Cuddy Lite Vs Trelino Portable Composting Toilet For Camper Vans & RVs Comparison Review
After 4 years of van life, I’ve come to the conclusion that having the best portable composting toilet is essential – it’s something that you’ll use daily and it can make a big impact on daily comfort. In this article I’m comparing two of the most popular composting toilets for camper vans & RVs: Cuddy Lite Vs Trelino.
In this article:
- Pros and cons of Cuddy Lite vs Trelino
- Which is the most affordable composting toilet
- Dimensions & features
- Things to consider when choosing between Cuddy Lite vs Trelino
Quick Comparison: Cuddy Lite Vs Trelino
Overall, Cuddy Lite is the better composting toilet. It comes with more features and better innovative design than the Trelino portable composting toilet.
✅ Cuddy Lite includes a urine indicator light to let you know the liquids container is full, and trap doors which cover the solids container for modesty and odor protection when not in use. Unfortunately, Trelino does not have these important features
✅ Trelino comes in 3 size options (S, M and L) and two color options, while Cuddy Lite is only available in one size and color
✅ Cuddy Lite is priced at $650 and Trelino Evo L is priced at $599
✅ The Cuddy Lite hinge system makes it easy to empty without having to take the toilet seat off, which is a more hygienic option than the Trelino models which require you to remove the toilet seat.
|
Capacity (gallons) |
💧 1.7 | 💩 3.9 |
💧 2.6 | 💩 2.6 |
💧 1.3 | 💩 2.1 |
💧 1.2 | 💩 1.6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
W x H x D (inches) |
15.1×16.3×16.8 |
13×16.9×15.4 |
13×14.2×15.4 |
13×11.7×15.4 |
|
Features |
•Urine full indicator |
•Soft close lid |
•Soft close lid |
•Soft close lid |
|
Price |
$650 |
$599 |
$475 |
$375 |
Note: CompoCloset also sells their original Cuddy composting toilet, which includes all the same features as Cuddy Lite, but has an agitator.
Future updates: Trelino has announced that a urine level viewing window will be added to models starting in 2025. CompoCloset has announced that Cuddy Lite and Cuddy models will have a soft close lid starting in 2025.
For the purposes of this article, I’m comparing Cuddy Lite vs Trelino Evo L as they are the most similar in size and capacity.
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Cuddy Vs Cuddy Lite
Cuddy Lite is a layering composting toilet by CompoCloset. It’s the “lighter” version of Cuddy – their original composting toilet that includes an agitator (the internal mixing mechanism that aids in the composting process).
The primary difference between Cuddy vs Cuddy Lite is the agitator. With Cuddy, the agitator turns the solids and mixes in oxygen, eliminating the need to add fresh composting material after each use.
Additionally, Cuddy comes standard with a fan and carbon filter. This is an additional upgrade for Cuddy Lite.
Cuddy Lite sells for $130 less than Cuddy, and does not include an agitator. Without an agitator, this affordable composting toilet can be lined with a plastic bag which makes it much easier to toss away and clean more frequently.
Cuddy Lite is more ideal for travelers who will be near disposal stations frequently.
Note: because Cuddy Lite separates the solids and liquids, the contents are not considered sewage so liquids and solids can be disposed of more easily, and with fewer regulations. Solids can be thrown away in trash bins (the same way you throw away dog poo or baby diapers) and liquids can be dumped following LNT principles (away from water sources, and into ground that can completely absorb liquids.)
🚽 Self-Contained Vs Layering Composting Toilets:
While the term composting toilet is used for both, there is a difference in the two types of toilets.
→ “Self-Contained” composting toilets have an agitator, which means you do not need to add fresh composting material after each use.
→ “Layering” composting toilets do not have an agitator. Instead, a new layer of fresh composting material (like coco coir) is added after each use to maintain proper moisture levels and prevent odors.
Both Cuddy Lite and Trelino are layering composting toilets.
Cuddy Lite Vs Trelino
Like Cuddy Lite, Trelino does not have an agitating arm and is meant to be used with a lined plastic bag that is easy to throw away.
There are a few similarities between the two, like price range, size, and they both operate as a layering composting toilet.
Additionally, both portable composting toilets have an optional upgrade to include a fan or vent. The Trelino vent fan costs $250 and can be used with Evo M and L models. CompoCloset will release their fan later this year for $55 which can be used as a fan, or connected to a hose to vent outdoors.
