The 10 Best Marine Toilets in 2022

Even when you’re on the water, when nature calls, we need to answer. Marine toilets are your solution, whether you’re out for a day trip, or spending significant time on the seas.

What is a Marine Toilet?

Yes, you’ve guessed it, a toilet for your boat. These toilets can’t be plumbed to the main sewage (for obvious reasons) so they have holding waste tanks. 

Marine toilets for small boats may also be totally self-contained and store the waste in an inbuilt tank.

Eventually, the waste can be effectively and safely disposed of in regulated sites. 

A reliable marine toilet is a must, and we’ve reviewed 10 of the very best marine toilets below.

JABSCO is a very highly-respected brand in the world of marine toilet equipment. 

The clever Twist ‘n’ Lock design means that the flushing and discharge are simple, and that siphonic flooding and backflow are kept to an absolute minimum. You don’t want to experience these while you’re out on a boating trip.

This is a marine toilet head with a lot of pump power, and it can be set up above or below the waterline with no issues. It’s also flexible as you can choose to attach on the right or left, so it is suitable for many different boats and vessels.

The best versatile marine toilet. As well as a versatile installation, it can be discharged overboard or into a holding tank, to give you extra control.

What we like

• Versatile and simple install.
• Multiple options for discharge.

What could be better

• The 90-degree angle of the elbow installation can make it prone to leaking.

If you’re looking for a functional, simple design for an electric marine toilet this could be a great choice. The porcelain design is very high-quality and resistant to rust and corrosion, something very useful for marine use. It comes with a joint pump setup to choose when you’re ready to electrically flash the waste.

Standardized fastenings mean tool-free installation (well, no special tools anyway). It’s also quick to install.

Best electric marine toilet. This electric toilet is easy to flush and extremely hygienic, removing some of the manual aspects of this unpleasant job.

What we like

• Simple installation.
• Electric operation.
• Corrosion-resistant. 

What could be better

• Some spray when flushing.

Being able to turn your waste into compost is a fantastic plus point of the Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet.

This cleverly uses microorganisms and a composting design to turn human waste into useful compost, so it is different from “porta-potti” designs which don’t process the waste at all.

This is simple to install, especially as it doesn’t have any specific plumbing into the boat, and the manufacturers say you may not need to empty it for as much as 4-6 weeks. We recommend doing so a bit more frequently, as the waste can become pretty heavy.

For a composting toilet, the odor is amazingly faint. This won’t stink out the whole place even if it has a few weeks of waste in it. When it is time to empty, it requires a bit of strength, but it is a relatively quick job, and you can even use the remains on your plants at home.

What we like

• No significant odor.
• Environmentally friendly solution.
• Install on any boat.

What could be better

• Expensive.
• Heavy to lift and empty.

A macerator toilet allows for compression of waste and makes it easier to dispose of, especially in the water.

The best macerator toilet. This marine toilet from TMC is a very effective way to dispose of waste and is suitable for relatively heavy use. It has a scavenger pump and the macerator can grind waste and toilet paper. You can then use a simple push button to flush the waste away.

The design is pretty efficient and makes it easy to dispose of waste. Keep in mind the fact that it doesn’t have a solenoid valve, which can be an issue if your boat’s water system is pressurized.

What we like

• High-capacity macerator pump included.
• Long-lasting and surprisingly low maintenance.

What could be better

• Not suitable for pressurized water systems.

The option to use a marine toilet that fits anywhere is great for small vessels and means you don’t have the hassle that comes with installation. The Porta Potti 92306 is also an option for truckers, or to take camping with you.

The design is functional, and it has a great carrying handle, and a toilet paper holder, as well as an indicator of how full the tank is. Eventually, when it comes to flushing, you can use a pour-out spout that rotates and avoids any nasty backsplashes.

This is the best universal fit marine toilet, and it is portable so you can take it with you if you camp out, for instance. You can use a “hold down kit” which helps to secure the portable toilet to the floor throughout use for a bit more stability. Unfortunately, it isn’t suitable if you weigh more than 265 lbs.

What we like

• Use this with any model of boat, no installation is needed.
• Clever flushing system to make the job a bit easier.

What could be better

• This model relies on you to do the discharge.
• Not suitable for users heavier than 265 lbs.

A large tank might be completely necessary for longer trips or for boats with more passengers, and with the CAMCO model, you can take advantage of a 5.3-gallon tank.

This is a very lightweight model but it still manages to be sturdy, and even has a higher capacity than some other models, as people up to 330lbs in weight can use the toilet. It has drop-in samples and odor treatments and latches to keep it in place.

This is a portable toilet with a large tank and as well as 2.5 gallons of fresh water from the top flush, the bellows-style pump flushes the water and waste down into a large 5.3-gallon waste tank. 

Be sure to attach and detach this with care, as you do not want any spillage. There’s a sliding top on the waste tank to keep odor under control, but there is sometimes an unpleasant aroma, especially if the toilet sees a lot of use.

What we like

• Durable design and large waste capacity.
• Affordable model.
• Relatively simple to dispose of waste.

What could be better

• There is often an odor when this has seen a lot of use.
• Flush mechanism requires a surprising amount of strength.

When space is at a premium but you still need something that is going to give you electric flushing and reliable toileting while on your boat, this could be the option to take.

This extremely modern-looking toilet can easily be installed or retrofitted where your manual toilet once was. 

