Best Budget Composting Toilet UK: Simploo Original Review 2024
Composting toilets are a great way to increase sustainability and provide on off-grid place to go! We use our Simploo Original Composting toilet in our off-grid campervan and absolutely love the convivence of it. Throughout this blog we share why we love our Simploo composting toilet and why we think it's the best budget composting toilet in the UK.
Contents
Overview of Simploo Original Composting Toilet
The Simploo Original boasts a thoughtfully designed composting toilet, making maintenance and cleaning easy, it is also a great 'cheap' composting toilet option.
Key features and Design
12v Extraction fan (24v available)
Built in Voltage regulator
12v or 230v
Easy to remove cartridge to clean the van
20L solids container
Sliding hatch to hide waste
No Sawdust needed
Soft seat close
Dimensions: 35cm x 50cm x 52 cm (Fan - 4cm long)
Key benefits include
Water conservation (no water is used)
Eco-friendliness (Simploo Original contributes significantly to environmental sustainability by reducing water usage and minimising waste water pollution.)
Standard Toilet design with seat
No chemicals to dispose of
Separates solids and liquids (shown left)
When compared to other composting toilets on the market, Simploo Original holds its ground with a perfect blend of cost-effectiveness and performance. The Simploo original costs £509- £529. The price of the Simploo original varies as you can choose between different options:
Van and Vent positions (Left, Right, Back)
Voltage Connection (12v, 230v, both)
Bottle or Pipe for liquid waste
Cost Analysis
In the box you will receive the toilet, one liquid bottle, one solids bin, 12v fan and vent. You can also buy extras, some of which are shown below:
Item | Cost |
£509 - 529 | |
£15 | |
£18 | |
£22 | |
£12 |
Comparing popular composting toilet prices
Toilet | Price |
£509-529 | |
£559 -569 | |
£799 | |
£843 | |
£149 | |
£1000 | |
£319 | |
£169 |
Simploo Original Review - Best Budget Composting Toilet UK?
We went for a 12v Simploo with a vent at the back. The 12v model suited a Van that runs off primarily solar. It is worth to note the Simploo Original vent will be in a fixed position whereas the new Simploo Mini has the option to change the vent position through pre-cut holes.
Our thoughts, Positive and Negative On The Simploo Original
We loved the ease of the Simploo Original. With no chemicals we found ample places to dispose of our waste as we travelled around Europe. It gave us the confidence that we weren't harming the environment. The 6 litre pee bottle lasted us around 3 days. We opted to buy a second bottle for £15 to allow us to stay off grid for longer.
You can buy a pee alarm to sound when the liquid is nearing the top of the bottle. For us this worked well for around 2 months and then broke. Without this we needed to keep checking the level to make sure the pee didn't overflow. This did become tedious and to buy a new alarm would cost £18.
Another thing to keep in mind is that when driving you need to remember to put the lid on the liquid bottle to prevent spills. You then MUST remember to take it off before using the toilet (we did forget a few times) or you will be moping up! Even though we still love the Simploo toilet and were very happy to have included it in our van conversion and we think its one of the best budget composting toilets UK.
Composting Toilet vs Chemical Toilet
Composting toilets and chemical toilets are the two choices you have for easy waste management off-grid. Composting toilets turn human waste into nutrient-rich compost. These toilets are known for their eco-friendly nature, significantly reducing water usage and contributing to sustainable living. On the other hand, chemical toilets utilise chemicals to break down waste and neutralize odours. While they are portable and often more compact, the use of chemicals raises environmental concerns and may require more frequent maintenance. You also need to find chemical disposal places, these are often found on campsites.
Feature | Composting Toilets (e.g., Simploo Original) | |
Waste Treatment | Decomposition into compost | Chemical breakdown |
Odour Control | Excellent | Chemical-based |
Water Usage | Minimal | No water or minimal |
Environmental Impact | Low, promotes sustainability | Chemical disposal concerns |
Installation | Fixed, requires set-up | Portable, easy to transport |
Maintenance | Regular compost removal | Chemical replenishment needed |
Portability | Generally larger and fixed | Compact and portable |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary benefit of composting toilets over chemical toilets?
Composting toilets are environmentally friendly, they require little to no water, contributing to water conservation efforts and promoting soil health.
Are composting toilets more challenging to install than chemical toilets?
Do composting toilets produce odours?
What is the long-term cost difference between composting and chemical toilets?
How do chemical toilets impact the environment?
How mush does a Simploo Original cost?
How to make a composting toilet?
Essential Items For a Campervan
Omnia Oven Perfect for vans without an oven. You can cook bread, pies, cakes and more just by using your gas stove. This really is a game changer in the kitchen. | |
Pocket Sized Projector For cosy nights in the van, this is the perfect projector. This projector is small, lightweight but has great picture quality. We love this and use it all the time. | |
Kärcher Window Vac A must have for condensation which will build up quickly in your van and cause mould. We used this daily in Norway and was a real life-saver in colder weather. | |
Solar Trickle Charger If you don't drive your van or motorhome enough then this can save the battery from dying. Plug it in and solar energy will top up the battery. |
Tools To Make Your Trip Stress Free
These are some of the travel tools we love and use, by booking through our links you support our blog and help us grow, thank you!
Thank you for reading and enjoy your Van Life adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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