The 9 Best Composters, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Black+Decker Tumbling Composter

$150 $130 at Amazon $130 at Walmart View on Blackanddecker.com

After eight months of testing, the Black+Decker 40-Gallon Dual-Chamber Tumbling Composter is still our favorite outdoor composter. We've found that it's great for anyone who wants a durable, easy-to-use, medium-sized option for creating compost in their backyard. It has helped make composting part of our daily routine, and produced finished compost after about five months of use (this can vary due to weather and the size and type of materials you add).

We love that the composter has two chambers: one for curing the compost that's already begun to decompose and the other for adding fresh scraps. We found it very easy to use; we simply needed to slide open the door to the composting chamber to add our scraps.

We've also found it very easy to turn the composter, thanks to the large hand crank and gear system that helps reduce the effort. Black+Decker recommends cranking the composter five to 10 full rotations at least two or three times each week. The composter has air vents to help speed up decomposition, but it still effectively keeps out pests and rain.

During the testing period, we added fruit and vegetable scraps, fallen leaves, eggshells, and coffee grounds, with plenty of room in the composter to spare. Plus, we never detected unpleasant odors, nor did insects or rodents manage to access the contents. We also liked that we didn't have to bend down or lean over to access the composting chambers; the base of the chamber is 18.6 inches off the ground, and the full height of the composter is 40.3 inches.

Note that we did find assembling the composter to be a lengthy process involving two people. But we are happy to report that it has held up well to multiple wind, rain, and snow storms in our yard in Iowa, and even though it's placed under a walnut tree, it doesn't have any dents or scratches.

_{Dimensions: 38 x 29.4 x 32.5 inches | Capacity: 40 gallons | Material: Plastic/metal | Chambers: 2}

Best Value

FCMP Outdoor Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter

$100 $73 at Amazon $73 at Walmart $93 at Wayfair

The FCMP Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter is another great option for outdoor use. It's slightly smaller than our best overall, but it also costs less, so it's a great option if you want a reasonably priced, conveniently sized method of converting food waste into nutrient-rich compost. In fact, after the first three months of testing, we loved it so much that we bought a second unit to meet the needs of our busy household (we cook a lot).

It doesn't have a handle for turning the chamber, but we found it simple to rotate it like a barrel. There are two chambers for different stages of compost, each with a sliding door that we can open and close with just one hand. Multiple aeration holes speed up the decomposition process but don't allow pests or excessive moisture to enter.

The chamber is made of recycled BPA-free, UV-inhibited black plastic, which absorbs heat, promoting even faster material breakdown, and has a very stable steel frame. We did notice that the color faded a bit over three months, but we didn't detect any other damage.

Over the testing period, we added a variety of scraps, including fruit and veggie peelings, coffee grounds and paper filters, eggshells, cut-up compostable takeout boxes, and shredded brown packing paper. After three months of use, we found that the compost was about halfway ready to be used. And odors weren't really an issue—there was a slight odor of fermenting fruit near the composter, but nothing too objectionable.

Note that, like other tumbling composters, we found it a bit tough to put together, requiring two people. But we had no complaints with the composter once assembled, other than the color fading after a few months.

_{Dimensions: 28 x 30 x 36 inches | Capacity: 37 gallons | Material: Plastic/galvanized steel | Chambers: 2}

Best Wooden

Greenes Fence Co. Cedar Wood Outdoor Stationary Composter

$163 at Amazon $151 at Walmart $174 at Wayfair

If you are looking for a wooden bin to create a large amount of compost in your backyard, we love the Greenes Fence Co. Cedar Wood Composter. While testing, we loved its simple design—a large box made of cedar slats—and found it very versatile and durable. You can use it on its own or purchase additional kits to create up to a 3-bin system (like we did), allowing you to have three different levels of compost. Made of cedar, it does not absorb water, which helps prevent mold and fungus from growing inside this compost bin's beams.

We set the finished box in a mostly sunny area on a property in New York. With its open-top design, we had no problem filling the box with fallen leaves, food scraps, and other green waste. It's not as effortless to rotate the pile like a barrel or tumbler, but you can easily turn the soil with a pitchfork or shovel to help speed up the breakdown process since there is no lid to remove.

The manufacturer recommends turning the pile every couple of weeks to improve airflow and speed up decomposition. Depending on the weather, and what you add to the box, you can expect finished compost in anywhere from 3 months to a year. We were able to use some of the compost in our tomato planters after three months.

While concerned that there might be unpleasant odors from an open box such as this one, we found that the smell was earthy and pleasant; we added quite a bit of end-of-season basil and that gave the compost a very pleasing fragrance. But since it has no lid, there's no way of keeping pests or critters out of the heap, so this is something to keep in mind (we didn't have too many issues, but did notice some gnats and bite marks in food scraps).

We found it fairly simple to assemble—although time-consuming—and liked that doing so only required one person, unlike many of the other options we tested. You will need a rubber mallet handy, however. This large compost bin holds 173.9 gallons and measures 36 inches across each side, so you'll need to level out a patch of ground big enough to keep the box level. Also, we did find that the wood faded after a few months, but it otherwise held up well to the elements.

