10 Best Portable Toilets [ Review & Buyer’s Guide ] In 2020
Portable toilets are a thing. Seriously! Ask any outdoor (read camping) enthusiast, a long distance driver or anyone who has ever taken a road trip and you’ll see what we mean. Heck! The reason you’re here is that you’re in pursuit of the best portable toilet, right? Fair enough. We’ll tell you which camper toilet is worth your attention, whether you’re looking for one that’s easy to use to a model suited for big people.
Since you are looking for a portable toilets, you may be interested in these portable bidets too.
Table of Contents
- A Complete Guide to Choose the Best Portable Toilets
- 1. Porta Potti Thetford – Award-Wining Portable Toilet
- 2. Camco Travel Toilet – Best Rated for Ease of Use
- 3. Zimmer Porta Potty – Best for Budget
- 4. Reliance Products Luggable Loo – Best for Short Trips
- 5. SereneLife Portable Toilet – Best for Big People
- 6. Reliance Products Fold-to-Go – Best for Increased Portability
- 7. Duro-Med Deluxe Commode – Best for Medical Purpose
- 8. Playberg Portable Toilet – Best for Travel
- 9. VINGLI Camping Toilet – Best Splurge
- 10. Cleanwaste Portable Toilet – Best for Uneven Terrain
- Portable Toilets – Buying Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
A Complete Guide to Choose the Best Portable Toilets
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Why us? Well, our chief editor is an avid camper, kayaker and rock climber – so you can bet she knows a thing or two about how the best portaloo should look like. Click through as we take you the most-sought-after portable restrooms on the market.
1. Porta Potti Thetford – Award-Wining Portable Toilet
Porta Potti Thetford at a Glance
- Water Capacity – 4 gallons
- Waste Holding Tank Capacity – 5.5 gallons
- Flush Pump Type – Electric
- Empty Type – Rotating pour spout
- Construction Material – Plastic
You’ve got to love the Porta Potti Thetford. First off, it has a German Environmental Certificate to its name for the eco-friendly design (it doesn’t contain the potentially harmful formaldehyde) material. More than that, it is one of the most versatile portable toilets that you can get. It will perfectly serve your needs in an RV, boat, van or truck. Of course, you can always carry it for your camping trip and more.
The Porta Potti has a freshwater holding capacity of 4 gallons, enough to give an average of 56 flushes. Add a 5.5 gallons tank capacity and what you get is a unit that can handle waste from up to five people for a one week.
You don’t require a lot of effort to put this toilet to work. It comes with a convenient electric flush type so you can get rid of waste in a cinch. It is essential to mention, however, that you need to recharge the included battery before your outdoor adventure to ensure that the toilet remains functional.
Emptying the Porta Potti isn’t hard work either. It features a rotating pour out spout that allows you to drain the waste water tank without the need to use back-splashes. What’s more? The outer plastic material is super sturdy, giving you months upon months of reliable performance.
2. Camco Travel Toilet – Best Rated for Ease of Use
Camco Travel Toilet at a Glance
- Water Capacity – 3.75 gallons
- Waste Holding Tank Capacity – 5.3 gallons
- Flush Pump Type – Pump
- Empty Type – Drain valve
- Construction Material – ABS plastic
Never used a portable camping toilet before? Not a problem! This one by Camco sports a no-frills, practical design for smooth, effortless operation. It even comes with an integrated, strategically placed handle so you can move it from point A to B comfortably.
The Camco has a water capacity of 5.3 gallons, making it one of the biggest models on the market. With such volume, it makes an excellent pick of large outdoor parties with lots of people in attendance or long roads trips likely to last more than a week.
The flush tank holds 3.75 gallons of water. And, if the idea of carrying of recharging batteries as is the case with the Porta Potti doesn’t work for you, then you’ll love this unit. It uses a pumping flush action that rinses the bowl with a single press.
While you have to detach the wastage tank to empty the Camco, you’ll love the firm seals that prevent leaks and odors. And then there is the tank’s slick surface to make waste disposal efficient and comfortable. In the meantime, the spring-loaded latch re-attaches the toilet automatically.
The Camco’s ABS material is not only robust but also comes in handy regarding sealing unpleasant odors. One more thing – this toilet measures 16″H x 16″W x 17″ D and weighs about 11.5 pounds.
