Are you seeking the Best Composting Toilets for RV to enhance your off-grid experience? Discover the top 10 models that offer odor-free operation, waterless design, and easy maintenance for life on the road.
For many RV and van life enthusiasts, the traditional black tank is a significant pain point, requiring frequent, inconvenient, and sometimes messy trips to dump stations. Transitioning to a composting toilet offers a liberating solution, granting you genuine independence and extended boondocking capabilities. These modern, urine-diverting systems are designed to minimize odor by separating liquid and solid waste, making them far more hygienic and environmentally friendly than standard RV toilets. In addition, they eliminate the need for harsh chemicals, simplifying your maintenance routine dramatically.
Ultimately, choosing the right model depends on factors like space, capacity, and whether you prefer manual or electric mixing. We’ve meticulously researched and reviewed the leading options on the market. First, check out our comparison table of the top 5 models, and then dive into the detailed reviews to find the perfect composting toilet for your mobile lifestyle.
Top 5 Best Composting Toilets for RV
10 Best Composting Toilets for RV Review
1. Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet
The Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet is a long-time favorite among RV owners and off-grid dwellers, renowned for its incredible durability and capacity. This model, featuring the Close Quarters Spider Handle design, is ideal for RV bathrooms where space is a premium. It’s built for travelers and permanent residents seeking a robust, low-maintenance toilet that can handle continuous, full-time use. Its main selling point is the huge capacity, allowing two people full-time use for 4-6 weeks before emptying, providing true boondocking freedom.
Next, let’s explore its performance. The system excels at odor control, thanks to the urine-diverting feature and the included 5-year warranty on materials. The Spider Handle allows for easy manual agitation of the solids, which is key to accelerating the composting process. However, the manual mixing mechanism, while effective, does require a small amount of effort. Moreover, installation is straightforward for anyone reasonably handy, and its heavy-duty plastic construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of travel without issue.
Ultimately, the Nature’s Head remains the gold standard for high-capacity, heavy-duty use. It’s perfect for full-time RVers and those who spend extended periods off-grid and want a reliable, proven system. While it has a higher upfront cost than some portable options, its longevity and large capacity offer superior value over time, making it one of the Best Composting Toilets for RV on the market.
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2. BOXIO Toilet – Portable Toilet
The BOXIO Toilet is a highly mobile, compact dry separation toilet engineered in Germany, making it a fantastic choice for those in smaller vehicles like van conversions, car camping setups, or boats. Its primary appeal is its mini size, fitting into tight spaces, and its independence from chemicals and disposal stations, offering a simpler alternative to traditional portable systems. This unit is built for the minimalist traveler who values a hygienic, easy-to-manage, temporary toilet solution.
The BOXIO offers a high capacity relative to its compact size, handling 8-10 uses before the quick and simple disposal process is necessary. Furthermore, the construction uses durable materials like HDPE and ABS, ensuring it is sturdy despite its light weight (only 6.2 Pounds). The unit’s leak-proof urine canister and lidded solids container, when combined with a proper cover material like HEMPLITTER and the PLUG, effectively maintain a virtually odor-free environment. One minor drawback is that its low profile may not be as comfortable for prolonged sitting as full-sized models.
This portable toilet is the ultimate solution for flexibility. It’s best suited for weekend warriors, car campers, or as a secondary toilet for van lifers who need something discreet and easy to store. If you are also looking at upgrading your travel equipment, consider checking out the options for the best RV portable waste tanks. The BOXIO delivers on its promise of independence and simplicity, making it a highly practical portable composting toilet.
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3. Separett Villa Urine Diverting High Capacity
The Separett Villa is one of the most advanced waterless, urine-diverting toilets on the market, built to function flawlessly in both on-grid and challenging off-grid environments like high-end RVs and tiny homes. Its main selling point is the combination of high capacity and user comfort, closely mimicking a traditional home toilet experience. It’s designed for users who prioritize odorless operation and a long interval between emptying, offering a comfortable, permanent solution for full-time living.
