Best Portable Camping Toilets Reviewed

All Camping Toilets Compared

Things to Consider When Buying Portable Toilets for Camping

Waste Disposal

When using a portable toilet on your camping trip, it’s important to know the final destination of your waste for proper disposal purposes. Many campsites in the US have “dump sites” that are connected to the sewer so that you can safely dispose of any waste.

If you’re using a smaller toilet, the contents can usually be safely disposed of in a toilet. And thanks to biodegradable toilet bags, your waste can also be safely disposed of in the trash. If you’re really out in the backwoods, burying your waste is also an option.

We recommend always checking the regulations of where you’ll be staying.

Ease of Use/Cleaning

Maintenance

Realistically, all portable toilets require some maintenance and cleaning, although some require more than others. Toilets with bags and liners require the least about of maintenance but need to be cleaned almost as often as you use them.

Flushable travel toilets and composting toilets require clean-out less often, but at a more intensive level. Failing to properly maintain your portable toilet can result in bacteria, mold, mechanical misfunction and early break-down of the product. 

Price

There is a portable camping toilet for every price range and preference, from very affordable to “King’s Throne” status. When considering price, make sure that you factor in any products that will be required for the upkeep of the toilet, from deodorizers to toilet bags to special cleaning enzymes.

Size & Weight

Portable camping toilets vary greatly in size and weight, from very small (around 3 lbs) to quite hefty (composting toilets start at 28 lbs). You’ll want to consider this for travel purposes as well as waste-removal purposes.

As the portable toilets fill, they become heavier and will become more difficult to carry (especially if they aren’t sealed up tight). For example, most users found that bucket style toilets are best kept below half-full.

Extra Features

Some portable toilets are not much more than literally a bucket with a seat on top, whereas other portable toilets are quite comfortable and easy to maintain. Some extra features to look for in your shopping research are locking valves, odor protection, liners or bags, flush pumps, stability bars, and special composting enzymes.

Tank Capacity

Warranty

Many outdoor camping toilets come with a manufacturers warranty that will cover any defects that are the fault of the manufacturer (such as a faulty flush pump or handle). To make sure that you are fully covered by the warranty of your portable toilet, make sure that you keep the purchase receipt and use the toilet only as intended.

Durability

When purchasing a portable toilet, you’ll want to consider where you’ll be keeping it and whether or not it is able to stand up to the elements. Some portable toilets are made to withstand rain, sun, and extreme temperatures, while other models will be more vulnerable in these conditions.

For example, you wouldn’t want to leave your collapsible metal-frame toilet out where it would constantly be getting wet because it would rust over time.

1. Camco Standard 5.3 Gallon

The Camco Standard Portable Travel Toilet is the best portable camping toilet on the market and our favorite hands-down. In fact, at under $100 this toilet is so useful that it might even be worth purchasing one to store away for emergency use in the future.

The toilet itself is made out of a sturdy polyethylene plastic that can support up to 330 pounds and pleasantly looks like the type of toilet you have in your home. The body is two main parts – a “clean water” tank and a “waste tank.”

When using the toilet, you simply use the bellow pump on the side of the unit to pump as little or as much water as you like for your “flush” and go! And the feature that really put this portable toilet over the top is that it has a sealed gate valve that will truly lock in odors.

To really achieve maximum odor protection and make clean-up easier, I highly recommend using Camco’s TST Treatment every so often. The product helps block odors and will also use enzymes that naturally break up waste. One drop-in packet will work up to seven days, and the product is completely biodegradable.

2. Reliance Luggable Loo 

There is no hiding the fact that the Luggable Loo is simply a 5-gallon bucket with a toilet seat attached to the top. The product was made to be simple and made to be convenient, and it really is the best camping toilet bucket on the market.

The comfortable toilet seat easily snaps on to the top of the bucket so you don’t have to worry about slipping. The seat closes firmly too, which will really help with odor control and even leak protection if you accidentally knock it over.

If you’re in a pinch, you can use the Luggable Loo as it is and dump your waste as needed and clean out the bucket. But for a truly mess-free experience (even easier than cleaning your home toilet) I would absolutely recommend purchasing the Reliance Double Doodie bags.

They fit perfectly over the rim of the bucket and zip closed when you’re finished to prevent leakage. Other users recommend using a simple trash bag and adding a little cat litter inside to help with absorption and odor control.

