13 Best Composting Toilets [For Tiny Home,RV & Boat]

Unlike flushing toilets, composting toilets do not need to be connected to sewer systems or septic tanks. Such toilets are often used in rental homes, national parks, tourist resorts, and off-grid homes.

The best composting toilet will be portable, affordable, and have an effective composting rate.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the best composting toilets based on portability, price, and composting rate. If you like more information about what is a composting toilet or how they work, check out other posts about composting toilets.

Best Composting Toilets 

1.Luggable Loo Portable Toilet – Cheapest Composting Toilet

Other portable toilets can be bulky and expensive, but not the Luggable Loo Portable Toilet. This inexpensive portable toilet is simple and economical.

When you’re out in the woods hunting, fishing, or on the move a lot, you don’t want a toilet that’s bulky, but one that can be easily moved, such as this one. It’s also ideal for emergency preparedness when traditional plumbing cannot be used.

It can become an essential part of your emergency kit and it only measures 12.8 x 14.57 x 13.39 inches. It does not require power and it’s extremely lightweight. 

It’s Simple To Use

We had mentioned that this portable toilet was simple to use and here’s why. All it requires is the lid and some waste bags if you use them. This is a bucket-style product and the seat just snaps onto the top of it.

You can then use it as you would a regular toilet, it just can’t be flushed. Additionally, when the lid is snapped into place, it minimizes odor. 

Perfect For Outdoor Activities

You will never have to worry about late-night trips through the woods to use the bathroom ever again. You set up the Luggable Loo in a tent if you want to feel more secure when you need to do your business.

If you’re on your own, simply stick it wherever you see fit. Whether you’re hunting, camping, fishing, or on a hike, just carry it along with you with the convenient handle. It only weighs three pounds!

Waste Capacity

The Luggable Loo has a generous 5-gallon or 20-liter capacity. It doesn’t hold as much as other products can, but it’s also not meant to be stored. It should be dumped before you pack it away unless you live off the grid and this is your main toilet or if you’re using it for composting purposes. 

Pros

• Ultra-lightweight for easy transportation
• Economically priced
• Takes up minimal space
• Easy to use

Cons

• The base is a little unstable
• Flimsy seat

2.Sun-Mar Excel Non-Electric – Best Self Contained Toilet

The Sun-Mar Excel Non-Electric Self-Contained Composting Toilet is ideal for those who are living off the grid, looking to get into the lifestyle, or want to live in a green environment. . It’s a low profile unit that requires absolutely no water and it’s 100% non-polluting. 

Patented Bio-Drum

Any good composting toilet has to perform three separate processes. The first one is to compost the waste and toilet paper rapidly without causing too much odor. Next, it has to ensure the finished compost is easy to handle and safe. Lastly, it has to separate and/or evaporate the liquid contents. 

The Bio-Drum uses aerobic microbes to work quickly to break down waste and convert it back to earth. It has to supply oxygen, control moisture, and have simple operations. 

Large Capacity

We weren’t able to find a gallon capacity, but we did find that it can handle a 2-3 person residential setting or 5-7 people at a cabin for a weekend. Even though it does have a large capacity, it’s a low profile unit and compliments any bathroom setting. 

Child-Friendly

You will find that many of these composting toilets are meant for adults. The Sun-Mar Self-Contained Toilet has a cute step stool attached to it so that it can be easily accessed by a child. It’s removable as to not get in the way for the adults. 

Pros

• Child-friendly
• 100% non-polluting
• Large capacity drum
• Low profile for any size bathroom
• Non-electric

Cons

• Weighs 90-pounds, so it can’t be transported easily
• Overflow drain too high and clogs
• Not ideal for winter use

3.Camco Portable Toilet – Best Portable Composting 

The Camco Portable Toilet is your ideal choice for camping, fishing, or living off the grid. It features a generous holding tank and it flushes. You’ll never have to worry about stinky odors again thanks to the slide valve.

Moreso, it’s very economically priced and comes with a convenient carrying handle for easy transport. 

Flush Tank

The flush tank holds 2.5 gallons of freshwater at the top of the tank. It features a lid, seat, and a bowl. You will find a cap conveniently located on the top of the flush tank where you can fill it with the water.

On the other side, there is a pump that sends the water into the tank, in a flushing motion, to send waste to the bottom of the waste tank. There are latches on the side of the flush tank that secures the toilet part to the waste tank part. 

Waste Tank

You will find at the bottom of the waste tank there is a sliding gate. This opens for waste and closes to prevent odors from escaping and it creates a water-tight seal. If you are using it indoors, this sliding gate is a big help so others don’t smell the odors. There is also a 5.3 waste holding capacity. 