In terms of features and performance, the Separett Villa is exceptional. The powerful, yet silent 12V fan ensures continuous ventilation, removing moisture and any potential odor from the space, even with long vent runs up to 20 feet. Moreover, a key innovative feature is the concealing view screen that keeps the solids out of sight and automatically rotates the container to distribute waste evenly when sat upon. This rotation, however, relies on users actively sitting down, which may be a minor consideration. The option to run the fan on AC or 12V DC (solar/battery) makes it highly versatile for various installations.
The Separett Villa is a premium option, best for those who want a long-term, high-capacity replacement for a traditional RV black tank system. Its Swedish engineering and dedicated US support ensure reliability. While the upfront investment is considerable, its advanced features and comfortable design provide unparalleled convenience for permanent or extended living in your mobile home. Choosing a composting toilet like this provides more flexibility than the alternative, such as cassette toilets for van life.
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4. OGOâ„¢ Compost Toilet
The OGOâ„¢ Compost Toilet stands out for its modern, sleek design and electric mixing capability, making it a powerful contender among Best Composting Toilets for RV, vans, and boats. Made and assembled in Ohio, USA, this toilet is designed for the modern RVer who wants the convenience of automated mixing paired with robust capacity. Its small footprint and clean aesthetic make it a perfect fit where space and visual appeal are equally important, while its selling point is the electric mixer and integrated urine level sensor.
The OGO’s performance is high-tech and convenient. The electric mixing feature handles the manual agitation chore, ensuring consistent, quick composting and superior odor prevention. Additionally, the built-in urine level sensor is a game-changer, eliminating the guesswork and preventing overflows—a common hassle in older models. The unit is built tough with high-density materials and is rated to hold up to 550lbs, showcasing its excellent durability. A potential drawback is that the electric components (mixer and sensor) require a 12V power source and introduce a small point of complexity compared to fully manual systems.
Ultimately, the OGO is an excellent investment for those seeking a premium, convenient, and visually appealing composting toilet. It’s particularly beneficial for users who prefer automation over manual labor and want a true drop-in replacement for their black tank system without sacrificing comfort. For those needing access for roof work, you might want to look at a good telescoping ladder for an RV for maintenance.
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5. SUN-MAR GTG TOILET
The SUN-MAR GTG (Good To Go) Toilet is a versatile and compact dry toilet designed to be the ultimate user-friendly alternative to chemical porta-potties and traditional RV setups. This model is exceptionally popular for its simple, compact design, making it a perfect fit for tiny homes, boats, cabins, and especially RVs where space optimization is paramount. Its key advantage lies in its dual-chamber, separation-only design, offering a lower environmental impact than incinerating or chemical toilets.
The GTG features a straightforward dual-chamber system where liquid and solid waste are separated into respective, easily removable containers—one for liquid disposal and one for solid disposal (which can use a bag/liner). Furthermore, an optional built-in fan and vent port are available to decrease odors and encourage aerobic conditions. The simplicity of the design means minimal maintenance and easy cleanup, making the disposal process hassle-free. The GTG, however, is a separating toilet, not a true composting toilet that fully processes waste within the unit, meaning solids must be removed more frequently and transferred to another composting location or discarded.
In conclusion, the SUN-MAR GTG is an excellent choice for RV owners seeking a compact, waterless, and user-friendly system that is significantly cleaner than a chemical toilet. It’s ideal for weekend RV use or as a simple alternative for those who don’t require the long interval capacity of a full-scale composting unit. Its compact size and function are often compared favorably to other composting toilet designs.
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6. TRELINO Composting Toilet Evo S Gray
The TRELINO Composting Toilet Evo S is a German-made, highly portable separation toilet designed for maximum flexibility and comfort in minimal spaces like vans and small RVs. The core promise of this unit is to provide a home-like experience on the go, making it perfect for travelers who want an easy, odorless, and eco-friendly toilet without permanent installation. Its clean design and ability to support a high weight capacity are its most compelling features.
