Table of Contents
- Compost Toilet Comparison at a Glance
- What Is a Compost Toilet, Actually?
- Why I Love Having a Compost Toilet in My Van
- Compost Toilet vs Chemical Toilet for Van Life
- Downsides of a Compost Toilet (Being Honest)
- Who a Compost Toilet Is Not For
- How to Use and Maintain a Compost Toilet
- The 7 Best Compost Toilets for Vanlife and Sailing
- High-End Options: Nature's Head and OGO
- How to Choose the Right Compost Toilet for You
- Where to Buy a Compost Toilet
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
- Related Reading
Hey wild one. I'm writing this from a parking spot somewhere wild. I've lost count of how many days I've been here. The surf break is right in front of me. The nearest shop or facilities are far away.
If I still had a chemical toilet, I would've had to leave already to find a dump station. And that's exactly what I don't want this lifestyle to become. Now I can stay longer. Move less. Live simpler. And keep things low impact in the places I care about.
From experience comes awareness. From caring comes action.
“With a chemical toilet, I would've had to leave by now. Not because I wanted to, but because the toilet would decide for me.”
Somewhere between a remote beach, a mountain pass, and a quiet anchorage, you realise something simple: you need a toilet. And suddenly this tiny detail starts shaping your whole day. Where you park. Where you sail. How long you stay.
I've tried the alternatives. Holding it. Scouting for public toilets. Chemical cassettes. None of it felt like freedom. Switching to a compost toilet quietly changed that. I've used one in my van for over a year. I've seen them on sailboats across the Atlantic, in tiny houses, in off-grid cabins. I wouldn't go back.
So this is my honest breakdown of the options, what to look for, and which compost toilet I picked and why.
Short answer: my top pick
After researching all the main brands, I chose the Kildwick Mini Loo. Lightweight, compact, simple DIY kit, no fan needed, 5-year material warranty, and priced in the mid range. It's been in my van for over a year with no smell and no problems.
If you want something even cheaper and smaller: Boxio. If you want something fancier with built-in fan: Cuddy or Trelino.
Compost Toilet Comparison at a Glance
Here are the 7 compost toilets I shortlisted when I was buying mine, ranked from budget to premium.
What Is a Compost Toilet, Actually?
A compost toilet is a dry toilet that separates liquid waste from solid waste. No water, no flushing, no chemicals. The magic happens thanks to a urine diverter that redirects liquids to one container and solids to another. Kept dry and separate, solids don't smell and they start the composting process naturally.
It looks and sits like a normal western toilet. You just don't flush it.
How you empty it
The urine container I empty about once a week, somewhere responsibly, far from water sources and never next to my neighbour's van. The solids I empty every 2 weeks or so, handled responsibly and well away from water, following Leave No Trace principles and local guidelines. If you're unsure, default to proper compost systems or designated disposal points. You never throw compost toilet solids in a regular bin or flush them down a regular toilet.
Why I Love Having a Compost Toilet in My Van
No more scouting for bathrooms
This is the biggest one. Before the compost toilet, I could spend an hour a day trying to find a decent place to go. Public toilets closed, gas stations with no key, beach spots too busy. Now I just open the door of the van and sit down. It gave me back so much time and freedom.
No water, no chemicals, no electricity
Most compost toilets don't need any water, any chemicals, or any electricity (some have an optional fan). For off-grid living that matters a lot. Water and power are the two most precious things in a van or on a boat, and a compost toilet needs neither.
No disposal stations
I used to have a chemical cassette toilet in my van, but I never used it. The idea of carrying chemicals in my home on wheels didn't sit right, and the hassle of driving to a disposal station when you're in a remote natural spot for weeks just didn't make sense. A compost toilet frees you from that whole loop.
It lines up with how I want to live
Low impact. No chemicals. No systems I don't understand. Just something simple, that works, and doesn't leave a trace in the places I love. It's a small shift on paper, but it's part of a bigger move towards a more self-sufficient, slower, closer-to-the-earth way of living.
