We always need access to a decent toilet wherever we are. Unfortunately looking for buildings and places that house the conventional type of toilet can be a challenge; especially if you are in the mountain, a deserted place, or literally on a desert while driving your RV. Thankfully, we found a way to create a system that would allow us to contain our waste while preventing the annoying odor: composting toilets.
Composting toilet is an innovative type of toilet. It holds and contains human waste and treats it biologically through the composting process. While it doesn’t kill the pathogens in the material, the process decomposes the waste and turns it into compost.
Best Composting Toilets Comparison & Rating
1. Nature's Head Spider Handle Composting Toilet
Brand | Nature's Head |
Dimensions | 22 x 20.5 x 21.7 inches |
Weight | 28 pounds |
Type | Dry |
If you are looking for a dry-type of portable toilet, this one is the best choice. Nature’s Head is a known brand when it comes to the traditional system of composting waste in a handy manner. This proved it again through this new model that has reliable hardware capable of containing waste securely while preventing possible production of odor. This is possible through the low-volume air circulation fan built into its head to provide recycling of air in your bathroom. It can even handle up to 80 uses (4-6 weeks).
2. Nature's Head Crank Handle Composting Toilet
Brand | Nature's Head |
Dimensions | 17.75 x 20.75 x 21.5 inches |
Weight | 28 pounds |
Type | Dry |
This is one of the models of Nature’s Head that we really adore when it comes to ease of operation and maintenance. The crank promotes the straightforward use of the unit. With the right ventilation and regular cleanup, you have an odorless bathroom. It is also worth mentioning that its parts are made from stainless steel material making it a durable model, whether you place it on a boat, an RV, or a cabin. Overall, the design is also impressive as it is very comfortable to sit on, as if you are using a conventional type of toilet bowl. You just need to connect it to a 12-volt battery and use some reliable carbon additive, and you’ll get yourself an odorless loo experience every single day.
3. Camco 41541 Portable Travel Toilet
Brand | Camco |
Dimensions | 14 x 16 x 15.5 inches |
Weight | 10.8 pounds |
Type | Wet |
The Camco 41541 is truly a convenient toilet. It features a 2.5-gallon tank container with a lid that can be removed to refill it with fresh water. Its system is pretty simple as well: a sliding gate valve that opens up for entry of waste and closes to seal in the solid and water waste and the odor. The pressure of the water is decent enough to remove waste from the toilet, allowing it to be used multiple times before cleanup and refilling the tank with freshwater. Also, the unit comes with waste tablets that break down the solid content fast. With this, you can expect upon disposal that you’ll have dissolved waste with less odor than you are expecting with such kind of toilet system.
4. Porta Potti 92306 White Thetford Corp
Brand | Porta Potti |
Dimensions | 18.39 x 15.75 x 17.83 inches |
Weight | 13.45 pounds |
Type | Wet |
This top-of-the-line portable toilet will fit any style and size of the bathroom, be it in RV, boat, truck, van, or camping cabin. Every detail of the unit was designed with the aim to give users comfort at all times. The shape, material, and size of the toilet make it possible to carry it everywhere using its ergonomic carrying handle. It also features a sealed valve that keeps the content secured inside the unit, preventing liquid and odor leaks. Compared to other models in the market, it also has a better cleanup process, thanks to its rotating pour-out spout. With this, you can empty the toilet without a single splash.
5. SereneLife Outdoor Portable Toilet
Brand | SereneLife |
Dimensions | 16.5 x 14.6 x 16.9 inches |
Weight | 11.25 pounds |
Type | Wet |
If we are going to talk about comfort, the SereneLife Outdoor Portable Toilet would snatch the top spot of the list. Though it mirrors the same size of your toilets at home, it is frankly lightweight which makes it ideal even for old folks. It is also truly sturdy as we tested it to a 400-pound individual: no creaks, no cracks, and no change in shape in any manner. The force of water is pretty strong as well that in each flush, you can be assured that most of your waste would be removed. The other details are a plus as well: flush system, bowl ergonomics and dimentions, valve, surface texture, and tank level indicator. That said, for its price, the entire unit is all worth it.
Best Composting Toilets - Buyer's Guide
Generally, composting toilets should be dry. Dry composting toilets are much more unlikely to smell since the process of composting takes place inside the toilet system. You use carbon additives to help with the process. They also aid in preventing the production of unwanted odor during the process. After this, you can directly use the processed odorless waste as compost.
On the other hand, a wet composting toilet usually smells, especially when not mixed with any solution that can aid in the decomposition process of waste. Also, keep in mind that cleaning wet toilet is much more challenging than dry ones.
Besides the portability of the unit, also consider its convenience every time you are using it. While wet toilets let you experience the same cleanup process as the household toilets by using water, you need to refill them once the freshwater tank runs out of it. Also, you need to dispose of wet toilets much more often since they get full faster than the dry models.
The decision still depends on your preference. Again, be reminded that wet toilets have more tendency of producing odor than dry ones. Nonetheless, if you are more comfortable with a toilet using water, that one is for you. On the other hand, if you want less effort in cleanup and want to avoid unwanted odor, better have the dry models.
Make sure that whatever model you are going to choose, it has all the features that suit your preference and your needs; be it an integrated toilet paper holder, the size of the toilet, cover, the weight, or its system.
Most of us believe that purchasing expensive models could give us the quality we are looking for. However, this is not true at all times. Likewise, choosing a cheap one would not guarantee you that you’ll get a winning deal. That is why you need to make sure you’ll get all the best features you need in a composting toilet and assess if they come at the most reasonable price.
Best Composting Toilets - FAQs
While you can use the waste of the dry toilets to your compost pits, the waste of the wet models should be disposed in more proper places such as conventional toilets and septic tanks. Keep in mind that the pathogens are still present in them and disposing to inappropriate places can cause problems.
With the right maintenance and regular cleanup, your composting toilet should be odorless. If you are using a dry model, make sure to use quality carbon additives to prevent the odor of the waste. You also need to give its system the sufficient air circulation to aid with the composting process. On the other hand, wet models should have proper sealing features to keep the odor and liquid contents inside.
It depends on the model of your toilet. If you are using a wet model, they usually gets full faster which means you need to empty them at least once a week, or depending on the usage. On the other hand, dry models usually take months before getting full. Nonetheless, you better check them to make sure that the composting process is working just well.
Yes, but be informed that they do not decompose as fast as human waste. So, upon disposal, expect that they would still be visible.
