Quick Answer – Best Portable Toilet:
Going camping with your kids is a great way of spending a great time, especially if you live in a crowded city and see verdure very rarely.
No matter if it’s a family trip or just a solitary promenade, you’ll definitely need a portable toilet; all the more so when you take your children with you.
All in all, If you are concerned about how to poop in the wilderness, then a portable camping toilet could be your savior. Welcome to our Best Portable Toilet Review article!
Now, choosing one might not be that simple. But today’s your lucky day: we’ll provide the best 12 portable toilet reviews for the highest-rated portable toilets you can get nowadays.
Contents
After reading this guide, things will get a little bit clearer and you’ll be able to make a cost-effective decision.
As you might expect, the prices will differ from unit to unit, so there will be plenty to choose from. We personally reviewed and tested several of the below models, and then decided not to purchase any of them but rather make our own one.
Best Portable Toilet
Best Portable Toilet Reviews
Review Of SereneLife Outdoor Portable Toilet with Carry Bag
One of the main problems with portable toilets is that they start to smell awful after a while; this is not only a consequence of the feces they contain but also of the materials they’re made of.
In this light, the SereneLife has got a feature that you’ll definitely come to appreciate: it’s made with a combo of materials that don’t retain any foul odor.
Another thing that makes it stand out from the crowd is its capacity: no less than a 5.3-gallon tank.
That might not look like a big deal, but for a toilet that you can carry with you wherever you go, it is. The toilet will flush with a simple push of the nozzle and can be emptied by rotating the spout.
All in all, this could be a top-notch camping toilet that doesn’t feel any different from the one in your bathroom.
Pros:
- It does not retain smells
- Carrying case included
- Large capacity
- Waste level indicator
Cons:
- The bowl isn’t very comfortable, as noted by previous customers
- The lid could be more durable
Review of Dometic 301097202 Portable Toilet
The size of the Dometic unit recommends it for children. It’s as stylish as a toilet can get and has a decent capacity of 2.6 gallons.
Its portability is ensured by a handle and its durability by the high-density polyethylene it’s been made of.
This material also accounts for the fact that it is odor-proof. The flushing is pressurized, which means that you’ll seldom have to clean the bowl after your children “went”.
This, too, has a waste indicator, so it’s less likely that it will ever overflow.
Emptying it is a breeze, although some customers claimed that it can get bothersome to keep it at the required angle sometimes.
There’s no such thing as a “best portable potty”, but if there were, then this is the closest thing to it.
Pros:
- It looks great
- It’s comfortable
- Flushes well
Cons:
- A portion of the bowl always remains dirty after flushing
- It fills up pretty quickly
- The pull-handle for flushing is extremely rickety
Review Of ZIMMER Comfort Portable Toilet
This Zimmer is basically a larger SereneLife: it’s got a 5.6-gallon capacity instead of a 5.3.
The freshwater tank is 3 gallons, which is more than enough for upwards of 60 flushes (approximately 70).
The Zimmer doesn’t retain the stench of waste and even more importantly, it doesn’t leak, mostly thanks to the sealed valve. In order to empty it, you simply detach the superior holding tank from the latches.
The freshwater tank can be easily filled up with a hose or even with a plastic bottle. And did we mention that it looks amazing? We’re not saying that this is the best RV toilet, but it’s a reliable acquisition nonetheless.
As mentioned by other customers, this will serve you well while camping, fishing, boating – you name it.
Pros:
- Huge capacity
- It keeps smells at bay
- Easy filling and emptying
- Easy to carry around
Cons:
- The lid is clearly not very durable
- The handle is relatively weak, as well
Review Of The PARTYSAVING Travel Outdoor Camping Toilet
A good portable toilet should be at once durable and lightweight. Many manufacturers fail to deliver this.
PARTYSAVING, on the other hand, knew what the deal was and made this 2.6-gallon porta potty that can be used by adults and children alike.
We confess that its color might not be its proudest aspect, but it’s not about how it looks, is it? Like most RV toilets, the PARTYSAVING is made of high-density polyethylene.
