The Best Van Life Toilet Options & What We Did Without One!

If there’s one thing people love to ask van lifers, it’s where do you poop? So what better way to answer that than with a breakdown of the best van life toilet options – and what we did when we didn’t have a toilet in our tiny camper.

From a DIY Tupperware emergency toilet, to portable composting toilets and full size chemical toilets, there’s a solution for every style of van life.

We’ve been on the road in various vehicles since 2017, and have tested a lot of the popular – and lesser talked about – options, so we’re going to help you figure out how to make the right choice for you! 

By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly which toilet option fits your van life setup, budget, and comfort level.

Our Top 3 Best Toilet For Van Life

Do You Really Need a Toilet in Your Campervan?

For the first two years of van life, we didn’t have space for a full toilet in our tiny camper.

Instead, we relied on pee bottles and Tupperware – for wee’s only! I never got on with SheWees…

It worked fine. So no, a toilet isn’t essential for van life if you’re happy keeping things simple and emptying daily.

That said, having one does make things easier.

Middle-of-the-night or number 2 emergencies, rainy campsite dashes, or parking up somewhere you don’t feel comfortable going outside… all a lot less stressful with a toilet onboard.

And with van life becoming more popular, we also think it’s just more responsible to keep waste contained, however you choose to do it.

Pros of Having a Campervan Toilet

• Convenience: No more late-night dashes, hiding outside or desperate hunts for a loo.
• Comfort: A seat is always better than a squat
• Privacy: Handy when you’re camping with others.
• Cleanliness: Your own toilet beats most public ones.
• Leave No Trace: Keeping it contained means cleaner wild spots for everyone.

Cons of Having a Campervan Toilet

• Emptying it: Never fun, always a priority when it’s full.
• Smell: Even well-kept toilets can give off the occasional whiff in a small van.
• Space: They take up precious room you might have used for something else.

Composting Toilets For Van Life

Composting toilets are really popular in the van life community because they’re an eco-friendly, low-smelling solution to handling waste in a small space.

They’re great if you’re wanting to pee and poop in your van, completely eliminating the need to look for public toilets.

They work in a similar way to the long drop toilets we have used in various national parks, where you dry flush using a naturally absorbent material like coco-coir, or wood shavings. You then use an agitator to rotate the waste occasionally to help it compost down.

The difference (aside from, you know, not being a really big hole in the ground) is that most composting toilets for your van have separate sections for your pee and poop which helps to reduce the smell.

After a few weeks, you can empty it into garden compost to continue breaking down or if you’re still on the road you can tie the bag and pop it in any bin like you would with dog poop.

You do usually need to be able to connect a composting toilet to your electric system somehow in order to run the fan.

Pros of Composting Toilets:

• Separates pee and poop easily to prevent smells
• Most environmentally-friendly toilet
• Easiest to empty
• Lasts the longest between emptying

Cons of Composting Toilets:

• Most expensive van toilet option
• Requires venting to the outside and needs to be fixed to the floor
• Needs hooking up to electric

Best Composting Toilets:

The CompoCloset Cuddy Toilet

This is the most compact option and unlike the other composting toilets on this list, The CompoCloset Cuddy doesn’t need to be fully fixed into your van, so it is still a portable option.

It does, however, have a built-in fan so if you want to use that it will need a power supply but you could use a Jackery or similar.

Similarly to the chemical toilets we have used in our bus conversion and motorhome, the CompoCloset Cuddy has a sensor light on the wee compartment to let you know when it’s full – a great feature for avoiding overflow, which we have heard can happen with other portable compost toilets designed for van life.

A downside to this composting toilet for campervans is that while you can empty the pee and poo separately as needed, you do still need to lift the lid on the poo bin to access the pee bottle.

This means every few days you’ll be faced with, uh, yea, everything that’s sitting there. The good thing is it shouldn’t smell if you’re maintaining it right.

Dimensions – 38.6 x 43.2 cm
Weight – 10.8 kg
Solid Bin – 14.7L
Urine bottle – 6.5L

Nature’s Head Composting Toilet

The Nature’s Head Composting Toilet which also separates the pee and poop into their own compartments.

