Having a small compost bin around makes it easy to cut down on food waste and harness nutrient-rich dirt for your garden. In small spaces, the best compost method for you may be a small compost bin for the kitchen. Or, if you’ve got the outdoor space for it, you may consider a small compost tumbler or worm farm.
They’re some of the best solutions to food waste, but how do you find a small compost bin for your needs? Whether you’re after the best small compost bin for kitchen use, or are looking for something that can keep the decomposition process outdoors, we’ll make it easy for you. Jump through each of the following sections, or explore them all to become a compost connoisseur!
- Our top 5 recommendations for small composting bins
- The top 6 small countertop compost bins for tight spaces
- 3 small compost tumblers for indoor or outdoor use
- 3 best small outdoor compost bins for gardens
- 4 tips for easy composting
In a hurry? The best small composting bins in each category are listed below.
If you’re ready to start composting but unsure about what to do with the finished compost or compost tea, be sure to check out our guide on using compost creatively and practically. If you choose to go the electric food composter route, we also have advice on how to make use of your nutrient-rich Lomi dirt
Our top 5 recommendations for small composting bins
With so many different compost bins to choose from, it can feel like you’re the one being tumbled. To support you in the decision-making process, here are our recommendations for a small composter for every space, requirement, and budget.
- Best small compost bin for the kitchen: Full Circle Fresh Air Compost Collector
- Best small garden composter: Subpod Mini Essentials Bundle
- Best electric composter for small kitchens: Lomi
- Best budget compost bin for apartments: SCD Probiotics Indoor Composter
- Best small compost tumbler: FCMP Outdoor Rolling Composter
The top 6 small countertop compost bins for tight spaces
Small compost bins are the perfect solution for tiny kitchens with minimal countertop real estate. So, how can you choose the best small compost bin for kitchen use? In addition to budget, capacity, and design factors, you may want to consider if you’ll be using it to simply collect scraps, or transform them into nutrient-rich dirt or great compost tea in your kitchen. We’ll help you out with our top six picks for small countertop compost bins.
1. Full Circle Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Collector
Offering a stink-free small countertop compost bin, Full Circle’s Kitchen Compost Collector uses a unique air flow pattern to keep odor and pests away. Making it easy to add food scraps, the lid opens with a push of a button and all parts can be put in the dishwasher for an easy clean.
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2. Lomi Kitchen Composter
As an electric appliance, the Lomi Kitchen Composter is an indoor compost bin that does all the work for you. With the push of a button, the smart composter transforms your food scraps into nutrient-rich dirt. Activated charcoal filters keep odors at bay and the innovative design keeps the Lomi running quietly. This home appliance is also unique in its ability to break down non-food items like Lomi approved bioplastics, packaging, and more!
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3. Utopia Kitchen Stainless Steel Compost Bin
The affordable Utopia Kitchen Stainless Steel Compost Bin has a charcoal filter to naturally trap odors. As a great alternative to plastic compost bins, the high-grade, rust-resistant stainless steel looks sleek atop any countertop and is easy to clean with warm, soapy water.
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4. Oxo Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin
The lid of the Oxo Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin can be opened with a single hand—making it perfect for busy home cooks with a lot of vegetable scraps. One of the best compost bins for small spaces, it can fight beneath cabinets or under the sink and the handle makes it easy to carry and empty the bin.
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5. Chef’n 401-420-120 EcoCrock Counter Compost Bin
Ideal for small kitchens, the Chef’n EcoCrock Counter Compost Bin is made with stylish ceramic with an inner plastic bin that's easy to clean—with or without the use of a bag. The vented lid’s carbon filter traps odors and prevents fruit flies, making this bin perfect for small spaces.
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6. SCD Probiotics All Seasons Indoor Composter
Unlike other composting systems, the All Seasons Indoor Composter Kit uses a closed-air, oxygen-free system. Thanks to the microorganism-saturated oat bran (Bokashi™), your kitchen waste can be transformed into a fermented material that can be buried in the garden to nourish your soil.
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3 small compost tumblers for indoor or outdoor spaces
Since most composting systems rely on aerobic conditions—where oxygen is present—the best small garden composter is one that uses tumbling. A small compost tumbler creates air pockets that support microorganisms in the decomposition process. Below are our three top picks for a small composter that tumbles food and garden scraps.
