The Best Composters of 2024, According to House Beautiful Testers

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For those who are focused on eco-conscious living, one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste is by investing in a composter. When you hear this word, you'll likely picture one of those outdoor, barrel-like tumbling bins with a handle you have to rotate. Or, if you're more familiar with the topic, you'll think of vermicomposting, aka using worms to help break down your food scraps. Though there are a few different ways to go about this process, for those who care about beautifully designed products, you'll want to look into brands with indoor composters. Typically, these devices are sleeker, more compact, and require less manual work than the best composters you see outside of the home.

At House Beautiful, we wanted to test several of these popular indoor devices to see how they worked and if they made an impact on reducing food waste at home. We evaluated the products based on how they looked (who doesn't love a nice design?), the functionalities of the device, and how they fit into our daily routines.

In addition to having our editors use the devices for at least a week, we also roped in friends and family members to test some of the products, in order to provide the most unbiased opinions. Since everyone lives a different lifestyle—some people live in homes with a garden, some live in small apartments with no garden—you'll be able to read through the reviews to see which composters are most compatible with your needs. Without further ado, read through everyone's candid thoughts about their composters, ahead.

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Reencle

CES fans may recognize the Reencle composter from the event last year. What's special about this particular device from the other ones on the market is that its technological mechanism emulates the human digestive system. Just like how the microbes in your gut break down what you consume, the ReencleMicrobe, Bacillus, will break down the food waste you throw into this receptacle. "After reading about this last year, I was excited to test it out," Senior Commerce Editor Marina Liao says. "I've been looking for a composter that was indoor-friendly and would help me reduce the food scraps I threw away."

Setup and Use

"Setting up the composter was very seamless as the instruction booklet had detailed photos and directions. All you have to do is plug in your Reencle, dump the compost starter into the stirring tank, pour seven cups of water into said tank, and close the lid. You have to let the water and compost starter mix together for about 18 to 24 hours before you add your food waste into it.

One of the first things I noticed right away was how quiet the Reencle is when it's operating—you don't hear anything! I threw my food scraps (it takes everything from coffee grounds and eggshells to leftover rice and banana peels) into the stirring tank daily and then completely forgot about the device until the next time I had to use it. The food is broken down within 24 hours, though onion skins take a longer time. The bonus here: I sniffed inside the tank after a week of using it, and it didn't stink thanks to the carbon filter working its magic.

Once you reach max capacity (there is a line on the inside that will tell you when it's time to empty out your tank), you remove the byproduct with the included scooper, leaving the tank at least 1/3 full. According to the instruction manual, you have to 'mix the compost with soil, one part compost to four parts soil,' and then 'let the compost mix rest and cure for at least three weeks in a breathable container or bag.' Once the byproduct resembles a dark, crumbly top soil and has an earthy smell, it's ready to use."

Cleaning

"I have yet to clean the device because it doesn't look like it needs a cleaning. However, according to the instruction manual, I will have to clean the removable mesh filter, located inside the stirring tank, with a cleaning brush. Meanwhile, the carbon filter on the back of the Reencle will last me at least a year before I have to change it out (the brand gives you a second carbon filter for free). That's it!"

Verdict

"Overall, I am pleased with the functionality of the Reencle and its ease of use. It's a good product for those who care about design and want an indoor unit in their kitchen area—the device isn't bulky like most outdoor composters. Before purchasing, I do recommend you measure your countertop space and cabinet height. I made the mistake of not doing so and found that it was too big and tall to stay on my counter top every day, where my rice cooker and coffee maker also goes. It's now on the floor next to my trash can, which actually works out for me since any food scraps that can't go into the tank (like fruit pits and bones) will go into the trash.

The one issue I'm running into, and I assume this will be the case for anyone living in a apartment without access to a garden, is figuring out what to do with all the byproduct since I'll create more than I can actually compost. I'm planning to let the byproduct rest in my parents' backyard (they live a 20-minute Uber ride away), so they can then use it for their vegetable garden. The Reencle is better for people who need to make compost frequently for their outdoor area versus a city gal like me, who only has a few plants."

Lomi Bloom

The Lomi needs no introduction as it became a viral sensation on social media when it first debuted in 2021. The brand's second generation product comes in three colorways: white, sage, and black, with a 30-day at-home trial. This composter comes with an app, where it delivers real-time data on your household waste footprint. So, how does it hold up to the internet hype? Find out below.

Setup and Use

"When we got the machine, figuring out where to put it was harder than expected because you need space to let it vent out the back (we ended up rotating it away from the pretty front) and it was louder than expected while running," tester Ami Jo says. "The rest of the set up was pretty easy, you just need to add the activated charcoal into the Lomi and it was good to go. There was an easy-to-follow YouTube video on the app and the manual was concise. It also came with a cheat sheet of what we could and couldn’t put into the Lomi, which we referenced often over the past two weeks. (We would buy a refrigerator magnetic version of the cheat sheet.)