Convenience

Since this toilet has been specifically designed for camping, boating, hunting, and other recreational activities, it has the portability factor. It’s lightweight, only weighing 11.5 pounds and it can support up to 330 pounds. It crafted of sturdy polyethylene and it’s extremely compact. 

Pros

• Lightweight for easy portability
• Generous waste storage
• Can be flushed
• Locking lid
• No odor seepage

Cons

• Latches may not stay locked
• Material cracks easily

4.Stansport Bucket-Style Toilet – Most Lightweight

The Stansport Bucket-Style Portable Toilet is the most lightweight portable toilet on the list. It only weighs half of a pound and has a convenient carrying handle for easy portability.

You can use this portable toilet while camping, hiking, fishing, or during an emergency situation where water or a toilet would not be available. It’s the perfect solution for a doomsday prepper.  

Superior Durability

The durability of this simple portable toilet is unbeatable. It can safely support an individual up to 300-pounds. It comes with a comfortable snap-on seat with a hinged cover. This hinged cover helps contain odors. This is particularly useful if you are camping with a group of people or use it in your home while living off the grid. 

Easy Portability

The Stansport Bucket-Style Portable Toilet is not only durable, but it’s super lightweight. It only weighs 0.5 pounds and can be easily carried by the contoured handle.

This is helpful if you are constantly carrying it around on a hike or while you’re on a retreat. This particular portable toilet can be used without the chemicals as well. If you want easier cleanup, simply use it with toilet bags or an 8, 10, or 13-gallon trash bag. 

Holding Capacity & Dimensions

For those wondering about the holding capacity of this portable toilet, it’s 4.5 gallons. When you aren’t using it, it can easily be stored in a small location. It measures 15.25 x 13.25 x 15.5 inches and is one of the smallest ones we have come across. 

Pros

• Super lightweight
• Generous holding capacity
• Seat snaps on the bucket
• Convenient carrying handle
• Works with or without toilet chemicals

Cons

• Lid may fall off

5.Sun-Mar GTG Composting Toilet – Largest Holding Capacity

If you are looking for a composting toilet that has more advanced features than your average portable toilet, look no further than the Sun-Mar GTG Composting Toilet.

It runs on electricity to eliminate unfavorable odors and increase the aerobic conditions to accelerate the composting process. 

Simple & Effective Design

The GTG wall-mounted toilet features a dual-chamber system design. This design allows waste and liquid to be separated into their corresponding chambers. The liquid can be poured out and the solid container allows you to directly remove the waste. You can also use a bag or a liner for simple composting. 

Even though it sounds like it’s complex, it’s really not. The design is rather simple and it’s very compact. It can fit into small spaces easily, making it a great choice for using in an RV, tiny homes, tents, fishing shanty, etc. 

A Fan For Odor Elimination

The nice feature of the GTG is the built-in fan. This integrated vent/fan moves air around the toilet and accelerates the composting process. It does this by increasing aerobic conditions within the waste. 

Removable Seat

One of the key features of the GTG is the removable seat. The seat can easily connect to the base, giving the user easy access to the composting materials under the seat. This is where you can access the liquid and solid separator. You won’t need to fuss with plugs or unmanagable lids. 

Pros

• • Built-in fan
  • Liquid/solid separator tanks

• Compact design
• Generous 6-gallon holding tank

Cons

• Not as portable as the others
• Requires electricity for the fan

6.Hike Crew Advanced Outdoor  -A Camping & Travel Toilet

When you’re using a portable toilet, it should be durable and shouldn’t leave unnecessary messes in your RV, tent, or wherever else you use it. The Hike Crew portable toilet is one of the most durable ones we have seen thus far.

It has some pretty amazing features attached to a reasonably priced product. Let’s take a look at some of them: 

Vent Release & Level Indicator

This is a feature that a lot of users boast of. The liquid level indicator gives you an idea of when it’s time to empty the 5.3-gallon holding tank. When the waste tank is near full or full, the indicator will be red. When it’s time to empty it, you can use a hose and insert it into a sewer outlet that will accept the hose. 

Sturdy & Durable Design

This portable toilet is composed of a high-density polyethylene material that ensures there is no damage from transporting or cleaning. Additionally, it prevents unsanitary and unwanted leaks from happening. The sturdy seat can accommodate up to 441 pounds and the toilet seat stays firmly in place with the lid latches. 

Powerful Flushing Capabilities

The Hike Crew toilet features a powerful piston 3 directional T-type flush. It contains a splash-free rotating tube that empties the water into the holding tank. You can get as many as 50 flushes from one single tank. The water will come from a 2.6-gallon holding tank for fresh water. 

