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Composting Toilet Guide
Which composting toilet do I need?
If you’re new to composting toilets, start with your situation instead of the tech.
Pick the option that sounds most like you and we’ll show you the styles that usually work best – from affordable starter options to premium, high-capacity systems.
Step 1 Where will this toilet live?
Start by asking where this toilet will live – that tells you most of what you need.
Tiny home on wheels, cabin, studio or sleepout. Space is tight and budget matters. These setups usually suit a self-contained composting toilet – all-in-one, sits on the floor, no septic tank needed.
Holiday home, crib or rural place that’s busy some weekends and quiet at others. You’ll typically choose between batch systems (swap-out chambers) and self-contained systems – both waterless and cost-effective to run.
Full-time house with three or more people using the toilet every day. Most homes work best with a split / continuous system – a “normal looking” pedestal inside and a larger composting chamber under or beside the building.
Motorhome, caravan, bus conversion, launch or houseboat. You need lightweight self-contained toilets that are compact, secure in transit and easy to service on the road.
DOC-style huts, camps, public reserves or work sites with lots of different users. These are usually served by high-capacity split or vaulted systems – bigger chambers, less frequent servicing, robust buildings.
Not sure which one fits you best? You can always skip ahead to Help Me Choose and we’ll work it through with you.
Step 2 A quick look at system types
This is the “how it works” part – in plain language. You don’t need to memorise the tech; just get a feel for which approach matches your situation.
What they are: The toilet and composting chamber are in a single unit that sits on the floor.
Best for: Tiny homes, cabins, RVs, boats and small bathrooms.
Why people like them: Simple to install, no septic tank, very compact and often the most affordable way to start.
Good to know: You’ll empty a container or chamber more often than with bigger under-floor systems.
What they are: Dry toilets with multiple composting chambers. When one is full, you swap to an empty one and let the full one finish composting.
Best for: Baches, lifestyle blocks and off-grid homes with on-and-off use.
Why people like them: Low ongoing cost, simple parts, and easy to understand – very forgiving for holiday use.
Good to know: You’ll handle chamber changes from time to time, so plan access and lifting around your site.
What they are: A “normal” pedestal in the bathroom connected to a larger composting tank below or nearby.
Best for: Everyday homes, eco-homes, busy off-grid sites and higher-use builds.
Why people like them: More volume = less frequent emptying, better composting and a very “normal toilet” feel.
Good to know: Needs space under/behind the building and a bit more planning up front – but day-to-day life is usually easier.
What they are: Larger chambers or vaulted systems designed for heavy traffic and shared facilities.
Best for: Huts, walking tracks, campgrounds, public parks, work sites and eco-tourism projects.
Why people like them: Built to handle lots of users with long gaps between servicing; engineered ventilation keeps odours low.
Good to know: These are premium systems that benefit from a bit of design input up front – talk to us early if you’re planning a public site.
Step 3 Check water, power and how off-grid you want to be
Fully off-grid setups usually choose waterless, non-electric toilets. Look for versions that rely on good ventilation and bulking material instead of pumps or heaters.
If you’re happy to use a little power or water, electric fans, heaters or micro-flush pedestals can give you drier compost, faster processing and a “just like home” experience. We can help you match this to your site’s power and water supply.
Remember: your composting system specification is all about your place, your building and your needs.
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