Buyer's Guide: Best Composters Reviewed

Author: Minnie

May. 13, 2024

Buyer's Guide: Best Composters Reviewed

There’s something oddly satisfying about making your own compost. Recycling your plant matter and food waste not only helps you eliminate unnecessary garbage but also enhances the quality of your soil. It can be costly to buy commercial compost, especially if you have a large area to cover. Therefore, recycling perishables that you already have is a better idea. Your soil will benefit much more than a landfill.

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By "feeding" your soil with compost, you can expect excellent results when growing vegetables, fruits, and flowers. However, turning waste into compost can be a time-consuming process, which is why you need a good compost bin for storing the "soil food."

Why Compost?

There are various reasons why you might want to start making your own compost. Sure, you can buy it, but why not gain the following advantages?

  • Creating compost reduces waste, which diminishes the carbon footprint.
  • Making your own compost is an easy process that anyone can do.
  • Composting provides rich fertilizers that improve your garden’s quality.
  • Feeding compost to your soil will enhance its quality for years to come.
  • You may want to reconsider throwing away leftover food, fruit peels, or other perishables.

Why Do You Need a Compost Bin?

Some people believe that since it's "trash," they can just throw compost in a pile at the back of their garden and let Mother Nature take its course. However, to create high-quality compost, you need a dark environment with the right balance of moisture and oxygen. Plus, you need to monitor the temperature carefully.

This is why you need a compost bin. Instead of letting compost form at the mercy of the environment, you can allow it to develop correctly without risks of being compromised. The composting process will happen naturally if you throw waste into the bin and let nature take its course. However, if you keep the environment slightly moist and turn it every few weeks, the compost will be ready to use much faster.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Compost Bin

Several factors should be considered when looking for a compost bin. Some of the most important include:

Size: Do you have limited space for storing a compost bin? If you have a broad strip of soil, look for something more spacious.

Waste Generation: Do you generate a lot of material for compost, or do you have smaller amounts of compostable trash regularly? The larger your waste generation, the larger your compost bin should be.

Compost Type: Do you want to compost waste in a traditional, enclosed space, or do you want to use live insects like worms in the process?

Based on your answers to these questions, you may need a specific type of compost bin. For instance, if you do not have much space to move around, a rolling compost bin may not be very beneficial.

Types of Compost Bins

If you think all compost bins are the same, think again. Depending on your space and composting process, several types of compost bins are available.

Standard (Non-Tumbling) Compost Bins

Standard compost bins are the most likely to be found in gardens. They are affordable, low-maintenance options for storing small or large amounts of compost. They generally require manual aeration and do not have any special features other than composters. Hence, they are cheaper and easier to use. However, they are more challenging to mix and aerate than composting bins like tumblers.

Made from recycled plastic, this has been rated by many as the best standard bin for home use. Since it's black, it can absorb heat more efficiently, enhancing the decomposition process and providing compost faster. You can adjust the airflow by controlling the vent size, and the peaked lid keeps insects away from the compost. It holds 11 cubic feet, offers easy installation, and grants quick access, making it ideal for those short on time.

Pros

  • Recycled black plastic accelerates composting
  • Well-designed and visually appealing
  • Easy to install and use
  • Accessible sliding door at the bottom

Cons

  • Fairly pricey
  • A bit small

If you're looking for a compost bin that can withstand anything, this is the toughest option you could choose. Made from recycled material, this bin features a sturdy construction and thickness that ensures durability through generations. The bin's construction serves as insulation, keeping heat in and speeding up decomposition. It includes a self-watering lid to keep critters out and openings for airflow to enhance composting speed.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Sturdy construction
  • Seals decomposing smells
  • Multi-door access at the bottom

Cons

  • High price
  • No bottom, unsuitable for indoor use

For those who prefer a wire-exposed compost bin instead of a sealed one, consider the Spring Gardener compost bin. It offers superior aeration and a large capacity. Installation is simple: unfold the panels, attach the waterproof cover, and you're ready. With a 15-cubic-foot capacity, this unit is versatile enough even for animal housing.

Pros

  • Versatile design
  • Waterproof cover prevents rain exposure
  • Large capacity

Cons

  • Visible compost
  • Limited insulation

If you need an extra-capacity compost bin, try the Deluxe Pyramid. It holds 12 cubic feet of compost, ideal for managing large amounts. Made from dark, eco-friendly plastic, it retains heat well and offers excellent aeration via the side vents. The two sliding doors make adding and removing compost easy, and its dark wood-like design is attractive for gardens.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Great ventilation
  • Large capacity
  • Attractive design

Cons

  • Some users find the lid difficult to close

Clean Air Gardening Big Round Compost Bin

For those tired of boxy designs, this round bin offers an intriguing look and a spacious capacity of 18 cubic feet. The base slits allow air to flow, aiding in waste decomposition. The smart door position grants easy access to the rich compost at the bottom. A manual is included for easy setup, taking only fifteen minutes to assemble.

Pros

  • Easy to assemble
  • Large capacity
  • Smart and beautiful design

Cons

  • Plastic is wobbly
  • No bottom, unsuitable for indoor use

If you have a lot of waste for composting, you'll appreciate a 216-gallon compost bin. Easy to assemble with snap closure keys, this lightweight bin can be moved around easily. Numerous holes on its surface offer excellent ventilation, making compost ready faster. You can take the darkest, richest compost directly from the bottom access trap.

