Portable and cassette-style toilets serve a different purpose than the installed units covered elsewhere on this site: they're self-contained, need no plumbing or venting, and can be set up anywhere from a tent to a small trailer to a backup spot in a larger RV.
The core differences between models come down to flush mechanism — manual piston pump, bellows pump, or electric push-button — along with waste tank capacity and how easy the tank is to carry and empty at a dump station or vault toilet.
This guide compares freestanding portable toilets across flush type and capacity, plus a bag-based option for buyers who want the simplest possible backup solution without any tank at all.
The quick answer
- Best all-aroundThetford Porta Potti 335 Portable Toilet — Reliable piston-pump flush, currently supported by Thetford.
- Best for larger capacityThetford Porta Potti 565E Portable Toilet — Electric flush and a larger waste tank for extended trips.
- Best budget backupCamco 5.3-Gallon Portable Travel Toilet — Low-cost, compact 5.3-gallon option for occasional use.
- Best bag-based optionReliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet — No tank at all, useful for emergency kits and very short trips.
Our top picks
Researched and compared by our editors. Prices move constantly, so check the retailer for today's price.
Affiliate disclosure — As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. TopPremiumPicks may also earn commissions from other retailers. This costs you nothing extra and does not influence our recommendations.
1
Thetford
Thetford Porta Potti 335 Portable Toilet
Best for: Tent camping and small trailers without built-in plumbing
Key feature: Piston-pump flush mechanism
A current freestanding, self-contained portable toilet with a piston flush pump and a removable holding tank, commonly used in tent camping and small RVs without built-in plumbing.
Mid-Range ($$)2
Thetford
Thetford Porta Potti 565E Portable Toilet
Best for: Users wanting an easier electric flush action
Key feature: Electric push-button flush pump
A larger-capacity portable toilet in Thetford's Porta Potti line with an electric flush pump button rather than a manual piston pump.
Upper Mid-Range ($$$)3
Camco
Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Travel Toilet
Best for: Occasional campers on a budget
Key feature: Bellows-type manual flush
An entry-level portable toilet with a bellows-type flush and a detachable 5.3-gallon waste tank, positioned as a low-cost option for occasional camping use.
Budget ($)4
Reliance Products
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet
Best for: Emergency kits and short trips
Key feature: Bag-based waste system instead of a holding tank
A bucket-style portable toilet that uses individual waste bags rather than a holding tank, aimed at short trips and emergency-kit use rather than daily camping.
Budget ($)| Product | Our pick | Best for | Price tier | Key feature | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thetford Thetford Porta Potti 335 Portable Toilet | 1 | Tent camping and small trailers without built-in plumbing | Mid-Range ($$) | Piston-pump flush mechanism | |
Thetford Thetford Porta Potti 565E Portable Toilet | 2 | Users wanting an easier electric flush action | Upper Mid-Range ($$$) | Electric push-button flush pump | |
Camco Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Travel Toilet | 3 | Occasional campers on a budget | Budget ($) | Bellows-type manual flush | |
Reliance Products Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet | 4 | Emergency kits and short trips | Budget ($) | Bag-based waste system instead of a holding tank |
Price tiers $ Budget · $$ Mid-range · $$$ Upper mid-range · $$$$ Premium · $$$$$ Flagship. We show tiers rather than prices — check Amazon for the current price.
The picks in detail
1
Thetford
Thetford Porta Potti 335 Portable Toilet
A current freestanding, self-contained portable toilet with a piston flush pump and a removable holding tank, commonly used in tent camping and small RVs without built-in plumbing.
Why it stands out
Fully self-contained, so it works anywhere without hookups or venting.
Best for
Tent camping and small trailers without built-in plumbing
Not ideal for
Full-time use where a larger installed toilet makes more sense
Key features
- ◆Piston-pump flush mechanism
- ◆2.6-gallon removable waste holding tank with level indicator
- ◆Separate fresh water flush tank
- ◆Standard household-style seat and lid
- ◆Carrying handle on the waste tank for easy dumping
Pros
- No installation required
- Level indicator shows when to empty
- Widely available replacement parts
Considerations
- Smaller waste capacity than installed toilets
- Piston pump requires manual operation each flush
Final verdict
Thetford Porta Potti 335 Portable Toilet suits buyers who prioritise tent camping and small trailers without built-in plumbing. Worth knowing: Waste tank capacity is limited, requiring more frequent emptying than an installed toilet.
2
Thetford
Thetford Porta Potti 565E Portable Toilet
A larger-capacity portable toilet in Thetford's Porta Potti line with an electric flush pump button rather than a manual piston pump.
Why it stands out
Electric flush is easier to operate than a manual piston pump, especially for repeated use.
