Key takeaways
- Chemicals: Use a dedicated holding-tank treatment in the waste tank and a separate additive in the flush water if the maker recommends one. Skip bleach and harsh household cleaners that attack seals.
- Toilet paper: Use quick-dissolving paper so the tank empties cleanly.
- What wears first: The slide valve seal and pump gasket. Rinse and keep the seal lightly lubricated per the manual.
- Storage: Empty, rinse, and dry with the valve open to avoid mold and odor between trips.
- Disposal: Dump only at designated stations, RV dump points or campground toilets that allow it, never in a stream or a shallow hole.
The best portable toilet for most campsites is a flush-style unit with a separate fresh-water tank and a sealed waste tank, such as the Thetford Porta Potti 565E, because it sits at near-home seat height and locks odors in. If weight and cost matter more than comfort, a bucket system like the Reliance Luggable Loo with liner bags and absorbent is the lightest option that works anywhere. Pick by how many people use it, how many nights you stay, and how far you carry it from the car.
Quick comparison of the picks
| Pick | Type | Best for | Key specs (per maker listings) | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thetford Porta Potti 565E | Flush, electric pump | Best overall, car camping | About 4 gal fresh, about 5.5 gal waste, seat near 17 in, level indicator | Mid to upper |
| Thetford Porta Potti 335 | Flush, manual pump | Best compact | Smaller tanks, lighter body, fits small trunks | Low to mid |
| Camco portable travel toilet (about 5-gal class) | Bellows flush | Best value | Roughly 10 to 12 lb empty, two-tank design | Low to mid |
| Reliance Luggable Loo | Bucket, bag liner | Best budget and backup | 5-gal bucket, about 3 lb, no water needed | Low |
| Cleanwaste GO Anywhere | Bag and gel system | Best for backpackers and remote trips | Collapsible frame, waste bag with gelling powder | Low |
| Dometic 972 portable | Flush, hand pump | Best for families | Larger waste tank, taller seat, carry handle | Mid |
Figures come from manufacturer spec sheets and retailer listings, which sometimes disagree by a pound or a half gallon, so confirm the exact model number before you buy.
Best overall: Thetford Porta Potti 565E
The 565E is the one most camping roundups settle on, and the reasons are practical. The seat sits around 17 inches high, close to a household toilet, which matters for older campers, kids who balk at squatting, and anyone with sore knees. An electric flush runs from batteries, so there is no pumping after a long day, and a level indicator tells you when the waste tank is nearly full, which prevents the worst surprise a portable toilet can deliver.
Capacity is generous for a weekend: roughly 4 gallons of flush water and a waste tank in the 5 gallon range, which listings put at around 50 flushes for one person. The detachable waste tank carries by a handle and a swivel pouring spout, so emptying at a dump station or campground vault toilet is clean if you go slowly.
Trade-off: it is the bulkiest and priciest pick here, and the electric flush needs batteries that you should carry spares of. It is a car-camping toilet, not something you hike with.
Best compact: Thetford Porta Potti 335
The 335 uses the same two-tank concept in a smaller body with a manual piston flush. It fits behind a seat or in a small trunk, which makes it the sensible choice for a hatchback, a teardrop trailer or a rooftop-tent setup where space is tight. Because the tanks are smaller, you will empty it more often, so it suits one or two people for a weekend rather than a family for a week.
Trade-off: a lower seat and smaller tanks than the 565E. Its seat is closer to a camp stool than a bathroom, which some adults find awkward.
Best value: Camco portable travel toilet
Camco’s bellows-flush travel toilet in the roughly 5 gallon class is the budget flush option. It uses a bellows pump, a separate water tank above and a waste tank below, and weighs about 10 to 12 pounds empty according to listings. It does the same basic job as the more expensive Thetford for less money.
Trade-off: the plastics feel lighter, the seat is lower, and the latch and seals need an occasional check. Listings quote tank sizes inconsistently, so verify capacity for the exact part number.
Best budget and backup: Reliance Luggable Loo
This is a 5 gallon bucket with a snap-on toilet seat and lid, weighing about 3 pounds. You line it with a bag, add absorbent such as a gelling powder or cat litter, and seal the bag after use. There is no flush, no water, nothing to leak, and nothing to winterize. It is the most reliable option when a trip goes off plan, and it doubles as an emergency toilet for the house during a power or water outage.
Trade-off: you carry used bags out, which is fine for one night and unpleasant for five. Use bags rated for waste and double bag them for transport.