Pros

  • Gigantic capacity
  • Lightweight and easy to set up
  • Equipped with a lid
  • Very sturdy when full
  • Bottom access

Cons

  • Not sturdy when empty

This compost bin is perfect for those needing something easy to operate and doesn't take up much space. With a capacity of 65 gallons (8.6 cubic feet), it holds a decent amount without being too big or too small. The lift-off lid allows easy waste addition, and strategically placed ventilation holes enable quick decomposition. Made from water-resistant plastic, it withstands harsh weather and has bottom door access for easy compost retrieval.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Lid may not be secure in windy conditions
  • Plastic may crack in temperatures below 15 degrees

Unlike plastic compost bins, this one uses white cedar wood treated to resist various weather conditions. Its sturdy structure and attractive wooden design make it a great addition to any garden. The side slats offer excellent aeration for proper decomposition. Holding around 22 cubic feet of compost, it's easy to load, and the wide top allows for easy compost turning. Although it lacks a lid, this should not be a problem if placed in a sheltered area, aiding aeration and quick decomposition.

Pros

  • Great for wood enthusiasts
  • Easy to use and effective
  • Well-aerated

Cons

  • No lid

Tumbling Compost Bins

Also known as a "turning" compost bin, this type is essentially a barrel with a crank for easy material turning. This process speeds up composting as you can turn everything every two to four weeks. Note that once you add waste to this bin, you cannot add more until the entire mix has composted. These bins are generally smaller and more expensive than standard bins, requiring a larger budget.

If you're looking for effectiveness on a budget, this unit provides great value. With a 60-gallon capacity, you can have a decent amount of compost. Made from superior quality materials, it withstands various weather conditions. Its steel legs keep the tumbler stable, even when not fully loaded. The 20 ventilation slots and ribbed interior ensure excellent aeration, producing dark, rich compost quickly.

Pros

  • Great value for the price
  • Large capacity
  • Simple design

Cons

  • Time-consuming to assemble

This tumbler composter is ideal for those on a budget. Despite being low-priced, it offers high-quality compost in as little as two years. It features two chambers, allowing separate composting of new and old waste. Superior aeration is ensured by strategically placed holes, and its 37-gallon capacity provides a decent amount with each round.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Durable construction
  • Excellent aeration
  • Two chambers

Cons

  • Difficult to assemble
  • Might leak compost

Mantis Compact Composter Bin

This tumbler's enclosed design prevents odors from leaking out, and drainage vents stop compost from escaping. The Mantis Compact Composter Bin features several air vents for aeration, yielding high-quality compost in about three weeks. Its attractive design makes it a decorative addition to your garden. With an 88-gallon capacity, it's also spacious, and the main trap screws make loading easy.

Pros

  • Well-aerated
  • Nice-looking
  • Large capacity

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  • May not be as durable

This easy-to-use compost tumbler is great for those short on time. Made entirely from recycled materials, it's eco-friendly and durable, being sturdy even when emptied. The 43-gallon capacity allows fast composting due to its compact form. A large door makes filling and emptying simple, and it is well-aerated, preventing pests from getting inside.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Sturdy
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Small capacity
  • Turner cannot be locked in place

With an 80-gallon capacity, this product is large for a tumbler. Made from high-density black polyethylene, it’s excellent at attracting and retaining heat for fast compost formation. An internal bar mixes the compost during rotation, ensuring stability. The galvanized steel legs are durable, making the tumbler stable and weather-resistant.

Pros

  • Large capacity
  • Made from heavy-duty materials
  • Easy to use
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Quite difficult to install

Dual Chamber Tumbling Compost Bins

These bins are similar to regular tumblers but offer an extra chamber, allowing you to add new waste without removing the previous batch. This eliminates the need to leave compost material next to the bin. They require more storage space and are more expensive but provide more compost overall.

Most tumblers are held by legs, which can be unstable over time. However, this model is placed on a plastic base that allows rotation, offering stability. Holding up to 5 gallons of compost with 3.5 cubic feet per chamber, it arrives fully assembled and is easy to use with low maintenance. Its compact form allows use indoors and outdoors, and side holes offer good ventilation for fast decomposition.

Pros

  • Compact size
  • No assembly required
  • Stable construction
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Small openings
  • Very small capacity

This dual-chamber composter is ideal for gardens with a lot of compost to handle. Two compartments allow separate composting of new and old organic waste. Perfect for limited garden space, it has a 40-gallon capacity, providing sufficient compost for small to medium soil strips. It's easy to use, with a rotating tumbler based on a central shaft. Made from eco-friendly plastic, it’s one of the best tumblers available.

Pros

  • Eco-friendly materials
  • Easy to use
  • Good value
  • Works as advertised

Cons

  • Smaller doors than expected
  • Difficult to turn when heavily loaded

Unlike other tumblers with simultaneously rotating chambers, this model’s compartments can be activated separately. This allows adding compost at different times without affecting the decomposition of previous batches. Each container holds 27 gallons, providing a decent amount of compost with excellent aeration for fast results. Made from heavy-duty recycled polypropylene, it’s perfect for year-round composting.

Pros

  • Heavy-duty materials
  • Easy to use
  • Separate chamber activation

Cons

  • Small per-chamber capacity

Hotfrog Dual Body Tumbling Composter

Considered by many as the best in its category, this spacious yet compact tumbler is easy to use and offers excellent aeration. Holding 37 gallons of compost, it’s larger than most similar models. Made from UV-resistant recycled polyethylene, it retains heat well for fast decomposition. Featuring multiple aeration holes and an attractive design, it complements any garden. The lack of instructions may be a downside, but it shouldn’t be an issue for those familiar with basic assembly.

Pros

  • Excellent aeration
  • Attractive design
  • Good price-quality ratio
  • Easy to assemble and use

Cons

  • Coating may start scraping off
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