3. Zimmer Porta Potty – Best for Budget
Zimmer Porta Potty at a Glance
- Water Capacity – 3 gallons
- Waste Holding Tank Capacity – 5 gallons
- Flush Pump Type – Pump
- Empty Type – Drain valve
- Construction Material – Plastic
The best portable toilet doesn’t have to come at a price that leaves a hole in your wallet. The Zimmer Porta Potty is one of the cheapest models on this list, making it a great choice if you don’t have the money to splurge. Make no mistake about it though- this baby is as functional as they come.
For starters, it combines a 3-gallon fresh water tank and a generous 5 gallons waste holding tank. How big is that you ask? Well, this is enough capacity to give you up to 70 flushes before you need to refill the fresh water tank.
The Zimmer Porta Potty features a bellow pump to flush waste in a breeze. Like the Porta Porti, you can empty it by disconnecting the waste reservoir, attached using easy-to-remove side latches. Even more impressive, each tank has removable caps for trouble-free dumping of waste and refilling.
It also has a side valve to allow you to get rid of waste without leakage. You only need to throw in one or two deodorizing tablets to keep off the odor.
This portable toilet uses high-density polyethylene material to withstand the rigors of frequent use and outdoor elements. With its full-sized seat, the Zimmer Porta Potty is comfortable and sturdy enough for hunting, boat and fishing trips.
4. Reliance Products Luggable Loo – Best for Short Trips
Reliance Products Luggable Loo at aGlance
- Water Capacity – None
- Waste Holding Tank Capacity – 5 gallon
- Flush Pump Type – None
- Empty Type – Waste bags
- Construction Material – Plastic
The Luggable Loo features a simple, bucket style design that makes it for short one or two-day trips. It is highly portable, so you can tuck it at the back of your boat or carry it with your hands during a hunting expedition.
Despite the minimalist build, the Luggable Loo is reasonably big. It has a 5-gallon waste tank to keep you sorted throughout the entire trip. It doesn’t have a separate fresh water tank. However, it is compatible with standard double doodle bag, so handling (and disposing of waste) should be much of problem. Of course, the lack of a freshwater tank implies that the toilet doesn’t have a flushing system.
The fact that Luggable Loo uses bags implies that waste disposal is a snap. Besides, it eliminates the need to clean the bowl now and then.
Note – This portable toilet uses a hinged seat and cover to seal off odor and to allow you to use it comfortably (you have to buy the seat and the lid separately). It fits over virtually any industrial pail.
We love the Luggable Loo’s forest green color. It will camouflage perfectly with the vegetation, allowing you to “stay undercover” especially during a hunting trip. Don’t forget to carry deodorizing tablets though.
5. SereneLife Portable Toilet – Best for Big People
SereneLife Portable Toilet at a Glance
- Water Capacity – 3.2 gallons
- Waste Holding Tank Capacity – 5.3 gallons
- Flush Pump Type – Double drain
- Empty Type – Button styled pump
- Construction Material – Plastic
The SereneLife is incredibly sturdy thanks to the high-density polyethylene material used to make it. On top of that, it has a broad square bare to enable it remains firmly rooted on the ground during use. It is this well-thought-out design that makes it ideal for big people – and that’s not even the best part.
SereneLife comes with a 5.3-gallon tank, which enables it to hold more waste than most toilets. By extension, this translates to less emptying. It has a 3.2-gallon clean water tank to give more than 50 flushes. And then there is the water level indication to let you know when it’s time to refill. That way, you will never be caught off guard!
Emptying SereneLife is as easy as 1-2-3. It sports a splash-free rotating pour spout, enabling you to drain discreetly and quickly. The odor resistant basin walls work together with the double-drain valve to ensure that it doesn’t retain unpleasant smells.
Reviewers love the button styled pump flusher, and we like too. And, while this isn’t the smallest of portable toilets (measures 16.5’’ x 14.6’’ x 16.9’’), it comes with a carrying case so you can tote it from one campsite to another without breaking a sweat.
Did we tell you that SereneLife is corrosion resistant and that the basin doesn’t discolor? Yes, occasional thorough cleaning is all it takes to keep it looking as good as new.
6. Reliance Products Fold-to-Go – Best for Increased Portability
Reliance Products Fold-to-Go at a Glance
- Water Capacity – None
- Waste Holding Tank Capacity – None
- Flush Pump Type – None
- Empty Type – Waste bag
- Construction Material – Plastic
Reliance Products returns to our best portable toilets 2020 list with this unit dubbed as Fold-to-Go. As the name suggests, this model is collapsible and foldable, allowing you to carry it around with relative ease. The Fold-to-Go also happens to be one for the lightest camping toilets you can get.