If you’re sick and tired of portable toilets that you need to do a banana split over when you mean business, you’ll love the fact that this is high enough for you to sit comfortably.
All things considered, this is worth the investment even though it’s not the most eye-catching toilet in town. That shouldn’t matter, though.
At the end of the day, it’s still a toilet.
Pros:
- High enough for adults
- The seat is large
- It flushes easily
Cons:
- It doesn’t look that good
- The 2 tanks need to be screwed properly, lest they leak
- Although it’s not, it comes off as cheaply made, as other users mentioned
Review Of The Cleanwaste Portable Toilet with Waste Kit
This is the first tripod-toilet in our guide and a good one at it. When you look at it, you probably can’t help but think that it will break as soon as you sit on it.
In reality, it can support up to 500 pounds.
Unlike the other toilets we’ve introduced you to, this is a more rudimentary one, in the sense that it is a toilet seat on top of a trash bag.
Other customers said that the nice thing about this is that you can simply buy Ziploc bags in bulk and stock up for a trip.
The bag will be held in place by a mesh so that it won’t go wobbly.
The entire waste kit folds up like a suitcase, therefore you won’t have any issues whatsoever with taking this with you anywhere you go.
It is perfect for the usual overlander set up where you drive a 4×4 wagon, where space matters, and not a van or an RV where porta-potties often have a fixed location.
Pros:
- Can take on some weight
- The seat is no different from the one of your toilet at home
- Suitcase-sized when folded up
Cons:
- Surprisingly expensive for a bag-holder
- You have to stay firm on position while doing your thing because if you don’t, you’ll end up with your nose on the grass. Hopefully the grass.
Review Of The Palm Springs Outdoor Portable Toilet
The Palm Springs is a 5-gallon porta potty that’s reminiscent of 90% of the toilets we’ve reviewed up to now.
It features the same dual construction (a freshwater holding tank and a waste tank) as the rest and shares the same material, as well.
While it’s not essentially rugged, its finish deadens scratches and other esthetic defects. The seat is comfortable and large enough to accommodate adults, although children will have a better time on it.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a waste indicator on the waste tank, so you’ll have to pay attention to it unless you want to be surprised in all the wrong ways possible.
Another mild inconvenience mentioned by other customers is that the flush button doesn’t press too easily.
If you’re willing to put up with these shortcomings, then this is a good addition to your RV.
Pros:
- The bowl is flushed properly
- Both the fresh water and waste tank are large
- The seat is smooth and soft
Cons:
- Pressing the flush valve is a pain
- It lacks a holding tank indicator
Review Of The Stansport 271 Portable Folding Camp or Travel Toilet
It can so happen that you’re not into bulky portable toilets. Sure, they’ve got their practicality, but you’re not keen on carrying your poop around.
In this case, you can angle for a portable toilet like this Stansport.
The seat is made of plastic and sits on legs made of steel. Like any other chair, it folds up for convenient and hassle-free transportation.
From here on, you simply attach a bag to the toilet and then throw it away when it’s full.
The toilet comes with 6 bags included in the price, but you can use about every type of garbage bag you can get your hands on. Other clients stated that this could be the best portable camping toilet for parents with children.
Pros:
- It is foldable
- Lightweight
- It’s perfect for children (especially the port-a-potty trainees)
Cons:
- The steel legs will most definitely go into the ground if you sit on this toilet
- The bag isn’t held properly by the ring, so you’ll have to remove it quite often
Review Of The Reliance Fold45 To45 Go Portable Toilet
This porta potty right here can be used with or without a bag. If the area you go camping in allows it, you can dig a hole in the ground and sit on this instead of squat.
This might give you the impression that will collapse under you in the saddest of circumstances, but it can hold up to 300 pounds without even flinching.
The legs upon which it sits can be folded.
This could be a fantastic purchase for people who have no interest in spending too much money on portable camping toilets.
Of course, it might not be as pimped as a 2-tank one, but it does what it’s supposed to do: help you do your thing comfortably.
