The 8 Best Composters of 2022 for Recycling at Home

The FCMP Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter is our top pick

Theresa Holland The Spruce By
Theresa Holland
Theresa Holland The Spruce
Theresa Holland
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, cleaning, and bedding. She shares her favorite life hacks on her blog The Taboo Textbook.
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Updated on 04/25/22
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Kathleen Miller
Kathleen Miller
Reviewed by Kathleen Miller
Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens, a working sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming.
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The 8 Best Composters of 2022

The Spruce / Chloe Jeong

If you want to keep your garden soil healthy or have committed to reducing food waste, composting at home is a helpful solution. 

We researched the top composters available today, evaluating factors like ease of setup, sturdiness, and value. Our favorite, the FCMP Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter, has a durable BPA-free recycled plastic tumbling drum and a rust-resistant steel frame. 

Here are the best composters.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
FCMP Outdoor Tumbling Composter at Amazon
Read Review
Runner-Up, Best Overall:
Miracle-Gro Single Chamber Composter at Amazon
Read Review
Best Budget:
Bamboozle Stationary Composter at Amazon
Read Review
Best for Kitchen:
SimpleHuman Compost Caddy at Bed Bath & Beyond
Read Review
Best Countertop:
OXO Easy-Clean Compost Bin at Amazon
Read Review
Best for Gardeners:
The Squirm Firm Worm Factory 360 at Amazon
Read Review
Best with Crank Handle:
RSI 2-Stage Composter at Amazon
Read Review
Best Large-Capacity:
Exaco Aerobin at Lowe's
Read Review
In This Article

Best Overall: FCMP Outdoor Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter

4.6
Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter

Courtesy of Amazon
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FCMP Outdoor Tumbling Composter Review
What We Like

  • User-friendly

  • Large capacity

  • Durable

  • Works quickly

What We Don't Like

  • Complex assembly

Who else recommends it? The Strategist, Good Housekeeping, and Bob Vila also picked the FCMP Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter.

What do buyers say? 1,100+ Home Depot reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. 

If you love the idea of composting without actually getting your hands dirty, the FCMP Outdoor Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter will be your new best friend. This standing composter is effective without being messy, and it has a simple tumbling system that only requires a few turns every other day, no digging or hand mixing required.  

There are also two chambers to keep decomposing material separate from fresh food scraps and lawn clippings. Fully contained, it's less likely to attract wildlife than a standard outdoor compost pile. With its recycled polypropylene body and galvanized steel frame, this composter is durable, corrosion-resistant, and stands up to UV light and harsh weather.

This model, which has a total capacity of 37 gallons, offers excellent aeration, which means you'll have finished compost ready to use in as little as two weeks. It's relatively affordable and easy to empty, making it our top pick, especially for beginner composters.

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

Yimby IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter

The Spruce / Abby Hocking

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Miracle-Gro Single Chamber Tumbling Composter 27.7 Gal

Single Chamber Composter

Courtesy of Wayfair
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What We Like

  • Medium size

  • User-friendly

  • Works quickly

What We Don't Like

  • Debris sometimes falls through vents

The Miracle-Gro Single Chamber Tumbler is another all-around excellent option. With a 27.7-gallon capacity, it's not too big but also not too small—a perfect choice for households interested in starting a composting routine and anyone with a modest-sized garden or lawn. (Miracle-Gro also has an 18.5-gallon option and a larger dual-chamber model for those who need a different size).

This single-chamber composter cures food scraps and yard waste in as little as four weeks, transforming your throwaways into that coveted "black gold." Plus, it only needs to be turned (or "tumbled") every day or two. (Just bear in mind that a little bit of debris might fall through the air holes when you turn it.) We also like that it comes with a hand trowel, a cultivator, and a garden fork for transferring the nutrient-rich matter when it's ready.

Dimensions: 29.1 x 23.6 x 19.2 inches | Capacity: 27.7 gallons | Material: Plastic/steel | Chambers: 1

Best Budget: Bamboozle 1.2-Gallon Stationary Composter

Bamboozle

 Courtesy of west elm
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What We Like

  • Budget-friendly

  • Attractive design

  • Biodegradable

  • Dishwasher-safe

What We Don't Like

  • Small capacity

This budget-friendly bucket is ideal for those just starting their composting journey, as well as anyone who needs a countertop option for indoor disposal. And, what it lacks in capacity, it makes up for in the design.

