The 7 Best Compost Bins of 2025, Tested by BHG

Composting is basically a glow-up story for your leftovers: yesterday’s salad stems become tomorrow’s
“black gold.” The trick is picking a compost bin that fits your lifebecause the best compost bin of 2025
isn’t the fanciest, it’s the one you’ll actually use when you’re holding a dripping banana peel and your
patience is at 3%.

This guide summarizes Better Homes & Gardens’ (BHG) hands-on testing winners for 2025 and
adds practical “how to make it work in real life” advice (without turning your kitchen into a science fair).
You’ll find outdoor tumblers, large stationary bins, worm composters, an indoor electric option, and two
kitchen-friendly bins for scrap collection.

How BHG Tested Compost Bins (and how to use these results)

BHG’s 2025 list is based on hands-on testing across a wide mix of composting productseverything from
backyard composters to kitchen scrap bins to indoor “food recyclers.” Their testers assembled each product,
used it with real household waste (think: coffee grounds, fruit rinds, napkins, even pizza boxes), and scored
them on the stuff that matters day-to-day: design, capacity, odor control, quality, and value.
Several picks also include long-term performance notes after months of usebecause a compost bin that behaves
for one weekend can still turn into a diva by month three.

How to read these winners: treat each “best” label as a shortcut to your lifestyle.
If you want speed and low effort outdoors, a tumbler is your friend. If you want big volume and don’t mind
turning with a tool, stationary bins win. If you want composting indoors (and you don’t mind learning a little),
worms can be incredible. And if you mostly need a tidy place to park kitchen scraps, the kitchen and countertop
bins are there to keep peace with your nose.

Quick Comparison: The 7 Best Compost Bins of 2025

The 7 Best Compost Bins of 2025 (Full Reviews)

1) Best Tumbling Composter: Black+Decker Tumbling Composter (Dual-Chamber)

If you want composting to feel like “spin the drum, walk away,” this is the type of setup you want. BHG’s top
tumbler pick stands out because it’s sturdy, weather-tolerant, and genuinely easy to useespecially compared
with old-school piles that demand pitchfork workouts.

Why it’s great

• Dual chambers let you add fresh scraps on one side while the other side finishes.
• Simple turning (via crank/handle) helps aerate without digging and lifting.
• Good pest resistance thanks to secure, sliding doors.

Keep in mind

• Like many tumblers, it’s better for small to medium households. If you generate mountains
  of yard debris, you may fill it faster than it can finish.

Pro tip for better results

Chop or tear larger scraps (big kale stems, thick rinds, bulky cardboard) and keep a small stash of “browns”
nearbydry leaves, shredded paper, or torn brown bagsso you can layer them in as you add food scraps.
Your tumbler will stay fresher, less soggy, and way less dramatic.

2) Best Stationary Composter: Algreen Products Soil Saver Classic Compost Bin

Want big capacity without building a DIY bin? This stationary model is BHG’s favorite for a reason: it holds
a lot, assembles quickly, and is more enclosed than many open-to-the-elements optionsmeaning fewer pest and odor issues.

Why it’s great

• Large capacity that’s practical for ongoing kitchen and yard scraps.
• Lockable lid + mostly solid walls help discourage critters and contain odors.
• Vent design supports airflow without turning your compost into a smell-sharing program.

Keep in mind

• You’ll still need to turn the pile manually every few weeks with a shovel or tined tool.
• The bottom access door is convenientunless you open it too early. (Ask your future self how fun it is to
  scoop half-ready scraps off the ground.)

Pro tip for better results

Stationary bins love consistency. If you can, add scraps in smaller batches and “brown it down” each time
(a handful of dry leaves, shredded cardboard, or paper). That simple habit prevents the classic swampy compost
situation.

3) Best Composter for Worms: Worm Factory 360

Vermicomposting is composting’s overachiever cousin: worms turn kitchen scraps into rich, fine-textured compost
(often called castings). BHG’s pick here is a compact, stackable tower designed for indoor or sheltered useperfect
if you want real compost without needing a backyard.

Why it’s great

• Small footprint for enclosed porches, sunrooms, garages, or shaded patios.
• Fast breakdown of scraps when conditions are right.
• Odor control improves when you feed properly and keep balance.