Pros:
- Foldable legs and easy to use
- Little to no chance of crumbling with you on it
- It can be used with a bag
Cons:
- The legs are foldable, but you’ll have to put some effort in the folding
- Some might find it too low
Review Of The Reliance Products Hassock Portable Lightweight Self-Contained Toilet
This portable toilet comes with a comfy seat that is installed on top of a removable bucket and surrounded by a barrel-like container for… confidentiality reasons.
The great thing about this is that you can actually use it as a chair when its lid is closed, so you hit 2 birds with one stone.
Evidently, you should not use the toilet unless you’ve put a bag in the bucket.
It’s less likely that you want to spend time cleaning that bucket.
As a parting note, other clients liked the fact that the toilet has a toilet paper holder.
Also, you don’t have to use your money on “special” bags. Trash bags will work just as well to manage poop.
Pros:
- Comfortable to sit on
- It’s a chair when closed (the term “stool” would be open to interpretations)
- It’s a cheap alternative
- Comes with a toilet paper holder
Cons:
- None as far as we’re concerned
Review Of The Porta Potti Curve Portable Toilet
If you’ve ever wondered how a sci-fi portable toilet would look, you’ve just got your answer.
The Porta Potti Curve is a state-of-the-art potty that works on batteries and has a powerful flush that can’t be beaten by that of your run-of-the-mill camping throne.
The freshwater tank is an impressive 4 gallon, while the other waste tank is a 5.5 gallon. It also features a waste indicator and a toilet paper holder.
Emptying the Porta Potti is a 2-minute job.
All you have to do is use the dispensing spout.
One wouldn’t really expect portable camping toilets to reach such peaks of technological advancement but considering that we spend most of our time on the toilet (when we’re not sleeping, that is), it makes sense.
The numerous great reviews that people dropped for this unit will give you further proof that this porta toilet is a worthwhile purchase.
Pros:
- Great-capacity tanks
- Battery-powered flush
- Comes with a toilet paper holder
- Easy to use and disassemble
Cons:
- On the expensive side
- The pump may give up after a year or so
Review Of The Camco Standard Portable Travel Toilet
Equipped with a 2.5-gallon freshwater holding tank and a 5.3-gallon waste tank, the Camco Standard is sure to fulfill all your physical needs during camping.
The toilet can withstand up to 330 pounds, so people of all sizes will be able to use it.
You wouldn’t believe how satisfied customers were with this insipid-looking toilet. And why wouldn’t they?
It’s as efficient as a toilet that sells for over $100. Due to having been made of polyethylene, it’s at once lightweight and sturdy.
The toilet is available in 2 models: standard and premium. The latter is actually pretty gorgeous and costs $11 or so more than the standard version.
Pros:
- Can be used by people of all sizes
- It’s affordable
- Easy to use
- Odor and leak-proof
Cons:
- Emptying it without a hose will be tricky
- The bowl is shallow
Review Of The Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable 5 Gallon Toilet
A 5-gallon bucket with a bag – that’s what the Luggable Loo is. And when you’re out in the wild, you don’t need more than a bucket and a toilet seat.
As many customers pointed out, it’s not the most comfortable toilet you can get, but you’ll have to live with it.
On the other hand, it’s surely sturdy. For extra security, you can just put it in a crate or secure it into place with cords.
This isn’t the best portable camping toilet, but it’s not the worst either and will come in handy in your camping trip. Also, the Luggable Loo is not that expensive.
Pros:
- Surprisingly sturdy
- It’s affordable
Cons:
- It doesn’t sit well if the ground is uneven
Buying Guide – How To Choose A Portable Toilet
Whenever you’re looking to buy a new portable toilet, you should keep a few things in mind. These aspects will make the difference between a good acquisition and one that’ll leave a great deal to be desired.
Can You Store it in an SUV?
If you’re overlanding in an SUV, you’ll want to use a toilet that fits in the trunk.
The size, therefore, is the most crucial aspect that you have to take into consideration. Now, the size will affect the capacity of the toilet, so you’ll have to reach a compromise.
