Which composters

For a few key pointers, read our guide to composting in a tiny garden. We also have a guide on the best types of compost to buy. First, though, read on for our guide to help you pick the right compost bin for your outdoor space.

Compost bins work by speeding up the decaying process that takes place naturally with dead, rotting organic materials. This would happen organically in an unenclosed space too — but a compost bin creates the perfect conditions for microorganisms to break down discarded material and turn it into nutrient-rich soil.

The compost will emerge over the months, or even up to a year, and you can then add it to your beds as a fertiliser. This process is aerobic, which is another way of saying that oxygen is vital in order for those microorganisms to work their magic.

A natural byproduct of the composting process is heat, and temperatures inside composts can reach as high as 75C. As our society grows increasingly environmentally aware, more and more people are turning to compost. Even some plastic manufacturers are marketing their products as biodegradable and compostable — claims that are currently being put to the test in The Big Compost Experiment.

Unsurprisingly, they come in a range of sizes and types. Wooden compost bins are generally made of slats, which allow air in through their sides — handy for assisting the composting process. Some come with rooves that keep the rain out. But the convenience of removable slats can make a huge difference. Plastic compost bins are suitable for smaller gardens and outdoor spaces. Cheaper plastic bins are unventilated, while higher-end choices have holes to allow air inside. You can turn any old sack or tarpaulin bag into a composter, but far wiser is investing in a special composting bag.

Worm composts, or wormeries, are one of the best compost bin options for people who have limited outdoor space but are keen to see something useful done with their kitchen scraps. The wiggly little inhabitants of these bins break down the material and produce a nutrient-rich liquid that works as a highly effective fertiliser. Developed in Japan, bokashi is a fermentation, rather than decomposition, process, and takes place far more rapidly — in as little as 10 days, you can have nutrient-rich material that can be added to your garden.

Bokashi bins typically come in twin backs, so you can add to one bin while the other is fermenting. The innovative Aerobin was invented in Australia to accelerate the composting process in a natural way. It has a special core, which circulates air to support the microorganisms feeding on the waste.

At Compost bins can be fairly unsightly — but this one hides its function by masquerading as a beehive. Some reviewers comment that it's difficult to assemble.

Best Indoor Compost Bin. Utopia Kitchen amazon. High-volume composters will require frequent emptying. Best Compost Bin for Beginners. OXO amazon. Lid can be loud when it drops closed. Most Popular Compost Bin on Amazon. Vivosun amazon. Difficult to assemble. Best Compost Bin for Kitchen Waste. Exaco amazon. A bit large for countertops. Best Compost Bin for Yard Waste. Geobin amazon. Expandable capacity up to gallons Designed for outdoor use Adjustable size.

Open pile is exposed to pests; not suitable for kitchen waste. Best Worm Compost Bin. Nature's Footprint. The Worm Factory amazon. Includes three 16" x 16" x 5" trays; more can be added for expansion Designed for indoor or outdoor use Fast and effective composting. Best Compost Bin for Apartments. Brabantia amazon. Wall mount instructions are unclear. Best Durable Compost Bin. Lifetime amazon. Heavy when full. Using a compost bin is the most effective way of managing the composting process, so check the results of our expert tests to see which one to buy.

Tom Morgan. Make more of your garden - get our free Gardening newsletter for top tips from our experts What are the benefits of using a compost bin? Show full table. Compost bins Best and worst compost bins How to make compost. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share by email. Latest News In Which? Growing green: tips for eco-friendly gardening.

Lidl has cheap leaf blowers on sale, but are they worth buying? 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. Since it has two chambers, you can add fresh food scraps and clippings to one while the other continues decomposing. With sizable openings and a removable door, it's easy to add and remove organic matter. Also, the octagonal design and ergonomic handles make it easy to rotate the bin.

And in the right conditions, you'll have your " black gold " in as little as two weeks. 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. 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 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. Need something even bigger? Check out the Exaco Aerobin. This heavy-duty outdoor composter holds up to 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: gallons Material: Thermoplastic Chambers: 1. However, if you're looking for something you can keep indoors, we recommend the Bamboozle 1.

Stationary Composter view at Wayfair. And if you need a larger container, go with the Exaco Aerobin gal. Composter view at The Home Depot. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Another thing to think about is odor control.