The ancient flush toilet connected to a sewer system or septic tank is a bygone saga. Most people are used to toilets with a flush mechanism, as that is the common way to dispose of waste, but people who may have small rooms or no option to use septic tanks have another spectacular option: the composting toilet system.
Read below to find out 2020’s best composting toilets. Find out how to compare waterless toilets based on smell and other important factors.
What Is the Best Composting Toilet on the Market?
As per our market research and reading hundreds of reviews on Amazon.com, we found Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet is the composting toilet with the best design and features.
Top Composting Toilets Comparison Chart
| Image | Product | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Modern Design
|
#1. Separett Villa 9210 | Check Today’s Price |
|
Editor’s Choice
|
#2. Nature’s Head Self Contained | Check Today’s Price |
|
Runner-Up
|
#3. Nature’s Head Dry | Check Today’s Price |
|
Value for Money
|
#4. Sun-Mar Compact Self-Contained | Check Today’s Price |
|
Best Composting Toilet Reviews 2020
1. Separett Villa 9210 Compost Toilet
This is one of the most recommended composting toilets among the other toilets mentioned below. Its reasonable price tag and many important features make it a popular design in Europe, and it is currently gaining more approval in the states as well. It is towards the higher end of the price range, but the innovative design and low maintenance will surely be worth the money to buyers.
Some of the advantages of Separett Villa are:
- It is an advanced urine-diverting toilet system.
- The urine is simply piped outdoors.
- The interior of the toilet has a weight-activated trap door that hides the waste from view.
- The airtight trap door swings open and shuts automatically when someone sits and stands up.
- The composting process takes place in a removable bin attached with a compostable bag.
- It is lightweight and well-built in quality.
- The weight of the unit is 45 pounds, and it’s portable, making it ideal for cabin use and camping too.
- It needs AC standard electric power.
- It comes with two-speed fans for ventilation.
Water Conservation Facts: It has a waterless system that is convenient for remote homes.
Service Parts Availability: All the parts are available on the company website, amazon.com, and associated websites.
Installation of Products: It is easy to install because of its sleek design and small size.
Cleaning Tips: The removable containers and setup makes the end-product very easy to clean and empty. Also, you can use disposable cleaning bags, which are available on the brand website and amazon.com
Warranty Info: It has a five-year warranty for any manufacturing defects,
2. Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet with Close Quarters Spider Handle Design
This is a full-sized toilet system that gives you great value for your money and is reliable to use anywhere and in any environmental condition.
The best features of this compost toilet system are:
- The main feature of this product is the comfortable full-size elongated seat.
- It is made with stainless-steel hardware and can be easily disassembled when needed.
- The fan and the vent hole come with the system. It is odorless and easy to install the system.
- It is 28 pounds in weight and uses 12 volts.
- It is a portable composting system, self-contained, and comes with the urine-separating dry toilet.
- The recycling of air in the bathroom helps to create an odorless environment.
- It can withstand any harsh marine habitat, even if electricity is not available or plumbing is difficult to process.
- It is the most user-friendly system of anything on the marketm has a craggy design, and is durable in any kind of unfavorable environment.
Water Conservation Facts: It does not require any water. As a result, it is excellent for extended camping, RV stays, sailboating, and any outdoor use that includes an indoor facility.
Service Parts Availability: Contact the company to request service parts. Some are also available at amazon.com.
Installation of Products: The installation method is floor-mounted, and it comes with no battery.
Cleaning Tips: Clean with natural water and white vinegar or a natural cleaner between each use. A moistened paper towel can be used for subtle interior and exterior cleaning.
Warranty Info: This product comes with a five-year warranty policy.
Return Policy: The product can be returned to the company, an authorized store, or distributor within 60 days of the date of purchase.
3. Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet with Standard Crank Handle
This unit is a popular product because of its quality material manufacturing as well as its portability and convenience to use. This Nature’s Head Compost Toilet has sold over 10,000 pieces and is largely appreciated by happy customers. It is natural, safe, eco-friendly, and easy to use the product in your home, cabin, workshop, and more.
Some basic features of Nature’s head dry composting toilet are:
- This is a user-friendly toilet system with a hand cracker agitator that helps in fast composting.
- This system has the most innovative design for personal sanitation.
- This is a self-contained design with a urine-diverting system.
- The material is hard stainless steel with strong construction.
- It is a product that has great value for the money and comes with an odorless feature.
- The toilet seat is molded in for easy cleaning.
- It disassembles easily without any hassle.
- The unit comes with every important thing except the external vent.
- The brand provides exceptional customer service along with quality products.
Water Conservation Facts: It requires no water to operate.
Service Parts Availability: Service parts are available through the website and customer care service.
Installation of Product: This product comes with the 12-volt parts needed for installation, but you will need to buy an outside vent and potentially a transformer, depending on where you are installing the unit.
Cleaning Tips: A quick spray of water with white vinegar or a natural cleaner between each use is recommended. A moistened paper towel can be used for subtle interior and exterior cleaning.
Warranty Info: It is proudly made in the USA and has a five-year warranty.
Return policy: According to the company, the product can be returned within 60 days from the purchase date if it has been never been installed.
4. Sun-Mar Compact Self-Contained Composting Toilet
This is a low-profile toilet system with a high price tag. It looks great and has a new variable diameter Bio-Drum added to it.
The main features of this model are as follows:
- This low profile unit uses no water, and it is 100% polluting free.
- It is super comfortable and complements any bathroom quite well.
- It uses a standard household current and is odorless.
- It converts human waste to safe fertilizing soil with its self-composting system.
- This is for single person use and comes with medium capacity.