Best for
Users wanting an easier electric flush action
Not ideal for
Buyers wanting the simplest possible mechanical design
Key features
- ◆Electric push-button flush pump
- ◆Larger waste tank capacity than compact models
- ◆Fresh water flush tank with fill gauge
- ◆Ergonomic carrying handle
- ◆Battery-powered flush mechanism
Pros
- Larger waste capacity
- Easier electric flush action
- Fill gauge on the fresh water tank
Considerations
- Requires batteries for the flush pump
- Bulkier than compact manual models
Final verdict
Thetford Porta Potti 565E Portable Toilet suits buyers who prioritise users wanting an easier electric flush action. Worth knowing: The electric pump relies on batteries, adding one more thing to maintain.
3
Camco
Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Travel Toilet
An entry-level portable toilet with a bellows-type flush and a detachable 5.3-gallon waste tank, positioned as a low-cost option for occasional camping use.
Why it stands out
Low cost of entry for anyone who just needs a basic backup toilet.
Best for
Occasional campers on a budget
Not ideal for
Frequent or extended use needing a larger tank
Key features
- ◆Bellows-type manual flush
- ◆5.3-gallon detachable waste tank with sealing slide valve
- ◆Separate fresh water flush reservoir
- ◆Compact, lightweight design for small storage spaces
- ◆Carrying handle for easy transport
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Compact and lightweight
- Simple to operate
Considerations
- Smaller waste tank than premium portable toilets
- Bellows pump has limited flush pressure
Final verdict
Camco 5.3-Gallon Portable Travel Toilet suits buyers who prioritise occasional campers on a budget. Worth knowing: Waste tank capacity is on the smaller side for the category.
4
Reliance Products
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet
A bucket-style portable toilet that uses individual waste bags rather than a holding tank, aimed at short trips and emergency-kit use rather than daily camping.
Why it stands out
No water, tank, or plumbing needed at all, making it useful as a compact backup or emergency option.
Best for
Emergency kits and short trips
Not ideal for
Regular multi-day camping where a tank-based toilet is more practical
Key features
- ◆Bag-based waste system instead of a holding tank
- ◆Snap-on seat and lid over a 5-gallon bucket
- ◆No water or flush mechanism required
- ◆Lightweight for storage and transport
- ◆Compatible with gel-based waste treatment bags
Pros
- Extremely simple to use
- No tank to empty at a dump station
- Very lightweight and inexpensive
Considerations
- Ongoing bag costs
- Less practical for frequent daily use
Final verdict
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet suits buyers who prioritise emergency kits and short trips. Worth knowing: Each use requires a fresh waste bag, which adds an ongoing consumable cost.
Flush mechanism types
Manual piston-pump toilets are the most common design, using a hand-operated pump to push a measured amount of flush water into the bowl. Bellows-pump designs work similarly but with a squeeze-style mechanism instead of a piston. Electric push-button models replace manual pumping with a battery-powered pump, which some owners find easier for repeated daily use.
None of these mechanisms are dramatically more reliable than another when properly maintained; the choice mostly comes down to personal preference for manual versus electric operation.
Matching capacity to how you'll use it
Smaller portable toilets suit occasional use, emergency backup, or short trips where the waste tank will be emptied frequently. Larger-capacity models make more sense for tent camping over several days or for use as a primary toilet in a small trailer without built-in plumbing.
Because portable toilet tanks are inherently smaller than an installed RV's black tank, expect more frequent emptying regardless of which model you choose — this is the fundamental trade-off for a plumbing-free design.
Emptying and cleanup
Most portable toilets have a removable waste tank with a level indicator and a carry handle, designed to be emptied at a dump station, vault toilet, or approved disposal point — never in a location without proper sanitation infrastructure. A rotating dump spout, found on some models, directs the flow more precisely and reduces splashing during emptying.
Waste-treatment chemicals or enzyme packets formulated for portable toilets help control odor and break down waste between emptyings, and are worth budgeting for as an ongoing consumable.
Bag-based toilets as a backup option
Bag-based portable toilets skip the holding tank entirely, using individual waste bags with a gelling agent for containment and disposal. These are lighter and simpler than tank-based portable toilets but involve an ongoing per-use bag cost, making them better suited to occasional or emergency use than regular camping.
They can be a sensible complement to a tank-based toilet — useful as an emergency kit item or for very short trips where hauling a full tank-based unit isn't worth the effort.
Frequently asked questions
Final verdict
A piston-pump or electric-flush portable toilet with a removable, level-indicated tank covers the needs of most tent campers and small-trailer owners, while bag-based units are best reserved for emergency kits or very occasional use. Choose tank capacity based on trip length and group size, and budget for waste-treatment chemicals as an ongoing cost regardless of which model you pick.
Editorial Team
TopPremiumPicks Editorial Team
The TopPremiumPicks Editorial Team researches and compares premium products across multiple categories using manufacturer specifications, professional reviews and customer feedback. Our guides are research-based and do not represent hands-on product testing.