Pros

• 1-year limited warranty
• Generous holding tank
• Completely self-contained
• Constructed of durable material
• Simple to maintain 

Cons

• Seat is rather small and uncomfortable
• Drainpipe could be larger

7. Camco 41535 – Best Portable Composting Toilet

This toilet is affordable, provides enhanced comfort, and is extremely portable. Featuring a compact and lightweight design, the Camco 41535 composting toilet is considered to be ideal for camping, road trips, boat trips, and hunting adventures.

This product offers a relatively large capacity of 2.6 gallons. It features a freshwater holding tank and a fairly powerful pump flush system. This system ensures the bowl is rinsed thoroughly after each use. This toilet has several other benefits to offer, including:

Odorless Sealing

You will probably be carrying this toilet along with you most of the time, even after using it, and you don’t want the odor to leak into your car or RV. To prevent this, this toilet features a secure latch system.

Once the spring-loaded latch has been secured in place, no odor is able to escape from the holding tank, even when the tank is full. Again, the latch mechanism used on this product makes it easier to remove the flush tank and lid for the purpose of cleaning.

Easy To Use On The Go

The Camco 41535 Premium Portable Travel Toilet is specifically designed for use on the go. It has a limited capacity and may not be used to hold the waste for long. After each trip, you will have to empty the toilet and clean it.

Easy To Assemble 

This toilet comes with biodegradable add-ons to help break down the waster at a faster rate.  You will also find this product to be comparatively easy to assemble and disassemble when you’re cleaning it, and the automatic sliding valve gate on makes things even easier.

The valve will open while you are using the toilet to allow the waste to pass to the holding tank. Once you are done, the valve will close; offering an air-tight seal. This prevents to odor from leaking from the holding tank.

What We Liked

• Features a detachable holding tank
• Secure latch mechanism
• Relatively lightweight, weighing only 11 pounds
• Comparatively easy to use, empty and clean
• Comes with biodegradable add-ons
• Can hold up to 4 gallons of water

What We Didn’t Like 

The piston-style flushing system is not so powerful, may require you to flush more than once

8. Porta Potti Curve Portable Toilet – The Best Portable Composting Toilet

The award-winning, innovative, and top-of-the-line Portta Potti Curve Portable Toilet is renowned across the globe for looks and performance.

The product features a sleek, home-like modern design that features an ergonomic carrying handle. With regards to design, the product also features a tank level indicator and an integrated toilet paper holder.

With Porta Potti Curve Portable toilet, your sanitary concerns are addressed as well. Some of this toilet’s features include:

Large Capacities

For a portable composting toilet, this model has a decent tank capacity. The tank for holding flushing water can hold up to 4 gallons. This large volume of water is capable of sustaining up to 56 flushes.

The waste holding tank has a capacity of about 5.5 gallons. This tank is designed for enhanced ease of use. You’ll find it easy to separate, empty and clean. This tank is also equipped with a level indicator.

The indicator and battery-powered flush system are concealed behind the toilet seat.

9. Sanitation Equipment Visa Potty Toilet – The Most Affordable Composting Toilet

The Sanitation Equipment Visa Potty Toilet may not be the best looking composting toilet on the market, but it has great features to offer. One of the things people love about this toilet is its generous capacity and efficient flushing system.

This toilet is offered in two main variants, an 18-liter and a 24-liter model, and its equipped with a powerful piston pump system.

Heavy-Duty Construction

This Sanitation Equipment toilet is built to last for years in an outdoor environment. In addition to helping it withstand wear and tear, this tough construction makes it possible for the toilet to carry larger loads of waste.

Although the manufacturer does not specify the waste weight this unit can withstand, we have found that you can safely carry up to 300 lbs of waste in this toilet.

Longer Pour Spot

In order to prevent spills or coming into contact with waste as you empty the tank, the this toilet is fitted with a long directional spout. The Visa Potty features a control system that may be used to direct the waste as you pour it out of the holding tank.

Level Indicators

The Visa Potty toilet features water and waste level indicators.

These indicators are mounted on the front part of the toilet. With the help of these indicators, you can easily tell when the waste tank is almost full, so that you can empty it, and the water level indicator will let you know when you are running out of fresh water.

10. Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet – Best Dry & Waterless Composting Toilet

This may be the most expensive composting toilet in this guide, but its definitely worth every penny. The Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting toilet is rated one of the best urine-separating dry composting toilets in the world.

This toilet was designed by two sailors who were seeking a more intuitive and durable composting toilet. It’s built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions associated with the marine environment.