This thing thrives on simplicity. It doesn’t have fresh water or waste tank. You can (as you’ve guessed already) use it together with a double doodie waste bag system. With such a straightforward design, we vouch for this toilet if you’re in pursuit of something to use during emergency scenarios.
The innovative leg locking system ensures that the Fold-to-Go stays in place during use, making it one of the sturdiest units in its category. And, even with the uncomplicated design, this little toilet has a remarkable 300 pounds capacity!
The solid legs bring in the durability factor while the wide seat (similar to the ones that snap on 5-gallon options) makes the Fold-to-Go comfortable. For those who may want to know, it stands at a height of 14 inches. Note that the legs for a triangle measuring 17″ x 15″. Be sure to lock them in place before taking a seat.
We recommend Fold-to-Go for activities such as rock climbing expeditions, boating, and field use.
7. Duro-Med Deluxe Commode – Best for Medical Purpose
Duro-Med Deluxe Commode at a Glance
- Water Capacity – 8 quart
- Waste Holding Tank Capacity – Uses a removable bucket
- Flush Pump Type – None
- Empty Type – Compatible with waste bag
- Construction Material – Metal frame. Toilet uses sturdy plastic
You don’t have to visit the bathroom during sick days with Duro-Med Deluxe Commode by your bedside. Convenient and portable, this toilet is for patients who are not strong enough for frequent trips to relieve themselves.
The Duro-Med Deluxe Commode features an anti-slip resistant rubber to prevent it from slipping as you get up or sit down. Plus, the arms are collapsible, making it easy to transfer the toilet from your bedside to a wheelchair. Note – it weighs about 22 pounds.
The Duro-Med stands at a height of 19 to 23 inches, with one-inch increments. It can handle a total weight of 250 pounds. It will catch your attention to know that this unit can hold up to 8 quarts of waste. In other words, you can use it for an entire day without the need to empty. It comes with a splash guard too, so you don’t have to worry about messing your space.
Further, the Duro-Med Deluxe Commode assembles quickly with no tools required to put in place. And, just so you may know, it can fit over your standard toilet, but you have to detach the bucket from underneath.
8. Playberg Portable Toilet – Best for Travel
Playberg Portable Toilet at a Glance
- Water Capacity – None
- Waste Holding Tank Capacity – Up 8 gallons
- Flush Pump Type – None
- Empty Type – Waste bags
- Construction Material – Plastic
Measuring 14 x 17 x 16 inches with a weight of 5.5 pounds, the Playberg will fit into your truck without taking a lot of space. It could very well be the portable toilet you’ve been looking for if you’re a long distance driver or an avid traveler.
It comes with a full-sized seat and removable lid of ease of use. The waste pail is detachable too, enabling you to get rid of the waste material with no hassle. Due to its size, the Playberg cannot accommodate a flushing system. It can, however, hold up to 8 gallons of waste when used with a disposable bag.
This toilet’s basin has a wide opening for quick clean up. One thing that makes the Playberg a real winner is the integrated toilet paper holder. Moreover, it can serve a seat with the lid closed. Reviewers remark that it indeed does offer value for money primarily because of the tremendous waste holding capacity and heavy-duty plastic casing used to make the entire unit.
The Playberg is slightly taller than a standard toilet, allowing you to sit on it comfortably without slouching. And, the price is on point too!
9. VINGLI Camping Toilet – Best Splurge
VINGLI Camping Toilet at a Glance
- Water Capacity – 3 gallons
- Waste Holding Tank Capacity – 5.3 gallons
- Flush Pump Type – Piston pump
- Empty Type – Pour spout
- Construction Material – High-quality plastic
The VINGLI comes at a lofty price tag. But, with the premium cost is a stellar performance to match. For starters, this beast will give you up 90 flushes! Yes, that’s how good this thing is! It carries a 5.3 removable holding tank and 3-gallon flush tanks. The extra-large capacity eliminates the need to refill often.
The VINGLI uses an upgraded piston pump to give it a flushing edge in comparison to a bellow system. Meanwhile, the T-type 3-way flushing helps remove waste faster. Moreover, the bowls surface is slippery, so you don’t have to clean your toilet regularly.
