The squat-behind-a-bush situation is completely solvable, and women who camp more than once a season figured this out fast. The five options below cover every setup - from a $15 stand-to-pee device that fits in a jacket pocket to a 5.3-gallon flush toilet that weighs under 12 lbs and empties cleanly without any backsplash.
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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 135 Portable Toilet | Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Toilet | SEAFLO 5.3-Gallon Portable Toilet | GoGirl Female Urination Device | Reliance Products Luggable Loo 5-Gallon Portable Toilet |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs | 11.5 lbs | 9.5 lbs | 0.9 oz | 3 lbs |
| Flush type | Bellows pump | Bellows pump | Manual flush | None - stand-to-pee funnel | None - waste bag system |
| Seat height | 15 in | 16.9 in | 15 in | N/A | 15.3 in |
| Waste capacity | 2.6 gal | 5.3 gal | 5.3 gal | N/A | 5 gal |
| Buy Now | Check Price → | Check Price → | Check Price → | Check Price → | Check Price → |
Quick Tips
Practice using a stand-to-pee device at home in the shower before your first trip - the learning curve is real and you do not want to figure it out in the dark
For flush-style portable toilets, add a drop of tank deodorizer to the waste tank before your first use - it prevents odor buildup even before the tank gets full
Set up your toilet inside a pop-up privacy shelter before you need it - fumbling with a shelter at 2am is worse than squatting in the dark
Empty the waste tank when it hits two-thirds full, not when it is completely full - overfull tanks splash during disposal and are much harder to empty cleanly
Thetford Porta Potti 135 Portable Toilet
Best for car camping and weekend base camps
Thetford Porta Potti 135 Portable Toilet
Best for car camping and weekend base camps
What we like
- Bellows pump flush rinses the bowl cleanly without manual scooping or water waste
- Sealed pour-out spout prevents backsplash when emptying the waste tank
- Compact enough to fit under a cot or in a tent vestibule between uses
- Removable seat and lid make cleaning fast without tools or disassembly
What we don't
- 2.6-gallon waste tank fills in about 2 days for a solo camper, so it needs frequent emptying on longer trips
- Seat is narrower than a residential toilet, which some users find less comfortable on extended trips
- No level indicator for the waste tank - you have to check manually before each trip
The Porta Potti 135 is the toilet that converts women who swore they were fine squatting. The bellows pump flush and sealed pour-out spout work together so that using and emptying it feels genuinely clean - not like managing a camp chore.
This is the right pick for car camping, overlanding, or any base camp where you drive to your site and weight is not a constraint. If you are hiking in or splitting weight between multiple people, step up to the 5.3-gallon Camco or SEAFLO for the larger tank.
Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Toilet
Best for couples and multi-day group camps
Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Toilet
Best for couples and multi-day group camps
What we like
- 5.3-gallon waste tank is large enough for 4-5 days of solo use or 2-3 days for two people before emptying
- Larger seat opening and taller seat height than the Thetford 135 - noticeably more comfortable for extended use
- Slide seal valve locks odors in the tank even when the toilet is stored unsealed after a trip
- Comes bundled with TST Orange tank treatment drops that significantly reduce odor from day one
What we don't
- At 11.5 lbs it is noticeably heavier than smaller options, which matters if storage space is limited
- The bellow-type flush does not rinse as forcefully as a pump-flush system on more expensive models
- Wider footprint means it does not fit easily inside smaller tents
The Camco earns its spot when more than one person is using the toilet or when you are camping more than 3 nights without a dump station nearby. The 5.3-gallon tank is the practical difference between emptying every other day and leaving it alone until you pack out.
This is for the group car camping trip, the overlanding couple, or anyone who wants to set it up on day one and not think about waste management again until they break camp. Not the pick for solo weekend backpacking where weight and space matter.
SEAFLO 5.3-Gallon Portable Toilet
Best for women who want a flush toilet under $60
SEAFLO 5.3-Gallon Portable Toilet
Best for women who want a flush toilet under $60
What we like
- 5.3-gallon waste tank at a price point that undercuts most comparable flush toilets by $20-30
- Sealed valve design keeps odors locked in the tank between uses without needing extra deodorizer treatment
- Backed by a 4-year warranty, which is longer than Thetford or Camco offer at this price
- Lightweight for its capacity at under 10 lbs - easier to move and position in a tight tent setup
What we don't
- Manual flush mechanism is less thorough than the bellows pump on the Camco or Thetford at equivalent tank levels
- Brand is less established than Thetford or Camco, so replacement parts and accessories are harder to find
- Seat is on the firmer side with less cushioning than the Camco model
SEAFLO delivers a full 5.3-gallon flush toilet for less than most competitors charge for a 2.6-gallon model. The sealed valve and 4-year warranty are the two specs that justify picking it over a no-name generic at a similar price.
This is the right choice if you want a real flush toilet but the Camco or Thetford prices feel steep for how much you camp. Skip it if you are going to use it heavily every season - the Camco's build quality holds up better over multiple years of regular use.
