23 Best Compost Bins For A Small Yard [Eco-Friendly]
Springtime in the great outdoors is when everything starts becoming active again. From the birds, the insects, the trees regrowing their leaves, and the temperatures rising to a more comfortable level, it is the perfect opportunity to spend some alone time in the yard.
It is also time to start storing compost for later use in your yard and I have written this best compost bin for a small yard article to help you choose the best option.
Compost helps the soil maintain a neutral pH, protects plants from diseases, helps the soil retain nutrients, air, and water, and has many other beneficial uses. Before you leave a pile of compost somewhere, it is best to store it somewhere first, such as a composting bin.
There are four types of composting bins that I will be covering, they are…
- Standard compost bins
- Rotating compost bins
- Compost bins for worms
- Compost waste collectors for kitchens.
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Standard Compost Bins
Standard compost bins sit directly on the ground and are open on the bottom while the sides and top are enclosed.
It takes a few months to produce compost, but the smaller size of standard compost bins are excellent for residential areas where space is more limited.
Standard compost bins tend to be cheaper than other compost bins, which make them a good choice for those who are just getting into composting their gardens and lawns. Be sure to aerate every once in a while so that your compost pile is getting enough air to continue the composting process.
Check out my article on using compost versus topsoil.
GEOBIN Compost Bin
The GEOBIN is expandable up to four feet in length and can hold up to 216 gallons, making it the better choice for those who need a large capacity compost bin.
This compost bin is made with 50% recycled plastic and is ideal for everyone, no matter what their gardening skill level. Not only is the GEOBIN easy to move and offers excellent ventilation, but it is also easy to assemble, take apart, move and reassemble as needed.
Just lock it up with the closure keys and you are good to go.
The easiest way to reduce the amount of trash from the kitchen by adding kitchen scraps as well as yard waste such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and more. Once the compost is ready, simply spread it around trees, flowers and other plants to add rich nutrients to make happy plants.
Pros:
- Easy to move as it only weighs 7 pounds
- Easy to assemble and easy to lock in place with the closure keys
- High-capacity compost bin
- Easy to use regardless of gardening skill
Cons
- Shorter people might have a more difficult time removing compost when the bin is at full height
Redmon 8000 Compost Bin 
The Redmon 8000 compost bin makes it easy to add composting material at the top and remove it through the access doors at the bottom on the sides. There are four access doors for retrieving and spreading compost to where you need it most.
Not only is the compost bin easy to assemble, no tools required and it comes with instructions, but it has an easy snap-on lid once you’re done.
It has been manufactured for weather durability and made from UV-stabilized material. This means there is a stabilizer in the resin of the material that protects from long-term degradation due to UV light.
There are holes that allow for proper compost aeration and the compost bin itself is made from 80% recycled plastics. It could have been part of someone’s plastic Christmas tree the year before or a Lego piece.
Pros:
- Made from 80% recycled materials
- Lightweight at 15 pounds
- Has an open bottom, making it easy for worms to enter
- Easy to assemble, no tools required
- Comes with instructions
- Easy to retrieve compost as needed
Cons:
- Does not come with an aerator
- Sensitive to colder temperatures
Garden Compost Bin Recycled Plastic, 110 Gallon By DF Omer
This garden compost bin make is a breeze for anyone to transform their yard into a gardener’s paradise.
Plus, it is easy to bee greener with this bin as it is made from premium BPA-free recycled plastic. Not only does it ensure there are no toxins in the compost, but the black plastic means that the compost will be nice and toasty and will be moist for a shorter composting time.
It is easy to place food scraps into the composter bin. Not only is are the food scraps being put to good use, but they reduce the amount of waste you produce.
Not only can you add compost to flowers and plants, but you can former apple scraps to your apple tree, former orange peels to your orange tree, and so on. These composting bins are easy to assemble and use, and there is even a secure lid to keep scavengers away from the food scraps.
