The khazi, the bog, the John… whatever you call your toilet, there's no getting around the fact that we all need to go. There’s nothing worse than having to dig a hole or leave the comfort of a warm tent or van to cross a muddy field in the rain just so you can use a smelly, crowded toilet block.
Having your own personal portable toilet as part of your camping gear takes a lot of the hassle out of camping, especially if you need a wee in the middle of the night. Plus it helps avoid picking up any nasty bugs as you’re self contained, so you're not sharing your space with all and sundry.
There’s no reason nowadays for not taking a portable camping toilet with you on your travels. But with so many to choose from, how do you pick the loo for you? Fear not, we’ve done the hard work for you. Read the buying guide below for the bottom line on portable camping toilets.
Camco's portable toilet comes in three sizes, making it perfect for a camping trip or even just to keep in the car for emergencies. You can choose a 2.6-gallon holding tank with a 2.5- or 3.75-gallons flushing tank. A cap at the back of the tank makes for easier emptying and the slick surface inside the tank helps waste slide out smoothly – no splashbacks!
A simple to use pump action manual flush gives a potentially more reliable and effective flush than battery operated or electric mechanisms. There's less chance of it malfunctioning and leaving you high and… not dry.
The lid is super strong and seals in aromas nicely, which you'll appreciate if you're sharing a tent with it. This toilet is lightweight yet sturdy; the Camco will support up to 23 stone 5lb so the whole family can use it with confidence.
Size - 35.6 x 40.6 x 39.4cm
Style - flushing camping toilet
The Blue Diamond Nature Calls is billed as the first truly transportable composting toilet. Designed with the environment in mind, it separates liquids from solids which allows for the solids to be composted by covering them with sawdust or coffee chaff.
Liquids can be drained away into a toilet or waste disposing facility whilst the solids can be added to a compost heap for use as a domestic compost. It's even made from recycled Polyethylene and with an almost unbelievable 200kg capacity it's sturdy enough to take the weight of a heavier adult. The sawdust masks smells and the loo can be transported after use with no spillage, so you can take it camping with confidence.
The solids container has a generous 7.5L capacity with a secure lid and carrying handle for easier disposing. The 8 litre liquids container has a screw lid to keep things tight so spills will be the least of your worries.
Size - 52 X 32 X 42cm
Style - composting toilet
The 970 series is designed to be super compact to fit smaller cars and camper vans. At just over 1 foot tall the Dometic 970 toilet can easily be stowed away until it's needed and a handle at the front means it can be pulled out from under a shelf. Although it's small, it's packed with features such as a 5-gallon waste tank, full-sized toilet seat and a sturdy build designed to withstand extreme temperatures and impacts.
The 970 portable toilet has an extra easy flush that's ahead of its time in the world of portable toilets. A piston pump pressurizes the clean water tank with air, and a push button then fills it with water; hardly any effort's needed to give it a good, strong flush, unlike other loos on the market. The tight seal keeps things nicely odour-free and it has a smooth, easy to clean finish.
The splash free dump arm makes emptying the 970 a cinch and stops you getting a face full of something really unpleasant.
Size - 31.8 X 39.4 X 49.9cm
Style - flushing camping toilet
The Thetford Porta Potti is small, but perfectly formed with an easy to operate bellows pump type flush and a sealed valve on the bottom tank that keeps odours in.
Its lighter weight plus a carrying handle means it can be transported easily and can be stored pretty much anywhere. The fresh water container holds 4.2 gallons whilst the 3.2-gallon waste holding tank means you'll get up to 33 flushes per fill. The Porta Potti boasts an unique integrated rotating emptying spout, which makes releasing solid waste a snap. The waste holding tank is equipped with a vent button which helps prevent unwanted splash backs, and a stopper holds the emptying spout in position for easy reattachment of both tanks.
The Porta Potti's small size means it is better for shorter trips or smaller families, but it's so compact it can even be taken as a back-up toilet for the car.
Size - 33 x 38.3 x 42.7cm
Style - flushing camping toilet
The Carplife's unusual design is simplicity itself. It folds almost completely flat, so storing or transporting it is a piece of cake, especially as it tips the scales at only 2.4kg. Despite this, it's a sturdy piece of kit with a strong steel axis frame that'll support up to 23 stone. The name's not a misspelling. It was originally designed with anglers in mind, but like lots of gear designed for one sport its usefulness crosses over into another.
