We examined the various kinds of compost bins, utilizing them within the backyard for a yr that can assist you discover the appropriate one to your backyard. Every bin has an in depth listing of execs and cons for readability and has been rated in accordance with design, ease of use, compost high quality and worth for cash. Each bin in our spherical up beneath has scored a minimal of 4 out of 5 stars, so you should purchase with confidence.
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In each evaluate, we award the excellent merchandise our coveted Greatest Purchase award. To see these and the others we advocate, browse our decide of the perfect compost bins beneath:
The perfect compost bins in 2024
Blackwall Inexperienced Compost Converter
RRP: £42.99
Our ranking: 4.25/5
Obtainable from Even Greener (£49.99)
Professionals
- Low worth
- Black bin completely recycled
- Non-obligatory base plate to web site on laborious floor
- Lengthy guarantee
Cons
- Skinny, non-ventilated building
- Slowest to compost
- Just one entry hatch
The Blackwall Compost Converter is a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Greatest Purchase for the perfect price range mannequin. Product of recycled plastic, it consists of a one-piece cone-shaped physique with a snug-fitting detachable lid and single hatch. It is very fast to arrange – simply stand it on the soil and also you’re good to go. It is an awesome choice for many who desire a easy and inexpensive compost bin. Nevertheless, due to its skinny sides, it was one of many slowest composters on check, so if you’d like outcomes shortly it’s your decision one of many different fashions featured right here.
Learn the total Blackwall Compost Converter evaluate.
Purchase Blackwall Compost Converter at Even Greener
Suttons Modular Wood Compost Bin
RRP: £199.99
Our ranking: 4.5/5
Obtainable from Suttons, Amazon (£179.99), and organiccatalogue.com (£199.99)
Professionals
- Easy, tool-free meeting
- Insulated cowl sits instantly in compost
- Planks slide out for straightforward filling/ entry
- Accessed in any aspect
- Extends with further three-sided modules
Cons
This conventional wood compost bin has an enormous 573 litre capability, incomes it a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Greatest Purchase award for the perfect giant compost bin. Constituted of sustainably sourced Scandinavian softwood, the planks simply slot into upright grooves on the nook posts and the bin may be accessed from each aspect. Due to its plastic cowl, it produces the best inside temperature of any of the wood bins on check, guaranteeing incredible compost. Nevertheless, it is best to observe that this cowl let in somewhat rain.
Learn the total Suttons Modular Wood Compost Bin evaluate.
Purchase the Suttons Modular Wood Compost Bin at Amazon and organiccatalogue.com
Inexperienced Johanna 330 Litre Scorching Composter
RRP: £144.99
Our ranking: 4.5/5
Professionals
- Compost meals and backyard waste
- Constituted of 100% recycled plastic
- No must pre-mix waste
- Good capability for worth
Cons
- Cannot harvest compost when the winter jacket is on
Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Greatest Purchase for essentially the most versatile compost bin, the Inexperienced Johanna 330-litre Scorching Composter has capability and works successfully for all sorts of meals and backyard waste. It doesn’t want pre-mixing and is constructed from 100 per cent-recycled plastic.
Learn the total Inexperienced Johanna 330 Litre Scorching Composter evaluate
Purchase Inexperienced Johanna 330 Litre Scorching Composter at Van Meuwen, Suttons, Amazon and Nice Inexperienced Techniques
Hotbin Mk. 2 Composter
RRP: £255
Our ranking: 4.25/5
Professionals
- Shortly composts meals and backyard waste
- Self-contained and comes half assembled
- Achieved highest temperature
Cons
- Waste wants pre-mixing
- Constituted of vigin supplies
- Cam straps make compost entry awkward
If you would like fast compost, look no additional – the Hotbin Mk. 2 Composter is a BBC Gardeners’ World Journal Greatest Purchase winner for being the quickest to compost. choice for small areas, it has a built-in carbon filter to soak up smells, a temperature gauge on the lid and a tank within the base to gather the liquid produced throughout composting. That mentioned, all waste wants mixing earlier than going into this composter, and it may be somewhat tough to entry the compost.
Learn the total Hotbin Mk. 2 Composter evaluate
Purchase Hotbin Mk. 2 Composter at Hotbin, Thompson & Morgan, Even Greener, and Dobies
The perfect of the remainder
Though some fashions did not fairly obtain a Greatest Purchase award, they nonetheless have numerous options that make them price recommending. Browse our decide of the perfect of the remainder on check.
