Portable camping toilets offer a practical and hygienic way for campers, caravanners and outdoor enthusiasts to maintain comfort when facilities are limited. 

Designed to be compact and discreet, portable camping toilets are great for camping, festivals, motorhome trips and off-grid adventures. From basic bucket-style to advanced flushing models, read on to understand the various types and features, and how a portable toilet might benefit you on your next adventure. 

In this guide:

  1. What is a portable camping toilet
  2. Types of camping toilets
  3. Which camping toilet is right for you
  4. Our recommended camping toilets
  5. Toilet chemicals explained
  6. What toilet paper should I use
  7. Where can I empty portable camping toilets
What is a portable camping toilet?

A portable toilet is a self-contained toilet designed for use in locations without access to permanent bathroom facilities. Compact, lightweight and easy to maintain, they are commonly used for camping, caravanning, motorhome travel, boating, outdoor events and festivals.

Types of portable camping toilet

There are four main types of camping toilets available, each designed to suit different camping styles, trip lengths, and budgets. Whether you're looking for a simple emergency toilet or a more permanent solution for extended adventures, here's a quick guide to the main types.

1. Bucket Toilets

Affordable and straightforward, bucket toilets do exactly what they say on the tin. Typically consisting of a bucket with a toilet seat and lid, they're lightweight, compact, and easy to transport. Waste is collected in a disposable bag or toilet liner, making them ideal for short trips or emergency use. 

Best for:

✔ Festivals
✔ Emergency use
✔ Weekend camping

2. Chemical Toilets

Chemical toilets are among the most popular types of portable camping toilets, making them a favourite among campers, caravanners, and motorhome owners. They feature a fresh water flush tank and a separate waste holding tank, with toilet chemicals used to break down waste, control odours, and keep the tank hygienic between emptying.

Most portable chemical toilets use either a manual piston flush or an electric flush system, offering a more comfortable experience that's similar to using a household toilet. Available in a range of sizes and capacities, they're suitable for everything from weekend camping trips to extended holidays.

Best for:

✔ Family camping
✔ Caravan holidays
✔ Longer trips
✔  Van Life 

3. Composting Toilets

Composting toilets separate solid and liquid waste, allowing natural decomposition with the help of composting materials such as sawdust or chaff. They require no harsh chemicals, making them a popular choice for eco-conscious campers and those spending longer periods off-grid.

Best for:

✔ Off-grid camping
✔ Eco-conscious campers
✔ Extended stays

4. Cassette Toilets

Cassette toilets are commonly found in caravans and motorhomes, where a built-in toilet is standard. Waste is collected in a removable cassette, which can be emptied at designated chemical waste disposal points found on most campsites and caravan parks. Their convenience and generous waste capacity make them a popular choice for touring holidays and longer adventures.


Best for:

✔ Caravans

✔ Motorhomes

✔ Touring holidays

 

Our Recommended Portable Camping Toilets

At our camping superstore in Whitminster, you'll find a wide range of portable camping toilets to suit every type of camper. From simple bucket toilets to premium flushing and composting models, we've selected three of our bestselling options to help you find the right one for your next adventure.

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Kampa Khazi Portable Toilet (Bucket)

If you're looking for a back-to-basics camping toilet, the Kampa Khazi Portable Toilet is a fantastic choice. Designed with simplicity in mind, it features a sturdy seat, a removable waste bag system, and a compact frame that's easy to transport and store. With no chemicals, flushing system, or moving parts required, it's a practical and hassle-free solution for short trips.

Its straightforward design makes it ideal for first-time campers, festivals, weekend breaks, or simply as an emergency toilet to keep in the car or campervan. Simply line it with a waste bag, use it, and dispose of the waste responsibly.

Why we recommend it: If you're after a simple, fuss-free toilet for occasional use, it's hard to beat. It's lightweight, affordable, and ideal for festivals, short camping trips, or as a handy backup to keep in the car.