Pros:
- 2-year warranty
- No digging or shoveling needed
- Easy to assemble and there are no tools required
- Composting reduces greenhouse gas emissions by giving back to nature
Cons:
- No assembly instructions
Garden Wire Compost Bin by MTB
It’s astounding how time is fleeting, but you’ll be able to put this compost bin by MTB together in almost no time at all. This compost bin is easy to assemble, requiring no tools to but together. The four mesh panels are linked by anchor spikes on each corner.
When not in use, you can either collapse the bin and put it in storage, or you can use it as decorative fencing, a dog kennel, or even a raised border fence for a garden bed to keep out animals.
The heavy-gauge steel wire is coated in black powder to provide the bin with a longer life as well as making it sturdier for outdoor use, especially on windier days.
The decomposer bin allows for faster decomposition with its moisture and air-flow design. In colder climates, be sure to cover with a black tarp, and black plastic to keep heat trapped inside.
Pros:
- Easy to use for both master gardeners and for those who are just starting their gardening experience
- Great place to put leaves and grass clippings instead of wasting plastic trash bags
- Highly affordable
Cons:
- Wires can be too far apart for some uses
Greenes Fence RCCOMP Cedar Wood Company
This compost bin is made strong and solid with untreated 11/16” thick boards.
The bin is easy and fast to set up and is made is modular in design.
The corner posts are routed on all four sides, making assembly easy and expansion, if required, even easier.
All the user has to do is slide the boards and spacers into place and they are ready to go. This means if someone has a small compost pile and adds to it, they can add boards to the box to keep the compost inside until they have to expand outward and create another box connected to the first.
Pros:
- The cedar is sustainably sourced and is never treated with chemicals
- Cedar is naturally resistant to rotting and insects
- Easy to put together and easy to expand
- The naturally open design makes it easy to turn the compost as needed
Cons:
- Users might need a rubber mallet for assembly
Goplus Large Compost Bin 
This 110-gallon compost bin is environmentally friendly and made from non-toxic PP material, making it durable, sturdy, and the material won’t leech into the compost and contaminate it. The compost bin is equipped with four access doors to make it easy to spread compost around the bin as well as a lid to prevent nosy critters from getting inside.
The holes are designed to allow air to mix with the compost and to accelerate the decomposition of the material within. When empty, the compost bin only weighs 23 pounds, making it easy to move around the yard.
The lid stays open by itself when adding composting material and is easy to lock back into place when finished. There is no turning feature included and compost turning must be done manually.
Pros:
- High-quality, sturdy, and made with a non-toxic material that won’t leach into the compost within
- Easy to use, easy to operate
- Lightweight
- Air holes keep compost fresh and help with decomposition
Cons:
- Not always easy to unlock
- No turning feature, compost turning has to be done manually
Behrens RB20 Composter
While it may look like a simple trashcan that has been poked full of holes, this isn’t your ordinary-looking trashcan composter.
This 20-gallon composter has been dipped into a bath of molten zinc. The molten zinc coating increases the durability of the compost bin, provides a watertight seal and is resistant to rust.
The design of the trashcan compost bin is also resistant to rodents and odors.
This composter is easily portable with wire handles and weighs only 4.5 pounds. There are four legs underneath the composter to keep the can off the ground surface, thereby providing airflow to the compost within.
The tight-fitting lid keeps out rodents, birds, and other animals that may want access to the composting material held within.
Pros:
- Increased durability and rust-resistant due to a molten zinc coating
- Excellent airflowManufactured with 100% sustainable materials
- Lightweight and easily portable
- Resistant to a nosy critter who want to access to the material within
Cons:
- Not great for burning material, as that removes the protective coating
Check out my article on the best edgers for lawns.
Rotating Compost Bins
Also known as a tumbling composter, this type of compost bin produces compost in a more efficient manner than the standard compost bins do and should be easy to turn.
Worms shou
ld not be added to rotating compost bins as they will not be able to escape the rise in temperature inside the compost bin and will die. Worms provide additional nutrients to the soil such as phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, and calcium. Earthworms also till the soil through their movements and digestion.
Due to the lack of worms, gardeners may have to add the nutrients themselves, as well as turn the bin to aerate.
