To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Rankings remain impartial. Our review process.
|
Best Indoor Compost Bin
|
Best Outdoor Compost Bin | |
| 1st Place |
 |
|
| 2nd Place |
||
| 3rd Place |
 |
Looking for the best compost bin but feeling lost in the weeds? Composting is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while also creating fertilizer to help your garden flourish.
In our experience, it also decreases kitchen odor from food rot in the trash can in addition to reducing your amount of trash, especially if you combine composting with recycling.
Get ready to toss your scraps into a stylish and smell-free system while lowering your impact on the landfill!
Best Compost Bin Reviews
If you’re new to composting, we’ve got a handy guide for beginners which goes into all the nitty-gritty details about why you should compost, the history of the process and more. So, that’s a good place to start. If you already know all about it, jump right into our composter reviews to find out which containers will best meet your needs.
There are a number of things you’ll want to consider before purchasing a compost bin, including how much room you have on your countertop and in your yard. You’ll also want to carefully examine you and your family’s lifestyle.
Indoor vs Outdoor Compost Container
If you live in an apartment and eat out a lot, then you might be better off with a smaller, indoor bin. Composting containers for the kitchen are also a great way to “save up” your scraps throughout the week and then use it to transfer the scraps to a larger outdoor bin to start the process of turning trash into gardening gold! Don’t worry, we’ve reviewed those so you can find the best kitchen compost bin that fits your lifestyle and style.
If you have a spacious yard and tend to cook frequently, then a larger outdoor bin is definitely the way to go. You can even incorporate an outdoor compost area in your yard to give native insects and other animals a natural ecosystem right in your yard. Learn how in our article about how to create a wildlife garden. No matter which route you take, we’ve found the best of the best bins so you can compost with confidence.
Our website’s founder uses an indoor canister for scraps during the week which get dumped in the outdoor compost container when the indoor one fills up.
Best For Indoors | Best For Outdoors
Indoor Compost Bins
The first thing to know if you get a counter compost bin, is you will need charcoal filters to keep the odor in and keep the fruit flies out! Here’s the best value we found that also fits most sized containers: Estilo Compost Pail Filters. Now here are our picks for the best countertop compost bin.
Best Indoor Compost Bin: Epica Stainless Steel Bin
Our top pick for the best indoor compost bin goes to Epica. The 1.3 gallon, stainless steel design is not only sleek to match existing stainless steel appliances, the material and ventilation holes also help prevent odor. It also comes with replaceable and reusable charcoal filters designed to help filter out smell.
In addition to making an attractive countertop compost bin, it’s durable material holds up over time and won’t rust, scratch, crack or chip.You can line it with a bag or put droppings directly inside. There is a handle for easy transportation to your outdoor compost bin. You can set this bin out on the countertop or under the sink if you’re short on shelf space (or worried about fruit flies).
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Price: $27.99
2nd Place: Chef’N EcoCrock Compost Bin
Next on our list for best countertop composter is the the Chef’N EcoCrock. It’s a more modern option for those who have a green thumb. It a super sleek kitchen compost container that can hold up to 3 quarts of food scraps and is made from ceramic with a plastic lid to keep in the smell.
There is also a handy green plastic bin inside with a handle that easily removes to transport to your outdoor bin or garden. From looking at the container you wouldn’t be able to tell it was a composter (other than maybe the leaf handle on top).
And again, you can use charcoal discs to help with odor and plastic bags if you wish to keep your EcoCrock clean (not sure this is the most earth-friendly idea but to each their own 😉 ).
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Price: $26.57
3rd Place: Sure-Close Kitchen Composter
Rounding out the top three is the Sure-Close. What we love about this bin is its flexibility; you can attach it to the cabinet under the sink, hide it in a pantry or place it on the counter. It has a click-open top that stays lifted when you need to dump your waste, a convenient feature for when your hands are full.
It also has a large capacity and a microperforated lid that seals out bugs while also allowing air to flow to reduce the stink. When you’re ready to compost, simply remove the plastic bag inside (sold separately) or take outside using the handy handle.
