Top 7 Outdoor Compost Bins for Garden and Yards

Composting helps you grow a beautiful garden and make use of organic waste. By doing composting, you are not only playing your part in environmental conservation, but you are also going towards a greener world by improving your garden condition. One should be particularly careful while selecting composting bins for keeping in your garden or outdoor because it’s not particularly for the garden. Some are used as a kitchen compost bin. A compost bin is responsible for the entire process once you add all the ingredients to it. If you select the wrong bin, you can end up with poor quality compost, which will take a lot more time and create a hassle for you.

In this review, we are going to discuss the 7 best compost bins you can buy. We have included the best bins, so you can save yourself from the time-consuming task of selecting the best composting bin. We have also included a buying guide to help you choose the best composting bin and make a decision that gives you the best value for your money.

Best Compost Bins for Garden and Outdoor

1. Compost Bin by GEOBIN–  Overall Best 

At the top of our list is an easy-to-use, large-capacity, standing bin for all your composting needs. You can expand this bin to a height of 4 feet, and it has a maximum capacity of 216 gallons. The bin comes with an easy assembling design with the help of closure keys. The most amazing feature of this bin is the ventilation it offers. There are ample points of air exchange that provide the required oxygen for the composting process. The bin is wide enough for throwing in the compost easily and turning it around. It is made from 50 percent recycled plastic. The bin is suitable for all types of composters, either beginner or master gardeners. Please keep in mind that if you live in an area with frequent rains, you will need a lid to cover the bin. You can also use a plastic sheet for this purpose.

2. Redmon Since 1883 8000 Compost Bin, Full, Black–  For Batch Composting 

If you are looking for a quality continuous composter, then you need to look no further. This bin is made from high impact plastic with UV protectant ingredients. Sunlight will not disturb the process of composting, and it will help in maintaining the moisture level of compost. It has a capacity of 65 gallons and is suitable for small and medium households with 2-4 individuals. The snap-on lid prevents odors from escaping and protects compost from getting wet in heavy rains. The four doors at the bottom of the container make it easy to withdraw the ready compost. Each door has a dimension of 8 by 13 inches for easy access and hassle-free withdrawal. The aeration holes are multiple and make sure that the compost never gets short of air. The full size of the bin is 26″ x 26″ x 30. 75″.  The top lid is big enough for easy mixing of compost. The bin is easy to assemble, and you do not need any tools or professional help to get started.

3. Miracle-Gro Single Chamber Outdoor Garden Compost Bin–  Heavy Duty Tumbling Composter 

Miracle-Gro comes up with a quality batch composter to meet the composting needs for a small to medium-sized garden. The 27.7-gallon composter is suitable for placing in your garden, balcony, patio, and backyard. It is given a trendy and stylish look to add aesthetic value to your garden. The tumbler is suitable for all the weather, and you don’t need to worry about its durability as it is made from very fine plastic with UV protection. The stand is made from high-quality steel, and the compost can be rotated easily for a better result and mixing of the waste material. The lid ensures no entry of insects and rodents and also allows a hassle-free loading and unloading of the compost. It comes with a pair of gardening gloves which you can use for handling compost and other gardening work. It has an aeration system designed to keep the compost aerated and mixing bars for faster curing. You will need a basic screwdriver to set it up, and assembling just requires twenty minutes.

4. Algreen Products Soil Saver–  Classic Compost bin 

This continuous composter comes with dimensions of 27 x 27 x 32 inches and has a total capacity of 12.65 gallons. It can house the waste of a small family, and you can keep on adding the waste from the top while you remove ready compost from the bottom. The hatch openings at the bottom are easy to operate and keep away insects and other animals from eating the compost. The top bin is solid and closes bin nicely with the help of two locks to ensure no odor escape and no rainwater entry. The bin is designed to ensure maximum air entry to speed up the composting process. The 0.200″ thick resin walls provide stability and durability to the bin making it an all-weather composting partner. It is made from 100% high-quality postindustrial material which is BPA-free.

5. VermiHut Plus 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin–  Classic Compost bin 

A worm bin houses worms to eat the bacteria that cause a foul smell. The VermiHut composter is of a kind design that comes with a 5 tray design to increase airflow and utilization of worms. The “M-board” tray enhances the airflow and prevents worms and beddings from falling into the liquid tray. The worms consume the bacteria before they can smell. Coconut mat in the air vent further reduces the odor from the compost, and you won’t even notice that composting is going on in your home. The bin is also perfect for maintaining the required level of moisture through coconut fiber and helps speed up the composting process. The bin is manufactured to keep out ants and other insects from compost. 1 kg of worms can decompose ½ kg of food scraps. 5 trays can handle a total of 5kgs of worms, and they can provide you with decomposed 2.5 kgs scraps per day.

