Best emergency toilets for power and water outages (2026)

When the water is off, toilets stop flushing. Ready.gov's basic kit includes moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation. These are the step up: bucket toilets, gelling waste bags and a portable toilet with a sealed tank.

By PreparedStates editors · Updated October 22, 2026 · 5 products, prices indicative

Our picks

Our top pick 4.5

Reliance Luggable Loo

Bucket toilet with seat · 5 gallons · Use with bags (sold separately)

The classic bucket toilet

Researched

Check price →

Runner-up 4.5

Cleanwaste WAG Bag (12)

Waste bag kit · 12 bags · Gelling powder in each bag

Go-bags and car kits

Researched

Check price →

Also good 4.0

Camco toilet bucket

Bucket toilet with seat · 5 gallons · Use with bags (sold separately)

An alternative bucket toilet

Researched

Check price →

All 5 compared

Toilet	Type	Capacity	Waste handling	Price
1. Reliance Luggable Loo Portable Toilet (5 gallon) Our top pick Bucket toilet with seat · 5 gallons · Use with bags (sold separately) The classic bucket toilet 4.5	Bucket toilet with seat	5 gallons	Use with bags (sold separately)	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A 5-gallon bucket with a toilet seat and snap-on lid: simple, light and cheap. Best for The classic bucket toilet Good Light at 3 lb Snap-on lid Worth knowing Needs bags and gel or powder Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need a toilet with a holding tank.
2. Cleanwaste WAG Bag Portable Toilet Kit (12 count) Runner-up Waste bag kit · 12 bags · Gelling powder in each bag Go-bags and car kits 4.5	Waste bag kit	12 bags	Gelling powder in each bag	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched Single-use bag kits with gelling powder, toilet paper and a wipe, small enough for a go-bag or a bucket toilet. Best for Go-bags and car kits Good Self-contained kits Gelling powder Worth knowing Single use Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a reusable toilet seat: pair them with a bucket.
3. Camco Portable Toilet Bucket with Snap-On Seat and Lid (5 gallon) Also good Bucket toilet with seat · 5 gallons · Use with bags (sold separately) An alternative bucket toilet 4.0	Bucket toilet with seat	5 gallons	Use with bags (sold separately)	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched Camco's 5-gallon bucket with a snap-on seat and lid. Best for An alternative bucket toilet Good Snap-on seat and lid 5 gallons Worth knowing Needs bags and gel or powder Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you'd rather have a flushing tank.
4. Camco Portable Toilet with Detachable Tank (5.3 gallon) Portable toilet with holding tank · 5.3-gallon holding tank · Detachable tank, emptied into a toilet or dump station Longer outages with a proper tank 4.0	Portable toilet with holding tank	5.3-gallon holding tank	Detachable tank, emptied into a toilet or dump station	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A portable toilet with a sealed 5.3-gallon detachable tank, closer to a normal toilet for a longer outage. Best for Longer outages with a proper tank Good Sealed holding tank Detachable for emptying Worth knowing Bulkier and dearer than a bucket Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have nowhere to empty a tank.
5. Reliance Double Doodie Toilet Waste Bags with Bio-Gel (2 x 6 pack) Toilet waste bags · 12 bags (2 x 6) · Bio-Gel solidifies waste; sealable outer bag Bags for a bucket toilet 4.0	Toilet waste bags	12 bags (2 x 6)	Bio-Gel solidifies waste; sealable outer bag	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched Gel-lined double bags that fit bucket toilets like the Luggable Loo. Best for Bags for a bucket toilet Good Gel solidifies waste Sealable outer bag Worth knowing Bags only, no seat Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you don't have a bucket toilet.

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The honest bit

A bucket and heavy bags will do in a pinch, and Ready.gov's list asks for garbage bags and plastic ties. Bag kits with gelling powder make it cleaner and easier to store; a tank toilet only makes sense if you have somewhere to empty it.

Before you buy

A 5-gallon bucket toilet plus gel bags is the cheapest setup that works.

Bag kits with gelling powder are the easiest to store in a go-bag or car.

A holding-tank toilet suits longer outages if you can empty it into a working toilet later.

Keep toilet paper, hand sanitizer and wipes with it.

How we choose

We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labelled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →

Related kit comparisons

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Common questions

What do you do for a toilet when the water is off?

Ready.gov's kit list includes moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation. A bucket toilet with gel bags makes that easier.

Do I need special bags?

Bags with gel or powder solidify waste and seal better than plain garbage bags.

Bucket or tank toilet?

A bucket is cheaper and lighter. A tank toilet seals better for longer outages but needs emptying somewhere.

Sources (1)

Ready.gov: Build A Kit