The Best Waterless Urinals

Modern-day toilets and flushed urinals are highly water-consuming bathroom fixtures. Most conventional urinals use between 1 – 3 gallons of water a day. And if you consider that an average human pees 6 – 7 times a day, that takes away 6 – 21 gallons of water every day on each person just on urinary. This may seem unacceptable for the planet. However, we cannot ignore hygiene and cleanliness. Thanks to new technological innovations, waterless urinals are the solution to the high consumption of water in the bathroom.

Designed with devices that allow self-cleaning and odor-blocking, it promises considerable water savings and can be used both at home and in a public establishment. Having analyzed dozens of top models, we have handpicked the 6 best waterless urinal models on the market.

What are waterless urinals?

Waterless urinals, also known as dry urinals, are bathroom urinary fixtures with floating, membrane, or replaceable liquid sealed cartridge technology. They require maintenance and accessibility of drainage networks and are suitable for public places with heavy traffic. Water urinals save water, reducing the water bill, and are hygienic. When well-maintained, they are odorless, have fewer bacteria, and contribute to minimal maintenance costs.

They are designed with devices that allow self-cleaning, odor-blocking can be used both at home and in public establishments, and have no flushing mechanisms, unlike other urinals that use water.

Waterless urinals do not have a flush. In this way, they allow substantial water savings, particularly in busy public places. In addition to other waterless urinals for men, there are urinal models for women and even urinals for children.

How waterless urinals work?

The waterless urinal works with a so-called siphon. This is a kind of biodegradable liquid sealant. In contrast to conventional urinals, which use several liters of water per flush, waterless urinal systems are particularly environmentally friendly. The urinal, which can be used without water, has a drain, but no water rinse.

Since the siphon is lighter than urine and does not mix with it, the body fluid can flow unhindered through the barrier material. Residues from urine passes are therefore not formed, which also applies to the nuisance caused by unpleasant smells.

As an alternative to this waterless urinal system, there are also the model types that work with a float in the middle of a liquid-filled container. The float is pressed down by the urine that falls on it, which triggers a drainage movement. When this is complete, the swimmer returns to its starting position.

To ensure a long service life for the urinals, they must be maintained regularly. You only need to refill the siphon barrier layer or to replace the membrane in the corresponding products. This also checks whether objects thrown into the urinal, such as handkerchiefs or cigarette filters, impair the functionality of the urinal. If you use a float urinal, you should check its drain connection if problems arise.

Top 6 Best Waterless Urinals

With ecological consciousness, energy-saving, and ease of use in mind, we’ve selected the 5 best waterless urinals and ranked them based on their overall quality.

1. Waterless 2104 Baja Urinal

An innovative urinary system without flushing or electricity, the Waterless 2104 Baja Urinal is the latest generation product equipped with an innovative dry flushing system. Considered one of the best waterless urinals by many homeowners, the product’s waterless urinal technology works in a way whereby the liquid is concentrated in a special cartridge known as the EcoTrap cartridges and remains blocked without risk of rising. The urinal is water-effective and reduces water, maintenance, and repair bills.

Baja Waterless Urinal prevents foul odor and guarantees an odor-free atmosphere in the bathroom. Replacing the EcoTrap cartridges is easily done and is only requires once after every 1,500 uses. You have to buy replacement cartridges m two to four times a year. It is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which means people with disabilities can make use of it.

2. Sloan WES-4000 Waterless Urinal

Very hygienic and water-saving, the Sloan urinal requires a touch-free operation. The large waterless urinal doesn’t require flushing, hence, saving water bills. Rather, it uses a patented cartridge that can be used up to 7,000 times before you need to reinstall replacement cartridges. The cartridge system removes bad odors from the bathroom, keeping it fresh every time.

One of the best water-effective urinals around, Sloan WES-4000 sends waste passes through the drains into the biodegradable liquid sealant and then goes through the urinal’s trapway down to the discharge tube connecting the sewer system. The urinal bowl is made of porcelain, can be easily installed, and doesn’t need water supply lines. Many users like its tough free operation and the fact that the cartridge lasts up to 7,000 uses.