Another notable highlight is the splash -ree pour spout that eliminates the need to flush when emptying. Just connect your toilet to the sewer system, and you’re good to go – easy! You only need to keep your eye on the vent release to maintain constant pressure.
Campers praise the liquid level display to help you know the waste amount – think of this as a way to notify you when to empty the toilet. The VINGLI is a perfect pick for off the grid living, boating and a host of other outdoor activities.
10. Cleanwaste Portable Toilet – Best for Uneven Terrain
Cleanwaste Portable Toilet at a Glance
- Water Capacity – None
- Waste Holding Tank Capacity – 5 gallons
- Flush Pump Type – None
- Empty Type – Waste bags
- Construction Material – Plastic
You can use the Cleanwaste portable toilet virtually anywhere – including uneven terrain. The best part? You don’t have to worry about stability. All you need to do is to spread out the three integrated legs. More than that, you can set up this unit in 3 seconds – no assembly required.
The Cleanwaste is as comfortable as you’d want it to be. It has a standard toilet size seat and bowl. Speaking of which, you can use it with a removable bag with a collection capacity of up to five gallons.
Indeed, this model doesn’t have a fancy design, but it can support users with a total weight of up to 500 pounds. It even features a mesh holder to ensure that the waste bag doesn’t slip. And then there is the brand-exclusive drip edge located under the seat to prevent the bag from coming into contact with the waste.
To top it all off, you will love the plastic “briefcase-like” carrying and storage case. Each unit comes with one waste-bag so you can start to use your toilet right off the box. Reviewers call the Cleanwaste a necessity during camping, boating or hiking and we couldn’t agree more.
Portable Toilets – Buying Guide
A toilet is an essential facility, especially when you’re outdoors and start feeling like the bowels are bursting. In such a scenario, a portable toilet will seem like a gift from the heavens. However, not all portable toilets are well-built, so you should be selective when buying these products. To help you, here are the features to look at when purchasing portable toilets:
Size and Weight
The portability of toilets depends on their physical size and shape. Since you want a portable product, it’s vital to look at the dimensions and weight to determine an ideal product. It’s recommended to go for compact and lightweight designs. Portability also depends on the size of the storage tank. If you plan to use the toilet for hiking activities, then consider lightweight options to carry along
Waste Tank Capacity
Irrespective of the model that you buy, you’ll have to empty the toilet from time to time. However, emptying is not always possible as you travel. Therefore, you should consider the amount of waste that a toilet can hold before you go ahead to buy it. Portable toilets come with varying waste tank capacities. As such, make your choice based on the number of people that will use it. If you’re planning to use for camping, then buy a model with a huge waste capacity since you’ll be using it often. Small tank capacity can work for hiking expeditions.
Stability
There’s no person who likes sitting on a wobbly portable toilet. Do not forget to check this. A portable toilet should be strong enough to withstand any weight. Also, it ought to be stable, so people can go on with their business without worries about collapsing. Therefore, avoid low-grade toilets with weak bases. Go for a sturdy base that will guarantee solid performance and stability even when the toilet is used by many people.
Type of Flush
Portable toilets have many different flushing systems. There are 4 main types: manual bellow flush, push-button, piston, and battery-operated models. Manual bellow flush is found in most portable toilets. It looks like a piece of tubing that you have to push with the hand. In most instances, it requires more pushes to build enough pressure. For push-button toilets, you’ll use a piston pump to generate pressure before pressing a button that will release water through the nozzle into the toilet bowl. With piston pumps, you’ll have to pull the pump upwards to suck water from a freshwater tank for flushing. Battery operated models are luxurious models where you only require a simple push of the button. The choice that you pick will depend on your hygiene preferences and intended use. Also, the budget will determine the type of flush that you can afford.
Privacy
How private is the toilet that you plan to buy? Irrespective of how and where you intend to use a portable toilet, it still remains a toilet. As such, you’ll require some form of privacy, in the same way you do with conventional toilets at home. Forget about boating or camping; other situations where a potable table is useful to include tailgate parties and picnics. In such places, all eyes could be on you. As such, consider privacy features and look for portable toilets with privacy shelters. These products will allow you to go about with your business without worrying about other people since it’s enclosed.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Conclusion
The Cleanwaste brings us to the end of our best camping toilet reviews. We trust that you’ve pinpointed a model whose design is in line with your needs. Feel free to share how the unit you selected worked for you. For now, over to you!