_{Dimensions: 36 x 36 x 31 inches︱Capacity: 173.9 gallons︱Material: Cedar wood︱Chambers: 1}

Best for Kitchens

Bamboozle Compost Bin

$40 at Amazon $50 at Wayfair $35 at Food52

Need a stylish place to collect your kitchen table scraps? We love the Bamboozle Compost Bin. While testing, it was the perfect addition to our kitchen countertop (we tested the saffron color). With a small, 1.2-gallon capacity, it doesn't take up a lot of space and is light and easy to empty every few days (depending on how often you cook) into a larger outdoor compost bin or your city's designated green waste barrel. It's made of biodegradable bamboo fiber and has a wooden handle for easy lifting.

During our testing period, we added a wide variety of fruit and vegetable scraps, and other than when we added onions, we noticed very little objectionable odor, thanks to the charcoal filter in the container's lid. The container comes with two filters, which the manufacturer recommends replacing every two months with new filters. We replaced the filter after several months, which was a simple process, even though we didn't detect any odors.

We liked how easy it was to scrape or dump our food scraps into the bucket and found it very easy to clean. We just occasionally noticed greasy smudges on the lid that needed to be scrubbed off. While the manufacturer claims you can put this in the dishwasher, we washed it by hand out of concern for the wooden handle. We were concerned about problems with fruit flies or ants but didn't have any issues with either pest during over eight months of testing and counting.

Keep in mind that this is a great way to collect kitchen scraps for your outdoor composter. If you want a way to create compost indoors quickly, our best indoor composter would be a better option.

_{Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 9.5 inches︱Capacity: 1.2 gallons︱Material: Bamboo, wood︱Chambers: 1}

Best Large Capacity

Geobin Compost Bin

$36 at Amazon $39 at Home Depot

If you're looking for a very large yet simple compost bin about the size of an outdoor trash can, the Geobin Compost Bin is a great option. In fact, after three months of testing, it was only about a third full, and that's after adding a lot of eggshells and paper cartons, coffee grounds, fruit rinds, vegetable scraps, yard waste, and a few buckets of sawdust. Best of all, after eight months of testing, it was filled with half to a third of usable compost for our garden.

We tested it on a property in Alabama, where it was assembled and positioned in a mostly shady spot. We found it easy to assemble; basically, this is a very large barrel made of high-density plastic mesh that you can clip together to size it as you need it, up to a maximum of 246 gallons (the largest on our list) and almost a 4-foot diameter.

While we found it sturdy, be aware that if you live in an area with high winds, you'll want to stake the bin down to prevent it from blowing over.

Although we were concerned about odor from this open composter, that wasn't much of an issue. We did notice fruit flies flying out whenever we added more scraps or turned the decomposing materials, but we didn't have pest issues beyond that. However, it could attract insect or animal pests in some areas.

Just keep in mind that it doesn't have separate chambers for different stages of compost or a turning mechanism. We did find it easy to turn the pile of scraps with a shovel or pitchfork, but we didn't love the dust and debris that leaked out of the ventilation holes as we tossed the compost. We recommend placing it in a discreet location in your yard.

_{Dimensions: 48 x 48 x 36 inches︱Capacity: 246 gallons︱Material: Recycled plastic︱Chambers: 1}

Best Indoor Composter

Reencle Home Composter

$499 at Amazon View on Reencle.co

We recently tested four popular indoor composters in our lab, and the Reecle Home Composter stood out for the large amounts of high-quality compost it quickly created. We think this unit is best for larger households that might not have the space (or desire) for an outdoor tumbler or bin but still want a way to reuse compost-friendly kitchen scraps for their indoor and outdoor plants or community garden.

While this unit is a little more complicated than a traditional kitchen compost bin (like our best for kitchens pick) or an outdoor tumbler (like our best overall pick), where you add contents and stir, we found it easy to set up and operate (no manual stirring or cranking required). And the quicker results were worth the effort—those other options can take three months or more, and this one can take as little as a month.

The unit comes with a starter compost mix, which you need to add to the tank with 7 cups of water and let the composter run for 24 to 36 hours. During our testing, we were able to produce over a liter of moist, earthy results after about 24 hours of use.

But keep in mind that the process the manufacturer recommends takes longer, about a month, and involves a few steps. Once the bin is full (but no sooner than two weeks of use), they say to go two days without adding scraps, and then you can scoop out all but a third of the compost (to save the remainder for the next batch). Then, mix it with soil (1 part compost to 4 parts soil) and let it sit in a well-sealed bag for two weeks before using it for optimal results.

Although you only need to use the power button to operate, the unit also has other features if needed: It has a "dry" setting if you notice the contents are too wet and a "purify" button if it starts to smell. We also love that it has a motion sensor at the bottom, allowing you to open the unit by putting your foot near it.

The unit has a lock if you want to keep the contents safe from curious kids or pets or find the motion sensor too sensitive. We wish you could see the amount of compost in the unit, but it is easy to open and check manually.

Maintenance is relatively simple since the manufacturer recommends always keeping a third of the compost in the bin (instead of cleaning it out every time). You will need to replace the filter after a year. It is the most expensive composter on our list, but we think it's worth the splurge for anyone who wants high-quality compost they can make indoors.

