What is the Best Compost Bin for your Gardening Need?
I get this question all the time. It is very tough because every Gardeners’ needs and the climate the Compost Bin will be in are different.
This doesn’t have to be a tough question though. This article will provide you with an Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Need!
The Below List is ranked from High priced to the lowest price!
And I recommend scrolling to the bottom of this page to find answers to 7 frequently asked questions most gardeners have when buying a compost bin!
10 BEST Compost Bins (Highest to Lowest Price )
The below compost bins are the best ones on the market in order of price and are great for all gardening experience levels and needs.
#1. Envirocycle Tumbler Composter
Pros
- Most beautiful tumbler
- Makes liquid and solid compost
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Expensive
This 35-gallon composter has been called the most beautiful composter in the world.
Not only is it the most beautiful composter in the world, but it produces both solid and liquid compost.
Also, this composter is made in America, constantly improved every year, and best of all requires no assembly.
Finally, this compost bin is built like a tank. It is food-safe, BPA-free, UV-Resistant, and Rust-free.
#2. Worm Factory 360 Composter
Pros
- Reasonably Price Worm Composter that can last a lifetime
- Best composter owner’s manual EVER
- Ability to add on to your worm composter
Cons
- Worm composting takes longer than other composting
- Less compost produced than traditional composters
If traditional composting is not for you then you HAVE to try Worm Composting.
In short, the Worm Factory 360 comes with standard 4 trays that can be built even hire with additional trays (sold separately).
Also, Worm Factory 360 provides fantastic support and even provides a way to buy the best worms for YOUR needs.
What really stands out about this product is the owner’s manual. It is literally a book. And it will give you everything and anything you need to know about Worm Composting.
Finally, this compost bin comes with a magnet that quickly tells beginners what food you can and cannot feed your worms!
#3. Miracle Gro Tumbling Composter
Pros
- Hexagon shape for better aeration
- Free pair of gardening gloves
- Dual Chamber tumbler
Cons
- No cons
If you want to purchase a composter from a household name then look no further than the Miracle-Gro Tumbling Composter.
This composter comes in at 55 gallons, has 2 chambers, and mixing bars for faster curing. This means you will compost your waste faster. It will only take 4-6 weeks to compost waste!
Also, this composter is made from BPA Free plastic and has a hexagon shape to expedite composting faster. Some say it works even faster than the circular shape composters.
Best of all is that Miracle-Gro will throw in a pair of their famous gardening gloves to help make gardening a little easier.
#4. EJWOX Tumbling Composter
Pros
- Tumbling aeration
- Sturdy Steel Frame
- Dual Chambers
Cons
- More expensive than competitor tumblers
EJWOX is another great manufacturer of tumbling composters. It comes with perfect aeration, dual-chambers, and convenient height for loading waste.
This 43-gallon composter has an eight-sided dual chamber and is made with high-quality plastic and a sturdy frame.
Like the Forest City Yimby Tumbler, this can very well be the first and last composter you will ever need to buy.
Also, the tumbling feature on this so composter is so easy that young children can do it! Talk about a great way to get children and grandchildren involved.
#5. Forest City Yimby Tumbling Composter
Pros
- Dual Chambers
- Tumbles
- Durable
- Reasonably-Priced
Cons
- There are none
The FCMP (Forest City) 37-gallon Tumbling Composter is my favorite composter on the list. I truly think it is a far superior option to any other composter on the market.
I like it so much that I wrote an article called:
If you don’t want to read the article, I’ll make it easy why this is the best composter out there.
It comes with 2 chambers to help increase the amount you can compost and the time it takes to compost.
The fact that this composter can tumble makes it one of the best aeration composters on the market.
And best of all is that it is incredibly durable and leak-proof.
And it all comes at a reasonable price!
#6. Redmon Classic Compost Bin
Pros
- 4 door composter
- Accessible for any person with a leak-proof lid
- Lasts a lifetime
Cons
- Like all competitors, traditional compost bins take more work to use
If you are looking for a traditional compost bin then you have found it with the 65 gallons Redmon Compost Bin.
This compost bin is large enough for even the biggest piles of organic waste.
The Redmon Compost Bin is made with highly durable, UV-protective plastic.