The Carplife comes with a circular carrying case with handle so you really can take it anywhere, and the removable, wipeable fabric means it's a cinch to clean. And there's no contact with the waste material; it simply goes into a liner bag which is removed and thrown away. The powders in the bag neutralise waste so it can go into a normal bin; Just set it up, do what you gotta do, chuck the bag in the bin, and get on with your day.
Size - 39 x 24 x 35cm when in use, 39 x 24 x 5cm when folded
Style - bucket camping toilet
Apparently ‘head' is a naval term for toilet, and the Nature's Head Composting toilet was designed by two sailors, hence the name. They wanted to design something rugged enough to withstand the harsh environment at sea, and they certainly nailed it with this loo.
The Nature's Head separates out urine from solids. When you go for a number two, a lever will need to be pulled which sends the solids to a container partially filled with a composting material such as sphagnum peat moss. Turning a crank handle mixes everything together to encourage composting.
A small ventilation fan on the side of the loo draws smells away, although you'll need an external vent and electricity for this to work.
Urine can be disposed of in a toilet or waste point. Nature's Head state that the urine needs emptying only every 3-4 days if two people are using the toilet. The solids department only needs emptying every 4-5 weeks.
Size - 55.9 x 51 x 55cm
Style - composting toilet
The Leisurewize LW536 is a popular compact camping toilet with a generous 10 litre capacity tank that'll give you up to 50 flushes before it needs to be emptied. Ideal for larger groups or longer trips when you don't want to spend half your holiday at the waste disposal site. A large waste outlet makes for easy disposal without splashbacks, always a bonus!
It has a pump action flush with right and left rim water flow, so no electric hook up is needed and there are no electronic parts to fail. A slide valve prevents leakages and a double seal valve stops those smells in their tracks.
The Leisurewize LW536 is simple to empty thanks to the easy access side latches securing the waste container but bearing in mind that the huge capacity means it'll be pretty heavy to carry once it's getting near full, so you'll want to keep a trolley handy.
Size - 42.6 x 37.7 x 31.6cm
Style - flushing camping toilet
Compact and low weight, the Kampa Khazi is and ideal for day trips, boats or small tents. You can even keep it in the car for long trips or emergencies. At only 2.5kg it's light enough to be carried quite comfortably and stashed away for when it's needed.
Although it's small, it's perfectly stable and won't tip over on you. The waste container has a generous 5 litre capacity, and it's dead easy to empty. You don't need to take the whole thing with you for disposing, just the lid and the container.
A separate lid for the waste container helps keep smells contained and is handy when it's not in use. With a full-sized moulded seat it's one of the comfiest compact portable toilets on the market, even for those of us with a more generously proportioned posterior.
It's a little bulkier than other bucket toilets but the extra features you get are worth it as long as you have the space.
The integrated toilet roll holder is a nice addition
Size - 35 x 36 x 45cm
Style - bucket camping toilet
The Thetford 565E is the Rolls-Royce of portable toilets and it'll feel more like a throne than a loo. It has an electric flush that's powered by 4AAA batteries and lets you sit up high to survey your
kingdom; no awkward bending needed here. It's even got a hidden roll holder. Ooer, how posh?
To use it, press the electric button to fill the bowl with water. Once the water level is to your preference feel free to do your business. Then simply pull the blade handle on the side to flush it all into the waste tank.
Closing the blade handle will seal off the waste and contain those nasty niffs. The waste container has an impressive 21L capacity so it won't need to be emptied too frequently.
The rotating pour spout makes disposing of waste water easy and splash free. It's one of the most expensive portable toilets, but if you have the space and are feeling flush, it could be worth investing in one of these bad boys.
Size - 44.8 X 38.8 X 45cm
Style - flushing camping toilet
The accurately named BoginaBag is a super compact bucket type folding toilet that's lightweight yet surprisingly robust.
It folds out like a normal camping stool, but the difference is the removable cover. Detach this, attach a specially designed biodegradable bag and bombs away.
The crystals in the bag absorb liquid and turn the waste into a harmless gel. Once you've done your business, you simply remove the bag, tie the top and chuck it in the bin. The bag completely covers the lid so there's no spillage.
Bags are biodegradable and within each one is an absorbent pad that can soak up to 700ml of liquid. Although it's fairly sturdy and the manufacturers state it can support up to 19 stone, it's probably not suited for heavier adults or for longer trips. Families with young kids will appreciate it though, as will campers.
