Thoughtful planning and a positive outlook are essential when traveling with kids. Especially if you are with young children who are sensible enough to remember and grow from such experiences. Not to mention that preparation is also key for you to have a rewarding and more relaxing time of your own. But what if the kids are in the middle of potty training? What if you're visiting a place that lacks immediate access to restroom facilities?
Read along to find out about the best travel potty seats on the market today.
Interested in baby carriers for travel? Read here to find out more.
You can also read about portable travel blackouts to keep your hotel room nice and dark.
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What is the Best Travel Potty for Toddlers?
Potty training varies from child to child. But if you are a parent, then you'd know training methods will always prove more fruitful with patience and good equipment. More so if you find the family traveling in-between your toddler's training period! Still, travel potties aren't exclusively for training. They also provide a convenient way to address bathroom needs when public restrooms are not accessible, such as during long drives and outdoor activities. While the "best travel potty" (or travel potty seat) is surely a matter of opinion between you and your kids, we've also previously tested the highest rated items in the market. And in this post, we're happy to share our thoughts to help with your next purchase!
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Best Overall Portable Potty for Toddlers: OXO 2-in-1 Travel Potty
Weight: 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg)
Dimensions: 10.75"L x 10"W (27.3 x 25.4 cm)
Not only is it affordable, but it also sports one of the most ergonomic designs we've seen firsthand. It's compact and opens in a snap, which is most invaluable when on the road with kids. One of our testers also revealed how their child has become so comfortable with OXO that they started using it at home as a potty seat for their kids.
Best Portable Potty Seat: Munchkin Sturdy Potty Training Seat
Weight: 0.75 pounds (0.34 kg)
Dimensions: 13.5"L x 3.38"W (34.3 x 8.6 cm)
The Munchkin Sturdy Potty Training Seat is our recommended portable toilet seat for kids since we've heard straight from our toddlers about how comfortable (and sturdy) it is for them on standard toilets. The contoured surface is a nice touch and it really helps in holding the child securely. Notably, the training seat can be stored upright which makes it relatively easy to pack or set aside when not in use.
There are two ways to use OXO: with disposable bags as a stand-alone potty, or as a potty seat to use on a standard adult toilet. As such, it can even outlive the usual potty training phase. It's an excellent alternative if you're so done with stacking diapers during car rides.
If you're not out for an adventure, then you can also simply set this up at home and use it as your child's go-to toilet. It's not feature-packed and it doesn't have your kid's favorite character printed, but it's still the most convenient travel potty seat you can take to your travels.
Best Folding Travel Potty Seat for Toddlers: Jool Foldable Potty Seat
Weight: 0.62 pounds (0.28 kg)
Dimensions: 10"L x 7.2"W (25.4 x 18.3 cm)
If you still need something that's even easier to stash, then we have the Jool Foldable Potty Seat as our best in class foldable potty seat. Despite its lightweight build, we found it fairly sturdy even when used as support in standard public toilets. There's also a free travel bag that comes with your purchase, which truly cements it as one of the best compact on-the-go toilet solutions in the market.
Best Urinal for Toddlers: ONEDONE Portable Urinal
Weight: 0.2-pound (0.09 kg)
Dimensions: 11"L x 7"W (27.9 x 17.8 cm)
If you have extra space and are looking for a portable urinal, then ONEDONE Portable Urinal is worth checking out before your next cross-country or camping trip. The best thing about portable urinals is that they limit the use of disposable bags, which reduces environmental impact and make segregation more hygenic. ONEDONE's no-leak bucket can store up to 500 ml. and includes a 12-month warranty.
What is a Travel Potty?
A travel potty is a compact toilet designed for kids who are not yet fully toilet-trained. It essential for kids in training during their travels when restrooms aren't always accessible. Potties are typically paired with disposable bags to help get rid of waste. For kids who are slightly more adept, you can also buy a portable travel potty seat instead, which you can use to make children comfortable when using standard toilets.
How Do I Choose a Travel Potty?
There are several factors to consider when purchasing a travel potty. For starters, you would want something that is compact and portable. More precisely, a size that is suitable for your kid but is also easy to stash in the car or luggage. You will also have to decide if you'll use a stand-alone travel potty or a travel potty seat, depending on where you're at with your kid's training. Naturally, you'd look for something durable and safe, so it can help your kid build confidence and progress even on the road!
Different Types of Portable Travel Potties for Toddlers
Travel potties come in different types. There are potties distinctly for home use while others are designed for travel. Travel potties typically have a more ergonomic and compact design and are classified as stand-alone travel potties, portable potty seats, travel potty chairs and portable urinals.
Portable Travel Potty/Portable Training Potty
A portable travel potty is designed for on-the-go use with a disposable bag. It's the ideal toilet solution when traveling with children who are still in their potty training journey. It's convenient to have for parents and children in situations where restroom access is not available for an extended period (i.e., long road trips, public transportation, hiking, and camping).
Travel Potty Seat/Foldable Toilet Seat
Portable potty seats are perfect if you can ensure access to public restrooms in between your travels. The compact (sometimes foldable) potty training seat will make it comfortable for your toddler to use an adult toilet seat that is usually too big for them on their own.
Portable Urinals for Toddlers
A portable urinal shares pretty much the same purpose as a travel potty, except they are designed to contain urine, often from young boys. The custom container, typically the size of a tumbler, can help kids urinate in a convenient manner in between trips. Other than that, it improves waste disposal and segregation accumulated during potty breaks.