Quality of Build
This is essential. If it’s poorly made, the toilet will leak. Don’t opt for anything else but polyethylene.
Poor-grade plastic simply won’t do if you want to use a tough, long-lasting toilet.
Price
The price isn’t everything, but it does matter. If a toilet’s expensive, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s formidable.
If it’s too cheap, then you’ll get a toilet that’ll fail you within a month. Aim for the middle range.
Then again, you will want to get the highest return on your investment. Thus, you should not buy a portable toilet that will not be usable after a couple of usage.
So, even if you have to pay a higher price, you should opt for a high-quality camping port toilet from a top brand.
Capacity
Naturally, the capacity should be in line with how long your camping trip will be. Keep in mind that the larger the capacity, the heavier the toilet will get.
Again, you should get to a compromise.
Common Malfunctions Associated With Portable Toilets
Not all portable toilets are alike. Based on the type of portable toilets, they will face different malfunctions from time to time.
For instance, if you are using a portable flush toilet, you might notice that the flush is not working properly. Or there is not enough water pressure.
Additionally, the waste tank of your portable toilet might get clogged as well. As a result, it is better to go for a portable toilet with a waste level indicator.
For regular bagged portable toilets, the legs might be the issue. They might not be stable or you might not feel comfortable seating in them.
Also, with some portable toilets, you might face leakage or bad odor issues.
Altogether, with a portable toilet, you will face almost similar malfunctions that are associated with regular toilets. The best way to avoid such issues is to clean, maintain, and empty the tank of your portable toilet regularly following the proper guidelines.
Types of Portable Toilets
Generally, we can divide portable toilets into 3 categories that are bagged portable toilets, flush portable toilets, and composting toilets.
Bagged Portable Toilet
This is the most basic type of portable toilet. You will need to use a biodegradable waste bag with this type of toilet.
After using, you will be able to bury the waste into the ground with the bag itself. Because of the mechanism, this type of toilet tends to be the cheapest and easy to carry around.
Flush Portable Toilet
As you might have guessed, this type of portable toilet is almost similar to your regular toilet at home. They have 2 tanks (one for fresh water and another for the waste).
The fresh water tank will contain the water that will be flushed down the toilet with the waste into the waste holding tank.
If you want the most comfort, then you can take one of these. However, you should remember that they tend to be bulky at times. And, not all of these come with good enough capacity.
Composting Toilets
This type of toilet is the best for areas where there is no water available. For instance, you can use this type of portable toilets in boats, RVs, or your overlanding rig.
This type of toilet decomposes the waste into compost. This type of toilet doesn’t need any water. Due to the advanced features, composting toilets tend to be a bit pricey.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Portable Camping Toilets
A portable camping toilet is one of the most important camping equipment. So, you should consider a few vital factors before you can decide on your next one. For instance…
Best Books On Overlanding
Size and Weight
Like any other camping equipment, portable camping toilets are also available in various shapes and sizes. But the size of the portable is a very important factor to consider.
You might think that a giant-sized portable toilet would be better as they come with more capacity.
But you would have to think that it will take a lot of space as well. Thus, make sure, you are getting a portable with a suitable size that can be accommodated in your overlanding rig easily.
You should also consider the weight of the portable toilet. As you would have to carry it from one place to another, it is always better if the toilet is lightweight.
Portability and Ease of Use
While choosing any gear and equipment for camping, you should keep in mind whether it is portable or not. Additionally, you should also choose a tool that is user-friendly.
Now, in the case of portable toilets, these are made specifically keeping portability in mind. Hence, the name ‘portable toilet’. So, almost all of the products we have reviewed above are perfectly portable.
Still, one is more portable than the other. Thus, it is up to you to choose the most perfect one for you. Also, some of these are pretty basic models, while others are a bit complex to maintain.
So, you should keep both portability and ease of use in mind before choosing the best portable toilets.
Design/Features
Before purchasing your next portable toilet, you should carefully check out the design and features. You should know how to maintain it, how to use it, or how to dump the waste.
