Men have five practical urination options: a plumbed urinal for permanent bathrooms, a toilet attachment for low-disruption home use, a pee funnel for portability, a portable urinal for bedside or travel needs, and sitting for the lowest-cost option with no equipment or installation at all.
The best urination solution for a man depends less on which product looks most advanced and more on where it will be used, whether plumbing is acceptable, how much cleanup is involved, and whether portability matters.
A permanent urinal can work well in a remodel. A toilet attachment makes more sense in many existing bathrooms. A pee funnel or portable urinal is easier to carry. And for some users, simply sitting is the easiest solution.
Here is how the five options compare.
Men's Urination Solutions: Quick Comparison
|
Option |
Typical Cost |
Installation |
Cleanup |
Portable? |
Best For |
Main Limitation |
|
Plumbed urinal |
Approx. $150–$1,500+ for fixture, plus plumbing and installation |
Professional plumbing usually required |
Normal fixture cleaning |
No |
New builds, remodels, dedicated standing-use bathrooms |
Requires space, plumbing, installation and a permanent fixture |
|
Toilet urinal attachment |
$179 for True Toilet |
Fits existing toilet; no new plumbing |
Attachment + normal toilet cleaning |
No |
Existing home bathrooms with repeated standing use |
Requires compatible toilet and installation on the seat setup |
|
Pee funnel |
Approx. $10–$50 for many basic models |
None |
Usually rinse/wash after use |
Yes |
Travel, occasional use, outdoor situations |
Must be positioned and cleaned each time |
|
Portable urinal |
Approx. $7–$20 for many basic bottle-style models |
None |
Empty and clean after use |
Yes |
Bedside, travel, emergencies, limited bathroom access |
Stores urine until emptied; requires frequent cleaning |
|
Sitting to urinate |
Free |
None |
Normal toilet cleaning |
Not applicable |
Anyone comfortable using a standard toilet |
Does not provide a standing-use option |
Prices are approximate and vary by model, retailer, location and installation requirements.
1. Plumbed Urinal
A conventional wall-mounted urinal is the most permanent option.
It gives standing users a completely separate fixture instead of asking them to use the household toilet.
Where a Plumbed Urinal Works Best
It makes the most sense when:
- you are building a new bathroom
- a remodel is already planned
- there is enough wall space
- several standing users will use it regularly
- permanent plumbing changes are acceptable
Cost and Installation
The fixture itself can range from a relatively basic model to a much more expensive waterless, sensor-operated or commercial-grade urinal.
The larger cost question is installation.
A flushing urinal may require:
- a dedicated waste connection
- water supply
- flush valve
- wall mounting
- plumbing labor
- wall opening and repair
- sufficient clearance around the fixture
For an existing bathroom, this makes a plumbed urinal the highest-disruption option in the comparison.
What a Plumbed Urinal Does Not Solve
A dedicated urinal still requires:
- cleaning
- drain maintenance
- scale management
- splash control
- enough bathroom space
It is a permanent fixture, not a portable or easily reversible solution.
2. Toilet Urinal Attachment
A toilet urinal attachment uses the toilet already installed in the bathroom.
Instead of adding separate plumbing, it provides a closer standing-use target and directs urine toward the existing bowl.
True Toilet is one example.
The toilet urinal attachment currently costs $179 and is available for different standard toilet shapes.
Where an Attachment Works Best
A toilet attachment may be the better choice when:
- the existing toilet works well
- there is not enough room for another fixture
- you want to avoid new plumbing
- standing urination regularly creates splash or misses
- you want a removable bathroom change
- the same toilet still needs to serve sitting users
Installation uses the existing toilet-seat setup rather than requiring a new drain or water line.
What a Toilet Attachment Does Not Solve
It is not portable.
It also does not:
- replace normal toilet cleaning
- create a completely separate urinal station
- fit every unusual toilet configuration automatically
- guarantee that every possible splash droplet disappears
The toilet should be measured and compatibility checked before purchasing.
If you are considering this approach specifically, see our guide to converting a toilet to a urinal.
3. Pee Funnel
A pee funnel or stand-to-pee funnel is a small device that channels urine toward a toilet, urinal or another suitable destination.
Unlike a fixed toilet attachment, a portable funnel is positioned by the user each time.
Explore the different use case in our guide to a urine funnel for men.