_{Dimensions: 12 x 13 x 18.4 inches | Capacity: 2.2 pounds maximum per day | Material: Polypropylene (plastic) | Chambers: 1}

Best for Worms

Worm Factory 360 Composter

$135 at Amazon $135 at Walmart

If you want a quick, compact, and unique method for creating compost, we love the Worm Factory 360. Since it's a vermicomposter, a compost bin that uses worms to compost scraps, it requires little indoor space and works fast. While testing this composter on our screened porch in Alabama, the scraps we added showed signs of breaking down after just a few days, and after our first month of testing, we were able to use finished compost for our potted plants and backyard garden.

We found it a lot of fun watching the worms go to work, and if you have kids, the vermicomposter could even be an educational experience. The vermicomposter kit comes with the starter bedding needed to keep the worms happy and healthy, but you can use shredded cardboard, newspaper, or coconut coir for additional bedding as needed.

This kit has four stackable trays. You start with just one bottom tray filled with bedding, worms, and food scraps and repeat the process. When they run out of food scraps on one tray, the worms will migrate on their own through the openings on the bottom of the tray to reach the new scraps. We did find that the trays fill up quickly with scraps, and we had to have an older compost bin handy for overflow.

Along with the trays and bedding, the kit includes mineral rock dust, a hand rake and scraper, a worm ladder, the bin base with a spigot, and a comprehensive instruction manual. Note that it does not include the worms, but they are easily sourced from most pet stores, or you can even purchase them online.

We love that it doesn't emit a noticeable odor, which also makes it a great indoor option. However, we will note that during eight months of testing, we had to replace the worms several times, which is not ideal. We recommend keeping them in an area that gets a moderate, consistent temperature.

_{Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 24 inches︱Capacity: 3 cubic feet︱Material: Plastic︱Chambers: 4}

Best for Cold Climates

Exaco Aerobin

$415 at Amazon $420 at Walmart $404 at Wayfair

Whether you experience extreme cold or heat, the Exaco Aerobin is a great option, designed to withstand heavy rain and snow, as well as hot sunlight. While testing on a property in Iowa, we especially loved the large size, low maintenance, and durability. Over eight months of testing, temperatures ranged from warm to cold, with periods of high winds and a few storms, none of which affected the composter. Larger branches also fell on it while we were trimming our tree, and they didn't leave a scratch.

We loved how easy it was to add our food scraps and other materials. There's no need to even rotate the pile: You simply drop in the food waste and forget about it until it's time to remove the finished compost. The insulated walls and lid keep the waste sheltered and don't affect the decomposition process inside the bin. Plus, an aeration core ensures a quick breakdown process without the need to turn or rake the decomposing compost.

We did notice some odor initially, but it faded away as we added more paper scraps and other dry materials. The compost began breaking down quickly, and we liked that there was a drainage spigot on the lower side of the composter for collecting compost "tea" for watering our indoor plants. We've been able to use the compost for a new garden bed, placing it under the opsoil to help the seeds we planted thrive.

While we've used a dual-chamber, tumbling composter in the past, we love the size of this single-chamber unit, which holds 113 gallons. It doesn't allow you to have piles in different stages, but it's a great option if you have a lot of compost and live in an area that experiences extreme temperatures.

_{Dimensions: 47 x 29 x 29 inches | Capacity: 113 gallons | Material: Plastic | Chambers: 1}

Best Bokashi Kit

SCD Probiotics All Seasons Indoor Composter

$71 at Amazon View on Scdprobiotics.com

Bokashi—Japanese for "fermented organic matter"—refers to adding an inoculant to food scraps to accelerate composting. With this kit from SCD Probiotics, you empty your table scraps into the 5-gallon bin, sprinkle some of the included Bokashi starter material on top, and close the lid tight. During eight months of testing, we found this indoor composting method and kit very easy to use: It creates very little to no odors, helps fertilize plants quickly, and is low maintenance.

We tested this bin on a kitchen counter, and over the testing period, we tossed in fruit and vegetable peels, spoiled fruit, fruit cores, and stems. We filled the bucket to capacity about every four weeks, but this can vary based on your household.

Our favorite feature of this composter is the perforated bottom that allows the "compost tea" (the liquid that results from the composting process) to fall into a tray and then be emptied through the built-in spigot. We noticed compost tea collecting after just two to three days, and we would drain it every week, dilute it with water, and put it into our vegetable garden.

We also loved the overall ease of this system—it requires no maintenance beyond adding food waste topped with a sprinkling of the Bokashi starter. The kit comes with a 2-pound bag of Bokashi starter, but you can purchase more from the manufacturer as needed.

We noticed a faint odor when we opened the lid, but it was not unpleasant, and we had no issues with fruit flies or other pests. When the bucket is full, you can add it to your outdoor composter for further decomposition, mix it with potted soil in a container garden, or added to the soil in your outdoor planting beds. Aside from using the tea on our plants, we've used multiple rounds of the compost, including in our outdoor potted plants.

_{Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 18 inches | Capacity: 5 gallons | Material: Recycled plastic | Chambers: 1}