Hozelock EasyMix 2-in-1 composter
RRP: £134.99
Our ranking: 4/5
Professionals
- Good and compact, constructed from 90% recycleable plastic
- Takes each meals and backyard waste
- Simple to fill and empty
- Tank to gather/dispense liquid
- Makes compost shortly if frequently turned
Cons
- A lot of meeting
- Heavy to show when fuller
- Wants common consideration for quick composting
- Family would wish multiple composter
- Excessive worth
This compost bin is a ‘tumbler’ kind, designed to allow the frequent turning and mixing of waste materials, and produces compost a lot sooner than a standard compost bin as a result of excessive degree of aeration. It’s sensible and effectively made, from 90% recycled plastic, and its vermin-proof design allows the composting of each meals and backyard waste. Due to its compact measurement of 60 x 50 x 65cm, it’s additionally straightforward to web site virtually anyplace. Each including and emptying waste is easy, because the hatch is giant and opens and locks easily with a chunky knob. There are additionally loads of grip factors to rotate the drum with relative ease, though as soon as the tumbler is round two-thirds full, this turns into fairly laborious to do as a result of weight.
Considered one of its finest options is that when the compost is prepared, you merely roll the drum off the bottom to a handy emptying place within the backyard. The nutrient-rich liquid that drains in the course of the composting course of can also be collected in a tank which clips onto a backyard hose, permitting this handy plant tonic to be simply disbursed when watering.
Nevertheless, whereas this bin is clearly solidly made and the product of a fastidiously thought-out design, there are drawbacks. The price is excessive compared to the quantity of waste it could possibly course of and the following quantity of compost produced. One other, is that it wants ‘tending’ to tumble the waste: not in itself an arduous process, however to provide compost quickly this does want common consideration, ideally day by day. The air vents do enable small flies to enter, and through heat climate, these fly out in clouds when the hatch is first opened, so opening it and standing again for a minute is advisable. Any backyard waste comparable to stems and woody materials aren’t appropriate to make use of on this compost bin, if the goal is to provide compost in a interval of weeks. Nevertheless, the chief downside is that this could’t be the one composting resolution as a result of the waste must be left for a interval of a month or so with out including recent materials. This due to this fact necessitate both having two of those composters, or another composting resolution. It comes with a three-year guarantee.
Purchase the Hozelock EasyMix 2-in-1 composter from Eager Gardener, B & Q, Wickes and Amazon
Lacewing Simple-Load Wood Compost Bin
RRP: £84.99
Our ranking: 4/5
Obtainable from Primrose
Professionals
- Good measurement capability for worth
- Detachable entrance makes it straightforward so as to add waste and harvest compost
- Lengthy guarantee
Cons
- Drill required for meeting
- No lid or cowl
- Waste composted slower at entrance and prime
The easy building of this wood compost bin permits for a whopping 718 litres of quantity. It is constructed from slats to permit air circulation across the compost and the entrance ones are detachable, making filling up the bin a lot simpler and permitting a number of room to get on the compost when it’s prepared. Nevertheless, we discovered that these large gaps meant that it composts comparatively slowly. Constituted of stress handled pine, the slats have a easy, planed end and are assured in opposition to rot for 15 years.
Purchase Lacewing Simple-Load Wood Compost Bin from Primrose
Harrod Horticultural Slot and Slide Wood Compost Bin
RRP: from £199
Our ranking: 4/5
Obtainable from Harrod Horticultural
Professionals
- Very sturdy building
- Planks slide out for straightforward filling/entry
- Accessed on any aspect
- Extends with further three-sided modules
Cons
- A lot of meeting and requires a powered screwdriver
- Screws for lid rails too quick
Producing a number of the finest and quickest compost on check, this composter is for severe gardeners. It is designed to be modular, so you may add a number of items for further capability, and could be very sturdy because it’s fabricated from sustainably sourced wooden with aluminium fittings. The planks slide out easily so it is easy so as to add waste and take away compost. Nevertheless, the lid is not included, and this composter wants a whole lot of meeting with energy instruments, so if DIY is not your bag you could need to look elsewhere.
Purchase the Harrod Horticultural Slot and Slide Wood Compost Bin from Harrod Horticultural
Garantia 400 Litre Thermo-King Composter
RRP: £94.99
Our ranking: 3.75/5
Professionals
- Insulated and vented sides
- Two-part hinged lid for straightforward filling
- Constituted of 100% recycled plastic
- Non-obligatory base plate so may be sited on a tough floor
Cons
- A number of lugs make meeting and hatch changing tough
- Connectors do not feel very sturdy
This plastic compost bin has an awesome 400-litre capability. On check, its foamed plastic partitions and punctiliously designed air flow system helped it deal with this quantity shortly, producing wonderful compost. It is constructed from 100% recycled supplies and features a large two-part hinged hatch for straightforward filling. Nevertheless, it is somewhat tough to assemble.
