Portable & Cassette Toilets You Can Use Anywhere
Putting a toilet inside your cabin, boat, RV, van, or tent doesn’t have to be difficult or super unaffordable.
There are portable toilets, also known as cassette toilets you can use both indoors and outdoors.
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They are small, portable, easy to place anywhere, and actually pretty budget-friendly.
In this review, I have some of the best cassette and portable toilets on the market today.
I’ll go over the specs as well as how to use them and what kind of camping or living situation they are best for.
To find out where you can empty a portable toilet and how what kind of chemical you should use in them check out the FAQ section at the end of this review.
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Best Overall
Electric Flush
Most Simple Option
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Cassette & Portable Toilet Reviews
1. Camco Portable Toilet
Camco is a huge producer of some of the best RV and camping gear. They make an excellent portable toilet for indoor and outdoor use.
There are two holding tank size options, 2.6 and 5.3 gallons. I recommend the 5.3 gallon version because a higher capacity waste tank means you can add more water which really helps when it’s time to empty it.
It also sits up higher which makes it more comfortable.
The 5.3 gallon Camco cassette toilet measures 16 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 15.5 inches tall.
The toilet seat is around 13 inches wide and long. It’s a little shorter than a standard toilet seat but just as wide.
The flushing system uses water so there’s a 2.5 gallon fresh water tank on the unit as well.
To rinse with water you pump the water out of the freshwater by hand using a “bellows” style pump behind the toilet seat.
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To flush you open a gave valve that’s located on the front center of the portable toilet.
The system requires no electricity, is completely self-contained, and the gate valve stops any odors from coming out of the holding tank.
The base holding tank is connected to the seat part via two sturdy plastic latches.
To empty all you have to do is remove the base holding tank from the toilet seat and carry it to the disposal area.
There are integrated handles on the holding tank and you empty it via an opening on the side that is closed with a cap that screws on.
You can easily rinse it out by pouring water into the main opening when dumping it.
The entire unit is made with sturdy polyethylene plastic. The weight when empty is only 11.5 lbs.
It does not come with brackets to secure it to the floor.
The weight capacity is 330 pounds.
The Camco Portable Toilet is a fantastic option for using indoors.
Whether it’s your van, camper, cabin, or boat this little toilet won’t stink up the place, and because of the height and size, it’s pretty comfortable to use.
It can also be used outdoors since it’s made of weatherproof and durable plastic.
There is no storage bag included but you can get one here (click to view on Amazon).
PROS
- For Indoor & Outdoor Use
- No Electricity Required
- Uses Water To Flush
- Completely Self Contained
- Heavy Duty Center Gate Valve
CONS
- Small Freshwater Tank
- No Floor Mount Brackets Included
- No Waste Tank Level Indicator
- No Storage Bag Included
2. Thetford Porta Potti
The Thetford Porta Potti’s are some of the most well known portable toilets among campers. They have a couple of versions and I’ve got two in this review.
This version is one of Thetford’s largest and fanciest cassette toilets.
The holding tank is 5.5 gallons and the freshwater tank is 4 gallons.
It measures 17.7 inches long, 15.2 inches wide, and 17.6 inches tall.
The seat is very close to a standard toilet seat measuring 16 inches long and 14 inches wide.
It weighs 12.5 lbs when empty and has a weight capacity of 350 lbs.
Now for how it works.
One thing that’s very different about this Thetford Porta Potti is it uses an electric water pump for rinsing.
The electric pump is a small unit on the top left hand side. It uses 6 AA batteries that are included and it easily twists out to be removed so you can replace the batteries.
To use the pump just press the button on the top of it.
The electric pump is a definite pro for some people but others hate having to depend on batteries to rinse their portable toilets. It also means it can’t be used outdoors.
There’s also a toilet roll holder built into the back which is convenient for travel.
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There are level indicators for both the waste and fresh water tanks.
To flush there is a lever on the side you pull forward to open the rotating valve in the center. The valve is watertight which stops odors.
To empty you remove the seat part by pulling a lever in the back. The center valve will still be close which means the entire base is watertight even without the seat part on.
There’s a 90 degree elbow on the side you turn out for easy emptying. You can rinse using the center opening.
Another great feature included with the portable toilet is a floor mounting kit. This is an excellent optional feature for vans, campers, and boats.
The Thetford Porta Potti is one of the biggest and most feature packed portable toilets on the market today.
It’s pretty close in measurement to a standard toilet and the flushing system really feels like the real thing.
The large water and holding tanks mean you can use it for longer before needing an empty and refill.
Overall it’s a fantastic option for all kinds of campers and using in cabins.