Keep in mind that if you throw away the plastic bag in the garbage you are defeating the purpose of composting so be sure you have a place to dump it where it can naturally compost outside, ideally an outdoor bin or perhaps you can donate it to a local community garden.
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Price: Check Amazon for availability
Outdoor Compost Bins
If you decide to use outdoor composting bins, there are various types of systems from which to choose, from worm composters to portable ones. However, we prefer the self-contained systems that require minimum work, so you can start composting quickly with the least amount of effort or experience.
Compost Tumblers
A compost tumbler is one that spins on an axis point and is slightly elevated. The frequent spinning helps the scraps to be exposed to oxygen more frequently than if it just sits on top of itself (stationary). The tumbling speeds up the composting process. On the flip side (pun intended), a stationary container will require you to manually use a pitchfork to turn the scraps on a regular basis to ensure continuous composting.
Best Outdoor Compost Bin: Envirocycle Composting Tumbler Bin
If you’re looking for the best compost tumbler then look no further than the Envirocycle. It coins itself “The Most Beautiful Composter in the World” and users agree that Envirocycle is the Cadillac of composters. Its loyal and compassionate users swear by this subtle yet powerful tool for producing compost for the gardens.
While it’s a little on the pricey side, people say it’s well worth it! It comes in two sizes, so if you want to start off small, you can always add a second one later instead of starting off with a double chamber tumbler (many people love them and have multiples).
These durable spinning barrels are crafted in the U.S. with recycled and new materials using a refined manufacturing process which minimizes packaging, reducing consumer waste. Turn it 3 times every 3 days, and after 4 to 8 weeks you’ll have nutritious fertilizer for your yard so long as you follow the ingredient ratio recommended here.
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Price for 35 Gallon: $489.99
Video: Composting 101 With Envirocycle
Watch this 40 second video on how easy it is to compost using Envirocycle.
2nd Place: Yimby Tumbler Composter
View on Amazon
The Yimby is our second place pick in our composter reviews. It has a divider inside that allows you to store your compost that is further along on one-side so it is ready to go into the garden, while the other side “cooks” your newer scraps that are not yet ready for the garden.
It also spins so you don’t have to spend time and energy turning the compost manually with a pitchfork. It does require some assembly, but there is an instructional video for set up. Its 37-gallon capacity is large enough to hold plenty of compost without taking up a ton of space in your yard or garden.
Note: it requires direct sunlight, so make sure you have a spot where it can get build up some heat.
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Price: $80.90
3rd Place: Redmon Green Culture 65 Gallon Compost Bin
Redmon’s 65 Gallon (8.6 cubic feet) compost bin offers an alternative to the tumbler. The primary benefit of using a stand-alone container versus a tumbler is that they tend to be bigger, with space for more waste (this one holds nearly double the amount of the tumblers above). Also, it is pretty affordable and a reliable choice if you are new to composting.
The downside is that a traditional bin requires manual turning with a pitchfork if you desire usable compost.
This sturdy bin, made of UV-stable, post-consumer waste material, has small holes to let the compost breathe. It has a 1-year warranty.
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Price: $70.99
Collect Leaves & Yard Waste: Fiskars 30 Gallon Collapsible Container
If you’re looking for something to collect yard waste, this collapsible bin is ideal. Since it’s lightweight and folds up, the Fiskars bin can easily be transported or stored when not in use. It has a bottom and sturdy handle, so you can carry it around the yard while picking up clippings and leaves. It’s green color blends in with the yard and won’t be an eyesore for yourself or your neighbors.
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Price: $22.99
Infographic: Reasons To Compost At Home And How It Works
We put together this infographic to show a quick snapshot of how exactly the composting process works and why you should get started.
[infographic id=7195]
More Tips For Successful Composting
We hope our compost bin reviews have helped you find the best compost bin for your needs. Whether you have a countertop compost container or one that’s in your yard, you can learn more about the art of composting in our homemade composting article. That goes into more depth about what you can (and cannot) compost, how the composting process works, composting tips, and more.
Have you ever composted? What is your favorite type of compost bin and why?
Tagged With: Comparison, Composting
