Best Camper Toilets

The Five Best Camper Toilets: Which One Will Suit Your Needs?

Camping is a great way to spend time outdoors. Whether you’re having a family reunion, team outing, or just want to take the dog for a walk in the woods, camping has something for everyone. However, if there’s one thing you don’t want to do while camping, it’s going to the bathroom. You’ll need a reliable toilet for this! Here are some of the best camper toilets on the market today.

Listed below is a summary of the best camper toilets available. A more detailed analysis of each camper toilet can be found below within the article.

Summary: Best Camper Toilet

Sale
camper toilet to buy
6,292 Reviews
Camco 41541 Portable Camper Toilet
  • Portable Travel Toilet: Provides a convenient bathroom spot while on-the-go; Ideal for camping, RVing, boating, road trips and other recreational activities; Detachable Holding Tank: 5.3-gallon holding tank is detachable for easy emptying
  • Stops Leaks and Odors: The locking lid helps stop spills and the sealing slide valve locks in odors/protects against leakage; Side latches fasten the tank to the toilet
  • Easy to Flush: An easy-to-use bellow-type flush and pull slide valve provide simple flushing
camper gear
13,380 Reviews
Thetford Porta Potti 335 Qube Toilet
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 313 x 342 x 382 mm
  • Capacity of flush-water tank: 10 L
  • Level indicator display for the waste-holding tank: Yes
Sale
camper toilet to buy
5,535 Reviews
Best Budget Choice - Camco 41549 Portable 5-Gallon Toilet Bucket with Seat and Lid Attachment
  • Portable Travel Toilet: This portable camping bucket is designed for camping, RVing, boating, or any other recreational activity; the 5-gallon camping toilet comes with a seat and lid attachment that snaps securely onto the rim of the bucket
  • Sturdy Construction: This bucket toilet is made of durable and lightweight UV-resistant polypropylene
  • Easy Handling: Portable toilet features an attached carry handle that ensures easy transport; it comes with 3 bag liners
non plumbing toilet
15 Reviews
DOMETIC 301197406 Portable Toilet
  • DOMETIC 974MSD PORTABLE TOILET 2.6 GAL GREY W/ BRACKETS MSD
camping accessory
2,439 Reviews
Porta Potti 92306 White Thetford Corp
  • VERSATILITY: Award-winning, top-of-the-line portable toilet, suited for RVs, boats, trucks, vans, healthcare, camping and even off-the-grid lifestyle
  • DESIGN: Sleek, modern, and homelike look, Porta Potti Curve comes with a comfortable seat height, increased bowl size, and battery-powered flush
  • FUNCTIONALITY: Easy to use and clean, Curve has an ergonomic carrying handle, an integrated toilet paper holder, and a tank level indicator

What is a Camper Toilet?

A camper toilet is the to-go version of a regular toilet. It is most likely seen in big vehicles such as RVs but can be taken as an accessory when going camping in tents. There are many similarities between a traditional RV toilet and toilets you’d find in a modern home. They are installed in basically the same manner, but they connect to different facilities. RV bathroom toilets are usually installed above holding tanks as opposed to sewer and septic tank connections. Camper Toilets can also be stand-alone units that incorporate the seat and holding unit together.

Types of Camper Toilets

There are various forms of camper toilets that can be purchased for your camping trip. Here we list the different types available.

Bucket Toilets

Arguably the easiest and most affordable campervan toilet option is a bucket toilet. It’s nothing fancy, but it’ll work and get the job done until you can afford to do better.

But when you’re in a tight situation, at least you have something that can be used to relieve you of your trouble.

Because they don’t use chemicals and are basically waterless toilets, bucket models need to be cleaned and emptied constantly. There are a lot of affordable van life bucket models that are specially designed for van campers.

However, always remember that while a plastic bucket with a lid will work just fine for temporary use in your van, they’re not optimal in comparison to purpose-made toilet tanks.

Portable Toilets

If you have limited space in your campervan, then a portable toilet might be your best option. It can also be called a chemical toilet because it needs a chemical solution to get rid of the waste materials found inside your holding tank. It’s basically your van’s porta-potty. 

After you do your business, you can always flush it by hand or hook up a tank to catch the waste, which redirects it to another tank.

Portable RV toilets don’t require plumbing or electricity to function and can be emptied directly into the sewer system. The construction of the unit is fairly straightforward, but there are some steps to avoid clogging. Make sure to place toilet paper in the trash can instead of the toilet as the chemicals might be rendered useless and ineffective. 