Miracle-Gro Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler Bin
The rotating compost bin is easy for anyone to use, making loading and unloading a snap. There is no need to dig or mix the compost by hand and the tumbler bin is designed to speed up the rate of decomposition that compost is ready within six weeks!
This all-season compost bin has a strong base made from galvanized steel, UV-protected plastic to stand up to the sunlight and won’t leach toxins into the compost, and side-locking mechanisms to keep out the most crafty critter.
This tumbler bin by Miracle-Gro also comes with a pair of water-resistant gardening gloves that have a no-slip grip. The hexagon design allows for better mixing and there is an aeration system that allows for airflow.
It also holds up to 55 gallons of compost material.
Pros:
- Powder-Coated stainless steel makes the compost bin rustproof
- There is a locking mechanism for when you want to stop the compost bin from tumbling
- Lightweight, weighing only 19 poundsCompact and can fit anywhere
Cons:
- Assembly takes a little more time for those not adept at putting something like this together
Lifetime 60028 65-Gallon Compost Tumbler
This compost tumbler holds 65 gallons of material. It has a galvanized steel-based and is made with heavy-duty UV-protected HDPE panels to protect against damaging UV rays from the sun.
The tumbler turns on an axis to provide a more balanced rotation and the internal aerator bar provides airflow and mixes the composting material.
The extra-large lid is removable and you never have to worry about the compost bin rotating as you fill it up.
There is a spring-loaded pin that locks rotation while you are filling the bin so you don’t have to worry about making a mess and you don’t have to stop what you are doing and try to hold it still while filling the bin.
The 65-gallon compost bin is 55 pounds, making it a little heavier than most of the other compost bins on the list, but it is easy to assemble as all the hardware that is needed to put it together is included.
Pros:
- Double-walled panels absorb and retain heat
- The internal bar mixes and aerates the compost
Cons:
- Not all the tools needed for assembly are listed until you get to that specific step
Mantis CT02001 Compact Compost Tumbler
The drum capacity of the tumbler bin is 88 gallons and it weighs 60 pounds.
There is a removable door that makes it easy to load and unload composting material. There are also drainage vents that allow excess moisture to leave the composter, as well as air vents on the top to provide oxygen. Composting time takes four to six weeks from start to finish.
There are interior fins that mix the material as the compost bin turns and the compost bin is made from rust-resistant BPA-free galvanized steel to ensure it lasts a long time and that the material of the drum does not break down and leach into the compost.
The end caps are made from food-grade plastic the tubular steel bars have a black powder-coated finish. As with any compost bin, compost times depend upon the materials being used and the ambient temperatures.
Pros:
- Enclosed drum prevents pets from getting trapped inside
- Prevents pests from accessing compost materials
- Eliminates odors
Cons:
- Interior is not as rust-resistant as the exterior
FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler
Compact, lightweight, and incredibly easy to use.
This compost bin is one of the best ones out there for those who are new to composting.
This simple composter has 8-sided dual chambers with two doors and a painted frame.
Those who aren’t familiar with composters might mistake it for an outdoor grill of some sort due to the exterior shape of the chambers, so make sure to set visitors straight right away.
The doors can be removed to add more compost material through the large openings and the aeration holes add air to speed up the composting process.
There are two separate sides to allow for two compost piles in different stages of decomposition.
With hot sunny conditions and a proper balance, this composter bin can create compost in as little as two weeks. In colder climates, it is best to add a tarp or dark plastic to aide the decomposition process and to protect the compost bin against frost and cold temperatures.
There are also aeration fins to break up the compost inside the tumbler and mix the air.
Pros:
- Sleek, efficient design
- A great choice for those who are new to composting
Cons:
- Takes a while to assemble properly
Forest City Hot Frog
If you need to get your compost hopping along the decomposition process, the Hot Frog is definitely a great choice to use.
You can easily move the compost wherever you need it due to the bin’s rolling design and the removable doors make it easy to remove compost from the large openings. For perfectly balanced compost, be sure to turn the bin 6 times every 3 days.
