5 Best Portable Toilets for Camping, Road Trips, and More

It’s true that you can’t maintain the same personal hygiene level like home when attending to nature’s call in the midst of raw nature. But if you’re armed with a good portable toilet, you’ll be able to marinate a good hygienic environment even when far from the locality.

But how do you find the best portable toilet for RVing, camping, boating or other recreational activities. We reviewed today’s most popular units and singled out the best. See which one suits you well!

5 Best Portable Toilets Your Can Get: In-Depth Reviews

01 Camco 41541 Portable Travel Toilet (Best Overall)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Our first pick is the 41541-portable toilet from the guys over at Camco. They have been in the business for quite some time now and have garnered quite a reputation.

The overall cool feature and quality of this one is a testament to that experience. We love the durability and the ease of use. That’s why it easily is our best overall pick.

Our Experience with the Camco 41541 Portable Travel Toilet

• The first thing we absolutely became fond of is the fact it’s so portable and easy to use. The seating is very comfortable with good height. Using it outdoor wasn’t a problem for us.
• Maximum weight limit for this one is 330 Lbs. Although we didn’t get to test that, the construction so far felt solid to us.
• Another thing we loved is the large waste tank size. With 5.3 gallons, you don’t need to clean it out constantly. If you want a smaller option, there is a smaller 2.6-gallon option as well.
• Getting rid of waste was fairly easy for us, thanks to the sliding gate valve. There is an easy-to-remove cap on the top for freshwater too!
• When you’re done using it for your business, flushing the waste down was a matter of minutes. We didn’t need more than just a couple of flushes to completely get rid of it.
• You might be wondering about the smell as well. Thankfully, the waste tank seals very tightly. There was no issue with odors whatsoever.

What We Didn’t Like

• The latches on the sides are a bit flimsy and we feel like that could have been more durable. While it doesn’t seem like it will break off anytime, a more solid latch would have been better.

Who Is It Great for?

Anyone looking for a solid portable toilet with cool ease-of-use features can go for this one. It checked all the boxes for us and is a great option for camping and RVing.

What Could Be Improved and Why

• Improving the latches will make this already good portable toilet a great one.

Our Recommendations

• Get this one if you will be traveling a lot or going to need a toilet for trips. Just make sure to use the latches carefully.

Specifications

Pros

• Durable build quality
• Easy to flush
• Large waste tank
• Doesn’t let odor leak
• Very portable

Cons

• Flimsy side latches

02 Camco 2.6 Gallon 2.6-Gallon Portable Travel Toilet (Best for Camping)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Remember how we said that the previous one comes with a 2.6-gallon option as well? We felt the need to include that and review it separately. It has all the cool features from the previous one but is even more portable. Of course, the size is smaller. So, that’s something to keep in mind.

Our Experience with the Camco 41531 2.6 Gallon Portable Travel Toilet

• This one has all the features from the previous but just comes in a smaller package. The tank is smaller, at just 2.6 gallons got the job done for us pretty well.
• There was no odor leaking. And given that this is a portable toilet, we couldn’t have been more thankful for that.
• Flushing was super-easy and didn’t create any kind of mess either.
• Also, we loved the durable construction. Of course, we didn’t unnecessarily abuse it to test out what it’s made of. But it did hold up pretty well during day-to-day use.
• Since this one is a much smaller size than the previous one, we think it’s more suitable for taking on RV road trips or camping. We didn’t have to log around a large portable toilet. But keep in mind how many people you have on the trip. That may be a considerable factor when it comes to choosing a portable toilet.

What We Didn’t Like

• Just like the previous one, we think the latches can be made more secure.

Who Is It Great for?

If your party doesn’t have that many people and you would want a great portable toilet for camping, this one will be right up your alley.

What Could Be Improved and Why

• A more durable and secure latch system would do wonders for this. Don’t get us wrong; it’s not unusable as is. It will still do a good job for camping.

Our Recommendations

• Planning a camping trip soon? Then we recommend you go for this one. The small size will be very convenient for most people.

Specifications

Pros

• Very portable
• Good build quality
• Easy to flush
• No smells
• Perfect for camping

Cons

• Needs a better latching system

03 Drive Medical 11148-1 Steel Folding Bedside Commode (Top Portable for Elderly)

Why It Stands Out to Us

If you think about it, elderly people may be the most in need of a portable toilet. Thankfully, Drive Medical managed to create the best portable toilet for them. This one comes with a very good seat and can fold up too!

It’s easy to clean and assemble which will take most of the hassle of using it on a day-to-day basis.