Performance-wise, the TRELINO Evo S utilizes efficient separation and drying to prevent odors, meaning you can stay off-grid longer without relying on dump stations. The robust, recyclable ABS plastic construction ensures the toilet is water-resistant and stable, supporting up to 330 lbs. Furthermore, its separate containers offer a 1.2-gallon urine capacity and a 1.6-gallon solid capacity, translating to 9-11 and 6-8 uses, respectively. The capacity is sufficient for weekend trips or solo travelers, but the lower capacity compared to full composting units means more frequent emptying for full-time couples.
Overall, the TRELINO Evo S is a top-tier choice for portable simplicity and quality construction. It’s an ideal solution for smaller van builds or as a backup for RVs. If your priority is a sturdy, odorless, and easy-to-clean separation toilet that travels well, this model is an excellent investment.
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7. Cuddy Lite Portable Compost Toilet
The Cuddy Lite Portable Compost Toilet is designed specifically for the mobile lifestyle, offering an innovative, hassle-free solution for campervans, RVs, and boats. Made by Compo Closet, this lightweight and compact unit is ideal for travelers who want the convenience of a urine-diverting toilet without the need for electricity or complex plumbing. Its main selling point is the combination of its compact size with smart features like an LED liquid full indicator, a significant convenience upgrade.
The Cuddy Lite performs exceptionally in terms of user experience. The innovative two-plate drop-zone cover and extra-large opening ensure clean, accurate separation and minimal mess. Moreover, the LED full indicator, powered by a simple 9V battery, eliminates the mess and anxiety of a liquid overflow, a critical feature for any portable toilet. The removable solids bin is designed to be lined with a bag for effortlessly hygienic disposal. The primary drawback for some users is that it requires manual rotation/stirring of the solids material, as there is no motorized component.
In summary, the Cuddy Lite is the perfect middle ground between a simple porta-potty and a full-scale electric composting unit. It’s highly recommended for those seeking a compact, reliable, and convenient toilet with a smart indicator system, especially those focused on simplicity and independence in their RV or tiny house. It stands out as one of the most user-friendly Best Composting Toilets for RV on the market.
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8. Nomad by OGO Urine Separation Toilet
The Nomad by OGO is a simple, highly portable urine separation toilet designed for short trips, outdoor camping, and boondocking where minimal setup is required. It is an excellent, no-fuss commode for those seeking to avoid chemical usage and the inconvenience of dump stations. The main selling point of the Nomad is its extreme portability and straightforward separation function, providing a comfortable, robust solution for temporary needs.
Performance is focused on odor prevention through separation and easy cleanup. Made from durable high-density polypropylene and 100% manufactured in Ohio, the Nomad is built to withstand the rigors of road trips. The wide bowl design is a significant feature, ensuring a comfortable experience that many smaller portable toilets lack. However, it’s important to note that the Nomad is strictly a urine separation toilet, and does not have the mixing or ventilation features required for long-term in-unit composting, meaning solids must be bagged and disposed of or transferred frequently.
This toilet is the perfect choice for minimalist van owners, weekend campers, or as an overflow unit for larger RVs. If your travels primarily involve short stays and easy access to trash disposal, the Nomad offers a comfortable, clean, and simple solution that is head-and-shoulders above a standard portable toilet.
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9. LECARDIO Composting Toilet
The LECARDIO Composting Toilet introduces advanced features like a heating plate and electric mixing, positioning it as a premium, all-weather solution for tiny houses, large vans, and RVs. Unlike many simpler separation models, this unit is engineered for true composting within the toilet chamber. This system is designed for users who live in diverse climates and need a technologically advanced solution to ensure consistent, rapid composting and superior odor control regardless of temperature or humidity.
This toilet’s performance is highly enhanced by its integrated components. The electric mixing ensures the waste and cover material are properly combined for faster breakdown. Crucially, the heating plate at the base stabilizes the internal temperature and reduces humidity, which is vital for composting in cold or damp conditions. Furthermore, the exhaust fan automatically runs during use, venting any potential odor outside. The size is larger than most portables, which can be a drawback for small vans, but it’s a necessary trade-off for its high capacity and complex feature set.
