Best Overall
Black+Decker Tumbling Composter
AMAZON
- The dual chambers allow you to collect waste on one side while simultaneously producing usable compost on the other side.
The dual chambers allow you to collect waste on one side while simultaneously producing usable compost on the other side.
- This is on the smaller side for an outdoor composter, so it may not be suitable for larger gardens.
This is on the smaller side for an outdoor composter, so it may not be suitable for larger gardens.
Earning high marks across all categories by our testing team, the Black+Decker Tumbling Composter is one of the best compost bins available today. It has a durable design that can withstand warm temperatures and rain and has a user-friendly lid that is still strong and secure enough to keep out pests.
We liked that the lid easily slid away from each chamber. There are two chambers, one that holds fresh waste and another that holds the waste that is breaking down into compost. This is a tumbler-style composter, and our team found it was easy to use the hand crank to turn the compost for aeration.
“Tumbling compost bins are typically made of UV-resistant plastic in the design of a drum or barrel,” says Fern Berg, plant expert and founder of Tree Vitalize. "They are mounted on a stand that allows you to turn or ‘tumble’ the compost materials inside, eliminating the need to manually turn the compost with a garden fork.”
This composter withstood rain, which didn’t get into the bin to wet the compost, as well as sunlight and temperatures in the 80s and 90s. While the 40-gallon capacity works well for small households and gardens, it’s not quite as large as some of the other outdoor compost bins we tested.
How It Performed After Three Months
We’ve been incredibly impressed with this composter’s sturdiness. Despite sitting under a walnut tree during long-term testing, it still shows no dents or signs of wear. We also never noticed any obscure scent or excessive pest attraction stemming from the compost.
Product Details: Type: Tumbler | Material: Plastic, metal | Dimensions: 32.5 x 40.3 x 29.1 inches | Capacity: 40 gallons | Intended Use: Outdoor
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JEANNE GEER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JEANNE GEER
Key Terms to Know
- Vermicomposting: A type of composting that uses live earthworms to break down organic matter.
Best Budget
Geobin Compost Bin
AMAZON
- This expandable compost bin has the highest capacity of products we tested, but it can take up more or less space to suit your yard size.
This expandable compost bin has the highest capacity of products we tested, but it can take up more or less space to suit your yard size.
- This is a taller compost bin, which can make it hard to reach down into the center to turn the compost.
This is a taller compost bin, which can make it hard to reach down into the center to turn the compost.
Composting doesn’t have to involve an expensive setup. If you’re okay without all the bells and whistles and just want to get started on your own compost for your garden, the expandable Compost Bin from Geobin is a budget-friendly option with a capacity of 246 gallons, the largest capacity of any of the best compost bins we found in our research. We threw in buckets of saw dust, yard waste, and food scraps and still only filled this bin about 25% full during the testing period.
The Geobin compost bin expands from 24 to 44 inches wide, depending on your needs. There are ventilation holes all around the sides, which helps with oxygen and preventing bad odors. The tall, thin plastic walls are sturdy enough to withstand weather and larger animals, but they won’t keep out smaller pests, like gnats and other insects.
One downside to consider with this bin is that the sides are pretty tall, which can make it more difficult to turn the compost at the bottom of the bin. A tall shovel makes this chore a bit easier, though.
How It Performed After Three Months
After three months of regular use, we still haven’t filled this composter, ensuring that this is a suitable pick for large gardens. This isn’t the most solid composter on our list, and we’ve noticed that small bits of compost fall out the sides when we turn the pile. This hasn’t been a dealbreaker, but it may be something to consider especially if your composter will sit on a concrete surface.
Product Details: Type: Stationary | Material: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) | Dimensions: 24 to 44 x 36 x 70 inches | Capacity: 246 gallons | Intended Use: Outdoor
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / EMILY JOHNSON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / EMILY JOHNSON
Best Splurge
Lomi Bloom Smart Composter
WAYFAIR
- This high-tech compost bin connects to your phone to track your impact and uses smart sensors to efficiently grind, heat, and aerate waste.
This high-tech compost bin connects to your phone to track your impact and uses smart sensors to efficiently grind, heat, and aerate waste.
- This system may require ongoing purchases of filters and microorganism pods for best results.
This system may require ongoing purchases of filters and microorganism pods for best results.
