BOXIO Toilet Review: Is This the Best Portable Toilet for Van Life?
Why I Bought the BOXIO Toilet
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Michele & Boxio
Compact and durable, the BOXIO toilet is designed for camping and outdoor use.
Van life forces you to think about things you don’t normally think about — like where you’re going to the bathroom.
Some vans come with built-in bathrooms, but many don’t. Mine didn’t, although it did come with a Dometic portable toilet that sits in the shower box area (a shower I never use, since it isn’t really a traditional shower setup).
The Dometic wasn’t working for me for a couple of reasons.
That’s what led me to the BOXIO toilet.
It’s a portable, self-contained toilet designed for small spaces like vans, campers, and overlanding setups.
BOXIO also provided a discount code for Overland Girl readers.
BOXIO also provided a discount code for Overland Girl readers.
Use code: GOOUTDOORSWITHOVERLANDGIRL for 5% off your order.
After using it in my van, here’s what I think.
Why the Dometic Toilet Didn’t Work for Me
The Dometic toilet works fine for many people, but it wasn’t the right solution for me.
The biggest issue was dealing with it. The cassette-style system means you eventually have to empty the tank, and that process just wasn’t something I enjoyed managing on the road. It also got really heavy, and you have to carry it to a bathroom or dump station to empty it.
And honestly, the smell from everything mixing together was pretty gnarly.
The setup also felt bulky for the way I use my van. Since I don’t use the shower area as a traditional shower, the toilet ended up taking up space without really fitting how I wanted the van to function.
Now I use that space for my workout equipment, like kettlebells.
I had seen social ads for BOXIO before, so I started looking into it.
That’s when I found the BOXIO toilet.
What the BOXIO Toilet Is
The BOXIO toilet holds 1.32 gallons and typically lasts 8–10 uses before emptying.
The BOXIO is a compact separation toilet designed specifically for small spaces like vans, campers, overlanding vehicles, and even car camping setups.
Instead of storing everything together like a cassette toilet, it separates liquids and solids. This helps reduce odor and makes the system easier to manage.
Because the system separates liquids, there is a smaller opening that directs urine into the front container. As a woman, this works well for me. I do imagine it could be a little more challenging for some men depending on how they use it, since you’re aiming into that front section. I can’t speak to that personally, but it’s something worth being aware of when deciding if this style of toilet works for you.
The toilet itself is built into a durable box-style container. That design makes it easy to store in small spaces and move around when needed.
For van life, that compact design makes a big difference.
Another thing I like is that it doesn’t look like a toilet. It just looks like a simple box. That means you can easily set it outside your van at a campground or RV park and no one would know it’s your toilet.
Sometimes I set mine outside when I’m parked somewhere with bathrooms nearby just to free up space inside the van.
Why It Works Better for My Van
The BOXIO toilet fits easily into a van setup and stores cleanly when not in use.
The biggest advantage of the BOXIO system is simplicity.
There’s no plumbing, no flushing system, and no complicated installation. It’s essentially a self-contained solution that works immediately.
The solids go into a bag that can be tied and disposed of easily. The liquid container is separate, which means it never gets nearly as heavy as my old cassette toilet, and it’s much easier to empty.
Because of its size and design, it fits naturally into the van without feeling like a permanent fixture taking over the space.
For the way I travel, that flexibility matters.
Odor and Maintenance
One of the biggest concerns people have with portable toilets is smell.
The separation system helps with this because liquids and solids are stored separately. This reduces the moisture buildup that often causes odor in traditional cassette toilets.
With the right materials and regular emptying, the system stays surprisingly clean and manageable.
Who the BOXIO Toilet Is For
The BOXIO makes the most sense for people who want a simple bathroom solution without installing full plumbing.
It works especially well for:
camper vans
overlanding vehicles
travel setups without built-in bathrooms
van owners who want something compact and easy to manage
If you’re building a van and want something straightforward that doesn’t require major installation, it’s a practical option.
Final Take
Toilets aren’t the most glamorous part of van life, but they’re one of the things that can make travel much easier.
The BOXIO toilet is compact, simple, and designed specifically for small-space travel.
For the way I use my van, it ended up being a much better solution than the cassette-style toilet I started with.
If you’re looking for something straightforward that fits easily into a van setup, it’s worth considering.
Use code: GOOUTDOORSWITHOVERLANDGIRL for 5% off your order.
Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares the gear she uses on real trips—from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to desert rides in the West. She values quality and craftsmanship and believes in buying less, but buying better. The gear she recommends is gear she uses herself.Some links on Overland Girl may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Michele may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.