Where a Pee Funnel Works Best
A portable funnel can be useful when:
- traveling
- camping
- using unfamiliar restrooms
- portability is more important than permanent installation
- the device will only be used occasionally
Many basic reusable stand-to-pee funnels are inexpensive and small enough to carry in a bag.
What a Pee Funnel Does Not Solve
It requires more hands-on use.
The user must:
- position it correctly
- maintain downward drainage
- prevent shifting
- rinse or clean it after use
- carry and store it hygienically
For someone who needs the same standing-use solution every day at one toilet, repeated positioning may be less convenient than a fixed attachment.
4. Portable Urinal
A portable urinal is different from a pee funnel.
Instead of simply directing urine elsewhere, it usually collects and stores urine in a bottle or container until it can be emptied.
Common designs include:
- handheld urinal bottles
- bottles with lids
- bedside containers
- models with hoses
- travel urinals
Where a Portable Urinal Works Best
Portable urinals can make sense for:
- bedside use
- long road trips
- camping
- emergencies
- situations where reaching a restroom is difficult
They require no permanent installation and are widely available at relatively low cost.
What a Portable Urinal Does Not Solve
The main trade-off is storage and cleanup.
After use, the container must usually be:
- kept upright
- emptied appropriately
- rinsed or washed
- dried or prepared for the next use
A portable urinal solves access to a receptacle. It does not turn the existing toilet into a standing urinal.
5. Sitting to Urinate
The simplest option requires no product at all.
Sitting removes the need for standing aim and significantly shortens the distance between the body and toilet.
Where Sitting Works Best
It may be the right choice when:
- no equipment is wanted
- splash from standing is the main concern
- the user is comfortable sitting
- there is no need for a dedicated standing-use setup
It is also generally the simplest place to begin during early toilet training.
What Sitting Does Not Solve
The obvious limitation is that it does not provide a standing-use option.
Some users prefer standing because of habit, public-restroom routines or personal preference.
For people with certain mobility limitations, sitting down and standing back up may also be difficult. Bathroom equipment should therefore be chosen around the individual's actual abilities rather than assuming one posture is right for everyone.
Urinal vs. Pee Funnel: What's the Difference?
A plumbed urinal is a permanent bathroom fixture.
A pee funnel is a portable personal device.
The biggest differences are:
|
Factor |
Plumbed Urinal |
Pee Funnel |
|
Permanence |
Permanent |
Portable |
|
Plumbing |
Usually required |
None |
|
Installation |
Significant |
None |
|
Cost |
Higher |
Lower |
|
Cleanup |
Fixture cleaning |
Device cleaning after use |
|
Travel |
No |
Yes |
|
Best use |
Dedicated bathroom |
Temporary or portable use |
If you want the standing functionality of a urinal at home but do not want permanent plumbing, the middle ground is a toilet attachment.
Toilet Attachment vs. Portable Urinal
These two options are also easy to confuse.
A toilet attachment directs urine into the toilet's existing bowl.
A portable urinal collects urine inside its own container.
Choose an attachment when you mainly need a solution in one home bathroom.
Choose a portable urinal when you need to urinate away from the toilet or need a bedside or travel receptacle.
Which Option Is Best for a Small Bathroom?
For a small bathroom, adding a separate wall-mounted urinal may take up valuable fixture and wall space.
The most space-efficient options are usually:
- sitting on the existing toilet
- a toilet-mounted attachment
- a portable funnel stored when not in use
A toilet attachment has the advantage of using the existing toilet footprint rather than adding another plumbing fixture.
Which Option Is Best for a Rented Home?
For a rental, reversibility matters.
The lowest-commitment choices are:
- sitting
- a portable pee funnel
- a portable urinal
A removable toilet-seat attachment may also be practical because it does not require a separate drain or water connection, but tenants should still follow their lease terms and obtain permission where required before changing installed bathroom hardware.
A permanent wall-mounted urinal is usually the least rental-friendly option because of the plumbing and structural work involved.
Which Option Is Best for Someone With Mobility Limitations?
There is no universal answer.
The right option depends on whether the person can safely:
- stand
- balance
- transfer onto a toilet
- hold and position a device
- empty a portable container
- reach the bathroom independently
For someone who has difficulty reaching the toilet, a properly selected portable urinal may sometimes be useful.
For someone who can safely stand but finds aiming across the distance to a conventional toilet difficult, a closer fixed target may be easier.
A stand-to-pee device is another category to consider.
