their own. Even the sturdies camping toilet will need you to use your legs to provide a bit of balance to it.
6. Odor-free
The first question people ask when you talk about a portable toilet is “Does it have a bad smell?” And this people are right to ask this.
When you are out camping, you want to have a nice time and relax. Relaxing and bad smells can’t go together.
A portable toilet worth its name should have a way to deal with odor. Fortunately, most camping toilets have figured out how to eliminate this problem and it is not something many people are now dealing with.
7. Ease of Cleaning
It goes without saying that people don’t like touching human waste at all. That does not help much because we all need to clean up after ourselves.
Having said, a camping toilet should be easy to clean or dump off waste from. Dry portable camping toilets are easy to clean than flush-type portable toilets.
Some flush-type portable toilets will tend to splash waste back at you during emptying if you are not careful. Some have special features like rotating sprouts to prevent them from doing exactly that.
8. Type of Portable Toilet
As we have already established, there are several types of portable camping toilets. A lot more often people find themselves torn between flushing portable toilets and dry portable toilets.
Flush-type portable toilet look modern and stylish. They are however heavier than dry/bucket-type portable toilets since they will need water to function.
Dry portable toilets do not need any water to function and are lightweight. It is therefore easy to roam about with them.
9. Is the Portable Toilet Eco-Friendly?
People go out camping to enjoy nature. Whether you are going for a road trip, hunting, hiking or fishing you are enjoying what nature has to offer.
It would therefore be a shame if you used your portable toilet to destroy the nature you have been enjoying.
Although human waste itself is not dangerous to the environment, the chemicals or waste bags used might be. If the toilet is leaking or if it uses non-biodegradable bags, the environment ends up being polluted.
In your choice of a camping toilet, chose one which will allow you to leave the environment better than you left it.
10. Return Policy
Before you buy a portable toilet, always ensure that the seller would be willing to take it back if it does not fulfil your expectations.
Some sellers will only take it back if it is defective only. A good seller should be allow you to return whether it is defective or it did not meet you expectations.
How Do Portable Toilets Work?
As we have already seen, all portable camping toilets do not work in the same way. The most complicated ones are the flush-type portable toilets and the composting toilets. Bucket-type portable toilets are the easiest to work with.
1. Flushable Portable toilets
Flush-type portable toilets have 3 sections which include the toilet bowl, the fresh water tank and the waste water tank also known as the holding tank.
The holding tank is normally detachable, and is held to the other part of the toilet by side latches. It is normally bigger than the freshwater tank.
A sliding seal valve on top of the holding tank prevents the toilet from leaking and also contains the unpleasant odor. The freshwater tank has a cap at the bottom for adding water when it runs low.
When using the toilet, you pull out the handle of the sliding valve to expose the holding tank to the bottom of the toilet bowl. Some people prefer to wet the bowl with water or olive oil at this stage to prevent waste from sticking
After you’re done with your business, flush the toilet and push back the sliding valve to contain any odor.
Inside the holding tank the waste comes into contact with a blue chemical that breaks down solid wastes forming a slurry. It also kills the odor.
When the holding tank is full or almost full. It is time to empty it. Detach it from the toilet and head straight to the designated dumping area.
Holding tanks come with an emptying spout with a cap. Remove the cap and proceed to empty it. Rinse it with clean water 3 times and reattach it to the other toilet part.
2. Bucket Portable toilet
Bucket-type portable toilets do not need water to function. Instead, they use waste bags with some poo powder to take care of the waste.
The waste bags with the poo powder is neatly put in the bucket then the seat is place on top of the bag. At the outer bottom side of the waste bag it is also connected to another sealable smaller bag.
Once you are done using the toilet, fold the big waste bag and push it and seal in the smaller bag. Dispose it appropriately.
Some people also use kitty litter with ordinary kitchen bags. They works the same as the bags sold by the portable toilet manufacturers.
3. How Composting Camping Toilets Work
Composting toilets works by separating liquids from solid waste. The liquids emptied frequently while solid wastes decompose into humus.
Composting toilets are able to turn the solid waste into humus without odor by having sufficient oxygen mixing with the waste. They are very environment friendly.
Conclusion
Camping is one of those activities that helps us bond with family and friend outdoors. A good portable toilet goes a long way in providing sanitation during this fun times.
Even if the camp grounds have vault toilets or other sanitation facilities, a personal commode is a very welcome idea. In this review we have listed 20 of the best portable camping toilets in the market today. We sincerely hope you get one which will serve you well.