Compost Toilet vs Chemical Toilet for Van Life
If you're choosing between the two, here's the honest comparison:
- Water: Compost toilets use none. Chemical toilets need water to flush the bowl.
- Chemicals: Compost toilets use none. Chemical toilets need specialised fluids you have to buy and carry.
- Disposal: Compost toilets let you empty responsibly wherever you are. Chemical toilets need dedicated dump stations, often at paid campsites.
- Freedom: Compost toilets let you stay in wild spots for weeks. Chemical toilets dictate when and where you have to be near a station.
- Smell: Modern compost toilets separate urine from solids, which is around 80% of the smell issue solved. Chemical toilets rely on blue liquid masking.
- Environment: Compost toilets are essentially waste neutral. Chemical toilets leave chemical residues in the waste disposal chain.
- Upfront cost: Chemical cassette toilets are cheaper to buy (€100-€300). Compost toilets are €300-€700 but save you money long-term on chemicals and dump station fees.
For full-time van life, sailing, or off-grid living, compost wins on every metric except upfront cost. For occasional weekend trips in serviced campsites, a chemical toilet might still make sense.
Downsides of a Compost Toilet (Being Honest)
- Cleaning yourself with water is trickier. Compost toilets are waterless and the urine separator adds a small space to navigate. With a portable bidet like Culo Clean it's doable, but it takes practice.
- You have to empty it yourself. Every 1-3 weeks depending on use, with a shovel, somewhere thoughtful. Some people don't want to deal with it.
- Upfront cost. A decent compost toilet is €300-€700. You save money over time versus a chemical toilet but the initial spend is real.
- Learning curve. The urine diverter only works if you sit down properly and don't overshoot. Takes a couple of days to get the hang of it.
Who a Compost Toilet Is Not For
A compost toilet isn't right for everyone. Skip it if:
- You want zero maintenance and never want to think about your waste
- You mostly stay in campsites or marinas with facilities
- You don't want the learning curve or emptying routine
- You're only in your van or boat for short weekend trips
For everyone else, especially people who stay in wild places for long stretches, it's one of the best upgrades you can make.
How to Use and Maintain a Compost Toilet
Bags or no bags?
I don't use the bags. Compostable bags don't actually compost unless conditions are perfect, and they're often weaker than plastic bags. The last thing you want is a bag falling apart when you're emptying the toilet. I find using the bucket alone easier and cleaner. A little sand in the bottom makes emptying smooth.
Keeping it smell-free
Proper separation is 80% of smell control. After that, three things help:
- A spray bottle with water, vinegar and a drop of essential oil to rinse the liquid zone after peeing
- A little bag of activated charcoal hanging in the bathroom
- Coconut fibres (coco coir) in the solids container to absorb moisture and speed composting
Some people add a small fan for humid environments. Some of the higher-end models like the Cuddy have it built in. I don't have one and I've never needed it in my van, but if you're in the tropics year-round, it might be worth it.
Cleaning the toilet itself
No chemicals. I take mine to the ocean when there's no one around, rinse and scrub it with sand. Simple. At home you can just use water, vinegar and a cloth.
If you just want a quick answer
The 7 Best Compost Toilets for Vanlife and Sailing
Ranked from most budget to premium. These are the ones I actually considered when buying mine.
1. DIY Compost Toilet
You can build one yourself with a wooden box, a urine diverter, and two containers. It's the cheapest route and fully customizable to your space.
Pros: cheapest option, built to your exact dimensions, uses locally sourced materials.
Cons: needs carpentry skills, the seal has to be perfect or it will smell, materials add up and can end up costing nearly as much as a kit.
I considered making my own but the costs added up and it was going to be a project. I ended up buying the Kildwick DIY kit instead, which gave me the satisfaction of building it myself with all the right parts included.
2. Boxio Compost Toilet
German company. €200-€400.
Boxio is the most affordable and compact of the serious compost toilets. Small enough to fit in the back of a car. I know ocean nomads who use them on sailboats and vanlifers who use them for weekend trips.
Pros: budget-friendly, lightweight, good for very small spaces or occasional use.
Cons: smaller capacity means more frequent emptying, basic design, fewer features.