6. Lifetime 60058 Compost Tumbler, Black, 80-Gallon–  High capacity bin 

The compost tumbler is made from high-density polyethylene plastic and powder-coated steel. The total capacity is 80 gallons and is enough for a medium to a large family and can provide compost for a small to medium garden. The double-walled panels help in temperature retention and moisture retention for the composting process. It comes with an internal mixing bar, which helps the inflow of oxygen. Air openings ensure that the compost gets enough air so that the process never slows down. You can also rotate the pile for mixing. The base is made from galvanized steel, which keeps rust and corrosion away.

7. 4-Tray Worm Factory Farm Compost Small Compact Bin Set–  Space-saving 

Another option for worm composters is from the house of Quest. It is a sleek and portable design that enables it to be used anywhere in the house, including indoor or outdoor. The worms help in turning the organic waste into compost so you can use it to keep your garden and plants healthy. The worms start at the bottom tray and reach upwards as they decompose the material into fertilizers. The reservoir at the bottom can be taken out by opening the tap and collecting the liquid fertilizer.

Buying Guide for Compost Bin for Garden and Outdoor

Type of Composters

One of the most important decisions to make while selecting a compost bin is the type of composter you need. Generally, there are three types of composters available in the market. A brief detail of each type is given below.

Batch Composters

Batch composters are suitable for gardeners who want to do composting in a single phase rather than an ongoing process. In batch composters, all the materials are added in a fixed ratio, and then the composting process starts. Batch composters need regular attention. You need to turn it in daily, mix the contents with a pitchfork, and check moisture levels. Batch composters help in creating compost faster as compared to other types. A good batch composter bin will typically 2-3 months to make the compost ready. While one batch is going on, you can use compost bins or make open piles to collect your organic waste.

Continuous Composters

If you want to compost regularly, a continuous composter is one you need. In this composter, you keep on adding waste from above, and the ready compost settles down to the bottom of the bin, which can be removed with the help of openings at the bottom of the bin. They are sealed with a lid, which helps in keeping the rodents and insects away from the waste. It also keeps the smell sealed in the bin.

Worm Bins

Worm bins use worms for composting purposes. Some people also use worm bins as indoor composting bins. The worms help in smell elimination as they consume the bacteria before they can smell. Worm bins come in different capacities to house worms, and the speed of composting depends on the number of worms a bin can accommodate.

Design

The design of the bin matters a lot. You must select a bin that has an effective air inflow, a proper lid that seals the entry of rodents and insects, stops smell from escaping, and keeps rainwater away from the bin because excessive moisture can destroy and slow down the composting process. If you are selecting a tumbler, you should check the rotating mechanism. The lid of the bin should be large enough for you to throw in the waste and shuffle it around once in a while.

Size

When you talk about the size of the composter, a couple of things play a part in it: the size of your lawn and the volume of waste you generate. If the size of your lawn is small and you have a small waste generation, you can select a small bin. On the contrary, if you have a big lawn and other plants around your house, you will need a larger bin. If you produce huge quantities of organic waste, you will still need a larger bin for composting.

Material

Material directly impacts the durability of your bin. Plastic bins are cheap as compared to metal bins but are not durable as compared to metal ones. Plastic bins can also retain some odors. Metal bins are heavier in weight.

List of Compostable and Non-Compostable Materials

If you are new to the world of composting, you can look at the list below for organic materials which you can and cannot use in the above-mentioned composting bins.

Compostable Materials

• Fruits and Vegetable (peeling included)
• Eggshells
• Cardboard or paper (small and uncoated pieces)
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Teabags
• Cooked rice and pasta
• Stale bread
• Stale potato chips
• Spoiled tomatoes
• Fireplace ashes
• Grass clippings
• Hair and fur
• Hay and straw
• Leaves
• Houseplants
• Shredded Newspapers
• Sawdust
• Wood chips
• Yard trimmings
• Manures

Materials which should not be Composted

The following materials create foul smells, are harmful to plants, and attract insects and rodents to the composting bins. Therefore, it is better to avoid using them for compost

• Black Walnut trees leave or twigs
• Dairy products and eggs (eggshells are great for the composting process)
• Insect-ridden or diseased plants
• Meat, fish bones
• Pet feces and pet litter
• Plants sprayed with insecticides
• Coal or charcoal ash
• Treated yard trimmings

Tips for Better Results

Some people find their composting bins too wet or smelly. That may be due to various reasons. Follow the tips below for better results.

Ratio

Make sure that the carbon to nitrogen ratio is 30:1. Adding the materials with the right ratio is very important for successful composting. Water, oxygen level, pH, and temperature of the pile also play a critical role in the process of composting.

Turning

Turning the pile is very important. Most bins come with a rotator to turn around the pile. For a more effective turning and shuffling of the pile, you can use a pitchfork for better results.