Updated on August 28, 2020

When nature calls, it’s best to have a toilet nearby to answer that call. When on your sailboat, it’s not always as easy as when you’re in the comfort of your home on land, but a good marine toilet can make things a lot easier. Whether you’re headed out for the day or you have a long, multi-day adventure down the coast planned, you’ll need a toilet to get you through the day. From electric options to truly portable toilets, from compact designs to toilets that offer all of the comforts of home, there’s truly something for every sailor. We’ve put together this guide to help you choose the best marine toilet for you, your sailboat, and your desired sailing style. Check it out, and we wish you a voyage full of adventures and unparalleled comfort!

For more of our top sailing gear recommendations, check out the Best Wind Generators for Sailboats.

 

Quick Answer - The Best Marine Toilets

  1. Thetford Porta Potti 135 Portable Marine Head
  2. Jabsco Twist ‘N’ Lock Compact Toilet
  3. Raritan Sea Era Macerating Electric Toilet
  4. Raritan Marine Elegance Electric Marine Toilet

 

Comparison Table - Best Marine Toilets

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NameTypeColorKey FeatureWarrantyPriceRatingReview
Thetford Porta Potti 135 Portable Marine HeadPortableWhite, GrayLow profileThree Year Limited Warranty$4.9Read Review
Jabsco Twist ‘N’ Lock Compact ToiletManual PistonWhiteTwist ‘n’ Lock safety pump handle prevents floodingOne Year$$4.85Read Review
Raritan Sea Era Macerating Electric Toilet24 Volt Electric ImpellerWhiteCompact and quiet designOne Year$$$4.8Read Review
Raritan Marine Elegance Electric Marine Toilet24 Volt Electric ImpellerWhiteLow water consumptionOne Year$$$4.75Read Review
NameTypeColorKey FeatureWarrantyPriceRatingReview
Want to learn more about a technical term? Check out our Features Explained section below.

Need buying advice? Take a look at these Things to Consider.

Reviews - The Best Marine Toilets

Thetford Porta Potti 135 Portable Marine Head

Specs
  • Type: Portable
  • Key Feature: Low profile
  • Material: Plastic
  • Capacity: 2.6 gallons
  • Color: White, Gray
  • Dimensions: 2 ¼” x 13 ½” x 15”
  • Warranty: Three Year Limited Warranty
  • Amperage: N/A
Features
  • Completely Self-Contained Mechanism Makes This Toilet Extremely Portable
  • Sealed Valve Keeps Odors Inside Of The Tank
  • Integrated Fresh Water Tank Holds Enough Water For Almost 30 Flushes

BEST FOR: AFFORDABLE VALUE

The Thetford Porta Potti 135 Portable Marine Head is perfect for all of your marine adventures. Whether you’re headed out for a day trip and just need something in case of an emergency or you’re planning an overnight, this portable, self-contained toilet will take care of all of your needs. 

The system has a freshwater supply and holding tank that holds enough water for up to 27 flushes, and a lid latch and sealed valve to contain odors. When you’re back in your home port, you can utilize the pour-out spout for easy emptying, and the removable seat and cover makes it easy to clean. 

Finally, the ergonomic carrying handle makes it easy to move and install, so that you can get out on the water and on to your adventures faster.

Jabsco Twist ‘N’ Lock Compact Toilet

Specs
  • Type: Manual Piston
  • Key Feature: Twist ‘n’ Lock safety pump handle prevents flooding
  • Material: Ceramic Bowl, Wood Seat with Enamel Finish
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Color: White
  • Dimensions: 13 ½” x 17.9” x 16 ¾”
  • Warranty: One Year
  • Amperage: N/A
Features
  • Twist ‘n’ Lock Safety Pump Handle Guards Against Flooding And Waste Backflow By Locking The Piston In Place
  • Can Be Assembled With The Pump On The Right Or Left Side
  • Compact Size Fits Into Tight Spaces On Your Vessel

BEST FOR: SANITARY SAFETY

The key feature of this Jabsco Twist ‘n’ Lock compact toilet is the twisting safety pump handle that guards against flooding and waste backflow. The reliability and ease-of-use of this new design can’t be beat. 

Additionally, the toilet is designed without crevices on any external surfaces, which makes it easy to clean and keep clean throughout your voyage. This toilet is made for compact spaces with its relatively small size and the fact that the pump can be installed on either the right or left side, depending on the construction of your vessel. 

Finally, this toilet also comes with the comforts of home with a ceramic bowl and a wood seat with a baked enamel finish. You won’t be roughing it while on your sea adventures with this marine toilet.