3. KOHLER K-4918-0 Steward Waterless Urinal

The Steward Waterless Urinal from Kohler doesn’t use water neither does it use a cartridge system like the first ones we’ve reviewed. Rather, the urinal uses a liquid sealant as well as a cleaner in the elimination of foul odors. In addition, it has a splash-free surface, comes with one removable strainer, and doesn’t need water supply pipes. However, the strainer could be designed in a way that could be easily removed.

Its cartridge-free trap system ensures reduced maintenance costs while enhancing performance. Asides from the reduction in operating costs and sewage cost, this urinal can save up to 40,000 gallons of water annually. Featuring a vitreous china construction and designed in white, the urinal comes with one year of limited warranty.

4. Kohler K-4917-0 Steward Wall-Mount Waterless Urinal

Made in the United States by Kohler, the Steward Urinal is designed to be mounted lower on the wall. Kohler says this waterless urinal is guaranteed to save up to 40,000 gallons of water annually and is ideal for installation in a commercial building. The brand designs this with a splash-free surface that ensures you have an odorless bathroom and a urinary fixture that is easy to maintain and will save water and sewage costs.

It has an open-front shape and a contemporary design that will fit in and enhance the decor of your bathroom. It’s made of vitreous china and is only available in white. The item weighs 44 pounds and has a dimension of 20 x 14 x 26.25 inches.

5. American Standard 6150100.020 Waterless Urinal

Made of vitreous china with a non-porous surface, designed in white color, and made to be mounted on the wall, the American Standard urinal is made in China but it’s reliably built to offer high performance. This waterless urinal measures 15.5 in width, 19.75 in height, and 27.75 in depth. It works with a special canister that needs replacement once every six to eight months.

The urinal features an open front and is designed to eliminate splashes and unwanted odors. It’s a money-saving and eco-friendly device that’s most ideal for public entities and private businesses that want to conserve water. The urinary has odor barriers that take care of the urine fumes, color, and urine smell collected. Note that while replacing the canister, it’s recommended to have a face mask worn as this operation can be gross.

6. Sloan WES-1000 Waterless Urinal

When you decide to purchase the Sloan WES 1000, you would be saving between 9,600 to 24,500 gallons of water, according to the manufacturer. It will save a lot from your water bills. The liquid seal urinals work with a fluid-sealed locking cartridge filter set that is biodegradable and replaceable. As urine enters the drain, sediments are retained and collected to be disposed of during cartridge replacement.

Not to worry, the cartridge system can only be replaced approximately once after about 6000 to 7000 uses. The urinal comes with a lot of benefits; asides from water savings, you’d be saving maintenance costs, repair, and sewer bills, you’d have a touch-free operation, and you’d be having an odor-free bathroom. Like what you can find on the Sloan WES-4000, the WES-1000 urinal features a patented sealed locking cartridge.

Features To Consider

The best waterless urinal products not only conserve water but are also inconspicuous in design and take up little space on the wall while maintaining the peace of the family or company. In our purchase guide, we will explain some details that you should consider when making your choice.

Types of waterless urinals

There are three types of waterless urinals you can choose from:

The waterless urinal with cartridge

Cartridge waterless urinals are designed for up to 8,000 uses and then need to be replaced to maintain good hygiene. These are designed with an occlusive liquid cartridge used to collect urine, and which allows it to be evacuated in the pipes.

After urinating, the user will not need to use water on a cartridge urinal. However, it should be rinsed regularly, about once every two hours.

The urinal with odor traps

Distinguished by its microbiological cleaning system, the urinals with an odor barrier do not require the use of chemicals. It is indeed equipped with a deodorizing rock and a microbiological cube which limits organic deposits and the formation of crystals. A pressure-resistant vertical membrane and a quality indicator are also integrated into this urinal why odor barriers.

Waterless urinal with biodegradable sealant

The liquid seal urinals here are designed with a special siphon, in which the odor barrier liquid sealant is located. It allows up to 10,000 uses before it has to be replaced. Used in good conditions, this type of urinal does not release any urine smell.

Material, design, and construction

A complete urinal set Includes a ceramic bowl as well as a siphon and, in some cases, a cartridge, odor traps, or odor barrier liquid sealant.

When it comes to the design of the urinal, you are free to choose from different designs. As there are now angular washbasins and tubs, you can now find angular waterless urinals.

