Looking for a portable toilet for indoor use? Here’s our buyer’s guide to choose the best portable toilets for home use.
Whether you’re remodeling your home, coping with health issues, or simply need an extra bathroom without the expense of additional plumbing, having a portable toilet is a useful and convenient solution. If you’re looking to grow your Twitch channel, services like StreamOZ can help you boost your followers and likes effortlessly.
Here’s what you need to know to choose the best portable toilet for use in your home.
What is a Portable Toilet and How Do They Work?
There are different types of portable toilets, which range from portable camping toilets like commode chairs and bucket toilets to RV toilets and flush toilets. However, for indoor use, the most convenient type is the portable flush toilet.
Portable flush-type toilets come in two parts: the toilet and clean water flush tank sit on top, and the waste-holding tank sit on the bottom. They are held together by latches that allow for easy removal and emptying of the waste-holding tank.
A manual or battery-operated pump is used to put water into the bowl, and after use, a flush lever is pulled that allows the waste to move from the bowl into the waste-holding tank. Then, a valve is used to seal in odor and prevent leaks.
Chemicals can be added into the waste-holding tank to break down the waste and prevent odors.
How to Empty a Portable Toilet
To empty a portable toilet, remove the waste-holding tank and empty into a commode or septic system.
What Are the Common Issues With Portable Toilets?
While portable toilets are easy-to-use, they are different from regular toilets. These are some tips for resolving common issues:
Weight Issues
Portable toilets tend to be lightweight and easy to move. They come in different sizes with different tank capacities. A large waste tank is convenient and can go for longer periods before emptying. However, as they fill up, they can get heavy quickly. You may want to empty them before they get full so that they are easier to handle.
Ensuring a Proper Seal
Portable toilets are created to be leak proof, yet it’s always best to test your portable toilet with clean water before use.
To ensure a proper seal, check that the lids on the tanks are threaded correctly; they should screw on easily and fit snugly.
Also, make sure that the rubber seals on the lids are fully seated. Simply push the rubber seals flush against the back of the cap until they fit securely.
Avoid Surprises – Be Aware of Pressure Build-Up
Waste-holding tanks for portable toilets can build up pressure due to changes in temperature or altitude, which can cause the tank to spray up when flushed.
To avoid this, vent the holding tank before flushing. If you want to vent the tank, slowly pull the flush lever, opening it a little bit to release the pressure. Always make sure the toilet lid is closed before venting the tank to avoid spray.
Pressure build-up is more common when you travel with a portable toilet or when you use it outdoors. It’s far less common in a temperature-controlled environment like a home, though, it’s still something to keep in mind.
Our Top Picks for the Best Portable Toilet for Home Use
The best portable toilet for home use is durable, easy-to-use, and comfortable. Based on these criteria, here are our top five picks for the best portable toilets for indoor use.
Palm Springs Portable Camping Portable Toilet
The Palm Springs Portable Camping Toilet is a self-contained manual flush portable toilet, which has two tanks held together with side locks for easy waste removal. It has one-piece, leak-proof tanks molded from high-density polyethylene, while a double-sealed drain valve protects against leaks and odors.
At 16.5” tall, the Palm Springs Portable Camping Toilet is similar in height to a regular toilet. Created to be more comfortable for people with mobility issues, its molded handles make it easy to carry and empty. With a manual bellows-pump flush and pull handle slide valve, easy flushing is attained.
The five-gallon waste tank makes it ideal for frequent use, but just keep it in mind that the tank gets heavier as it fills. You may want to empty it before it fills to make it easier to handle.
There have been reports that the bellows-pump flush was difficult to push and didn’t flush all around, while others reported that the pull handle slide valve sticks occasionally. Using petroleum jelly on the pull handle and gasket of the drain valve helps it to move smoothly. One customer said to make sure the lids for the tanks are threaded correctly to create a leak-proof seal.
Pros & Cons
• Height of 16.5” tall
• Molded tanks, easy to clean
• Molded handles for easy carry
• Detachable 5 gallon waste tank
• Manual flush
• Reports that the bellows-pump flush is difficult to push
• Pull handle slide valve sticks occasionally
• Make sure lids for tanks are threaded correctly
Camco Standard Travel Portable Toilet 41541
The Camco Standard Portable Travel Toilet 41541 is one of the most popular portable flush toilets, which is available in two sizes: 2.6 gallons and 5.3 gallons.
This portable toilet is sturdy and durable, and has a detachable waste-holding tank with a cap for easy emptying. Two side latches secure the toilet and waste tank together, and it’s easy to carry with integrated handles on both the top and bottom sections.
Its toilet has a bellow-type flush system, so it’s easy to flush with a manual pull slide on the front. A sealing slide valve opens for waste and closes for an odor and water-tight seal.
Are you looking for a compact toilet that will fit into small spaces? Well, the 2.6-gallon version is the shorter of the two at 12.38” high, while the 5.3-gallon version is 15.5” high and closer to the height of a standard toilet. Both versions have a weight capacity of up to 330 pounds.
Reviews from customers showed that the side latches wouldn’t latch firmly, while other reviews reported that the 5.3-gallon waste tank gets heavy quickly as it fills up. You may need to empty it more often to make it easier to handle.