What this means to you is that it is the only compost bin you’ll ever need to buy.
In addition, it comes with an easy to use lid that is extremely seal-proof and numerous holes and slits for proper ventilation.
Best of all is that it has 4 doors, making accessing your compost as easy as any competitor.
#7. Relaxed Gardener Compost Bin
Pros
- Carbon Filters
- Maintenance Free
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Small
If you want a simple composter then you have found it with the Relaxed Gardener Kitchen Compost Bin.
This compost bin is so easy that you can open it with one hand. And unlike some of its competitors, this compost bin is leak proof.
Also, this compost bin comes with two carbon filters to prevent any type of odor. Best of all is that you won’t have to change the filters for at least 6 months.
In my experience, this is one of the best odor-free products on the market.
Why I really appreciate this product though is that it was developed by a group of gardeners who wanted a small (.8 gallons) compost bin that would work for your average gardener.
#8. Spigo Indoor Kitchen Composter
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Money-Back Guarantee
- Durable
Cons
- Smaller than competitors
The Spigo Indoor Kitchen Composter is one of the few kitchen composters that provides a 30-day guarantee.
This is a slightly smaller kitchen composter around 1 gallon in size.
Although it is slightly smaller in size than competitors it is much easier to clean and much more convenient to use.
Like competitors, this compost bin comes with charcoal odor filters and can fit in almost any space in the kitchen and the house.
#9. Epica Stainless Steel Compost Bin
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Odor-Free
- Large enough for most gardeners who want a kitchen composter
Cons
- Very similar to competitor products
If you want a kitchen compost bid that is odor-free and can be placed anywhere then I recommend purchasing the Epica Stainless Steel Compost Bin.
Like the Utopia kitchen compost bin, this composter comes with charcoal filter, is easy to clean, and is built to last a lifetime.
What makes this a great kitchen compost bin is that it is made with higher quality steel than other competitors and is 1.3 gallons.
#10. Utopia Kitchen Compost Bin
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Odor-Free
- Pest Free
Cons
- Smaller than other compost bins
Utopia makes some of the best kitchen compost bins on the market.
This particular kitchen compost bin is 1.3 gallons and made with durable stainless steel that prevents cracking, scratching, and chipping.
This compost bin is great to hold kitchen scraps for a week without any smells or attracting any pests like mice.
It comes with a stylish look that can fit anywhere in your kitchen and has charcoal filters that are easy to use and wash.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1 Can I Make My Own Compost Bin?
If you google compost bins or composters you’ll find a lot of ideas around DIY. And this may seem like a fun idea and a great way to save some money.
But based on my research and trial and error I highly recommend against making your own compost bin.
Creating your own compost bin typically results in smelly, unsightly, and sometimes toxic compost that can affect your health.
Also, creating a compost bin or not using a compost bin will most likely attract insects, animals, and diseases that both carry.
Finally, creating compost piles sometimes can even be against your city or town ordinances.
#2 Why Should I Buy a Compost Bin?
There are numerous benefits to owning a compost bin.
- Compost bins provide an environmental way to dispose of organic waste material in an easy, cheap, and quick way.
- The compost that is created from this waste typically provides better growth, stronger roots, and more fruit to your plants.
- Not only this but it almost always is a better way to provide vitamins and nutrients to your garden.
#3 What Are the Different Types of Compost Bins?
When shopping for a compost bin you’ll typically run across the 4 types below:
#1. Traditional
Traditional compost bins are stationary, sealed containers that work slowly to change waste into compost.
They typically come in square or rectangle sizes and are great for corners, tight spaces, or near your house.
#2. Tumbler
A tumbler compost bin is very similar to a traditional bin with just a few minor differences. A tumbler compost bins can be spun to make your composting process faster.
They typically come in a circular shape and have more than one chamber. This allows you to compost more and at a faster rate.
#3. Worm
Worm compost bins are stationary bins that use multi-levels and worms to breakdown organic waste into compost.
Some of the benefits of this composter are faster composting, less work for the gardeners, and sometimes better compost.
#4. Kitchen
Kitchen compost bins are sealed containers that come with a removable lid and a protective plastic bag.
