To many RV campers, nothing affects outdoor experiences as significant as being able to answer the call of nature in times of need. That is why in modern RVing, toilet is regarded to be a must-have and tends to receive special attention.
Among the toilets that RVers add to rigs nowadays, composting toilets prove to be some of the leading choices owing to their well-rounded characteristics. By outfitting your RV with composting toilets, you could flexibly go number one or number two without leaving a mess.
Once it comes to the best composting toilet for RV on the market, different RVers often think of different models. In the case that you happen to be inexperienced and require recommendations, this article should be of use to you.
Contents
RV Composting Toilet Basics
What is a RV composting toilet?
Overall, a RV composting toilet is a toilet purposely designed for recreational vehicles and its operations don’t involve water. As time passes by, composting toilets for RV steadily break down the wastes into compost hence the name “composting toilets”. In a way, composting toilets can be considered as ecosystems.
How does it work?
To break down the wastes, composting toilets rely on outdoors elements such as heat, moisture, … Aside from that, it’s necessary to add bulking agents (sawdust, straw, peat mix, etc) into composting toilets after use. When the wastes and bulking agents get mixed together, bacterias would begin the breakdown process. Compost, the result of the breakdown process, should be deposited into a chamber for disposal.
Benefits of having an RV composting toilet
Installation: Thanks to the absence of running water in operation, composting toilets in general don’t require plumbing to operate. Therefore, the setup process of composting toilets is by all accounts straightforward and there is no need for specialized tools.
Water: With composting toilets, flushing consumes little water after you take care of your business. Because of that, you would be able to save water which is going to be a big plus while traveling.
Money: Since the addition of composting toilets could lead to reductions in water usage, the utility bills drop accordingly too. That means by putting a motorhome composting toilet on your rig, it’s possible for you to save some bucks.
Environment: Instead of chemicals, composting toilets break down the wastes with the help of elements in the outdoors so they never cause harm to nature. Furthermore, you can even use the compost produced by composting toilets as fertilizers for vegetation.
Types Of composting toilets for RVs
Numerous composting RV toilets exist but models on the market could be split into two types: self-contained and centralized
Self-Contained Composting Toilets: As the name suggests, self-contained composting toilets carry pretty much everything in a single unit. Needless to say, models of the type boast top-notch versatility and adapt well to a wide range of arrangements. Besides that, when the need arises, it only takes seconds to detach components of self-contained composting toilets for cleaning.
Centralized Composting Toilets: Engineered to handle substantial amounts of waste, centralized composting toilets cost considerable time and money to install. On the bright side, models of the type have lengthened disposal intervals and require minimal maintenance from users as well.
Best RV Composting Toilets
Owing to the differences in preferences, there is no such thing as the best composting toilet for RV for everyone. Still, if you want to get your money’s worth, you should keep an eye out for the following models.
1. Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet – Best Of The Best
Specifications And Features:
- Dimensions: 22.0 x 20.5 x 19.0 Inches
- Weight: 28.0 Pounds
- Plastics
- No odor
- Air circulation fan
Why This Is The Best:
Assembled from the ground up with utility in mind, Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet rarely let RVers down in use. Incorporating plastic into construction, this toilet is able to withstand corrosive elements without giving out. In addition to that, with excellent handling characteristics, Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet could be relocated within moments. As a result, once it comes to portability, the toilet made by Nature’s Head is the best composting toilet for RV money can buy.
Thanks to the presence of an air circulation fan, Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet keeps its surroundings from being filled with foul odors. Naturally, the toilet of Nature’s Head is well-received by enthusiasts of RVing with a sensitive sense of smell. About maintenance, Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet only needs little attention from RVers. That means keeping the Nature’s Head toilet in top shape is a walk in the park by all accounts.
As proof of confidence, Nature’s Head willingly offers everyone that decides to grab its portable composting toilet for camping a five-year manufacturer warranty. In the case that your Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet fails due to defects within the warranty period, you could claim a replacement.
