A composting toilet is a great alternative to a standard toilet with a water tank. They are waterless and do not require any plumbing. They are also more environmentally friendly. You may be wondering what is the best composting toilet on the market? Continue reading and we will share some more details with you!
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Best Composting Toilets
There are very few composting toilets on the market. This is a special niche industry, which means you should take care to ensure you are getting a composting toilet that will work as intended! Here are reviews of some composting toilets so you can see how much they have in common and what differences they have. Be sure to read the frequently asked questions at the end of the article!
1. Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet with Spider Handle Design
This composting toilet from Nature’s Head features all stainless steel hardware and has a full-size, elongated seat for comfort. It has a low volume air circulation fan built in which helps provide the added benefit of recycling the air in your bathroom.
The toilet attaches to the floor with two small brackets. It has a ventilation hose that can be run outside and a 12-volt power hookup for the air circulation fan. You can even run this toilet powerless by running the vent hose to a solar vent.
The toilet disassembles easily in just seconds so that you can empty it when it is full. This waterless fully composting toilet is the best solution for RV owners, camper or even outdoor location.
Pros:
- All stainless steel hardware
- Elongated seat
- Low volume air circulation fan
- Comes with a ventilation hose
- Disassembles in seconds to empty the tank
Cons:
- Requires two people to empty the tanks
2. Nature’s Head Composting Toilet with Spider Handle
This Nature’s Head composting toilet is the best solution for any difficult situation in which plumbing and sewage connections are not available. The toilet is a nice granite or stone color and will blend in nicely with any room decor.
Nature’s Head prides itself in a product that is odor free and requires no maintenance. You even get a 5-year warranty with this toilet! It has a huge tank capacity and can hold up to 60-80 uses worth of compost before you have to empty the tank.
Even emptying the tank is quite simple. If you are looking for a simple solution for your RV, for cabin homes or outdoor locations, look no further. This Nature’s Head fully composting toilet is the answer to all your problems!
Pros:
- Granite color
- Odor free
- No maintenance required
- 5-year warranty
- Holds up to 80 uses worth of compost
- Easy to empty
Cons:
- Requires electricity for the circulating fan
3. Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet with Standard Crank Handle
This composting toilet has a standard crank handle to process your waste material. Installation is very easy, and the toilet features a high-quality molded design. The elongated seat gives you extra room for comfort while using the toilet.
This toilet comes with a 5-foot long vent hose so you can adequately vent any sewage gases to the exterior of the room. It has a urine diverting feature with waterless operation so you can easily empty out just liquid waste. This ensures you are only composting solid waste and it won’t get too liquified.
This toilet features stainless steel hardware and has been designed to withstand the toughest of conditions. You will like how easy this self-contained composting toilet is to operate!
Pros:
- Urine divert features allows you to dispose of only liquid waste
- Standard crank handle
- Elongated seat
- Stainless steel hardware
- Waterless
Cons:
- Standard crank handle is difficult to turn as the tank gets fuller
4. Separett Villa 9215 AC/DC
This toilet is the perfect solution for anyone who is trying to live off the grid. It is a waterless solution that can be installed very quickly. It has a urine diverting tank so if you only need to dispose of liquid waste, you can divert that without turning your compost into a slushy state.
You can operate this toilet either from a standard AC household power outlet or via DC power (batteries). It has a single speed fan that can ventilate up to 20-feet. This toilet comes with 10 compostable bags and you can even buy a child seat as an add-on accessory!
If you need a toilet installed in an area where you do not have a sewage connection available, this is a great solution. You will love the compact convenience of this waterless self-contained composting toilet.
Pros:
- Waterless
- Urine diverting tank
- Can run off of AC or DC power
- Single speed fan ventilates up to 20-feet
Cons:
- Ventilation tube may require additional parts depending on your configuration
5. Thetford 35831 Electra Magic Toilet
The Electra Magic toilet from Thetford is a perfect solution for tiny house applications, for off grid living and other land-based applications. It is ideal for installations that do not have a holding tank available.
It has a convenient push-button flush mechanism and has a large, contoured seat for full-size comfort. It even has a level-indicator so you know how full it is getting. This toilet can operate on a 12-volt or 24-volt hookup and weighs only 5-pounds when empty!