Keep in mind

• Worm systems are higher maintenance: scraps should be cut smaller, and bins get rotated in a
  feeding cycle.
• Temperature matters. Too hot (like direct sun) is a problem; a warm, shaded spot is the sweet spot.

Pro tip for better results

Think “worm buffet, not worm boulder.” Smaller pieces, a little bedding (shredded paper/cardboard), and not
overfeeding will keep the bin balancedand your kitchen scraps won’t pile up faster than your worm crew can
handle.

4) Best Wood Composter: Greenes Fence Co. Cedar Wood Outdoor Stationary Composter

If you like the idea of a classic compost binbut want something that looks more intentional than a random heap
this cedar option is a strong pick. BHG highlighted its straightforward assembly and flexible design.

Why it’s great

• Modular slat construction lets you adjust spacing/width and even connect multiple bins.
• Big capacity that works well for yard-heavy composting (leaves, garden trimmings, etc.).
• Easy assembly (and faster with a mallet).

Keep in mind

• Slatted wood designs are breathable, but they’re not a sealed fortress. Expect more exposure
  to rain and bugs than enclosed plastic bins.
• You’ll be turning with a tool (no tumbler convenience).

Pro tip for better results

Put this bin in partial shade on level ground if you can. Too much hot sun dries piles out;
too much soggy shade can slow things down. Compost likes “Goldilocks conditions,” not extremes.

5) Best Indoor Composter: Airthereal Revive Electric Kitchen Composter

Let’s clear something up with love: many electric “composters” are technically food recyclers.
They dry and grind food scraps into a soil-like material quickly, but it’s not identical to slow-made, microbe-rich
compost. Still, if your biggest goal is reducing food waste volume indoors (and doing it fast), this category can
be a helpful middle ground.

Why it’s great

• Fast cycles (BHG noted about 2 to 7 hours).
• Compact enough for many countertops or cabinets.
• Activated carbon filters help reduce odors.
• Good value compared with pricier electric units (and no subscription fees noted in testing).

Keep in mind

• The output is best treated as a pre-compost or soil amendment that may still benefit from
  curing/finishing outdoors or mixing into a traditional compost system.
• It doesn’t “ping” you with smart alertsso you’ll need to remember cleaning and filter replacement.

Pro tip for better results

Keep a simple rhythm: scrape, run, empty, rinse. Regular cleaning between runs prevents lingering smells and
keeps the machine from turning into “that mysterious appliance in the corner.”

6) Best Compost Bin for Kitchens: Compost Genie Kitchen Compost Bin

This is not a composterit’s a scrap collection bin. But if you cook often and want a bigger
“staging area” than a small countertop caddy, BHG’s kitchen pick is designed to hold a surprising amount while
keeping odor under control.

Why it’s great

• Large capacity for a kitchen bin (great for frequent cooks).
• Carbon filter helps keep smells contained.
• Hands-free pedal is convenient when your hands are busy (or… questionable).

Keep in mind

• The pedal can feel a bit flimsy if you stomp it like you’re starting a lawnmower. Gentle steps win here.
• It’s a holder, not a transformer. You’ll still need an outdoor bin, a worm system, curbside pickup, or another
  composting solution to finish the job.

Pro tip for better results

To reduce fruit-fly attention, cover fresh scraps with a little torn paper towel, shredded paper, or a handful
of browns before closing the lid. It’s like putting a blanket over snacks so pests don’t get ideas.

7) Best Countertop Compost Bin: Epica Stainless Steel Compost Bin

If you want a countertop bin that doesn’t announce itself to the room, Epica’s stainless steel caddy is a
classic for a reason. BHG’s testing highlighted its airtight lid and carbon filter,
which helped keep onion and garlic scraps from turning your kitchen into a haunted soup.

Why it’s great

• Strong odor control with an airtight, carbon-filtered lid.
• Stainless steel durability that holds up to daily use and regular cleaning.
• Wide opening makes it easy to scrape scraps in without making a mess.

Keep in mind

• Carbon filters typically need replacement about every six months to stay effective.
• Like all countertop bins, it’s a “collection point,” not a compost-making system by itself.