Pros:
- Tough
- Maintenance is a cinch
- Versatile and adaptable
Cons:
- Kind of expensive
- People sometimes complain about urines overflowing
2. Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet – Editor’s Choice
Specifications And Features:
- Dimensions: 17.7 x 20.7 x 21.5 Inches
- Weight: 28.0 Pounds
- Waterless
- Stainless steel
- Vent hose included
Why It’s An Editor’s Choice:
Wish to save as much water as possible while traveling? In that case, there is a good chance that you would come to like Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet. Boasting waterless operation, the toilet from Nature’s Head would cut down the water consumption of your rig on the road by a considerable margin. Furthermore, since it’s self-contained, Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet, its setup process is rather brief and you have to do minimal maintenance.
On arrival, this toilet comes alongside a vent hose that lets you prevent the odors from accumulating inside your rig. Because of that, with Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet, maintaining a fresh atmosphere in the vehicle interior is going to be child’s play. Also, constructed using stainless steel, the toilet made by Nature’s Head is capable of taking on nearly all challenges of RVing with relative ease. Unsurprisingly, in terms of durability, plenty of RV composting toilet reviews name Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet as the best composting toilet for RV.
Compared to the average composting toilets on the market, Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet is indeed pricey but what it provides matches its cost. For post-purchase support, the Nature’s Head toilet is backed by a five-year warranty that covers manufacturing defects.
Pros:
- High endurance
- Dependable and reliable
- Simple to set up
Cons:
- Steep price
- Waste emptying is a bit tedious
3. Sun-Mar GTG – Editor’s Choice
Specifications And Features:
- Dimensions: 24.0 x 15.7 x 19.8 Inches
- Weight: 29.5 Pounds
- Solid/liquid separation
- Quick-removal seat
- Built-in fan
Why It’s An Editor’s Choice:
Slim and sleek, Sun-Mar GTG is held in high esteem by lots of RVers, novices as well as veterans. With instantaneous installation, GTG could be set up by typical enthusiasts of RVing in just a blink of an eye. Additionally, as the toilet from Sun-Mar packs a built-in fan that guarantees fantastic ventilation, RV owners rarely feel bothered by odors. Hence, Sun-Mar GTG is known to be the toilet of choice for those that hate putting up with smells.
Engineered with a dual-chamber design for solid/liquid separation, the Sun-Mar toilet accelerates the process of waste disposal. GTG integrated a handy quick-removal seat too so RVers would have an easy time accessing the wastes composting underneath. That is why regarding the ease of disposing of wastes, GTG proves superior to many models of its type nowadays. Last but not least, possessing basic maintenance requirements, the toilet of Sun-Mar holds together for a long time without needing special attention from RVers.
With its compact body, this composting toilet for RV occupies negligible amounts of space in the interior of recreational vehicles. So you own a small rig? Then the toilet made by Sun-Mar is the best composting toilet for RV you could get.
Pros:
- Rugged
- Space-saving
- Smooth waste disposal
Cons:
- Costly
- Shipping could use some work
4. Separett Villa 9215
Specifications And Features:
- Dimensions: 26.6 x 17.5 x 21.3 Inches
- Weight: 30.0 Pounds
- Waterless
- Compostable bag
- AC and DC
Why We Love It:
Being one of the most advanced composting toilets on the market, Separett Villa 9215 is well-liked by modern-day RVers. Capable of running on AC and DC power, this toilet could adapt to an assortment of arrangements with relative ease. Moreover, owing to the absence of water in operation, this Villa 9215 helps RVers conserve water in the outdoors. Thus, various RVers that want to reduce utility bills think of Separett Villa 9215 as the best composting toilet for RV.
In the course of operation, the single-speed fan of the Separett composting toilet simultaneously facilitates the drying of waste and gets rid of odors. Because of that, with Villa 9215, people would have no trouble keeping the compost smell from spreading through the vehicle interior. About the disposal interval, the compostable bag of Villa 9215 of Separett needs to be removed every three weeks on average. Depending on the situation, RVers can throw the compostable bag of the composting toilet from Separett into the composter, incinerator, …
Since Separett Villa 9215 is a breeze to maintain, there is no need for people to give it a sophisticated treatment. Upon purchase, the Villa 9215 comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty so RVers have something to count on when problems happen out of the blue.
Pros:
- Odorless
- Undemanding cleaning
- Installation is intuitive
Cons:
- A bit pricey
- Reports of unresponsive customer service appear on occasions
5. Thetford Porta Potti (92306)
Specifications And Features:
- Dimensions: 18.4 x 15.7 x 17.8 Inches
- Weight: 13.4 Pounds
- Battery-powered
- Sealed valve
- Carrying handle
Why We Love It:
As an all-inclusive portable RV composting toilet, Thetford Porta Potti (92306) allows camper owner to answer the call of nature anytime and anywhere. Packing a combination of ergonomic seat height and increased bowl size, Porta Potti (92306) could deliver a terrific level of comfort. In addition, the toilet made by Thetford incorporates a sealed valve to prevent odors of the wastes from leaking out. As a result, Thetford Porta Potti (92306) is a must-have for enthusiasts of RVing that desire an odor-free atmosphere.
Equipped with a carrying handle, this toilet only takes a couple of moments to relocate which is a big plus. A paper holder is present as well so people don’t have to hold onto the paper by themselves while taking care of their business. Via the tank indicator, RVers can grasp the amount of waste inside Porta Potti (92306) at a glance and determine whether the tank should be emptied. Once the time comes, the pour out spout of the Thetford toilet permits RVers to dump the wastes without leaving a mess in the process.
With its space-saving construction, Porta Potti (92306) of Thetford could smoothly squeeze into the interior of rigs in a heartbeat. Featuring a stylish finish, Porta Potti (92306) fits the theme of a lot of recreational vehicles.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Compact
- No-nonsense waste disposal
Cons:
- Battery life fluctuates from time to time
- Packaging requires improvements
6. Camco 41541
Specifications And Features:
- Dimensions: 14.0 x 16.0 x 15.5 Inches
- Weight: 10.8 Pounds
- Polyethylene
- Side latches
- Bellow-type flush
Why We Love It:
By making use of enduring polyethylene in its body, Camco 41541 could deal with virtually everything that people throw at it but still remain highly portable. That is why 41541 lasts for quite some time in use and needs mere minutes to move from spot to spot. Furthermore, the toilet from Camco is designed to support more than three hundred pounds so it should accommodate most RVers without difficulty. Needless to say, Camco 41541 gets plenty of compliments from the RV community for its weight capacity.
The toilet for RV made by Camco contains two tanks: one holds waste and one holds water for flushing. Thanks to the bellow-type flush mechanism, flushing away the wastes is a piece of cake. Through a cap on top of 41541, RVers can refill the water tank in times of need so as to ensure consistent flush on the road. When the waste tank of Camco 41541 is filled up, all people need to do is to release the side latches and empty the tank content.
Reaching the market at a price that all RVers could accept, this toilet suits a wide range of shopping budgets. To reassure customers, Camco backs its toilet with a one-year warranty that brings people much-needed peace of mind.
Pros:
- Outstanding portability
- Robust handling
- Uncomplicated maintenance
Cons:
- People notice latches loosening over time
- Flip every now and then
7. Zimmer CT101
Specifications And Features:
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 13.5 x 12.0 Inches
- Weight: 9.7 Pounds
- Fully assembled
- Removable caps
- Liftable seat
Why We Love It:
Purposely fashioned with an emphasis on comfort, CT101 of Zimmer features a full-sized seat and lid that could support adults as well as children. As a result, this toilet is known to be a favorite of RVing enthusiasts that frequently go on family trips. Additionally, with a portable construction that possesses carrying handles on each side, CT101 could be moved around at short notice. That means RV owners would be able to set Zimmer CT101 up and put it away without trouble.
For flushing, the toilet from Zimmer uses a bellow pump that permits between fifty and seventy flushes before the flush tank needs to be refilled. When the need arises, RVers can readily refill the flush tank and empty the waste tank via the removable caps. It’s worth pointing out that CT101 packs a solid slide valve made to keep the inner content from escaping. Hence, with the Zimmer toilet, people don’t have to worry too much about leakage.
About maintenance, Zimmer CT101 is easy to clean so keeping it in working order is a cinch by all accounts. If you hope to spend more time enjoying yourself and less time cleaning your RV toilet, add the toilet made by Zimmer to your shortlist.