Portable toilets, or “porta-potties,” are noted for their portability and their usage of chemicals to break down waste, so they aren’t exactly the best eco-friendly solution.

Composting Toilets

A compost toilet is an eco-friendlier alternative as opposed to a cassette and chemical toilet. It separates liquid and solid waste during use so it doesn’t mix them together as other toilets do. They are stored in two different chambers. 

When you use your compost toilet, your urine is deposited in the urine chamber, which can be emptied when over.

However, the chamber for the solid waste is contained in a cylinder that contains composting material like coco coir or peat moss. These break down organic materials in a course of time.

There will hardly be any noticeable smell when you maintain your portable composting toilet properly. The only thing that is certain is the scent of the soil that comes from the material composting. 

The biggest upside to this kind of toilet is that it does not need chemicals or water, which is safer and better for the environment. Unlike the cassette toilet, it doesn’t need regular emptying (despite the fact that cleaning might be a dirty hassle.) 

On the other hand, portable composting toilets can be quite costly. Unless you are planning to live in a van for the next few weeks or months, this kind of toilet might not be the most cost-efficient solution.

Cassette Toilets

Cassette toilets are the more popular option for those living the van life. This type of toilet is installed permanently in your van or RV, but it has a removable, portable tank in which the waste is placed. 

Unlike other models that require the waste be discharged at a dump station, this one has a self-contained tank that can be emptied at a public bathroom or campground.

Some models need to use water from the RV tank for flushing, while others require chemicals to prevent odors and decompose the waste.

If the toilet in your campervan needs chemical material, remember not to flush paper products (or any other product that takes up space and doesn’t break down completely) with your waste. This can use up space in your tank since it reduces the effectiveness of the breakdown process. 

Compared to composting toilets, they’re cheaper, but compared to portable campervan toilets, they’re more expensive.

Traditional Plumbed/Van Toilets

You can take your van life to the next level by installing the traditional, plumbed toilet on your RV. These toilets are the ones you usually find in a luxury RV or motorhome. 

RV portable toilet

These toilets have a large, black water tank that is self-contained. You can find your waste in this tank. You can then add chemical solutions to deconstruct the materials. Because of the chemical it uses, you can only empty this kind of toilet at designated dump stations. 

Plumbed toilets make use of one of these methods of flushing: macerating, gravity, or vacuum. The gravity models are usually the cheaper ones. However, the vacuum and macerating options are the most desirable options in terms of efficiency and use. 

If you’re building a van or camper yourself, consider adding extra space in your design to add a large black tank and extra weight if you want it to have a traditional toilet.


Buyers Guide: Factors to Consider when buying a Camper Toilet

The best camper toilets take care of your every need. These campervan toilets are luxuriously spacious, self-cleaning, and even have electric flushing. 

Other models may not offer the same set of features, but their simplicity will make them better choices for certain scenarios.

There are a lot of toilet models that are suitable for campervans, so it can be confusing to narrow down which one you should buy. Once you’ve read this article, you’ll know which features are important in a campervan toilet, how they function, and which ones are actually necessary.

There are several things you’ll want to consider when installing a toilet in your campervan, including the type of toilet you want to install. The selection is mainly composed of the traditional RV toilets, the portable ones, composting, bucket, cassette RV toilets. 

Once you’ve chosen a type of toilet for your campervan, you may want to consider other factors, such as space, whether the installation is complicated, how easy it will be to dispose of the waste, and last but not least, your budget.

Space

If you are thinking about purchasing a composting or plumbed toilet for your campervan, the last thing you want is to get home and find out that there isn’t enough space. Make sure you have enough space for the desired toilet for your van. You’re going to need a bathroom area for the bigger toilets.

For larger RVs, this won’t be much of a problem. However, smaller vans with limited space may find it difficult.

If you are doing a smaller build, you can get away with purchasing an accessory porta potty or a portable toilet that allows for indoor or outdoor use. Then, after using it, you can easily seal it up and keep it away in a cabinet or a box. 

Cost

If you’re purchasing a camper toilet, you should know that the price will vary depending on the type of toilet. Portable toilets for campers cost somewhere around $100, which is a lot cheaper than a composting or electric toilet.

The models that are more technologically advanced will cost you around 300$ to 500%. Composting toilets are the more expensive option, costing above 1000$ 

If you are looking for a toilet but don’t want to spend a lot, you can buy a bucket toilet for under $50.

