Last Updated on September 23, 2022 by acechapman
Portable toilets have long been the most popular toilets for camping and picnics.
They are relatively inexpensive and hygienic. Modern designs become a great deal easier and more practical to use.
With the advent of fully contained composting toilets, part of the market has declined. As composting toilets tend to be a great deal more expensive than their portable variants. Portable toilets will be with us for a long time to come.
There are many variants of portable camping toilets. In our mission to find the best toilets in the market, we have extensively reviewed and selected the best portable camping toilets. We review from across the price and feature range.
10 Top Portable Camping Toilets Review
1 – Dometic 301097206 970 Series Portable Toilet
Dometic 2.6-gallon portable toilet is a full adult-sized toilet with an elongated seat. The body of the toilet is made from highly durable ABS, which resists scratches. Its clean water flush mechanism is primed with a hand pump. To flush, all that is needed is the press of a button to add the water and a handle empties the waste into the storage tank. Each pressurized flush uses about 1 pint of water. A prismatic level indicator shows how full the holding tank indicates when it needs emptying. To make emptying easier, there is an extra-long spout and air vent.
2 – Sanitation Equipment Visa Potty Model
The Visa model 268 has a 24-liter capacity. That works out as a 6.3-gallon holding tank. In addition, there is a 14 liter or 2.6-gallon fresh water reservoir for flushing. Both tanks have their own level indicator to let you know when the freshwater needs topping up or the waste tank emptying. The flush system is operated by a pump lever and forces the water in two directions to give a clean rinse. This toilet features a leak and odor-proof seal to avoid any spills or unpleasant smells. To empty, there is a detachable spout and an air vent to aid easy emptying.
3 – Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Complete Portable Toilet System
This is literally a complete portable toilet system. Not only does it include a portable toilet but it also includes a privacy shelter. The whole toilet including the shelter neatly packs up into the supplied backpack for easy storage and transportation. The total weight of the toilet and accessories in the backpack is only 18 lbs. This toilet works a little differently from the previous two toilets reviewed in that the waste goes into a biodegradable sack. Added to the sack is some special; powder that turns all the liquid waste into solids. The waste bag is then sealed and disposed of completely.
4 – Thetford 92306 Porta Potti 565E Curve Portable Toilet
The Porta Potti Curve has a look that is more familiar in a home toilet rather than the often square design used for portable toilets. The waste capacity is 5.5 gallons with a freshwater reservoir of 4 gallons. The flush system, which is sufficient for about 56 flushes, is a battery, operated via a button. The seat is designed for comfort so the overall height is a little higher than some portable toilets. The toilet has an integrated toilet roll holder. To empty, there is a large capacity spout that, when empty, is sealed off with a cap.
5 – Portable Flush Toilet Potty Commode 5 Gallon
As the name suggests, this portable toilet has a 5-gallon waste capacity, which means it needs emptying less frequently. The unit is totally self-contained with the waste unit held in place with corrosion-proof clips. The toilet has a 3-gallon capacity fresh water tank for flushing. The flush is operated by a push button. The toilet has a full-sized seat which is capable of taking a weight of up 440 lbs. The drain valve is double sealed to prevent the leakage of any waste liquid from odors. To make moving the complete toilet easier, there are two robust carrying handles.
6 – Camco 41541 Portable Toilet
The 41541 toilet has a 5.3-gallon waste capacity and a freshwater tank with a 2.5-gallon capacity. When empty the toilet only weighs 11 lbs but is still strong enough to support a weight of 330 lbs. the flush mechanism is operated by a hand-pumped bellows system. There is a sliding valve that opens to allow waste into the then and seals afterward to prevent any leakage of liquid and odors. To empty the toilet, the freshwater tanks, and the seat unclip from the waste tank can then be taken for emptying.
7 – Stansport Portable Camp Toilet
This is a very compact yet sturdy portable toilet that measures less than 15” in height, width, and depth. With the small footprint, users have commented on how stable the toilet is. Even though it weighs less than 9 lbs., it can take up to 350 lbs. in weight. This toilet uses the disposable sanitary bag, a method for removing waste rather than a water flush system. As it is a less complex system than the water flush type portable toilets the price reflects that. This toilet usually only comes with one disposable bag, so it is worth buying additional bags when buying this toilet.
8 – Reliance Products Hassock Portable Lightweight Self-Contained Toilet
The Hassock portable toilet really is lightweight, it weighs only 5 lbs. yet can accommodate a person weighing up to 300 lbs. the toilet comes with a contoured seat for added comfort and an inner splash cover together with a toilet roll holder included. The toilet uses the bag disposal method rather than a water flush. The lid is not securable, so the toilet bag needs to be emptied before transporting to avoid the risks of a mess. As usual with bagged portable toilets, this only comes with one bag so don’t forget to order additional ones when you buy the toilet.
9 – Cleanwaste Portable Toilet
The bag system portable toilet is a little different from many other toilets. The Cleanwaste toilet actually folds up when not in use to something the size of a briefcase. When needed it just unfolds from the container – no assembly is needed. It has a full-size seat and three legs to give stability on uneven ground, and on soft ground, the lid can be removed and used as a stand for extra support. The toilet uses the bagged disposal method for removing waste. The bag (singular) that is supplied has powder in it to convert liquid waste into solid.
