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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.
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.
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:
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
Pros:
✅Premium quality
✅Compact
✅Lightweight
✅Comfortable seat
Cons:
❌Loud pump mechanism
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:
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
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:
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
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:
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
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:
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
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.
The top three things you need to look for in a Cassette toilet are:
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.
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.
Look for toilets with lid-locking seats or sealed valves to prevent potential dripping.
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.
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 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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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!
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