Raritan Sea Era Macerating Electric Toilet

Specs
  • Type: 24 Volt Electric Impeller
  • Key Feature: Compact and quiet design
  • Material: Vitreous China
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Color: White
  • Dimensions: 15 ⅛” x 13 ¾” x 19 ½”
  • Warranty: One Year
  • Amperage: 7.5 amps
Features
  • Bowl Rotates 90 Degrees For Easy Installation
  • You Can Choose Either A Seawater Or Freshwater Flush
  • Compact Design For Tight Spaces On Your Sailboat

BEST FOR: QUIET OPERATION

If you value your peace, quiet, and comfort while at sea, then this marine toilet might be the one for you. It’s economical in that it only operates on about 12V of power and it’s quiet during use. 

If you decide to use the freshwater flush model, it’s designed to be plumbed to the boat’s existing pressure water system, so it should require minimal adjustment to existing systems. The built-in discharge fitting also accepts either a 1.5 inch or 1 inch hose without the need for an adapter, so again, you shouldn’t have to worry about making drastic adjustments to your vessel to install this toilet.

Raritan Marine Elegance Electric Marine Toilet

Specs
  • Type: 24 Volt Electric Impeller
  • Key Feature: Low water consumption
  • Material: Vitreous China
  • Capacity: N/A
  • Color: White
  • Dimensions: 14” x 14 ⅜” x 18 11/16”
  • Warranty: One Year
  • Amperage: 10 amps
Features
  • Loop Design Eliminates Odors
  • Angled Back Construction Fits Against Sloped Hulls
  • Consumer Can Choose Seawater Or Freshwater Flushing

BEST FOR: LOW WATER CONSUMPTION

If you’re headed out on a multi-day excursion and are looking for a little added comfort on your journey, the Raritan Marine Elegance Electric Marine Toilet is everything you’re looking for. The overall toilet has a relatively small footprint with a full-sized bowl for added comfort and convenient installation. 

It also features low water consumption, a feature that’s particularly important if you’re going with the freshwater model, rather than the seawater flush model. It also has a convenient loop design that eliminates odors and a shredder that reduces unwanted clogs for ease of use while at sea. 

Finally, the Smart Flush control allows you to customize your flush, including a water saver mode, water only, normal, and empty modes.

 

 

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A MARINE TOILET

 

KNOW THE LAW

All boats operating in US waters with permanently installed toilets are required by federal law to have a Marine Sanitation Device on board that either stores human waste or reduces the coliform count to such low levels that the sewage poses no public hazard. If you’re more than three miles from the coast, you can legally discharge raw, untreated waste overboard. Inside the three mile limit, it is illegal to dump raw sewage. Note that all non-navigable inland freshwater lakes and the Great Lakes are considered No Discharge Zones (NDZ) under federal law.

 

WASTE STORAGE OPTIONS

There are a variety of ways to deal with waste aboard your vessel, including recirculating, composting, incinerating, and holding tanks. Holding tanks are the most popular, and they come in a range of technically advanced models. You’ll have to decide what’s best for you based on the type of adventures you like to take and the type of boat that you own. For more information about choosing the best marine toilet for you, check out West Marine’s article on marine sanitation systems.

 

SYSTEM TYPE

Marine toilets are a surprisingly complicated piece of technology. There’s a lot to consider when deciding on the model and type of marine toilet to purchase. The two main types are manual heads and electric marine toilets. Though many people think that electric heads are energy wasters because they run so briefly with each flush, the total electricity consumption is actually quite low.

 

ODOR CONTROL

Odor control might be one of your main concerns when you’re thinking about which marine toilet to purchase for your sailboat. You can either take various steps to encourage the growth of aerobic bacteria with increased ventilation to control the odor or use methods of holding tank treatments. To help you choose the best system for you, take a look at Boating Magazine’s piece on choosing the right sanitation device for your boat.

 

 

FEATURES EXPLAINED

 

HEAD

The head is the nautical term for a marine toilet.

PORTABLE TOILETS

This term refers to a self-contained toilet or head that must be manually emptied and cleaned. It does not have a flushing mechanism.

HOLDING TANK

The holding tank is exactly like it sounds – a tank that holds the sewage that gets passed through the marine toilet. They typically have multiple discharge options to empty the sewage when appropriate.

SEAWATER FLUSH

This type of marine toilet uses seawater instead of freshwater to flush out the waste.

FRESHWATER FLUSH

This type of marine toilet uses freshwater that is stored in the sailboat to flush away the waste.

MACERATOR PUMP

Some marine toilets come with built-in macerator evacuation pumps that grind up the waste and toilet paper before sending it back to the holding tank. This helps to prevent clogs.

TANK MONITORS

Tank level indicators or monitors reduce the risk of overflowing. Some marine toilets come with an electric lock to stop use of the toilet before it overflows.

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