10 – Century 6210 5-Gallon Portable Toilet
The 6210 portable toilet has a waste capacity of 5 gallons and uses fresh water, stored in a 3.2-gallon tank, to flush. The toilet is self-contained in one piece and has a carrying handle for easy transport. The waste tank is held in place on the body by corrosion-resistant latches. The waste tank is sealed between flushes with a double sealed valve to prevent any leakages or odors or liquid. To empty, unclip the waste tank from the rest of the toilet. The waste tank has a wide spout to allow easy emptying.
NOTE- some of our readers have commented that when the toilet base is empty and the flush water tank is full, the toilet can be a little unstable.
Factors To Consider When Buying A Portable Camping Toilet
Waste Disposal
Your portable toilet will need emptying at some stage. The question is where do you empty it? While water flush toilets are in some ways more convenient to use they do need special sites to empty them. Many RV sites have these facilities but if you are traveling in the wilds emptying can become a little more problematic. Many areas have restrictions on buying such waste – so check before you travel.
Biodegradable sacks, specifically designed for portable camping toilets, are easier to dispose of in the open countryside. They usually contain a powder that turns liquid waste into solids. These can then be buried. They should be at least 6” deep and at least 100 yards away from any water source. Toilet paper can take the longest to break down, so it is preferable to have rapidly disintegrating toilet paper (which can usually be found in camping supply stores).
Volume of Toilet
If you are, for example, going away as a couple for an overnight camp, you will obviously need a small toilet if you are going away, as a family, for a week or so. When you are looking to buy a flush toilet it often gives examples of how many flushes the toilet can cope with before emptying. It’s not an exact science, but it will give you an idea of the size of the toilet you will need.
Ease of Use
While RV parks and boating marinas usually have a dedicated toilet area, when camping the toilet often needs to be set up each time you stop for any period of time. Part of the selection process in selecting the best portable toilets in our reviews was the simplicity and speed of offsetting the toilet up ready to use, always remember that the location in which you wish to use the toilet can be a factor to consider.
Dimensions of Toilet
Both flush and bag disposal toilets come in a variety of sizes, not just the volume of waste that they can take, but also the measurements. In boats and RVs, where space is often at a premium, take note of the toilet’s dimensions before you buy. In addition to fitting the toilet into space, you also need extra space around it to allow for removing the waste container for emptying.
When hiking, the size of the toilet is even more important and possibly a choice of the Cleanwaste Portable Toilet or the Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Complete Toilet System may be worth some consideration. Another important factor, especially for larger people, is the weight capacity that each toilet can take.
Privacy
Most people, when thinking of a portable toilet, think of camping or boating. Another situation where portable toilets can be advantageous is for picnics or tailgate parties. The Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Complete Toilet System is one of the few portable toilets that comes complete with a privacy shelter. But there are several privacy shelters that can be purchased separately that will provide a private is to use the toilet.
Types of Portable Toilets/Usage Area
In our portable toilet reviews, we have included the best flush toilets and the best bag toilets. There is a third type of toilet that can be used as a portable toilet for use in RVs and boats – composting toilets. Composting toilets are often used in remote static locations where water and drainage are not available but they can also be used as a toilet on boats and in RVs. Composting toilets have a completely different type of dealing with waste, and we have dedicated a whole page to them – follow this link for more detailed information about composting toilets.
Cleaning And Maintenance
Cleaning your toilet might be one of your main concerns. Most toilets, either flush types or bag types need supplies for them. What is needed can vary from toilet to toilet. Many of the flush toilets benefit from a deodorizer or cleaning agent (many of the toilets come with samples of these).
Bag toilets need waste disposal bags, preferably biodegradable, powder to convert the liquid waste to solids, and, preferably, toilet paper that will break down quickly. Also, don’t forget a spade to dig a hole for your waste. Click to read more cleaning tips on this camping tips website.
What Problems Do Portable Camping Toilets Have?
Portable toilets, on the whole, are very reliable and all the toilets we have included are well-engineered and well regarded by users. There are a few problems that have occurred that are worth mentioning.
Stability
One of the problems occasionally mentioned by users of portable toilets is their stability. There are many types of specifically manufactured brackets, made of corrosion-proof metal that will aid this stability problem.
Odors
Most portable flush toilets have a double seal on the waste tank to prevent odors from coming back into the toilet area. Others have a vent pipe that allows odors to dissipate far from the toilet area. In addition, chemicals are added to reduce odors. If your toilet has odors coming from it, there are usually two possible reasons. Firstly, there is debris blocking the seal from closing correctly. Secondly, there may be a problem with the valve itself. It may need repairing or replacing.
Wrap Up
If you are new to the idea of buying a portable toilet, our reviews are designed to guide you in the right direction. We point out what to look for when you come to make your purchase. In our portable toilet reviews, it is very difficult to point out one as the best portable camping toilets. A portable camping toilet needs to have different features from a toilet permanently based in an RV or on a boat. What we have done with our reviews is to pick the best of each different type of toilet. It will allow you to then select which is the best one for your particular needs.
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