Composting vs Sealing Toilets: Which One Is Right for You?

Composting vs Sealing Toilets: Which One Is Right for You? - Compo Closet UK

At CompoCloset, we know that when it comes to sustainable living, your toilet choice can make or break your experience. That’s why we designed multiple portable toilet options perfect for living full-time in a van, spending weekends off-grid, or an every-day portable bathroom solution that doesn’t involve plumbing or chemicals.

But how does a sealing toilet compare to a composting toilet? And which one is better for your lifestyle?

We make both, so read on to learn more about the differences, similarities, and pros and cons of each toilet type.

What is a Sealing Toilet?

You’re probably familiar with how composting toilets work; separating liquids from solids, kickstarting that composting process, all without a gross odour or the need for water or power. 

But what is a  sealing toilet? 

A sealing toilet, also known as a dry flush toilet, is a self-contained toilet that automatically seals waste after each use in a hygienic film or bag. This locks away odours and waste without the need for water or manual handling of solids.

Unlike many traditional sealing toilet models, our S1 Dry Flush Sealing Toilet also separates liquids from solids, which helps reduce odours, extend use time, and improve hygiene.

Developed after listening to real feedback from portable toilet users, the S1 Separating Sealing Toilet is our answer to the demand for a cleaner, more hygienic toilet that’s still portable and planet-conscious. It combines:

  • A battery-powered sealing system to seal each #2 automatically
  • Urine diversion, just like Cuddy and Cuddy Lite, to reduce smell and extend time between empties
  • A compact, sleek design that’s easy to use and easy to live with

Many other sealing toilets on the market are wasteful, require complex cartridges, and don’t separate urine from solids leading to stink, excess bag use, and short use times.

Separating sealing toilets are best for:

  • Weekend campers, RVers, and boaters
  • People who prioritize cleanliness and convenience
  • Families, caregivers, and shared toilet use
  • Everyone, really!

Pros:

  • No direct contact with solids
  • Odorless
  • Push-button simplicity
  • Simple, sanitary disposal

Cons:

  • Requires (rechargeable) battery power and sealing bag refills
  • Higher long-term cost than composting toilets

Composting vs. Sealing Toilet

Now that we’ve reviewed what a separating sealing toilet is, let’s have a quick refresher on how a composting toilet works

Expanding on our brief overview above, it’s a sustainable toilet system that separates solids and liquids, helping to dry and break down solid waste naturally. With the help of a composting medium (like coco coir), and urine diversion, it reduces smell and makes disposal relatively easy. 

Best for:

  • Full-time van lifers or tiny homers
  • Eco-conscious users
  • Those okay with a bit of hands-on waste management

Pros:

  • Less frequent emptying of solids
  • Lower ongoing cost
  • More environmentally friendly (can add solids to a compost pile to finish the composting process)

Cons:

  • Requires organic matter to add to solids bin after each use (for models without an agitator)
  • Slight learning curve to understand how composting toilets work

As you can see, separating sealing toilets can provide a simpler, lower-maintenance option than their composting cousins, while still remaining eco-friendly and sustainable.

Key Differences Between Composting and Sealing Toilets

When choosing between composting and sealing toilets, it really comes down to what kind of experience you're looking for.

Composting toilets are all about independence, sustainability, and extended off-grid time. They need little to no power or chemicals, they’re low-cost over time, and they give you more control over your waste management. If you’re someone who wants to stay off-grid longer, leave a lighter footprint and doesn’t mind a bit of compost care, it’s an empowering and eco-friendly choice.

Sealing toilets, like our S1, are about simplicity and hygiene. With the push of a button, solid waste is sealed away, odors are gone, and you don’t have to see or smell a thing. It's perfect if you're short on time, space, or patience, or if you’re sharing your toilet with guests or family.

Both options avoid chemicals and water, and both are better for the planet than traditional systems. It's just a matter of what suits your life best.

Feature Composting Toilet (Cuddy) Sealing Toilet (S1)
Power Needed Little to no power required Yes (Internal Li-ion battery for short trips)
Odour Control Compost medium + airflow Sealed bags + urine diversion
Waste Contact Some during emptying Minimal/none
Maintenance Compost Medium refresh + empty bin Replace bag roll + empty bin
Cost Over Time Lower Higher
Best For Long-Term off-grid living, sustainability Short trips, shared use, hygiene-focused

Why Choose a Sealing Toilet?

If you want a toilet that:

  • Works with the push of a button
  • Keeps things clean, sealed, and smell-free
  • Feels more like a traditional bathroom experience

…then a sealing toilet like the S1 is your perfect match.

It’s great for short adventures, shared spaces, or just simplifying your life. And because it separates liquids from solids, it avoids many of the issues common with older dry flush toilets.

Why We Made the S1 Sealing Toilet

Let’s be honest. Most sealing toilets on the market don’t cut it. Sure, they’re clean and convenient, but can be wildly expensive to use, creating tons of plastic waste. They also still force you to mix liquids and solids along with chemicals to congeal them, with every use!. 

So we built the S1 to be better:

  • Automatic, hygienic sealing
  • Smart separation of liquids and solids
  • Compact, modern design

It’s the sealing toilet people were actually asking for, and the one you’ll actually want to use.

Which Toilet is Right for You? 

At CompoCloset, we don't believe one toilet fits all. That’s why we’ve built multiple toilets, each with their own benefits and appeal depending on your lifestyle.

If you’re already comfortable with managing your waste and love the sustainability of composting, and want to stay off-grid longer, the Cuddy or Cuddy Lite is perfect for you.

But if you’re looking for less smell, less effort, and a more hygienic experience, especially for guests, families, or short trips, the S1 Dry Flush Sealing Toilet might be exactly what you've been waiting for.

We made the S1 because we care about how people actually use their toilets. It's not about trends, it's about real-world function, real feedback, and giving people better options.

Because no matter where you go, your toilet shouldn’t hold you back. 

Not sure which toilet is right for you? We have the solution!

Our toilets are all made with the same shell, and we’ve designed them to be interchangeable. That’s right, if you start with a Cuddy and decide you don’t want to deal with the maintenance, you can buy an S1 Adapter Kit to transition to a sealing toilet. Have the S1 and ran out of bags? Line the solids bin with any recycled or compostable bag and turn it into a Cuddy Lite!


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