Lifestyle relates to what you can live with, both in terms of maintenance and aesthetics.

• Are you willing to maintain the system yourself and how often? Or do you prefer to pay for routine service?
• Do you mind being able to see the contents of the composter? Or worry about the occasional fly? If not, consider a toilet stool with a trap of some kind or at least a view barrier.
• Be sure you can manage the tasks detailed in the instructions or are willing to pay a service person to do them. Read between the lines: operation and maintenance instructions cannot present the sensory (sight and smell) experiences associated with dealing with a system up close and personal.
• Some composters require manual mixing of the excrement, toilet paper, and additive (ETPA) with a rake or a pitchfork while it is composting.
• Others require turning mixing device handles. Others have automated this process, but that means more components that break and wear out eventually. Fixing an internal mechanism in a composter can be an unpleasant task. If this bothers you, call a professional, such as your local septage pumping and hauling or sewer cleaning service organization, and arrange to have these tasks performed on a regular fee-for-service basis.