Head to Head Mini Guide: Nature's Head vs. OGO Compost Toilet
Welcome to ShopTinyHouses' Head-to-Head Mini Guide series where we pit two respected toilet brands against one another and compare their pros and cons to help you make a better decision.
Today, we're looking at the well-known Nature's Head Composting Toilet and a recent, but impressive newcomer, the OGO Compost Toilet. These two share a number of functional similarities with a few key differences that set them apart.
One big similarity? The reviews - people really like Nature's Head and OGO.
We've received a lot of "which one should I get?" questions lately. So our goal is to help you decide which one will meet your specific needs.
Links to learn even more are at the end of this guide. Click here to go back to the full Head to Head comparison guide list.
Both toilets are ready in the ring (bowl?), so ding that bell and let's get to it.
The Similarities:
- Both toilets are completely waterless.
- Both are fully self-contained "urine-diverting" toilets.
- Both toilets are manufactured in the USA (and in the state of Ohio).
- Both will work in dozens of locations and applications: tiny homes, cabins, off-grid installs, boats, rvs, campers, vans, workshops, basements, garages, and more.
Nature's Head At A Glance
The Nature's Head is a true self-contained composting toilet. Launched back in 2007, this waterless system eliminates the need for plumbing via a clever urine-diverting process to keep liquids and solids separate - which ensures you have no smell from the composting process.
It has a user-friendly design and is made of high-quality materials, including stainless steel hardware, ensuring it will be durable enough to last for years.
OGO At A Glance
Launched in 2021, the OGO Compost Toilet is the most compact, fully self-contained composting toilet available today. The urine-diverting system keeps liquids and solids separate to eliminate smell and make emptying a snap.
Unlike other composting toilets, OGO ingeniously has a small 12V motor to start the compost agitation process. A simple button push is all it takes - no more hand cranking!
Biggest Pros
OGO: One Word - EASY!
No more hand cranking. After you go, the small internal motor handles the agitation process rather than a hand/foot crank like the Nature's Head. It also is incredibly easy to empty and has a urine level indicator light so you know it's time.
Nature's Head: Best-in-Class Composting
The industry leader for high quality urine-diverting, fully self-contained toilets. The installation process is simple and the toilet has no smell, plus lower utility costs (since it's waterless). It's larger solids bin allows for more visits prior to emptying.
Biggest Cons
OGO: Capacity
The OGO has a slightly smaller solids bin (but a larger urine bottle) than Nature's Head. It can hold about 30 uses versus about 60 for Nature's Head. However, emptying OGO is an easier process.
Nature's Head: Emptying the Solids Bin
It's a part of life with a composting toilet. Emptying the Nature's Head requires you to unhook the bowl unit from the bin to remove and empty. Not a big hassle and only takes a few minutes, but is more work than the OGO.
Which is the best? Just tell me!
WHY you should get the Nature's Head Composting Toilet:
Get a Nature's Head because you want a fully self-contained toilet with great internal composting capacity, strong venting to prevent smell, perfect for countless applications, high quality design, and is simple to install and use with the hand or foot crank.
WHY you should get the OGO Compost Toilet:
Get an OGO because you want a self-contained composting toilet with a super easy push-button flush, compact design to fit anywhere (with a normal sized seat!), clever venting to eliminate smells, wide-ranging applications, and has a simple emptying process despite the slightly smaller holding capacity.
Where can I get it?
Lots of places, but we hope you'll consider us...
IMPORTANT: Wherever you buy, make sure it is from a licensed dealer so you know the warranty is valid and not a knockoff product.
It's not about the sale for us...
For over 10 years, we have been the go-to Tiny Living experts. Our family-owned shop has a simple mission:
Help TinyLifers Live Comfortably.
We value transparency and want to help you find the right toilet that will make your life easier. Even if you don't buy from us, our friendly Midwest service is here to help answer your questions. Give us a call, text or email anytime.
