Yahoo Lifestyle Find the Compost Bin That's Right for You
- 1/11
Find the Compost Bin That's Right for You
We carefully reviewed this article in March 2023 to ensure all products tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute were in stock, available and reflected accurate prices. Our top picks remain the same.
A compost bin is just one of the simple, relatively affordable eco-friendly products you can add to your life. Composting at home allows you to break down biodegradable waste into a nutrient-rich fertilizer you can use to give the soil in your garden or yard a boost. Even if you don't have any land to tend, it's a great habit because it helps reduce food waste and produce less trash overall. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material in our everyday trash;" composting that waste reduces the greenhouse gases that occur when they're sent to landfills.
Compost bins hold your common household waste — food scraps, paper waste, yard trimmings — and control the temperature, moisture, oxygen and bacteria to produce compost, all while keeping critters and odors at bay. “I keep a compost bin on my countertop for used coffee grounds, which stink up my regular pail. It allows me to throw away my trash less often,” says Nicole Papantoniou, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab.
For these picks, our pros composted in their own kitchens to best replicate home use. They also relied on their knowledge of sustainability and product design, looking for bins with durable material and a strong seal to control odor and resist pests when required. We have also begun testing the latest style, the electric compost bin. Electric models use heat (and possibly additional enzymes) to dry your scraps and stir or grind them so they end up a fraction of the size — often with minimal odor.
Our top picks:
Read on to learn more on how we tested compost bins as well as how to choose the right one for your lifestyle. Looking for more ways to reduce your carbon footprint? Check out our foolproof guide to sustainable living as well as our round-up of the best compostable garbage bags.
Hearst Owned - 2/11
1) Tumbling Composter
FCMP Outdoor
amazon.com
$84.73
This outdoor tumbling bin has more than 11,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. Our experts have't tested it, but we like that it sits high off the ground, which helps with rodent control. The UV-resistant black plastic construction includes recycled content, according to the manufacturer, and helps to attract and retain heat to aid in the composting process.
It holds 37 gallons of organic waste and is designed with two chambers, so you can let one side break down while you fill the other, which ensures a steady stream of usable compost. Take note: Several reviewers commented that the assembly instructions are hard to follow.
FCMP Outdoor - 3/11
2) Compost Bin
Utopia Kitchen
amazon.com
$19.99
With its sturdy stainless steel design, this affordable pick is ideal for those who transport their compost to a larger bin or to a community drop-off. By nature, stainless steel doesn’t hold odors and is easy to clean, making this bin ideal for indoor use.
Our pros like that the lid includes a charcoal filter to help prevent smells from wafting through your kitchen. It holds 1.3 gallons and is small enough to fit on a countertop or under the sink, but those with a lot of scraps will need to empty this model frequently.
Utopia Kitchen - 4/11
3) Compost Caddy
simplehuman
amazon.com
$46.99
Simplehuman trash cans have earned praise from our Cleaning Lab experts, and now our kitchen pros recommend the brand's compost caddy. This bin is streamlined with a footprint that works well on kitchen counters when you're prepping food or cleaning up after a meal. The brushed stainless steel finish is designed to resist fingerprints, and the large housing for the lid helps secure and conceal the bag for the removable inner bin. Note: Many compost bags will work, but for the best fit, the company recommends its custom-fit compost bags.
The unique feature is that it comes with a magnetic mount that lets you attach the caddy to Simplehuman trash cans so that it's stored out of the way and accessible for quick use. One downside is that the mount is not universal and will not work for all trash cans.
Simplehuman - 5/11
4) Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin
OXO
amazon.com
$22.95
OXO's sturdy, hard plastic design is compact enough for under-sink storage, with a handle that makes it easy to access, but the small footprint and simple design are also suited to countertop use. It works with compost bags, but our Lab pros liked that the smooth interior and removable lid make the bin easy to clean when you don't use bags.
It has a lid to help prevent odors in your kitchen, but we did note that it is not soft-close and can be a bit loud when it shuts.