Much like the CompoCloset Cuddy, the Nature’s Head urine bottle can be lifted out and emptied into a public toilet, campsite dump station etc. every couple of days depending on how frequently you pee.

What I really like about Nature’s Head is that you can empty the pee bottle without having to properly open or even look at the poo bin. 

Dimensions – 53.3 x 48.3 x 53.3 cm
Weight – 12.7kg
Solid Bin – 26L
Urine bottle – 8.3L

Air Head Composting Toilet

Many people say the Air Head Composting Toilet is bigger in terms of solid waste capacity and therefore goes longer without needing to be emptied, but while researching them again for this post I actually couldn’t find anything that was definitive on that.

It seems they’re both very similar, and Air Head perhaps has the lead due to being one of the oldest composting toilets for campervans on the market and also being more customisable to your space since they were originally designed for boats.

So if you have a weird shaped bathroom and shower room in your van, and are looking for a permanently installed toilet, this would be a good option

Dimensions – 55.9 × 48.3 × 40.6 cm
Weight – 13.2kg
Solid Bin – 22.7L
Urine bottle – 4-9L

Urine Separating Toilets For Van Life

Until we started building our current van, we hadn’t actually heard of urine separating toilets before – all of our experience had been with chemical toilets or porta potties, which we’ll talk about soon, where everything all goes into one place.

We’ve touched on this slightly for composting toilets, but a urine diverting toilet is one that separates the pee and the poop into their own compartments in order to reduce smell.

Because, did you know, that most of the smell that comes from human waste is caused by the ammonia in pee reacting with the poop.

So when you separate the two, you dramatically reduce the smells and eliminate the need for chemicals that usually take care of that.

While all compost toilets are urine separating, not all separating toilets are compost toilets.

Pros Of Urine Diverting Toilet

• No chemicals to deal with, making them eco-friendly
• Easy to clean
• Most are compact and perfect for smaller vans
• Easy to dispose of in pins or toilets
• Low maintenance, no agitators or filters to worry about

Cons Of Urine Diverting Toilet 

• Need emptying more frequently
• Not true composting due to the frequency they need emptying

Best Urine Separating Toilets

CompoCloset Cuddy Lite

CompoCloset kindly gifted us a Cuddy Lite. However, all opinions are our own.

The CompoCloset Cuddy Lite is described as a portable composting toilet, but I don’t really think it can be classed as a composting toilet because the waste is very much not composted by the time you come to empty the poo bin.

However, it is still a really good separating toilet that’s compact and doesn’t require electricity to run – the perfect van life toilet option for most people wanting an easy solution, especially while stealth camping.

We really like this upgrade for our latest build, because it can be easily stored in a cupboard and whipped out whenever we need it.

Unlike other toilets of a similar design, The CompoCloset Cuddy Lite has retractable covers that go over the poo bin and prevent you from seeing, or smelling, anything in there when you only need a wee – very similar to the chemical toilets we’ve tested in the past, but minus the smell.

My only niggle with the cover is that it doesn’t have a rubber seal on it so pee can still get through if your aim isn’t great, but we’ll go into everything we love and, love a little less, in our full review!

Dimensions – 43.2 × 38.6 × 41.5 cm
Weight – 9.5kg
Solid Bin – 14.7L
Urine bottle – 6.5L

Nomad by OGO

If you’re looking for a more affordable, budget friendly, separator toilet then the Nomad by OGO is a good option.

However, it doesn’t have any poo-flaps (yes, that’s what we affectionately call ours) and the poo bin is just a bag attached by some clips… so you’re putting  a lot of trust into those clips to keep the inside clean.

Dimensions – 39.12 cm × 33.02 cm × 31.47 cm
Weight – 4kg

Porta Potties And Chemical Toilets for Campervans

A chemical toilet is one that collects all of the waste together and relies on chemicals to break down the pee and poop and prevent smells, although in our experience they do a pretty bad job and the chemicals used can make it smell worse.

