The 16 Best Compost Bins for Indoor and Outdoor Use, According to Reviews

An affordable indoor option, this stainless steel kitchen compost bin controls odors and even looks nice on countertops. It holds about one gallon of organic food waste, which makes it an excellent choice for those wanting to donate scraps to a community compost pile or add material to a larger compost bin in their backyard. The small indoor bin includes an activated charcoal filter to prevent odors from seeping out. Each filter lasts about six months and should be cleaned with soap and water when scraps are emptied. 

This indoor compost bin has a 4.8-star rating from over 11,000 shoppers, with reviewers saying they have "zero complaints" and would "definitely buy it again." Many customers say how good it feels to recycle food waste, and one shopper claims, "we use this product and our recycling bins, and now my husband and I have barely half a bag of trash every week."

Buy It: Epica Stainless Steel Compost Bin ($22, Amazon)

Designed for outdoor use, this tumbling composter has two chambers that together hold up to 37 gallons of organic waste for a continuous rotation of compost. Its spinning design makes mixing a breeze. Every couple of days, simply shut the door and then turn the tumbler a handful of times to mix the materials inside. The manufacturer claims compost can be ready to use in about two weeks with the right weather conditions and care, and some customers say it can be finished even sooner. 

"The compost [is] almost completed in one week," one reviewer writes. "I live in Texas, and it was over 100 [degrees] this week. The smell is like earth or wet potting soil if you stick to the rules of composting." Thousands of five-star-awarding shoppers also note its durable construction, easy assembly, and simple operation. 

Buy It: FCMP IM400 Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter, $80 (originally $100), Amazon

Made with 100% recycled materials, this plastic compost bin has superior insulation to produce compost quickly. It has a locking lid to keep pests out and small slots to create airflow for faster material breakdown. When the compost is finished, you can easily remove it by opening the sliding doors at the bottom. Note: This outdoor compost bin is best for evenly surfaced gardens and backyards due to its open-bottom design. 

"I bought one of these [compost bins] and used it until it fell apart (20 plus years)," one shopper says. "[It's] sturdy, easy to put together, and provides convenient access to the finished product."

"We are experienced composters, and this seems the best of the ones we have bought in the past 15 years," another reviewer writes.  

Buy It: Algreen Classic Compost Bin, $82 (originally $100), Amazon

Small compost bins are a great option for beginner composters, those who have limited indoor space, and people with smaller-scale gardens. iTouchless is known for its wide selection of trash cans, but it also makes this small-but-mighty 1.6-gallon compost bin with all the bells and whistles. It's constructed of extra-strong titanium stainless steel and sealed with a protective coating, which doesn't leave fingerprints from messy hands. Thanks to its AbsorbX filter, you won't have to worry about attracting fruit flies. 

One customer says, "Very practical shape to set right behind the sink on the counter top," while another writes, "Simple, easy to clean, lid "seals" shut so no icky fruit flies.. definite winner!"

Buy It: iTouchless Compost Bin ($32, Amazon)

This sleek indoor compost machine can process many types of food waste, including bones and dairy products, which many other bins can't handle. The machine includes a compact food recycler and a small grinding bucket with a carbon filter lid. Even though it's on the pricier side, this kitchen compost bin is well worth the price thanks to how easy it is to use. Plus, it even will look great on your countertop or in your pantry.

How does it work? Fill the grinding bucket with kitchen scraps like fruit peels and coffee grounds, insert the bucket into the compact unit, and press the power button to begin the breakdown process. After about four to eight hours, the mixture is ready to add to a larger outdoor compost bin. Don't have access to an outdoor bin? It's still a great way to significantly reduce the amount of food waste you throw away. 

Buy It: Vitamix Foodcycler ($400, Amazon)

This single-chamber compost bin by Miracle-Gro is great for small balconies and patios thanks to its compact size: The bin stands just 29.5 inches tall and 17 inches wide. It supports 18.5 gallons of organic waste, turning it into rich fertilizer in just 4-6 weeks. Mixing bars and a rotating design allow you to stir the mixture with minimal effort. Bonus: The compost tumbler comes with latex-free gardening gloves to help you tackle a variety of outdoor projects. 

"I use it every day, and it's so much easier to turn the compost than shoveling it over in a pile," one reviewer says. "Mine is sitting in a spot where it gets sun most of the day as heat is required to break down the materials. It works just great, and stands up great to the sun. I love it and have recommended it to my gardening friends."

Buy It: Miracle-Gro Small Composter, $63 (originally $69, Amazon)

Designed to fit any lifestyle, this worm compost bin can be used indoors or outdoors for year-round functionality. Worm composting is actually one of the quickest and easiest ways to break down waste. Worms can convert kitchen scraps into ready-to-use compost in about two weeks, and keep the process going during winter if kept in a frost free location. The worms (sold separately) thrive in temperatures between 40 and 80˚F, so it's a good idea to bring the bin inside on extremely hot or cold days. Hesitant about having worms in your home? Don't worry, the Worm Factory 360 has a thermosiphon airflow system that makes it an odorless operation. 

"Not having raised worms before, this unit made it very easy," one shopper writes. "The setup was simple. I particularly like that it's elevated a bit and has an easy to reach spigot."

Buy It: Nature's Footprint Worm Factory 360 ($132, Amazon)

Made of metal with a powder coating, this 70-gallon tumbler compost bin is built to last. It has a sturdy galvanized steel frame that won't rust and latched doors to keep pests out. The large opening and internal mixing bar makes the bin easy to turn, load, and unload, despite its large size. Thanks to its forest green finish, the outdoor compost bin is not only functional, but also adds a stylish touch to your backyard landscape. 

"It makes composting so simple and it sanitizes the process making it possible for an urban or suburban person to do composting without having large smelly unsightly piles lying around in close proximity," one customer says. "Due to the highly insulated interior, temperatures get really high and the compost comes out more quickly and more completely finished. It also looks really good in the garden which was part of what we were going for."

Buy It: Jora Composter Tumbler, ($489, Amazon)