Best Portable Camping Toilets – (Ultimate Guide 2017)

Portable toilets have long been the most popular toilets for camping and picnics. They are relatively inexpensive, hygienic and with modern designs become a great deal easier and more practical to use. With the advent of fully contained composting toilets, past of the market has declined, but 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, we have extensively reviewed and selected the best portable camping toilets from across the price and feature range.

Dometic 301097202 Portable Toilet

The Dometic 2.6 gallon portable toilet is a full adult sized toilet with and elongated seat. The body of the toilet is made from highly durable ABS, which resists scratches. The clean water flush mechanism is primed with a hand pump and 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 the there is an extra-long spout and air vent.

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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 fresh water needs topping up of 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. The toilet features a leak and odor proof seal to avoid any spills or unpleasant smells. To empty there is a detachable spout (which stores in the toilet when not in use) and an air vent to aid easy emptying.

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Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Complete 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 to 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 complete.

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Thetford 92360 Porta Potti 550E 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 fresh water reservoir of 4 gallons. The flush system, which is sufficient for about 55 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.

 

 

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5 GAL Portable Camp Toilet Camping Flush Potty

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 of odors. To make moving the complete toilet easier, there are two robust carrying handles.

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Camco 41541 Portable Toilet

The 41541 toilet has a 5.3-gallon waste capacity and a fresh water 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 afterwards to prevent and leakage of liquid and odors. To empty the toilet, the fresh water tanks and the seat unclip from the waste tank that can then be taken for emptying.

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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, 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.

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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 he 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.

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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 to convert liquid waste into solid.

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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.

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5 Things 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 open countryside. They usually contain a powder that turns liquid waste to 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 smaller toilet that 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 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 offsetting the toilet up ready to use, it should be born in minds 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 a careful note of the toilets dimensions before you buy. In addition to fitting the toilet into the 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 are 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 / 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.

Problems / Portable 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 toilet have a double seal on the waste tank to prevent odors 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.

Portable Camping Toilet Comparison Chart

PRODUCT	PRICE	Water Consumption	Product Dimensions	Features
Dometic 301097202 Portable Toilet	$	Pressurize water	13.5 x 15.5 x 12.5 inches	Sleek style, high-strength plastic portable toile
Sanitation Equipment Visa Potty Model	$$	Piston-type flush system	16 x16.125 x16.5inches	A leak- and odor-proof seal
Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Complete Toilet System	$$$	Waterless	25 x 25 x 25 inches	Removable poly waste bags , internal flex bag cavity
Thetford 92360 Porta Potti 550E Curve Portable Toilet	$$	Hidden battery-powered flush controls	18 x 16 x 18 inches	Sleek, modern and homelike design
5 GAL Portable Camp Toilet Camping Flush Potty	$	3 gallon fresh water tank for the flush	16"(L) x 14"(W)	Fashionable design and high quality stands for years of use
Camco 41541 Portable Toilet	$	Bellow-type flush	6.7 x 5.9 x 5.5 inches	Sturdy polyethylene construction is compact and lightweight
Stansport Portable Camp Toilet	$	Waterless	17 x 15 x 12.5 inches	Lid features sturdy thick wall construction
Reliance Products Hassock Portable Lightweight Self-Contained Toilet	$	Waterless	14.7 x 14.7 x 14 inches	Removable inner bucket for waste disposal , Contoured seat for comfort
Cleanwaste Portable Toilet	$	Waterless	20 x 15 x 5 inches	Plastic , A removable mesh holder
Century 6210 5-Gallon Portable Toilet	$	3.2-gallon freshwater holding tank	16 x 15 x 14.5 inches	Sturdy full-size seat , leak-proof tanks

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 and 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 toilet. A portable camping toilet needs to have different features to a toilet that would be 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 and allow you to then select which is the best one for your particular needs.