You’ll need to pay for additional products like composting materials, toilet chemicals, and electric power. The cost of these products will depend on how long you’re using the toilet, among other things. Although these are relatively cheap, they still add up over time.

Installation

Toilets like the portable toilets and the bucket toilets are ready to use on the spot. These kinds of toilets need no plumbing or water, which means setting them up and using them is easy. 

The more advanced camper toilets will require a power source such as a 12v battery, and they are likely to have a holding tank. This might not be the hardest task, but it still requires installation before going on your trip. 

If you’re not sure about how you’re going to install it, it’s important to contact toilet pros near your area.

Portability of Camper Toilets

It would be your best option to go for portable toilets that are usable indoors or outdoors if you have a relatively small van. 

There’s no need to worry, though. There is always the option of an outdoor toilet tent should you feel the need to go in peace and privacy. Once you’re finished, just simply empty your toilets and put them back anywhere you want. 

If you have the chance and the space, installing a composting or plumbed one is always a good idea. 

These composting and plumbed toilets are the best options for those van owners that are on the road most of the time.

Detailed Analysis: 5 Best Camper Toilets on the Market

Here is our detailed analysis of the 5 best camper toilets.

Camco 41541 Portable Camper Toilet

The CAMCO 41541 is one of the cheaper options when it comes to campervan toilets. The toilet has a waste capacity of 5.3 gallons and can be separated from the 2.5-gallon container of water. This makes it less prone to leaking and helps in waste disposal. 

camper toilet number 1 Buy on Amazon

Unlike the other kinds of camper toilets, the 41541 makes use of a bellows-type flush. Depending on what you’re used to, this has its pros and cons. 

The CAMCO 41541 is very lightweight, weighing a little over 11 pounds, but is durable and strong enough to support 330 pounds of seated weight. It doesn’t, however, come with a spout or hose to aid in waste disposal. 

One of the biggest issues with this toilet is emptying it, which can be a little messy. But if you’re having trouble with the price of campervan toilets, then you won’t be able to find a better solution than this portable van toilet

camper toilet number 1

Specs

Manufacturer: ‎Camco
Brand: ‎Camco
Model: ‎41541
Item Weight: ‎10.8 pounds
Product Dimensions: ‎14 x 16 x 15.5 inches
Country of Origin: ‎China
Model number: ‎41541
Discontinued: ‎No
MPN: ‎41541
Folding: ‎ No

Cover Included: ‎PORTABLE TOILET 5.3 GALLON

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Light-weight and strong

Cons

  • It does not include a hose or spout for disposal

Thetford Porta Potti 335 Qube Toilet

If you’ve been searching for a comfortable, affordable, and strong portable toilet that can be used without the need for plumbing or drainages, then Thetford has a great solution just for you: the Porta Potti 335. 

portable camping toilet Buy on Amazon

The 335 Qube is a terrific, compact campervan toilet that is perfect for those who have limited space in their vans. Because of how compact it is, it is an ideal option for those going on camping trips or boat trips. 

The Qube features a sturdy handle to carry around the waste tank, a manual flush using piston pumps, a pour-out spout, and one very comfortable elongated seat. The 335 Qube has all the good aspects from the Thetford line of portable toilets, all while consuming little space. 

portable camper gear

Specs

Manufacturer: Thetford

Brand: ‎Thetford

Model : Porta Potti QUBE 335 HDK

Item Weight: ‎7.26 pounds

Product Dimensions: ‎12.32” x 13.46” x 15.04” 

IMN: QUBE 335 HDK

Is Discontinued: ‎No

MPN: 92831

Folding: ‎No

Pros

  • Compact, perfect for small spaces
  • Comfortable seat
  • Pour-out disposal spout 

Cons

  • Flush pump battery might die out quickly

Camco 41549 Portable 5-Gallon Toilet Bucket with Seat and Lid Attachment

The CAMCO 41549 is an easy-to-use and very simple toilet that is perfect for road trips, hunting, camping, and other outdoor activities. Along with this 5-gallon bucket comes a lid and seat attachment that securely snaps in place on the bucket’s rim. 

portable camping toilet Buy on Amazon

The bucket is relatively easy to clean thanks to its smooth interior. It is lightweight and has a carry handle attached to it for easier portability. The seat and lid are made from extremely durable polypropylene that is also UV resistant. 3

In addition to being very easy to move around, the toilet has a detachable holding tank which allows for easy cleaning and emptying. It boasts a leak-proof design with a lock on the lid that prevents spills. The seal on the side valve makes for odorless and easy flushing. 

