A bad camping toilet situation ruins the whole trip, and squatting behind a tree stops being funny after the first night. The five options below cover every setup from rooftop tent base camps to weeklong hunts, ranging from $25 to $200.
| Photo |
Top Pick
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Versatile
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Budget
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Best Value
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Best for Reliability
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| Product | Thetford Porta Potti 565E Curve | Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Portable Folding Toilet | Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Toilet | Reliance Products Luggable Loo 5-Gallon Portable Toilet | Reliance Products FOLD-to-GO Folding Portable Camping Toilet |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs | 2.2 lbs | 11.5 lbs | 3 lbs | 5 lbs |
| Flush type | Battery-powered electric | None - bag system | Bellow pump flush | None - bag or liner system | None - bag system |
| Waste tank | 5.5 gallons | WAG bag system | 5.3 gallons | 5 gallons | WAG bag system |
| Seat height | 17.6 inches | 14 inches | 16.9 inches | 15.3 inches | 13 inches |
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Quick Tips
Always bring twice as many waste bags as you think you need — running out mid-trip is a real problem.
Set up a privacy shelter before the trip, not at camp in the dark when you actually need it.
For flush-tank models, use RV-specific toilet treatment tablets to cut odor and make tank emptying easier.
In freezing temps, keep waste bags inside your vehicle overnight so the gelling powder stays effective.
Thetford Porta Potti 565E Curve
Best for car camping and van life with dump station access
Thetford Porta Potti 565E Curve
Best for car camping and van life with dump station access
What we like
- Battery-powered electric flush feels genuinely close to a household toilet experience.
- Built-in level indicators for both fresh and waste tanks so you never get caught off guard.
- Integrated toilet paper holder keeps supplies contained and out of the dirt.
- 5.5-gallon waste tank averages around 56 flushes — enough for several days of multi-person use.
What we don't
- Requires AA batteries for the flush and needs RV dump station access to empty the tank.
- At 11.7 lbs it is heavier than bucket or fold-flat options and takes real storage space.
- Tank chemicals are an ongoing cost that adds up on longer or more frequent trips.
If you've been making do with a hole in the ground or a basic bucket, the 565E is the upgrade that actually changes the experience — the electric flush, sealed tank, and real seat height make camp bathroom stops something you stop dreading. This is the pick for car campers, overlanders, and van lifers who have consistent dump station access within a day's drive.
If you're deep in the backcountry with no facilities anywhere near, the tank dependency makes something simpler a smarter call.
Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Portable Folding Toilet
Best for hunting camp and remote basecamp use
Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Portable Folding Toilet
Best for hunting camp and remote basecamp use
What we like
- 500-lb weight capacity is far higher than nearly any competing portable toilet at this price.
- Folds completely flat with a carry handle — slides into a truck bed or pack without dominating your gear.
- WAG bag system means no tank to empty at a dump station, which is a real advantage in remote areas.
- Locking legs provide stability on uneven ground that a standard bucket design can't match.
What we don't
- Ongoing cost of replacement WAG bags adds up across a full hunting season or multi-week trip.
- No flush or water system means cleanup is entirely dependent on the bag and gelling powder.
- Seat height at 14 inches is slightly lower than a home toilet, which some adults find uncomfortable for extended use.
The Cleanwaste GO Anywhere solves the specific problem of needing a real toilet frame in remote camp with no dump station anywhere on the route — the WAG bag system seals waste immediately and goes in any trash can, no special facilities required. This is built for hunters, overlanders in BLM or dispersed camping, and anyone setting up a multi-night base camp far from RV infrastructure.
If you camp where dump stations are convenient, the 565E gives you a better experience for similar money.
Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Toilet
Best for family camping and extended weekend trips
Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Toilet
Best for family camping and extended weekend trips
What we like
- Bellow-pump flush effectively rinses the bowl without batteries or any external power source.
- Detachable holding tank with a sealing slide valve locks in odors reliably during transport.
- 5.3-gallon waste tank provides good capacity for families over a full weekend without constant emptying.
- Wider seat than many competitors and a larger bowl make it noticeably more comfortable for adults.
What we don't
- Bellow pump requires manual effort that feels less seamless than the electric flush on the Thetford.
- Still needs dump station access to empty — same constraint as flush-tank models across the board.
- Heavier than bag-based or fold-flat options at 11.5 lbs when the tank is empty.
The Camco 5.3-Gallon hits a practical midpoint — a real flush system and a large tank, without the premium price of the Thetford, which makes it the sensible pick for family campground weekends where a dump station is on-site or nearby. It fits families who want the flush experience but don't need the electric mechanism or integrated paper holder.
If you're camping solo or in a small group and weight matters, the Fold-to-Go cuts the bulk significantly.