Urinals, on the other hand, look more stylish and modern in brackets that disappear invisibly into the wall. The urinals themselves are always made of ceramic and are usually available in white. Ceramic is pleasantly durable, robust, easy to care for, and hygienic. With modern technology and contemporary designs, there are also urinals for corner installation, which find a place in rather cramped bathrooms.

Dimensions and weight

The standard dimensions of the urinal for private use are 30 cm wide and 50 cm high. Thanks to its shallow depth of just 35 cm, a urinal is practically only half the size of a toilet. You can comfortably walk past the urinal, although it should of course not be squeezed into very small bathrooms. When installing or planning, try to ensure that there is a minimum distance of 20 centimeters between the urinal and toilet, tub, or washstand. The narrowest urinals are only 25 cm wide and again well suited for rather small bathrooms.

Small urinals weigh little at just 15 lbs, while larger models weigh up to 30 lbs. However, the weight classes are chosen so that the urinals can be easily mounted on the wall with dowels and then stay there for years.

With or without lid?

We advise you to choose a lockable lid for urinals that you walk past when entering the bathroom. Because even looking into a perfectly clean urinal is uncomfortable for most people and can therefore be charmingly avoided with a lid.

Urinals with modern technology use lids with an automatic closing mechanism which only have to be moved slightly from the wall and then closed silently. Do not confuse the lowering system with the automatic suction system, which is created by the negative pressure in the siphon.

How to clean waterless urinals?

Like a conventional urinal, a waterless urinal requires regular maintenance and some accessories. Water is thus used to clean it. However, some equipment may require a specific procedure. It is then necessary to stick to the indications given by the manufacturer.

Every urinary has its recipe for how to deal with dirt and odor. Sometimes, too much is not better. If you leave the urinal alone, it is often better than using the wrong means of cleaning to destroy everything. When cleaned wrongly, you can end up with situations whereby the closure is broken after a short time.

If properly cared for, an odor barrier has an extremely long service life. You can use a urinal cleaner concentrate to clean urinals with an odor barrier! To do this, mix a cap or 1 spray of the concentrate in 0.5l of water.

Spray the urinal inside and outside with the cleaning solution. Now clean the urinal first from the outside and then from the inside. If the urinal is very dirty, you can also use a toilet brush. You can then rinse away any dissolved dirt particles with a little water, if necessary. Finally, spray the inside of the urinal again with 2-3 puffs of cleaner and leave it on the surface, do not wipe it again. This creates a protective film that makes the urine roll off even more easily.

How much water do waterless urinals save?

Many waterless urinals can save between 9,000 to 40,000 gallons of water per year. According to bathroom fixtures manufacturer, Kohler, the Kohler K-4917-0 Steward can save up to 40,000 gallons of water per year.

The Sloan WES-1000 on the other hand can guarantee water saving between 9,600 to 24,500 gallons per year. How much a waterless urinal can save depends on the type of technology and the frequency of maintenance.

How to keep waterless urinals from smelling?

Waterless urinals are not maintenance-free. Due to the extremely smooth surfaces of the waterless urinal, the urine can flow off optimally and only small residues arise. Although it saves you water bill, a lot of maintenance cost, and repair bills, daily maintenance cleaning with around 2 to 6 hours cleaning intervals is necessary! However, this can be done quickly as there is no flushing rim. All you need is a pH-neutral cleaner and paper or cleaning cloths. Simply remove dirt residues from the drain, spray the urinal with a cleaning agent and rub the urinal with the cleaning cloth.

You can also spray a biological cleaning product once or twice on the wall of the urinal to manage the odor. The number of times depends on the number of users.

Once a month, it is necessary to clean it using a descaling product to remove limescale.

Read next: Best Urinal Screen

Conclusion

Many are still skeptical as to whether a waterless urinal really works odor-free and hygienically or not. Not flushing away urine with water is an unfamiliar idea at first. But if you understand the simple function, you will quickly recognize the advantages of waterless urinals over urinals with flushing. You have had detailed information about how waterless urinals work, how to choose them, and recommended the best waterless urinals to you. We hope we’ve helped you find your favorite and you can now enjoy the benefits of waterless restroom use.