3. Trobolo
German company. €200-€600.
Trobolo has multiple models from compact mobile units to bigger stationary ones. Good waste separation, low-smell operation, solid mid-range build.
Pros: multiple sizes, effective separation, works in mobile and stationary setups.
Cons: installation can be fiddly, larger models are bulky for very small vans.
I liked this one but my van's dimensions favoured a smaller option.
Check Trobolo prices and models
4. Separett
Swedish company. €300-€600.
Separett has been making compost toilets for 45 years in Sweden. Built tough, with a solid reputation among off-grid builders. The big advantage: spare parts are available globally, which matters if you travel internationally and something breaks.
Pros: durable, reliable urine-diverting tech, spare parts worldwide, good for full-time off-grid.
Cons: heavier than some competitors, fewer aesthetic options, bulky for tight spaces.
I considered building my own using Separett's urine diverter (they sell parts separately) but the Kildwick kit was better value in the end. Separett is a smart choice if you travel internationally or need spare parts access.
Check Separett prices and models
5. Kildwick (my pick)
German company. €350-€600.
I've been using the Kildwick Mini Loo Hydro in my van for over a year. It's a DIY kit which means you assemble it yourself: the box, separator, two canisters (solids and liquids), toilet seat and lid. Takes an hour or two.
Why I chose it:
- Simple, stylish, great value
- Less deep than other models, fits tight spaces
- One of the lightest toilets on the market at 8.2 kg
- Small German company that clearly cares about what they do
- Doesn't smell without a fan (important in a van)
- Only needs emptying once every 2 weeks
- Waterproof
- 5-year material warranty
It feels like something built by people who actually live this life. Not designed in a lab, not engineered for mass market, just made well by a small team that cares. That matters to me.
I wrote a full review of the Kildwick Mini Loo here.
Check Kildwick prices and models
6. Trelino
German company. €400-€700.
Trelino is where compost toilets meet design. If aesthetics matter to you and you want something that looks like real furniture (not a plastic box), this is the one. Customizable wood, colours, sizes.
Pros: beautiful design, high quality materials, good urine separation.
Cons: pricier, customization adds more cost, style-over-practicality for some.
Check Trelino prices and models
7. Cuddy
US company. €500-€700.
Cuddy has a modern look and is 5-7 kg which makes it one of the lightest. It has a built-in fan (needs a small power connection) and an LED pee-level indicator so you know when to empty.
Pros: modern aesthetic, lightweight, built-in fan for extra odour control, easy to use.
Cons: needs power connection for the fan, single size, top-end of the budget.
High-End Options: Nature's Head and OGO
These two are American-made, pricier, and favoured by long-term full-time sailors and off-grid homesteaders. Both have distributors in Europe.
Nature's Head
The best-known compost toilet among sailors. Solid build, hand-crank agitator to mix the solids (speeds composting), urine-diverting system. Not cheap but it lasts and there's a good reason so many sailors across the Atlantic use it.
Pros: very durable, proven track record, hand crank agitator makes it low-maintenance.
Cons: expensive, bulky for small vans, needs a small power supply for the fan.
OGO
A newer American brand with an automatic mixing system (pushes a button instead of cranking). Sleek modern design, compact at 13 kg, urine-diverting tech, built-in fan.
Pros: modern design, automatic mixing, compact for what it does.
Cons: expensive, needs power, limited sizes.
Still figuring out van life or off-grid living?
I've been living nomadically for 15+ years across sailboats, vans and tiny houses. If you're at the start of your journey, I share what I've learned in my newsletter and over on Patreon.
How to Choose the Right Compost Toilet for You
Six things I'd think about before buying:
- Space and dimensions. Measure your bathroom area twice. Compost toilets vary a lot in depth and width.
- Weight. If you're in a small van or a sailboat, every kilo matters.
- Climate. Humid tropics or year-round dry? Humid environments benefit from a built-in fan.
- Where you travel. If you move between countries, look at brands with good shipping coverage (Separett has global spare parts).
- Power. Do you have solar or a house battery to run a fan? Or do you want to go completely off electricity?