Reliance Products Luggable Loo 5-Gallon Portable Toilet
Best for emergency prep and budget-first camping
Reliance Products Luggable Loo 5-Gallon Portable Toilet
Best for emergency prep and budget-first camping
What we like
- At around $25, it is the most affordable full-size camping toilet option that actually works for adults.
- 5-gallon bucket doubles as camp storage or water hauling when not in use as a toilet.
- Snap-on hinged seat and lid contain odors reasonably well when used with a bag liner.
- Rugged enough for decades of use — this design has been around for good reason.
What we don't
- No flush system at all, which makes it feel basic compared to anything with a tank and pump.
- Snap-on lid is not as odor-tight as a slide valve on a proper holding tank.
- Works best paired with waste bags that are sold separately, so the initial cost is higher than the toilet price alone.
The Luggable Loo is the right answer when you need a toilet that works, costs almost nothing, and can handle genuinely rough conditions — it is a 5-gallon bucket with a proper seat, and there is nothing on it that can break. Buy this if you want a no-fuss backup for every trip, an emergency preparedness toilet, or a first camping toilet that doesn't require research.
If comfort over a full week matters, step up to the Camco or Thetford.
Reliance Products Fold-to-Go Folding Portable Toilet
Best for backpacking-adjacent trips where weight and pack size matter
Reliance Products Fold-to-Go Folding Portable Toilet
Best for backpacking-adjacent trips where weight and pack size matter
What we like
- Collapses to just 5 inches flat with a carry handle — fits in a day pack or behind a truck seat.
- Three-leg locking system is more stable on uneven ground than a standard bucket.
- 300-lb weight capacity is solid for a toilet this compact and lightweight.
- Bag-based system means no dump station dependency — works anywhere you can pack out your waste.
What we don't
- Seat height at 13 inches is the lowest on this list and can be genuinely uncomfortable for taller adults over an extended stay.
- No flush or water system — cleanliness is entirely dependent on the waste bag used.
- Replacement Double Doodie bags are an ongoing expense that raises the real per-trip cost.
The Fold-to-Go solves the specific problem of needing a real toilet frame that packs into minimal space — it goes where the Luggable Loo is too bulky and the flush-tank models are completely wrong. This is for truck campers with limited storage, hunters packing into the field on ATVs, and anyone who needs something that actually folds flat.
If you have room for a full bucket or a tank toilet, those options give you a better seat height and simpler setup.
What to Look For
Weight capacity and seat height matter more than people expect. Adults need at least a 250-lb capacity and a seat height that doesn't require squatting — look for anything 13 inches or taller.
Flush system vs. bag system is the core decision.
Flush toilets need tank emptying at dump stations; bag systems use gelling powder and go in the trash — simpler in remote areas but ongoing cost. Odor control is non-negotiable on multi-day trips.
A slide valve or sealed bag system is the minimum — open bucket designs without a tight lid will make everyone in camp miserable.
Who Should Skip This
If you're backpacking solo with ultralight priorities, none of these are for you — a WAG bag kit without the frame is lighter and simpler. Skip the flush-tank options if you're camping somewhere with no dump station access within a reasonable drive; emptying a waste tank with nowhere to go is its own problem.
What the Community Actually Uses
On r/CampingGear, the porta-potti vs. bag-system debate is basically evergreen.
The consensus leans toward flush tanks for car camping or van life where dump stations are accessible, and bag-based systems for hunting camps or remote spots where you pack everything in and out. A few regulars swear by the Luggable Loo as a bombproof backup that never fails.
Quick Picks — In Case You've Already Decided
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you dispose of waste from a camping toilet?
Flush-tank models empty at RV dump stations, campground restrooms, or any facility with a toilet. Bag-based systems use the sealed waste bag in any standard trash receptacle. Never dump raw waste in the backcountry.
Do portable camping toilets smell bad?
Not if you use them correctly. Flush models with holding tank chemicals control odor well for 2-3 days. Bag systems with gelling powder seal odor immediately. Open-bucket designs without a tight-sealing lid are the exception.
How often do you need to empty a portable toilet with a tank?
The Thetford 565E averages around 56 flushes per fill and the Camco 5.3-gallon holds waste for roughly the same volume. For two adults, plan to empty every 2-3 days on a week-long trip.
Can you use a camping toilet in a tent?
Yes, but odor is the main concern — a flush model with a sealed slide valve or a gelling-powder bag system works best in an enclosed space. Keep the tent well-ventilated and empty or seal the waste container before closing up for the night.
What's the weight limit on most portable camping toilets?
Most quality options support 250-330 lbs. The Cleanwaste GO Anywhere supports 500 lbs, which is unusually high. Always check the spec before buying if weight capacity is a concern.
Buying Guide
You need to match the toilet to how you camp. Car campers get flush tanks and real seats.
Backpackers get fold-flat frames and waste bags. The wrong pick means hauling something you hate.
Figure out your setup first, then pick the toilet that fits it — not the other way around.