5 Best Portable Toilets of 2024
William Smith
Published Apr 05, 2026
3/5
Best Composting Portable Toilet
Trelino Evo M Portable Composting Toilet
This German-designed unit has the most streamlined, user-friendly design I’ve ever seen in a composting portable toilet. Next time I go on a wilderness adventure, this is the toilet I’ll bring. It’s small (15.4 inches by 13 inches by 14 inches) and lightweight (9.5 pounds), making it great for wilderness camping or van life.
Number one and number two are automatically separated, with solids directed into a plastic container lined with a compostable bag and liquids funneled into a second sealed container with a flexible rubber membrane at the top to prevent spills. I love the fact that this unit doesn’t have a lot of confusing moving parts and doesn’t require water or electricity.
Pros
- Separates solids into a compostable bag
- Well designed with very comfortable seat compared to other models
- Small, compact and weighs just 9.5 pounds
- Handles on sides for easy carrying
- Doesn’t require water or electricity
Cons
- Only 3.4-gallon capacity
- Low seat height might be uncomfortable for some
4/5
Best Tankless Portable Toilet
Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Portable Toilet Seat
The Cleanwaste GO Anywhere offers the best solution I know of to folks who want the comfort of a portable toilet without the trouble of emptying a built-in waste tank. Its sturdy, three-legged design supports a seat, which can either be left open to a hole dug in the ground below or hold a waste disposal bag if digging isn’t an option. The bags that come with the unit are more than strong enough to do their duty, and each one even comes with some toilet paper and a wet wipe inside.
Pros
- No holding tank to empty
- Only weighs 7 pounds
- Extremely simple design makes it easy to use
- No electricity or water required
- Folds into a briefcase shape for easy transport
Cons
- Legs are a bit difficult to unfold
- Three-legged design is prone to tipping if you don’t sit centered
5/5
Best Compact Portable Toilet
Boxio Portable Toilet
At just 16 inches by 11 inches by 11 inches, this portable composting toilet is about as compact as they come. Like other models of this style, it divides waste into liquids and solids via two separate tanks below the seat. Composting material is added to the rear tank to help break things down and prevent odors. The main advantage of this unit is its small size. For avid camping enthusiasts, wilderness explorers and van-dwelling nomads, storage and pack space comes at a premium. That’s where the Boxio really shines. Some folks even build custom cabinets with a drawer to keep this unit out of sight when not in use.
Pros
- Small, lightweight and compact
- Very easy to carry and store
- Doesn’t need water or batteries
- Separates solids and liquids
- Composting material prevents odors
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited capacity
What to Look for When Buying a Portable Toilet
- Comfort vs. simplicity: Your first decision when shopping for a portable toilet is what sort of features you want. Will you be happy with a solid seat and a plastic tank, figuring out the rest as you go? Or perhaps you’d prefer a toilet the comes as close as possible to the comfort of home, including battery-powered flushing—even if it means more steps and less portability. Decide for yourself how much you value toilet comfort vs. simplicity.
- Disposal system: Some portable toilets contain waste in a bag, others in a sealed container and others in a removable tank. Some don’t contain waste at all. Think ahead to the sort of waste disposal options you’ll have available when using your portable toilet, and shop accordingly.
- Size and portability: Will you be using your portable toilet on hikes? At wilderness campsites? While touring America in your van or RV? Depending on your answer, choose a toilet that matches your size and portability needs. Personally, I’m the wilderness explorer type, so the smaller and more compact my portable toilet, the better.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’ve been exploring the wilderness here in Northern Ontario, Canada since I could walk, and I’ve had the chance to try many portable toilets over the years. I’ve used them on long canoe trips where I didn’t see a sign of civilization for weeks at a time, on wilderness hikes that lasted all day (or multiple days) and carried them in the back of my pickup as I drove it along the flat, undisturbed limestone shoreline of the island where I live, foraging for wild foods.
I’ve also gone without a portable toilet often enough to know just how much of a help and comfort it can be. Nothing makes you appreciate a plastic box with a toilet seat more than squatting over a poison ivy patch deep in the woods in the pouring rain at night with nothing to support your backside. Trust me, I know. It’s also why I know which portable toilets are worth it.
We’ve Tested a Handful of the Best Portable Toilets on the Market
Of the five portable toilets mentioned in this article, I’ve personally tested three. I’ve also used a handful of other, similar models over the years. Based on my experience using these since 2009, I can confidently say the portable toilets listed here are some of the best on the market.
FAQ
Where do I empty my portable toilet?
It depends. Many campsites include designated waste dump sites you can use to empty your portable toilet for a small fee. RV parks have similar facilities, often using separate disposal facilities for gray water (sinks and showers) and black water (human waste). If none of these are around you can always tie up your stuff tightly in plastic bag (they often come with portable toilets) and throw it in the trash. This, of course, only works for solids. Liquids can be poured out discreetly in the woods, if there are woods around.
How do I clean my portable toilet for storage?
Our resident expert, Deane Biermeier, has suggestions for cleaning a portable toilet for storage or for cleaning maintenance. “The most important thing is to follow any manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for your toilet, especially regarding chemical use,” he says. “While there are many commercially available products around to accomplish the task, avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasives when cleaning plastic surfaces is crucial. Try using vinegar, water and mild disinfectants in the absence of manufacturer recommendations. If your toilet’s maker offers a proprietary cleaning solution, it’s often your best bet.”