Purchase the 400 Litre Thermo-King Composter at Robert Dyas, Crocus and Backyard Tech
Thermo Compost Bin Komp 420
RRP: £208.88
Our ranking: 3.75/5
Obtainable from Amazon and Backyard Delights
Professionals
- Insulated and vented sides
- Hinged lid, straightforward to fill
- Compost accessed on any aspect
- 100% recycled plastic
Cons
- Meeting laborious to align single-handed
- Comparatively excessive worth
With a sturdy, sectional design and constructed from thick recycled plastic, this bin is simple to entry due to a large hinged lid. Insulated and vented sides assist it compost shortly and it is out there in a spread of sizes, from 250L to 700L (pictured). Nevertheless, we discovered that it is fiddly to assemble with out assist, and it comes at a comparatively excessive worth.
Purchase the Thermo Compost Bin Komp 420 on Amazon and Backyard Delights
Aerobin 200L Composter
RRP: £191.99
Our ranking: 3.75/5
Professionals
- Compost meals and backyard waste
- Produced compost in cheap time
- Completed compost straightforward to entry
Cons
- Waste wants pre-mixing for top temp
- Leachate tank laborious to entry
- Constituted of virgin supplies
Our tester preferred this this high-tech compost bin, which due to its inside ‘lung’ to flow into air and a inflexible recycled plastic outer shell produces compost shortly. It is simple to entry, however the bin wants a daily provide of ready-mixed waste to keep up temperature, in addition to a drainage hose, which is not provided. The leachate tank can also be tough to entry.
Purchase the Aerobin 200L Composter from Amazon and Water Butts Direct
Forest Backyard Beehive Composter 250L
RRP: £189.99
Our ranking: 3.5/5
Professionals
- Sturdy with efficient lid
- FSC wooden
- Lengthy anti-rot guarantee
- Appears to be like good
Cons
- Prolonged to construct
- Wants a prop to carry up lid
- Laborious to reap from hatch
- Sluggish to make compost
This engaging wood, beehive-style compost bin makes a classy characteristic within the backyard. Constituted of FSC stress handled softwood it arrives flat packed and took our tester a prolonged two hours to fit collectively and construct. It has a hinged lid and a hatch on the base for accessing the compost, and instruments together with a drill and screwdriver are wanted to connect each of those. The bin holds 250 litres of compost, though that is extra like 230 litres once you enable for a niche on the prime for air circulation, and it’s straightforward so as to add materials, so long as you’re robust sufficient to raise the lid with one hand. Our tester common their very own prop to carry the heavy lid up whereas they labored and it’s a disgrace that given the worth, one isn’t included with the bin because it makes a large distinction to ease of use. It’s additionally awkward to reap compost from the hatch as materials wants frequently turning and so you find yourself turning and utilizing the compost on the prime.
The standard of compost was as you’d count on with a chilly composting system of this measurement and it took 18 months earlier than we had crumbly combine. The bin is effectively aerated and the safe lid prevents compost getting soggy from the rain. The bin can also be open on the backside so it’s perfect for putting instantly on the soil however this does imply that rodents can burrow up into the compost. The bin feels very sturdy as soon as constructed and it comes with a 15-year anti-rot guarantee, which because the wooden is in direct contact with the damp floor is reassuring. The construct high quality and appears of this bin and are its finest options however it’s not for gardeners who lack power or don’t need to spend time placing it collectively.
What supplies are compost bins fabricated from?
Compost bins are available in quite a lot of sizes and styles, and are made utilizing completely different supplies:
- Plastic compost bins: Ideally suited for a small area, the plastic sides and lid retain moisture and warmth to encourage fast decomposition, in addition to blocking out mild to cease weeds from rising. This kind of bin ought to ideally be positioned on grass or earth.
- Wood compost bins: Usually 1x1m however the greatest wood bins can produce tons of of litres of compost. They’re usually modular, so you may match a number of collectively and cycle compost all year long to make sure a gradual provide. Normally open to the weather, you can even enhance their effectivity with a wood lid or plastic cowl.
