Best Portable Camping Toilets and Showers
Updated How we research
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
NEMO Equipment Helio Portable Camp Shower - Fortress/Silt/Black - 22L | Pressurized, Built-in Foot Pump, Large Capacity, Packable, Beach, Pet
NEMO Helio is a pressurized camp shower with a built-in foot pump, in a larger 22 liter (5.8 gallon) size. A bigger option next to the 11L Helio in this guide.
Portable camping toilets and showers are self-contained units that give you a place to relieve yourself and rinse off when a campsite has no facilities. They help car campers who camp off-grid or bring family members who need more comfort than a shovel and a cold splash. When choosing a toilet, consider capacity, how easy it is to empty and clean, and whether it uses a bag or a flushable tank. For showers, look at water capacity, how the water is pressurized or heated, and setup ease. A sturdy build, a privacy enclosure, and compact storage make these upgrades practical for longer or more remote trips.
The short version
We compared 12 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.4 out of 10, across $$, $$$, See on Amazon price bands.
- Best overall:Thetford Porta Potti 92306 Portable Toilet. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.4/10.
- Also great value:Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet, 5 Gallon Capacity, Bucket Style with Snap On Lid, Seat and Cover, Includes Metal Handle for Easy Transport. Value score of 10/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Solid build:NEMO Helio Portable Pressure Camp Shower 11L. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.2/10.
- Feature-rich:Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Travel Toilet. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.2/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Thetford Porta Potti 92306 Portable Toilet8.4/10$$Check price
- 2.NEMO Helio Portable Pressure Camp Shower 11L8.2/10$$$Check price
- 3.Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Travel Toilet8.2/10$$Check price
- 4.NEMO Equipment Helio Portable Camp Shower - Fortress/Silt/Black - 22L | Pressurized, Built-in Foot Pump, Large Capacity, Packable, Beach, Pet8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet, 5 Gallon Capacity, Bucket Style with Snap On Lid, Seat and Cover, Includes Metal Handle for Easy Transport8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Advanced Elements 2.5 Gallon Summer Solar Shower7.8/10$$Check price
- 7.Coleman OneSource Rechargeable Camp Shower7.6/10$$$Check price
- 8.Reliance FOLD-TO-GO Folding Portable Camping Toilet7.6/10$$Check price
- 9.Coleman Portable Flush Toilet7.6/10$$Check price
- 10.Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower7.3/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 11.Ivation Portable Battery-Powered Outdoor Shower7.2/10$$Check price
- 12.VINGLI Portable Toilet | Indoor Outdoor Commode w/Detachable Inner Bucket & Removable Paper Holder, Lightweight & Compact for Camping, Boat, Van, Emergency Use (Grey)6.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Thetford'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
#2NEMO Helio portable pressure camp shower 11L uses foot-pumped pressure for a satisfying rinse without electricity.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + 11L capacity provides a good rinse for one or two people
- + Pressure design gives a stronger spray than gravity bags
- + Useful for rinsing gear, dogs and dishes too
- - Water is not heated, so warm it in the sun or add hot water
- - Pumping pressure takes a little effort during use
#3The 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
#4NEMO Helio is a pressurized camp shower with a built-in foot pump, in a larger 22 liter (5.8 gallon) size. A bigger option next to the 11L Helio in this guide.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 6/10
- + 22 liter capacity, about twice the 11L Helio, for longer showers or sharing between campers
- + 7 foot neoprene hose and a two-stage spray nozzle that can be set to continuous spray
- + Designed for 7 to 10 minutes of steady pressure, with a large screw-cap opening that fills without a hose
- - Priced at the high end for camp showers, and above the 11L model
- - Water is not heated, and 22 liters is bulkier to carry and store than 11L
#5Reliance 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
#6Advanced Elements 2.5 Gallon Summer Solar Shower heats water in the sun, a simple gravity shower for solo campers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Solar heating warms water without fuel or power
- + 2.5 Gallon size is easy to hang from a tree or roof rack
- + Very low price for a camp shower, easy to leave in the car all summer
- - Gravity flow gives a gentle stream, not a strong spray
- - Needs several hours of sun to heat water
#7The Coleman OneSource rechargeable camp shower pumps water from a bucket or jug using a rechargeable battery for easy camp rinsing.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Rechargeable battery pump gives a steadier spray than gravity bags
- + Draws water from any bucket, so warm water can be mixed in first
- + Part of Coleman's OneSource battery system shared with other gear
- - Battery runtime limits how many showers you get per charge
- - Water is not heated by the unit, so you must warm it separately
#8The 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
#9Coleman 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
#10Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower is a hanging solar-heated shower bag with an on/off valve at the shower head and a strong handle. A budget option for camp rinses.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Holds 5 gallons, which the listing says is enough for multiple showers
- + Uses the sun to heat the water, so no stove or fuel is needed
- + Strong handle for hanging and carrying, with an on/off valve on the shower head
- - Water heating depends on sun and weather, so shaded campsites will give cooler water
- - Gravity-fed, so pressure is limited compared with pump showers
#11Ivation's portable battery-powered outdoor shower is a budget pump shower for rinsing off people, pets and gear at camp.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Battery-powered pump pushes water from a bucket for a real spray
- + Handy for washing sandy feet, muddy dogs and dirty dishes
- + Low price compared with branded rechargeable camp showers
- - Check the battery type and expected runtime before buying
- - Pump and hose setup is fiddly to pack neatly after use
#12VINGLI 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.
- Needs chemical additives and careful emptying (Thetford Porta Potti 92306 Portable Toilet)
- Water is not heated, so warm it in the sun or add hot water (NEMO Helio Portable Pressure Camp Shower 11L)
- Tank gets heavy when full, making emptying awkward (Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Travel Toilet)
- Priced at the high end for camp showers, and above the 11L model (NEMO Equipment Helio Portable Camp Shower -...)
- Bucket not included in the listing, so you supply a 5-gallon bucket yourself (Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable...)
- Gravity flow gives a gentle stream, not a strong spray (Advanced Elements 2.5 Gallon Summer Solar Shower)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among portable camping toilets and showers?
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?
NEMO Equipment Helio Portable Camp Shower - Fortress/Silt/Black - 22L | Pressurized, Built-in Foot Pump, Large Capacity, Packable, Beach, Pet is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. NEMO Helio is a pressurized camp shower with a built-in foot pump, in a larger 22 liter (5.8 gallon) size. A bigger option next to the 11L Helio in this guide.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $$ to $$$ 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.
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