Cuddy Lite & Trelino Similarities
✅ Price range
✅ Size & capacity
✅ Urine diverting
✅ Waterless & chemical free
✅ Layering composting toilet
✅ Optional fan & vent upgrades
However, there are some key differences in the two products:
Cuddy Lite offers more innovative features, like a urine level indicator light to let you know your liquids tank is almost full, and a “trap door” to cover the solids bin for modesty and odor control.
Additionally, Cuddy Lite has special hinges on the seat so it can be fully opened even when the toilet is flush against a wall – perfect for tight spaces in a campervan!
Having hinges which connect the base and the seat of Cuddy Lite provides better hygiene while emptying the contents, as the seat does not need to be fully removed and set down (gross).
Unfortunately, the Trelino seat must be fully removed in order to empty the contents.
Trelino comes in two color options, as well as 3 size options to fit your needs and space. It also uses soft-close lid for quieter operation – but because of this you cannot sit or put weight on Trelino while it’s closed.
Cuddy Lite Vs Trelino Differences
Cuddy Lite
✅ Urine Indicator Light
✅ Modesty cover trap doors
✅ Flush fit hinges on seat for hygiene while emptying
❌ Soft-close lid (*coming soon)
❌ Multiple sizes & colors
Trelino
❌ Urine Indicator Light (*coming soon)
❌ Modesty cover trap doors
❌ No hinges on seat, must be removed to empty contents
✅ Soft-close lid
✅ Multiple sizes & colors
Price Differences
Trelino Evo L is a more affordable composting toilet than Cuddy Lite… by $51. If you’re on a tight budget this may be the deciding factor in your purchase decision.
Additionally, Trelino offers smaller composting toilets for a cheaper price, too.
However, if you’re looking for a composting toilet that provides the most comfort and high quality materials then I recommend investing in Cuddy Lite.
In my experience, having the modesty cover for the solids container is crucial. It prevents odors from escaping, and bugs from getting in (you definitely don’t want to find out what happens when flies lay eggs in there), and it also means you don’t have to look at your poo every time you use the toilet!
Plus, both Cuddy Lite and Trelino have generously offered discount codes for you! With these discount codes, the price gap is only $36 between the two.
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Dimensions & Capacity
There are small differences in the dimensions between Cuddy Lite vs Trelino composting toilets. In my opinion these are negligible, however, if you’re working with a very specific layout these dimensions could be crucial to ensure your composting toilet fits your space!
Cuddy Lite is 15.1 inches wide, 16.3 inches tall and 16.8 inches deep.
Trelino Evo L is 13 inches wide, 16.9 inches tall and 15.4 inches deep.
Cuddy Lite is slightly wider and deeper than Trelino, and is about half an inch shorter.
In terms of capacity, Trelino holds almost a full gallon more liquids than Cuddy Lite. Trelino liquids capacity is 2.6 gallons, whereas Cuddy Lite is only 1.7 gallons.
However, the solids capacity of Trelino is almost a full gallon less than Cuddy Lite. Trelino can only hold 2.6 gallons of solids, whereas Cuddy Lite can hold 3.9 gallons.
Composting Toilet Tips
There’s a few things to keep in mind when determine the best composting toilet for your needs.
The average person produces between 1/2 and 3/4 gallon of urine each day. If you’ll solely be using your campervan toilet then you should plan to empty the liquids container every 2-3 days for one person, and 1-2 days for two people.
Personally, I recommend emptying your liquids container at least once every 2 days (or more frequently) regardless of how quickly it fills. I was surprised to learn that the liquids are actually the stinkier item.
In my experience, my solids never had an odor, but if I forgot to empty my liquids container I would start to notice a small. Luckily, emptying the liquids is a quick and easy chore.
Additionally, bugs and flies can be a problem if you’re in warmer climates. They’re attracted to the items in your composting toilet, so you want to make sure you keep the lid closed when it’s not in use!
Having a modesty cover over the solids bin is also extremely helpful in preventing flying insects from getting in there and laying eggs… which become a much grosser problem once they hatch.
My composting toilet has a modesty cover and I can honestly say that in four years I never had an issue with bugs – not even in Mexico where it’s warmer and more humid!
Final Verdict: Cuddy Lite Vs Trelino Composting Toilets
Choose Trelino: If you’re price sensitive, want multiple size options including capacity and dimensions, or would like color choices.
Choose Cuddy Lite: If you want a composting toilet made with high quality materials, innovative design features like flush fit hinges, a modesty cover for the solids to mitigate odors and bug problems, and a urine indicator light so you’ll never mistakenly overflow your liquids container.
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