Pros and cons of different camping toilets

A camping trip is coming up: you're excited, want to be out in nature, camp wild wherever possible, and travel as freely as you like. If only it weren't for that awkward topic of doing your business... Anyone who isn't travelling in a fully fitted motorhome with a built-in toilet will eventually have to think about the right camping toilet. Always having to scan the horizon for the next service station or petrol station gets old fast. To give you a clear overview of the pros and cons, here's our comparison of four different camping toilets.

Camping toilets compared

1. Chemical toilet

2. Separating toilet

3. Macerator toilet

4. Toilet bucket

Foto von Amy Reed auf Unsplash |

Chemical toilet: the classic

The chemical toilet is probably the best-known model among camping toilets, perhaps better known under the name "Porta Potti". Porta Potti is the name of Thetford's chemical toilet. There are other brands too, such as Enders, that sell equivalent models. In this article we're not here to judge individual brands, just to introduce you to the chemical toilet as a type.

Before your trip (or at fresh water and disposal stations) you fill the water tank, as well as the upper fresh water tank used for flushing. You also add a chemical solution to the large water tank, where your waste will end up later. When you need to go, you pull open the hatch, which stops anything escaping that shouldn't. Then you simply sit down as you would at home, flush, and close the hatch again. Disposal is straightforward too: you take the two parts apart and empty the large tank at a designated black water disposal station.

Advantages of the chemical toilet

• Toilet feel like at home

• Fill level indicator

• Comparatively low price

Disadvantages of the chemical toilet

• not sustainable due to the chemicals

• heavy to carry (when the tank is full)

Tip: Want to know how and where you can empty your camping toilet? In our article on disposal you'll find tips on this.

Separating toilet: the sustainable option

The separating toilet has become one of the most popular types of camping toilet in recent years. Anyone looking for a eco-friendly toilet for camping will be happiest with this option. Also known as a composting toilet or dry toilet, this type is usually built from wood, so you can also build the camping toilet yourself quite easily. The great thing: it works completely without water or chemicals. Instead there are (biodegradable) toilet bags for solid waste, which is covered with litter. To reduce odours, solid and liquid waste are separated, hence the name separating toilet.

Advantages of the separating toilet

• Price when self-building

• no water and no chemicals

• separation reduces odours

• biodegradable toilet bags

Disadvantages of the separating toilet

• Price when buying

Macerator toilet: the comfort toilet

The macerator toilet is less well known in camping and is more commonly used in boating. It can, however, also be retrofitted in motorhomes, caravans or campervans. It looks most like your own ceramic toilet at home and also has a regular flush. Since it needs a very large black water tank, a large camping vehicle with enough storage space for the toilet is needed.

The waste is shredded by integrated blades before ending up in the tank. The macerator toilet needs electricity, as this powers the blades. Emptying the camper toilet is fairly straightforward using a hose at designated black water disposal stations.

Advantages of the macerator toilet

• Toilet feel like at home

• allows free-standing for a long time

• odourless thanks to a separate, sealable black water tank

• no chemicals required

Disadvantages of the macerator toilet

• requires electricity and a water connection

• heavy and requires storage space

• high price

Toilet bucket: the simple option

The toilet bucket is essentially also a dry toilet, just in a simpler form. The portable toilet made from plastic resembles a large rubbish bin. It is light, easy to carry and requires no chemicals or water. Instead, waste can also be collected in bin bags. Anyone who wants to skip these must empty and clean the bucket quite frequently to avoid odours. This camping toilet is the cheapest option and requires no additives whatsoever.

Advantages of the toilet bucket

• low price

• light and mobile

• no water and no chemicals

Disadvantages of the toilet bucket

• odours are not prevented

• high disposal and cleaning effort when used without bin bags

• not particularly comfortable

Foto von thefloridaguidebook auf Unsplash |

Carefree into nature

Ready to start your next camping trip? From now on you don't need to worry about where to find the nearest toilet. For the die-hard campers there's always the option with a spade. But watch out: never leave your toilet paper in nature!

Now get going: pack the camping toilet and head off on your next adventure. We're looking forward to hearing about your experiences with a camping toilet.