We tested five compost bins to find the best ones you can buy in 2021
Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky
- Compost bins help you manage your food waste and put it to good use.
- For inside your house, we like SCD Probiotics' All Season Indoor Composter.
- It holds five gallons, and the lid tightly closes to keep smells in and pests out.
Composting is a great way to reduce what ends up in your garbage bin and the landfill while also nourishing your garden.
Yet it can be a messy process. When done poorly, it can invite pests into your home and create an imbalanced heap of noxious liquids and gases that's tough to neutralize. Putting a compost bin in the kitchen is a great start, but it's important to have a system in place for disposing of the contents.
Even an old paint bucket with a lid will do the trick inside, but the real chore starts when you empty it. For urban settings, many community gardens will regularly collect compost, and some cities are employing citywide composting initiatives. The urban composter doesn't need much more than an indoor bin and a larger, sealed outdoor bucket.
In suburban and rural settings, a composting station is often a more realistic option. You'll still want a small kitchen bin (up to a couple of gallons) and a larger five- or 10-gallon bucket just outside, but a production station becomes necessary for processing and generating fertile soil. There are several ways of doing this, from a hole in the ground to a worm bin.
It also depends on what you're going to be composting. Some of us don't have the space reasonable for composting raw animal products, bones, and other things that get a little too gross for comfort. It can be done, though. "In my house, we compost anything that can be composted," said Rick Carr, farm director of the Rodale Institute.
We also spoke with Paul Voroney, a professor of environmental sciences at the University of Guelph, to learn the ins and outs of composting at home. You can read more about our methodology below.
We tested five bins in our home and measured their effectiveness based upon various criteria. We have recommendations depending upon how much compost you want to store within your kitchen and how involved you want to get within the process. Michelle Ullman contributed to an earlier version of this guide.
Here are the best composting bins of 2021
- Best compost bin overall: SCD Probiotics All Season Indoor Composter
- Best basic/budget compost bin: OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin
- Best compost bin with a charcoal filter: Bamboozle Portable Compost Bin
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We spoke with Rick Carr, Farm Director at Rodale Institute in Kutztown, PA, and Dr. Paul Voroney, Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph, in order to learn the finer points of composting.
When it came time to do our testing, we gathered five compost bins and filled each with a mixture of plant, meat, and fish scraps, separating layers with shredded paper and leaving them in the kitchen for a few days to see how bad the smell got. Within two days, all of the bins began to emit a rotten fish smell, and fruit flies were rampant throughout the kitchen. This was more or less expected.
We then kept meat and fish out of the equation and took note of which bins seemed to gather fruit flies. We were only able to isolate two that didn’t: the Oxo Good Grips Easy-Clean and the SCD Probiotics.
While bins with compost filters might have helped keep odors at bay, there was no shortage of fruit flies finding their way in and out. While we still recommend a charcoal-filter option, keep in mind that there’s a good chance you’ll still end up with fruit flies.
We found that the best way to eliminate fruit flies was through anaerobic composting with bokashi, which is the process of using anaerobic bacteria to jumpstart the composting process.
What we considered along the way:
Smell: We put everything that is compostable into each bin to see if any of the bins managed to conceal the most putrid smells, but as expected things got utterly foul by day two. When we conducted a second round of tests without any animal byproducts (save for eggshells), the smells were much less effusive, but the bins that did best were the ones without vents.
Size: For a compost bin to do its job within a kitchen, it has to fit on the counter or underneath the kitchen sink. For this reason, we didn’t test anything too small (less than one-half of a gallon) or too large (larger than five gallons). Whether you’re looking for something for your countertop or beneath your sink, all of our picks will fit the bill in that regard.
Cleanliness: Because no one wants to find themselves elbow-deep in rot, a compost bin needs to be easy to clean. All of the bins we tested were relatively easy to clean, but some were easier than others. Many come with removable liners, and while that makes cleaning a little more convenient, it didn’t end up being a dealbreaker. If you use compostable paper bags as liners, they’ll be nearly as effective.
The best compost bin overall
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Fit for composting just about anything, the SCD Probiotics fits under your sink and jumpstarts compost anaerobically, meaning you can seal it and it won’t smell.
