CompoCloset Cuddy Composting Toilet Review
Reading Time: 7 minutes The Cuddy Composting Toilet is designed for anyone who wants/needs a portable composting toilet, but we’re going to assess it from the perspective of van life. So we’ll say that the Cuddy Composting Toilet is a toilet designed for mobile dwellings.
I debated whether I wanted a toilet in my van. Initially, I was on the “definitely don’t need a toilet” side of the fence. But then I slowly realized that having a toilet accessible—even just for emergencies—would make van life much more convenient and less stressful.
At first, I thought simply having wag bags would be enough, but after conversations with people who know a lot more about composting toilets than I do, I was convinced that if I really wanted to make the most of my space (and make life easier for my future self), I wanted a composting toilet.
And that’s how the Cuddy Composting Toilet found its way into my van (and my life).
Pros and Cons
+ Easy to use and designed with van life/mobile living in mind
+ Uniform shape makes for easy placement and storage
+ LED indicator lets you know when liquids reservoir is full
+ Can be used as a composting toilet or with disposable bags
– Nowhere to see locally before buying
– Expensive (and $150 shipping to AK and HI)
Specs
- Weight: 21 lbs /9.5 kg
- Depth: 16.8 in / 42.7 cm
- Width: 15.1 in / 38.4 cm
- Height: 16.3 in / 41.4 cm
- Solids bin capacity: 14.7 liters
- Liquid capacity: 6.5 liters
- Battery Required: One 9V
- Filter: Carbon
- Fan: Internal
- Vent required: No
- Warranty: Two years
- Color: White
- MSRP: $780
Notes on Use
I have been using the Cuddy Composting Toilet. There is another version of this toilet from CompoCloset, the Cuddy Lite. The Cuddy Lite does not have an agitator and is intended to be used with disposable bags, whereas the Cuddy comes with an agitator and can be used as a composting toilet. That said, the Cuddy can be used with bags and function essentially the same as the Cuddy Lite (the Cuddy Lite cannot function the same as a Cuddy). Because I have been in and out of my van and am still building it out, I have used my Cuddy exclusively with disposable bags (i.e., as a Cuddy Lite).
Photo Gallery
The Good
The Ease of Use
The last thing I need in a toilet is something complicated. There’s nothing complicated about using the Cuddy Composting Toilet – lift the lid, turn the knob, take a seat, do your business, throw some coco coir on top, turn the knob back, and be done. If using the agitator and composting, it’s not advised to throw your toilet paper (or anything else that doesn’t come out of you) into the solids bin. If you’re using the Cuddy Lite, feel free to throw your toilet paper into your bag, as you’ll dispose of it in the trash somewhere. If you’re using the agitator, you must extend the handle and rotate it a few times to stir your creation.
The Liquids Reservoir
I don’t use the Cuddy if I only have to pee, but sometimes it’s hard to fight the urge to pee when you’ve got to poo. Despite all my training while on river trips (don’t pee in the groover), sometimes there’s a sprinkle of tinkle. The liquid reservoir is 6.5 liters, can be easily removed, and it’s black. Why is the black important? Because you can discreetly carry and empty it outside your van. Please dispose of it properly, friends. Nobody wants to smell your pee at their campsite or on the side of the road.
The LED Light
You do not want to experience a toilet-related disaster anywhere – especially in a van. Fortunately, Cuddy has an LED light – powered by a single 9V battery – that lets you know when it’s time to empty the liquids bin. I typically try to do my business elsewhere (as I’m not often in the city), and my B-grade superpower is not having to wake up in the night and pee, so I haven’t put the light through the wringer too much, but it’s worked as intended thus far.
The Options
I was—and still am—skeptical of composting toilets. After a long conversation with CompoCloset and someone who knows much more about composting toilets than I do, I think I am sold. However, since my van is still a mess as far as getting built, I’m currently opting to use the Cuddy as a Cuddy Lite. The Cuddy Lite is a version of the Cuddy without an agitator that instead uses bags to dispose of solid waste. You can use the Cuddy as a Cuddy Lite, which makes it great if you’re on the fence about a composting toilet or want something more versatile. You cannot, however, use a Cuddy Lite as a Cuddy.
