best compost bins

The Best Compost Bins UK Availability [Gardening & Kitchen Waste]

Adding good compost to your garden and using it when you’re growing plants and vegetables is like giving them vitamins.  Good compost doesn’t just enrich the soil with nutrients, but it also provides an environmentally sound way of recycling your organic materials.  Making your own compost isn’t difficult, in fact, it’s very easy and it is made much easier and cleaner if you use a compost bin.  Gone are the days when you needed to have a vast compost pile.  Nowadays, the best compost bins are neat, very easy to use and a great way to save money when you’re growing your own vegetables.  We’ve looked at the best composting bins for your garden waste and kitchen waste, so you can use the compost you make in your vegetable garden!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

We really don’t recommend stinting on using the best compost, especially for growing vegetables – as the nutrients you put into the vegetables will be going into you!  And while there are excellent commercial composts, if you’re working on growing vegetables for the long term, then it’s a great way to save on compost, soil improvers and fertilizers.

Top PRODUCT PICK

The Best Compost Bin

When you buy a compost bin you can one thats quick to compost, easy to use and keep clean and a great deal. This is the best compost bin that meets all those requirements.

At Lets Grow Cook we believe the best way to get started is by not making life any harder than it already is.  Using a compost bin to both recycle your appropriate organic kitchen and garden waste and to add nutrients to your garden is an excellent way to keep your costs down.

When you’re looking at the best compost bin for your needs you’ll need to look at the space you have available and how much waste you have to put in it.

Overview of the Best Compost Bin UK

Type of Compost BinNameHighlightsWhat It Looks LikeBuy Now!
Rolling Compost BinThe Envirocycle ComposterNo assembly required.
Available in two sizes – 65 Litres or 133 litres
Available in two colours, black or pink (!)
Buy it Now!
Twin Rolling Compost BinGood Ideas Twin Rolling ComposterDual Compartments for efficient use of home and garden waste
Built in aeration system to accelarate composting process
Heavy duty construction for use all year round
Easy assembly with instructions provided
140 litre capacity – each compartment holds 70 litres
Read more reviews and Buy here!
Plastic Compost Bin, 300 litre4Smile 300 litre plastic compost binComposter bin with stable hinged lid for easy filling from above, with hatch door.
Ventilation openings, dark colour for better heat development.
Garden composter for organic household and garden waste.
Easy assembly because of easy click system.
Made of stable plastic material.
Best Value, buy now
Wormery Compost BinvidaXL Eco-friendly 4-Tray Worm Factory Composter Waste Bin SystemDimensions (overall): 42 x 42 x 60 cm (L x W x H)
Dimensions (each tray): 36.5 x 36.5 x 12.5 cm (L x W x H)
Material: HDPE plastic
Read reviews and buy now
Hot Composting BinNeudorf 775 Thermo Composter 530 L DuoThermWeatherproof and UV-resistant compost silo with recycled plastic for quick composting of kitchen and garden waste.
The double-walled construction provides excellent thermal insulation and thus promotes the rapid composting process.
Ideal for medium and large gardens. The structure is very easy to mount thanks to the plug-in system.
Read more reviews and buy now

What is a Compost Bin?

A compost bin is a plastic or metal container that is built to contain the ingredients and the end result of your compost.  Compost bins are specifically designed to cultivate the decomposition of the contents using air and moisture.

Compost bins are enclosed structures.  You can locate them in your backyard, or your garden without it looking unattractive.  The top compost bins have proper lids, so you don’t get mice, rats or dogs searching for food.  The finest compost bins are also easy to use and will give you a hassle-free gardening life! If you’re looking for easy, then our guide to the easiest vegetables to grow is here.

LGC Calendar Ad 6

The best compost bins are designed to encourage the ideal combo of air and moisture, that allow the small organism and microbes to decompose the contents of your compost bin and make them into nutrient-rich compost.

If you’re looking for the best kitchen compost bins and the best compost caddy for the kitchen mainly used for food waste – then you’ll find the best kitchen compost caddy here.  

Best Garden Compost Bins Reviews

We’ve pulled together the best compost bin reviews for you below this.  Our best composter reviews cover the different types of compost bins available for home use.  

LGC Calendar Ad 7

Best Plastic Composting Bins

Plastic compost bins are ideal for small spaces.  The plastic material of the sides and lid will hold in both moisture and heat and aid speedy decomposition.  The opaque material will also stop weeds from regrowing if you’re adding weeds, as light is blocked out.  Plastic compost bins are best located on grass or earth, not hard standing. Buy the Best Garden Composter here.