Stain-free and Durable Construction

One of the aspects that make this product stand out is its all-steel construction. Its capable of withstanding the toughest of outdoor conditions.

Intuitive and Functional Design

This composting toilet features an appealing design that is also functional. The fan and vent hose components on this toilet will ensure that no odor leaks out. This toilet delivers an impressive odor free experience, even when used in confined spaces.

11. Sun-Mar Excel Self-Contained Composting Toilet – The Best Self-Contained Composting Toilet

Sun-Mar is one of the most popular toilet brands today, they are known for making durable, high quality, and highly effective composting toilets. This toilet features a low profile and can be used almost anywhere, including in cabins, residences or even for light commercial applications.

The Sun-Mar Excel is one of the best high-end composting toilets you can buy today. It offers unique convenience and performance features to justify the high price.

In-built Bio Drum

This toilet is one of the best self-composting toilets available because its equipped with a bio-drum to help decompose the waste. This toilet will convert human waste into safe and nutrient-rich fertilizer without producing any odor.

Superior Capacity

This composting toilet is comparatively large in size. This also goes for its waste-holding tank. As such, the toilet will work for six to eight people for an entire weekend before it needs to be emptied.

12. Aqua-Magic V RV Toilet Pedal Flush – Composting Toilet for RV’s

If you are looking for the best composting toilet for a cabin or a recreational vehicle, then the Aqua-Magic V composting toilet is probably the one you want. It offers a perfect blend of affordability and style, while being lightweight and easy of use.

It’s seating height is 17-1/2 inches and connects to the central water tank in a recreational vehicle (RV). Despite it’s low price, the unit features full-bowl coverage, allowing for cleaner flushes.

Its new design includes a deeper bowl, and is styled to resemble a standard residential toilet. It has a sturdy polymer base and bowl, and is relatively easy to install.

The textured lid on the toilet sheds water while resisting scuffs. You will also find the product easy to use. For example, pressing the pedal halfway will fill the bowl with water while pressing it all the way flushes the toilet.

The high-profile RV composting toilet comes complete with all installation components, including closet flange bolts, nuts, and flange seals.

13. Villa 9215 AC/DC – Best Commercial Composting Toilet

Though only recently introduced into the US market, the Separett Villa 9215 is quickly gaining popularity among RV owners. It is one of the most advanced composting toilets in the industry, and it can be used for both off-grid and on-grid living.

This toilet features the latest innovations in waste management as well as advanced technologies by the manufacturer. The Villa 9215 will run on either AC mains, a DC battery, or a solar panel.

It’s equipped with a single-speed fan that can support up to 20 feet of venting. The fan pulls air over the waste holding area, thus eliminating odors and keeping solid waste dry. The 34-pound toilet comes with a large biodegradable liner bag, capable of holding a good amount of solid waste.

Urine Redirecting Technology

For the purpose of separating urine from solid human waste, the toilet bowl features a unique design. This design allows it to direct urine to a holding tank from the drain. Afterward, the solid waste and toilet paper end up in a compostable liner bag for proper storage.

The unit comes with all the required installation equipment, and its backed by a five-year limited guarantee by the manufacturer, although the ventilation fan is only covered by a three-year guarantee.

How Much do Composting Toilets Cost?

The overall composting toilet cost includes the cost of the toilet itself and labor installation costs. On average, the best residential toilet models are priced between $825 and $4,850.

With self-contained compost toilet models, the prices start at around $1,400. The cost of these products vary based on the features they have to offer.

The right waterless composting toilet can completely eliminate toilet water usage. This curbs overall bathroom water wastage by around 25 percent. This will provide a low TCO (total cost of ownership) over time.

Do Composting Toilets Really Work?

Yes. By mixing waste with other materials, composting toilets eliminate odor and use significantly less water than a conventional toilet, while creating manure in an economically friendly way.

Why Should You Get A Composting Toilet?

The growing popularity of composting toilets by homeowners, particularly those living off-road, attest to the many benefits that these toilets have to offer. These features include:

Cheaper and Faster to Install

As opposed to conventional toilets, the best commercial composting toilet models do not require septic installation, saving you between $1,500 and $5,000 on installation costs. Although they are more expensive to buy than a traditional toilet, a composting toilet is comparatively easier and cheaper to install,.

May Be Used Almost Anywhere

Since composting toilet does not require a connection to a plumbing system, they can be installed almost anywhere. This makes them the best toilet option for homeowners living off-road or in places where connection to the sewer system is prohibitively expensive

These units are suited for outdoor installations. Any spacing and sizing problems associated with composting toilets are easy to overcome with a little ingenuity.