PROS
- For Indoor Use
- Uses Water To Flush
- Completely Self Contained
- Water Tight Center Valve
- Standard Toilet Seat
- Level Indicators For Fresh & Waste Tanks
- Extra Large Freshwater Tank
- Floor Mounts Included
CONS
- Cannot Be Used Outdoors
- Electric Pump Requires Batteries
- No Storage Bag Included
3. Alpcour Portable Toilet
The Alpcour portable toilet is another awesome product for every kind of camper. It can be used indoors or outdoors and it has a lot of great features that make it perfect for even full time use.
The freshwater tank holds 3.2 gallons and the wastewater tank is 5.3 gallons.
It measures 16.3 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 16.5 inches tall.
The square toilet seat is around 13 inches long and wide.
When empty it weighs 11 lbs and has a huge weight capacity of 440 lbs.
There are two parts, the base and the seat that are connected via two plastic clamps on the side and back.
The main toilet valve is a water-tight gate valve you open by pulling from the front.
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To rinse you press on a small piston valve on the top behind the seat. It’s really simple and easy to use.
To empty there is a 90 degree pipe that rotates out so you can easily tip the base up and let it drain. You can rinse out the waste water tank by opening the gate valve and adding water.
The waste water tank has a level indicator on the front to help you know when it’s time to empty.
There is also a sprayer with a long hose included you can use to clean out the toilet bowl.
A heavy duty carry case with handles is included for cleaner and easier transporting.
There are no floor mount brackets included.
The Alpcour Portable Toilet is a super portable but still tall and comfortable cassette toilet.
It has a great manual rinse system and the included carry case is a nice touch.
PROS
- For Indoor & Outdoor Use
- No Electricity Required
- Uses Water To Flush
- Completely Self Contained
- Heavy Duty Center Gate Valve
- Storage Bag Included
- Waste Tank Level Indicator
CONS
- No Floor Mount Brackets Included
4. Camco Premium Travel Toilet
This is the luxury version of a Camco cassette toilet. It’s not quite as portable as the other one in this review but it makes up for it in design and a larger size.
If you’re looking for a toilet for a cabin, boat, or RV this is going to be the better choice out of the two Camco portable toilets.
The wastewater tank can hold up to 5.3 gallons and the fresh water tank can hold up to 4 gallons.
It weighs 14 lbs and has a 350 lbs weight capacity.
It measures 18 inches long, 16.25 inches wide, and 17.5 inches tall.
The toilet seat is pretty close to standard size and is around 15 inches long and 13 inches wide.
To flush it uses a gate valve that you pull out from the side. The valve totally seals off the wastewater tank making it odor proof and watertight.
To rinse there is a hand pump on the top left hand side. Just pull it up and water will come out of the 3 way tube inside the bowl and rinse out the entire thing.
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To remove the seat from the wastewater tank there is a latch in the back you pull.
There’s a built-in carry handle in the back for easier transport and there is a 90 degree pipe that folds out.
The elbow outlet helps reduce the risk of splashback and it’s also more ergonomic when tilting it to dump it into a toilet.
There’s no tank level indicator which would have been a nice touch and there are also no included mounts to secure it to the floor.
There is, however, a storage bag is included according to Camco.
The Camco Premium Travel Toilet is an excellent option for vans, RVs, and boats because it has large storage tanks, a big toilet seat, and it has an awesome rinse system.
I would like to see some mounting brackets available but that’s a pretty easy fix you can do on your own.
PROS
- For Indoor & Outdoor Use
- Uses Water To Flush
- Completely Self Contained
- Water Tight Center Valve
- Standard Toilet Seat
- Extra Large Freshwater Tank
- No Electricity Required
CONS
- No Level Indicator
- No Floor Mounting Kit
5. Thetford Cassette Toilet
This is the small super portable version in the Thetford Porta Potti line of cassette toilets.
This is going to be perfect for use on road trips or for van dwellers and campers who are going to be the only ones using this toilet.
It measures only 13.5 inches long, 12.1 inches wide, and 15.1 inches tall.
It weighs 8 lbs when empty.
The freshwater tank holds 2.6 gallons and the wastewater tank holds 2.6 gallons.
The wastewater tank is half the size of the other portable toilets in this review.
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The seat part is actually very similar to a large portable toilet. It’s around 12 inches long and 11 inches wide.
To flush you pull a lever on the front to move the rotating valve in the center of the bowl. The valve seals the wastewater tank stoping odors and making it watertight.
To rinse you press on a “bellows” style button on the top behind the lid. It pumps water from the fresh tank manually.
Because there are no electrical parts this can be used indoors and outdoors.
To empty just detach the seat part from the water tank. There’s a 90 degree elbow that folds out to help you drain the tank more easily.
There are no floor mounts or bags included.
There is a storage bag available for purchase, you can find it here (click to view on Amazon).