Pros: Composts meat, fat, dairy byproducts, and oils; fairly odor-free; drain for “compost tea”
Cons: Bokashi replenishment isn’t free ($12/pound on Amazon), no easy-access lid, have to drain “tea” every two or three days
If you want a compost bin that you won’t have to take out and empty every day, won’t stink to high heaven, and will get compost tea going for your precious garden within a few days, we haven’t found a more practical solution than the SCD Probiotics Compost Bin. You’ll still need something called bokashi bran to help initiate the process.
The bin works on the principle of bokashi composting, which uses anaerobic bacteria to jumpstart the composting process without the use of oxygen (and the invitation to fruit flies), right under your kitchen sink. Bokashi bran is a mixture of molasses, bran (any organic grain, dried grass, leaves, or sawdust), and EM-1 (a microbial inoculant). You can culture the active bacteria, Lactobacillus, at home, but that’s too involved for most of us (this reporter included).
The beauty of this method is that you can put almost anything from your kitchen into the bin, save for larger bones, already moldy or rotten matter, liquids (including milk), and crustacean shells. The key is layering a healthy handful of bokashi bran on top and tamping it down. (There’s an included perforated lid for doing just this, so you don’t get too messy.)
You will have to empty the “compost tea,” or the liquid that filters down into the bottom of the bucket, every two or three days. There’s a spout to make the process a little easier. Diluted with water, the tea is great for pouring directly into your garden and potted plants.
The solid compost still needs some time to reduce into fertilizer. You’ll need to either dig a hole in the garden, cover the compost, and leave it for two to four weeks; place it into an outdoor bin that you regularly cycle and balance; or have it carted off.
We like this compost bin for its ease of use and its ability to accept things you wouldn’t otherwise put into your compost bin. Just don’t forget to keep emptying that tea every couple of days.
The best budget compost bin
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OXO’s Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin seals tightly and keeps smells in better than most we’ve tried, and the 1.75-gallon model is the perfect size for a medium household.
Pros: Seals smells impressively well, comes with a removable liner for easy cleaning, available in two sizes
Cons: No charcoal filter (though it’s debatable how well those work)
If you’re looking for something you can easily and conveniently place on your kitchen counter without mess or fuss, we like OXO’s Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin. It has a tight-sealing lid that keeps smells in and critters out as well as any bin we tested, save for SCD’s Probiotics bokashi system.
Whether you’re storing compost for the garden or city- or town-wide collection, this is the most practical choice. We considered charcoal-filtered models against it but found that those started to reek first, and the snug lid of the OXO does the best job of containing smells.
There’s not much you have to worry about with a basic compost bin like this. Just about any bucket with a sealing lid will do just as well, but if you want something somewhat nondescript on your countertop and something that’s particularly easy to clean, the OXO is a great choice.
As with any bin, you will want to avoid putting in rotten or moldy items, liquid, animal products, and bones. This will keep smells at a minimum, but it will also allow the stuff to turn into usable compost, rather than something bordering on putrid, acidic sludge. Keeping sawdust or lime (the mineral) on hand will also help stop it from stinking too much.
This bin comes in two sizes, 0.75-gallon and 1.75-gallons. For compost storage, you’ll probably still want to keep a larger bin (the experts we spoke with recommend five- or 10-gallon sealable buckets). We’d recommend a basic paint bucket, which you may already have on hand. Another thing that will help keep transportation tidy is a roll of compostable bags for containing the mess and keeping cleanup at a minimum.
The best discreet compost bin
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With its matte finish and natural bamboo handle, guests will be none the wiser that Bamboozle’s Compost Bin contains your food scraps.
Pros: Inconspicuous, stylish, lid comes with replaceable charcoal filter
Cons: Fruit flies can still get through, smells within two days if you don’t empty it
We can appreciate that some people might not want to have an obvious bucket of decomposing food sitting beside or beneath their kitchen sink, especially when guests come over. The Bamboozle Portable Compost Bin cleverly disguises its internal contents with a nice design.
