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The 5 Best Camping Toilets

Bringing a touch of comfort and hygiene to your campsite, from basic loos to premium flushing models.

By Adam Brooks | Last updated: 21st September 2025

A private toilet is a game-changer for family camping, especially for late-night emergencies or when you're pitched far from the main facilities. We review the best portable toilets for hygiene, ease of use, and odour control, from simple folding models to flushing loos that feel just like home.

Our Top Recommendations in Brief

  • Best Overall: The Thetford Porta Potti 365 is the gold standard, offering a comfortable, hygienic, and odour-free flushing experience.
  • Best Value: The simple but effective Dripex Portable Toilet provides a dedicated loo without the complexity or cost of a flushing model.
  • Best for Portability: For ultimate space-saving, the clever ST.QANON Foldable Toilet packs down almost flat.

Quick Jump to Reviews

Detailed Reviews

The Thetford Porta Potti 365, a premium flushing camping toilet.
  • Type: Flushing
  • Waste Tank: 21L
  • Flush Tank: 15L
  • Weight: 4 kg
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🏆 Best Flushing Toilet

Thetford Porta Potti 365

The Porta Potti is the gold standard in portable toilets, offering a user experience that's as close to home as you can get. It features a two-tank system: a top tank with fresh water for flushing, and a sealed lower waste tank. The piston pump flush is powerful and effective, and the sealed waste tank does an exceptional job of containing odours. It's a comfortable height and features clever details like a level indicator for the waste tank.

Pros: Excellent odour control, comfortable to use, powerful flush, and a large 21L waste tank.
Cons: Bulky and heavy compared to other types, requires special toilet chemicals.
Verdict

For family campers who prioritise hygiene and comfort, the Thetford Porta Potti is worth the investment. It's the most civilised and odour-free option available, making it a true game-changer for longer trips.

The Hi-Gear Portable Flush Toilet, a compact flushing model.
  • Type: Flushing
  • Waste Tank: 10L
  • Flush Tank: 12L
  • Weight: 4.5 kg
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🚽 Best Mid-Range Flusher

Hi-Gear Portable Flush Toilet

The Hi-Gear model offers many of the benefits of a premium flushing toilet but at a more accessible price point. It also uses a two-tank system, with a bellows-style pump for flushing. The 10L waste tank is smaller than the Thetford's but is perfectly adequate for a couple on a weekend trip. It's a solid, reliable unit that provides a huge step up in hygiene and convenience from more basic models.

Pros: Good value for a flushing toilet, effective odour control, and a compact size for easier transport.
Cons: Smaller 10L waste tank requires more frequent emptying, bellows flush pump is less robust.
Verdict

A great entry-point into the world of flushing portable toilets. It offers most of the hygiene benefits of premium models at a much lower price, making it a smart choice for weekend campers.

The Dripex Portable Camping Toilet, a simple bucket-style toilet with a lid.
  • Type: Bucket
  • Waste Tank: 5L Inner Bucket
  • Max Load: 150 kg
  • Weight: 2.3 kg
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💸 Best Value

Dripex Portable Camping Toilet

This model is a modern take on the classic 'bucket toilet'. It features a sturdy outer casing, a comfortable seat, and a removable inner bucket with a lid and handle for easy emptying. A key feature is the toilet roll holder on the side. It's a simple, no-fuss solution that is lightweight, easy to clean, and requires no chemicals. It's an excellent choice for those who want a dedicated toilet without the complexity of a flushing model.

Pros: Very easy to use and clean, lightweight, affordable, and includes a handy toilet roll holder.
Cons: Lid provides minimal odour control, smaller 5L bucket needs daily emptying.
Verdict

The best budget option for campers who want a simple, practical, and easy-to-clean toilet. The removable inner bucket and toilet roll holder are thoughtful features that elevate it above a basic bucket.

The ST.QANON Foldable Portable Toilet, shown folded flat.
  • Type: Bag
  • Waste Tank: N/A (Uses Bags)
  • Max Load: 150 kg
  • Weight: 1.6 kg
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🎒 Best for Portability

ST.QANON Foldable Portable Toilet

When space is at an absolute premium, this foldable toilet is a brilliantly clever solution. The whole unit collapses down into a thin, flat disc that can be easily stored in a car boot or even a backpack. In use, you simply extend the body, place a disposable bag inside, and attach the seat. It's surprisingly sturdy and offers a comfortable seat height. It's the ultimate choice for occasional use, emergencies, or festivals where packing space is minimal.

Pros: Incredibly compact and lightweight when folded, very hygienic as you just dispose of the bag.
Cons: Requires a constant supply of disposable bags, can feel less stable than a rigid toilet.
Verdict

The ultimate space-saving toilet. Perfect for festivals, day trips, or as an emergency backup. Its collapsible design is unmatched for portability.

The simple and lightweight Branq 2-in-1 Camping Toilet and Stool.
  • Type: Bucket
  • Waste Tank: 15.5L Bucket
  • Max Load: 120 kg
  • Weight: 0.9 kg
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🔨 Best Simple Design

Branq 2-in-1 Camping Toilet and Stool

This is the simplest camping toilet imaginable, and that's its strength. It is essentially a sturdy plastic bucket with a well-fitting toilet seat and a lid. There are no moving parts to break and no complex cleaning routines needed. With a generous 15.5L capacity, it's larger than many other bucket-style toilets, and it's incredibly lightweight. The lid is strong enough for it to double up as a handy stool around the campsite, making it a practical, multi-use piece of kit.

Pros: Extremely lightweight and simple, large capacity, easy to clean, and doubles as a useful stool.
Cons: Offers very little odour control, basic appearance won't appeal to everyone.
Verdict

The definition of simple and effective. It's a lightweight, large-capacity bucket that doubles as a stool. A perfect, no-frills solution for basic camping needs.

What to Look For in a Camping Toilet

Flushing vs. Basic Toilets

Flushing toilets are the most hygienic, using a two-tank system to seal away waste and odour. Basic 'bucket' or 'bag' toilets are lighter, simpler, and cheaper, but offer minimal odour control.

Waste Tank Capacity

A larger waste tank (20L+) means less frequent trips to the disposal point, ideal for families. Smaller 10L tanks or 5L buckets will need emptying more often.

Portability

Consider the weight and dimensions. If car space is tight or you need a toilet for emergencies, an ultra-compact foldable toilet is a much more practical option than a bulky flushing model.

Chemicals & Cleaning

Flushing toilets require special 'blue' and 'pink' chemicals to break down waste and control odours. Basic toilets are simpler to clean but require more frequent emptying to stay fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you empty a camping toilet?

You must ONLY empty camping toilets at a designated Chemical Disposal Point (CDP) or Elsan Point. Every decent campsite will have one. Never empty toilet waste into a standard toilet or in nature.

Do I really need to use the special blue and pink chemicals?

For a flushing toilet, yes. The 'blue' chemical breaks down waste and controls odour in the waste tank. The 'pink' chemical goes into the flush tank to clean the bowl. They are essential for a pleasant experience.

About the Author

Adam, the author of Top Listed Products

Adam

For the last ten years, I've been enthusiastically getting rained on in fields from the Cornish coast to the Lake District. My passion for finding gear that actually works was born from one too many 'easy-pitch' tents that required an engineering degree and a marriage counsellor to assemble. I created Top Listed Products to provide honest, straightforward reviews for fellow UK campers, so you can spend less time worrying about your kit and more time enjoying that well-earned bacon butty.