It’s less gross than you think. Here’s the honest comparison between a cassette vs. composting toilet.
The toilet question comes up in nearly every sales conversation we have, and understandably so. It’s the thing people are most curious (and sometimes most anxious) about before buying a van. The good news: both options work well, and it’s much less unpleasant than you’re imagining.
Here’s a straightforward comparison.
Option 1: Cassette Toilet (Standard in a dm van)
The cassette toilet comes standard with every DM Van. It’s a compact, self-contained unit with a removable 5-gallon waste tank.
How it works:
All waste (liquid and solid) goes into the same removable tank. When the tank is full, you pull it out and empty it at any RV dump station. It’s a straightforward process that takes a few minutes.
What to know:
• Simple, no-fuss operation
• Must be emptied at an RV dump station
• Cassette fills up faster with multiple people using it
• No additional cost — included with every van
Option 2: Composting Toilet (Upgrade of $2,500)
The composting toilet is available as an upgrade and is the option we strongly recommend, especially for full-time living or traveling with a partner.
How it works:
The composting toilet separates liquids from solids into two separate containers. Liquids go into a removable bottle that you empty as needed — you can pour it into any regular toilet. Solids go into a separate container with a composting medium. After each use, you turn a crank to mix the contents. Over time, the solids break down into compost that can be bagged and thrown in regular trash.
Want to see it in action? You can check out our video explanation on socials.
What to know:
• Liquids: empty the bottle weekly or as needed. It’s just liquid waste so you can pour it into any toilet.
• Solids: empty roughly monthly (sooner with more frequent use). Bag it and toss it in the trash.
• The vent fan to the outside eliminates any smell
• No dump station required
• There is significantly less maintenance than a cassette toilet
• $2,500 upgrade
Which One Do We Recommend?
The composting toilet. Without hesitation. Owners consistently rate it as one of the most worthwhile upgrades on the entire van. And we agree. It is 1,000% worth the monetary upgrade (and we’re not just saying that).
Here’s why: the composting toilet eliminates the need for dump stations entirely. You can empty the liquids bottle anywhere there’s a toilet. The solids go in the trash. There’s no searching for dump stations, no hauling a heavy cassette, and no mixing of liquid and solid waste. And the best part? The vent fan keeps the interior odor-free. It’s hard to believe, but it never smells.
For full-timers or couples, the composting toilet is especially valuable because the cassette toilet fills up much faster with two people. The composting toilet’s separate systems handle two-person usage much more gracefully.
Addressing the “Ick Factor”
We get it. Neither option sounds glamorous on paper. But every DM Vans owner will tell you the same thing: it’s genuinely not a big deal once you’re using it. The composting toilet in particular is surprisingly clean and low-maintenance. The separation of liquids and solids, combined with the composting medium, means you’re not dealing with what you’re imagining. It’s closer to emptying a small container of potting soil.
Can I Switch Later?
If you start with a cassette toilet and decide you want to upgrade to composting later, it’s possible — but it’s easier and more cost-effective to choose at the time of your build. Talk to your sales ambassador about which option makes sense for how you plan to use your van.