15 April 2025 If you’ve ever been camping, boating, or living off-grid, you know one thing is true: toilets matter. Finding a clean, convenient, eco-friendly option can make or break your experience. That’s where portable toilets and composting toilets come in. These toilets offer a waterless, odour-free, and low-maintenance solution to handling human waste—without needing a septic tank, flush toilets, or even plumbing.
Whether in a camper van, a tiny home, or a remote cabin, a reliable portable composting toilet can provide the comfort of home anywhere.
Key Takeaways
- Composting toilets are a clean, eco-friendly solution for off-grid living, camping, boating, and tiny homes.
- They require no water, plumbing, or septic system, making them ideal for remote locations or small spaces.
- These toilets manage human waste through natural decomposition, often with the help of peat moss, coconut coir, or other composting materials.
- Urine-diverting toilets help keep the compost dry and odour-free, while all-in-one systems manage both liquid waste and solid waste together.
- Proper ventilation (passive or powered) and regular maintenance are key to controlling odour and ensuring an efficient composting process.
- Each model has its strengths:
- Nature’s Head: Best for full-time use with rugged design and a crank handle for easy agitation.
- Sun-Mar Excel NE: Great for non-electric, family-sized setups.
- Oz-E-Pod: Ideal for compact spaces and beginners.
- Laveo Dry Flush: Mess-free, no-compost system perfect for short trips or urban use.
- Separett Villa: Stylish, full-featured toilet for families and long-term installations.
- Choose based on usage frequency, space constraints, and your comfort with composting toilet work.
Composting Toilets Are Your Outdoor Buddies
Traditional toilets require a lot of water, a connection to a septic system or sewage line, and regular maintenance. That’s just not feasible when you’re out and about and embracing the off-grid lifestyle.
Here’s why composting toilets are a great option:
- Waterless: These are dry toilets, meaning they don’t rely on a water line to flush.
- Off-Grid Ready: No electricity or plumbing required (though some models have fans).
- Eco-Friendly: Turns waste material into nutrient-rich compost, reducing environmental impact.
- Self-Contained: Everything is managed inside the toilet, making it ideal for small spaces like RVs, boats, and cabins.
- No Odour: A combination of urine diverters, vent pipes, and cover material like peat moss or coconut coir eliminates smell.
How Do Composting Toilets Work?
Composting toilets manage human waste by promoting decomposition using organic composting materials like peat moss, coconut coir, or coco coir. Solid waste is mixed with these materials inside the composting chamber, allowing natural microbes to break everything down into compost material over time.
Some models include urine diverters that separate urine from solids, keeping the environment drier and making the composting process more efficient. Others are all-in-one systems that treat liquid and solid waste together, depending on airflow and absorption capacity.
Ventilation, either passive or powered by a small internal fan, helps dry waste and control odor. Over time, the solids bin or compost bin fills up and can be emptied as needed—typically on a regular basis. Fully composted solids may be suitable for a compost pile or disposal.
Most designs feature these core components:
- Urine Diversion: Many models use a urine diverter. This system channels liquid waste into a separate liquid container or directs it to an external drain or soakaway pit. Separating urine from solids is crucial because it keeps the solids container aerobic (oxygen-rich), which prevents sewage smells and speeds up decomposition.
- Solids Container: The solids bin collects solid waste and toilet paper. This is where the magic of composting happens.
- Composting Material: Users add a composting material or cover material after each use of solids. Common choices include peat moss, coco coir (coconut coir), or sawdust. This compost material helps absorb moisture, control odour, and provide the carbon needed for the composting process. Finding the best composting toilet medium might involve some personal preference.
- Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential. Most units include a small vent hose and a small internal fan (often 12V power source needed) to continuously draw air through the system. This airflow removes moisture and odours, directing them outside.
- Agitation (Sometimes): Some models, like the Nature’s Head Composting Toilet, feature crank handles or similar mechanisms. These moving parts help mix the solid waste with the composting material, aerating the compost pile within the composting chamber.