Take a closer look

 

Porta Potti Qube 165 (Flushing Chemical Toilet)

As one of our bestselling portable camping toilets, the Thetford Porta Potti Qube 165 hits the sweet spot for most campers. Simple, reliable, and great value for money, it features a manual flush system, so there's no need for batteries, charging, or wiring.

Compact enough to fit comfortably in campervans, caravans, awnings, or tents, it's also a comfortable height for adults and easy to carry when it's time to empty the waste tank.

Made by Thetford, one of the most trusted names in the camping, caravan, and motorhome industry, the Porta Potti Qube 165 is built from durable, high-quality materials. It is designed to provide years of reliable use.

Why we recommend it: This is the portable toilet we recommend most often because it offers an excellent balance of comfort, size, reliability, and value. Whether you're new to camping or upgrading your current setup, it's a fantastic all-round choice.

Take a closer look

Outdoor Revolution ‘When Nature Calls’ Composting portable toilet (Composting)

If you're looking for a more environmentally friendly camping toilet, the Outdoor Revolution 'When Nature Calls' Composting Toilet is well worth considering. Unlike traditional chemical toilets, it uses no water or harsh chemicals. Instead, it separates solid and liquid waste, allowing natural decomposition to occur with the help of compostable material such as sawdust or chaff.

The composting material absorbs moisture, helping to reduce odours and create a cleaner, more pleasant toilet experience.

Designed for off-grid adventures and extended stays, this system also reduces the need for frequent emptying compared to many traditional portable toilets.

Why we recommend it: If you're planning longer off-grid adventures or looking to reduce your environmental impact, this composting toilet is a brilliant alternative to traditional chemical toilets.

Take a closer look

Toilet Type

Best For

Uses Chemicals

Flushes

Typical Price

Bucket

Festivals

No

No

£

Chemical

Camping

Yes

Yes

££–£££

Composting

Off-grid

No

No

££££

Cassette

Caravan

Yes

Yes

Built-in

 

Do I Need Toilet Chemicals?

If you're using a chemical or flushing portable toilet, then yes – toilet chemicals are highly recommended. They do much more than simply mask unpleasant smells. Toilet chemicals help break down waste, reduce odours, prevent gas build-up, and keep your waste tank cleaner between emptying.

Different chemicals are designed for different parts of your toilet, so choosing the right one will help keep everything working efficiently and make emptying and cleaning much more pleasant. 

Not every portable toilet needs chemicals, but if you're using a chemical toilet, they're essential for keeping it hygienic and working properly.

 

Which Toilet Chemical Do I Need?

Understanding toilet chemicals in portable toilets comes down to knowing what they’re designed to do inside a closed system: control odour, break down waste, and keep the tank hygienic between emptying cycles. 

Here's a simple guide to the different types of toilet chemicals and when to use them.

Waste tank chemicals (blue/green and organic types)

Waste tank chemicals are added directly to the waste tank. Their main job is to break down waste, reduce unpleasant odours, prevent gas build-up, and make emptying the toilet much easier

💙 Recommended Blue chemicals

💙 https://www.attwoolls.co.uk/elsan-blue-2-litre-carton

💙 Thetford Aquakem Blue - 0.75L Concentrated 

Blue toilet chemicals provide the strongest odour control and waste breakdown. They use powerful chemical agents to quickly break down waste, helping to keep your waste tank cleaner for longer. They're particularly effective during hot weather or when your toilet is being used frequently.

Best for:

  • Heavy use
  • Family camping
  • Hot weather
  • Maximum odour control

Pros

  • Excellent odour control
  • Quickly breaks down waste
  • Helps prevent gas build-up
  • Keeps the waste tank cleaner for longer

Cons

  • Not suitable for septic tanks or some eco campsites
  • Uses stronger chemical ingredients
  • Has a stronger artificial scent

 

💚 Recommended Green chemicals

💚 Thetford Aquakem Green - 0.75L Concentrated 

💚 https://www.attwoolls.co.uk/elsan-organic-2-litre 

Green toilet chemicals use biodegradable ingredients to break down waste while still offering excellent odour control. They're designed to be kinder to the environment and are accepted at many campsites that only allow environmentally friendly toilet chemicals.