We weren’t generating a ton of food waste, but it was nice having a place to dispose of it. Most of our waste consisted of vegetable trimmings, coffee grounds, general food prep scraps, and sparing amounts of leftovers. We used the pod the first cycle, but then left the byproduct in and just continued adding on top of it for the next few cycles and it seemed to break down fine. We ended up running it every couple days and never noticed any smells while it was running. It was a little louder than we had expected, but quickly became white noise. There were a few times where my partner asked if I had gas, but it was the Lomi paddle getting stuck and squeaking along the side during the cycle (while the material was still damp).

The resulting byproduct was pretty dry and crumbly, and we mixed it in with some potting soil for our indoor plants. The Lomi app advertises a gamified points system to use toward discounts on other fun products, but it will take me a year to get $50 off the Ooni pizza oven I have my eyes on."

Cleaning

"We didn’t clean it, but in part because it didn’t seem to need it yet. The manual says the bucket is dishwasher safe or can be washed like any other dish. The rest can just be wiped down with a clean damp cloth—easy peasy. I will say, it may be worth pulling the bucket out when filling with additional food waste, just to avoid small food scraps getting on the top or near the filtration component, which can make it more of a pain to clean later on."

Verdict

"The Lomi is pretty and a novelty to use, but the device would be more impactful if we weren’t in an apartment in a city. What you should know is that the Lomi doesn't produce true ready-to-use compost, but what the brand says is 'Lomi Earth.' Essentially, the device dries out and breaks down food waste into something manageable and workable. You have to then mix one part Lomi Earth with 10 parts soil or sprinkle the byproduct on a lawn with some limitations. The limitations on how much you can spread in one area may come from the fact that the byproduct's not decomposed entirely during the process and so may also need to be used sparingly for house plants.

However, the fact that it’s dehydrating the food waste and not decomposing it is probably what helps minimize the mess and the smells, which is the plus. If we had a garden, we would have more places to put the byproduct, but I'm not sure then if we personally need something as compact and fancy. This machine speaks better to people who have a bigger space and would want a nicely designed device indoors."

FoodCycler by Vitamix Eco 5

You're likely already familiar with Vitamix blenders, but did you know the brand also makes composters? The company offers two different models: the FC-50 (with a 2.5 liter capacity) and the Eco 5 (with a five liter capacity). We tested the latest one, the Eco 5, which promises to turn your food scraps into a fine, dry powder that's then more easily broken down when mixed with soil. Read up on how this one works, ahead.

Setup and Use

"Setting up the composter was very easy and straightforward. The Vitamix came with a visual guide as to what was allowed in the composter and what wasn’t. All set-up required was to fill the internal canister with carbon pellets (included with the machine) and plugging in the device. Then you’re ready to use immediately," SEO Editor Kate McGregor says.

"My food scraps primarily consist of produce offcuts, coffee grounds, and tea bags. Luckily, the Vitamix FoodCycle Eco 5 countertop composter accepts all of it. There’s a handy visual guide that I now keep on my fridge to be sure that I don’t dump something that the machine can’t process like meat bones. Certain fibrous foods, like celery need to be cut into smaller portions in order to be processed correctly. The cycle was long, like overnight long, but it was so quiet—there’s a slight hum, similar to a washing machine or dishwasher—but it didn’t disturb my sleep, even in my small city apartment. There’s only one cycle option, which I like, and it starts with the single push of a button, so there’s no guesswork involved.

My favorite thing about the composter is that there is no smell whatsoever when the lid is closed. My food scraps sat in the composter for nearly a week before I ran a cycle, and unless I chose to smell it (I don’t recommend it), the scraps were out of sight and out of mind. There’s a removable charcoal filter that sits in the bucket’s lid closure. The internal bucket holds up to five liters, which is nearly double my previous compost bowl.

Because my scraps were high in moisture, which is normal for fruit scraps, the by-product was quite watery at first, but I noticed that the more different scraps I gave the machine, the better the by-product turned out. After the cycle finished, the apple cores and lemon rinds were turned into a mush that I plan to use as plant fertilizer and then compost the rest at my neighborhood’s composting center. The bucket is removed easily and has a separate lid and handle for easy transportation."

Cleaning

"I didn’t end up cleaning the interior of my machine, I wiped down the exterior with an all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloth. The bucket is designed to self-clean after each cycle, according to the brand, although there will always be a bit of residue on the walls. If you need to completely wash the bucket, the brand recommends using boiling water and a mild soap after emptying and rinsing the bucket. But you should only soak the interior if a blockage occurs."

Verdict

"If you’re ready to get serious about composting, the FoodCycler is definitely for you. It’s quite large and heavy, and I don’t love how much counter space it takes up in my apartment, but luckily it tucks away easily and isn’t bad to look at when you leave it out. I love that the machine is quiet, efficient, and doesn’t require an environmental science degree to operate. This machine can handle everything from apple cores and eggshells to meat scraps and fibrous plants with ease. I’m excited to help my houseplants thrive, and reduce my waste, all with one machine."

