Going to the bathroom in the great outdoors can be problematic. When nature calls, you’re faced with using an overcrowded or unclean campground restroom or seeking privacy in the woods. There’s got to be a better way, right?
If you need a comfortable and private place to do your business in nature, consider a portable camping toilet. These offer you home-like comfort while remaining easy to carry and easy to use.
Which portable toilet is perfect for your camping adventures? We’ve tried and tested dozens of options. Below, we review our 10 top picks, highlight why the Thetford Porta Potti Curve stands out as the best, and guide you through essential features to consider for a wise purchase.
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At a Glance: Quick Recommendations
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Editors Choice:
Thetford Porta Potti Curve
“Our top choice for campers looking for a home-like portable potty with all the bells and whistles.” -
Runner Up:
Camco Portable Toilet
“A solid option for campers who prioritize comfort and convenience.” -
Best Budget:
Reliance Luggable Loo
“Our favorite budget-friendly and lightweight model. It ain’t fancy, but it works!” -
Best Bucket:
Stansport Portable
“The Stansport is a no-frills, comfortable, and lightweight commode for minimalist campers.” -
Honorable Mention:
Coleman Portable
“Coleman hits another home run with this comfortable campsite john and its impressive features.” -
Most Eco-Friendly:
Loveable Loo Compost
“No plumbing or electricity? No problem, thanks to this odor-free, composting crapper.” -
Best Dry:
Nature’s Head Composting Toilet
“No odor, no maintenance, and no chemicals! What more do you need from a composting toilet?” -
Best Support Capacity:
Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Complete System
“A safe, sturdy, and no-assembly-required john for big and tall campers.” -
Best Folding Seat Toilet:
Reliance Products FOLD-TO-GO
“A small but mighty folding toilet that’s perfect for no-fuss campers.” -
Best Value:
TRIPTIPS Portable Folding Toilet
“Easy to use and collapsible enough that even backpackers might consider adding it to their packs.”
Which Model Is The Best Camping Toilet?
Whether it’s for your RV, Camper van or tent, we’ve tested and shortlisted the best camping toilets below.
- Thetford Porta Potti Curve
- Camco Portable Toilet
- Reliance Luggable Loo
- Stansport Portable
- Coleman Portable
- Loveable Loo Compost
- Nature’s Head Composting Toilet
- Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Complete System
- Reliance Products FOLD-TO-GO
- TRIPTIPS Portable Folding Toilet
Thetford Porta Potti Curve
Editor’s Choice
The Thetford Porta Potti Curve is a great choice of you’re looking for a more luxurious portable potty that feels just like a normal toilet. It features a sleek and modern design with a comfortable, home-like seat. A battery-powered flushing system makes it easy to use and you’ll get about 56 flushes per battery.
The Thetford stands out from other portable flush toilets thanks to its fancy features. It comes with an ergonomic carrying handle, a mess-free pour-out spout, a built-in toilet paper holder, and a level indicator that lets you know when it’s time to empty the tank.
The Thetford has a large capacity, making it a convenient choice for families or groups. It can get quite heavy when full, though, so you’ll have to empty it regularly to avoid back-breaking trips to the dump station.
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line camping commode, it’s hard to beat the comfort and home-like feel of this Thetford toilet system. It’s definitely on the pricey side for a flush toilet, but our testers agree it’s well worth it.
PROs
- Sleek and modern design
- Comfortable seat
- Feels like a regular toilet
- Built-in tissue holder
- 3-year warranty
CONs
- Won’t flush if batteries are dead
- Pricey
Bottom-Line: The most luxurious portable toilet solution on the market!
Camco Portable Toilet
Runner Up
The Camco Portable toilet is a premium potty that our testers earmarked as ideal for RVers or glampy campers due to is home-like comfort and convenience.
This toilet weighs just 11.5 pounds when empty but can support up to 330 pounds. It can also hold up to 5.3 gallons of waste, so it’s a good pick for long trips or groups.
Our testers loved that the Camco uses just a quarter gallon of water per flush. This adds convenience by reducing how often you need to empty it. They also like that it comes with waste tablets that help to dissolve solids, thus reducing the amount of waste you need to empty and keeping odors in check.
