TROBOLO SilvaBlœm

The Verdict

Solid, if you can live without power nearby

The TROBOLO SilvaBloem measures 50.6 cm (19.9 in) (H) x 32.5 cm (12.8 in) (W) x 47 cm (18.5 in) (D) in the body, with a weight of around 10.9 kg (24.0 lb).

The TROBOLO SilvaBloem measures 50.6 cm (19.9 in) (H) x 32.5 cm (12.8 in) (W) x 47 cm (18.5 in) (D) in the body, with a weight of around 10.9 kg (24.0 lb). This makes it one of the lighter stationary composting toilets and makes it particularly suitable for installation in garden houses, tiny houses, or holiday properties with a fixed placement. It is available with either gray or white HPL coating, as well as in a natural wood look.

The urine container holds 10 liters (2.6 gal) and allows for about 30-50 uses, while the solid waste container, with a volume of 11 liters (2.9 gal), allows for about 15-20 uses. The load capacity is generously rated at up to 200 kg (440.9 lb), which speaks for the solid workmanship.

Assembly

Unlike other wooden composting toilets that come as a kit, the SilvaBloem is delivered already pre-assembled. Assembly essentially consists only of inserting the collection containers, which is done in a matter of seconds. This is particularly pleasant for people who want a fast, uncomplicated solution without any handyman skills.

Material and workmanship

The TROBOLO SilvaBloem is made from solid birch and alder wood, which is not only visually appealing but also brings a high degree of stability. All surfaces are sanded and oiled, giving it a particularly pleasant feel. The HPL coating on the gray and white variants provides protection against splash water and fingerprints, an advantage you have to consciously do without with the natural wood variant.

The interior of the toilet also has cleanly finished edges throughout; nothing feels improvised or cheap. Both containers give a sturdy impression and are made from robust plastic. The liquid container also features a silicone membrane that can be removed, cleaned, and reinserted.

The urine diverter made from recyclable polypropylene also stands out positively: it is sturdy, precisely fitted, and feels noticeably higher quality compared to some ABS parts from other manufacturers. The smooth surfaces make cleaning easier, and there are no sharp edges or unevenness in the material. Overall, the insert conveys a stable and durable impression.

Comfort

With a seat height of around 47 cm (18.5 in), the SilvaBloem is on par with standard household toilets, making it pleasantly comfortable to use, even if it takes a while. The large opening of the urine diverter is ergonomically shaped and ensures secure use. Emptying is easy, and we found it particularly practical that the seat, along with the urine diverter, can be hung on the rear of the toilet. This means you don't have to worry about where to put these parts while cleaning or emptying the toilet.

What does stand out, though: a separate toilet seat ring is not included, you sit directly on the wooden lid, similar to the Trelino Timber. That's not a dealbreaker at this price point, but a small downside, since a separate toilet seat would simply be a bit more hygienic and comfortable. Nevertheless, the overall comfort should be rated as thoroughly positive and leaves no doubt that the SilvaBloem is a well-thought-out toilet solution.

Odor development

Here the TROBOLO SilvaBloem scores twice over: the so-called SafeShell System is a membrane in the lid of the urine container designed to prevent unpleasant odors from spreading and to protect the container from leaking. And in our test, it achieved this better than any other system we've tested.

For anyone who wants to further improve odor reduction, especially for solids, TROBOLO offers three different exhaust systems. The simplest variant is the natural exhaust system, which requires no electricity and costs 44.90 €.

Even more effective is the electric exhaust system for 89.90 €, which we tested. It operates with a low power consumption of just 1.3 W and remains almost silent even in continuous operation. The exhaust system can be powered either via a mains plug or via USB, for example from a power bank. Installation is straightforward: the compact wooden housing with the integrated fan is mounted inside, and the exhaust air is routed outside through a standard 50 mm (2.0 in) pipe. For users who prefer vertical exhaust routing, the electric system is also available as a complete set with extension pipes, at a price of 119.90 €.

However, the toilet can also be used with just bedding material, of which a handful is added to the solid waste container before the first use and after each subsequent one. If you don't plan to use your toilet continuously, this is the simplest and most cost-effective solution. According to the manufacturer, TROBOLO's bedding material is sawdust from its own production. It absorbs moisture very well and gives off a pleasantly fresh, woody scent.

Value for money

The TROBOLO SilvaBloem offers a thoroughly high-quality setup and user experience. Compared to the larger Timber models from Trelino (Timber M: 649 €, Timber L: 749 €) or the Kildwick FancyLoo (from 839.90 €), the toilet impresses with an unbeatable value for money. The Safe Shell System and the high-quality wood, optionally with HPL finish, are, for us, the decisive purchasing arguments and rightly make this TROBOLO model one of the most popular stationary composting toilets.

Our conclusion

With the SilvaBloem, TROBOLO offers a well-thought-out and first-class composting toilet, distinguished by high quality, sturdy construction, and above all the effective Safe Shell System. It's easy to underestimate that with composting toilets, most of the odor actually doesn't come from the solids but from the urine, and no solution suppresses this better for us than the TROBOLO system. Compared directly to the Trelino Timber series, the SilvaBloem therefore offers noticeably better protection and clearly better value for money.

The only real shame is that the SilvaBloem is available in just one size and, due to its dimensions, is less suited to mobile use. But anyone looking for an elegant, reliable composting toilet for stationary use will find the SilvaBloem an excellent choice, with only a minor point deduction for the missing toilet seat ring.