CO₂ Absorption
Absorbed roughly 150–170 tons of carbon dioxide over their lifetime.
WholeRoll vs. Reel Paper: Which Bamboo Toilet Paper Is Right for You?
Bamboo toilet paper is becoming a popular alternative to traditional toilet paper, and Reel Paper and WholeRoll are two of the top bamboo toilet paper brands leading that shift. Both are tree-free, both are chlorine-free, and both are widely marketed as septic-friendly. But while both use bamboo, they're not the same product. From sheet size and softness to strength, absorbency, and sustainability, there are a few differences worth knowing before you choose. For a broader bamboo toilet paper comparison against conventional brands, see how bamboo stacks up against Charmin and Cottonelle.
Reel Paper is a 3-ply roll, with 300 sheets per roll and 4" × 4" sheets, built for volume and a plush wipe. WholeRoll takes a different construction: 2-ply strength paired with 3-ply softness, at 200 tightly-wound sheets per roll and 4.5" × 4" sheets, built around a wholesome, organic approach the brand sums up as "good for body and planet." Here's how the two compare feature by feature.
| Feature | WholeRoll | Reel Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Ply | 3-ply | 3-ply |
| Sheets per roll | 200 | 300 |
| Sheet size | 4.5" × 4" | 4" × 4" |
| Bamboo | Yes | Yes |
| Chlorine bleach | None | None |
| BPA, dyes, fragrance | None | None |
| Tree planting per purchase | Yes, 8,012 trees planted to date | No (funds sanitation access instead) |
| Subscription available | Yes | Yes |
What's Actually in the Paper
This is where the two brands genuinely differ in positioning. Reel markets itself as tree-free, chlorine-free, and free of inks, dyes, and BPA. WholeRoll takes a wholesome, organic approach, marketed as a Reel Paper alternative built on the idea that a toilet paper can be good for your body and good for the planet at the same time: no chlorine bleach, no BPA, no harsh chemicals, and made without added dyes or fragrance. WholeRoll is also vegan, cruelty-free, and biodegradable, and bamboo pulp naturally carries antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Absorbency and Everyday Use
Reel's 3-ply construction is built for a plush, cushioned wipe. WholeRoll's 2-ply-strength, 3-ply-softness construction is designed to combine a soft feel with strong absorbency, and the brand's own customer reviews frequently mention using less paper per use thanks to that absorbency, though softness itself is subjective and worth trying for yourself.
Subscriptions and Buying Options
Both brands offer subscribe-and-save models, making it easy to keep a steady supply on hand without thinking about reordering. WholeRoll's 18-roll pack is sized for a household of one to two people and lasts roughly 1.5 to 2 months, with a 72-roll bulk pack (four 18-packs) built for a family of three to five over three to four months.
The Giving-Back Factor
Both brands tie a social or environmental cause to each purchase, though the causes differ. Reel partners with the nonprofit SOIL to fund sanitation access in Haiti, and reports having helped provide access to clean sanitation for thousands of people to date. WholeRoll's program is centered on reforestation: every purchase funds a tree planted in Gulf Coast regions and islands affected by storms, through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, with 8,012 trees planted to date.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Want a well-reviewed, established 3-ply roll? Reel Paper is a solid, widely used option.
- Want a wholesome, organic approach with a track record of independent recognition? WholeRoll was voted "Best Organic" bamboo toilet paper by Yahoo, and is built around the idea of a toilet paper that's good for your body and the planet.
- Have sensitive skin or want to avoid added fragrance and dyes? Both brands market themselves this way; compare current ingredient lists for the specific product you're considering.
- Care about a specific, trackable environmental or social impact? Reel's sanitation partnership and WholeRoll's reforestation program both offer a way to see the impact of your purchase, just through different causes.
Bottom Line
Neither brand is the "wrong" choice; they're built around different strengths. Reel has a longer track record and a larger sheet count per roll. WholeRoll's distinction is its wholesome, organic approach and a tree-planting program tied to every purchase, an approach recognized by Yahoo's "Best Organic" pick. Which one fits best really depends on whether proven scale or a more organic-focused product matters more to you. If you're still weighing your options, our guide to the best bamboo toilet paper covers other brands worth considering too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WholeRoll or Reel Paper better for septic systems?
Both are marketed by their manufacturers as septic-safe. Being made of bamboo doesn't automatically guarantee septic compatibility on its own, so it's worth checking each brand's specific septic-safe labeling rather than assuming based on material alone.
Which brand is softer?
Reel's 3-ply construction is built for a plush, cushioned feel. WholeRoll combines 2-ply strength with 3-ply softness as part of its wholesome, organic approach. Softness is subjective, and reviews of both brands vary, so it's worth trying a sample pack of each to see what you prefer.
Is one more eco-friendly than the other?
Both are tree-free and marketed as biodegradable. The two brands direct their giving-back programs differently: Reel funds sanitation access in Haiti through its nonprofit partner, while WholeRoll funds reforestation in the Gulf Coast region, with 8,012 trees planted to date.