The traditional style of chemical toilets are built into your van, and are emptied via a hole in the side but these days there are more portable options similar to the composting toilets.

Pros of Chemical Toilets:

• Affordable compared to composting toilets
• Familiar design with a proper flush
• Portable versions fit easily into most vans
• Widely available and easy to replace

Cons of Chemical Toilets:

• Smelly, even with chemicals
• Not environmentally friendly (chemicals are harsh)
• Waste needs emptying every few days
• Can feel bulky in very small campers

Best Chemical Toilets

SEAFLO Built In Chemical Toilet

If you’re going all out with your van conversion, and adding a black tank with a fully plumbed in toilet, The SEAFLO is the most “house-like” option on this list.

It’s a permanently installed chemical toilet that connects directly to a black tank, so you flush just as you would at home.

For those doing a motorhome-style van conversion with proper plumbing, this can feel like a luxury.

The downside is the chemicals used aren’t environmentally friendly and it can be messy at the dump stations, depending on how you have your black tank set up.

Still, for those who want ultimate comfort and don’t mind the setup, it’s a reliable choice.

Dimensions – 45.2 × 28.8 × 46.8 cm
Weight – 4kg

Dometic Portable Toilet

Dometic are well known in the van life and RV space for quality products, and their portable van toilet is no different.

The size makes it manageable even in small vans, and it’s much sturdier than some cheaper models, though again, you’re relying on chemicals to keep smells down.

There are two sizes for the Dometic, but we recommend getting the larger one if you’re travelling as a couple unless you’re happy to be emptying it every day or so.

Thetford Porta Potti

Possibly the most popular budget-friendly option, the Thetford Porta Potti is a classic and the same one we had in our Motorhome.

It’s lightweight, portable, and comes in a few different sizes depending on your space.

Like the Dometic, it uses chemicals and has a fresh water flush, but the appeal here is its affordability and simplicity.

If you’re just starting out, or only doing short van trips, this is a solid, no-fuss option.

The biggest downside is the smell, even with chemicals, the waste tank can get whiffy quickly in hot weather.

Dimensions – 42.7 × 38.1 × 41.4 cm
Weight – 4kg
Capacity – 18L

Portable Toilets For Campervan

Portable Camping Toilets (or emergency toilets) are exactly what they sound like.

Quick, lightweight solutions you keep tucked away for when you’re caught short.

They’re not designed for daily use (though some people do rely on them for short weekend trips), but they’re handy backups that don’t take up much space.

If you’re travelling in a tiny van, camping in a tent, or just don’t want to commit to a full toilet setup, these can be a lifesaver.

Pros of Emergency Toilets:

• Cheap and easy to set up
• Super lightweight and portable
• Great as a backup if your main toilet fails or overflows
• Don’t take up much space in a small van

Cons of Emergency Toilets:

• Not suitable for long-term or daily use
• Bags and waste still need careful disposal
• Can feel flimsy or uncomfortable
• Some options are only for poops

Best Camping Toilet Options

Folding Camping Toilet

The folding camping toilet is basically a collapsible bucket with a seat on top.

A lot of them are pretty flimsy, but the model we picked out is sturdier than most and feels more comfortable to use.

What we really like about this one is that it’s a bit more discreet than the cheaper options because you can’t actually see the bag once it’s in place, which makes the whole experience feel a little less awkward.

You still need to line it with a bag and dispose of it immediately afterwards, but for something that folds flat and can be stored away under a bench, it’s surprisingly practical.

Commode Style Toilet

A commode toilet is literally a chair with a hole in the middle. You can either attach a bag underneath or place it over a dug hole if you’re somewhere that allows it.

They’re easy to use, and don’t wobble around like some of the lighter folding toilets, but they’re bulkier to store and not exactly subtle.

Think of it as the middle ground between digging a hole and splashing out on a proper van toilet.

SheWee And A Bottle

Probably the simplest setup. A SheWee (or any female urination device) paired with a bottle means you can pee discreetly in the van without needing to go outside.