This toilet lacks some of the fancy features found in the Thetford Curve, but it’s slightly cheaper and still a great option for RV campers or tent campers who prefer a little more civility come toilet time.
PROs
- Excellent flushing mechanism
- Lightweight for a flush toilet
- Comfortable
CONs
- Pricier than bucket or folding toilets
- Lacks features found in Thetford Curve
Bottom-Line: A solid option for campers who prioritize comfort and convenience.
Reliance Luggable Loo
Best Budget
The Reliance Luggable Loo is a basic highly practical and affordable bucket toilet. Thanks to its simple design, it’s easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to carry. All of this makes it a great, no-fuss toilet for families with kids.
The Reliance is a bucket-style toilet with a snap-on seat and cover. Combine it with Reliance’s compatible “Double Doodie Bags” (or any other disposable waste bags or garbage bag) and the bag will catch everything for easy disposal.
The Reliance makes a good entry-level option for budget-conscious campers looking for an easy and lightweight bathroom solution.
The Reliance is backed by a 5-year warranty, too. If your Reliance is defective, you’ll receive a free replacement.
PROs
- Affordable
- Good support capacity
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
CONs
- Lid lacks stability
- A bit pricey
Bottom-Line: The most affordable portable travel toilet on our list and ideal for campers who need a simple, lightweight bathroom solution.
Stansport Portable
Best Bucket
The Stansport Portable is a compact and lightweight portable toilet that features a comfortable, full-sized seat, making it ideal for campers short on storage space.
As with most bucket-style toilets, there is no learning curve – you just attach a bag and get down to business. It’s a bit of an upgrade from the Reliance Luggable Loo and that’s reflected in its higher price tag.
The Stansport is strong for a folding portable toilet, supporting up to 200 lbs. Since it weighs less than 10 lbs., it’s a good choice for minimalist campers who don’t want to lug around a heavy commode. Built-in handles are included for easy carrying.
PROs
- Lightweight
- Comfortable seat
- Easy to use
CONs
- Lid doesn’t lock down
Bottom-Line: The convenience of a lightweight bucket-style toilet with the comfort of a full-sized toilet seat.
Coleman Portable
Honorable Mention
The Coleman Portable is a sophisticated flush toilet that’s ideal for longer camping trips or camping in groups. Thanks to comfort-enhancing features like an ergonomically-designed, elongated seat and one hand-flushing, it’s almost as good as using your own bathroom!
The Coleman has a 5.3-gallon, self-contained holding tank/waste tank, so it can handle a lot of waste. When it’s time to empty the waste tank, a convenient handle on each side of the tank makes it easy to carry.
The only downside to this camping porta potty is its weight, so make sure you don’t mind lugging around a bulky, camping porta potty (13.5 lbs). If you’re looking for a similar but lighter flushing toilet, try the Thetford Porta Potti Curve instead.
PROs
- Separates fresh water and waste
- One hand flush
- Comes with a hose connector
- Leak-free
CONs
- Heavy
Bottom-Line: Perfect for campers who demand at-home comfort and convenience from their portable toilets.
Loveable Loo Compost
Most Eco-Friendly
The Loveable Loo is a compost toilet that’s sturdy, built to last, and the best option out there for eco-conscious campers. This easy-to-install and eco-friendly option will compost your waste with no water, electricity, plumbing, or chemicals. Unlike some other eco-friendly models, moreover, you don’t have to separate the solids and liquids.
Each Loveable Loo is handmade from durable sanded birchwood plywood and requires only a screwdriver to assemble. If properly managed, the Loveable Loo is surprisingly odor-free.
New to composting toilets? Don’t worry, the handbook included with each Loveable Loo will teach you everything you need to know to get started.
PROs
- Durable material and construction
- Stable design
- Eco-friendly
CONs
- Heavy
- Bucket needs to be changed from time to time
Bottom-Line: The perfect off-grid choice for environmentally-conscious campers.
Nature’s Head Composting Toilet
Best Dry
The Nature’s Head toilet is the best composting dry toilet available thanks to its user-friendliness, convenience, and huge tank size.
The Nature’s Head Composting Toilet resembles a standard bathroom commode and is conveniently designed to be odor- and maintenance-free. A mixture of peat moss or coconut coir is used to speed up the decomposition process of the solid waste. This leaves an earthy odor behind that won’t stink up your RV or campsite.
