Stay Clean in The Great Outdoors

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Camping toilets are an absolute necessity, particularly if you’re camping directly on the river, as per local and federal laws.

But just because something is a necessity doesn’t mean it can’t be convenient, either.

Good-quality camping toilets should come with odor-locking protection, comfort, and ease of use, so they suit any camping style.

5 Best Camping Toilets Reviewed

1. CMP Dock Edge Camping Toilet

Sanitation Equipment’s Visa Potty is our choice for the best overall camping toilet thanks to its combination of features, price, and usability.

The Visa Potty Model 248 comes in both an 18-liter and a 24-liter model, which is the total capacity of the waste holding tank. We’ve found that the 18-liter model is the best choice for most campers who need a toilet for a few people over the course of a couple days.

However, feel free to upgrade to the 24-liter model if you’re camping with a lot of people or if you’ll be camping over for a while. The 18-liter Visa Potty has an additional fresh water tank that holds 14 liters, or 3.7 gallons.

We will use this fresh water tank to flush the toilet after use. The Visa flushing system uses a piston pump connected to bi-directional nozzles. The piston pump works by first raising the lever and then pressing it down.

To empty the Visa Potty, you must lift off the top half of the toilet, which will allow you to easily carry and empty the bottom waste holding tank. You’ll then attach the included pipe to the holding tank to have control while dumping the toilet, though you can choose to empty it directly without the pipe.

We think the Visa Potty would be perfect for any camper who wants their camping toilet to be as similar to a standard toilet as possible. It’s also an excellent choice for campers who want a versatile portable toilet that they can use during emergencies or in their RVs or campers.

Although there have been some complaints about the cleaning process being potentially messy, we’ve found that as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, you shouldn’t have an issue.

Lastly, if you’re camping with young kids, you may need to help them with flushing, as the pull-up and pump-down handles do require a little strength.

Pros

• The seat size is comfortable to sit on.
• Extra-deep toilet bowl
• Two directional flushes cover more bowl surfaces.
• Easy-to-read tank waste and water levels
• 14-liter fresh water tank for flushing

Cons

• The cleaning process can be messy if you’re not careful.
• A pull-up pump flushing mechanism can be difficult to use.

Product Information

• Dimensions: 16.5? x 14.5? x 14.3?
• Weight: 11.2 lbs.
• The toilet seat is 20% larger than other portable toilets.
• The lid snaps shut to prevent rattling during transportation.
• The detachable cleaning spout stores in its own compartment.
• The piston pump is replaceable.

2. Camco Portable Camping Toilet

The Camco Standard Portable Travel Toilet has overall 1,200 reviews and a solid 4.3 out of 5 star rating on Amazon.

As we dove deeper into the features of this model, it was easy to see why it’s a fan favorite and would be excellent as a camping toilet. As mentioned earlier in our Quick Rundown table, this Camco portable toilet does come in both Standard and Premium.

For the sake of this review, we’ll be focusing on the Standard model, which we feel offers plenty of advantages to campers without the hefty price tag of upgrading to Premium.

Camco offers its Standard Portable Toilet in 2.6 gallon or 5.3 gallon capacity, which is the size of the waste holding tank. Despite the difference in waste holding tank size, both models have a 2.5-gallon fresh water flush tank.

We’ve found that if a few adults will be using the toilet, it’s best to go with the 5.3-gallon model. The smaller 2.6-gallon can still be a useful choice for a couple, or if you don’t mind emptying the holding tank every day.

We recommend the Campco Standard Portable Toilet for campers that want a larger capacity camping toilet (5.6 gallon) without breaking the bank. The smaller 2.6-gallon is an equally great choice for campers who want as small of a portable toilet as possible without sacrificing comfort.

Based on our research, we encourage campers to reseat the seal of their Campco Standard before use to ensure no leakage. We highly recommend using a deodorizer, just like with any camping toilet, to prevent odors.