This type of compost bin is smaller, is excellent for household scraps and grass clippings, and is a more convenient option for gardeners who don’t have a large background or time to compost.
#4 What should you factor into your compost bin purchase?
There are numerous factors to look into when purchasing the BEST compost bins if you want to have the most success composting.
Typically, you want your compost bin to be easy to use, have more than one chamber (when available), have great aeration, and be extremely durable.
In addition, you also want to pay special close attention to the below factors:
#1. Compost Bin Material
When purchasing the BEST compost bins you want to look for one that is dark-colored and made of recycled plastic. This material will help with absorbing heat and retaining moisture.
Wooden bins are another great material that does not retain heat as well as plastic but is a great way to allow your compost bin to deteriorate and become part of the compost.
And finally, metal bins is another material that can greatly retain heat, stay durable in all weather and does a good job of retaining moisture.
#2. Shape
The shape of a compost bin is another important factor when researching.
Round shape compost bins have the benefit of not having cold corners, which can speed up composting.
Square and rectangle compost bins fit in tight spaces which is great for all gardeners but does have cold corners, which can sometimes limit the speed of composting.
Although there are advantages and disadvantages of all compost bin shapes, you cannot go wrong with either square or round.
#3. Ventilation
Ventilation is another important factor to consider when purchasing a compost bin.
The compost bin you purchase should have many tiny slits and holes for proper aeration.
You will notice that most compost bins do have tiny slits and holes, but beware of closed bins that are advertised! These types of compost bins will not be effective in composting.
#4. Size
Size is another important factor to determine when purchasing a compost bin.
Do you want a small or large compost bin?
Small compost bins are easier to turn compost but dry out quicker. Also, small compost bins sometimes do not hold enough waste to most effectively compost.
Large compost bins are much harder to turn compost but dry out much slower. Large compost bins hold much more waste, which makes increases its speed.
#5 What is the Best Food Waste for a Compost Bin?
If you purchased one of the best compost bins you may be wondering what are the best foods to compost?
In general, you want to compost foods that are organic and will turn into compost that has macronutrients or micronutrients.
Macronutrients provide your garden with the basic elements needed to grow.
Micronutrients provide your garden with the vitamins and nutrients needed for bigger and better plants.
Some of the best foods to compost if you need to add macronutrients to your garden are:
- Banana Peels
- Coffee Grounds
- Egg Shells
- Broccoli
- Grass
- Brown Leaves
Some of the best foods to compost if you need to add micronutrients to your garden are:
- Apples
- Tomatoes
- Peanuts
- Potatoes
#6. What Foods Should I Not Compost?
There are certain foods that you should not compost. These foods will either attract pests or insects or can be unsafe for you and your plants.
Do NOT compost the following waste:
- Dog and cat food
- Tea and Coffee Bags
- Onions or citrus peels
- Fish and Meats
- Printed Paper or treated wood
- Diseased plants
- Fertilizer
- Dairy Products
#7. How Do You Use a Compost Bin?
If you purchased one of the best compost bins on the list and you have a better understanding of the best food waste to compost it is also important to know how to compost.
If you want to read full instructions on how to compost then read my article:
Yimby Tumbler Composter: 5 BEST Reasons to Buy!
In general, I have listed below some general best practices when learning how to compost:
- First, add green and brown waste to your compost bin. You want a 2:1 ratio of brown to green waste
- Turn or spin your compost 5 to 7 times, once a week. Continue this anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months. Tumblers will turn waste into compost faster than kitchen or traditional compost.
- If you have dual chambers add brown and green waste into your second chamber 1 month after your initial chamber.
- During the winter, you can also compost. All you need to do is add more green waste.
Or you can watch this video:
Conclusion
Although you may be tempted to create a compost pile on your own, I talked about how buying one of the best compost bins can save you time, money, and valuable energy.
In addition, I talked about important factors you should consider when purchasing a compost bin.
These include:
- Material
- Shape
- Ventilation
- Size
- Price
And finally, I reviewed some of the best foods and ways to compost.
If you enjoyed this article then I highly recommend purchasing one of the best kitchen, traditional, worm, or tumbling composter.
This purchase will not only make your gardening more enjoyable but is something you should only have to do once.
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