With the best conditions, the material put into the bin can turn into the perfect compost in as little as two weeks.
The ergonomic handholds make it easy to move the compost bin around where you need it most.
All you have to do is roll it to where you need it and dump the compost in the yard. The corrosion-resistant frame and the recycled polyethylene material make this compost bin truly un”frog”gettable.
Pros:
- Large removable doors make it easy to add material to the compost bin
- Ergonomic handles
- Can be rolled around easily
- Works well with rain and mud
- No assembly required
- Keeps out pests
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Turning the barrel makes the composted soil fall into the panel slot sides and makes it hard to move the door.
Mantis CT08002 Back Porch Compost Bin Tumbler
Then look no further than the Mantis CT08002, this compost bin was made for urban spaces and small gardens.
The air vent on the top of the compost bin provides continuous airflow inside while drainage vents remove excess moisture from the compost bin.
The removable doors allow for adding and removing composting material easily, whether the material is leaves, coffee grounds, banana peels, or eggshells.
The compost bin holds 37 gallons, or 4 bushels, and the compost bin itself weighs 37.8 pounds.
It is easy to move around the yard with two wheels and the plastic drum is fully enclosed to prevent odor and curious critters. The compost bin is made from BPA free food-grade polyethylene and is designed to blend into the landscape with its lovely green color.
Pros:
- Vented cap ends allow for airflow and drainage.
- The compost drum is easy to rotate
- 2-year warranty on all parts
Cons:
- Assembly instructions aren’t entirely clear
- Some assembly is required
Spin Bin 60 Gallon Composter
There are 20 ventilation slots, allowing plenty of air to flow through the bin allowing for faster decomposition.
There is also a dual mixer bar to churn the compost for the best aeration possible. Easy to assemble with step-by-step instructions making assembly far faster. Durably constructed with steel legs and thick plastic for superior quality.
The dark exterior of the compost bin absorbs heat from the sun to speed up the composting process.
The legs are powder-coated steel, which provides better safety and stability when the tumble bin is spinning.
Speaking of spinning, it doesn’t matter which end is up when it comes to adding compost material as both ends have a wide opening, making it easy to add scraps and waste. There are also ports for a compost thermometer, making it easy to check the internal temperature of the compost bin.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble with step-by-step instructions
- 20 ventilation slots providing for greater airflow, which speeds up the decomposition process
- The dark exterior color absorbs heat from the sun
Cons:
- Somewhat awkward to empty
Check out my article on the best spreaders for fertilizer and grass seed.
Composting Bin For Worms
Speaking of worms, there are composting bins that are specifically designed for adding worms to the composting process. There are numerous benefits when it comes to composting with worms.
Benefits with vermicomposting include:
- Less odor than regular composting. This is because worms reduce rot and odors by breaking everything down faster
- This type of composting can be done both indoors and outdoors
- Compost is of better quality
- Worms speed up the composting process
- Less food going into the trash and you reduce your trash volume by at least 25%
- Worms can make compost even in the winter months
- Compost made with worms is 100% organic
Worm Factory 360 WF360B Worm Composter
The Worm Factory 360 has 4 trays but expands up to 8 trays and the lid converts to a stand for the trays when you are harvesting the compost. There is an instruction manual that comes with the compost bin that makes assembly and use far easier and faster.
There is a worm tea collector tray that is built into the composter bin, as well as a spigot for draining after the worm tea has been collected. For beginner composters, worm tea is the worm castings that have dissolved in water.
The composting bin comes with an 80-page guide to vermicomposting, with DVD instructions, and some quick tips on the lid. Not only can you add kitchen scraps to Worm Factory, but you can also add paper, cardboard, and cotton to create compost.
Why throw away old food when you can make it useful again?
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to move, weighs only 11 pounds
- Easy to avoid fruit flies by adding an inch of shredded paper
- Odorless, making it ideal for indoor use as well
Cons:
- There is nothing to prevent the weight of the trays from sitting directly on the soil and the worms
VermiHut 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin
If you have 2 pounds of worms, they can consume 1 pound of food scraps per day.
