The 5 Best Portable Toilet Bowls [Ranked]
Portable toilets are ideal for outdoor recreational events, RVs, emergency use, and deep, wilderness camping- they are lightweight, air-tight, come equipped with high-weight capacities and an easy cleanup functionality.
As you can imagine, there are a lot of modern waste-disposal solutions on the market today- and these portable toilet bowls, in general, do not disappoint.
Contents
A Bare Bones Model
If you are looking for a bare-bones model the Rothco porta-potty is your best pick. It's a dependable option that lacks the tech-enhancements of other options.
If you want something more modern, check out the Thetford Porta Potti.
Top Pick: The Thetford Porta Potti
Thetford Video Overview
If you're looking for a modern, waste-disposal solution the 10 lb., Thetford Porta Potti Is our top pick- it includes battery-powered flush controls, an integrated toilet paper holder, a splash less pour-out spout for waste, a holding tank level indicator and a handy carrying handle.
The manufacturers claim that it is a leak-proof, odorless and highly sanitary portable toilets ideal for truckers, outdoor recreational activities, as well as residential use in the event of emergency power outages.
Users have highly positive feedback, saying that the seat height works well even for individuals well over 6 feet tall and even for children that are 4 feet tall.
Reviewer Feedback
Reviewers also commend the high-capacity waste tank that can hold 5 gallons- allowing you go a long time before you will have to clean it out. The water level indicators are easy to read and the battery-powered flush also convenient and modern features that buyers endorse.
It's a pretty sturdy toilet- with one 250 lb. user saying that it supports him without any problems, though he does say that the Thetford Porta Potti cannot double as a general-use chair because the lid, when closed, is too thin to support too much weight.
Also, users say that the instructions were not great, and the indicators, buttons and levers on the portable toilets are not labeled- but once you get the hang of how it works, that's not a big deal. If you're a woman, you might want to check out female urinals- they could be a practical alternative.
That said, there are a couple other high-quality portable toilets on the market today-let's take a look at five of the best-selling options and see how they compare.
Comparing Them
| Portable Toilet Bowls | Our Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The Earthtec Sanitary Portable Toilet Bowl | 4.3 | $$ |
 | The Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Portable Toilet | 4.4 | $ |
 | The Thetford Porta Potti 'Curve' Portable Toilet | 4.4 | $$ |
 | The Dometic Portable Toilet | 4.1 | $$ |
 | The Rothco Portable Camp Toilet | 3.7 | $ |
The 5 Best Portable Toilet Bowls
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This 5 gallon portable toilet has a non-stick surface, which makes the Earthtec Sanitary Toilet Bowl extremely easy to keep clean, which is an important feature for this kind of portable commode.
This sanitary port a bowl has a very lightweight design- so it is easy to transport and it is made with polyethylene so that it is able to withstand up to 440 pounds of weight.
The port a bowl toilet itself measures 16.5” H x 14.6” W x 16.9” D- which is large enough to remain comfortable for users of most sizes. The waste tank of this portable toilet has a rotating spout and handle- and it can rotate to any area you for very easy cleanup.
Those who have purchased this port a bowl toilet have found it to be very useful for long road trips they’ve taken. Especially trips with kids- because it eliminates the need to try and find a restroom while on the road. Other buyers have found that not only is it good for camping- but this port a bowl can be used in emergency situations during power outages.
A minority of users have reported, however, there is an issue with leaking.
Video Review
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sturdy holds up to 440 lbs
- Easy to clean
- Easy to transport
Cons
- Some units have been reported to leak
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This portable toilet sets up in just seconds a few and has three locking legs that hold it securely in place. The Cleanwaste Portable Toilet doesn’t require any assembly- so anyone can set it up pretty much anywhere.
The dimensions of this port a bowl sanitation unit are the exact same dimensions of your standard toilet in your own home- making it familiarly comfortable to use. This portable toilet bowl is also sturdy- holding up to 500 lbs, and its 3 leg design provides it stability even on uneven ground.
This porta bowl weighs just 7 pounds and is 15” x 4” x 19” which makes it compact and easy to transport.
It has been noted by some who have bought this port a bowl that the three legs do tend to be a little difficult to unlock and the lid does not stay up like a seat back so it’s not a good idea to use it that way.
Users of this portable sanitation bowl have commented on how sturdy the product is and is a pretty good item for those who backpack often because it folds down to about the size of a briefcase which makes it very easy to transport on hiking trips. Those who own the product like the mesh holder that keeps the waste kit from slipping avoiding messes.
Video Review
Pros
- Weighs only 7 lbs
- Sturdy holds up to 500 lbs
- Compact and easy to transport
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Legs a little difficult to unlock
- Toilet seat doesn't work well as a seat back
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This Thetford portable toilet has a sleek design and a more modern look than some other portable sanitation we’ve examined. It’s more pleasant aesthetic is complemented by a solid seat height along with an expanded bowl size.
A nice feature of this porta bowl is that it includes a toilet paper holder and a water tank that includes a carry handle. The Thetford Curved Portable sanitation unit also includes a tank level indicator for both fresh and waste water tanks.