- It also has variable diameter bio-drum with recessed handle for processing compost.
- It is a self-contained toilet with a detachable footrest and pest-proof facility.
- It has an emergency drain system and comes with a venting kit.
Water Conservation Facts: No water or sewer connection is required,
Service Parts Availability: Service parts are available through the company website and registered associate companies.
Installation of Products: Few pieces are used in this Sun-Mar compost toilet. Therefore, it can be assembled easily and in any harsh weather.
Cleaning tips: It only requires an easy cleaning procedure with no extra hassle.
Warranty Info: The company gives five years of full warranty on the product.
Return Policy: The product can be returned or refunded in unused condition.
How To Choose a Composting Toilet for a Tiny House
It can be a bit tricky to understand how a waterless sewage system is used. However, you will be excited to know that, with their energy-saving features, these systems are completely odorless too. This alternative sewage system mechanism uses very little to no energy at all.
There are various types of composting toilets available with great features, but you need to understand the process of this composting system along with your own requirements. Among the various brands present on the market, we have jotted down only five to give you a clear view of what you’ll be looking at when choosing a compost toilet.
But before buying one, you should be aware of some of the factors that you might consider according to your own necessity:
- Think about the cost of a good composting toilet and your budget.
- The toilet should not stink inside or outside.
- It should have a urine-diverting system.
- It should have a solid waste disposing system.
- Think about the vent system and if it will be supplied with the toilet.
- Consider the time between clearing the waste.
- Last but not least, notice if the brand has good customer service options.
Composting Toilet FAQ’s
How does a composting toilet work?
Composting toilets normally use natural processes to decompose and evaporate human waste. The waste that enters the toilet contains over 90% water, which evaporates and gets back to the air through the vent system.
How does a waterless composting toilet work?
In waterless urinals, the urine flows down the bowl and passes through a debris-catching strainer. The urine then goes through a sealing liquid that has an oil-based fluid or vegetable oil. After that, it moves out through the waste pipe.
How does a self-contained composting toilet work?
A self-contained composting toilet is larger than the rest. However, you don’t need extra space since they occupy almost the same amount of space as regular toilets. In self-contained composition toilets, the composting reactor is placed in continuation to the receiving end. This means that the breakdown of the human waste produced by the aerobic microbes starts immediately.
The best thing about these toilets is that they do not smell. They also have advanced features that help to expel non-usable gases to enhance oxygen filtration. This speeds up the rate of aerobic decomposition.
Do composting toilets smell bad?
Most people think that composting toilets smell bad. However, since they exert negative pressure inside the toilet, composting toilets do not smell at all. However, the venting must be installed correctly if you want the toilet to operate odor-free.
Can you use toilet paper with a composting toilet?
Toilet paper is made of carbon elements. This means that you don’t need to buy special toilet paper since the regular toilet paper breaks easily within a short period.
Do you need to have a septic system when you have a composting toilet?
According to U.S. building codes, every home should have at least one flush toilet that is connected to an approved septic system.
Do composting toilets use water?
Composting toilets normally use microorganisms, which are controlled by aerobic conditions. This means that they do not use water. Some even feature a urine diversion system in the toilet bowl that collects the urine separately and also helps to control excess moisture.
Do you have to empty a composting toilet?
If you are using a continuous cycle composting toilet, you will find that it has a tray at the bottom. All you need to do is to remove the tray and empty it. The great thing about this is that you don’t have to do this every day since compost made of human waste loses much of its bulk.
Can you put tampons in a composting toilet?
If you are to use a tampon, it must be 100% made of cotton since this material is biodegradable in composting toilets. Avoid using conventional tampons with plastic overwraps since they don’t decompose easily.
Do composting toilets use electricity?
Self-contained composting toilets come in either electric or non-electric versions, allowing you to choose according to your requirements. Electric units have a higher capacity than non-electric since they have extra warmth and air movement, which enhances the bacteria activities.
How big is a composting toilet?
Composting toilets come in different sizes, but most of them are compact and do not require a lot of space. Due to their size, they are the best for camping or homes with limited space.
Composting toilets are legal in which states in the USA?
Some states such as Washington, Oregon, and others contain a code that regulates composting toilets. These codes only require an NSF-certified toilet.
Do composting toilets work in cold climates?
One of the best things about composting toilets is that they work well in all climates. However, the composting process stops when the weather is very cold. The best thing would be to insulate the composting chamber or keep it in a heated place.
Can you urinate in a composting toilet?
Some of these toilets usually mix urine and feces while others separate them, but these toilets require a lot of effort to maintain. It all depends on your requirements.
How does a composting toilet flush?
Composting toilets use natural processes to decompose and evaporate human waste. This means that they do not use water when flushing. This makes these toilets a great option if you want a water-saving toilet.
How much water does a composting toilet save?
When you are using a no-flush composting toilet, you can save up to 2,000 gallons or 8,000 liters of water every year at an average flush rate of 4 times a day.
Can you use the compost from a composting toilet?
Flush toilets treat human manure as waste while composting toilets allow you to reclaim and recycle the nutrients found in human waste. They use biological processes to break down human manure.
How much does a composting toilet system cost?
If you are searching for a commercial toilet, they cost $1,500-$8,000 depending on the design. Traditional toilers range from $100-$2,000.
Conclusion:
While buying a composting toilet, you need to look at if it is user-friendly and easy to maintain along with the quality of the product, and then consider your budget criteria. This detailed composting toilet buying guide will help you to go and grab the best compost toilet to suit your needs. This is an important decision to make because this environmentally-friendly waste management system is reusable can save energy.