Made of wood and bamboo fibers, the Bamboozle Stationary Composter is durable, dishwasher-safe, and even biodegradable. We also like that it has a handle for easy carrying and air holes on top for odor control.

Dimensions: 8 x 6.25 x 9 inches | Capacity: 1.2 gallons | Material: Bamboo/wood | Chambers: 1

Best for Kitchen: SimpleHuman 4-Liter Compost Caddy

4-Liter Compost Caddy

Courtesy of Bed Bath & Beyond
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What We Like

  • Stainless steel construction

  • Attaches to trashcan

  • Removable inner basket

What We Don't Like

  • Small capacity

  • Custom-fit liners sold separately

If you're looking for something to keep in your kitchen, we highly recommend the SimpleHuman Compost Caddy. It's designed to attach to your trashcan, but you can also place it on your counter.

This compact canister is made of durable stainless steel and has a removable inner plastic basket. While it has a notably small capacity, it makes an excellent indoor companion to a larger composter.

Dimensions: 5.7 x 9.6 x 8.5 inches | Capacity: 1 gallon | Material: Stainless steel/plastic | Chambers: 1

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Best Countertop: OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin, 1.75 Gallons

4.6
OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin 1.75 Gal

Courtesy of Amazon
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What We Like

  • Designed for countertops

  • Dishwasher-safe

  • Odor-control lid

  • Multiple color options

What We Don't Like

  • No air vents

Taking up less than 0.6 square feet of space, OXO's Easy-Clean Compost Bin is the perfect size for your kitchen counter. It has a durable plastic exterior, a removable inner bucket, and an odor-control lid. You can use composting bags with it, but even if you choose not to, cleaning is a breeze with this dishwasher-safe container.

Dimensions: 8.3 x 10.1 x 12 inches | Capacity: 1.75 gallons | Material: Plastic | Chambers: 1

Best for Gardeners: The Squirm Firm Worm Factory 360 Worm Composting Bin

Worm Factory 360

Courtesy of Amazon
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What We Like

  • Vermicomposting system

  • Expandable design

  • "Worm tea" collector

What We Don't Like

  • Somewhat small capacity

Gardeners love the Worm Factory, a vermicomposting system that calls on live worms to help process food waste. It comes with four trays, but you can buy more and expand it up to eight trays high.

You'll also get a refrigerator magnet with an infographic outlining what worms can and can't eat, so you know what to toss in. Additionally, there's a collector tray on the bottom with a spigot for draining out the "worm tea," which you can use as liquid fertilizer.

Dimensions: 18.1 x 17.7 x 15.4 inches | Capacity: 2 gallons | Material: Recycled plastic | Chambers: 4

Best with Crank Handle: RSI 65 Gal. 2-Stage Composter Tumbler

2-Stage Composter Tumbler

Courtesy of Amazon
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What We Like

  • Geared handle

  • Two chambers

  • Large capacity

What We Don't Like

  • Complex assembly

Composters typically need to be turned every day or so to mix the material and help it decompose. With this in mind, the RSI 2-Stage Tumbler has a geared rotating handle that makes the process a whole lot easier.

Boasting a 65-gallon capacity and a large clearing area, this two-chamber contraption was designed for high-volume composting. The barrel is made of high-impact, all-weather plastic, and the zinc-coated metal frame will resist rust for years to come.

Dimensions: 41.3 x 30 x 44.5 inches | Capacity: 65 gallons | Material: High-impact plastic/zinc-coated metal | Chambers: 2

Best Large-Capacity: Exaco Aerobin 113 gal. Composter

Aerobin 113 gal. Composter

Courtesy of Bed Bath & Beyond
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What We Like

  • Large capacity

  • Weatherproof

  • Built-in insulation

  • Removable drain tray

What We Don't Like

  • Expensive

Need something even bigger? Check out the Exaco Aerobin. This heavy-duty outdoor composter holds up to 113 gallons of waste, and thanks to its insulated walls and lid, it can get the job done year-round.

Made of weatherproof thermoplastic, it's built to withstand heavy rain, snow, and hot sunlight. We also like that it has a self-draining floor with a removable tray so you can easily access the liquid fertilizer. While this composter only has one chamber, its design allows you to add scraps to the top and then access the decomposed matter from the lower side door.