Our Experience with the Drive Medical 11148-1 Steel Folding Commode

• The first thing that stood out to us was just how comfortable this is to sit on and use. That’s great news for the elderly. It’s a 3-in-1 design that lets you use it for different applications. You can use it as a bathroom chair or a safe toilet frame.
• It can be easily folded. That meant when we didn’t need to use it constantly, we were able to easily fold it up and save some storage space. The dimensions of it aren’t that big either.
• Then there is the ease of cleaning. A cool little carrying handle adds to its portability. You can empty it without much worry and there are commode liners that further aid in cleaning.
• Thanks to the push-pins and snap-on seats, adjusting and assembling took only mere minutes. That’s something we are sure everyone will appreciate. This one really is a great choice for elderly users.

What We Didn’t Like

• Even though the maximum weight limit of this one is 350 Lbs, the design and size of this aren’t suitable for larger people. If you’re slim though, you won’t face any problems.

Who Is It Great for

Elderly folks looking for an easy-to-use and clean portable toilet that’s comfortable to sit on will appreciate this one from Drive medical.

What Could Be Improved and Why

• Tweaking the design and shape just a little bit to accommodate larger people will be a well-desired improvement.

Our Recommendations

• You can go for this one if you have an elderly person who needs to be taken care of. Just keep in mind that if they are on the larger side, this might not be the best bet.

Specifications

Pros

• Easy to use and clean
• Very comfortable to use
• Perfect for the elderly
• Folds up to save space
• Good seat height

Cons

• Doesn’t accommodate larger people

04 SereneLife Outdoor Portable Toilet

Why It Stands Out to Us

Portable toilets for camping simply do not get better than this one. It has some very cool features with easy flushing options and a large waste tank to make it the perfect choice for your RV or van.

Our Experience with the SereneLife Outdoor Portable Toilet

• The immediate thing that stood out to us was the construction. Since it’s portable, you would want to take it outdoors. Thanks to its high-density polyethylene plastic build and use of corrosion-resistant materials, you can be sure this portable toilet will last.
• The waste tank is pretty large as well. With a 5.3-gallon waste tank, we were covered for a couple of trips to the bathroom during testing.
• There is also a 3.2-gallon freshwater tank. That was enough to give us plenty of flushes to wash those nasties away.
• Speaking of flushing, this one uses a cool 3-way flush system. It’s super easy and innovative. We only needed to press a button to flush it. How easy and seamless is that. You get more than 50 flushes, by the way. That’s impressive.
• Need to empty the tank? Don’t worry. That’s a breeze too! It has a splash-free rotating pour spout.
• Of course, we loved how compact this thing was. That made it the perfect choice for us to place in our Van. Placing it in an RV would be easy too.

What We Didn’t Like

• Although everything about it is perfect, we didn’t quite like two things. First is the price. It’s a bit on the expensive side. Secondly, we felt that the seat was too small.

Who Is It Great for?

• Those who are looking for a very high-quality portable toilet for their van or RV can go for this one. It gets a solid recommendation from us thanks to its usability features.

What Could Be Improved and Why

• Increasing the seat size on future revisions will be absolutely fantastic.

Specifications

Pros

• High-quality durable construction
• Easy to clean
• Easy to use
• More than 50 flushes
• Large waste and fresh water tank
• Great for vans and RVs

Cons

• The seat is a bit small

05 Porta Potti 92306 White Thetford Corp

Why It Stands Out to Us

Porta Potti really needs no introduction. They are a well-renowned brand and have been known to produce some top-quality products for quite a while now. So, it’s no surprise to us that this 92306 Thetford model follows the same trend.

It’s a versatile and sleek portable toilet you can use without having to deal with too much hassle. This is a perfect choice for pontoon boats as well.

Our Experience with the Porta Potti 92306

• This portable toilet showed no signs of leaks or any shoddy defects. Which makes us think this one will last you for a long time to come.
• With an ergonomic handle, you can carry it and place it anywhere with ease if you needed to.
• Design-wise, it’s quite sleek and modern looking. We loved the overall finish and the curved design elements it has. Looks like Porta Potti got the memo that portable toilets don’t need to look drab.
• The tank size is pretty big as well. With a 5.5-gallon waste tank, we got more capacity and didn’t have to clean it out very frequently.
• When you do have to clean the waste tank, rest easy knowing that this one was very easy to clean. The swivel arm combined with the cap makes clean up a complete breeze.
• Water-less flushing was impressive, to say the least. It has a battery-powered flush which was powerful and got rid of the waste very quickly during testing.
• There are nice small touches like a toilet paper holder. Small details like this make it such a great choice.

What We Didn’t Like

• It’s a bit heavy for what it is, though. That might turn some people away since it’s meant to be a portable toilet. But don’t let that keep you from getting this one. Since the handles are pretty ergonomic, carrying it won’t be a problem.

Who Is It Great for?

Users who are looking for a solid portable toilet for their boats will love this one. The cool features are fancy and worth taking with you on a fancy yacht or boat.