The Thetford Cassette Toilet is a fantastic choice for smaller living spaces like pop up campers and vans. It can easily fit under a seat and the smaller tank can be easier to empty if you can’t carry much weight.
PROS
- For Indoor & Outdoor Use
- No Electricity Required
- Uses Water To Flush
- Completely Self Contained
- Heavy Duty Center Gate Valve
- Smaller Waste Tank Is Easy To Empty
CONS
- Small Freshwater & Waste Tank
- No Floor Mount Brackets Included
- No Waste Tank Level Indicator
- No Storage Bag Included
6. Giantex Portable Toilet
The Giantex portable travel toilet is the most basic option and the closest thing to the old 5 gallon bucket with a bag option.
It’s not really a cassette toilet but it is still a decent portable toilet option that’s good for tent campers who want to make a nice outhouse.
The cool thing about this portable toilet is it uses a standard size toilet seat, and there’s even a cover inside the toilet as well as a lid to help stop odors.
The entire thing measures 16 inches wide, 19.5 inches wide, and 13.5 inches tall.
It’s the same height as a 5 gallon bucket so if you were hoping for something a little taller this isn’t going to be it.
It weighs only 4.5 lbs when empty and has a sturdy design made with strong plastic that can hold up to 440 lbs.
The outer toilet part even has a removable toilet paper roll holder. As someone who’s used a 5 gallon bucket before when camping the toilet paper holder is actually really nice since deciding where to put the roll can be a struggle.
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The inner bucket measures 11.5 inches long, 13.5 inches wide, and 7.5 inches tall. It has a 5 gallon capacity.
You line it with a garbage bag and add something like wood shavings (click to view on Amazon) or Pete moss (click to view on Amazon) as you use it.
One nice thing about this style of portable toilet compared to a cassette toilet is you can throw the bag away in a dumpster and you don’t need to dump it down a toilet or anything like that.
It’s not as nice when you’re using it but the cleanup is a lot faster.
The inner bucket has a lid you can cover it with when you’re done going to the bathroom. There’s also a lid that covers the toilet seat.
With two lids and shavings or Pete moss trapping in odors, it’s actually not as smelly as you might think.
I don’t recommend the Giantex Portable Toilet for inside an RV, van, or home. But for an outhouse or outdoor toilet for camping, it’s pretty nice.
When used with a you can have a nice outhouse anywhere.
PROS
- Easy To Dispose Of Waste
- Standard Size Toilet Seat
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Lid For Inner Bucket & Toilet Seat
- Toilet Paper Holder Built In
CONS
- Must Use With Shavings or Pete Moss
- Not For Indoor Use
What To Look For In A Portable Toilet For Indoor Use
Toilet Seat Height
A standard toilet seat like the one found in your home is 15 inches from the ground.
Most portable toilet measurements include the height of the toilet lid when closed which adds about 1-2 inches.
That means most of the toilets in this review are close to the standard toilet seat height with the exception of some of the smaller cassette toilets.
It’s important to pay attention to the height for both storage reasons and comfort.
Getting a taller portable toilet that’s easy to stand up from is something to think about if you have trouble getting up from low seats.
Also, when considering outdoor use, a taller toilet seat means a lower chance of bugs reaching the toilet bowl and seat.
Toilet Seat Size
Seat size can be pretty important if you want a comfortable bathroom experience when using your portable toilet. It’s especially important if you plan on using it full-time.
A standard toilet seat is around 14 inches wide and 16 inches long.
The smallest cassette toilet in this review has a seat that’s 12 inches long and 11 inches wide. Most of the other ones are closer to the standard toilet seat dimensions.
The closer the toilet seat is to a standard one the more comfortable the portable toilet will be to use.
Waste Disposal Process
One thing about cassette toilets is you can’t just dump the wastewater anywhere. It needs to be disposed of properly inside a flushing toilet or an RV dump station.
It’s pretty easy to empty them but unless you use an RV dump station you will be looking at some raw sewage when dumping it.
You will also need to rinse it out which could potentially get a little messy.
The easiest waste disposal style of portable toilet is the good old bucket lined with a garbage bag.
With that kind, you can just throw away the garbage bag in a dumpster and be done with it. The main downsides are that you have to use some sort of filler like wood shavings or Pete moss and it’s not nearly as nice to use as a water rinse cassette toilet.
They also can’t be used indoors because there is no way to stop the odors completely.
See Also: How To Find Nearby RV Dump Stations & Fresh Water Fill-Up
My Pick For Best Cassette Toilet
Since this review is focusing on the best portable toilets the Camco is my pick for the best overall.
This specific design is the most portable with a smaller freshwater tank that makes it more lightweight.
It’s made with quality materials and the gate valve is extra secure and watertight when transporting the waste tank.