Pros

• Waste-holding tanks detach for easier emptying.
• Sealing the slide valve prevents leaks.
• Feels very sturdy and stable.
• Has a 330-pound weight capacity.

Cons

• It doesn’t seem to control odors as well as other models.
• A pressure equalization valve is missing.

Product Information

• Dimensions (2.6 Gallon): 11.5? x 14? x 16?
• Weight (2.6 g): 9.4 lbs
• Dimensions (5.3 Gallon): 15.5? x 14? x 16?
• Weight (5.3 g): 10.8 lbs
• Designed with a bellow-style flush
• Built-in handles for portability

3. Dometic 972 Portable Camping Toilet

For campers still in search of the ideal RV-style camping toilet that feels authentic, we recommend the Dometic Portable Toilet. Although it didn’t win Best Overall, the Dometic Portable Toilet can still be a fantastic choice for some campers.

We’ve found this model to be quite durable and made of a heavy ABS material. While the ABS housing makes the Dometic Portable really tough, it also weighs a couple pounds more than most other portable toilets.

The Dometic Portable Toilet has a push-button flushing system, which is an interesting feature. This camping toilet requires fewer pumps to pressurize, and, when ready, it only takes a press of the button to flush efficiently.

We recommend the Dometic Portable Toilet for car campers that don’t need a very lightweight toilet.

The lack of a water level indicator and a somewhat unreliable waste level indicator could potentially be an issue, but since the average camper will be emptying their portable toilet every day or every couple of days, this shouldn’t be a significant concern.

Pros

• Innovative push-button flushing mechanism
• Requires less water for flushing.
• Made of ABS for durability and simple sanitation
• Seat lid latches

Cons

• Seat size is smaller.
• No fresh water level indicator
• The waste level indicator is poorly functioning.

Product Information

• Dimensions (2.6 gallon): 13.5? x 15.5? x 1.5?
• Weight (2.6 g): 12 lbs
• Dimensions (5 Gallon): 13.5? x 16.5? x 1.5?
• Weight (5 g): 14 lbs
• Requires pumping prior to flushing.
• Pivoting discharge spout for no-mess emptying

4. Cleanwaste Portable Camping Toilet

All-in-one systems can be a real boon for new campers who want to save some money and have the convenience of purchasing everything they need in one stop.

The Cleanwaste Go Anywhere System, as its name suggests, is a toilet system that includes everything you need for a private bathroom in the woods. This system comes with a privacy tent, a portable toilet, fifteen waste kits for the toilet, and a backpack to store it all.

Unlike the previous models, which looked like RV-style toilets, the Go Anywhere toilet has a very minimalist design for a true camping toilet. The toilet itself is really just a frame for sitting on, with waste disposal bags situated below.

This simplifies waste disposal and also means you won’t need to deal with the potentially messy and, if we’re being honest, icky experience of dumping a standard portable toilet.

We highly recommend every camper consider the Cleanwaste Go Anywhere System if they’re looking for an all-inclusive product and value portability. You will need to be careful with the shelter if you’re in a windy area, but this is usually a significant issue for the average camper.

You will be relying on disposable bags rather than a waste reservoir, but we find that many campers prefer this method for overall cleanliness.

Pros

• The complete system comes with 15 disposal bags to get you started.
• You can also use a multi-function tent as a private shelter for a shower or changing room.
• Folding the toilet allows for comfortable and stable sitting.
• Everything folds up into the included backpack.
• Disposable bags now contain deodorizer powder.

Cons

• The privacy tent doesn’t handle the wind well.
• In the future, we will need to purchase extra disposable bags.

Product Information

• Shelter Dimensions Open: 4? x 4? x 6? 6?
• Shelter Dimensions Closed: 28? x 6?
• Portable Total Weight: 7 lbs.
• Portable toilet height is comparable to standard toilets.
• It took one minute to set up the shelter.

5. Reliance Folding Portable Camping Toilet

Folding portable toilets are the epitome of true camping toilets, since they are about as compact and lightweight as you can get. Similarly to the portable toilet in the Cleanwaste system, this Toliet is equally no-frills and simple to use.

