6 Best Cassette Toilets for Vanlife

By: Scott Adamson
/ August 15, 2022
Did you know using a cassette toilet can eliminate the need for a larger black water tank or any RV plumbing? Read on to learn why cassette toilets are a good option for vanlife.

It’s an age-old debate… Is a luxury such as a cassette toilet really worth the money and space it takes up in your van? There’s always plenty of outdoor space or public toilets to get the job done, right?

However, imagine this. You’re camping in freezing temperatures and the thought of opening up that sliding door to go to the bathroom outside seems unbearable. Or maybe you’re stealth camping in the city and there’s no toilet in the vicinity.  What’s your plan?

Personally, having a toilet in my van is a must. In my first van, I chose to install a fully plumbed RV toilet. But in my second van, I’ve opted for the popular cassette toilet.

A cassette toilet is a bit different from other options of portable toilets

With a cassette toilet, a toilet is installed over a small, removable waste tank. Once you’re done using it, the waste moves into the portable waste tank, instead of going into a black holding tank. Once the waste tank is full, you take it out through an exterior service door and empty it into a standard toilet or authorized dumping station. You can then put the small waste tank back into your van.

Unlike other plumbed toilets, a cassette toilet eliminates the need for a larger black water holding tank or any RV plumbing. It is also much more convenient to install and use than a regular composting toilet. 

The Best Cassette Toilets for Campervans Reviewed 

Cassette Toilet options can vary in price and features. All of the following options get the job done with ease and are some of the best products available in the market today.

DOMETIC Portable Cassette Toilet

Best Lightweight toilet

The Dometic portable cassette toilet is a very popular option among vanlifers, thanks to the brand’s reputation for manufacturing excellent quality products.

It’s only 12 pounds, which makes it perfect for vanlifers who are looking for a lightweight toilet option. Its dimensions are 13.5 x 15.5 x 16.5, which makes it one of the most compact options available on the market.

It also comes with a prismatic tank level indicator that allows users to easily monitor their tank levels. 

This cassette toilet comes in 4 options:

  1. 5 gallons
  2. 2.6 gallons
  3. 5 gallons (with hold-down brackets)
  4. 2.6 gallons (with hold-down brackets)

The hold down brackets basically allows for easy and secure installation to the floor. If you can afford the additional cost, definitely go for it.

Best features include

  • Prismatic tank level indicator
  • Option of hold-down brackets

Pros:
✅Premium quality
✅Compact
✅Lightweight
✅Comfortable seat

Cons:
Loud pump mechanism

Click here to buy

SereneLife Outdoor Cassette Toilet

 Best Overall Features and Price

One of the best cassette toilets for vanlife in terms of features and price is none other than SereneLife’s Outdoor Portable Toilet. Having a large holding tank of up to 5.3 Gallons means you won’t need to worry about emptying the tank all the time. The 16.5 x 14.6 x 16.9 inches dimensions and lightweight design weighing 11.2 lbs is a bonus feature for this product.

The splash-free rotating spout coupled with the piston pump flushing provides a seamless emptying job and is extremely easy to operate. The double-sealed valve reduces any signs of leakage or bad odors. The cassette toilet even comes with its own carrying case.

Top features include:

  • Sturdy construction, made with polyethylene making it corrosion resistant
  • It comes with a discreet carrying case
  • Large freshwater tank capacity with 50+ flushes

Pros:
Budget-friendly in terms of price and features
Leak and odor free
Compact size

Cons:
Users complain about the difficulty to clean
Toilet bowl can be small for adults
The holding tank can spit if air pressure changes

Click here to buy

Porta Potti White Thetford Corp (92306)

Best Premium Buy 

If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience that most closely resembles the comfort of going to the bathroom at home, the Porta Potti is one of the best campervan cassette toilet options. Its sleek and modern design makes it stand out from other cassette toilets. The seat height is comfortable for use, allowing you to sit without crouching.

A large holding capacity of 5.5 Gallons along with 17.7 x 15.2 x 17.6 inches dimensions makes this cassette toilet extremely functional and comfortable to use. Its ergonomic carrying handle eases the transport of waste while a sealed valve prevents leakage.

The one-button battery-powered flush is a feature that adds to the luxury of this cassette toilet. With a sealed valve to prevent odor and leaks, a pour-out spout and a large bowl size, the Porta Potti is worth every penny.

Best features include:

  • Integrated toilet paper holder
  • Battery powered flush
  • Rotating pour-out spout

Pros:
Large capacity
Luxurious feel, comfortable seat
Easy to assemble and transport waste outside

Cons:
Dumping the waste tank can be highly smelly and strenuous
Expensive

Click here to buy

Camco Cassette Toilet

Best Affordable Cassette Toilet

This budget cassette toilet is one of the best picks for your campervan. Its 5.3 Gallon detachable holding tank and sturdy constructions make for a good deal at just $97.