If you’re worried about the dumping process, don’t be! With its massive tank size, solids only need to be emptied after 80 uses.
PROs
- Environmentally-friendly
- Stable design
- 5-year warranty
CONs
- Expensive
- Heavy
Bottom-Line: A vast improvement over older composting toilet designs.
Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Complete System
Best Support Capacity
Our testers unanimously agreed that the Cleanwaste Go Anywhere System is the best folding toilet out there for big and tall campers.
Despite being made from plastic and weighing only 7lbs, can support up to 500lbs – the highest support capacity on our list and far higher than other folding camping toilets.
The Cleanwaste also scored highly in ease of use. Each leg easily pulls into place making setup a breeze. And since it relies on a doodie bag system, you won’t have to worry about mixing harsh chemicals or visiting the dump station to dispose of waste.
PROs
- High support capacity
- Portable
- Lightweight
CONs
- Expensive
- Assembly needed
Bottom-Line: Thoughtfully engineered and surprisingly sturdy for such a compact toilet.
Reliance Products FOLD-TO-GO
Best Folding Seat Toilet
The Reliance FOLD-TO-GO is a the most practical camping toilet out there, serving as a camping stool with its cover on and then converting into a portable camp toilet with the cover removed.
It’s easy to maintain and easy to clean, too. Just throw the cover, sleeve, and carrying case directly into the wash. Thanks to its light weight, you can easily strap the FOLD-TO-GO to your pack or swing it over your shoulder.
Just take note of its 250-pound support capacity – if you need a commode that can handle more weight, try the TRIPTIPs instead.
PROs
- High support capacity
- Portable
- Lightweight
CONs
- Expensive
- Assembly Needed
Bottom-Line: Minimalist campers will enjoy this lightweight commode that doubles as a camping chair.
TRIPTIPS Portable Folding Toilet
Best Value
The TRIPTIPS Portable Folding Toilet is our favorite camping potty for campers looking to minimize weight and bulk. At just 2.9lbs, it’s the lightest portable toilet on our list, and it also packs down to a tiny 2.4 inches high.
Recently redesigned, the TRIPTIPS is now a taller size to provide an even more comfortable experience. Our testers all found it ridiculously easy to set up, too – it snaps into place in just a few seconds.
If you’re a budget-conscious camper looking for a lightweight yet durable camping solution, this is it!
PROs
- Ultralightweight
- Easy assembly and disassembly
- Eco-friendly materials
CONs
- Lack of height
- Stability
Bottom-Line: With its ease of use, packability, and simple set-up, the TRIPTIPS offers plenty of bang for your buck.
Top Choices by Category
Budget: Reliance Luggable Loo, TRIPTIPS Portable
Folding: Reliance Products FOLD-TO-GO, TRIPTIPS Portable
Flush: Thetford Porta Potti Curve, Coleman Portable
Bucket: Reliance Luggable Loo, Stansport Portable, Loveable Loo
What To Consider When Buying A Portable Potty?
When deciding which of the many brands and models are best for your needs, we think you should consider the following.
- Types of Portable Toilets
- Overall Size & Capacity
- Weight Capacity
- Waste Disposal
- Odors
- Ease of Use
Types Of Portable Toilets
There are four main types of portable camping toilets. These are portable bucket toilets, flush and cassette toilets, composting toilets, and folding seat toilets.
Portable Bucket Toilets
Portable bucket toilets are the most basic portable camping toilets, taking the form of a simple bucket with a toilet seat lid for comfort. While they don’t offer many fancy features, they are lightweight and portable. They’re affordable too, with some costing barely more than a 12-pack of fancy toilet paper (see the Reliable Luggable Loo).
Flush & Cassette Toilets
A cassette toilet has a detachable tank for emptying/waste disposal, so scores highly for convenience. Most models contain chemicals in the waste tank that break down waste matter and mask any smells. While bulkier than bucket-style toilets, they can help you avoid unpleasant odors. Many also have a manual flush similar to a traditional toilet to help clean the bowl and remove any residual waste.
Composting Toilets
Dry or composting toilets are similar to a cassette toilet, but they separate liquid from solid waste and they skip the harsh chemicals by composting waste through something called the aerobic process. Portable composting toilets are more environmentally friendly than toilets that rely on chemicals and they produce less material that needs to be disposed of.
