6 Best Waterless Urinals for Mobile Living Water Conservation Nomads Love
Conserve vital water in your RV or van with a waterless urinal. We review the top 6 for nomads, focusing on compact design, odor control, and maintenance.
You’re parked in a stunning, remote spot, miles from the nearest water spigot. Every drop in your fresh tank is liquid gold, reserved for drinking, cooking, and essential cleaning. The last thing you want to do is flush a half-gallon of it away just to deal with pee.
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Why Waterless Urinals Are a Game-Changer
Let’s get straight to the point: managing water and waste is the central challenge of mobile living. A waterless urinal fundamentally changes the equation. It’s not about luxury; it’s about extending your off-grid time and simplifying your chores. By separating liquids from solids, you dramatically reduce the volume going into your black tank, which means fewer trips to the dump station.
Think about it. The average flush uses water, fills your tank, and mixes everything into a sludgy mess. A urinal isolates urine, which is relatively sterile and much easier to manage. This separation also slashes odor issues. Most of the foul smell from a black tank comes from the anaerobic breakdown that happens when urine and solids mix. Eliminate that mix, and you eliminate the problem at its source.
This isn’t just about saving water. It’s about gaining freedom. It means you can stay in that perfect boondocking spot for a week instead of three days. It means a less frequent, less disgusting dump station experience. For anyone serious about long-term travel or full-time living in a small space, this is one of those upgrades that moves from "nice to have" to "how did I ever live without this?"
Sloan WES-1000: The Commercial-Grade Option
This Sloan WES-150 WaterFree Urinal cartridge offers universal compatibility and enhanced hygiene with its odor-reducing design. Enjoy water conservation and cost savings with a long-lasting cartridge that includes everything needed for easy installation and maintenance.
When you see a waterless urinal in an airport or stadium, it’s often a Sloan. The WES-1000 brings that commercial-grade reliability into your rig. This is a vitreous china fixture, meaning it’s heavy, durable, and easy to clean, just like a high-quality residential toilet. Its biggest selling point is its proven, no-nonsense design.
The Sloan system uses a cartridge filled with a biodegradable sealant liquid. Urine passes through the sealant, which then re-forms a barrier on top, trapping odors below. It’s an incredibly effective system that has been tested in the highest-traffic environments imaginable. For a van or tiny home, this is overkill in the best way possible—you know it’s going to work, and it’s going to last.
The main tradeoff is size and weight. This is not a compact unit, and you’ll need a reinforced wall to mount it securely. The initial cost is also higher than other options. But if your priority is bulletproof reliability and minimal maintenance, and you have the space to accommodate it, the Sloan is a beast that won’t let you down.
Waterless Co. No-Flush: Compact & Odor-Free
If the Sloan is a tank, the Waterless Co. No-Flush urinal is a nimble scout. It’s designed with smaller spaces in mind. Made from lightweight materials like fiberglass or sanitary-grade plastic, it’s much easier to install in a vehicle where every pound and every inch counts. This makes it a go-to for van builds and smaller trailer renovations where a heavy ceramic fixture is simply not practical.
This system also uses a cartridge, but it’s a bit different. The EcoTrap insert contains a floating sealant liquid that blocks odors. As urine flows in, it passes through the liquid, which then reseals at the top. It’s simple, effective, and the cartridges are easy to swap out every few thousand uses. The design of the bowl itself is also smart, minimizing splashing and making it easy to wipe down.
The primary consideration here is the consumable nature of the cartridges. You’ll have an ongoing expense, and you need to carry spares. For some, this is a deal-breaker. For others, the convenience, compact size, and excellent odor control are well worth the small recurring cost. It’s a fantastic middle-ground option for those who want a dedicated fixture without the bulk of a commercial unit.
Kohler Steward S: Sleek and Modern Design
Experience waterless efficiency with the KOHLER Steward S Urinal. This durable, United States-made fixture offers a sustainable and low-maintenance solution for any restroom.
For those building a tiny home or skoolie with a more refined aesthetic, the Kohler Steward S stands out. Let’s be honest, most urinals are purely functional. Kohler, however, brings its signature design-forward approach to this waterless model. It’s made from vitreous china and features clean, modern lines that integrate beautifully into a finished bathroom, rather than looking like an industrial afterthought.
Functionally, it operates similarly to other high-end models, utilizing a sealed cartridge system to trap odors. The engineering is sound, and the performance is what you’d expect from a premium brand like Kohler. It’s easy to clean, durable, and provides a more "residential" feel than many of its competitors.
Of course, you pay for that design and brand name. The Steward S is one of the more expensive options on the market. It’s also on the larger side, making it a better fit for a stationary tiny home or a spacious bus conversion than a compact Sprinter van. If your build prioritizes interior design and you want every fixture to feel intentional and high-end, this is the urinal to look at.
