Off-Grid Toilet Options
A comparison of the main toilet technologies for tiny homes, from composting to traditional flush.
Urine-Diverting Composting
Separates liquids and solids into two chambers; solids mix with coco coir or peat moss to break down naturally.
Water: Zero
Power: Very low (1–2W for a 12V exhaust fan)
Pros: Eco-friendly, no plumbing, zero water use.
Cons: Empty liquid tank every few days; need to buy bulking material.
Popular brands: Nature's Head, Trelino, Separett
Split-System Composting
Pedestal sits in the bathroom while waste drops into a large composting drum below the floor.
Water: Zero
Power: Very low (12V ventilation fan)
Pros: Looks like a regular toilet, large capacity, less frequent emptying.
Cons: Needs clearance under the home; permanent setup only.
Popular brands: Nature Loo, EcoFlo
Incinerating
Burns waste in a paper liner at around 500°C using gas or electricity, leaving only ash.
Water: Zero
Power: Very high (2,000W+ per cycle, or LPG gas)
Pros: Leaves only sterile, odour-free ash; no wet waste handling.
Cons: Expensive upfront; heavy drain on off-grid solar.
Popular brands: Cinderella, Sun-Mar
Dry Flush / Cartridge
A Mylar foil liner automatically twists and seals waste into a bottom compartment.
Water: Zero
Power: Low (rechargeable battery for the twist motor)
Pros: Completely odourless, no water or vent pipes, no waste handling.
Cons: Ongoing cost of cartridge refills; plastic waste to landfill.
Popular brands: Laveo Dry Flush, Modiwell
Macerating (Upflush)
High-speed blades shred waste into a slurry, pumped through small pipes to a distant septic or sewer line.
Water: Low to moderate (standard flush)
Power: Moderate (240V mains for the pump)
Pros: Can pump uphill or long distances; feels like a normal toilet.
Cons: Noisy; cannot work during a power outage.
Popular brands: Saniflo
Traditional Flush
Standard porcelain toilet on a pressurised water line, flushing to sewer or septic.
Water: High (full mains water)
Power: Zero (uses gravity and water pressure)
Pros: Familiar and comfortable; no waste management inside.
Cons: Fully dependent on grid infrastructure; uses lots of water.
Popular brands: Caroma, Oliveri, Fowler
Portable Chemical
Compact two-tank unit; chemicals in the bottom tank break down waste and suppress odour.
Water: Very low (small manual flush tank)
Power: Zero (manual piston pump)
Pros: Very cheap upfront; mobile and portable.
Cons: Small capacity; heavy and unpleasant to empty.
Popular brands: Thetford (Porta Potti), Dometic