Best for:

  • Eco-conscious campers
  • Campsites with green chemical policies
  • Regular camping trips

Pros

  • More environmentally friendly
  • Safe for many septic tanks
  • Accepted at most eco campsites
  • Effective odour control

Cons

  • Slightly less effective than blue chemicals in very hot weather
  • May require more frequent emptying during heavy use

 

💛 Recommended Organic chemicals

💛 https://www.attwoolls.co.uk/elsan-organic-400ml

Organic toilet chemicals use naturally occurring bacteria and enzymes to break down waste rather than relying on harsh chemicals. They're the most environmentally friendly option and work by encouraging natural decomposition while reducing unpleasant odours.

Best for:

  • Composting toilets
  • Eco-conscious campers
  • Off-grid adventures
  • Septic tank systems

Pros

  • Most environmentally friendly option
  • Safe for septic tanks
  • Uses natural bacteria and enzymes
  • Can also be used in some flush tanks

Cons

  • Slower to start working
  • Performs best in the right conditions
  • It may take longer to reduce odours

 

Flush tank chemicals (the pink range)

Flush tank chemicals are added to the fresh water flush tank, rather than the waste tank. They help keep the toilet bowl clean, reduce limescale build-up, lubricate seals, and leave a fresh fragrance after every flush.

🩷 Recommended pink flush tank chemicals

🩷 Elsan Pink Rinse 1 litre 

🩷 Elsan Double Rinse Concentrated - 400ml 

Pink toilet chemicals don't break down waste—instead, they keep your toilet fresh, clean, and working smoothly. They're designed for toilets with a separate flush tank and help improve the flushing experience while reducing staining.

Best for:

  • Chemical toilets with a separate flush tank
  • Caravan and motorhome toilets
  • Keeping your toilet fresh between cleans

Pros

  • Leaves a fresh fragrance
  • Helps prevent staining
  • Lubricates seals and moving parts
  • Reduces limescale build-up

Cons

  • Not essential for all portable toilets
  • Only suitable for toilets with a separate flush tank

 

Toilet Chemicals at a glance

💙 Blue – Strongest odour control and waste breakdown.

💚 Green – Eco-friendly with excellent everyday performance.

💛 Organic – Natural bacteria and enzyme-based formula.

🩷 Pink – Flush tank cleaner that keeps your toilet fresh and lubricated.

 

Can I Use Normal Toilet Paper?

We would always recommend using toilet paper that's specifically designed for portable camping toilets. It breaks down much faster than standard household toilet paper, helping to reduce blockages, keep your waste tank cleaner, and make emptying easier.

Some campsites may also have policies on the types of toilet paper that can be disposed of at their chemical waste points, so it's always worth checking before you travel.

We recommend using the Elsan Toilet rolls or the Thetford Aqua Soft which can be purchased in-store and online. 

See recommended Toilet Rolls

 

Where Can I Empty a Portable Camping Toilet?

Most chemical and cassette portable toilets should be emptied at designated chemical waste disposal points, commonly found at campsites, caravan parks, motorhome service points, and some public motorhome stopovers. These facilities are specifically designed for the safe disposal of toilet waste.

Never empty waste into standard toilets, drains, hedgerows, or watercourses, as this can harm the environment and may be against local regulations. If you're unsure where the nearest disposal point is, check with your campsite or use a campsite directory before you travel.

For bucket or composting toilets, always follow the manufacturer's guidance on how and where to dispose of waste responsibly.

 

A final note from us

Whether you're heading to a campsite, festival, or planning an off-grid adventure, the right portable camping toilet can make your trip far more comfortable. From simple bucket toilets to premium chemical and composting models, there's a solution to suit every camping style.

Visit our camping superstore in Whitminster to explore our full range on display. Our experienced team will be happy to help you choose the right portable toilet, toilet chemicals, and accessories for your next adventure.

Discover all Toilets, chemicals and accessories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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