The Okay
The Size
The Cuddy is 16.8 x 15.1 x 16.3 in / 42.7 x 38.4 x 41.4 cm. It’s not huge and a comfortable height to sit on (I’m 5’10.5″ / 179 cm), but I wish it were just a smidge smaller. I have the Owl Vans Monster Box on the back of my van, and I was hoping the Cuddy could be stored inside. According to the dimensions, it should fit, but I didn’t account for the struts and the lips inside the box. Alas, the Cuddy Composting Toilet will not fit inside the Owl Van Monster Box. If there were a smaller version of the Cuddy available, I would have opted for that one instead.
The Cover Plates
Two plates come together to “close” the solids bin. These plates – or “drop zone flaps” as CompoCloset refers to them – are the only thing standing behind you and the contents of the solids bin. I suppose the lid of the Cuddy is an additional layer of protection, but since the lid is opened to use the Cuddy for #1 and since I’ve been using the Cuddy as a seat (i.e., just sitting on the lid and using it as a chain in the van), the plates feel like the one line of defense. The flaps are controlled via a knob you turn next to the seat. They come together – and, more importantly, apart – more easily than I am comfortable with. I wish there were more of a seal or more of a sense of finality when the flaps are closed.
The Bad
The Price
Unfortunately, the Cuddy Composting Toilet is not cheap. Yes, you could (and some people do) accomplish the same function as the Cuddy with a bottle and bucket. However, this is a far-from-ideal long-term waste solution. Cuddy comes with a high price tag, but – especially if you’re using it full-time and you’re going to be taking advantage of the compost you create – it can be well worth the investment. Even in my case, using it as I would a Cuddy Lite (for now), I’ve found myself in a position where I would be willing to pay any amount of money to have access to a toilet, and I’ve been grateful for the Cuddy.
The Previewing
Cuddy is not available in any retail locations (as far as I know). That means you’ll need to order one to determine if it’s what you want in a mobile/composting toilet. Fortunately, Cuddy offers 30-day returns of new and unused toilets. Returns are free so long as you (presumably) don’t live in Hawaii or Alaska – more on that below.
The Shipping
Shipping Cuddy to the Continental United States is free. However, shipping to Hawaii and Alaska is $150. Sorry, final states; I know shipping can be challenging for you two. Also, note that CompoCloset does not ship to PO boxes. That means Cuddy orders heading to these states can run close to $1000.
The Website
The CompoCloset website leaves a bit to be desired. The product pages for the Cuddy and the Cuddy Lite are dissimilar, and doing a side-by-side comparison is challenging. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure why the Cuddy Lite exists. To have a less expensive product to capture more would-be buyers? They’re (according to the website) the same weight and dimensions and hold the same amount of liquids and solids; they even come with the same user manual (which is missing the section with instructions on how to install the drain-away kit). I feel like the Cuddy Lite should be an option on the Cuddy; like you select the “no agitator” version and it’s less expensive. But maybe two different products make more sense for clarity’s sake.
Cuddy Composting Toilet Alternatives
| Toilet | Price | Weight | Liquids (L) | Solids (L) | Depth (in) | Width (in) | Height (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CompoCloset Cuddy | $780 | 21 lb / 9.5 kg | 6.5 | 14.7 | 16.8 | 15.1 | 16.3 |
| CompoCloset Cuddy Lite | $650 | 21 lb / 9.5 kg | 6.5 | 14.7 | 16.8 | 15.1 | 16.3 |
| OGO Origin | $985 | 28 lb / 12.7 kg | 9 | 11.3 | 15 | 16 | 18.375 |
| OGO Nomad | $200 | N/A | 4.5 | Bag | 15.4 | 13 | 12.38 |
| Trelino Evo M | $475 | 9.5 lb / 4.3 kg | 4.9 | 7.9 | 13 | 15.4 | 14.2 |
| Trelino Origin M | $645 | 12.8 lb / 5.8 kg | 4.9 | 6.8 | 13 | 15.4 | 13.2 |
| Laveo Dry Flush | $945 | 27 lb / 12.25 kg | N/A | N/A | 20 | 16 | 18 |
Wrap Up
The first step to installing a toilet in a van is deciding whether you want a toilet; if you’re using your van for more than just weekend adventures (and even if you are just using it for the weekend), you probably do.
The CompoCloset Cuddy Composting Toilet can be an excellent solution for van life. It can be easily integrated into a van build (unlike the actual toilet-looking toilets that take up a ton of unnecessary room). I’m happy with my decision to make room for a toilet in my van, and I’ve been happy to have a Cuddy for those emergency poops when digging a cat hole or hitting a public restroom isn’t an option.
Check out the CompoCloset Cuddy Composting Toilet here, and let me know your thoughts on composting toilets in vans in the comments below!
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