A Practical Comparison for Off-Grid, Tiny Homes, and Eco-Conscious Living

Whether you’re building a tiny home, setting up an off-grid cabin, or just trying to live more sustainably, choosing the right composting toilet is a key part of the puzzle. In New Zealand, where water-saving and eco-friendly systems are increasingly popular, there’s a growing range of options available. But not all composting toilets are created equal.

We’ve compared the five most popular models available in NZ and broken down their benefits, drawbacks, and ideal use cases. Here’s what you need to know:

The OGO Origin

Best for Compact and Stylish Everyday Use

• ✅ Benefits:
• Compact footprint – ideal for small spaces.
• Electric agitator – simplifies the composting process.
• Urine diverter – reduces odour and speeds up drying.
• 12V operation – perfect for off-grid or solar setups.
• Easy to empty and maintain – straightforward design for daily use.
• 🚫 Cons:
• Not the cheapest option, but you get solid value for the price.

Why it’s the best: For anyone looking for a modern, easy-to-use composting toilet that integrates well into a comfortable, semi-permanent living space, the OGO Origin is the gold standard. It’s sleek, reliable, and just works.

The OGO Nomad

Best for Small Campervans

• ✅ Benefits:
• Meets the Self Containment Certification requirements for campervans/caravans
• Low maintenance – no moving parts or complicated systems.
• Affordable – budget-friendly compared to other options.
• Rugged design – perfect for outdoorsy and mobile setups.
• 🚫 Cons:
• Small size so only suited to weekend use.

Why it’s the best: For remote cabins, off-grid adventures, or places without reliable power, the Nomad shines. It keeps things simple—and in off-grid life, that’s exactly what you want.

The Nature’s Head

Best for Long-Term, Off-Grid Settings

• ✅ Benefits:
• Crank handle for compost mixing – user-friendly compost management.
• Large capacity – fewer solids bin empties pre year.
• Proven design – tested globally in marine and RV environments.
• 🚫 Cons:
• Bulky compared to newer compact models.
• Requires manual agitation and cleaning.

Why it’s the best: For those wanting a tried-and-tested system with a larger waste capacity and minimal odour, Nature’s Head continues to impress. It’s a bit bulkier, but for full-time living, that tradeoff often pays off.

Sun-Mar Excel NE (Centrix 3000)

Best in Theory, Not Always in Practice

• ✅ Benefits:
• Large capacity – suitable for multiple users.
• Fully self-contained system – with airflow and venting built in.
• No water or power (NE version) – great for eco builds.
• 🚫 Cons:
• Expensive – often double the price of alternatives.
• Large footprint – not ideal for compact spaces.
• Complex installation – not beginner friendly.
• Mixed performance reviews – users often report needing workarounds.

Why it’s the best: The Sun-Mar is a big, ambitious system, but unless you’ve got the space, budget, and willingness to experiment, the pros may not outweigh the cons. It’s a decent unit in theory, but for most Kiwi users, there are more practical options.

The Incinerating Toilet

Not a Composting Toilet, But Worth a Look

• ✅ Benefits:
• No compost handling – great for hygiene-conscious users.
• Ideal for cold climates – no issues with composting breakdown.
• Small, modern units available – clean design with minimal smell.
• 🚫 Cons:
• Expensive – highest price point on the list at around $9,000 and cost for incinerating each use.
• Not eco in the traditional composting sense – but cleaner in some ways.

Why it’s the best: Incinerating toilets are becoming more popular for those who want convenience above all. If you’re not keen on handling compost or installing ventilation systems, this might be your game-changer—even if it’s technically not composting.

Final Thoughts

Each of these toilets brings something different to the table. Here’s a quick summary of which to choose:

Toilet	Best For	Key Benefit
OGO Origin	Everyday use in tiny, small homes and RV’s	Compact, stylish, electric
OGO Nomad	Made for the campervan and caravan	Simple, self containment certified for vans
Nature’s Head	Long-term off-grid living	Reliable, large capacity
Sun-Mar 3000	Larger homes (if budget allows)	Big capacity, high concept
Incinerating Toilet	Modern convenience	Clean, no composting required