It’s certainly very different from the other models on the list. Using just 1.2 liters of water per flush, it relies on a “Lite Flush” footswitch which you press once to fill the bowl and then press when you’re finished to flush it away.

This compact electric marine toilet is great if you are looking for something lightweight and if space is really at a premium, and if you are replacing an existing JABSCO model this is particularly easy to install. 

What we liked

• Very compact and easy to save space.
• Fits where previous JABSCO models have been.

What could be better

• Not comfortable for people with a larger build.
• Can’t be used with pressurized systems.

When you’ve used enough marine toilets, you get pretty good at knowing which are well-made, and the Raritan Superflush is definitely made to a high standard.

PH Superflush Toilet with Soft-Close Lid Our latest configuration helps customers easily switch from competitive models and begin taking advantage of the robust and dependable design of our world-renowned PHII pump.

Every unit is individually assembled and tested by hand in the USA. Upgrading to PH SuperFlush is fast and easy! The mounting base configuration matches the bolt pattern used on most competitive toilets. Clear the bowl with less strokes! 

The installation is relatively straightforward and can be either above or below the waterline. The soft-close seat sounds like a small innovation, but it is also great for avoiding annoying slamming while the boat is rocking.

The pump is definitely the number one selling point here. It makes it easier to flush away waste, using a double-action piston pump. It’s super strong and feels closer to using a real toilet than some competing models.

What we liked

• Excellent pump design makes it easy to dispose of waste.
• Avoids backflow issues some other marine toilets struggle with.
• Clever soft-close seat avoids rattling.

What could be better

• A bit larger and bulkier than some other options.

This composting marine toilet does a very good job of keeping the odors to a minimum, as it pulls air and liquid out of the storage tank which can greatly help to reduce the smell. It diverts water and urine away.

This can be installed using AC or DC power so it is suitable for use with generators, for instance. It does require compostable bags which are used to catch the waste and comes with ten of these included.

There is a vent fan to get rid of the odor and allow you to use the compact composting marine toilet without worrying too much about the smells.

What we like

• Does a good job of keeping odor to a minimum.
• Turns waste into usable compost.
• Use with AC or DC power.

What could be better

• It can be tough to source the right compostable bags.

You might want a marine toilet for day trips rather than weeks out at sea, so you don’t need a huge five or six-gallon beast. 

The SEA FLO is a possible solution. It only weighs 11 lbs when empty, and has carrying handles meaning it is totally portable. The 2.6-gallon waste tank and 3.4-gallon water tank make it easy to use and flush, and the impressive durability is handy, too. Users up to 330 lbs in weight can use the SEA FLO.

It’s perfect for use on a single-day trip and easy to empty when the time comes.

What we like

• Tiny and very portable.
• High capacity.

What could be better

• Not amazing at sealing in the odors. 
• Not super stable if the boat is rocky. 

How to Choose Your Marine Toilet

As you can see from the products on this list, there are a variety of different marine toilets with different designs. Some are great for a day on the lake, others are suitable for weeks at sea.

Types of Marine Toilets

There are a few types of toilets. The best electric marine toilets have a more automated pump function to help you to push the waste product into the storage tank. Manual models have a manual pump for the same purpose.

Many electric marine toilets also have a macerator which can grind down the waste to a smaller size before it is disposed of.

A lot of people opt for totally self-contained marine toilets, which may be manual marine toilets that require you to empty them very regularly. You might also opt for a composting toilet, which can use microorganisms and enzymes to break down the waste and create compost, and often remove the liquid to help prevent smells.

In summary, the types of marine toilets include:

• Manual: These have a manual pump for moving waste into the storage tank and for cleaning or rinsing the bowl.
• Electric: These often have a macerator and an automatic method of cleaning and rinsing the toilet head.
• Composting: The waste products are stored and break down into compost for use in the future.
• Portable: These can be installed on your boat, but they can also easily be removed, and are often used for camping trips or on RVs. 

Other Considerations

There are a few other aspects of marine toilets to think about before you complete your purchase and make a final buying decision.

Waste Disposal

Always consider the waste disposal aspect. If you are using the best marine head toilet with a larger waste tank then you might only have to do this job once in a while, but if you have a self-contained marine toilet and you are squeamish when it comes to human waste, make sure it’s easy to dispose of the waste.

It isn’t nice to talk about, but a lot of portable marine toilets struggle with issues like splashback, and even leaking. This is not something you’ll want to deal with regularly.

Contrary to what you might assume, composting marine toilets are often the easiest to dispose of the waste and the smell is less pungent as the water is removed from the waste, as explained by Let’s Go Green.

Installation

If you opt for an electric toilet or a marine boat head that connects to a large tank, you will need to professionally install the toilet. This often means connecting to a power supply.

If you go for the best self-contained marine toilets, the installation process is simple, and most people can easily install them with no hiccups.

Maintenance

The less time you spend maintaining your marine toilet, the better, right? Opt for a product that is low-maintenance to ensure that you minimize time spent refilling cleaning products or replacing composting bags.

The Final Verdict

Plenty of marine toilets do a very functional job. Be sure to match up your own specific needs and budget with the toilet you eventually choose. Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet is a great self-contained composting model, but the JABSCO Twist n’ Lock Manual Marine Toilet is extremely versatile. Every model in our list of marine toilet reviews has something to offer.

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