It keeps bad odors at bay with its perfect pump flush system that rinses the entire bowl of the toilet in one go. Large dimensions of 17 1/8-inches (H) x 16 5/16-inches (W) x 18 5/8 inches make for a comfortable seat. 

Best features include:

  • Firm sealing of holding tank to prevent leaks and bad odors
  • Durable and sturdy construction made with ABS resin
  • Pump flush system
  • Lightweight design at 11.7 lbs.

Pros:
The larger-than-standard bowl makes for a comfortable seat
Leak and odor-proof features
Budget-friendly 

Cons:
No tank level indicator to show capacity

Click here to buy 

Kohree Portable Cassette Toilet

Best Leak-Proof Cassette Toilet

With its high-density polyethylene material and anti-leakage valves, the Kohree Portable Toilet is one of the best leak-proof camping cassette toilets out there. An increased freshwater tank capacity of 3.2 Gallons makes this toilet suitable for up to 90 flushes.

An attached handle makes it extremely easy to carry and transport waste.The bowl size is appropriate for adult use, along with T-type water outlets, which make cleaning the toilet bowl a whole lot easier. Anti-leakage valves and lid-lock prevent water from dripping.

Best features include:

  • Splash-free rotating pouring spout
  • T-type 360° cleaning removes stains from the bowl
  • Large capacity of 5.8 Gallons with wastewater tank level indication
  • Anti-leakage valve

Pros:
Easy to use, clean, and carry
Odor and leakproof
Good adult-size seat

Cons:
Can become heavy with a full clean water reservoir
Users complained about broken tank level indication

Click here to buy 

 

Cassette Toilets Buyer’s Guide

Buying the best campervan cassette toilet is an investment that needs to be done with a lot of research. Checking product warranties, additional features, and price comparisons are essential to your buying decision. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you dive into shopping for a cassette toilet to meet the needs of your campervan.

What to Look for in a Cassette Toilet

The top three things you need to look for in a Cassette toilet are:

1. Holding Tank Capacity

An essential part of making your buying decision is looking at the holding capacity of a cassette toilet. If you’re travelling with multiple people, you’ll want to consider a larger tank so that you don’t have to empty it as frequently.  However, keep in mind that a large full tank can become heavy and difficult to dump.

2. Transportability

Added wheels and carrying handles are a plus for transporting waste from the waste tank and dumping it. These features should be a make or break for your buying decision.

3. Leakage

Look for toilets with lid-locking seats or sealed valves to prevent potential dripping.

Added Features

Waste Level Indicator

A waste level indicator is a nice feature to consider in your cassette toilet. It displays how full your waste tank is, so you don’t have to go through the pain of manually checking it.

Emptying Spout

An emptying spout makes cleaning easier. This feature is a must-have if you don’t want to come in contact with waste while cleaning your cassette toilet.

Using and Maintaining a Cassette Toilet

Using a cassette toilet is quite similar to using a regular toilet. It contains a regular seat and a bowl, so you can comfortably sit, release, and flush once you’re done.

However, as simple as it sounds, there can be limitations to using a cassette toilet. 

Here are some tips you can follow for optimum usage:

  • Dump the wastewater tank frequently. A full tank can become heavy and difficult to dump.
  • Clean the toilet regularly to prevent odors. 
  • Toilet cleaning chemicals tend to work best for cleaning cassette toilets. They break down contents and control odors. However, they contain toxic substances, and gloves must be used while handling them.

FAQs

Can you poop in a cassette toilet?

This is a personal decision but you definitely CAN. A cassette toilet functions quite similarly to a traditional RV toilet, which means it can easily hold liquid as well as solid waste.

How often do you need to empty a cassette toilet?

This depends on the holding capacity of your cassette toilet and how many people you’re traveling with. Many choose to wait until the indicator level in the cassette toilet shows full. However, it is recommended that you empty the waste tank every 1-2 days in an authorized dumping station. A full tank will make the process of emptying the cassette pretty difficult.

Can you put toilet paper in a cassette toilet?

A specific RV toilet paper must be used in a cassette toilet. Regular toilet paper can lead to blockages or even clogged tanks. An RV-toilet paper is thin and fast dissolving and eco-friendly. 

It’s recommended to use the Thetford Aqua-Soft Toilet Tissue, which is 2-ply, highly absorbent, and specifically designed for RVs.

Key Takeaways

While buying a cassette toilet sounds like a no-nonsense decision, many things need to be considered before you make your purchase. 

Our top picks for cassette toilets include the:

  1. Dometic Portable Cassette Toilet
  2. SereneLife Outdoor Portable Toilet and 
  3. Porta Potti White Thetford Corp

So make sure you consider these, along with others mentioned above.

A good campervan cassette toilet will last for a reasonable amount of time. Therefore, it’s essential you put thought and careful consideration into your decision. Happy Camping!

Scott Adamson
Wanderful Idea Guy
Coffee drinker, adventure seeker, below average photographer.
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