The LECARDIO is an investment in year-round, hassle-free composting. It is the best option for full-time RVers traveling across different climates or anyone living in an off-grid location that experiences cold, damp weather. Its advanced features address the main drawbacks of standard composting units, solidifying its place among the Best Composting Toilets for RV.
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10. TRELINO Composting Toilet Evo M
The TRELINO Composting Toilet Evo M is the medium-sized version of the popular German-made separation toilet, offering increased capacity for longer trips or full-time use by a single person. Like its smaller sibling, this model focuses on durability, clean design, and a completely odorless operation by separating waste. It is ideal for van conversions and RVs where the compact size is appreciated, but a slight increase in capacity is necessary to extend emptying intervals.
The Evo M steps up the capacity from the Evo S, featuring a 1.3-gallon urine container and a larger 2.1-gallon solids container, which translates to 6 to 10 uses of the solids, an improvement that makes a noticeable difference on the road. The toilet maintains the same sturdy, 330 lbs capacity and high-quality, recyclable ABS plastic construction, ensuring it can handle the wear and tear of travel. However, the system relies entirely on a cover material for drying the solids and does not include an electric fan or stirrer, requiring users to manage the moisture carefully.
Ultimately, the TRELINO Evo M is a highly reliable, mid-capacity separation toilet. It is an excellent upgrade for solo full-time van lifers or couples on extended weekend trips who need more time between disposals than the smaller portables allow. It stands out as one of the most aesthetically pleasing and robust Best Composting Toilets for RV that doesn’t rely on any external power source.
How to Choose Best Composting Toilets for RV
Choosing the Best Composting Toilets for RV can transform your mobile life, offering freedom from dump stations and reducing your reliance on water and chemicals. A composting toilet, at its core, works by diverting liquid and solid waste, which prevents the mixing that creates odor in a traditional black tank. They are made for off-grid enthusiasts, van dwellers, and RVers who value self-sufficiency. Choosing the right one is crucial because factors like size and capacity directly impact your comfort and how long you can boondock before needing to empty the unit.
Separation Mechanism: Urine Diverting vs. True Composting
The core of a successful composting toilet is effective separation. Urine-diverting models simply keep liquids and solids separate for easy disposal, minimizing odor. True composting models, however, also include features like ventilation and agitation (manual or electric) to actively break down the solid material into a safe, soil-like material inside the unit. If you plan on long-term, full-time use, a true composting model will offer much longer intervals before emptying the solids container, maximizing your independence.
Size and Footprint
The dimensions of the toilet are vital, especially in the cramped confines of a van or small RV bathroom. Measure your space carefully, paying attention not only to the base dimensions but also to the height. Some models are designed to be extremely compact for minimalist builds, while others mimic the height and feel of a standard home toilet. Always check the height, width, and depth to ensure a proper fit and comfortable user experience before committing to a purchase.
Capacity and Emptying Frequency
Capacity directly correlates to how often you have to empty the waste containers, the most important factor for boondocking. Liquid tanks are typically 1.5 to 2.5 gallons and need to be emptied every 2–4 days for a couple. Solid waste containers vary widely. Smaller separation-only toilets may need emptying every 6–10 uses, while large, true composting toilets can handle a couple’s full-time use for 4–6 weeks. Evaluate your typical trip length to choose a capacity that fits your lifestyle.
Ventilation and Odor Control
Effective odor control is non-negotiable. While separation stops the main source of odor, ventilation is essential to dry out the solid waste and vent residual moisture and smells outside. Look for models with a built-in fan, typically a 12V unit with very low power consumption. Even models without a fan should have a vent port to connect to your RV’s existing or dedicated venting system. Proper cover material (like coco coir or peat moss) is also crucial for preventing odor.
Ease of Maintenance and Cleaning
A good composting toilet should be easy to live with. Look for models where the solid and liquid containers are simple to remove and reinsert. Features like smooth, non-porous plastic surfaces simplify cleaning. For solids, a design that allows the use of compostable liners can make the disposal process much more hygienic. For liquids, check if the container has a securely sealed lid for transport to prevent accidental spills.