The VermiHut allows the worms to work more efficiently and offers better airflow control throughout the compost bin. The whole operation is completely odorless as the worms eat everything before it even has a chance to smell.
Since the composting process is odorless, the VermiHut can easily be brought inside in the winter to make sure the worms stay happy and healthy. The dome-shaped lid maintains perfect moisture levels and gives a comfortable environment for the worms by maintaining the bedding.
You can relax as you don’t have to constantly hover over the worms to make sure they are doing okay and the whole system is easy to maintain.
Pros:
- Easy to maintain and clean Great way to recycle food scraps
- A worm saver tray prevents worms from falling into the liquid tray
- Weighs only 15 pounds
Cons:
- Does not come with composting worms
4 Tray Worm Factory Compost Bin By Quest
It weighs only 2 pounds, making it incredibly light to carry and move around as needed.
The innovative design catches the eye and it is excellent for indoor use as well since it is only 1-foot in height and 8.5 inches wide. Since it can be used indoors as well, you never have to worry about odors emanating from the compost bin and stinking up the whole residence.
Once you get this compost bin and get things going, you never have to worry about throwing away food scraps again.
All of your apple cores, banana peels, coffee grounds, and other food items that would ordinarily be thrown away can be given to the worms to turn into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer.
There is even a tray on the bottom to catch worm tea, which is essentially liquid fertilizer. The kit that comes with the compost bin has all the accessories needed to get started, except for the worms.
Pros:
- Odorless, making it ideal for indoor operation
- Small, lightweight, and maneuverable
Cons:
- Spigot tends to clog
Worm Factory DS3BT 3-Tray Worm Composter
A lot like with the food scraps and the worms. The banana peel was taken from a banana and would have been thrown away. Instead, it was placed inside this compost bin and turned into nutrient-rich fertilizer for a garden.
This unit is odorless and can even be taken indoors to continue composting production in the winter.
The Worm Factory is expandable up to 7 trays and the stackable design makes it the most efficient worm composter on the market.
When worms are finished composting on the lower tray, they move to the next tray above and start the process again. The worms produce both nutrient-dense castings and a liquid fertilizer that can be collected from the spigot below.
When the trays are full, they only weigh 13 pounds, making each tray easy to move. The compost bin even comes with an instructional DVD and a 38-page digital instruction manual.
Pros:
- Trays are lightweight and easy to carry when full
- Made with recycled plastic
- Comes with an instruction manual and DVD
Cons:
- The plastic is not heavy-duty plastic.
Homestead Essentials 5-Tray Worm Composting Kit
This includes tea bags, bread, lawn clippings, fruits, pasta, and more.
There are a few things that should not be put in a compost bin, such as spicy foods, foods packed with preservatives, citrus fruits, dairy, and meat. You can even add feathers, hair, and dryer lint in the compost bin.
The multiple trays in the design provide various stages of compost.
One tray may be ready for harvesting, the worms could be feeding on another tray, and there could be two other trays in different stages of processing.
The multiple layers provide excellent air circulation to keep the worms happy and to aid in the decomposition process. The design also ensures that the compost bin is easy to clean if needed. T
his is the perfect compost bin for small gardens as it does not take up a lot of space.
Pros:
- Allows for the drainage of worm tea
- Excellent air circulation to keep worms happy
- Lightweight and easy to take care of
Cons:
- Somewhat easy for other insects to find their way inside.
Worm Composting Factory Farm by Generic
This worm composting bin by Generic makes it even easier to keep the interior warm as the outside of the compost is completely black, thereby absorbing the rays of the sun.
Worm compost bins, and other compost bins, can be any color, but black is the color that absorbs sunlight easiest and heats up the interior of the compost bin to speed up the decomposition process.
This worm compost bin does not come with the standard materials that the other worm compost bins do, such as worm bedding, vermicomposting guide, or even worms.
When it comes to bedding ideas for the worms, they like shredded paper, cardboard, peat moss, old horse or cow manure, straw, hay, or even wood chips. Worms prefer their bedding to be odorless and have a neutral pH as they are highly sensitive.