Pro tip for better results

If you’re nervous about smell, start with the least offensive scraps (coffee grounds, veggie peels) while you build
confidence. Then graduate to onions. That’s the composting version of “leveling up.”

How to Choose the Right Compost Bin for Your Home

Step 1: Decide what you’re actually trying to do

• Make compost outdoors: Choose a tumbler or stationary bin.
• Compost indoors: Consider worms (real compost) or an electric recycler (fast volume reduction).
• Just collect scraps cleanly: Choose a kitchen bin or countertop caddy.

Step 2: Match the bin to your time and tolerance

• Low-effort turning: Tumblers (spin instead of shovel).
• High volume, lower cost: Stationary bins (but you’ll turn manually).
• Highest quality compost indoors: Worm bins (but they need care).

Step 3: Think about odors and pests (before they think about you)

Odor control isn’t just “nice.” It’s the difference between “I compost!” and “I composted once.”
If you’re composting indoors or collecting scraps in the kitchen, prioritize carbon filters,
airtight lids, and easy-to-clean designs.

Step 4: Be honest about your space

• Apartment: countertop bin + curbside pickup, worm bin, or compact electric recycler.
• Small yard: tumbler to keep things contained and quicker to finish.
• Big yard: larger stationary or wood bin for leaves and garden debris.

Composting Basics That Make Any Bin Work Better

Composting is simple, but it’s not magic. It’s microbes doing their jobso your job is to give them decent
working conditions. Here are the habits that make compost happen faster and smell better.

Balance “greens” and “browns” (the #1 secret to not having a stinky bin)

A reliable target is roughly three parts browns (dry leaves, shredded cardboard, paper)
to one part greens (food scraps, fresh grass clippings) by volume. Too many greens creates a wet,
smelly pile; too many browns slows decomposition.

Moisture: aim for “wrung-out sponge,” not “kitchen sink disaster”

Compost microbes need water, but they also need air. If your pile is dripping, add browns and turn it.
If it’s dusty and dry, sprinkle water and mix.

Air: compost doesn’t like being ignored for months

Tumblers make aeration easyjust turn regularly. Stationary bins need occasional turning with a shovel or fork.
More air generally means faster breakdown and fewer odor issues.

Skip the pest buffet

Avoid adding things that attract critters or create major odor problemsespecially in backyard bins:
meat, dairy, grease/oil, and pet waste. If you really want to compost those, look into specialty
methods like bokashi rather than tossing them into a standard bin.

Troubleshooting: Odor, Bugs, Slow Compost, and Other Drama

Problem: “My compost smells bad.”

• Likely cause: Too wet or too many greens.
• Fix: Add browns (dry leaves, shredded cardboard), then turn/aerate.
• Bonus fix: Keep scraps buried under browns instead of sitting exposed on top.

Problem: “Fruit flies moved in.”

• Likely cause: Exposed food scraps in a kitchen bin or countertop caddy.
• Fix: Empty more often, rinse the bin, use a fresh filter if applicable, and cover scraps
  with browns or paper before closing.

Problem: “Nothing is breaking down.”

• Likely cause: Too dry, too cold, or not enough nitrogen (greens).
• Fix: Add a bit of greens, lightly water if dry, and mix. Smaller scraps break down faster.

Problem: “My tumbler is full but not finished.”

That’s exactly why dual-chamber tumblers are so helpful: you can keep one side “in progress” while the other side
finishes. If you only have one chamber (or you filled both sides), pause adding new scraps and let it cure.
Compost is ready when it looks dark and crumbly and no longer resembles last week’s dinner.

Honorable Mentions (Also tested by BHG)

Didn’t see your dream bin in the top seven? BHG also tested additional options worth knowing about:

• Squeeze Master Large Compost Tumbler: a solid alternative tumbler with easy spinning and tight doors,
  plus an external thermometerthough narrow doors can make access harder.
• SCD Probiotics All Seasons Indoor Composter Starter Kit: a beginner-friendly kit that can produce
  rich compost quickly, though packaging/accessory details may vary by shopper preference.
• OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin: budget-friendly and easy to wash, but odor control may not be as strong
  as more filter-focused bins.

