13 Best Composting Toilets For RV & Off-Grid Life
There’s a wide variety of features and prices when it comes to comparing the best composting toilet for RV, camper vans or any off-grid lifestyle. Are you looking for something easy to empty, odor-free, or something that won’t break the bank? There’s an option for everyone on this list.
I’ve been using a composting toilet since 2020 and am sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly. If this is your first time buying a composting toilet you’ll want to read on so you don’t run into any surprises (like bugs- ew!) with your toilet.
In this article:
- Quick guide comparison chart for 13 best composting toilet options
- Types of composting toilets (separator, layering, agitator)
- Pros & cons and key features
PS – There’s a few discount codes below, so stick around for some money savings options!
The Best Composting Toilet Options
Overall, these are the best composting toilet options for RV’s, campervan’s, boats, tiny homes and off-grid cabins:
Key Features To Consider
Depending on how and where you plan to use your composting toilet you’ll want to consider a few features. These will help you narrow down the best composting toilet options for your lifestyle.
Capacity
What is the holding capacity for liquids and solids? Larger containers will allow you to go longer before you have to dump or empty, but they’ll also take up more space.
Liquid capacity ranges from 1.2 to 2.6 gallons. On average, plan for .5 gallons per user, per day.
Solids capacities ranges from 1.3 to 6.5 gallons. On average, plan for .5 gallons per user, per day. This capacity is most important if you’ll be off-grid for weeks at a time.
Layering vs Agitating
Originally, composting toilets were built with an agitator arm inside the solids bin to mix the solids with the compost material. This aids the composting process and break down the solids more quickly.
Agitators are great for extended use where you won’t have frequent access to dump stations or garbage bins. However, agitators do not allow you to line the bin with a bag for easy disposal.
Unless you plan to avoid civilization for weeks at a time, I recommend a layering composting toilet which is much easier to maintain. You just add a layer of compost material after each use to pulls excess moisture (the thing that produces the odor) out of the solids. Once full, throw out the bag and start over.
Modesty Cover
Also referred to as a trap door, a modesty cover is the built-in mechanism that closes over the solids container. These prevent odors from escaping, and bugs from entering.
For use in warmer weather, the best composting toilet needs a modesty cover. Warm and humid climates increase odors and attract flies and other critters.
Portable Composting Toilets
For most campers and boats you will want to consider a portable option that’s easy to move in/out when you’re winterizing, or to store it out of sight when it’s not in use.
→ Not sure if a composting toilet is right for you?
Check out all of the best campervan toilets here, including cassette toilets.
Quick Guide Comparison: 13 Best Composting Toilets
Here’s a quick comparison of the 13 best composting toilet options, divided into layering composting toilets and agitator composting toilets.
Next, I’ll talk about the specific features of each one.
|
LAYERING TOILETS |
Capacity (gallons) |
Modesty Cover |
MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Cuddy Lite |
💧 1.7 | 💩 3.9 |
✅ |
$650 |
|
💧 1.3 | 💩 2.1 |
✖ |
$475 | |
|
3. Boxio |
💧 1.3 | 💩 1.3 |
✖ |
$199 |
|
💧 1.2 | 💩 1.7 |
✖ |
$199 | |
|
5. Nomad by OGO |
💧 1.2 | 💩 3.0 |
✖ |
$199 |
|
💧 1.2 | 💩 2.5 |
✖ |
$279 | |
|
7. BioLet Mini |
💧 2.0 | 💩 4.0 |
✅ |
$1,250 |
|
💧 2.0 | 💩 2.7 |
✅ |
$1,050 |
|
AGITATOR TOILETS |
Capacity (gallons) |
Modesty Cover |
MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
|
9. Cuddy |
💧 1.7 | 💩 3.9 |
✅ |
$780 |
|
10. Nature’s Head |
💧 2.2 | 💩 6.5 |
✅ |
$1,065 |
|
11. Airhead |
💧 2.0 | 💩 5.0 |
✅ |
$1,095 |
|
12. OGO |
💧 2.4 | 💩 2.5 |
✅ |
$985 |
|
13. BioLet |
💧 — | 💩 — |
✅ |
$2,900 |
1. Cuddy Lite Layering Composting Toilet
Pros:
✅ Affordable
✅ Easy to install & maintain
✅ Odor control
Cons:
❌ One size available
❌ Power source required
Cuddy Lite Features:
Optional vent fan, urine full indicator, modesty cover, removable solids bin
Capacity: 💧 1.7 | 💩 3.9
get $30 off with code “EVERYWHERE30” when you use the link above
2. Trelino Evo Composting Toilet
→ Check out my detailed comparison of Cuddy Lite vs Trelino here.
Pros:
✅ Affordable
✅ Easy to install & maintain
✅ Multiple sizes & colors available
✅ No power required
Cons:
❌ None venting
❌ No modesty cover
Trelino Evo Features:
Easy replacement parts, compact dimensions for small spaces, removable solids bin
Capacity: 💧 1.3 | 💩 2.1
get $15 off your purchase of $200 or more with code “EVERYWHERE15”
3. Boxio Portable Composting Toilet
→ Check out my full comparison of Trelino vs Boxio here.
