The Best Campervan Toilets: Portable vs Cassette vs Composting

Nobody likes talking about it, but the toilet is the most important decision in van fit-out. You can go days without cooking or heating, but the moment nature calls you need a working plan. The three main options — portable, cassette and composting — each suit a different style of camping.

Portable toilets

These are the simplest: a toilet cassette you carry to the nearest facilities to empty. They cost £40–£120, weigh almost nothing, and stow under a seat or in a cupboard when not needed.

• Great for small vans and first-timers who aren't sure they need a toilet at all.
• Limited capacity — a few days at most, and emptying a chemical portable is not the nicest job.
• No installation, no seals, no plumbing.

Cassette toilets

A cassette toilet is built into the van (or sits permanently in place) with a removable waste tank you slide out and empty. These are what most UK campervans and motorhomes use, and prices range from £250–£600 for a decent unit.

• The big advantage is capacity and convenience: a 17–19 litre cassette lasts several days.
• Fitting needs space, a flue for the vent pipe, and mounting that keeps the unit rigid.
• Emptying involves finding a chemical disposal point on site or at a service area — most campsites have them.

Wherever you empty, use the recommended chemicals. Cheap supermarket liquid keeps smells at bay for longer and stops the tank clogging.

Composting toilets

Composting toilets separate liquid and solid waste, using sawdust or coir to keep solids dry until they can be composted. They're the greenest option and increasingly popular in UK vans.

• No chemicals, no water, and the liquid waste can be tipped at most toilet blocks.
• Solids need a home to finish composting, so they suit van owners with a garden.
• Units typically cost £400–£900, and you'll spend time managing the sawdust and crank.

Which should you choose?

For a UK van used on campsites, a cassette toilet is the sensible default. For a weekend van that rarely leaves civilisation, a portable is all you need. Composting wins if you value zero chemical use and don't mind a little maintenance.

Size matters too — a cassette toilet takes up a big cupboard. If you're choosing a van layout around a toilet, compare how different models use their space in search before you buy.