Falcon F-9000: Top Choice for Durability
Falcon Waterfree is another major player in the commercial space, and their F-9000 is a workhorse. It’s often seen as a direct competitor to Sloan, but with a key difference in its cartridge technology. While both are effective, some users find the Falcon cartridges simpler to replace and maintain. The F-9000 is made from durable vitreous china and is built to withstand heavy use.
The system works by channeling urine through a disposable cartridge that contains a chemical sealant block. This block not only traps odors but also helps prevent the buildup of uric scale in the pipes—a common issue with waterless systems. This feature is particularly valuable in a mobile setting where plumbing lines are small and clogs can be a major headache.
Like the Sloan, the Falcon is a substantial fixture. It requires solid mounting and dedicated space. The decision between the two often comes down to brand preference or which cartridge system you find more convenient. The Falcon represents another "buy it once, buy it right" option for nomads who value long-term durability over minimal size or cost.
The Separett Privy: Urine Diverting Simplicity
The Separett Privy 501 lets you easily convert any toilet into a urine-separating system. This kit includes a blue bowl for improved hygiene and odor control.
Now we’re shifting gears from dedicated urinals to a more versatile solution. The Separett Privy isn’t a urinal; it’s a urine diverter. Originally designed to be fitted onto an outhouse or bucket toilet, it has become a favorite in the DIY van and tiny home community. It’s essentially a specially shaped plastic funnel that separates liquids from solids at the source.
Many builders install a Privy as a standalone, wall-mounted urinal. You simply mount the diverter to the wall at a comfortable height and run a hose from its outlet to a dedicated urine bottle or your grey water tank. It’s incredibly lightweight, affordable, and has no moving parts or cartridges to replace. The simplicity is its greatest strength.
The key to making this work is proper plumbing. The hose needs a consistent downward slope to prevent backups, and the collection tank must be vented to avoid odors. While it lacks the polished look of a ceramic urinal, its raw functionality and low cost make it an unbeatable option for pragmatic builders. It’s the essence of resource management: separating waste streams for easier disposal.
Building a DIY Diverter for Ultimate Savings
For the ultimate in customization and cost-savings, you can build your own urinal. At its core, a DIY waterless urinal is just three things: a collection funnel, a hose, and a storage container. This approach gives you total control over the size, shape, and placement of your setup, which is a massive advantage in a custom-built space.
The funnel can be as simple as a large, sturdy kitchen funnel or a purpose-made diverter like the one from Separett. The hose should be a non-porous, smooth-walled variety to prevent odor absorption and scale buildup. The collection container is typically a sealed jug or bottle that’s easy to handle and empty. Many people use 1-gallon or 2.5-gallon jugs that can be capped securely.
The challenge with a DIY setup is getting the details right. You must ensure every connection is perfectly sealed to prevent leaks and odors. The hose must have a constant downward angle, with no dips where urine can pool. Ventilation for the collection jug is also crucial. While this is the cheapest route, it requires the most skill to execute flawlessly. A small leak behind a wall can lead to a disaster, so this is a project to approach with care and attention to detail.
Installation Tips for Your Van or Tiny Home
Installing any urinal in a mobile rig has its own set of rules. Forget standard house construction; you’re dealing with thin walls, constant vibration, and limited space. Here are the key things to get right:
- Mounting: Your walls are likely thin plywood or sheet metal. You can’t just screw a heavy ceramic urinal into a 1/4" panel. You must install a solid wood backing plate between the wall studs to provide a secure anchor point. For lighter plastic models, using rivet nuts or toggle bolts can work if a backing plate isn’t possible.
- Plumbing: The "plumbing" is usually just a flexible hose. Use a high-quality, non-permeable hose (like a marine sanitation hose) to prevent it from absorbing odors over time. Secure it with gear clamps at all connection points and ensure a straight, downward path to your tank.
- Drainage: You have two main options for drainage. You can route the hose to a small, dedicated urine bottle (typically 1-5 gallons) that you empty frequently. This is the simplest method. Alternatively, you can plumb it directly into your grey water tank, which dilutes the urine and simplifies disposal to a single tank. Never plumb it into your fresh water tank, and check local regulations about mixing with grey water.
- Ventilation: Even the best systems can have some ambient odor. Venting your collection tank to the outside of the vehicle is a pro move. A tiny computer fan can be added to create negative pressure, actively pulling any odors out before they can enter your living space.
Ultimately, choosing a waterless urinal is about taking active control over your rig’s most critical resource: water. Whether you opt for a high-end ceramic model or a simple DIY funnel, you’re making a strategic choice to extend your freedom and simplify your life on the road. It’s one of the most impactful upgrades a water-conscious nomad can make.
