“We basically decided to buy the Airhead composting toilet for a number of reasons that we describe in the video. We are totally stoked to be one step closer to getting into Bussy!“

In the video from the channel Bussy McBusface, the hosts discuss their choice of buying an Airhead composting toilet for their skoolie bus conversion [00:16]. They emphasize that functionally, all composting toilets “split hairs” because they do the exact same thing: separate solids from liquids. However, they highlight several design details that made the Airhead a better choice for their specific setup compared to its top competitor, the Nature’s Head.

Here is a summary of how they talk about the Airhead’s features and benefits:

1. Convenience in Dumping

• Independent Urine Removal: On the Airhead, you can slide out the urine container without needing to unlatch or open up the main solid waste tank [04:28]. The hosts note that the solids tank only needs dumping every few weeks, while the liquids fill up much faster—so avoiding the sight and smell of the solid waste just to empty the liquid is a major perk.
• Discreet Liquid Tank: The Airhead’s liquid container is opaque, meaning people won’t see “suspicious yellow liquid” if you have to carry it through a campground or public place to empty it [05:39]. It still features a small window so you can monitor the fluid level.
• The “Poop Bucket” Lid: The Airhead comes with a dedicated, secure lid for the solids tank [15:12]. When taking the tank out to dump, you can seal it so the waste isn’t in your face, and to outsiders, it just looks like you’re carrying a regular bucket or kitchen appliance.

2. Bathroom Design & Footprint

• Hygiene in a Wet Bath: Because they built a combined shower/toilet enclosure, they preferred the Airhead’s flat base [04:04]. They worried that the Nature’s Head base design would trap stray shower water underneath the liquid reservoir and get stagnant and smelly.
• Slender Dimensions: The Airhead has a more slender, less bulky footprint [13:53]. This allowed it to fit naturally and look “more at home” in their narrow bathroom space.

3. Usability Features

• Homey Seat and Gaskets: The Airhead features a traditional-feeling toilet seat and uses robust rubber gaskets [07:42]. This design ensures a tight seal to prevent any bad smells from escaping into the bus.
• Better Crank Mechanism: You can customize which side the hand-crank goes on [09:06]. Additionally, the crank uses a pin instead of being threaded, meaning it can safely be rotated in both directions for better mixing without accidentally unthreadin. The traditional crank handle is also easier to spin continuously compared to the Nature’s Head “drill press” style handle.
• Fixed Fan Assembly: The Airhead’s 12V ventilation fan mounts directly to the wall rather than the toilet bowl itself [11:00]. This means the fan stays hardwired into the bus’s solar system permanently, and you don’t have to unplug any electrical wires when you go to empty the toilet.

Overall, while they reiterate that both brands work perfectly fine, they feel the Airhead’s specific layout, five-year warranty, and thoughtful extras (like included paper “dookie filters” to keep the bowl clean) make it well worth the investment for their bus