While the SCD Probiotics’ bin is probably the most scent-concealing option and OXO’s is right behind it, they both are easily identifiable as compost bins. This one will start to smell sooner, but remember that you want to be emptying your aerobic compost bins daily anyways.
This is also the most durable compost bin we’ve tested. Plastic buckets are fine, but they do wear and degrade and may eventually crack. We can’t see that happening with this one and are confident in saying it will last the longest.
Bamboozle’s Compost Bin is made entirely from bamboo, so it’s also almost biodegradable itself, save for the paint and screws.
What else we tested
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Apart from various DIY bins, we also tried two other models, both of which we recommend.
Chef’n EcoCrock: The Chef’n bin was perfectly fine and fairly cute with a little plant leaf adorning the top, but the steel pail is a little on the thin side. While there is a plastic insert to help support it and keep things clean, we were able to dent it easily. Still, it works, and there’s a charcoal filter in the perforated lid. If you like the aesthetic, just keep in mind that it may not look great forever.
Simplehuman Compost Caddy: We love Simplehuman’s trash bins, which are often the preferred trash bins in busy commercial spaces, doctors’ offices, and hospitals for good reason. We feel the same way about the brand’s Compost Caddy, which clips onto the side of the brand’s freestanding bins. If you already own a Simplehuman free-standing trash bin and want a space-saving solution, this is the ticket.
What we look forward to testing
We’re going to be testing worm bins next, starting with Nature’s Footprint. There are a lot of other models out there, though, so we’ll be researching and speaking with experts over the next couple of months.
FAQs
Can I DIY my compost bin?
Paragraph: A DIY compost bin is extremely easy, and you can build any kind of bin you’d like. The main question is whether or not you want to put in the time and keep your kitchen looking sleek. There are plenty of ways to make one that involve everything from a simple plastic bucket to building in a drain for the bokashi method. (Planet Natural has a great guide to the latter.)
How do I keep pests away?
The best way to keep pests away from your compost bin (and your home) is to keep things immaculately clean. The best and most important thing is to take your compost out daily.
An anaerobic composting bin is completely self-contained, so as long as you keep it tightly sealed, you won’t have any problems with pests. If you’re using a bin with vents (for aerobic composting), consider keeping it in the freezer if you have room.
To keep his compost from getting too offensive, Rick Carr of the Rodale Institute uses what he calls lasagna layering. Each time he puts in a new layer of food, he also adds leaves, straw, sawdust, or wood chips. “Keep food from showing [on the top layer],” he said, and you’ll “avoid odors, flies, rodents, and other pests.”
How do I maintain my compost bin and make good compost?
Maintaining good compost is all about balancing wet and dry material with acidic and alkaline material. This becomes much more important in your outdoor compost heap, but if you’re keeping a bokashi bin, you’ll want to keep an eye on things
If your compost gets too wet, put some dried leaves or organic paper into the mix. If it dries out, some wetter stuff, or even liquid bokashi bran, will help. Likewise, if you find it starts smelling like a volatile organic compound, like vinegar, that means it’s getting too acidic, and you want to add something basic, like dried leaves, to neutralize it.
What can I put in my compost bin?
Unless you’re producing anaerobic compost using the bokashi method, you’ll want to keep things like animal byproducts, liquids (dairy especially), bones and shells, fats, and oils out. Almost everything else that comes from your kitchen is fair game. Just remember, balance (between wet and dry and acidic and basic) is key if you’re doing the composting yourself and not transporting the waste to a community garden or city composting site.
Glossary
Aerobic composting: Composting using oxygen to allow for decomposition.
Anaerobic composting: Composting without oxygen using bacteria that don’t require oxygen.
Biodegradability: The degree to which an organic compound can be broken down.
Bokashi: A Japanese method of composting using bran (anything from sawdust to dried leaves or wheat) soaked in molasses and microbes that encourage anaerobic bacteria. This process is anaerobic, so it can be performed in a sealed environment and does not effuse smell.
Compost tea: Leachate or liquid from compost that can be used as fertilizer (when diluted).
Contaminant: Anything that doesn’t belong in compost and will compromise it.
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