For significant mobility limitations, a healthcare or occupational-therapy professional can help determine which toileting setup is appropriate and safe.
Which Option Works Best for Potty Training?
For young boys, simplicity matters more than creating an adult-style bathroom setup.
Sitting is often useful during early toilet training because the child does not need to balance and aim simultaneously.
Once a child is ready to learn standing urination, a lower or closer target may help with practice.
A full plumbed urinal is rarely necessary simply for potty training.
The priority should be:
- safe height
- stable footing
- simple aiming
- supervision
- easy cleanup
Which Option Is Best for Travel?
For travel, portability matters more than permanent installation.
The two strongest options are:
Pee funnel: best when there is already a toilet, urinal or appropriate disposal point available.
Portable urinal: best when you need a container that can temporarily hold urine because a restroom is not immediately accessible.
A toilet attachment or plumbed urinal obviously stays with the bathroom.
What Each Option Does Not Solve
No men's urination solution solves every problem.
Plumbed Urinal
Does not solve:
- installation cost
- plumbing disruption
- space requirements
- drain and scale maintenance
Toilet Attachment
Does not solve:
- toilet compatibility for every model
- the need for normal cleaning
- portability
Pee Funnel
Does not solve:
- repeated positioning
- cleaning and storage between uses
- the need for an appropriate toilet or disposal destination
Portable Urinal
Does not solve:
- emptying and cleaning
- urine storage after use
- permanent bathroom splash issues
Sitting
Does not solve:
- the preference or need to urinate standing
- transfer difficulty for some users
That is why “best” depends on the situation.
How to Choose the Best Men's Urination Solution
Use these five questions.
1. Where will you use it?
Home every day: consider sitting, a toilet attachment or a dedicated urinal.
Travel: consider a pee funnel or portable urinal.
Bedside: consider a purpose-designed portable urinal.
2. Can you change the plumbing?
If the answer is no, remove the permanent urinal from the shortlist.
3. Does it need to be portable?
If yes, focus on a funnel or portable urinal.
4. Do you want to collect urine or direct it into a toilet?
Collect it: portable urinal.
Direct it into an existing toilet: funnel or toilet attachment.
5. How much ongoing cleanup is acceptable?
Every reusable solution requires some cleaning.
The difference is whether you are cleaning:
- a permanent fixture
- a toilet attachment
- a handheld funnel
- a urine collection bottle
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest urination solution for men?
Sitting to urinate costs nothing and requires no additional equipment. If a device is necessary, simple portable urinals and basic pee funnels are usually among the least expensive options. Permanent urinals and toilet-mounted attachments cost more but serve different long-term purposes.
Which men's urination solutions require no plumbing?
Sitting, portable pee funnels and portable urinals require no plumbing. A toilet-mounted attachment such as True Toilet also uses the toilet's existing plumbing rather than requiring a separate urinal drain or water connection.
What works best in a rented home?
The most reversible options are sitting, a portable funnel and a portable urinal. A removable toilet-seat attachment may also work if the lease permits the change. A plumbed urinal is generally unsuitable because it requires permanent plumbing and fixture installation.
Is a pee funnel the same as a portable urinal?
No. A pee funnel directs urine toward another destination and generally does not store it. A portable urinal usually includes a bottle or container that holds urine until it can be emptied.
Is a toilet attachment cheaper than installing a urinal?
A True Toilet attachment currently costs $179 and uses the existing toilet plumbing. A permanent urinal fixture alone can cost from the low hundreds into four figures, depending on the model, before professional plumbing or remodeling costs are added.
Is a toilet urinal attachment portable?
No. It is removable, but it is designed to remain installed on a compatible toilet rather than being carried for travel like a pee funnel or portable urinal.
Which Men's Urination Solution Should You Choose?
There is no single best answer for every man or every bathroom. For a permanent dedicated fixture, choose a plumbed urinal. For an existing home bathroom where you want a standing target without new plumbing, consider a toilet urinal attachment.
For something small enough to carry, consider a pee funnel. For bedside, emergency or travel situations where urine needs to be collected, consider a portable urinal.
And if standing is not important, sitting remains the simplest option with no equipment cost. If you want to explore the portable/funnel category further, see the urine funnel for men and stand-to-pee device guides. If the main goal is adding standing-use functionality to an existing bathroom without installing another plumbing fixture, compare the toilet urinal attachment or read more about converting a toilet to a urinal.