Pros:
✅ Affordable
✅ Easy to install & maintain
✅ Upgrades available
✅ No power required
Cons:
❌ None venting
❌ No modesty cover
❌ One size available
Boxio Features:
The most affordable portable composting toilet option, very portable, removable solids bin with lid
Capacity: 💧 1.3 | 💩 1.3
4. Trobolo WandaGO Lite Portable Composting Toilet
Pros:
✅ Affordable
✅ Easy to install & maintain
✅ Also available in WandaGO original
✅ No power required
Cons:
❌ None venting
❌ No modesty cover
❌ One size available
Trobolo WandaGO Features:
Urine level indicator, very portable, removable solids bin with lid
Capacity: 💧 1.2 | 💩 1.7
5. Nomad By OGO Composting Toilet
Pros:
✅ Affordable
✅ Easy to install & maintain
✅ Largest solids capacity in price range
✅ No power required
Cons:
❌ None venting
❌ No modesty cover
❌ No solids bin, bags are clipped in
❌ One size available
Nomad Features:
Very portable, made in the USA
Capacity: 💧 1.2 | 💩 3.0
6. Joolca GottaGo Portable Composting Toilet
Pros:
✅ Affordable
✅ Easy to install & maintain
✅ Multiple buying options
✅ No power required
Cons:
❌ None venting
❌ No modesty cover
❌ One size available
Joolca Features:
Very portable, removable solids bin, built-in storage for cleaning supplies, spare containers available
Capacity: 💧 1.2 | 💩 2.5
7. BioLet Mini Portable Composting Toilet
Pros:
✅ Easy to maintain
✅ Multiple buying options
✅ Odor control
✅ Vented
Cons:
❌ Pricy
❌ One size available
❌ Power source required
BioLet Mini Features:
Available with liquid container or built in drain to connect to larger tank, looks like a traditional toilet, interchangeable solid bins (included) extend time between dumping, modesty cover is automatic
Capacity: 💧 2.0 | 💩 4.0
8. Separett Tiny Composting Toilet
Pros:
✅ Easy to maintain
✅ Odor control
✅ Vented
Cons:
❌ Pricy
❌ One size available
❌ Power source required
Separett Tiny Features:
Looks like a traditional toilet, modesty cover is automatic, removable solids bin with lid
Capacity: 💧 2.0 | 💩 2.7
9. Cuddy Self Contained Composting Toilet
Pros:
✅ Affordable (for the agitator category)
✅ Odor control
✅ Vented
Cons:
❌ One size available
❌ Power source required
Cuddy Features:
Agitator handle on front side of toilet for easy access in compact spaces, urine full indicator, internal carbon filter, removable solids bin, large “drop zone” for less mess, modesty cover diverts liquids towards liquid container to keep solids bin dry, specialty hinges allow for flat-mount against a wall while still having lid open fully
Capacity: 💧 1.7 | 💩 3.9
get $30 off with code “EVERYWHERE30” when you use the link above
10. Nature’s Head Composting Toilet
→ Full comparison of Airhead vs Nature’s Head here.
Pros:
✅ Odor control
✅ Vented
✅ Multiple sizes available
Cons:
❌ Pricy
❌ Power source required
❌ Difficult to clean
Nature’s Head Features:
Opaque liquids container to easily check levels, externally vented, made in the USA, easy replacement parts
Capacity: 💧 2.2 | 💩 6.5
11. Airhead Composting Toilet
→ Check out my complete Airhead composting toilet review here.
Pros:
✅ Odor control
✅ Vented
✅ Customizable options
Cons:
❌ Pricy
❌ Power source required
❌ Difficult to clean
❌ One size available
Airhead Features:
Liquid level viewing window, externally vented, residential-style toilet seat, customizable configuration to fit your space, modesty cover diverts liquids towards liquid container to keep solids bin dry
Capacity: 💧 2.0 | 💩 5.0
12. OGO Composting Toilet
Pros:
✅ Odor control
✅ Vented
Cons:
❌ Pricy
❌ Power source required
❌ Difficult to clean
❌ One size available
OGO Features:
Liquid full indicator, externally vented, automatic agitator
Capacity: 💧 2.4 | 💩 2.5
13. BioLet Composting Toilet
Pros:
✅ Odor control
✅ Vented
✅ Multiple sizes available
Cons:
❌ Extremely pricy
❌ Power source required
❌ Difficult to clean
BioLet Features:
Automatic agitator and heaters designed to dry contents for faster composting
Capacity: 💧 unpublished | 💩 unpublished
How Does A Composting Toilet Work
The primary way a composting toilet works is to separate your liquids from your solids. This is achieved by using a special toilet bowl that directs ones and twos to different holding tanks.
Unlike flush toilet systems, composting toilets are not plumbed to a water source or septic tank and they have no ability to flush.
By keeping your business separated it allows your solids to compost.
Liquids are simply dumped responsibly in nature, or in a public toilet. I usually prefer to dump my liquids jug into a pit toilet at a trailhead or, if I’m in more urban areas I use the toilets at truck stops.
Compost solids are placed in a sealed trash bag and thrown away. Technically the composting period for human waste takes many months (6+), so what you remove from your composting toilet isn’t fully composted or safe. It’s really important to understand that you’re throwing out solid waste and need to be careful of potential biohazards!
Always check local regulations for dumping, as they can vary by county.
Note: A lot of people wonder if you can put toilet paper in a composting toilet. It’s personal preference whether you put your toilet paper into the solids container. Septic safe toilet paper (like Scotts brand) will compost fairly quickly. This is the method I use and it works great for me. Alternatively, some vanlifers choose to have a separate trash can for their used TP.
The Best Composting Toilet
Overall, Cuddy Lite is the best composting toilet for RVs and campers. It’s affordable, packed with value, made of high quality materials, and is easy to install.
I like that it’s simple and easy to use, especially if you plan to dump your solids semi-regularly. A simple liner makes it easy to dispose of your waste without requiring an agitator.
get $30 off with code “EVERYWHERE30” when you use the link above
However, if you plan to be off grid for extended periods of time (a week or more), then I recommend Nature’s Head as the best composting toilet for you because you can store solids for longer before you’ll need empty and dump. The only downside here is that removing the waste is a more involved process than simply throwing out a liner or bag.
Great article to help me choose the best composting toilet for our RV, thanks!