300 Litre Garden Composter – Plastic 4Smile garden composter Large volume

  • 4smile compost bin with stable hinged lid for easy filling from above, with hatch door.
  • Ventilation openings, dark colour for better heat development.
  • 300 litre compost bin
  • Garden composter for organic household and garden waste.
  • The 4smile composter is easy assembly because of easy click system.
  • This best home compost bin is made of stable plastic material.
  • Check more compost bin reviews and buy now.

Hot Composting Bins or Thermal Compost Bins

Hot compost bins or thermo compost bins are usually about the size of a wheelie bin and can be stood on a hard surface. Rapid composters come with a tight-fitting lid and are designed to compost at a much higher speed (1 to 3 months) and a much higher temperature, compared to normal compost bins, which take around 6 months.  This recycled plastic compost bin produces compost that tends to be finer in texture.  The best hot compost bin is this thermal composter from Neudorf.  Buy the Best Hot compost bin UK here.

Neudorf 775 Thermo Composter 530 L DuoTherm – Hot Composting Bin

  • Weatherproof and UV-resistant compost silo with recycled plastic for quick composting of kitchen and garden waste.
  • The Neudorff composter has a double-walled construction which provides excellent thermal insulation and thus promotes the rapid composting process.
  • This best hot composter is ideal for medium and large gardens. The structure is very easy to mount thanks to the plug-in system.
  • Volume: 530 l, Dimensions: 82 x 82 x 115 cm
  • Read more hot composter reviews and buy now
Calendar Advert 3

Best Wormery Composting Bins

Wormery compost bins use earthworms to mix and break down the materials quickly.  They’re designed for small-scale composting of kitchen waste.  The material produced by the worms is a nutrient-rich liquid that can be used as a fertilizer. Buy the best Worm Composter here.

vidaXL Eco-friendly 4-Tray Worm Factory Composter Waste Bin System

Best Rolling Compost Bins

The rolling compost bin or tumbling compost bin is my personal favourite.  Rolling compost bins may take up a little more space, but this keeps the contents aerated and mixing, without having to get in and aerate it yourself.

The Envirocycle Composter UK– excellent reviews, really easy to use, Envirocycle UK full details are here.  The Envirocycle Composting Tumbler bin comes in two sizes (65 litres or 133 litres) and is available in black or pink.  Read more Envirocycle composter reviews and buy it here

The Good Ideas 140 litre (70 litre x 2) twin rolling compost bin

This dual compost tumbler is an efficient way to make compost. The twin tumbler compost bin is one of the best garden compost tumblers as it lets you make two lots of compost at the same time. This double compost bin is easy to use, and you can buy this twin garden composter here

  • Dual Compartments for efficient use of home and garden waste
  • Built in aeration system to accelarate composting process
  • Heavy duty construction for use all year round
  • Easy assembly with instructions provided
  • 140 litre capacity – each compartment holds 70 litres
  • Read more compost tumbler reviews and buy here

How does a Compost Bin Work?

Compost bins work by providing an environment for the matter within them to decompose to form a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer.  Each different type of compost bin works slightly differently, but the concept is the same.  Making your own compost with kitchen composting & recycling is easy!

First, you need to introduce the right mixture of carbon-rich matter such as:

  • Dead leaves
  • Straw
  • Shredded paper
  • Wood ash from the Fireplace

You’ll add to those elements that are nitrogen-rich such as:

  • Fruit and vegetable waste and peelings
  • Eggshells
  • Coffee grounds
  • Grass cuttings

If you add a shovel full of soil from your garden now and then it will help get things going.

Add these items in and add water to keep your contents moist – the type of compost bin that you buy will have specific instructions.  When you have new waste to add, just throw it in on top.

Microbes inside the contents that you’ve put in the compost bin eat away at the organic matter inside and heat builds up.  Over a few months, you’ll get nutrient-rich compost.  Some types of compost bins use tumbling techniques to speed up the process. Others, “hot compost bins” create “hot” compost that gives faster results.  If you’re using a worm posting bin, then it’s earthworms that create the compost.  There’s more on that later.

How to Start a Compost Bin

Starting a compost bin is really easy.  First, you need to decide what type of compost bin you want, then just start adding the contents that we’ve discussed above – there’s also more about what you can’t put in a compost bin later in this article.  Follow the instructions and just keep adding to it! If you want to know more about composting – here’s our Beginners Composting Guide.

What’s the Best Type of Composting Bin to use?

The best type of compost bin depends on how you will use it and how big you need it to be.

The simplest type of composting bin is a tall cylinder-like shape that has a closable door at the top, where you put new materials in.  When the compost is ready you simply take it out of an opening at the bottom.  Just keep doing that.  Feed into the top and take out of the bottom.  The downside of this type of compost bin is that you don’t get to mix the contents together, so it can take longer.  You will have to try and aerate the contents once in a while.  Those compost bins that have a tumbler or rolling action to mix the contents tend to work better.