7. Envirocycle Mini Composter Compost Tea Maker
If you ever thought a small compost tumbler could be cute, the Envirocycle Mini Composter Compost Tea Maker is here to prove you right (it can come in black or hot pink, after all). Made of BPA-free materials that don’t require assembly, it’s ready to turn kitchen and garden waste into fertilizer—just a few weekly spins of the drum required.
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8. FCMP Outdoor 19 Gal. Half Size Rolling Composter
As one of the best small garden composters for those on a budget, the Half Size Rolling Composter from FCMP Outdoor is sturdy, reliable, and easy to use. After adding kitchen and yard waste, you’ll just have to give it a turn every couple days in order to receive finished compost in as little as 2 weeks.
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9. Jora JK125 Composter - 4.5 Cubic Feet
Looking for the best small outdoor compost bin for a small household? The JoraJK125 Composter is compact, works in cool climates, and features a ‘continuous-use’ dual chamber design so that you can add organic waste to one chamber as the other chamber turns scraps into mature compost.
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3 best small outdoor compost bins for gardens
Sometimes people prefer to keep odor outdoors and allow the sun’s heat to assist with the composting process. If you’re looking for a small composting bin for an equally small garden, we’ve come up with a few top suggestions below.
10. Subpod Mini Essentials Bundle
As one of the most unique small composting bins around, the Subpod Mini is an in-garden compost system and worm farm. Incorporated into a garden, the consistent temperature supports the decomposition process and keeps worms happy—you’ll just need to add scraps and spend 5 minutes aerating the bin weekly.
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11. Aerobin 200 Insulated Composter
Heavy-duty and insulated just like the larger 400 version, the Aerobin 200 Insulated Composter is an ideal small outdoor compost bin for smaller households. The internal aeration core keeps the food scraps warm and aerated to speed up the decomposition process and the base of the system features a compartment that captures compost tea, with another that contains the mature compost.
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12. Worm Factory 360 US Made Composting System
As one of the most ideal compost bins for small gardens, the vermiculture (worm composting) bin from Worm Factory fits well in a shady corner of your fence line or patio. The system is easy to set up and, with the help of red wiggler worms (sold separately), your food scraps, coffee grounds, and yard waste will be broken down quickly into compost tea and nutrient-rich soil.
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4 tips for easy composting
Looking for a worry-free way to compost? Aren’t we all?! Between odor and pests, many people are looking for a stress-free way to transform food and garden waste into something useful. To simplify the process, here are 4 things to consider when it comes to compost bins for small spaces (and effort requirements just as minimal):
- Heat helps: If using a small compost tumbler or small outdoor compost bin, consider placing it in a location in your garden that is dry and gets a lot of sunlight. Just be sure to check that it isn’t getting too dry, as this will slow the decomposition process. If it hasn’t rained in a while, you might need to add some water to create rich compost.
- But too much heat can be bad: Some compost bins for small gardens make use of worms to speed along the decomposition process. In this case, too much heat can be a bad thing. If you can’t tolerate the 95℉ summer heat, your worms will suffer, too.
- Know your composting materials: You’ll want to add a balanced ratio of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) material. Layering your nitrogen-rich food scraps or grass clippings with a healthy amount of carbon-rich shredded paper, cardboard, or dry leaves will prevent your compost from turning into a slimy, stinky pile of rotting food waste. With indoor compost bins especially, this can prevent odor and pests.
- Consider an indoor electric composter: If you’re new to composting and don’t want to deal with even the best small outdoor compost bin, an electric countertop composter might be best for you. It can provide a no-fuss way to transform waste into nutrient-rich dirt. Reviews from Lomi customers indicate that an instant kitchen composter is one of the best compost bins for small apartments as it doesn’t smell, attract pests, or require a lot of space.
Well, there you have it—everything you need to know about how to choose your own compost bin. Whether you’re looking for one for your kitchen countertop, a tumbler for indoor or outdoor use, or a compost bin for a small garden, we hope this article helps your composting journey. If you’re ready to create compost immediately, consider placing an order for a Lomi today.
Written by: Heather Seely