Dimensions: 47 x 29 x 29 inches | Capacity: 113 gallons | Material: Thermoplastic | Chambers: 1

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Final Verdict

The best option overall is the FCMP's Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter. It's easy to use with a removable lid and two chambers so you add fresh scraps and clippings to one while the other continues decomposing. We also love the Miracle-Gro Single Chamber Tumbling Composter 27.7 Gal, a mid-sized, single-chamber tumbler that turns food waste and yard debris into fertilizer in four to six weeks (view at Amazon).

What to Look for When Buying a Composter

Type of Container

Are you looking to make your own compost from food scraps, or do you need a container to temporarily store food waste? The two products are completely different, so think about your needs.

Size

The size of your composter affects the amount of material you can store. If you have a small yard and a mulching lawnmower, you might not need a large composter. Another thing to consider is the size of your yard since you’ll need dedicated space to keep the composter.

Material

Plastic composters are affordable and tend to be weather resistant, but, over time, the material can become brittle from sun damage and could eventually crack. Metal composters are heavier but will last longer. For in-home, short-term storage of compostable materials, it’s more about aesthetics—though be aware that plastics can retain odors.

Composting Method

When buying a composter, the main thing to consider is the method of composting. There are stationary options, which essentially sit still while the organic matter decomposes. These come in the form of small kitchen-sized containers, which you transfer to a bigger compost bin, as well as large outdoor options.

Tumblers are meant to be rotated regularly to mix up the materials, allowing them to decompose faster. Then there are vermicomposters, which rely partially on live worms to process scraps (whereas conventional composters just wait for the matter to decompose on its own).

Odor Control

Another thing to think about is odor control. Indoor composters usually feature either air holes to allow for ventilation or air-tight lids to keep smells inside. With outdoor models, odors aren't as much of an issue, as the fresh air keeps smells at a minimum. However, they often still have vents to keep odors at a minimum.

Construction

With both indoor and outdoor models, you'll want to consider the construction. Look for durable designs that are either dishwasher-safe (indoor) or weather-resistant (outdoor). Most composters are made of heavy-duty plastic and/or stainless steel, both of which are notably resilient and long-lasting.

FAQ
  • How do you use a composter?

    Thanks to Mother Nature, there's really not a whole lot to composting. Whether you intervene or not, organic matter will decompose and eventually turn into a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Having said that, you can speed up the process by getting a tumbler (rotating composter), which mixes up the material, adds oxygen, and helps it all break down faster.

  • What can (and can't) you put in a composter?

    You can put all kinds of food scraps in a composter, such as apple cores, banana peels, vegetable skins, coffee grounds, eggshells, and bread. However, animal products like meat, dairy, and bones are generally not recommended for composting because they can harbor pathogens and attract pests.

    You can also add grass clippings, leaves, wood shavings, hay, animal manure, and other yard waste, as well as paper towels, cardboard, and shredded newspaper. Things you generally shouldn't put in a composter include oils, pet waste, diseased plants, charcoal, and ash.

  • How can you reduce the smell of your compost?

    The best way to reduce the smell of your compost is to use a bin that has adequate ventilation or a drip tray on the bottom, as too much moisture can be a culprit. Fluffing up the bin with lighter, dryer materials like leaves can also help keep odors under control. Additionally, avoid putting meat, dairy, and eggs in your composter.

  • How often should you clean your composter?

    Outdoor composters don't have to be cleaned very often—once or twice a year is plenty. More importantly, you need to regularly remove the decomposed matter. With an indoor compost bin, you'll want to wash it out regularly to keep odors under control and prevent bacteria growth. That said, you can get compostable liners, which are just like garbage bags, except they decompose with the rest of your scraps.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Theresa Holland has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019, where she covers gardening, outdoor living, home improvement, and commerce deals. As the daughter of an avid gardener who was way ahead of her time, she was introduced to the concept of composting at a young age. You can check out more stories by Theresa on Verywell Family, MyDomaine, and Byrdie.

Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. The Best Compost Tumblers on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers. The Strategist. https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-compost-tumblers.html

  2. 8 Best Compost Bins of 2022, According to Sustainability Experts. Good Housekeeping. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/g35902276/best-compost-bins/

  3. The Best Compost Bins in 2022. Bob Vila. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-compost-bin/

  4. Environmental Protection Agency. Composting At Home. 2021.