OXO - 6/11
5) FoodCycler FC-50
Vitamix
amazon.com
$339.95
The Vitamix FoodCycler earned a 2022 Kitchen Gear Award for being an efficient and high-tech way to compost your food waste. Though the overall appliance is large, our pros like it for the kitchen because the removable inner bucket can be stored on your countertop — it includes a lid with a carbon filter to help control odors — while the outer unit stows under the sink, in the pantry or in the garage.
Once you've filled the bucket with waste, you simply pop it into the FoodCycler and press one button. The machine dries, grinds and cools the waste, eliminating odors and reducing the volume by up to 90% (according to the manufacturer). You can then mix the processed result with soil or bring it to a local composting center
Vitamix - 7/11
6) Compost Bin
Geobin
amazon.com
$35.99
Gardeners and those handling yard maintenance may want to consider this customizable plastic bin for outdoor compost piles: The BPA-free polyethylene material comes in a roll that you can adjust to create the size you need. It includes “keys” that lock the form into shape and allow you to open the bin when you’re ready to use your compost.
While we have not tested this bin, we like that users can create an efficient cylinder or a square bin by affixing the sides to garden stakes. The material is perforated for ventilation, and it is designed to be easy to fill and stir. The bin will be open to rodents and pests, so it’s best to stick to yard scraps only.
Geobin - 8/11
7) Composter
Lomi
amazon.com
$499.99
The Lomi Composter is another electric option for those who live in apartments and those in cold climates, who wouldn't be composting outdoors year-round. It stirs the contents of the inner bucket, and uses both drying heat and microbial tablets to break down the waste. It includes enough microbial tablets — as well as activated charcoal for the built-in filter — for 45 cycles; you'll then have to purchase replacement tablets and charcoal.
The gentle curves and steamlined design keep the Lomi from being an eyesore on your kitchen counter, but our pros note that the footprint is rather large for small kitchens. We did like that the run cycle is quiet, that it controlled odors well and that it produced compost that was easy to dispose of.
Lomi - 9/11
8) Sort & Go Countertop Compost Caddy
Brabantia
amazon.com
$24.75
Brabantia's compact model can be stored on your kitchen counter but also comes with an optional wall mount, which lets you hang the bin on the wall or a cabinet door so that it stays accessible but tucked away. We loved this option for small spaces like apartments, but we noted that the mounting instructions could be more clear. The lid is completely removable, which makes loading (and cleaning) easy and helps to secure bags.
Our pros praised the helpful grip on the bottom of the bin that gives you control when tipping it upside down for emptying. The plastic construction with matte finish is easy to clean.
Brabantia - 10/11
9) Kitchen Compost Bin
Bamboozle
amazon.com
$39.99
Testers were attracted to the look of the Bamboozle model. They liked the bamboo handle and the rich colors — shown here in Graphite and also available in Natural, Terracotta, Saffron and Navy. The decor-friendly design makes it easy to leave on your counter so that it's simple to add composting to your kitchen.
It has a tight-fitting lid with a replaceable charcoal filter. (The filters are dishwasher safe and can be used for up to two months each, according to the manufacturer.) Our experts found that it was easy to clean after emptying.
Bamboozle - 11/11
10) 360
Worm Factory
amazon.com
$134.95
While we have not tested this model, it seems to be a discreet way to have worms helping around the house. The base and three stackable layers include bedding material that provides a nice home for your little workers. As your worms process your biodegradable waste, you can add on another layer to continue the composting process. The base includes a spigot so you can harvest the organic liquid fertilizer as the compost is formed.
The company recommends one pound of worms (about 1,000 worms), which can eat up to half a pound of food a day. It notes that you can feed the worms daily or weekly, with the target being 50% food scrap and 50% fiber, such as leaves and paper. One note: You'll need to keep the Worm Factory in temperatures between 40˚F and 80˚F, so if you live in a cold or hot climate, you’ll need to keep your wiggly buddies indoors.
Nature's Footprint
