Independent buying guides for car camping and roadtrips

Best Portable Camping Toilets for Car Camping

Updated How we research

Our top pick

Thetford Porta Potti 92306 Portable Toilet

Thetford's Porta Potti 92306 portable toilet is a flushing cassette toilet with a sealed holding tank for comfort-focused campers.

Our score8.4/10Mid-range

Best budget

Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet, 5 Gallon Capacity, Bucket Style with Snap On Lid, Seat and Cover, Includes Metal Handle for Easy Transport

Reliance Luggable Loo is a snap-on seat and lid that turns a standard 5-gallon bucket into a portable toilet. It weighs 3 lbs and has a metal handle and a 5-year guarantee.

Our score8.0/10

A portable camping toilet is a real comfort at sites without facilities, giving you a clean, private option close to camp. For car campers, families, and anyone staying more than a night, it beats a shovel and makes the trip far more comfortable. When comparing, look at the type, whether a flushing model, a bucket-style system, or a folding seat with bags, and the waste capacity. A stable, comfortable seat height and a secure, leakproof seal matter most. Check how easy it is to empty and clean between uses. The right portable toilet quietly solves one of camping's biggest comfort problems for the whole group.

The short version

We compared 6 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.4 out of 10, across $$, See on Amazon price bands.

Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score

Tick up to 3 picks to compare them side by side.
Thetford Porta Potti 92306 Portable Toilet#1
$$Mid-range

Thetford's Porta Potti 92306 portable toilet is a flushing cassette toilet with a sealed holding tank for comfort-focused campers.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Flushing design and sealed tank control odors better than buckets
  • + Home-style seat height is more comfortable for adults
  • + Detachable waste tank empties at dump stations or toilets
  • - Needs chemical additives and careful emptying
  • - Bulkier and pricier than bucket style camp toilets
Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Travel Toilet#2
$$Mid-range

The Camco 5.3-Gallon portable travel toilet is a flushing camp toilet with a detachable tank for RVs, vans and campsites.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + 5.3-Gallon holding tank handles several days for a couple
  • + Flush action keeps the bowl clean between uses
  • + Detachable tank makes emptying less messy
  • - Tank gets heavy when full, making emptying awkward
  • - Takes up more space than folding or bucket toilets
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet, 5 Gallon Capacity, Bucket Style with Snap On Lid, Seat and Cover, Includes Metal Handle for Easy Transport#3
See on Amazon

Reliance Luggable Loo is a snap-on seat and lid that turns a standard 5-gallon bucket into a portable toilet. It weighs 3 lbs and has a metal handle and a 5-year guarantee.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 10/10

  • + Snaps on and off a standard 5-gallon bucket, so setup is simple
  • + Snap-on lid reduces odors with a secure seal, and an integrated metal handle helps carrying
  • + Weighs about 3 lbs and comes with a 5-year manufacturer's guarantee, per the listing
  • - Bucket not included in the listing, so you supply a 5-gallon bucket yourself
  • - Basic design with no flush, and bags or waste handling are up to you
Reliance FOLD-TO-GO Folding Portable Camping Toilet#4
$$Mid-range

The Reliance FOLD-TO-GO folding portable camping toilet collapses flat, suiting campers who need a toilet in small cars.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10

  • + Folding frame packs flat behind a seat or in a trunk well
  • + Uses disposable waste bags for easy cleanup
  • + Light enough for tent camping and road trip emergencies
  • - Lightweight frame feels less stable than bucket toilets
  • - Waste bags must be bought separately and replaced often
Coleman Portable Flush Toilet#5
$$Mid-range

Coleman Portable Flush Toilet is a compact flushing toilet with a sealed tank, suiting families wanting a cleaner camp bathroom.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10

  • + Sealed holding tank helps contain odors inside a tent or van
  • + Flush water keeps the bowl clean for multiple users
  • + Coleman brand is widely supported for camp gear
  • - Requires regular emptying and chemical treatment
  • - Heavier and bulkier than simple folding toilets
VINGLI Portable Toilet | Indoor Outdoor Commode w/Detachable Inner Bucket & Removable Paper Holder, Lightweight & Compact for Camping, Boat, Van, Emergency Use (Grey)#6
See on Amazon

VINGLI portable commode with a detachable inner bucket, dual lid seal and removable paper holder. Splits into two nested pieces and weighs 5.5 lbs, a budget camp toilet.

Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Detaches into two pieces that nest for storage, and weighs 5.5 lbs
  • + Dual lid seal and removable inner bucket for less odor and easier emptying, with toilet bag use suggested
  • + Higher seat height, suggested for adults under 300 lbs, with a detachable paper holder
  • - Simple bucket design with no flush or water tank, unlike self-contained toilets
  • - Listing recommends adults under 300 lbs, a lower limit than some heavy-duty seats

Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged

No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.

Frequently asked questions

›What is the best choice among portable camping toilets for car camping?

Thetford Porta Potti 92306 Portable Toilet is our top overall pick. Thetford's Porta Potti 92306 portable toilet is a flushing cassette toilet with a sealed holding tank for comfort-focused campers. It earns our score of 8.4/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.

›What is a good budget option?

Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet, 5 Gallon Capacity, Bucket Style with Snap On Lid, Seat and Cover, Includes Metal Handle for Easy Transport is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Reliance Luggable Loo is a snap-on seat and lid that turns a standard 5-gallon bucket into a portable toilet. It weighs 3 lbs and has a metal handle and a 5-year guarantee.

›How much should I expect to spend?

Picks in this guide span $$ to See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.

›How were these products chosen?

We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.

Car Camp Picks independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.

Popular right now

  1. Fall Car Camping: How to Plan and What to PackArticle
  2. Keeping Cool When Camping in Hot WeatherArticle
  3. Best Portable Camping Sinks for Car CampingBuying guide
  4. Tailgate tent explainedGlossary
  5. Safety Tips for Sleeping in Your CarArticle
  6. Best Camping Cookware SetsBuying guide

Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.