Compost bins that are less than one cubic metre tend to be much less effective than bigger ones.

What are the different types of Compost Bins?

There are a variety of different types of compost bins that you can use to make your own compost and to recycle your own organic matter for use in growing vegetables easily.   Choose the best compost bin for you based on the size of the space you have to put it, the waste you have to put in it and the amount of compost you want to make.  Here are the primary types of compost bins.

  • Plastic Composting Bins
  • Thermal Composting Bins or Hot Compost Bins
  • Wormery Compost Bins
  • Tumbled Composting Bins / Rolling Composter Bins

There are a variety of compost bin sizes that we’ve covered below, a key element of all garden compost makers is that compost bins with lids are key, whichever compost bin you select it is an essential garden tool.

Make your own Compost Heap

If you have space and the inclination, then you can make your own compost heap.  You’ll want to designate a specific space, keep it level and follow the directions here.

Compost Bin FAQS

We’ve pulled together the most frequently asked questions about compost bins and kitchen composting & recycling to answer them here for you!  If we don’t cover a question that you have about kitchen composting bins, then ask us in the comments!

How do kitchen compost bins work?

Kitchen compost bins work by engineering the environment to best break down organic matter to compost.  A good composting bin needs the right environment (a compost bin) with a mix of ingredients that include water, carbon-rich matter and nitrogen-rich matter).  Then all that’s needed is patience and a little mixing.

What is the best compost bin to buy?

We particularly like rolling composter bins – it makes it much easier to do the mixing in one of these types of composting bins.  Here’s our favourite one with dual compartments.

What can I put in my compost bin?

Most organic things can be put in your compost.  Raw waste food scraps are great, vegetable and fruit peelings, coffee grounds and eggshells.  Mowed the grass recently?  Put your grass clippings in the compost too.  Wood ash from a fireplace or wood burner can go in the compost as too can shredded paper.

What can’t I put in my compost bin?

Don’t put cooked food waste, fish or meat in your compost bin, as well as attracting pests, it’s also likely to create a nasty smell. Don’t put coal ash in your compost or dairy products, cat or dog faeces, oil or grease.

How does a compost bin work?

Compost bins work by creating an environment to speed up the decomposition of organic matter into nutrient-rich compost.  This requires the environment (a compost bin), the right ingredients (a mix of carbon-rich matter and nitrogen-rich matter) and moisture (water).  Then it requires time, sometimes heat and a little mixing.

Where should I put my compost bin?

The best place for your compost bin is in a shady spot in the garden.  Composting bins work best when they’re in a location that has steady environmental conditions – so if it’s in the sun, that’s not the best spot.

The best location for your compost bin is a FLAT, i.e. level, area.  If you’re using it for kitchen scraps, then make sure you can get to it easily.  You may also get a smell from your compost bin, so don’t keep it too close to any outside seating areas if that’s possible.

What type of compost bin is best?

A plastic compost bin is great for those starting. The plastic will retain heat and moisture which will encourage quick decomposition. We like the rolling compost bins, it’s certainly easier and if you’re looking for speed then hot composters are even better.

When should I compost?

You can compost all year round, whenever you have the materials to hand.  The end of summer to the beginning of winter is the peak time to make compost.  You can compost in winter too, a lower temperature may just slow down the process, although you can insulate your composting bin to speed up the process (a simple blanket can work, or hay or straw).

When is the compost ready to use?

It can take many months for garden compost to reach the right maturity for use in your garden.  When the compost is matured it will be dark brown in colour and the texture will be soil-like and crumbly.   If it’s not rotted to this consistency, then it’s not ready.

All our guides to the best garden equipment

Let’s Grow Cook Recommends..

Whether you’re buying seeds, seedlings, plants, propagation gear, gardening tools or items for the kitchen, here are our favourite suppliers.

Best for Seeds & Plants

Best for Pots, Containers, Gardening Tools & Compost

Best Tools & Gadgets for the Kitchen & Cooking Aids

  • Rediscover the simple pleasures of home cooking with SimplyCook – Try your first box for free (just pay £1 postage) – get offer here

Final Words on the Best Composting Bins

Composting is a great environmentally friendly way of both recycling your kitchen waste and improving your vegetable growing capability while saving money too.  We hope you’ve found our garden composter reviews useful. Using the best compost bins to compost your own waste is a neat, tidy and cost-effective way of removing the reliance on local services and giving your soil a great nutrient-rich injection that means that your vegetables will be tastier all round!

LetsGrowCook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates