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Top 7 Rated Toilets on Today's Market

Find The Best Composting Toilet For Your: Camping, Rv, Tiny house and more

SANIFLO SANIACCESS 3 These days, there are many reasons to go with an alternative toilet system. You might have an off-grid cabin or tiny house that isn’t connected to a sewage system. You might live or travel in an RV, or need a marine composting toilet for fishing or sailing trips.

Even those with a traditional home might want to install a bathroom in a part of the house that isn’t accessible to the main sewage lines. If you’re wondering how does a composting toilet work, read on.

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See our Top 7 Best Composting Toilet Systems:

The following composting toilet reviews will give you an idea of the models on the market and help you choose one for your specific needs.

#1. Nature’s Head Self Contained Toilets

Nature's Head Nature’s Head Self Contained Toilet is a simple composting system designed to make your experience and upkeep easy. Using a ‘dry’ composting toilet system, the toilet has two separate compartments; one for liquids and one for solids.

A vent hose and circulation fan recycle the air in your bathroom. Nature’s Head is made in the USA out of durable materials, including all stainless hardware.

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Pros Cons
  • Made in the USA
  • All stainless hardware
  • Full-size seat
  • Vent hose and fan
  • Self composting toilet
  • Doesn’t look like a ‘normal’ toilet
  • Can be difficult to empty solids
  • High price

FAQ’s

Q: Is this toilet good for a seasonal cabin used by 2-3 people?

A: This toilet is great for short time use. The urine container needs to be emptied every other day, but on a three-week trip, we didn’t have to empty the solids container once. We chose to have a second urine container so that if the first was filled in the middle of the night we didn’t have to go outside to empty it.

Q: What kind of maintenance is required?

A: The urine should be emptied every few days, and the solids after about 80 uses. All that’s needed for daily use is a spray bottle and a toilet brush. You can clean the containers more thoroughly with regular soap each time they’re emptied.

Q: Does the fan have to be on 24/7?

A: Most people leave the fan running all the time. It doesn’t take much electricity. If you choose not to run it 24/7, there still isn’t much of a smell. The solids compost quickly, and you might smell something like damp earth, but that’s not a bad smell.

What We Think:

Nature’s Head toilet is one of the most popular models out there, and it’s for a good reason; this is the best composting toilet on the market. This toilet is easy to install and use, and the small size makes it a good composting toilet for boats, RV, or tiny house environments. The urine separating system, combined with the vent hose and circulation fan, makes this toilet odor free. The urine container must be emptied every few days but is very simple to remove, clean and replace. The solid container needs to be emptied after about 80 uses; for the average household, this equates to once a month or less.
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#2. SANIFLO SANIACCESS 2 UPFLUSH MACERATOR PUMP

SANIFLO SANIACCESS 2The Saniflo Macerator Pump + Round Toilet is an alternate toilet system designed to be installed anywhere in your home. When the toilet is flushed, the water runs into a macerator pump where it is pulverized within 4 seconds. The waste is then pumped through a 1” pipe to a nearby septic system. Because there is no need to break into the main sewage line, this toilet can be installed in otherwise inaccessible places. A sink or shower can be piped into the macerator pump for a full bathroom installation.

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Pros Cons
  • Looks like a normal toilet
  • Can be installed anywhere
  • Works with sink or shower
  • Can pump vertically if the bathroom is below the level of septic tank
  • Need construction experience or professional installation
  • Still needs to be attached to a septic system
  • Difficult to clean

FAQ’s

Q: Can the toilet be used with a sink and a shower?

A: Although the advertisements show a sink and a shower hooked into the toilet, this model only comes with one inlet.

Q: How far can it pump?

A: Mine is pumping 25’ including a 4’ vertical with no problems

Q: How much would it cost to have installed?

A: This depends on how accessible your plumbing is and how much work needs to be done to construct the bathroom. The basic costs to hire a plumber to hook into your drain line could be as little as $200.

What We Think:

The Saniflo Macerator Pump + Toilet is a great choice for traditional homeowners that want to add a bathroom in an otherwise inaccessible space, or space too far from the main sewage line to be a viable, standard bathroom. It’s simple to install and use. If you need an extra bathroom for guests, aging parents or college-age children, this is your best bet. For folks looking for a waterless toilet system or composting toilet system, you’ll want to go another route.
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#3. Nature’s Head with standard crank handle

#3. Nature's Head Dry Composting Toilet Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet works by diverting urine into a separate container. Solids go into their own container, with a crank handle to turn the compost and ensure the biological decomposition processes are working correctly. Urine can be emptied separately, usually every other day. An electric ventilation fan carries any gases or odors out of your bathroom.

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Pros Cons
  • Self contained
  • Urine diverting
  • Waterless toilet systems
  • High price
  • Requires some installation

FAQ’s

Q: I’m an elderly woman living in a tiny house. I need a composting toilet, but how much labor is required in upkeep?

A: Emptying the urine bottle is easy. Emptying the solids can be slightly more difficult, as the container can become heavy when full, but many older people use this toilet without issue.

Q: What do you do with the contents?

A: You can compost yourself in your backyard, or use a liner and dispose of with the rest of your trash. The urine can be emptied anywhere outdoors.

Q: What kinds of supplies are needed?

A: Only peat moss, and vinegar can be sprayed after urinating to cleanse the separator.

What We Think:

The Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet is a sleek and simple model that will fit into any bathroom. You can use it in a traditional house, an RV or boat, or even a tiny house. The urine diverting system and ventilation fan ensures there won’t be any unpleasant odor, and the unit is super easy to clean.
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#4. SANIFLO SANIACCESS 3 + ELONGATED TOILET

SANIFLO SANIACCESS 3 This toilet looks just like a standard toilet but is designed to be installed in any space, within 150 feet of a sewage pipe. The unit can pump vertically if your tank or sewage system is above the level of the toilet. A macerating pump pulverizes waste which is run through a 1” pipe into an existing system or tank.

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Pros Cons
  • Looks like a normal toilet
  • Can be hooked into traditional sewer system
  • Ability to install in any space
  • Requires installation
  • Hard to clean

FAQ’s

Q: How far can it be from an outlet?

A: The cord is only 4 feet long so the pump must be within a close range to an existing outlet.

Q: Can I install this into a garage 50 yards from the main house?

A: The toilet must be within 150 feet of a sewage pipe so 50 yards is within that range

Q: Can this be plumbed into a waste tank?

A: Yes

What We Think:

This toilet works identically to the Saniflo Macerator Pump + Round Toilet Seat, with the only difference being the size of the seat. The elongated seat has a greater seating area for higher comfort. A slightly larger size profile means this toilet is a better choice for a larger space than the round toilet seat model. As with the round seat model, a macerating system is great for traditional homeowners who want to install a toilet in an untraditional space, or a space that is too far from the main sewage pipe for a standard bathroom.
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#5. Sun-Mar Compact Self-Contained Composting Toilet

Sun-MarThe Sun-Mar Compact toilet is a very small profile unit that uses no water. Solids and liquids are deposited into one container, and the liquids are then able to drain down into a separate compartment underneath where it can then be emptied more frequently than the solids. A variable diameter drum allows you to turn the compost to keep the decomposition process going. A ventilation system runs on electricity.

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Pros Cons
  • Self composting toilet
  • Waterless toilet systems
  • Low profile unit
  • Some reports of toilet leaking
  • Very high costs

FAQ’s

Q: Where does the urine go?

A: The urine goes into the main compartment with the solids, where it is able to drain down into a separate compartment at the bottom.

Q: Does this toilet need a composting agent?

A: Yes

Q: Why is this unit more expensive on Amazon?

A: Amazon fees

What We Think:

The Sun-Mar self-contained toilets have a very small profile, allowing them to fit into bathrooms of any size. The Sun-Mar would work in boats, RVs or tiny houses. This toilet is unique in the way the liquids and solids are deposited into one container, but the liquids are allowed to drain out the bottom into their own compartment for more frequent empty and cleaning. Users have reported that this drainage system doesn’t work all that well, and the toilet itself is prone to leaking.
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#6. Villa 9210 DC/AC

Villa 9210 DC/ACThe Villa 9210 is a classic vented composting toilet with a urine diverter. The ventilation fan can run on 12v DC power or standard AC power. Urine can be plumbed to a grey water system or holding tank, and solids are deposited in a compostable liner within a separate container.

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Pros Cons
  • Small size
  • Urine diverter
  • Ventilation fan
  • Some installation required
  • High price tag

FAQ’s

Q: Can this be installed in a shower space?

A: While the toilet is small enough for a shower space, it does run a fan on electric power, so you’ll only want to install it in a shower space that you no longer use for that function.

Q: How are the liquids and solids emptied?