Though perfect for camping, I was intrigued to find out that the Luggable Loo is also a staple for many truck drivers. It’s easy to keep in their cab and allows them to skip the unhygienic rest stops along the way.

3. Green Elephant Comfort Chair

If you’re pinched for travel space, you can still bring a portable toilet along for your camping adventures because collapsible options hardly take up any room at all.

In fact, many users have found that keeping their fold-up camping toilet seat stowed under a seat in their car or in their trunk has really saved them in the event of an emergency, especially those with young children because when they gotta go, they really need to go now!

The best folding camping toilet that we’ve found in our research is the Green Elephant Portable Camping Seat. The toilet seat is built on a sturdy metal frame and snaps in place in seconds.

The Green Elephant works with camping toilet bags for waste disposal. The bags fit snugly right over the toilet seat, so the toilet seat should never actually come in contact with waste, which makes this product hygienic as well.

I personally don’t mind sitting on the plastic bag barrier, but beware that in hot climates the sun can really heat it up and make for an uncomfortable encounter. For this model, any 8-gallon camping toilet bag will work, but we recommend the Green Elephant Portable Toilet Replacement Bags.

They are less than $1 each and are completely biodegradable and compostable.

4. Nature’s Head Self Contained

Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet is truly the Rolls-Royce of the portable camping toilets. These composting toilets are serious products for the avid camper and are meant to be installed in campers, RVs, boats or even tiny homes.

The first thing that you’ll notice about Nature’s Head Composting Toilet is that it looks very much like the toilet in your home. The great thing about composting toilets though is that they don’t require the use of any water, which is a valuable resource when you’re out in the wilderness.

On the flip-side, you will require access to a 12V outlet (either electrical or solar) to have access to the five-foot vent and fan. The toilet works by separating the liquid waste and solid waste – the number one factor in reducing odors over time.

5. NOVA Medical Folding Commode

The NOVA Medical Folding Commode was originally created as a portable toilet to be kept bedside for the elderly or disabled, but many users have also found it to be a reliable camping toilet. 

The toilet frame is built for stability and can be used in conjunction with a home toilet for extra support, or with the bucket (included with purchase) either bedside, outside, or anywhere else you would need a portable toilet.

This extra stability makes the NOVA Medical Folding Commode not only the best portable toilet for the elderly but also the best portable toilet for anyone requiring a little extra support, including small children and those with injuries.

For camping use, you’ll want to note that the bucket for this portable toilet has a maximum capacity of 1.9 gallons (and that’s being generous – you wouldn’t really fill it to the brim).

I think that the best application for this toilet would be to empty it every 2-3 uses, and for sanitary purposes, I highly suggest you purchase Commode Liners.

Regular camping toilet bags will be much too large for the bowl size of this toilet, and those these liners won’t hold as much waste, they do work much like a diaper in that they turn liquid waste (up to 16 ounces) into a gel, making clean-up effortless.

6. Palm Springs Portable Outdoor

The thing that you will appreciate the most about the Palm Springs Portable Toilet is that it is one of the only portable toilets on the market with a full-sized toilet seat. Many portable toilets have a smaller seat to be true “travel size” but when it comes to using the restroom sometimes you just need the extra comfort.

The Palm Springs Portable Toilet is made from high-density polyethylene that is not only made to withstand the elements but is also described as “leak-proof.” As far as self-contained camping toilets go, we find that it is the best on the market.

Perhaps the best feature of all is the waste tank with a double-sealed valve and easy carrying handle. Simply carry the waste tank to a disposal station and easily pour out the contents. No mess!

It's much easier to work the separation, the drainage pull-out and the valves. I wish we bought 2 of these instead of one Zimmer. If you're in a toss-up over which one to buy, apparently the more expensive brand isn't the best option in this case. I'm very happy with this one."

7. SereneLife Outdoor 

SereneLife uses the catchphrase “go in comfort anywhere” and this outdoor portable toilet certainly lives up to that standard. It’s big enough to use on your camping trips or on a boat, but it’s small enough to be kept in the trunk of your car.

And although we call it the best portable toilet for your car, don’t think we’re limiting it. This portable toilet can be used anywhere and is a fan favorite at tailgates, outdoor events, and camping trips.

And to make transport even easier, the SereneLife even comes with its own carrying case (which we haven’t found with any other portable toilet).

You will find that the SereneLife is slightly more expensive than many of the other portable toilets we’ve looked at that have similar features. Is it worth the money? That will be for you to decide.