This bin comes with a collection base with a spigot for removing worm tea and there is even a worm ladder that helps worms move from one tray to another.
Pros:
- 4 stacking trays, making it ideal for beginners
- Worm ladder helps worms get to different trays
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Cons:
- Does not come with bedding or other material to get started
HOT FROG Living Worm Composter
If you are worried about leaving your composter outside, the double-walled lid provides insulation against temperature swings. However, if you are worried that it is getting too cold outside, or are expecting a frost, blizzard, or ice storm, then you will be able to bring the worm composter inside as well.
The worm composter works well indoors as it is odor-free due to the speed of the vermicomposting process.
There are 40 migration tunnels in the trays that allow worms to migrate between trays and explore to their … aortic arch’s content. Worms don’t necessarily have hearts, but 5 aortic arches.
There is a moisture control channel that collects water to keep the bedding from drying out as worms like moist bedding. The compost bin also has excellent ventilation as the aeration support points allow for 360-degree airflow.
The Hot Frog is made from UV-inhibited, BPA free recycled polyethylene and will not degrade under direct sunlight and leach chemicals into the compost.
The hardwood legs are made from maple and sealed to last a long time.
Pros:
- 40 migration tunnelsExcellent airflow
- Moisture control to keep bedding from drying out
- Easy to use indoors and outdoors
Cons:
- Minimal instructions on setup and vermicomposting
Check out my article on the best manual reel lawnmowers.
Compost Waste Collectors For Kitchens
Banana peels, eggshells, apple cores, and coffee grounds. Those are just a few of the food scraps that can go into a compost waste collector in the kitchen instead of the trash.
It may take a while to create sufficient waste to create the needed heat and pressure necessary for compost. It all depends on how many people in the household and the amount of food scraps created.
You should be aware that, due to the decay process in the food that the smell created from the waste can become somewhat strong and attract insects and rodents.
Compostizer Stainless Steel Kitchen Compost Bin Kit
Since you aren’t throwing away food scraps anymore, you definitely need a place to collect the scraps before you take them to your compost bin.
That is where a compost waste collector comes in handy.
This stainless steel compost bin kit is dishwasher safe and repels water, oil and is acid-proof. There is also a double carbon filter for odor-free operation. The microporous ventilation controls waste odor and there is a thermostat to monitor the interior temperature of the compost bin.
It comes with a paperback book by Vivian Warf called, “The Definitive Guide to Composting”.
The kit includes four filters that trap odor, so you never have to worry about replacement filters for the composter.
The organic activated charcoal filters ensure that even the most sensitive nose will never smell a thing.
Pros:
- Comes with a composting thermometer and paperback book
- Easy to clean and is dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Nothing noticeable
SCD Probiotics All Seasons Indoor Composter
If you want to start composting from the comfort of your kitchen and don’t want to deal with worms or other traditional composter bins, then this is the indoor composter for you.
There is no assembly required and it is completely odor-free.
There is no assembly required and the composter holds up to five gallons. With this composter, you can recycle dairy products, small bones, meat, and oily foods. A few things that you can’t compost when you use a vermicomposting system.
An indoor kitchen composter is easy, convenient, and you never have to go outside in the dead of winter. Not only do you save precious time by having to dress for the weather and then take everything off when you get back inside, but you don’t have to make the trip.
You still get compost tea for a liquid fertilizer, which you can then give to your houseplants.
Pros:
- This type of composting keeps more nutrients than traditional methods of composting
- Compost tea is even richer in nutrients
- Easy to use, efficient, and odorless
- Easy to drain and dilute
- Can compost almost anything
Cons:
- Nothing noticeable
Composting is an excellent way to not only get rid of unwanted food scraps but also keep more waste out of the landfill and change it to something else and use it again.
Whether it is using a traditional compost bin, vermicomposting, or even composting from the comfort of your own kitchen, once you start you won’t want to go back to throwing things away when they can provide so much value to your garden.
If you want to start composting, be sure to get one of these compost bins for small gardens, even if you have a larger garden.
No time like the present.
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