Best for backpackers and remote sites: Cleanwaste GO Anywhere
When you must pack waste out in places that require it, the Cleanwaste GO Anywhere pairs a collapsible tripod frame with a waste bag that contains a gelling powder, so liquid solidifies and odor drops. The kit packs flat and weighs little compared with any tank-style toilet.
Trade-off: the seat is a narrow ring on a folding frame, so it is functional rather than comfortable, and every use creates a bag to carry out.
Best for families: Dometic 972 portable
The Dometic 972 is a flush-style unit with a taller seat and larger tanks, and the waste tank detaches with a handle for dumping. A bigger tank means fewer trips to the dump point when four people share one toilet for a long weekend.
Trade-off: it is larger and heavier when full, and a full waste tank of several gallons weighs well over 30 pounds. Empty it before it is full, not after.
How to choose: a quick matrix
| Your situation | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Car camping, 2 people, 2 to 3 nights | Porta Potti 565E or Camco | Flush tanks hold enough for the stay |
| Small vehicle, tight storage | Porta Potti 335 | Smallest flush body in this group |
| Family of 4, long weekend | Dometic 972 | Larger waste capacity |
| Backcountry or pack-out rules | Cleanwaste GO Anywhere | Light, bagged waste |
| Emergency kit or occasional use | Luggable Loo | Cheap, simple, no water |
Worked example: how long will a tank last?
Take a waste tank of about 5.5 gallons. Per person per day, assume five visits, with each flush using roughly 0.1 gallon of water and adding the waste itself. Listings for the 565E suggest about 50 flushes between empties. For two people that is about ten visits a day, so you reach full in about five days in theory. Plan to empty at day three, though, because a tank near its limit is heavy and prone to sloshing during carrying. For four people on the same toilet, empty after one day to a day and a half.
Ownership realities
- Chemicals: Use a dedicated holding-tank treatment in the waste tank and a separate additive in the flush water if the maker recommends one. Skip bleach and harsh household cleaners that attack seals.
- Toilet paper: Use quick-dissolving paper so the tank empties cleanly.
- What wears first: The slide valve seal and pump gasket. Rinse and keep the seal lightly lubricated per the manual.
- Storage: Empty, rinse, and dry with the valve open to avoid mold and odor between trips.
- Disposal: Dump only at designated stations, RV dump points or campground toilets that allow it, never in a stream or a shallow hole.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying too small: A tiny tank sounds sensible until a family of four fills it in a day. Size the waste tank to the largest group you camp with.
- Filling the waste tank to the brim: Leave an inch of space so the contents do not surge when you carry it.
- Skipping a dump plan: Before you reserve a site, find where you can legally empty the tank. Many campgrounds do not allow it.
- Forgetting privacy: A pop-up toilet tent costs little and turns a campsite toilet into a usable bathroom.
- Using the wrong chemicals: Formaldehyde-based treatments are banned in many campgrounds. Choose a biological or enzyme product marked for holding tanks.
What to pack with the toilet
A small kit saves a lot of frustration: a roll of quick-dissolving toilet paper, a bottle of holding-tank treatment, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, spare batteries for an electric flush, and a lidded bin for used paper if the site requires you to bag it. Keep the kit in a single tote with the toilet so nothing is left behind at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best portable toilet for camping with kids?
A flush model with a seat near 17 inches high, such as the Porta Potti 565E, is easiest for children and adults who dislike squatting. A bucket toilet is a good low-cost second option, particularly if you add a small privacy tent.
How often should I empty a portable camping toilet?
Empty it when the level indicator shows full, or at the latest after three days for two people. Waiting until the tank is full makes it heavy and awkward to carry, and sloshing can cause spills.
Do portable camping toilets smell?
Sealed flush toilets with a slide valve and holding-tank treatment smell very little. Smell mostly comes from leaving a full tank in the sun, a worn seal, or skipping the treatment, so keep the valve closed and empty regularly.
Can I use regular toilet paper in a portable toilet?
Yes, but a quick-dissolving septic-safe type breaks down faster and is easier to pour out. Thick, quilted paper can clog the pour spout and leave a messy residue in the tank.
Where can I dump a portable toilet while camping?
Use an RV dump station, a campground facility that permits it, or a flush toilet at a rest area where the rules allow. Never dump into waterways, and follow local regulations and the campground host’s instructions.
Is a bucket toilet good enough for a week-long trip?
It works, but the bagged waste adds up and has to be carried out. For longer stays a tank-style toilet is usually more pleasant and easier to manage.