The feature we love that makes it worth it to us is the indicator feature that shows you green when you’re “good-to-go”, yellow when you’re close to full, and red when you really need a clean-out. Don’t let it the indicator get all the way to red – trust us on that.

This short video by YouTube user CutieBaby shows you just how easy the SereneLife Outdoor Portable Toilet is to assemble and use.

5 key Benefits of Portable Camping Toilets

How Portable Toilets Work

All portable toilets work by containing waste within a medium (either a bag, bucket, or tank) to dispose of later. Below is a brief explanation of the main functions of each type of camping toilet:

Considerations for Setting Up Camping Toilets

Care and Maintenance: Portable Camping toilets

All camping toilets will need to be cleaned and maintained to extend their life and to achieve cleanliness during your time of use. Failure to maintain a camping toilet can result in bacteria, mold, germs and foul long-lasting odors. We recommend following the user guide to your specific camping toilet as closely as possible for best results.

Storage is another important factor in maintaining your camping toilet. For example, if you live in a cooler climate and plan to store your camping toilet in an uninsulated shed, you will want to ensure that the product is made to withstand such cold temperatures.

Some users have found that storing their plastic products this way over the winter results in cracks and leaks in the toilet that could have been otherwise prevented.

Portable Toilets: Managing Waste Disposal

In an ideal situation, the camping ground that you’ll be staying at will have a sanitary sewer dumping location for you to dispose of your liquid and solid waste. These sewers are easy to use and connect to water treatment plants, making it not only the easiest way to dispose of your waste but also the safest and most hygienic way.

For smaller portable toilets, dumping your waste inside a toilet connected to a sewer line is also an option as long as you make sure you are flushing often enough to avoid overflow.

Bagged toilets are designed to absorb moisture and these can be discarded directly into a trash bin. They are biodegradable and meant to break down over time in a natural way that won’t seep chemical components into the earth. And if you’re way off the grid, most of these bags are perfectly safe to bury.

We ask that you always follow local ordinances for dumping your waste and that you never empty your sewage into running water like creeks or lakes, especially if you are using chemical enzymes.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How well do these portable camping toilets control odor?

The amount on odor your camping toilet emits will depend majorly upon two factors: how the toilet was designed and how you take care of it.

Many portable camping toilets are built with special seals or closures that will keep odors at bay. There are also special products that will help to deodorize and clean, such as Royal Flush and Tank Deodorizer. 

Is there a particular kind or brand of toilet paper to use for these portable toilets?

Although it's not mandatory to use special toilet paper, we recommend using a “quick dissolve” brand like Scott Rapid Dissolving for a faster breakdown, fewer clogs, and easier clean-up.

It’s specially made for portable toilets, so it might be slightly less comfortable than what you keep in your home but it will do the job just fine.

How do you set it up?

Are there special instructions to install it before using? Many camping toilets, like the folding and bagged varieties, are very much “set-it-up and go” whereas some other varieties will take a little more effort.

If you’re using a flushable toilet with a clean water tank, you’ll want to put the toilet at your destination before filling it with water to make it easier for you. This article from HowStuffWorks goes into more detail on the setup of different portable toilets.

How stable and reliable are these portable camping toilets?

All camping toilets are made with stability in mind. Therefore, it is the job of the user to ensure that you install your toilet on flat, level ground. When this simple rule is adhered to, you will have a reliable place to relieve yourself at any time of day or night.

How do I empty my camping toilet?

All portable toilets need to be emptied at some point, and it will depend on the type of toilet you have how this will be achieved. Bagged or lined toilets can be discarded directly into the trash, whereas flushing toilets will need to be emptied into a sanitary sewer line.

Composting toilets separate the liquid waste (which can be dumped down a drain) from the solid waste (which can be discarded or used as compost).

Where is the best place to put portable camping toilets?

The best place to keep your portable camping toilet is a flat, even surface where you can easily access it! Using a small pop-up tent or Pop-Up Pod will offer you some privacy. Some truck drivers even keep their portable toilets in the cab of their truck for relief on-the-go.

Conclusion

When you have to “go” in the woods, it doesn’t have to be the experience our ancestors faced of crouching in the bushes. Portable toilets have come a long way, and there is a camping toilet for every budget and preference. For best overall camping toilet, we recommend the Camco Standard Portable Travel Toilet as our top choice.