Pros:
- Tough
- Superb handling
- Basi and practical
Cons:
- Handles should be strengthened
- RVing enthusiasts complain about water squirting sporadically
8. Sun-Mar Compact
Specifications And Features:
- Dimensions: 33.0 x 21.5 x 22.0 Inches
- Weight: 90.0 Pounds
- Recessed
- NSF-certified
- Self-contained
Why We Love It:
Feeling disappointed by the original toilet on your rig and want to swap it for a self-contained composting toilet? Then it’s strongly recommended that you take a look at Sun-Mar Compact. Created for swift installation, Compact could be set up on various recreational vehicles without requiring modifications to the plumbing. Moreover, the toilet made by Sun-Mar takes up little space so its presence seldom displaces other things in your interior and that is advantageous.
Certified by NSF, Sun-Mar Compact fully decomposes the wastes over time so it boasts wonderful effectiveness and efficiency. Since this toilet also keeps the odds of leakage low in use, you can avoid cleaning sludges on the road. Because of that, with Compact, you should have no trouble going to number and number two at any time. Finally, owing to extended longevity, Sun-Mar Compact would serve you for years before you need to replace it.
For replacing an RV toilet with a composting toilet, Compact is certainly one of the more costly options on the market. Still, the toilet of Sun-Mar would help you save money in the long run. On arrival, Sun-Mar Compact is accompanied by a five-year manufacturer warranty that speaks volumes about its quality.
Pros:
- Convenient operation
- Decent tank capacity
- Seat height is nice
Cons:
- Expensive
- A number of units develop cracks throughout the construction
9. Sun-Mar Excel
Specifications And Features:
- Dimensions: 36.0 x 28.0 x 36.0 Inches
- Weight: 100.0 Pounds
- Non-electric
- No polluting
- Variable diameter bio-drum
Why We Love It:
Optimized for high capacity composting, Sun-Mar Excel is a good buy for RVers that head out in large parties. Able to decompose the waste of multiple people at the same time, the composting toilet of Sun-Mar eliminates the hassle of constant waste disposal. In addition to that, Excel is a non-electric model so enthusiasts of RVing don’t have to run wires from battery banks to it. Hence, Sun-Mar Excel suits power-hungry rigs with battery banks that experience substantial strains.
Unlike classic toilets for RV, Excel operates without involving water which allows people to conserve the water supply of rigs. Therefore, with the toilet made by Sun-Mar, RVers only need to refill the water tank from time to time. Aside from that, as an environmentally-friendly toilet, Excel of Sun-Mar never pollutes the environment during the composting process. Needless to say, Excel tends to receive a shower of praise from eco-conscious RVers that care about their surroundings.
The low-profile body of this composting toilet significantly accelerates installation so the setup process would complete in a flash. Considering the amount of space that Sun-Mar Excel occupies, placing it into an ordinary RV bathroom is a snap. About post-purchase support, Excel is backed with a reassuring five-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros:
- Long-lasting
- Aesthetically-pleasing
- Splendid versatility
Cons:
- Quality control needs to be overhauled
- People notice a couple of inconsistencies between units
How To Pick Up The Best Composting Toilet For RV
The RV community is at odds about what could be called the best composting toilet for travel trailer but to get a good buy, you have to memorize these criteria:
TANK CAPACITY – To put it plainly, the tank capacity of a composting toilet for campers determines the amount of wastes it could hold. In order to deduce the ideal tank capacity for your composting toilet, it’s suggested that you take aspects of your travel into account. If you only travel on your own for a couple of days, feel free to settle for a standard model. On the other hand, if you hit the road with a large party for extended periods of time, stick to toilets with high capacity tanks
DECOMPOSING RATE – In use, the time that a composting toilet needs to break down wastes is significantly affected by its decomposing rate. Because of that, to get the best composting toilet for RV, you have to give the decomposing rate some thought. On average, the decomposing rate of electric models on the market would be superior to that of non-electric ones. That being said, as a precaution, you should read several customer reviews and see what others say about the decomposing rate of composting toilets nowadays.