GoGirl Female Urination Device
Best for backpacking and on-trail use
GoGirl Female Urination Device
Best for backpacking and on-trail use
What we like
- Under 1 oz and rolls up to the size of a tampon - takes up zero meaningful space in any pack
- Medical-grade silicone is flexible, body-conforming, and reusable after washing with soap and water
- Made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility - materials are verified and BPA and latex free
- Eliminates the need to fully undress or squat in terrain where squatting is unstable or unsafe
What we don't
- Requires practice before first trail use - first-time use without a practice session at home often results in mess
- Does not help with #2, so it is a supplement to - not a replacement for - a camp toilet system
- Cleaning in the field without running water requires carrying hand sanitizer or a small water bottle
The GoGirl solves a specific problem that a $70 flush toilet cannot - urinating quickly and privately in terrain where squatting is impractical, exposed, or physically difficult. At under an ounce it goes in your hip belt pocket and disappears until you need it.
This belongs in every woman's day pack regardless of what toilet setup is back at camp. It is not a camp toilet replacement - it pairs with one.
Women who do overnight backpacking trips where a full portable toilet is not an option will want this as their primary solution.
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet
Best budget option for car campers and emergency prep
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet
Best budget option for car campers and emergency prep
What we like
- Under $30 makes it an easy buy for anyone trying a portable toilet for the first time without a big commitment
- Snap-on seat and lid convert a standard 5-gallon bucket into a functional toilet in under 5 seconds
- Waste bags mean no holding tank to empty - seal and dispose makes cleanup genuinely no-contact
- 3 lbs makes it the lightest full-size toilet option on this list
What we don't
- No flush means the seat and interior require wiping down between uses - less hygienic than flush-toilet options
- Waste bags are a recurring cost that adds up over a season of regular camping trips
- At 15.3 inches high the seat is workable but lower than most residential toilets, which some women find uncomfortable
The Luggable Loo is the right answer when you want to solve the bushes problem for under $25 and you are not ready to invest in a flush unit. The waste bag system means zero emptying and zero mess - seal the bag and it goes in the trash.
This is for first-time portable-toilet buyers, emergency prep kits, or anyone camping only a few times a year who cannot justify a $70 flush toilet. If you camp more than four or five nights a year, the Camco or SEAFLO will pay for itself in comfort.
What to Look For
Seat height and seat width matter more for women than most reviews mention. A seat that sits at 14-17 inches off the ground avoids the deep squat that makes portable toilets uncomfortable, and a wider interior bowl opening means less contact with the rim during use.
Waste tank capacity determines how often you have to deal with emptying. For solo trips, a 2.6-gallon tank is workable.
For couples or multi-day group camps, go to 5.3 gallons minimum and look for a sealed slide valve or sealed pour-out spout that prevents backsplash. Odor control is the difference between a tolerable setup and one nobody wants to use.
Sealed valve designs outperform simple lid-and-bucket options. A tank deodorizer treatment used before the first flush makes a significant difference that lasts the whole trip.
Who Should Skip This
If you are ultralight backpacking with a base weight under 12 lbs, a portable flush toilet is not for you - even the lightest units add real weight and bulk. Thru-hikers and fast-and-light campers are better served by a stand-to-pee device like the GoGirl and Leave No Trace techniques rather than any of the flush options on this list.
What the Community Actually Uses
On r/CampingGear and r/womenoutdoors, the portable toilet conversation comes up constantly before festival season and long weekend trips. The most upvoted advice is consistent: get something with an actual flush and sealed tank before you think you need it, because the squat-behind-a-bush experience degrades fast after day one.
Several threads specifically call out seat height as an overlooked spec - women with knee issues say it makes or breaks whether a portable toilet is actually usable.
Quick Picks — In Case You've Already Decided
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a female urination device and do I actually need one?
A female urination device (FUD) is a small funnel-shaped tool that lets women urinate standing up without removing clothing. You do not need one for car camping with a portable toilet, but it is genuinely useful on day hikes, backpacking trips, or any situation where squatting is unsafe or uncomfortable. Many women use both - a flush toilet for camp and an FUD for on-trail use.
How often do I need to empty a portable toilet waste tank?
For a solo camper using the toilet 4-6 times per day, a 2.6-gallon tank lasts about 2 days and a 5.3-gallon tank lasts 4-5 days. Couples should plan on emptying every 2-3 days with a 5.3-gallon unit. Empty before the tank is completely full - overfull tanks are harder to empty without spilling.
Can I use a regular portable toilet at a campsite or festival without a privacy shelter?
Technically yes, but in practice you will want one. A basic pop-up privacy shelter takes under two minutes to set up and costs $20-40 separately. If you are car camping at a developed site with restroom facilities, you may only need the portable toilet as a night option inside your tent vestibule.
What is the difference between a bucket-style toilet and a flush portable toilet?
A bucket-style toilet uses a standard 5-gallon bucket with a snap-on seat and relies on waste bags for disposal - no water required. A flush toilet has a freshwater tank and a pump or bellows mechanism to rinse the bowl, plus a sealed holding tank for waste. Flush toilets are significantly more comfortable and odor-controlled but heavier and more expensive.
Are portable toilets messy to empty?
Not if the unit has a sealed pour-out valve or rotating spout - these designs direct waste into a dump station or RV dump point without splashing. Bucket-style units with waste bags require no emptying at all - you seal and dispose of the bag. The messiest option is any unit with a poorly designed valve that drips during emptying.
Buying Guide
You need a toilet that fits how you actually camp. Car campers want a real seat and flush capacity.
Backpackers need something under two ounces. Group trips need a large waste tank.
Solo weekenders might want both a flush unit and a stand-to-pee device for trail use. Match the tool to the trip before you pick a price point.