It weighs less than a kilo so you could just about take it with you on multi-day hikes.
Size - 35 x 35 x 47cm
Style - bucket camping toilet
The Nature Calls is billed as the first truly transportable composting toilet. Designed with the environment in mind, it separates liquids from solids which allows for the solids to be composted by covering them with sawdust or coffee chaff.
Liquids can be drained away into a toilet or waste disposing facility whilst the solids can be added to a compost heap for use as a domestic compost. It's even made from recycled Polyethylene and with an almost unbelievable 200kg capacity it's sturdy enough to take the weight of a heavier adult. The sawdust masks smells and the loo can be transported after use with no spillage, so you can take it camping with confidence.
The solids container has a generous 7.5L capacity with a secure lid and carry handle for easier disposing. The 8 litre liquids container has a screw lid to keep things tight so spills will not be a problem.
Size - 52 X 32 X 42cm
Style - composting toilet
The best portable toilet for you will ultimately be an individual decision. No one size fits all! For starters, you'll need to consider what size portable camping toilet you'll need. Where you'll be using it will be the deciding factor. If you're only planning on using it for day trips you can get away with a much smaller loo than if you're going away on multi-day holidays.
Ask yourself a few questions. Where's it going to go? Will you want to tuck it into a tent alcove, pop it into a pop up toilet tent, use it in a small campervan or do you need a suitable camping toilet for a semi-permanent camp?
How are you planning on transporting your portable toilet and how much space are you likely to have in your car? Do you need it for a motorhome, caravan or a tent? Will the toilet be mainly for the kids or will adults use it as well? You'll need to check it'll take the weight of everyone who will be sitting on the loo (no, not all at the same time!) and whether the seat will be comfy enough. Who knew there was so much to think about?
Think capacity too. If you're a large family or group, emptying a portable camping toilet every few hours will get old pretty fast, believe us. Choose a camping toilet with a larger tank that'll take several days' worth. How you're going to dispose of it may influence your choice too. Are there facilities at your camp site?
If you're not going to have access to proper chemical disposing facilities then you might want to consider one of the bucket type loos with a bag containing moisture-absorbing chemicals that can just be tied up and thrown in a normal bin.
Interested in reducing your environmental footprint? There are several portable composting toilets on the market which don't use water or chemicals and turn your waste into something useful.
There's a whole variety of portable toilets out there, from stools with a bag underneath to proper composting toilets that are designed to be a permanent feature. The most popular types of camping toilet are:
A bucket toilet is basically as it sounds; a container with a seat, with your, ahem, business dropping into a bag containing liquid-absorbing crystals. They're emptied by tipping the contents into the toilet waste disposing area or tying the bags so they can be thrown into a normal bin. The bags are generally biodegradable.
Their advantages are that they're usually cheaper, lighter and less bulky to carry and store than other toilets. It's easy to dispose of the waste if you don't have access to proper facilities. However they're not as sturdy so there's more chance of them being kicked over and larger adults may struggle to use them. If you do have to empty them into the chemical disposal area, beware of splashbacks… gross.
They're best suited for short trips, festivals or for emergency use during the night. Some people have found that adding a little biodegradable cat litter helps absorb those toilet type smells. Lovely.
These generally have two compartments; a top compartment containing water to provide the flush, and a bottom compartment for the waste. Special toilet chemicals are added to help break down the waste, which is then emptied into a suitable disposal area.
They are a lot sturdier that the bucket loos and can handle solids much better. Generally they seal in smells a lot more effectively and can be used for much longer without being emptied.
Most flushing toilets will support up to 20 stone or more so most people should be able to use them comfortably. They're as close as you might find to your loo at home.
Their disadvantages are that they're more expensive to buy, they're bulkier and heavier to transport and you'll need more room. They're also less environmentally friendly than other types of portable toilets. If yours has a large waste capacity that tank can be particularly heavy to carry to the disposing area when full so you might need a trolley.
Emptying this type of portable toilet can be an experience in itself and you need to be careful to avoid splashback… nobody wants a faecal facial! Some portable toilets have little corners and loose seals that trap nasties in so they can be tougher to clean.
They are more hygienic than a bucket toilet though, so if you're a camping regular or are going away for longer than a weekend, then investing in a flushing camping toilet might be worth your while.