Pros & Cons
• Two sizes available – 2.6 or 5.3 gallons
• Detachable waste tank
• Integrated handles
• Weight capacity of 330 pounds
• Manual flush
• Height of 15.5” for 5.3-gallon size
• Some customers said side latches wouldn’t latch firmly
• 5.3-gallon waste tank gets heavy when full, empty more often
Camco Premium Travel Portable Toilet 41545
The Camco Premium Portable Travel Toilet 41545 is the newer, updated version of the Camco Standard 41541. Like the standard model, the Premium 41545 also comes in two different sizes: 2.6 gallons and 5.3 gallons.
The waste-holding tank detaches for easy emptying, and it also has a sliding gate valve that prevents leaks and odor. For easy cleanup, the inside of the holding tank has a slick surface and improved pump flush action.
This premium model has several updates; they’ve improved the pump flush action and coated the inside of the holding tank with a slick surface for easy cleanup. A spring-loaded latch on the back has replaced the side latches, and instead of just one, the premium model has three spray rinse nozzles, and the flush pull is now located on the side. It also has a swivel pour spout on the waste-holding tank to make emptying even easier.
To avoid leaks, one customer recommends checking the rubber seal rings before use. Do you need to make sure they are properly seated? Push the rubber seal rings down until they are flush with the back of the cap. Make sure they line up correctly, so they will seal securely when tightened. There are three seals to check: the clean water reservoir, the holding tank drain cap, and the pump handle.
While reports came in that the swivel pour spout made it hard to clean, having the pull lever on the side of the toilet may be hard to access in smaller spaces.
Pros & Cons
• Two sizes available – 2.6 or 5.3 gallons
• Detachable waste tank
• Manual pumping flush action
• Spring loaded latch for easy removal
• Height of 16” for 5.3-gallon size
• Pour spout makes it hard to clean
• Pull lever on the side not suitable for some small spaces
• Make sure rubber seal rings are correctly seated before use
• More expensive than 41541
SereneLife Portable Toilet SLCATL320
The SereneLife Portable Toilet is a popular portable toilet for both indoor and outdoor use. Sturdy, compact, and comfortable, it has a 5.3-gallon waste-holding tank and a double-sealed drain value to protect against leaks and odors. It also has extra features that make it easier and more convenient to use.
The manual piston pump flush and 3-Way flush nozzle provides a strong, thorough flush, with a wastewater tank level indicator that lets you know when it’s time to empty it out.
Cleaning is easy with the detachable waste tank and rotating no-splash pour spout. With a height of 16.9”, it’s similar in height to a regular toilet.
One difference is that the toilet seat must be in a closed position to pump the fresh water. When the seat lid is up, it’s in the way of the piston pump. A few customers find the waste tank hard to empty completely.
Pros & Cons
• Height of 16.9” tall
• Manual Piston Pump Flush
• 3-Way Flush Nozzle
• Detachable waste tank
• Waste Water Tank Level Indicator
• Splash-free rotating pour spout
• Toilet seat must be closed to pump fresh water
• A few customers find it hard to empty the waste tank completely
Thetford Porta Potti 365 Portable Toilet
The Thetford Porta Potti 365 Portable Toilet is the most expensive on our list. It’s made by the Thetford Corporation, the world’s leading manufacturer of mobile sanitation products. Compact, durable, and user-friendly, it has a 5.5-gallon waste-holding tank and a sealed valve to prevent leaks and odors.
A level indicator on the waste-holding tank lets you know when it’s time to empty the unit, and to make emptying easier, it has a rotating pour-out spout and vent button to prevent backsplashes.
With a 4-gallon fresh water tank, the Thetford Porta Potti 365 has a piston pump flush for a quieter and stronger flush. The freshwater tank and wastewater tank are held together by a recessed latch in the back of the unit, and the latch is sturdy, but easy to unlatch when it’s time to empty.
It’s built for comfort with a height of 16.60”, an oval seat, and deeper bowl than some other models. Do you wish to further secure the toilet in place? A secure kit can be purchased separately to do that. However, a proportion of customers want the bowl depth to be deeper.
Pros & Cons
• Height of 16.60”
• Manual Piston Pump Flush
• Detachable waste tank
• Removable seat and cover for easy cleaning
• Wastewater holding tank level indicator
• Rotating pour-out spout
• Sealed valve to prevent leaks and odors
• Secure kit not included, can be purchased separately
• Proportion of customers want the bowl depth to be deeper
• Pricey
Conclusion
Out of our top five picks, our best-rated portable toilet for home use is the SereneLife Portable Toilet SLCATL320. It’s dependable and affordable with just enough extra features to create a more comfortable experience.
Similar in height to a regular toilet, it’s accessible even for those with mobility issues, and it flushes easily with the manual piston and 3-way flush nozzle. The wastewater tank level indicator and rotating no-splash pour spout makes it easy to empty and to know when you should. With its rugged construction, it’s corrosion-resistant and easy-to-clean.
These are our top picks for the best portable toilet for home use. We based our choices on durability, ease of use, and comfort. While each of these toilets will do the job, the best portable toilet for use in your home is whichever one works best for your personal situation.