+ of Real-World Experiences: What It’s Like Living With These Compost Bins

Reading specs is helpful, but composting is a lived experiencelike adopting a very quiet pet that eats banana peels
and rewards you with better tomatoes. Here’s what “day-to-day compost life” tends to feel like with the different
winners on this list, based on common usage patterns and the kinds of performance notes that show up during long-term testing.

Week 1 feels suspiciously easy. You start with a countertop bin (like the Epica) or a larger kitchen bin
(like the Compost Genie) and suddenly you’re collecting scraps like you’re running a tiny farm-to-table restaurant.
The first win is psychological: instead of tossing food scraps in the trash, you’re putting them somewhere purposeful.
The second win is practical: a good filter lid makes you realize compost bins don’t have to smell like a medieval moat.
This is when people usually get over the “but won’t it stink?” fearespecially after onion and garlic behave themselves.

Weeks 2–4 are the “system” phase. You figure out your routine: scrape scraps, add a pinch of browns, close the lid,
empty once or twice a week. If you have an outdoor setup, you start walking scraps out and adding them to your tumbler or bin.
This is also when you learn the biggest composting truth: you don’t need perfectionyou need a repeatable habit.
People who succeed long term usually do one tiny thing consistently, like keeping a paper grocery bag of shredded cardboard nearby.
That little stash becomes your odor-control insurance policy.

Month 2 is where equipment choice really shows. Tumblers like the Black+Decker often feel satisfying because aeration is
so easy. You toss in scraps, add browns, spin the handle, and feel like you just advanced civilization by 0.3%.
Stationary bins (like the Algreen or Greenes Fence) feel calmer and biggerlike a compost “bank account”but they ask more of you:
turning with a tool and keeping an eye on moisture after rain.

Worm composting has a learning curve, but the payoff is real. With a system like the Worm Factory 360, the early experience is
mostly about getting conditions right: not too hot, not too dry, and not overfeeding. Once it clicks, a well-balanced worm bin is surprisingly tidy.
People often describe the best phase as “quietly efficient”scraps disappear faster than expected, and the compost is fine and plant-friendly.
The main emotional hurdle is remembering worms are living helpers, not a disposal unit. Treat them like a workforce with limits and they’ll reward you.

Electric indoor composters feel like instant gratificationplus homework. A device like the Airthereal Revive can be a game-changer for households
that generate daily scraps but don’t always want to run outside. You load the bucket, push a button, and get dry, reduced material the same day.
In real life, users tend to love the convenience but learn two important lessons: (1) cleaning between cycles keeps the unit pleasant, and (2) the output is best used thoughtfully.
Many people mix it into soil, add it to an outdoor bin to finish, or let it “cure” a bit before heavy garden useespecially if they want results that behave like traditional compost.

By month 3–6, composting becomes normal. That’s the real victory: it stops feeling like a project and starts feeling like a habit.
You learn to recognize what your compost needs by smell and textureearthy means you’re on track, sour means add browns and air.
You also learn what kind of composter you are: the “spin it daily” tumbler person, the “big pile, occasional turn” gardener, the “worms are my coworkers” indoor composter,
or the “I just need a clean scrap bin and curbside pickup” practical minimalist. Any of these identities is valid. The best compost bin is the one that fits your life,
not the one that wins a beauty pageant in your garage.

Conclusion

The 7 best compost bins of 2025 cover basically every lifestylefrom backyard gardeners chasing fast compost to apartment dwellers who want a tidy kitchen setup.
If you want the most “set it and spin it” outdoor option, the Black+Decker dual-chamber tumbler is a standout.
If you want big capacity outdoors, go stationary with the Algreen Soil Saver or the larger, flexible Greenes Fence cedar bin.
If you want premium compost indoors and don’t mind a learning curve, the Worm Factory 360 is a smart pick.
And if your goal is simply keeping scraps contained and odor-free before they go elsewhere, the Compost Genie and Epica bins make kitchen composting feel easy.

Start small, stay consistent, and remember: composting isn’t about being perfect. It’s about giving your food scraps a better retirement plan.