The manual rinse pump is dependable and even though the freshwater tank is a little small you don’t need to use much water to rinse out the bowl anyways.
I actually like that the wastewater tank doesn’t use the 90 degree elbow that folds out because I think moving parts create a higher risk for leaks. And you do not want a full porta potty tank leaking.
Overall it’s got a fantastic design. I wish there was a level indicator on the waste tank but you can look inside pretty easily to see how full it’s getting.
The toilet seat could be slightly longer but it’s plenty big even for larger people and it’s a good comfortable height.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cassette & Portable Toilets
Should I Use RV Black Tank Treatment Inside My Portable/Cassette Toilet?
Yes, you should use treatment inside your porta potty. It will help break down the toilet paper and solid waste making it easier to empty.
I recommend the Happy Campers Holding Tank Treatment (click to view on Amazon). It’s what I use in my RV black tank and it works amazing.
It uses no dangerous or toxic chemicals and it helps eliminate odors.
It works fast and it really does a fantastic job at breaking down toilet paper and solid waste.
How Does A Porta Potty Or Cassette Toilet Work?
Using a wastewater tank, a fresh water tank, a toilet bowl, and a seat, a cassette toilet works almost exactly like the flushing toilet in an RV.
To use, open the valve on the side or front to get access to the waste tank that doubles as the base of the portable toilet.
Once you’ve done your business you can use the manual or electric pump behind the lid to rinse out the bowl with freshwater.
Once everything’s been cleaned off you close the toilet bowl valve and you’re good to go.
When the wastewater tank is full you simply detach it from the toilet seat and empty it into a flushing toilet, a vault toilet, or an RV dump site.
It’s a fantastic way to get a nice toilet inside your camper, van, boat, or cabin without having to add a sewer or plumbing.
What Can I Use For A Pop Up Camper Toilet?
A water rinse cassette toilet is going to be the best option for a pop up camper.
The bucket style kind will release too many odors for use inside any kind of camper.
The nice thing about cassette toilets is they can be pretty short and small and stored under the seat inside a pop up camper.
Where Can I Empty A Portable Toilet?
Most portable toilets come with a base tank that can be detached from the main toilet part. You can then take the base to a few different places to be emptied.
If you have a home with a flushing toilet you can empty it into your home toilet. Just make sure you flush a lot so you don’t clog the toilet.
This is a simple way to empty a portable or cassette toilet but it’s also one of the more difficult ways.
If you’re in a campground you could empty it into a vault toilet so long as there’s just organic waste, water, and toilet paper inside your portable toilet.
If there’s an RV dump station nearby you could also empty it there.
Make sure you are using plenty of water and toilet treatment to help break down the toilet paper and solid waste inside the cassette toilet to make dumping it easier.
If you are camping out in the wilderness for a long time another option is to get a portable waste tank (click to go to review). They can normally hold around 30 gallons of waste water securely and you could empty your cassette toilet into that and then dump it at an RV dump station later.
What Is The Height Of A Portable Toilet Compared To A Regular Toilet?
A regular toilet’s standard height is 15 inches. Some are slightly taller though to make them easier to stand up from for the elderly or people with knee trouble.
A portable or cassette toilet seat can be anywhere from 12 to 17 inches tall.
When shopping for a portable toilet getting one that’s the right capacity and height for you is important.
Usually, a little taller seat height is better than lower.
Why Do I Need To Empty My Portable Toilet Before Leaving It For More Than A Few Days?
This is something that I’ve seen mentioned a few times before. Good quality portable toilets are completely sealed off to stop odors and leaks.
This is really great for when you are using the toilet but one thing you should know is sewage waste does release gases as it breaks down over time.
This can cause some pressure to build up in your cassette toilet if you leave it for too long.
I’ve heard a few sad stories from campers who forgot to empty the toilet before leaving it in storage for the summer and came back to a bad mess.
Make sure you take care of the waste in the toilet after every trip. This not only will stop it from ever possibly building pressure but it’s also much easier to clean and empty the quicker you get to it.
Why Won’t My Portable Toilet Empty Easily?
The main cause for clogged portable toilets when you are trying to empty them is not enough fresh water being added to the waste water tank before you start using it and while you are using it.
You should always have around a gallon of freshwater inside the wastewater tank right at the beginning. There should be some black tank treatment chemicals in there as well to help break down solid waste and toilet paper.
When you’re using a portable toilet it can be tempting to try and only use it when you have to go number two or to try and not use any rinse water.
This will actually make things more difficult in the long run since a cassette toilet needs liquid inside of it to help break things down.
To sum it all up, to make emptying a portable toilet easier you need more freshwater and tank treatment inside the wastewater tank.
Have any more questions about portable and cassette toilets for indoor use? Leave a comment below.
