Best Budget Composting Toilet UK: Simploo Original Review 2026

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.

We have also just bought a Simploo Mini Check out our review here

Chapters

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

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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
Simploo Original	£509 – 529
Simploo Extra 6L Liquid Bottle	£15
Simploo Pee Alarm	£18
Spare 20L Bin	£22
Pipe Adaptor Conversion Kit	£12

Comparing popular composting toilet prices

Toilet	Price
Simploo Original	£509-529
Simploo Mini	£559 -569
Woo Woo	£799
OGO	£843
Trobolo Bilabox	£149
Nature’s Head	£1000
Trelino	£319
Boxio	£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.

We have also just bought a Simploo Mini Check out our review here

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)	Chemical Toilets
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

We’ve also compared The Simploo Mini vs The Simploo Original, read it here

Composting toilets are environmentally friendly, they require little to no water, contributing to water conservation efforts and promoting soil health.

Composting toilets are generally straightforward to install, often requiring no plumbing connections. On the other hand, chemical toilets may be easier to install in certain situations, as they require less infrastructure.

We didn’t experience any smells, just make sure to empty and clean the toilet often.

While composting toilets may have a higher upfront cost, they can lead to long-term savings due to reduced water usage. Chemical toilets typically have lower upfront costs, but ongoing expenses include purchasing chemicals.

Chemical toilets may contribute to water pollution due to the use of disinfectants and the disposal of chemical-treated waste, making them potentially less environmentally friendly compared to composting toilets.

£509-£529

Creating a basic composting toilet is a feasible and sustainable DIY project. Here’s a short guide to help you make your own:

1. Prepare the Container: Drill a hole in the container lid to fit the ventilation system. Ensure it’s airtight when closed. Have two compartments to separate the liquid and soild waste.

2. Install the Toilet Seat: Attach the toilet seat securely to the container, ensuring a comfortable and stable surface.

3. Create the Ventilation System: Connect the PVC pipes or tubing to the lid hole, extending them outside or to a designated vent area.

4. Line the Container: Place a layer of bulking agent at the bottom of the container to aid in waste decomposition.

5. Use and Cover Waste: After each use, cover solid waste with a generous layer of bulking agent to control moisture and odors.

6. Monitor and Turn Compost: Periodically check the composting material. If needed, turn or mix it to facilitate even decomposition.

7. Empty the Bin: When the compost is ready, empty the container’s contents into a designated composting area. Let it further decompose before using it as fertilizer.

Remember to follow local regulations and guidelines when implementing a composting toilet, and tailor the design to your specific needs and available materials.

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