When you already have a privacy shelter and you’d rather use your own disposable bags, the Fold-to-Go Collapsible Toliet is the way to go. This model folds down completely and has a built-in carry handle.

While it might look bare in terms of construction, this is a surprisingly strong portable toilet capable of holding 300 lbs. The locking legs also provide an extra sense of security.

Reliance Products includes one free Double Doodie bag with the purchase of the Fold-to-Go, though we’ve found that you can use most standard waste bags designed for toilets with this model.

The Fold-to-Go Collapsible Portable Toliet is so basic in design that it makes an easy choice for campers who want something inexpensive, effective, and well-built.

There really are no issues with it, with perhaps the only con being that Reliance only includes one of their waste disposal bags with purchases. However, we’ve found that Reliance’s Double Doodie bags are less expensive than similar waste disposal bags.

Pros

• Under $40 makes it affordable for every camper.
• You can conveniently carry it with you on road trips for unexpected bathroom emergencies.
• After use, you can easily sanitize the plastic exterior.
• It comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty.

Cons

• It only includes a single disposable bag.

Product Information

• Size: Fits 27’–30” Travel Trailer
• Dimensions: 14.5? x 14.5? x 14.5?
• Folded Dimensions: 14.5? x 14.5? x 5?
• Weight: 4.5 lbs.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Since your portable camping toilet is going to have a crucial function during your camping trip, it’s worth it to carefully research different models before selecting one.

Let’s look at the top three factors to consider when selecting a camping toilet.

1. Size

When it comes to what size camping toilet you need, you’ll have to consider the size of the toilet itself and the waste capacity. The size of the toilet will dictate how comfortable you’ll be when sitting.

The height will be the most important factor, since too low of a toilet might leave you feeling like you have to squat. The standard American toilet is about 14? to 16? tall from the floor to the seat or rim.

If you want maximum comfort, then a portable toilet should also be around this high. Thankfully, most manufacturers keep their portable models around the 14? to 15? mark.

In terms of waste capacity, the larger the capacity, the more individuals it can accommodate and the longer it can be emptied.

However, keep in mind that odors will develop if you go a long time without emptying your portable toilet. For this reason, a larger waste capacity isn’t always a beneficial thing.

It’s better to buy a camping toilet with a waste capacity matched to how many people will be using it, so you’re not overpaying for a larger model than you really need.

2. Ease of Use

Ease of use may be one of the most important considerations when selecting a portable toilet.

Ease of use can relate to a number of different things, such as flushing ability, how much pressure is required to pump for flushing, how easy the waste compartment is to empty, and how easy the portable toilet is to set up.

The ideal portable toilet will be simple to flush or use disposable waste bags. If it’s a flushable portable, two or three directional water valves will really help to get the bowl as clean as possible.

Most flushable camping toilets don’t take a lot of pressure to pump for average adults, but low-pressure pumps will be ideal for campers with younger kids.

Finally, before you purchase any portable toilet, be sure it has an easy-to-empty design. If your toilet doesn’t use waste bags, you want to be sure the waste reservoir allows for easy, effective emptying.

3. Durability

You don’t want to waste your money on camping equipment that will break due to poor design or inferior materials.

Poorly made camping toilets may have handles break, pumps break, seals weaken and leak, or the legs break entirely.

Look for camping toilets with minimal mechanical features and made of durable plastics like ABS. It’s also wise to select a model that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty.

FAQs

Wrap-Up

Roughing it without bathroom facilities might not be an issue at all for campers, but for those that don’t find the idea appealing or have mobility limitations, we highly recommend going with a portable camping toilet.

Rather than relying on campgrounds, purchasing a camping toilet will give you the freedom to camp wherever you please, rather than being tied down to what areas have bathrooms, outhouses, or port-o-potties.

Not to mention, your personal makeshift bathroom’s privacy and cleanliness are worth it for obvious reasons.