An honest guide to choosing between the Cuddy, Cuddy Lite, and S1

So, you’ve decided to ditch the cassette toilet, the chemical smells, and the race to the nearest dump point. Good call.

Welcome to the world of waterless separating toilets, and welcome to Compo Closet.

Now comes the big question:

Which toilet is right for you?

We make three different toilets, the Cuddy Composting Toilet, the Cuddy Lite, and the S1 Dry Flush Sealing Toilet, and while they share the same core principles, they each suit different travel styles and priorities.

This guide will walk you through the differences honestly and simply.

First: What All Three Toilets Have in Common

Every Compo Closet toilet separates liquids from solids.

That’s the secret to an odour free travel toilet.

When urine and solids mix, things go downhill fast, smells, moisture, mess, and constant cleaning. By separating them, all three toilets stay cleaner, easier to manage, and genuinely pleasant to use in small spaces like caravans, camper trailers, vans, boats, and tiny homes.

Urine is collected separately in a dedicated bottle.

The difference between the three toilets comes down to how they handle solid waste.

The Cuddy Composting Toilet

Best for:

Full-time travellers, eco-conscious campers, off-grid adventures, and anyone wanting the lowest long-term running costs.

The Cuddy is a true composting toilet.

Solid waste is collected in a composting chamber with a natural bulking material like coconut coir or wood shavings. An internal agitator helps keep everything dry, aerated, and odour-free while naturally breaking the waste down over time.

Why people love it

• Lowest long-term running costs
• Multiple waste disposal options
• Most environmentally friendly option
  
• No dependence on rubbish bins
• No chemicals or water required

In Australia, composted waste can be disposed of responsibly through long drops, other composting systems, or burial where regulations allow.

Things to consider

The Cuddy does ask a little more from you than the other two options.

You’ll need to:

• Add composting medium
• Turn the agitator after use
• Manage the composting process

Most users quickly find it becomes second nature, but if you want the absolute simplest operation possible, one of the other models may suit better.

The Cuddy Lite

Best for:

Occasional travellers, weekend campers, and people wanting simple operation without full composting.

The Cuddy Lite uses a separation and layering system.

It separates liquids just like the Cuddy, but instead of truely composting solids, the bin is lined with a bag (or not) and each use is layered with cover material to keep everything contained and odour-controlled.

Think of it as the simple middle ground between composting and fully automated sealing.

Why it works

• Very easy to use
• Minimal maintenance
• Simple, reliable operation
• Great for occasional solid waste use
• Lower upfront cost than automated systems

Things to consider

Waste from the Cuddy Lite is bagged and disposed of in landfill rather than composted, so it’s not as environmentally friendly as the Cuddy.

The S1 Dry Flush Sealing Toilet 

Best for:

People wanting the most hands-off experience possible.

The S1 is our automated sealing toilet.

After each solid waste use, the system automatically heat-seals waste into individual bags, keeping everything clean, tidy, and fully contained.

Why people love it

• Minimal interaction with waste
• Fully automated sealing system
• Extremely clean and convenient
• Great for short trips and casual travel

And unlike many dry flush toilets, the S1 only seals solid waste, helping it use around 80% less plastic than other sealing toilets.

Things to consider

• Higher upfront price
• Higher running costs over time
• Requires access to rubbish bins
• Sealed waste still goes to landfill

Another big advantage: flexibility

The S1 can instantly be converted back to a manual Cuddy Lite setup using a standard bag, no extra parts required.

And if you start with a Cuddy or Cuddy Lite, you can later upgrade to S1 automated sealing with a retrofit kit.

That flexibility means your toilet can evolve with your travel style.

So… Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s the easiest way to think about it:

Choose the Cuddy if:

• You travel regularly or full-time
• Environmental impact matters to you
• You want the cheapest long-term running costs
• You prefer composting over landfill

Choose the Cuddy Lite if:

• You want something simple and easy
• You only occasionally use your toilet for solids
• You like the idea of upgrading later
• You want flexibility without composting immediately

Choose the S1 if:

• You want the most automated experience possible
• You prefer minimal interaction with waste
• Your toilet use is mostly for liquids
• Convenience is your top priority

If you still can't decide, CONTACT US!