Folding Seat
A folding seat toilet is similar to a bucket-style model, without the bucket. Essentially, it’s just a frame with a seat that must be combined with a disposable bag or by digging a hole underneath it. While lightweight and easy to carry, be sure to check the weight rating.
Overall Size & Capacity
When choosing your toilet, size and capacity are key metrics, especially if you camp in groups.
The capacity of toilets refers to how much waste they will hold before they need to be dumped. A large capacity means they will have to be dumped less frequently, but they will also be heavier to carry when you do. Most campers can get by with a toilet that holds 3–5 gallons.
If you’re considering a flushing toilet, keep an eye out for the size of the water tank, too. More fresh water helps you keep the toilet bowl cleaner for longer.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is another critical consideration when choosing your camping toilet, as it determines how much weight the toilet can bear while someone sits on it.
Folding toilets usually have the lowest capacity and flush toilets the highest. The Cleanwaste Go Anywhere, for example, can support up to 500 lbs., while most of the folding models above can only handle 200-250 lbs.
Check this number carefully before buying! The last thing you want is for the commode to break while you’re taking care of business.
Waste Disposal
When choosing from the many styles of camping toilets, consider how you want to dispose of your waste.
If you’re planning on ditching your waste directly in a waste bin, you can get away with a bucket-style toilet with a doodie bag. The bag isn’t necessary, but makes cleaning your commode much easier.
If you’re planning on using the waste tank in a public restroom or a dump station, any flush toilet will do. Look for a model with a pouring spout as it makes the messy experience a whole lot easier.
Just remember – don’t wait until the tank is completely full. The fuller the tank, the heavier it is to carry.
Odors
If you’re sensitive to odors, choose a portable toilet that’s designed to minimize them.
A portable toilet is never going to smell like a bed of roses, but some models get stinkier than others. A toilet like the Thetford Porta Potti does a much better job of concealing odors while a bucket toilet like Luggable Loo doesn’t leave a lot to the imagination.
If you plan on keeping your WC away from your camp, a bucket-style porta potty will do the job. Just make sure it has a lid to keep critters and bugs from getting in.
Ease Of Use
We highly recommend choosing a camping potty that’s easy to use, especially if you’ll be camping in a group.
Portable camp toilets range in complexity from out-of-the-box-ready models (like bucket toilets) to complicated, complete toilet systems. As a general rule, the easier they are to use, the more comfort you’re usually sacrificing, so expect a trade-off.
Bucket-style camp toilets are the easiest to use and require next to no set-up. Complete systems like the Cleanwaste Go Anywhere offer the most home-like experience, but they can be tricky to set up.
Be sure to pay special attention to the size of the seat. Some portable toilet lids are quite small and can be uncomfortable to use. And if you have to dump your waste regularly, make sure you choose a model that’s easy to handle.
Why Use A Porta Potty While Camping?
1. It’s An Easy Way To Pack Out All Your Waste
Many campgrounds or other dispersed camping areas require you to pack out all your waste when you go, and that includes human waste. A portable toilet keeps everything in one convenient place for the lucky person who has to lug it all out.
2. It Can Help You Relax
A portable camping toilet is a good alternative for people who have trouble relaxing enough to get their business done in public camp bathhouses or over a hole in the woods.
3. A Convenient Solution For Frequent Nighttime Bathroom Breaks
If you frequent the toilet often during the night, a porta potty is much more convenient than making your way to the public bathrooms.
4. It’s A Good Plan B
If you want to avoid the hassle of emptying your RV’s waste tank while camping, a porta potty is a good backup.
5. They’re Inexpensive
RV toilets can be expensive. A portable toilet will offer you similar comfort, for much less money.
What Is The Best Portable Toilet? The Verdict
To sum up, if you’re looking for a worthy camping throne, it’s hard to beat the home-like comfort and smart features of the Thetford Porta Potti Curve. If you just want to keep it simple, the Reliance Luggable Loo is a great budget-friendly and hassle-free alternative.
We hope this guide has helped you choose the best portable toilet for you and your family. There are lots of portable camping toilets out there, so if we missed your favorite, tell us about it in the comments below!