The 8 Best Composters for Your Kitchen and Backyard
Creating black gold right at home has never been easier.
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Why Trust Us?
If you want to reduce your household’s food waste, or are interested in providing your garden with a natural, effective fertilizer, consider a composter. Compost, or “black gold” as it's known to gardeners, is essentially just decomposed organic material—typically yard waste or food scraps—and with the help of a dedicated composter, can be created at home by practically anyone. Composters are easier to use than you probably think, and as long as you follow the instructions for your specific type, they do nearly all the work for you. Getting younger family members involved in composing is also a great way to teach them the benefits of recycling, as well as providing a hands-on science experiment at home.
The Best Composters
What to Consider
The first thing to think about when choosing a composter is the size that will be most effective for you and your waste output. Think about how much material you’ll be putting inside—will you be adding yard waste like grass clippings? How much food waste from your kitchen do you produce?—so you don’t end up with a composter that’s either too small to fit your needs, or one that’s too large and takes up valuable space in your backyard.
You should also think about the method of composting that will be most convenient for you. Standalone options require the least maintenance—you simply fill them up—while tumbling options need to be spun regularly to accelerate the decomposition process. Worm composters, also known as vermicomposters, use worms to process the waste inside. These require a bit more work, as you’ll need to rotate their layers to keep adding fresh waste, and you’ll probably need to purchase worms separately as well. (It’s important to remember that if you choose a countertop option for your kitchen, you’ll also need a separate, larger composter to dump that waste into.)
How We Selected
We used basic composting bins growing up, and this hands-on experience informed the list you'll find below, for which we paid close attention to both ease of use and durability. We also leaned on top compost tumbler and worm composter picks from Popular Mechanics, all of which are highly-regarded by experts and customers alike. We also did our best to feature a wide range of composter sizes and styles, so whether you’re looking for an extra-large backyard model, or compact countertop bucket, you should find something that suits your needs.
For more great gardening gear, check out our picks for the best gardening tools.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Dual chamber design
- Durable construction
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 28 x 30 x 36 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 37 gallons
- Weight: 28 pounds
- Style: Tumbling
This tumbling composter combines functionality with durability, thanks to its dual chamber design and corrosion-resistant steel frame. The large air vents and deep fins make this model ideal for those looking for maximum aeration, and with two separate chambers, you can keep cycling fresh compost in and out. The chamber doors can be removed altogether too, which makes it easy to add and remove compost whenever you’re ready.
We’re big fans of the integrated handholds that are used to turn this composter, as opposed to a separate handle that could potentially break or snap over time.
Pros
- Narrow design fits where bulky models can’t
- Locking door
- Relatively lightweight
Cons
- Capacity may be too limited for some users
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 24.2 x 21.5 x 4.5 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 18.5 gallons
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Style: Tumbling
This compact tumbler might not have a huge capacity for food waste, but its narrow, 17-inch width could be perfect for those who don’t have much space to spare. Mixing bars inside the barrel help to speed up the composting process, and the locking door should keep out any nosy critters, like rats or mice.
A latch keeps the barrel securely in place while you remove or add items, and easily disengages when you’re ready to tumble it. This model includes a free pair of gloves as well, which is always a nice perk.
Pros
- Extra large capacity
- Easy to set up
- Durable construction
Cons
- May be too bulky for smaller spaces
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 42 x 35.4 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 220 gallons
- Weight: 6.84 pounds
- Style: Standalone
With an impressive 220-gallon capacity, this Zodight model would be a great choice for anyone looking to create a large amount of compost. Or, if you don’t need that much, the unique design of this composter allows you to easily customize the size by simply doubling up the sides and securing it in place with buckle keys.
Numerous vent holes promote aeration too, and help speed up the decomposition process. Its tough plastic construction is designed to resist corrosion and breakdown from UV light, and a 12-month replacement warranty will have you covered if that’s not the case.
Pros
- Small footprint
- Easy to use
- Includes charcoal filter
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 12.95 x 6.4 x 8.35 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Capacity: 0.8 gallons
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
- Style: Standalone
With a 6.4-inch footprint and sleek ceramic body, this Chef’n composter is well-suited for countertop use. Despite taking up minimal space, this standalone model can fit nearly a gallon of food scraps, and the top-mounted lid handle makes it easy to quickly remove and replace the lid during use. Those who want to keep foul odors from creeping out will appreciate the integrated charcoal filter, and the interior bucket makes it easy to transport the contents whenever you’re ready. The inner bucket is dishwasher safe, as well.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Elevated barrel for easy unloading
- Large openings
Cons
- Very expensive
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 41.3 x 30 x 44.5 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 65 gallons
- Weight: 54 pounds
- Style: Tumbling
It may be significantly more expensive than the other tumblers on our list, but the large capacity and heavy-duty construction of this two-sided composter could make it worth the investment. The extra-wide openings make it easy to load or unload compost when you’re ready, and the elevated barrel provides plenty of clearance when dumping into a cart or bucket.
The large handle allows you to easily spin the barrel—even when full—and the 65-gallon capacity should be large enough for most users. Some assembly is required, so make sure to set aside a couple of hours to put everything together.
Worm Factory US Made Composting System
Pros
- Includes detailed instructions
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Worms not included
- Expensive
- May require more work than users would like
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 17.95 x 17.95 x 14.95 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: N/A
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Style: Standalone
Those looking for a more interactive composter may appreciate this Worm Factory model, which uses live worms to help transform food waste into valuable compost. The perforated bottom of each tray allows worms to migrate upwards, and you simply continue adding waste onto the top tray and moving the bottom tray to the top once it’s harvested.
If you’re intimidated by the logistics and maintenance of a worm composter, this model includes both a DVD and detailed instructions to guide you through the entire process. You’ll need to supply your own worms, though, so keep that in mind.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Lighweight
- Easy to clean
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 11.69 x 8.11 x 7.72 inches
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 1.3 gallons
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
- Style: Standalone
This budget-friendly countertop composter has an impressive 1.3-gallon capacity, while taking up just 7.16 inches of countertop space. Its stainless-steel construction should fit in well with your other appliances, and the airtight lid includes a charcoal filter to prevent any odors from escaping. This filter is replaceable, too, unlike some comparable models on the market.
The bucket itself is easy to clean, and, at less than 3 pounds, is easy to transport when it's time to empty its contents.
Pros
- Low-maintenance
- Easy to transport
- Durable construction
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Large size may be too bulky for some
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 24 x 26 x 37 inches
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 20 gallons
- Weight: 27 pounds
- Style: Standalone
If you’re interested in vermicomposting and have a lot of waste to be processed, this high-capacity option could be just what you’re looking for. With the necessary worms added, it's able to process an impressive 4.4 pounds of waste per day. Plus, unlike smaller-capacity models, it’s tall enough to allow users to open the lid and deposit material without bending over.
You can easily move it around whenever you like, thanks to the large handles and wheels. It may be expensive, but the efficiency and productivity could be worth the investment.
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
Readers Also Read
24 Trader Joe’s Products Nutritionists Avoid
23 Foods That Have More Potassium Than a Banana
26 Magnesium-Rich Foods to Add to Your Diet
The 20 Highest Protein Foods Vegetarian Runners Can Eat