For a more hands-off approach to composting, the Lomi Bloom is a splurge-worthy composter that can break down your food scraps with just the touch of a button. At nearly $500, it’s certainly an investment. But this stood out as one of the best compost bins because of its smart features. The device, which is designed for indoor use, connects to a smartphone app that tracks your composting and gives you insights to your environmental impact through the scraps you save from landfills.
Keep in mind that the mix the Lomi creates is technically not compost, but a pre-compost that can be added to larger piles or mixed into soils. We personally used the mixture on our outdoor plants and found it made a difference.
This is one of the smallest bins we tested, but we still found that it took at least a few days of collecting scraps before it was full enough to turn on. Depending on which mode you set it to, the Bloom can break down waste in as little as a few hours. While it does make sound when it’s operating, it is about the same noise level as a dishwasher. It also has a cleaning cycle for easy maintenance.
The kit comes with the device and a 45-cycle starter supply of filters and microorganism-boosting LomiPods, which the brand claims help speed up the composting process and reduce odors. We found that the filters did seem to work well at keeping out odors, but these are extra purchases that you will need to buy at least every few months.
How It Performed After Three Months
We used this composter in our apartment kitchen, adding in scraps throughout our day-to-day cooking. The secure lid alleviated all our concerns that the food waste would attract pests or emit odors. While some of our composters still haven’t produced usable compost after three months, this device was able to break down food in just a few hours.
Product Details: Type: Electronic countertop bin | Material: Polycarbonate | Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 13 inches | Capacity: 3 liters | Intended Use: Indoor
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CASSIE BASFORD
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CASSIE BASFORD
Best for Kitchen
Compost Genie Kitchen Compost Bin
AMAZON
- It has a large capacity for a kitchen bin at 14 liters, and we never smelled any of the scraps sitting in the bin—even after four weeks.
It has a large capacity for a kitchen bin at 14 liters, and we never smelled any of the scraps sitting in the bin—even after four weeks.
- The pedal felt a little flimsy, and it hit the wall behind it if the pedal was pushed too hard.
The pedal felt a little flimsy, and it hit the wall behind it if the pedal was pushed too hard.
If you compost frequently and are looking for something bigger than a kitchen countertop bin, we loved the Compost Genie Bin during testing.
It arrived mostly assembled, we just had to install the pedal and insert the carbon filter on the underside of the lid. We were initially concerned with how flimsy the pedal felt, but it has held up over time. However, we did realize we had to tap the pedal gently—we placed this compost bin in front of a wall and the lid hit the wall when opened too quickly.
With a kitchen compost bin, we were mainly worried about two potential issues: insects and smell. We were pleased that we didn’t notice an unpleasant odor with this compost bin (they are also the makers of the Diaper Genie as well), and the only scent we ever noticed was a slight whiff of the carbon filter when the bin was open. The scent of the carbon filter wasn’t foul or potent—it was just a slight aroma when we opened the lid.
For the first few weeks, we didn’t notice any insects around the compost bin. However, we did notice a few small flies around the compost bin as it was reaching capacity for the first time, but once we emptied the bin they went away. To help prevent this again, we added an insect trap behind the bin to help catch any flies.
Despite cooking several times a week and frequently adding fruit and vegetable scraps, it took us four weeks to completely fill the 14-liter bin. The bin came with a roll of compost bags that rest in a compartment at the bottom of the bin, so it’s simple and easy to replace the bag when it’s full. The included bags were fairly sturdy, and there weren’t any holes or tears when our first bag was full.
Because of its large capacity and odorless design, this is our top pick for those who are looking for a kitchen compost bin. Keep in mind that kitchen compost bins only hold scraps—you will need an actual composter to make compost.
Product Details: Type: Bin | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 11.09 x 10.9 x 23.5 inches | Capacity: 14 liters | Intended Use: Indoor
Best for Worms
Worm Factory 360 Composter
AMAZON
- This small worm tower can be set up indoors or out, and the worms help quickly turn waste to compost.
This small worm tower can be set up indoors or out, and the worms help quickly turn waste to compost.
- Worm composting systems require extra care, including cutting up scraps into small pieces and rotating each bin.
Worm composting systems require extra care, including cutting up scraps into small pieces and rotating each bin.
Whether you’re new to composting or you’re ready to take your compost pile to the next level, vermicomposting, or composting with worms, makes the process more efficient and results in better compost. To get started with vermicomposting, we recommend the Worm Factory 360 as the best compost bin for worms.