The result? Over time, the organic material breaks down into a safe, usable compost.
5 of the Best Portable Composting Toilets for Your Next Adventure
Here are five top-rated composting toilets to consider for your off-grid setup, next camping trip, or tiny house.
1. Nature’s Head Composting Toilet
Best For: Full-time use in camper vans, boats, and tiny homes
The Nature’s Head Composting Toilet is a popular choice for those who live off-grid or travel often. It’s built tough, with a design that handles daily use in various conditions. With a urine diverter, solids container, and easy-to-use crank handle, it’s both practical and reliable.
Highlights:
- No septic system needed
- Lightweight and fits well in small spaces
- The composting toilet work is simplified with organic cover material like coco coir
- Great toilet solution when travelling for long periods
Pros:
- Durable and marine-grade materials
- Integrated ventilation system with a small internal fan
- Converts solid waste into compost material
- Comfortable toilet seat and standard seat height
Cons:
- Slightly bulky for ultra-compact campers
- Needs regular emptying of the liquid container
2. Sun-Mar Excel NE Composting Toilet
Best For: Off-grid cabins and non-electric setups
The Sun-Mar Excel NE (Non-Electric) is a waterless toilet designed specifically for locations without power. It features a large composting chamber, a two-piece toilet setup, and includes a vent pipe system for air flow.
Highlights:
- Works without a power source
- Doesn’t rely on a traditional flush toilet or plumbing
- Handles waste material for multiple people
- Ideal for wintertime cabins or remote locations
Pros:
- Excellent for families or high-volume use
- Built for full-time use
- Produces nutrient-rich compost with the right composting material
Cons:
- Larger footprint than other portable options
- Not as mobile or compact for campers or boats
3. Oz-E-Pod Composting Toilet
Best For: Small cabins, sheds, and camper van conversions
The Oz-E-Pod has a clean and compact design that is perfect for tight quarters. It has a sleek design, built-in urine diverter, and a low-maintenance composting chamber.
Highlights:
- Fits into narrow areas with ease
- Lightweight, so it’s easy to move
- Great for weekend getaways or semi-regular use
Pros:
- Simple setup and easy cleaning
- Great for beginners and first-time users
- No complicated moving parts
Cons:
- A smaller solids bin may require frequent emptying
- Best suited for light to moderate use, not heavy-duty full-time use
4. Laveo Dry Flush Portable Toilet
Best For: Short-term use, urban camping, and easy waste handling
Looking for something that feels more like a modern flush toilet but without plumbing? The Laveo Dry Flush uses a plastic bag system that wraps and seals waste after every flush—completely touch-free and odorless.
Highlights:
- Seals in odour instantly
- No composting material or mixing required
- Ideal in urban areas or for those who want a ready-made solution
Pros:
- Extremely hygienic
- No smell, no mess
- Ideal for temporary use or guests
Cons:
- Requires refill cartridges regularly
- Does not create nutrient-rich compost
5. Separett Villa Composting Toilet
Best For: Full-time family use in tiny homes and cabins
The Separett Villa is stylish, efficient, and family-friendly. It has a high-tech urine diverter, a trap door for the solids container, and a reliable ventilation system for odour control.
Highlights:
- Designed for everyday use
- Supports up to 4 people with minimal maintenance
- Produces compost-ready solids for proper waste disposal
Pros:
- Quiet, odour-free, and modern
- Easy cleaning with fewer moving parts
- Excellent for long-term installations in tiny homes
Cons:
- Requires a power source for the fan
- Slightly more expensive than some alternatives
Final Thoughts
When choosing the best compost toilet or portable composting toilet, consider your setup, how often you’ll use it, and your available space. Whether you’re avoiding public toilets during travel or building out your dream camper van, these toilets offer reliable and sustainable toilet systems for just about any situation.