It weighs 10 lbs and measures 17.8” x 15.5” x 17.6”- meaning that it has pretty solid dimensions for adult users. Reviewers commend the Thetford Porta Potti for being largely odorless and leak-proof, and also commend its easy access to the waste holding tank that has a pivoting pour spout.
Those who have bought this portable sanitation bowl like the height because it works for both short and tall people. Users also like the easy-to-read indicators for water levels and how easy it is to dump without a splashy mess.
One negative most users agree with is that the lid is too thin to use as a replacement chair-seat.
Video Review
Pros
- Seat height good for short and tall
- Water levels easy to read
- Waste tank has easy use spout and carry handle
- Odorless and leak proof
- Easy to use and clean
Cons
- Seat lid too thin
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This Dometic portable sanitation unit includes a 5 gal tank, as well as a stainless steel hold down giving this port a bowl enhanced stability for the user.
The Dometic Portable Sanitation unit has a powerful push button flush that is pressurized so there’s enough pressure for the portable toilet to flush all waste with each flush. The seat of this porta bowl is adult sized and the lid adds more comfort and there is added safety with the side latches on the unit that lock firmly in place.
This portable toilet bowl also features easy-to-see tank level indicator- so it’s easy to figure out when to dump the waste tank. This portable toilet bowl weighs 12.7 lbs and measures 13.5” x 15.5” x 16.5” making it compact and easy to store.
Customers who have bought this porta potty like how easy it is to clean- no worries about spilling waste because the seal on this sanitation unit is airtight and there are no leaks. The easy pour spout makes it easy to pour at any dumping station.
The only thing a lot of reviewers criticized is that the height is not very good for a tall person and a platform may be needed to increase height.
Video Review
Pros
- Easy to read indicator levels
- Easy to dump waste
- Has air tight seal so no leaking
- Sturdy
- Compact and easy to store
- Powerful Flush
Cons
- May not be high enough for tall people
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This portable toilet is a bare minimum mobile commode. It has no frills, no fancy waste tanks, nor does it come with a flushing unit. The Rothco Portable Toilet is designed for bare minimum needs when camping.
This portable camping toilet has a heavy-duty steel frame and a simple plastic molded toilet seat and comes with six plastic bags for waste material. It’s best suited for users who prefer as little gear as possible when camping and don’t require the more elaborate porta bowls.
Despite how this camp toilet may look, it is sturdy and can hold 350 pounds of weight. It measures 19.3” x 14.2” x 2.5” and weighs about 3 lbs. It folds in half when not in use for easy storage.
Campers who have purchased this Rothco camp toilet are often survivalists and camping enthusiasts who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a portable sanitation unit and like that it is simple to use and store.
Reviewers like that it can be set up just about anywhere in just a couple of seconds. Some negatives from some users about this portable camping toilet is that the bags that come with it for waste are not as strong as they should be and that the pieces that hold bags in place don’t always clip on perfectly so there is a chance of a mess being created.
Buyers also suggest not to use it on soft ground because the legs sink into the ground so it’s advised to use a board under the toilet.
Video Review
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to set up
- Easy to store and transport
Cons
- Not good for soft soil
- Bags are cheap and leak
- Clips to hold bags don't work well
Buying Guide
These portable toilets have a variety of uses- with some dedicated campers and recreational vehicle enthusiasts transporting them around the country for the convenience and comfort of this sanitary solution.
Other individuals who are caregivers for elderly or infirmed relatives, purchase them to have a convenient bedside commode so that loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia, for example, have a convenient and close-by waste solution. Bedside commodes are probably a better option, in that event, but they lack toilet safety rails, which are an important safety feature for the elderly, disabled or people with balance and coordination issues.
On a lighter note, they are also put to use for large outdoor events when there needs to be toilet facilities on site. In addition, some boating enthusiasts purchase portable toilets to make their guests more comfortable during extended outings.
While emptying out a portable toilet is certainly not a pleasant task, all of these modern portable toilets have engineered, to the best of their abilities, an easy disposal process. On traditional toilets- some users have endorsed using toilet seat risers for added comfort.
One of the primary concerns people have, which is highly understandable, is that these portable commodes remain leak-free. The Dometic has had some users complain that valve seals broke and that the flush slides were sometimes faulty- this makes us a little leery to recommend this particular portable toilet, even if these complaints were from only a minority of its buyers.
Probably the most basic of the portable toilets is the Roscoe portable camp toilet- because all it is, essentially, is a toilet seat with a plastic bag that sits on a steel frame. It's certainly a bit cheaper than the other options, but it is certainly not engineered for long-term use, and cannot be considered a highly sanitary option.
That said, it is a simpler device to use- and is less prone to breaking down like some of the more modern portable toilets that include battery-powered flushing mechanisms.
All that said, some serious survivalists endorse this portable commode for its simplicity, comfort and ease of use- saying that it is ideal for deeper wilderness use, as opposed to installing it inside of your recreational vehicle or for a weekend campground site.
Final thoughts
If you are in the market for one of these portable toilet bowls, check out our comparison table at the top of the page, review your own specifications to get a sense of what you truly can and cannot live without, and also click through to the individual product pages to examine what other users like you have to say about the different mobile commodes they purchased.