portable camping toilet

Specs

Manufacturer: Camco

Brand: ‎Camco

Model: ‎41549

Item Weight: ‎4 pounds

Dimensions: ‎13.4” x 16.1” x 13.8”

IMN: ‎41549

Is Discontinued:  ‎No

MPN: ‎41549

Cover Included: 10 ‎Toilet bags

Pros

  • Easy to use and carry around
  • Easy to clean up
  • Made of durable material
  • Leak-proof

Cons

  • May not be suitable for big, adult males

DOMETIC 301197406 Portable Toilet

What set’s this particular portable camping toilet apart from the rest is its noticeably powerful push-button flushing system. It delivers quite the cleaning power despite not needing any sort of pumping or batteries. 

best camping toilet Buy on Amazon

The toilet’s 9.8-liter tank, equipped with a level indicator, can store enough water to flush the toilet 27 times. It has a very long discharge pipe that is a perfect guard against all kinds of mess when it’s time for a clean-up. This toilet has the same convenience as a household toilet. 

Thanks to a very innovative design, the dry flush toilet offers discharge and operation that’s splash-free. This is what makes this toilet special. 

Specs

SKU Number: 9108557681 

Model: 976 

Product Description: Portable toilet, white and gray  

Dimensions: 387.35mm x 387.35mm x 333.5mm 

Net weight: 4.99 kg

Wastewater tank capacity: 18 Liters

Flush water tank capacity: 8 Liters

Pros

  • Powerful flushing system
  • Large flush water capacity 
  • Long discharge pipe makes cleaning easy

Cons 

  • Not aesthetically pleasing

Porta Potti 92306 White Thetford Corp

The Porta Potti 92306 is a famous, award-winning, top-notch portable campervan toilet that is suitable for all types of traveling vehicles such as boats, RVs, vans, trucks, camping trips, and other outings.

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It is designed to look sleek, homelike, and modern. The 92306 comes with a very comfortable toilet seat at a very comfortable height. It also has a larger bowl size and is equipped with a flush powered by a strong battery. 

The 92306 is very easy to use, and just as easy to clean up. The curve has an efficient carrying handle for easy carrying. It also has a holder for toilet paper and the tank has a level indicator. 

The toilet is leakproof and odorless. It makes use of a sealed valve that stops foul-smelling odors from getting out. It also has a rotating spout for the purpose of getting rid of the used wastewater in the tank without worrying about backsplashes. 

porta potti opened

The toilet bowl attaches to the hold-down kit, which will make it feel much sturdier and keeps it in place while you are on the go. 

Specs

Color: White

Dimensions (LxWxH): 18.39” x 15.75” x 17.83”

Material: Polypropylene

Brand: Porta Potti

Weight: 13.45 Pounds

Pros 

  • Design makes it perfect for all types of traveling vehicles
  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Easy to maintain 
  • Minimal odor thanks to the sealed valve system

Cons

  • The flush system requires proper care and precaution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you poop in a camper toilet?

Camper van toilets are made to take all kinds of human waste, even your poop. If you properly maintain your camper toilet and blank tank, and you use a good amount of water for flushing, you will be able to use your camper toilet to poop without worrying about the smell.

How do I stop my camper toilet from smelling?

You should always keep the black tank of your camper toilet closed. If you can, use a lot of water to flush your waste. Another way of preventing foul smell is to make use of chemicals and add them onto your black tank after using. You should also flush out your tank after using it. All in all, if you keep your toilet clean and check your vent pipe on a regular basis, you’re good to go.

Where can I empty my portable toilet?

  • This is usually what most people using portable toilets hate the most, but needs to be done; the disposing part. It’s quite a hassle. Modern chemicals found in toilets are usually good at dealing with bad smells and efficient in the breakdown of toilet paper and other solid wastes. 
  • The first step is to Separate the waste tank and flushing tank.
  • The tank must be emptied at the proper dumpsite or in a sewerage system’s toilet. Do not attempt to dump it in a septic system. The chemicals are strong enough to kill the septic systems bacteria, which makes it work. 
  • When you empty the tank, make sure to fully open the breather valve – otherwise, it will cause splashes and spillage.
  • Completely wash the toilet tank to ensure cleanliness.
  • After you’ve emptied and cleaned your camper toilet, you can use the chemicals and water provided to set it up for further use.

Last update on 2022-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API