Personally, I couldn’t get on with a SheWee, so I used a small Tupperware I could sit on instead.

This was our go-to in our very first camper, and it worked fine. Not glamorous, but effective.

Poo Shovel And A Hole

Back to basics! If you’re caught in the wild without any toilet at all, a lightweight shovel and a hole in the ground will do the trick.

Just make sure you’re at least 200ft from trails and waterways, use eco-friendly toilet paper, and pack out anything non-biodegradable like wet wipes.

We don’t recommend this option much in Europe anymore because wild camping is so popular and spots are already showing the impact, but in remote places (think Australian outback or backcountry USA) it can still work.

What Do You Do If You Don’t Have A Van Toilet

If you’re not quite ready to commit to a full van toilet setup, don’t worry plenty of van lifers get by without one, especially on shorter trips.

When we first started, we relied almost entirely on public toilets, campsite facilities, and the occasional wild pee behind a bush. It was simple, free, and didn’t take up any space in our tiny van.

The downside? You’re completely dependent on being near civilization which is fine if you’re sticking to cities, towns, or campsites, but more challenging if you’re out in the wilderness.

Many of the places you’d go for a shower (like leisure centres, gyms, truck stops, or swimming pools) also have toilets. We talked about this in our post on how to find showers on the road, and it works the same way for loo breaks: plan your stops around these facilities and you won’t feel like you’re missing out.

If you’re more of a weekend camper, you might find you don’t actually need a dedicated van toilet, and a simple pee bottle or emergency option will get you through.

But for longer-term, full-time van life, we’d say at least a portable toilet is worth it for comfort, convenience, and peace of mind.

Van Life Toilet Layout Ideas for DIYers

When it comes to designing your van layout, deciding where the toilet goes can be just as big a decision as choosing which toilet you’ll use.

Toilets aren’t exactly glamorous, so most DIY van builders try to find clever ways to tuck them out of sight.

Here are a few layout ideas we’ve seen (and tried ourselves) that work well in self-conversions:

Hidden in a Cupboard

This is the setup we’ve gone for in our current build.

The toilet lives in a cupboard under our counter and slides out when we need it.

When it’s not in use, it’s completely hidden away and doesn’t interfere with the rest of the living space.

It’s a great option if you don’t want a permanent bathroom area taking up space, but you still want the convenience of having a toilet onboard.

Countertop Lift-Up Toilet

Another clever design we’ve seen is where the toilet is hidden under a hinged section of the counter.

You lift the lid when you need it, and close it up when you don’t. From the outside, you’d never know there was a toilet there!

This works really well if you’re short on space and want every inch of your van to have multiple uses.

Shower/Toilet Combo Room

For bigger vans, or for people who don’t mind sacrificing the space, a full wet room with a shower and toilet combined is the closest you’ll get to a “house-style” bathroom.

It’s a luxury setup, and it definitely makes van life feel more homely, but it does eat into your living space so it depends what your priorities are.

Our post about van life showers goes into why we chose not to include a toilet and shower room in our van, even though we do have the space for it.

Bench Seat Hideaway

Some van builders design their toilet to live under a bench seat.

Similar to the counter toilet, you just lift the lid, and there it is!

It doubles up as seating, so you’re not wasting space on a “bathroom” you only use a couple of times a day.

Each of these layouts has its pros and cons, but the key is thinking about how you’ll use your van most of the time.

If you’re full-time and wild camping a lot, having your toilet accessible and easy to empty is more important than if you’re just weekend tripping and can rely on campsites.

Comparison Chart: Best Toilets for Van Life

Scroll for the full comparison

Toilets might not be the prettiest part of van life, but finding the right setup can make life on the road so much easier.

Once you know what works for your space and travel style, it’s one less thing to stress about.

If you’re curious about how one of our favourite separating toilets actually performs in real life, our full Cuddy Lite review (coming soon!) is the next post to check out.

We’ll share exactly how it fits into our van, what we love about it, and the little quirks we’ve noticed along the way.