- Budget. Budget options start at €200, premium options climb to €1000+. The mid range (€350-€600) is where most thoughtful buyers land.
Where to Buy a Compost Toilet
To keep the supply chain short and the environmental impact low, buy as local and directly as you can.
Netherlands and Belgium
Offgridcentrum stocks Separett, Trobolo and other brands. All the German brands also ship directly to the Netherlands.
Germany
Most brands (Boxio, Trobolo, Trelino, Kildwick) are German so you can buy directly. For premium American brands like OGO or Nature's Head, Tomtur is a good distributor.
Rest of Europe
All the brands above ship within Europe.
USA
Cuddy, OGO and Nature's Head are US brands you can buy directly. Nomadic Supply carries a range of options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best compost toilet for van life?
For most vanlifers the Kildwick Mini Loo hits the best balance of price, quality and compactness. Budget option: Boxio. Premium with built-in fan: Cuddy. For sailboats specifically, Nature's Head is the most battle-tested.
Do compost toilets smell?
When working properly, no. Around 80% of toilet odour comes from urine and solids mixing. The urine diverter keeps them separate, so neither smells. A bit of coco coir or sawdust in the solids container helps further. I've had no smell issues in over a year of daily use without a fan.
How often do you empty a compost toilet?
Urine container: about once a week with regular use. Solids container: every 2-3 weeks depending on how many people are using it and the size of the container.
Where do you empty a compost toilet?
Urine can be poured in a wild area far from water sources, or down a regular toilet. Solids need to go in a deep hole dug away from any stream or river, or in a proper composting setup at home. Never in the regular bin, never in a regular toilet, never near fresh water.
Do compost toilets need electricity?
Most don't. Basic models like Kildwick, Boxio and Trobolo work fully without power. Higher-end models like Cuddy, OGO and Nature's Head have built-in fans that need a small power connection (typically 12V, very low draw, fine for solar). In humid climates a fan is worth it, in dry or temperate climates you probably don't need one.
Compost toilet vs chemical cassette toilet: which is better?
Compost toilets don't use chemicals, don't need disposal stations, and don't have a cassette that sloshes around on bumpy roads. Chemical toilets are cheaper upfront but more hassle and less eco-friendly long-term. If you're full-time on the road or off-grid for long stretches, compost wins on every front except upfront cost.
Can I use a compost toilet on a sailboat?
Yes, and many sailors do. Nature's Head is the most popular choice among ocean cruisers. Separett and Kildwick are also used on boats. The main consideration on a boat is motion (the urine diverter needs to work when the boat heels) and ventilation in humid marine air.
Are compost toilets legal?
In most countries for private use in vans, boats and off-grid properties, yes. Disposal laws vary by country and region, so always empty responsibly and check local rules for permanent installations. For a vehicle or vessel used for travel, you generally have the same rights as a campervan owner with a chemical toilet.
How do I clean myself on a compost toilet?
Toilet paper goes into the solids container. If you want to use water too, a small portable bidet like Culo Clean does the job, just aim carefully to keep the urine diverter working properly.
Final Thoughts
A compost toilet is one of those quiet upgrades. No big announcement. No dramatic change. Just more freedom, every single day.
Less dependency. More autonomy. And somehow, more connection to the places you're in.
My honest pick is the Kildwick Mini Loo, but any of the seven above will do the job well. Just match it to your space, weight, climate and budget.
Related Reading
- Full Kildwick Mini Loo Hydro Review
- Portable Water Filtration for Vans and Boats
- Zero Waste Travel Kit
- DIY Mineral Sunscreen Recipe
- Vanlife Gift Ideas
- How to Sail the Atlantic as Crew
- Biodegradable Shampoo for Travel
Have you tried a composting toilet? Which one? Drop a comment below.
Disclaimer: opinions are my own. If you buy a compost toilet via the links on this page, at no extra cost to you, a small commission helps me keep creating honest content about ocean action and natural living. Kildwick sent me my toilet in partnership with me and the Ocean Nomads community. I am not paid to write this and everything above is my honest experience.
Related Posts