What to Look for in the Best Travel Potties
Some of the qualities you'd like to prioritize are compatibility and build. Without a doubt, you want something that your kid will be comfortable with, then narrow down your choices further by choosing a compact and flexible design. For travel potties, you can also prioritize something that's easy to set up and set aside. Meanwhile, foldable potty seats are simply perfect on the road.
Portable Travel Potty vs Travel Potty Seat
Travel potty is most suitable for kids who are still in the early stage of their potty training, while kids who are not fully trained but are already adept at using adult toilets can start using a portable potty seat instead. Otherwise, you can purchase something that is flexible to do both like the OXO 2-in-1 Travel Potty.
Portability and Size of Travel Potty
If you have limited storage, then portability and size are even bigger factors to take note of. The activity or environment should also be considered carefully. Like if you're hiking to a nature camp without toilet amenities then you better make room for a travel potty for the kids. If you're visiting an established campground, then a potty seat might suffice for toddlers who can use a public toilet. You can also consider getting a portable potty chair if you are traveling with bigger storage space found in cars or recreational vehicles.
Ease of Cleaning
In general, you should look out for items that are labeled mess-free and easy to pack. This shouldn't be a big concern since manufacturers are aware that convenience is a huge selling point in the portable potty trainers market. In addition, a toddler travel potty seat also signals a change for parents since they are no longer bound to carry loads of diapers and an overstuffed diaper bag. It's a welcome development in terms of personal and family hygiene across the board.
Do I Really Need a Travel Potty?
If you have a kid that is within their potty training period, then YES, absolutely. You want them to be able to build this habit quickly even when they're away from home. Furthermore, even if kids have already been potty-trained, it's a lot more difficult and detrimental for them to not have toilet access for an extended period. It also enforces a behavior that can do all the previous training they've completed.
Can I Take a Travel Potty on a Plane?
Travel potties are considered child-care item (e.g., diapers, plastic bags, sanitizing wipes) and are generally allowed on board. However, when traveling with a baby, it's best to travel light as advised by the FAA. But if you absolutely need to bring a potty training system, then we recommend taking a foldable potty seat instead which is lightweight and space-saving.
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Some of the Best Portable Potty Seat to Consider
OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty for Travel Potty
Weight: 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg)
Dimensions: 10.75"L x 10"W (27.3 x 25.4 cm)
It's foldable, snappy and is relatively easy to set up during emergencies and store when not in use.
Kalencom Potette Plus 2-in-1 Travel Potty
Weight: 1 pound (0.45 kg)
Dimensions: 23.5"L x 6.9"W (59.7 x 17.5 cm)
This carry potty comes with three super absorbent, leak-proof, and easy-to-use disposable liners and is recommended for children who are 15 months old and up with a 50-pound weight limit.
Jool Baby Portable Potty Training Chair
Weight: 1.23 pounds (0.55 kg)
Dimensions: 8.7"D x 9"W x 5.5"H (22.1 x 22.9 x 13.9 cm)
One of the lightest and most compact portable potty training chair in the market. The kit also includes 30 free replacement liners and a Jool carry bag for easy storage.
Summer Infant Step by Step Potty
Weight: 2.93 pounds (1.33 kg)
Dimensions: 15.35"L x 12.99"W (38.38 x 32.48 cm)
The Summer Infant Stey by Step Potty Seat is the biggest unit included in this list but these are all warranted since the potty functions as a potty seat, potty topper and step-stool for your toddler. Thus, it's actually a space-saving purchase if you can utilize its 3-in-1 functionalities.
Best Disposable Travel Potties
Lastly, we've also tested some disposable travel potties that we saw best for camping, hiking and long road trips. These incredibly sturdy paper potties can help potty train your kids even during lengthy road trips or while braving the great outdoors.
Comfydo! Disposable Travel Potty
Safe to say a number of our testers reported that their kid had a fun introduction to the quirky and colorful Comfydo! It's a great toiler solution if you already have a potty trainer at home and you simply want to carry a disposable and foldable toilet training seat for a specific trip.
The kit includes a foldable multiple-use cardboard seat and four single-use liners. If you need to use the cardboard seat beyond that, then any liner will fit in just fine.
Zensuno Emergency Portable Toilet for Kids and Toddlers
This portable kit is folded like a notebook and will fit in your glove box easily. Likewise, in your backpack during camping or hiking. The high strength and stiff corrugated cardboard is recommended for children 1-3 years old.
Final Thoughts On the Best Travel Potty Seat
The general consensus among our testers is that portability and hygiene are some of the most important factors that made them favor one portable potty over another. These are only preceded by preference and suitability.
For example, if you're potty training and staying at a hotel or Aibnb, it'll be more convenient to pack a foldable potty seat. On the other hand, portable toilet systems and potty chairs should give you ease of mind during camping trips.
Overall, we recommend at least keeping disposable travel potties on hand to accommodate last-minute trips or emergencies. If traveling is a huge part of your lifestyle, then you'd definitely find the most value in purchasing a portable potty that you can take with you during excursions.
For more tips on lifestyle and travel, don't forget to revisit our blog for future posts and additional content!
Interested to find out how to trave internationally with a stroller? Click here to read up on your guide to flying with a stroller.
You can also read about the best travel stroller bag for your troller.