What Could Be Improved and Why

• We would love to see future revisions be a bit lighter.

Our Recommendations

• You can easily get this one without a second thought if you want it for your boat. There are some very cool features that you will love.

Specifications

Pros

• Very modern and sleek design
• Battery-powered flush
• Ergonomic handle
• Easy to clean and use
• Large waste tank

Cons

• A bit heavy

Portable Toilet Types

1. Flushable Portable Toilets

These are the common portable toilets that you can flush. That makes the waste go to the waste tank much easier. As you can probably tell from some of our reviews, there can be different flushing mechanisms as well.

Some can be battery-powered, and also some may not even require water. This can help you conserve water, and that’s always a good thing.

3. Foldable Toilets

Foldable toilets are pretty self-explanatory. They are portable toilets that you can conveniently fold up. It allows you to save some space when you don’t need to use it. These are also great for users who don’t want to have their toilet fixed in one place. Arguably, these types are the best portable toilets for elderly people as they can put them by their beds.

3. Urination Devices

Urination devices are straightforward, simple toilets that, well, let you pee. You can’t use these to poop, though. There are different styles available too. Some may come without doors or screens, while others can include a cabin.

Portable Toilet Buying Guide: What to Expect

1. Weight and Size

Weight and size are, of course, big considerations when it comes to choosing the best portable toilet. At the end of the day, you want portability; but that doesn’t always have to mean you need to go for the smallest one available.

Maybe you need a slightly bigger toilet. All that’s fine. What you need to remember here is to pick one that fits your needs.

2. Design

Then we have the design. The design can dictate how easy it is to use or how cumbersome. Some may have cool designs; others may have a bit of a boring design. It’s all subjective though. Some are designed which seals away any odor.

Those are, of course, better to get. So, look into the overall design of the one you’re buying. It will tell you a lot about it.

3. Comfort

Comfort is important too! You don’t want to be uncomfortable when using a portable toilet. Look for things like a comfortable seating position, seat height, and also the size of the seat as well. Just make sure the toilet overall is comfortable to use and makes it easy for you.

4. Flush

Flushes can be of different types. There are pump flushes that require multiple taps to completely flush away the waste. Bellow pumps are harder to press and can wear out faster. One type of flush that’s easy to use is a piston flusher.

The type of flush needs to be taken into consideration when choosing a portable toilet since it will have an impact on usability. How much water the flush uses is also another factor.

5. Portability

Portability might sometimes come at the cost of size and comfort. A toilet that’s too small and portable might have a very small seat. It’s a balancing act. You need to get a portable one but also one whose size works for you.

6. Tank Capacity

The tank capacity essentially dictates how many uses do you get before you need to clean out the thing. The higher the tank capacity, the longer you can use it without having to clean it out.

7. Waste Indicator

A waste indicator is a cool thing to have. It will tell you when the tank needs to be cleaned out. That’s better than having to guess or check manually.

8. Hygiene

One that’s easy to clean is a must! Hygiene is important no matter what. Get ones that are easy to clean to make sure your portable toilet will remain hygienic. There are many options with innovative cleaning features.

9. Installation

An easy installation process is something you will thank yourself for later. You don’t want one that’s a chore and a half to install. It may take precious time – time you could have easily saved by getting one that comes with easy installation.

10. Price

The price can range anywhere from $100 to $500. There should be plenty of choices for everybody within this range.

How to Safely Empty a Portable Toilet?

Step 1: Locate the Disposal Site

You should never dispose of the waste wherever you want or convenient for you. That’s frankly disgusting and very irresponsible. Most campsites will have a designated spot where you can throw the waste away.

Step 2: Empty the Tank

When dealing with hazardous substances, it’s always a good idea to wear disposable gloves. Better safe than sorry, right? Once you’re in the waste disposal area, take the cap off from the spout and start emptying it in the designated place.

Some waste tanks will come with a rotating spout. This will help you avoid any splashes. Regardless, you need to make sure you stand a bit further away when disposing of the waste.

Step 3: Clean the Tank and Use Disinfectant

Put fresh water inside the tank, give it a couple of shakes, and then empty it again in the disposal area. You need to repeat this till the water comes out completely clear. Once that’s done, you can give it a good clean with some cleaning agent and disinfectant.  Now, take it back and place the waste tank back in place.

FAQs

1. Can I poop in a portable camping toilet?

Ans. Yes, you can. Some portable camping toilets will have a waste tank and can be used for pooping.

2. How do portable toilets get emptied?

Ans. The waste tank is taken to a safe waste disposal location and then emptied and cleaned.

3. How often do I need to empty a portable toilet?

Ans. As a general rule of thumb, once a week is a good bet. Some portable toilets will also come with waste indicators that tell you exactly when you need to empty them.