“Worm bins are an ideal composting solution for people who want to recycle their kitchen waste into high-quality compost and those with limited space,” Berg says. “They are higher maintenance than some of the other options, so they won’t be suitable for those who want a hands-off approach to composting.”
We kept the Worm Factory 360 in a shaded but warm enclosed porch, which kept the four stackable bins safe from harsh weather and pests. The food scraps started breaking down quickly, within a few days of adding scraps into each bin, and the quick-working worms helped prevent odors.
However, this type of setup does require more work than a tumbling composter. We found it worked best to fill one bin at a time, then keep it in a rotation, moving new or emptied bins to the top. Additionally, we used a rake, which came with the compost bin kit, to rake over the worm bedding in each bin.
How It Performed After Three Months
There was a learning curve while using this composter as our initial batch of worms overheated and died after storing the composter in direct sunlight. After moving the device to a warm (but not hot) sunroom, it took about a month for the worms to create enough compost for us to use. We found ourselves with more scraps than the worms could handle, so we needed to use a second compost bin to store the excess—something to keep in mind for larger households that produce more food waste.
Product Details: Type: Vermicomposter | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 17.95 x 14.95 x 17.95 inches | Capacity: 1 liter | Intended Use: Indoor or outdoor
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CLAIRE SPOLLEN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CLAIRE SPOLLEN
Best Tumbling
FCMP Outdoor Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter
AMAZON
- This dual-chamber tumbling composter is easy to turn and closes securely to keep out pests.
This dual-chamber tumbling composter is easy to turn and closes securely to keep out pests.
- This tumbling composter requires assembly, and we found it a little challenging to put together.
This tumbling composter requires assembly, and we found it a little challenging to put together.
Tumbler composters are elevated on a frame and typically have a hand crank to turn the scraps and compost, rather than using a shovel.
“These are a fairly user-friendly and efficient method of composting that will be ideal for those with small to medium sized gardens, where both kitchen waste and garden waste is available for composting,” Berg explains. “Just make sure you choose a good quality product that uses a sturdy framework as the bin will become very heavy once it is full!”
We like the dual-chamber FCMP Outdoor IM4000 composter, which we found easy enough to turn one-handed.
While one side holds fresh scraps, the other side can sit full of older scraps that are breaking down into compost. This composter product takes at least a couple months for the scraps to cure into usable compost. We tested with a household of three and a yard full of fruit trees and were able to fill one side of this 37-gallon composter within a few weeks.
We thought this composter had a somewhat difficult assembly, but the ease of use and budget-friendly price made it worth the hassle to put together. While the recycled plastic bin held up to high temperatures, it did show some fading from being in the sunlight in the mornings.
How It Performed After Three Months
We’ve enjoyed using this composter so much that we bought a second for our home. The only sign of wear we’ve noticed is the black plastic fading. While this hasn’t affected its performance, it’s something to keep in mind if your composter will sit in direct sunlight.
Product Details: Type: Tumbler | Material: Polypropylene | Dimensions: 28 x 36 x 30 inches | Capacity: 37 gallons | Intended Use: Outdoor
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / EMILY TEEL
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / EMILY TEEL
Best Large
Greenes Fence Co. Cedar Wood Outdoor Stationary Composter
GREENES FENCE CO.
- This sustainable cedar compost bin makes it easy to adjust the width, add on extra bins, or even shorten one side to make turning the compost easier.
This sustainable cedar compost bin makes it easy to adjust the width, add on extra bins, or even shorten one side to make turning the compost easier.
- The open design of this bin means the compost is exposed to the elements.
The open design of this bin means the compost is exposed to the elements.
This bin from Greenes Fence with a 173-gallon capacity is just the right product to start building a healthy compost pile. The solid, untreated cedar construction is strong enough to hold a high volume of compost, but openings between the slatted sides allow for plenty of ventilation.
This system starts at 36 by 36 inches, but you can also purchase add-ons to create a multi-bin system. For instance, you can have one bin for fresh scraps, one bin for waste that is in the process of breaking down, and one bin for your ready-to-use compost. The bin parts slot together, and while the manufacturer says no tools are required, we found that a mallet made construction go much quicker. We decided to leave off the top wood slat on one side of the bin, and this made it easier to reach in with a shovel to turn the compost from time to time.