Better Durability 

The best composting toilets are known to last a lifetime, provided they are maintained properly. This is why some of the leading composting toilet manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on their products.

These toilets will also save you up to 30,000 gallons of water per year.  Therefore, its safe to say that these toilets pay for themselves over time.

Require Minimal Maintenance

As compared to other compost forms, you dont have to worry about keeping the compost wet. Human waste maintains proper moisture levels within the basin housing the compost. Some models do, however, require you to turn the compost to mix it every now and then.

For the best long-term results, look for toilets that meet or exceed current standards from the American National Standards Institute or a similar international organization.

Composting Toilet Cons

People with conditions that restrict their mobility may find composting toilets uncomfortable to use, as the toilet requires them to squat too low. Some model, especially the self-contained composting toilets, may not contain odor so well.

How to Choose a Composting Toilet

Do you need a composting toilet for use at home or one that you can use on the go If you don’t have a water supply at the location of use, you should get a model that doesn’t require any water to operate. There are several other considerations that you need to make while shopping for the best compost toilet.

Composting Toilet Type

You have to ascertain the type of compost toilet that will be ideal for your intended use.

While choosing the right toilet, these are the 5 main compost toilet types you should consider:

Waterless/Dry Toilets

These are the composting toilets that do not require any water to function. The  dry composting toilets that have a flushing system use a negligible amount of water.

These toilets are odorless, so they are considered to be ideal for indoor application, such as household interior.

Self-Composting Toilets

These feature a compact and more portable design. Self-decomposing toilets have a compost system just below the bowl.

Such a product is best suited for hiking or camping applications. Self-composting toilets are generally designed for use on the go.

Electric Composting Toilets

With such toilets, the composting system features components that need electricity to run.

Most of these models have an electric fan to continuously circulate air in the composting unit. Some electric composting toilets require a connection to a mains outlet, while others can run on a battery.

Electric composting toilets are known to be more efficient and faster at the decomposing human waste. However, such toilets are comparatively more expensive.

You should consider getting a battery-operated unit if you are not connected to the grid, or you could opt for a non-electric model.

Non-Electric Composting Toilets

Compared to electric composting toilets, non-electric models are generally low priced.

For the composting process to function, most non-electric toilets require you to manually mix the waste using a built-in crank.

Compared to electric models, composting toilets are slower and less efficient at composting human waste, . Still, they are a great choice in some applications.

Remote/Central Composting Toilets

Rather than encompassing the composting unit below the bowl, these toilets channel the waste to a composter separate from the toilet.

Remote composting toilets are a great choice if you would like to use several toilets in the same location. In such a case, you can connect several central composting toilets to one composter.

Composting Toilet Capacity

How much waste a composter can hold depends on the toilet you buy.

The right composting toilet capacity mainly depends on the intended application. For example, toilets meant for use on the go don’t need to have a large capacity.

Though lightweight and more portable, toilets with less capacity need to be emptied more frequently. Consider the number of people that will be using the toilet, and how often they will be using it.

Zoning Requirements

There are no federal or national laws governing the suitability and application of composting toilets. Different state, county, and municipalities have varying zoning requirements.

Before you buy a composting toilet, ensure that it meets the zoning requirements in your area. Contact your town or county to inquire about the building laws that may affect the use of composting toilets.

Bulking Material

In order to maintain the composting process, some toilets require you to add bulking material. Bulking material is essential for breaking the waste down to allow for free air circulation. Some composting toilet models do not require the use of bulking material. Using bulking material in such a toilet could damage it.

Bowl Closure & Toilet Trap Mechanism

Regardless of where you will be using your compost toilet, sanitation and odor is something consider. To maintain the best sanitation and prevent odor, you should get a toilet with a good compost trap design.

Different toilets have different mechanisms for locking the composting receptacle or waste line from the bottom of the basin. If you do not want to operate the closure mechanism, you should choose a model that has an automatic trap closing mechanism.

Other models feature a manual valve that needs to be operated manually. Ensure that the closing mechanism on your preferred toilet is durable, effective, and reliable.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can You Put Toilet Paper In a Composting Toilet?

You may throw toilet paper in a composting toilet, but it is not recommended. Read our detailed post about it.

Conclusion 

Composting toilets save space, require minimal maintenance, and remove the need for expensive plumbing repairs. These units are unique in that they help convert waste into useful fertilizer. They are also cheaper and faster to install than traditional toilets.

While in some areas you may require a permit to install a composting toilet, such toilets reduce water consumption and can save up to 20 gallons of water per day, per person.