A: The solids are removed in a compostable lining bag. The liquids are plumbed into a holding tank or grey water system.

Q: What size compostable bag is used?

A: 23 liter/5 gallon

What We Think:

The Villa electric composting toilet comes in a small size that makes it an excellent choice for a tiny house, boats or other small spaces. The urine is diverted to a grey water system or holding tank, which means you don’t have to worry about emptying the urine container. You also don’t need to worry about accidental overflow. This composting toilet can run on DC or AC power, so it’s a good choice for off-grid or solar electric systems. The solids are deposited into a compostable lining within the solids container, so when it’s time to empty all you have to do is remove the bag, place in your composting bin and install a new bag. The only downside is the hefty price tag, but it might be worth it for this much convenience.
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#7. ECO-Safe Toilet System

ECO-Safe Toilet SystemThe ECO-Safe Toilet System is a simple, portable toilet system. Made from crush-proof roto-molded polyethylene plastic, the toilet holds 5.5 gallons in one simple tank. The toilet sits at 17” above ground level, which is similar proportions to a traditional toilet. The toilet tank can be emptied at an RV dump or in a Scat Machine.

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Pros Cons
  • Crush-proof plastic tank
  • Can be emptied at RV dump
  • Portable
  • Affordable price
  • Doesn’t separate liquids from solids
  • Not vented

FAQ’s

Q: Does this toilet have a carrying handle?

A: No, it does not have a carrying handle, but the toilet breaks down for easy portability.

Q: Does this toilet have a urine diverter?

A: No, there is just one tank.

Q: Can the tank be vented?

A: There is a water hose connection, which could be used as a vent.

What We Think:

The ECO-Safe toilet is a super simple, cheap composting toilet. This unit is great for outdoor camping trips as it can be broken down for portability. It would also work well as a marine composting toilet, or in an RV. The tank can be emptied at an RV dump or in a scat machine but isn’t easy to dump out on your own so make sure you have access to proper dumping facilities, especially if you are searching for composting toilets for boats. The crush proof plastic material means it is versatile for any body size and in any condition.
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#1. Best composting toilet:
The Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet is your best bet for a sturdy, clean and simple composting toilet system.

 

#2. Best compost toilet for RV:
The Villa 9210 connects to DC or AC power, is super small and can plumb right into an RV grey water holding tank.

 

#3. Best portable composting toilet:
The ECO-Safe toilet is super portable, lightweight and simple to set up and use.

Best Composting toilet buyer’s guide:

If you’re looking for an alterative toilet system, a composting toilet might be your best bet. If you want a cheap composting toilet, there are options on the market or you can learn how to make a composting toilet. You can choose an electric composting toilet or if you have a boat, a marine composting toilet. Reading a number of composting toilet reviews such as in this article will give you an idea of what is a best fit for your needs.

What is a composting toilet?

A composting toilet is a system that works with natural biotic processes to break down waste without the need to be hooked into a traditional sewer system.

How does a composting toilet work?

Composting works through evaporation and decomposition; the liquids evaporate out while the solids decompose back down to an earthy dirt-like substance. In some composting toilets, the urine is separated from the solids to make this decomposition happen faster and cut down on odor. In others, a vent fan carries the evaporating water and gases out of the bathroom to eliminate the issue of odor.

What you should know before buying a composting toilet:

#1. Toilet Size

Be aware of the space you have available. Some toilets are designed for tiny spaces, and others were designed to look like normal toilets.

#2. Toilet usage (How many people will use it)

Many composting toilets use a container to hold waste, and these will fill up at different rates depending on size of the container and number of people using it. Make sure you choose a model that matches your needs.

#3. Ease of installation

Some toilets are as simple as unboxing and setting in your bathroom space; others need a professional installation.

#4. How easy to clean

Depending on your system, you may want a toilet that is super easy to clean, or you may be able to take the time to clean the more difficult models.

#5. Stability

If you want a simple, portable composting toilet it might not be as stable as one that is professionally and permanently installed.

Our Final Thoughts:

If you were wondering, “what is a composting toilet?” I hope we’ve answered your questions. Whether you are in the market for self contained toilets for a cabin or tiny house, composting toilets for boats, or an alternative toilet for a traditional house, you have lots of options. Make sure you know what your size and usage needs are, and you’re sure to find the right system for you. At the end of the day, you can always learn how to make a composting toilet and go with a truly DIY model.