These convert the waste into usable compost thanks to special organic material or sawdust. Some models will separate urine from faeces, so solid waste can compost easily with no nasty odours. Their advantages are that they are environmentally friendly, as they don't need chemicals or water. More people are turning to composting loos over traditional flushing loos as we become more environmentally aware. However most are designed to be built into place so are not that transportable.
Composting portable toilets are coming onto the market though. The Blue Diamond Nature Calls and the Natures Head toilets can both easily be transported in a car or camper van for camping use.
You'll need to do a bit of research into how easily you'll be able to empty your chosen toilet. Most sites have a chemical toilet disposing point but not all, so check before you go. There's nothing worse than a full loo with nowhere to empty it! Our guide to some of the best UK camping sites should point you in the right direction.
If you're wild camping you'll need to factor this in as well; you may be better off with one of the bucket toilets with a bag that can just be thrown into a normal bin.
A flushing portable toilet will generally need two types of chemicals. The first is a cleaner, usually a pink liquid, to go into the flushing water tank. It cleans the bowl as it’s flushed and stops stains from building up.
The second liquid, usually blue, goes into the waste holding tank, where it breaks down solids and stops smells developing. An alternative green liquid is available which is more environmentally friendly as it contains natural products; some campsites will only accept waste containing eco-friendly chemicals so check yours before you go.
It’s not recommended as normal loo roll can be quite thick and can clog things up. Most manufacturers would prefer you to use a ‘quick dissolve’ toilet paper.
The larger companies like Campa and Thetford manufacture this but you can buy suitable toilet paper cheaper if you hunt around.
A simple folding portable camping toilet or a bucket camping toilet uses biodegradable bags which can be disposed of in a normal rubbish bin. However a flushing portable toilet takes a little more work to empty. When you notice the bottom reservoir getting full you’ll know it’s time.
Separate the top and bottom tanks. Carry the bottom tank to the waste disposal area; use a trolley if it’s heavy. Don’t be shy, everyone has to do it!
Look for a large round cap at the rear of the tank and unscrew it. Release the air vent if there is one and let rip. Try not to breathe in at this point and be careful of splashbacks. Don’t say we didn’t warn you…
Most disposing areas have a hose available to wash the tank out afterwards. Give it a good shake to get rid of any stubborn clingons and add a little fresh water before resealing the cap.
Once back at your van or tent, top up both tanks with the required toilet fluid and reattach them to the toilet. Job’s a good ‘un!
Storing a loo with waste left sitting inside it is a definite no-no… if you’re not going to be using it again for a while then empty it (unless it’s a permanent composting loo of course). Even the best portable toilets still need a good clean from time to time. Things tend to clog up and stick to corners, seams and awkward bends and eventually using it can be a stomach-churning experience.
For bucket toilets just hose down the toilet bucket, give things a wipe and leave to dry. Flushing and composting toilets will need a little more work. Use a hose to give the water and waste tanks a good ole clean, concentrating on the areas where build ups occur.
You may want to do this bit before you eat! Small stains can be wiped away using an antiseptic spray; don't forget the toilet seat and lid if there is one. Once done, leave the portable toilet to dry thoroughly. Adding a little deodorant in water to the waste container will help keep whiffs at bay.
The best portable toilet for you will depend on where you'll be using it and for how long. For a cheeky wild camp or an event, the BogInabag or the Carplife Bivvy may be all you need.
Going away for a weekend with the family? You'll appreciate the Camco or the Thetford 565E. Going on an extended trip in a campervan or motorhome? You'll want something more permanent like the Leisurewize LW536 or the Dometic 570.
Fancy doing your bit for the environment? Why not consider a composting toilet like the Blue Diamond or the Nature's Head?
Camco's portable toilet comes in three sizes, making it perfect for a camping trip or even just to keep in the car for emergencies. You can choose a 2.6-gallon holding tank with a 2.5- or 3.75-gallons flushing tank. A cap at the back of the tank makes for easier emptying and the slick surface inside the tank helps waste slide out smoothly – no splashbacks!
A simple to use pump action manual flush gives a potentially more reliable and effective flush than battery operated or electric mechanisms. There's less chance of it malfunctioning and leaving you high and… not dry.The lid is super strong and seals in aromas nicely, which you'll appreciate if you're sharing a tent with it. This toilet is lightweight yet sturdy; the Camco will support up to 23 stone 5lb so the whole family can use it with confidence.
July 31, 2023
July 31, 2023
July 31, 2023