- Scorching compost bins: Insulated with a close-fitting lid, these are designed to permit decomposition at a a lot larger temperature and due to this fact larger pace than different composters (30-90 days, in comparison with round six months). In addition they end in a finer compost. Roughly the scale of a wheelie bin, they should stand on a tough floor.
- Wormery bins: These work equally to compost bins, however are barely completely different. They’re designed for the small-scale composting of kitchen waste, and use tiger worms to interrupt down materials as an alternative of decay. These specialised worms combine and break down the compost shortly and produce a nutrient-rich liquid to be used as a fertiliser. Compost worms will also be added to bigger bins. Nevertheless, not all waste is appropriate for a wormery, so that you’ll nonetheless want a compost bin too.
For more information, take a look at our professional exams of the perfect wormeries or learn our information on methods to arrange a wormery.
You may also make your personal compost bin utilizing wood pallets or corrugated iron. Enclosing the edges will retain warmth, which hastens the rotting course of – the bigger the pile, the extra warmth. The perfect minimal measurement is 1m x 1m and, if attainable, make multiple, so it is simpler to show the compost. For extra assist, check out our recommendation on methods to construct a compost bin and our guides to the perfect multi-tools, finest cordless drills and finest hammers, do you have to try to construct your personal.
How to decide on the perfect compost bin
When selecting a compost bin, think about the scale of your plot, the design of your backyard and the quantity of compost you need to provide.
The place will it go? Location is more likely to affect your selection of bin. A web site in full or half shade is finest for profitable composting. Most bins must be positioned on soil to attain good drainage and enhance microbial motion, however the Aerobin and Hotbin should be on a degree laborious floor. If you would like a less expensive compost bin however solely have laborious surfaces, search for a mannequin with the choice of a base plate to create good drainage and aeration.
Which design is finest? In the event you solely need or have room for a single bin, select a design the place completed compost may be simply harvested from the underside so you may hold filling from the highest. This is applicable to all of the plastic composters in our trial.
How briskly is compost produced in comparison with the work concerned? Composting in conventional (non-insulated) bins takes 6-12 months on a ‘fill and neglect’ strategy. You may pace up the method by emptying out, turning and refilling to include air and up the temperature, however clearly this takes effort and time. Best is 2 bins so one rots whereas the opposite fills. A lid or cowl will assist retain warmth and moisture, and hold out extra rainfall, so cowl open bins with a chunk of plastic or outdated carpet. Materials and thickness additionally affect compost pace by retaining extra warmth. Wooden is an effective insulator whereas skinny plastic has the poorest qualities. Extremely insulated or ‘scorching’ composters are most costly however do have the potential to make compost in only a few weeks because the composting course of is quicker at larger temperatures. This kind of bin fits a ‘little and sometimes’ mode of filling: observe the Aerobin and Hotbin require a weekly provide of pre-mixed waste to work at their only.
What do you get for the cash? Contemplate the size of guarantee, significantly with wood bins and the eco-credentials of the bin, which may differ – some are constructed from FSC wooden or completely from 100% recycled plastic whereas others include none.
What to place in a compost bin
Most backyard materials is compost-able, together with grass clippings, annual weeds, leaves of perennial ones (not roots, they’ll continue to grow) and mushy prunings. This ‘inexperienced’ materials, because it’s usually referred to as, would grow to be airless and soggy by itself, so for efficient composting, combine with across the identical quantity by quantity of ‘browns’ like chopped-up woody stems, brown cardboard and non-shiny paper. Uncooked vegetable scraps, teabags, espresso grounds and reduce flowers can go in any kind of bin, however cooked meals, meat and fish should solely go in an enclosed vermin-proof design.
How we examined compost bins
The bins had been assembled and sited in accordance with directions, after which examined over a yr. They got the required kind of waste and related bins got the identical mixture of waste on the identical time. They had been assessed all year long utilizing the next standards with equal marks attributed to every:
- Design & setup. Checked out ease and readability of directions, siting restrictions, and the way effectively the design labored and further options.
- Ease of use. Assessed the simplicity of including waste after which eradicating compost from the bin.
- Compost high quality & pace. Focussed on the pace the waste rotted down (together with checking the temperature utilizing a compost thermometer) and the standard of the completed compost.
- Worth for cash & eco credentials. Thought-about the worth relative to the above, together with guarantee and RRP and in addition to eco credentials comparable to kind of fabric and, if plastic, whether or not virgin or recycled.
For extra info in our testing course of, check out how we evaluate.
This Evaluate roundup was final up to date in December 2024. We apologise if something has modified in worth or availability.