GOOSH Smart Waste Kitchen Composter

Unlike the Lomi or Vitamix Eco 5, you may not have heard of the GOOSH composter, sold on popular retailers such as Wayfair and Walmart. However, what it may lack in name recognition, it certainly makes up for in function. The electric compost bin promises to transform food scraps into a dry powder, which you can then use as fertilizer for your plants. And at less than $300, it's a more budget-friendly option for those who are thinking about composting and want to dip their foot into the world.

Setup and Use

"Setting up the waste cycler was extremely simple. All you had to do before use was install the carbon filter box and then you could plug it in and start using it," Senior SEO Manager Rachel Crocetti says. "I love to cook at home and I create a lot of organic waste when I cook, since I use a lot of vegetables, eggs, and other compostable ingredients. My neighborhood has a curbside composting program, so prior to using the smart waste kitchen composter, I used a fairly simple countertop bin that I emptied into our compost bin a few times a week and put out for collection.

When I first started composting, it drastically decreased the amount of waste I created. Between recycling and composting, my non-organic, non-recyclable waste was extremely limited, however I was never able to create fertilizer from the organic waste to use in my garden or houseplants.

I dumped all kinds of daily organic waste into my composter: vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, banana peels, egg shells, and plant clippings. I primarily ran the machine at night (I was using either the four- or six-hour settings based on how much I filled the bucket) and it made very little sound, similar to a dishwasher. The composter completely masked the scent of the food scraps when it wasn’t running, and when it was running there was just a faint smell from the steam of the machine, but nothing that was unmanageable.

The fertilizer that comes out is a dry, fine powder, similar to a soil, and it has no odor. The manual recommends a 1:10 ratio of the fertilizer to soil when gardening or using in houseplants, and I’m excited to see how it impacts my plant growth when I do my spring gardening and repotting!

I should also mention, the composter has three settings. I was using the basic setting which was primarily for green material (essentially household biodegradable scraps). There is also a standard mode which you can use for degradable bioplastic products in addition to food waste. The third setting is the most advanced, called 'ferment mode,' which results in a half-wet, half-dry fermented fertilizer."

Cleaning

"The composter was really easy to wipe down by rinsing it in the sink and wiping down the inside of the lid with a wet paper towel. The bucket is also dishwasher-safe, which is a huge bonus."

Verdict

"I would definitely recommend this device to someone who wants to advance from a simple collection of organic materials to being able to create their own fertilizer that they can then return to nature by using in gardening. Its large size and ability to hide odors was also a great pro if you don’t want to run the composter every single night. I was able to fill it over the course of two to three days without a lingering scent in the kitchen. It’s definitely a larger option, so you will have to make room on the counter for it, but its white and clean design isn’t visually unappealing. The fertilizer it produces looks just like soil, and will be very easy to mix into my plants or garden."

Airthereal Electric Kitchen Composter

In addition to being known for its air purifiers and water heaters, Airthereal also creates composters. It offers one model—the Revive Electric Kitchen Composter—in two colors, gray or white, with a three-year warranty (at an additional cost). Like most of the devices on this list, this one is easy to operate, comes with a carbon filter, and helps to reduce food waste. See the entire breakdown of how the product works, ahead.

Setup and Use

"The device came with a really simple illustrative guide that was intuitive enough for a person like me, who hates reading instructions, to use," tester Thao Colucci says. "There was no tinkering necessary and very few parts. I removed some stickers from the filter (it comes with an additional filter), and twisted the top to open/close. Unlike some of the other devices on this list, mine did not come with any composter starter kit.

After plugging the device in, I started tossing food scraps into it! In the guide book, there's a list of items appropriate to compost versus not, which was helpful. I threw in the following: celery bits, limes, mushrooms, potato, egg shells, herb bits, and onion skin. As it ran, the noise was slightly louder than a dishwasher but not super distracting. I don’t recommend running it around bedtime, if you have sensitive ears and don’t appreciate white noise. However, since it does take at least four hours or more to run, it might make sense to do it at night—just keep it away from where you sleep. Thanks to the carbon filter, no smells emitted from the machine.

The food I added went right up to the line (this device has a 2.5 liter max capacity), or one may argue it went over the line a bit. It's important to stay under it because some bits didn’t break down properly. What ended up coming out was dry and crumbly byproduct with some larger bits and eggshells not totally ground up. I would recommend mixing this with soil and allowing it to continue to break down for a few more weeks before using in a garden or just sprinkle the byproduct in soil sparingly."

Cleaning

"Because of the drying process, some bits got stuck inside the machine, which made it hard to scrub off and really get the inside clean. We had to soak the removable container in hot water and really scrub it in order to clean some parts."

Verdict

"We have a small balcony garden, but the process of collecting, drying, and grinding it in a machine that takes six to eight hours does feel like work. The device requires careful planning to ensure you don’t run the machine during hours you need to concentrate or sleep.

That said, I would only recommend this device to someone who has a regular use for the byproduct—like if you had a big garden or outdoor space where you can properly compost. It's also good for those who prefer sleek designs when it comes to their machines, as the gray tone matches well with most kitchen appliances. For me and my husband, since we live in the city with said small garden, it's harder to justify the counter space this device would take up all the time. I plan to store it away and only really use it when my garden calls for it."

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