This recirculating toilet uses very little water and Thetford offers a 1-year limited warranty on the product. You can buy this risk-free knowing that it is a good quality product!
Pros:
- Push-button flush mechanism
- Large contoured seat
- Includes a level-indicator
- Operates on 12-volt or 24-volt hookup
Cons:
- Hinges on the toilet seat and lid break very easily
6. Sun-Mar Compact Self-Contained Composting Toilet
This toilet from Sun-Mar combines liquid and solid waste into a single main composting compartment. There is a heater at the bottom of the unit that is designed to evaporate the urine or even drain it to the outside.
There is no odor that emanates from the toilet and it has a vent that can be installed to help remove unwanted sewage gases. If you need a solution for a small space without sewage connections, this composting toilet is an option for you.
Pros:
- Combines liquid and solid waste into a main tank
- Heater helps to evaporate liquid waste
- Odorless
- Includes a vent hose
Cons:
- Does not have a urine diverter
- Urine drains to the bottom of the unit and must be manually drained out
Frequently Asked Questions
Composting toilets are definitely not a cheap investment. Many of them have price tags that are well over $1000! Before you make a decision on the best composting toilet for your situation, take a look at these frequently asked questions. This should give you more insight into the features to look for in a composting toilet.
How Do Composting Toilets Work?
A composting toilet is designed as a waterless waste system that requires no sewage or water connection. They are designed to use the natural processes of decomposition and evaporation to recycle human waste.
Solid waste is more than 90% water which can be evaporated and carried back to the atmosphere through a ventilation system. The small amount of solid material can then be converted into fertilizing soil by natural decomposition.
Composting toilets have to maintain the correct balance between oxygen, moisture, heat and organic material to ensure a rich environment for aerobic bacteria to transform the waste into compost.
Is Urine Good For Compost?
Human urine is rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphate which are all essential for healthy plants. It has smaller amounts of trace elements plants need to thrive. Urine can also speed up the chemical process in a compost heap, making it a better fertilizer for growing plants in your garden.
What Is A Compost Toilet System?
A composting toilet is a type of waterless toilet that treats human waste by allowing it to decompose organically. True composting toilets do not require the waste to be treated with chemicals to speed up the decomposition.
Can You Put Tampons In A Composting Toilet?
Tampons can be placed in a composting toilet, however, you may find that not all the materials in the tampon product will decompose as quickly as expected. Depending on the product, the material may not fully decompose at all. This means you may need to separate the non-decomposed materials from your compost heap.
Do Composting Toilets Need Electricity?
Not all composting toilets require electricity. Usually, power is only required for a circulation or ventilation fan. Some composting toilets have a small heater to help evaporate liquid waste more fully. Some toilets use batteries instead of AC outlet power.
How Often Does A Composting Toilet Need To Be Emptied?
The size of the composting tank will determine how often the toilet needs to be emptied. Most composting toilets can be used for a couple of weeks with 2-4 people using it regularly. Level indicators can help determine when the toilet is reaching a height that requires emptying.
Do You Need A Permit For A Composting Toilet?
Some cities and municipalities require permits for a composting toilet in order to ensure the waste is being handled appropriately. Before you install a composting toilet, be sure you are checking with your local housing authority to determine if they require a permit to be filed.
How Much Does A Composting Toilet Cost?
Commercial composting toilets can cost up to $10,000! Luckily, residential composting toilets are much cheaper. A self-contained composting toilet can cost anywhere from $500 up to $2000 or more. More cost doesn’t always mean better quality, however. Be sure you understand what features you are getting for the cost!
What Are The Benefits Of A Composting Toilet?
There are many benefits to using a composting toilet. These types of toilets are ideal for RVs, boats or even small cabins or lake houses. One of the biggest benefits of a composting toilet is that it can be installed in any location where there is not a water source or waste system close by.
Conclusion
A composting toilet is definitely not for everyone. It still takes a lot of time and energy to empty out the compost tank, and it is just not as convenient as a standard flushing toilet. Before you choose a composting toilet for your situation, look at our toilet reviews and the frequently asked questions. You should have all the information needed to make an informed decision!
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