SIZE & WEIGHT – Space is a luxury on recreational vehicles so prior to bringing anything into your RV, you must think about size. The last thing you want to do is to spend big bucks on a composting toilet for RV that your rig is unable to accommodate. To avoid ending up with an oversized model, it’s best to use the dimensions of where you plan to place the toilet as guidelines. Besides that, you need to consider the weight of the composting toilet as well since it influences the setup effort.
CLEANING – Cleaning toilets is by no means pleasant but you need to do it from time to time for sanitary reasons. That is why while checking out market models, it’s widely advised that you keep ease of cleaning in mind. For your information, a few composting toilets sag over time which complicates the cleaning process. Also, the tank of certain toilets may even become hard to open and the odds of spilling during cleaning spike so you should be thorough.
PRICE
$50 – $250: Toilets in the range don’t have fancy features but in exchange, they prove simple to use and easy to maintain. In addition, as most models that cost between $50 and $250 happen to be portable, they could be relocated at short notice.
$250 – $750: Effective and efficient, toilets in the range swiftly adapt to plenty of environments without difficulty. Therefore, models with price tags from $250 to $750 tend to be sought after by RVers who like to stay flexible on the road.
Above $750: Designed to meet nearly all expectations of users, toilets in the range provide values that match their steep prices. In the case that all you care about is quality, you should consider going for models that cost more than $750.
Top RV Composting Toilet Brands
The brand of a toilet seldom dictates its worth so there is no need to be overly concerned about brand. Still, if prefer to pick up your toilet from a reputable brand, remember these names
Nature’s Head
Being a long-established brand with substantial experience, Nature’s Head understands what people desire and designs its toilets accordingly. As a result, a lot of RVers from novices to veterans think highly of models made by Nature’s Head
Sun-Mar
As one of the leading names, Sun-Mar is the brand of choice for those that seek no-nonsense toilets. Moreover, Sun-Mar models reach the markets at budget-friendly prices so they fit the wallet of ordinary RVing enthusiasts.
Thetford
Thanks to the emphasis on applications of innovations, Thetford is capable of creating solid composting toilets that last for years. Thus, models of Thetford usually receive a shower of praise from RV owners that don’t have many chances to buy toilet replacements.
Zimmer
With a user-oriented approach to making toilets, Zimmer and its models hardly have any competitors in terms of convenience. Ease of use is your top priority once it comes to toilets for recreational vehicles? Then Zimmer is undoubtedly going to be your best bet.
FAQs About RV Composting Toilets
How should I deal with the odors?
Assuming that your composting toilet is well-maintained, odors would be locked inside so there is nothing to worry about. If you like to play it safe, you could invest in a ventilation system with fans to get rid of the odors from your toilet.
Is installing a composting toilet in an RV hard?
The complexity of setup processes varies from model to model but the installation of typical models only involves basic tools. You don’t have lots of trust in your skill? In that case, you should hire someone to set up the toilet in your stead.
May I throw toilet paper into composting toilets?
Generally speaking, RV-rated toilet papers would disintegrate in composting toilets like any other toilets. Nonetheless, it’s strongly recommended that you throw papers into separate containers instead of your toilet to optimize disposal intervals.
Where could I buy composting toilets for RV?
Most RV hardware stores sell composting toilets for recreational vehicles. If you have a schedule to follow and cannot go out of your way, feel free to place orders online. Prioritize reputable names such as Amazon, Camping World, …, if you opt to buy your composting toilet via online retailers.
Need More Gear Advice?
Also in RV Waste Water, we’re providing thorough reviews and buying guides which help RV campers have peace of minds and save time choosing the suitable RV sewer & sanitation products for their needs. We test and recommend only the best products available on the market:
I bought a Natures Head composting toilet to be installed in my Class C RV. It has no discernable odor, even when the lid is lifted or the upper portion is lifted partially when removing the liquids bottle to empty it every other day or so. Cleaning is simple if you spray down the inside of the bowl with a water and white vinegar mix after every use and perform a minor wipe up with a paper towel (which you then just drop into the trap door) if you have a particularly egregious contact mark.