You might think you’re paying for convenience with this bin compared to building your own wood compost bin, but we also priced out what it would cost to build a similar size bin on our own and found the Greenes Fence composter was actually a better deal.
How It Performed After Three Months
This bin hasn’t kept bugs or rain out of the compost pile, but the cedar did hold up to the inclement weather. The material only faded slightly from sunlight exposure.
Product Details: Type: Stationary | Material: Cedar wood | Dimensions: 36 x 31 x 36 inches | Capacity: 173.92 gallons | Intended Use: Outdoor
- REAL SIMPLE / MARGOT CAVIN
REAL SIMPLE / MARGOT CAVIN
Best Countertop
Epica Stainless Steel Compost Bin
AMAZON
- This stainless steel bin has an airtight, carbon-filtered lid to keep nasty smells and pests out of the kitchen.
This stainless steel bin has an airtight, carbon-filtered lid to keep nasty smells and pests out of the kitchen.
- The lid filters need to be replaced about every 6 months.
The lid filters need to be replaced about every 6 months.
If you don’t have outdoor space for a composter or you want a convenient bin in the kitchen to collect food scraps after prepping each meal, a kitchen bin like the Epica Countertop Compost Bin can fit the bill.
One fear that people have about countertop bins is that they will stink or attract bugs in the kitchen. But we were thoroughly impressed with the carbon filter on this bin. Even though we added a lot of aromatic scraps, like onion and garlic, the bin didn’t smell at all. The lid is also airtight to prevent pests.
As for durability, this stainless steel compost bin is strong and sturdy, so no one is likely to knock this over when working in the kitchen. We liked the wide opening, which allowed for scraping food scraps directly from a cutting board or plate into the bin without making a mess.
While the lid’s filter is effective at preventing odors, it does need to be replaced about every six months. Another thing to note is that this is a bin, so it simply holds food scraps, rather than turning waste into compost. If you’re planning to turn your kitchen scraps into compost for your garden, you’ll want to pair this with another composter.
How It Performed After Three Months
With regular cleaning, this bin still looks as good as new. The airtight lid and carbon filter have made us more confident in adding smelly scraps like onions to our pile. We’ve found that it can hold up to a week’s worth of scraps before needing emptying.
Product Details: Type: Countertop bin | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 7.16 x 11 x 7.16 inches | Capacity: 1.3 gallons | Intended Use: Indoor
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KYLE MCKINNON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KYLE MCKINNON
Best Colors
Bamboozle Compost Bin
AMAZON
- Available in 10 colors, this compost bin is ideal for those who want to proudly and stylishly display that they compost.
Available in 10 colors, this compost bin is ideal for those who want to proudly and stylishly display that they compost.
- While the colors and design are attractive, this bin needs to be wiped down frequently, as the material tends to show smudges easily.
While the colors and design are attractive, this bin needs to be wiped down frequently, as the material tends to show smudges easily.
Your compost bin needs to be functional, but you can also find fashionable options, too. This is especially ideal if you plan to keep your bin on a counter or table. To round out our list of the best compost bins, we chose the stylish Bamboozle Food Compost Bin, which comes in 10 impressive colors like a deep pink (pomegranate), light purple (wisteria), or bright yellow (saffron).
The bin has a minimalist design with a sleek, wood handle for easy carrying. It’s made from bamboo fiber, so it is similar to plastic bins in durability and weight. The Bamboozle bin is dishwasher-safe, although we were concerned about ruining the wood handle, so we opted to hand wash instead. Still, it was incredibly easy to clean after dumping the food scraps off to a community collector.
The wider mouth made it easy for our tester to scrape food scraps into the bin without any pieces falling off onto the countertop. Although the design and colors are attractive, we noted that this bin, especially the lid, shows fingerprint smudges easily. Keep a towel handy to wipe it down after opening the lid to dump in food scraps.
The hemp filters for this countertop-friendly composter need to be replaced about every two months, although you don’t have to stick to brand-specific filters.
How It Performed After Three Months
After regularly using the bin, there isn’t anything we’d change. It does such a great job at filtering odors that it’s easy to forget the compost is sitting on the counter. While it shows smudges easily, we’ve found that they’re easy to wash off.
Product Details: Type: Countertop bin | Material: Bamboo fiber | Dimensions: 7 x 8.75 x 7 inches | Capacity: 1.2 gallons | Intended Use: Indoor
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENICA CURRIE
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENICA CURRIE