You should also see whether it comes with additional features or not.
At the same time, you will also need to see whether the design asks for assembling it every time you use it or not. If so, is it easy to set up or not?
Is the Toilet Comfortable?
This is one of the most overlooked factors while choosing a portable toilet. Admit it or not, you would want a comfortable experience while doing your business in the woods.
As a result, you should look for a portable toilet that is comfortable. However, the level of comfort will depend mainly on the design. So, keep an eye on the overall design and seat placement.
Accessories and Spare Parts
Typically, you will get all the necessary accessories with your portable toilet. Also, most good brands offer spare parts as well.
Still, if you want a great experience, you should consider buying a few additional accessories like a Pop-Up Pod or a Pop-Up Tent, a toilet paper holder, some biodegradable toilet bags or liners, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions About Portable Toilets
Who Makes The Best Portable Toilets?
There are many brands that manufacturers portable toilets. But not all of them are up to the mark. In our opinion, Porta Potti, Dometic, Zimmer, etc. are some of the best portable toilets manufacturers.
We have tried to include only the best of the best camping toilets in this review post. So, depending on your requirements, choosing any of them will do.
Can You Poop In A Portable Camping Toilet?
Both regular and portable toilets have the same job. That means you can poop in a portable camping toilet. This type of toilet is the best to use while camping.
What’s The Best Camping Toilet?
It is impossible to single out a particular portable toilet as the best camping toilet. There is a large number of portable camping toilets available out there. And, they vary by features, price, and design, etc.
So, a particular portable toilet could be best for you, but it might not be suitable for others. It all depends upon personal preference and requirements.
How to Empty a Portable Camping Toilet?
Want it or not, all portable camping toilets need to be emptied at a certain point.
Now, how you will do that will depend on the type of portable toilet you are using. If there is a sanitary waste dumping location somewhere near your camping location, you can empty the toilet over there.
Also, you can dump the waste inside another toilet that is connected to a sanitary dumping sewer line. If you are using a lined or bagged toilet, you can discard the waste into the trash.
Because this type of toilet is made to absorb moisture. And, these bags tend to be biodegradable.
Thus, you can throw away the waste into a trash bin. On top of that, you can also bury the bag into the ground to dispose of the waste from your portable toilet.
The waste from the portable flush toilets should also be discarded to a sanitary sewer line. On the other hand, the composting toilets can isolate the solid waste from liquid waste.
In that case, you can dump the liquid waste into a drain or sewer line. And, the solid waste could be used as compost or discarded in the sewer line as well.
All in all, you should follow the local guidelines for discarding the waste. And, try to avoid any running water like canals, lakes, creeks, etc. to dump the waste into.
Where Can I Empty My Portable Toilet?
As usual, you should always follow the local guidelines to dump the waste from your portable toilet.
And, if you don’t know the rules and regulations there, you should try to keep it as environment-friendly as possible. For instance, one of the best methods is to bury the waste into the ground.
Also, if there are any designated sanitary sewer lines near your campsite, you can use that to empty your portable toilet.
As always, steer clear of dumping the waste into running water sources like lakes, creeks, canals, ponds, or rivers, etc. Also, you can carry biodegradable plastic bags that can be buried as well.
Buyers Advice For The Best Potable Toilet
Hopefully, this guide helped you choose the best portable toilet for you.
Our personal recommendations would be the Porta Potti Curve and the Reliance Hassock. The first one is all-around amazing: great capacity, beautiful design, and justified price.
The second one is a great cheap alternative. It’s as comfortable as a portable toilet can get and is large enough for adults and children.
The ultimate buying decision is yours, of course, and we don’t mean to interfere with that in any way.
If you’re looking for a minimalist solution, the Cleanwaste Portable Toilet is your best choice as it is very easy to handle and packs up into a neat flat box, so it’s very easy to store in smaller vehicles too.
There are 12 products in this guide of ours, which means that there’s a unit here for even the pickiest of customers.