Maintenance Tips for Your Composting Toilet
The key to maintaining your composting toilet’s odor-free operation is managing moisture. Always ensure you are using the correct cover material, such as coconut coir or peat moss, which absorbs moisture and balances the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. After each use, fully cover the solids. For models with electric mixers, run the mixer for the recommended time. For non-electric models, give the crank a few turns to keep the compost aerated.
Beyond daily use, regularly clean the urine diversion area, as this is where mineral deposits (scaling) can build up. Use a simple vinegar and water solution to clean the diversion chamber and the liquid container. Never use strong chemicals, as they can interfere with the composting process. Empty the liquid tank before it is completely full—if your model lacks a sensor, keep a visual check to avoid overflow.
How to Use Best Composting Toilets for RV
Using a composting toilet is straightforward but requires a slight adjustment from a traditional flush toilet. These practical steps ensure proper function and odor prevention:
- Step 1: Setup and Prep. Ensure the solids container has the proper base layer of dry cover material (like peat moss or coco coir) and that the urine diverter is clear and connected to its tank. Turn on the 12V fan, if equipped.
- Step 2: Core Usage & Best Practices. Always sit down for both liquid and solid use to ensure perfect separation. The diverter separates the urine from the solids, which is essential for preventing odor.
- Step 3: Post-Use Management. After using solids, drop a handful of cover material into the solids bin and turn the agitator handle (or press the electric mix button, if applicable) to mix the new deposit into the composting medium.
- Step 4: Troubleshooting & Pro Tips. If a slight odor occurs, add a little more dry cover material and run the fan continuously. If you need a more comfortable setup, consider installing an extra cushion or upgrading the seat for a more home-like experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I have to empty a composting toilet in an RV?
For a full-time couple, the liquid container typically needs to be emptied every 2–4 days, as it fills up quickly. The solids container in a large, true composting model (like Nature’s Head or Separett) can last 4–6 weeks for two people, offering a great advantage over traditional RV black tanks.
Are composting toilets really odorless?
Yes, when used correctly, they are virtually odorless. The separation of liquid (urine) and solid (feces) waste prevents the mixing that creates foul odors. This is then supplemented by a 12V fan that continuously vents moisture and any residual smell outside the RV.
Can I use a composting toilet in cold weather?
Standard composting toilets work best when the temperature is above freezing. If you travel in very cold climates, the composting process will slow or stop. Models with internal heating plates, like the LECARDIO, are specifically designed to maintain the necessary temperature for composting, making them suitable for all-weather RVing.
What do I do with the solid waste when I empty the toilet?
The solid waste, when properly composted, should look like dry soil. You can dispose of this material in a compost pile, or, if you use a lining bag, you can dispose of it in a standard garbage can (check local regulations first). The liquid waste must be diluted and disposed of safely, such as in a designated grey water or septic system.
Do I need electricity for a composting toilet?
You do not need electricity for the core function of separating and storing waste. However, most highly-rated models use a low-power 12V fan for ventilation, which is highly recommended for odor control. Models with electric mixers or heating plates also require a 12V power connection.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading to one of the Best Composting Toilets for RV is a transformative step toward true boondocking freedom, drastically simplifying waste management on the road. Remember that the three most important considerations are capacity for your travel style, effective ventilation for odor control, and the ease of emptying and maintenance. By focusing on whether a separation-only or a true composting model best fits your needs, you can confidently select a unit that will provide a clean, independent, and comfortable experience.
For most full-time RVers and serious boondockers, the Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet offers the best balance of performance and value. If you need a premium experience with the convenience of automated mixing and the reliability of advanced features, choose the OGOâ„¢ Compost Toilet for its electric mixer and useful urine level sensor.
Amranul is a highly experienced product review writer with a passion for helping readers make smart, informed purchasing decisions. Since 2018, he has specialized in thoroughly researching and analyzing a wide range of products to deliver honest, in-depth reviews. Amranul combines technical accuracy with clear, engaging writing to break down complex product features and highlight true user value. Look for his reviews to find reliable information and expert insights you can trust before you buy!
