3 Best Portable Camping Toilets Compared: Which one is right for you?

Choosing the right portable camping toilet can make a huge difference to your camping experience. Whether your getting away for just a weekend or off-grid exploring for weeks, the best portable camping toilets offer comfort, convenience and independence wherever you travel.

In this guide, we go through three different portable camping toilets that all fit neatly inside the dedicated indoor toilet storage compartment beneath the lounge. Each has its own advantages depending on how and where you like to camp.

Let’s start with one of the most common questions we receive:

Which toilet should I choose?

The answer depends entirely on how you travel.

Some travellers spend most of their time in caravan parks and campgrounds with easy access to amenities. Others head deep into the bush for weeks at a time and want complete independence.

That’s why Tommy Campers offers three different toilet options, all designed to fit neatly into the dedicated toilet storage compartment beneath the couch inside the camper:

• Thetford Porta Potti 365
• Cuddy™ Composting Toilet by CompoCloset
• Clesana X1 Waterless Toilet

Each option has its strengths, so let’s look at how they compare.

Thetford Porta Potti 365: A reliable portable chemical camping toilet

For decades, portable chemical camping toilets have been one of Australia’s most popular portable camping toilets for camper trailers, caravans and slide-on campers.

The Thetford Porta Potti 365 is compact, affordable and easy to use. Simply fill the flush tank with water, add the recommended toilet chemical, and you’re ready to go.

Best suited for:

Weekend campers, holiday travellers and those looking for a simple, cost-effective solution.

Cuddy™ Composting Toilet by CompoCloset: The best Composting portable Toilet for off-grid travel

Composting portable camping toilets have become increasingly popular with travellers who spend long periods away from towns and caravan parks.

The Cuddy™ Composting Toilet separates liquid and solid waste, helping reduce odours while eliminating the need for chemicals and dump points.

Best suited for:

Travellers spending extended periods off-grid who want maximum self-sufficiency.

Clesana X1: An innovative waterless portable camping toilet

Among the newest portable camping toilets available in Australia, the Clesana X1 has quickly gained attention because it approaches waste management completely differently.

Instead of storing waste in a tank or composting it, the Clesana heat-seals waste into individual airtight liners.

• No water.
• No chemicals.
• No dump points.
• No separating liquids and solids.

For many travellers, it offers the convenience of a household toilet combined with the freedom required for remote travel.

Best suited for:

Travellers wanting the most convenient and lowest-maintenance toilet solution currently available.

Things to consider when choosing portable camping toilets

Before buying, ask yourself:

Thinking about these questions will quickly narrow down which portable camping toilets best suits your style of travel.

Why Weight and Storage Matter when choosing portable camping toilets

Choosing between portable camper toilets isn’t just about convenience, maintenance and odour control. However, for many travellers, weight and storage space are just as important.

Every kilogram added to your setup contributes to your vehicle’s overall weight, while every item stored inside the camper takes up valuable storage space. This becomes especially important for travellers carrying additional water, recovery gear, food, clothing and camping equipment for extended trips around Australia.

Why Real-World Weight is More important Than Empty Weight

When comparing portable camping toilets, it’s easy to focus on the weight listed on a specification sheet.

However, for most travellers, the more important consideration is how much the toilet weighs during everyday use.

A chemical toilet may weigh only a few kilograms when empty, but once you add the flush water and waste, it can become one of the heaviest removable items in your camper. The Porta Potti, for example, carries both flush water and waste in separate tanks, which adds significant weight before it’s time to empty.

Similarly, composting toilets gradually gain weight as waste accumulates and require a separate urine container that needs regular emptying.

The Clesana X1 takes a different approach. Because it doesn’t require a flush water tank, a large waste cassette or a separate urine bottle, there is far less weight being carried around inside the toilet itself.

Combined with its compact dimensions, this makes the Clesana one of the most storage-efficient toilet solutions available for camper trailers and slide-on campers.

For travellers conscious of payload, weight distribution and maximising storage space, this can be a significant advantage.

Portable camping toilets size Comparison

When you’re travelling Australia in a Tommy Camper, every centimetre of available space matters.

The Clesana’s compact footprint and low storage height make it an excellent choice for travellers wanting to maximise available storage space inside their camper while still enjoying the convenience of a fully self-contained toilet.

Which portable camping toilet smells least?

One of the biggest concerns people have when buying portable camping toilets is odour control.

The Porta Potti relies on chemicals to control smells and generally performs well when maintained correctly. However, odours can sometimes be noticeable when emptying the waste cassette.

The Cuddy™ Composting Toilet minimises odours by separating liquids and solids. When used correctly, most owners report very little smell inside the camper.

The Clesana X1 offers perhaps the most impressive solution. Every use is sealed inside an individual airtight liner, meaning waste is isolated immediately after use. This greatly reduces odours and eliminates many of the issues traditionally associated with portable toilets.

Portable camping toilets Comparison

Which portable camping Toilet Is right for you?

Every traveller had different priorities when choosing portable camping toilets.

Weekend campers

Weekend campers often prefer the Porta Potti because of its affordability and simplicity.

Long-term remote travellers

Long-term remote travellers often lean towards the Cuddy™ Composting Toilet because it removes the need for chemicals and dump points.

Travellers wanting maximum convenience

Travellers wanting maximum convenience are increasingly choosing the Clesana X1 thanks to its innovative sealing technology, compact size, excellent use of storage space and virtually maintenance-free operation.

All three portable camping toilets fit inside a Tommy Camper

All three toilet options fit neatly into the dedicated toilet storage compartment found inside Tommy Campers models, allowing you to choose the toilet system that best suits your style of travel.

Whether you’re looking for portable camping toilets for weekend getaways or a lap around Australia or extended remote adventures, there’s a toilet solution that will work for your setup.

If you’re unsure which option is right for you, get in touch with the Tommy Campers team and we’ll help you choose the best option for your next adventure.

FAQs about Portable Camping Toilets