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I used to turn my nose up at electric composters. Then I was sent one to actually try.
Not the standard grind and dehydrate models, mind. Instead this was one of a new but still rare breed of electric biocomposters which uses actual microbes to turn food waste into compost.
Now I think that for the right person – someone who wants a fast, efficient way to get rid of kitchen waste and get some actual compost out of it at the same time – this is a good option.
So with that in mind, and after months of in-kitchen testing, here are my top two choices (there really aren’t that many microbial electric composters to choose from!) for 2026.
Reencle Electric Composter: Tried & Tested
Unlike most electric composters, the Reencle produces real compost rather than just drying food waste. It’s a good fit for anyone who wants to compost indoors.
Our Testing Notes
The Reencle was the first kitchen composter I’ve used that turns waste into actual compost. Not a tiny amount either – I took several buckets out over the months I used it.
That said, while this would be enough for potted plants and a small raised bed, don’t expect this to feed a vegetable garden. For that, you’d need an outdoor composter. The real benefit of this device is that you can get rid of kitchen waste fast and efficiently – and with low odor thanks to the filter and activated charcoal.
We loved the aesthetics of the device, and the wave to open lid was really useful – although we did find we would set this off by accident when we walked past.
The Reencle does theoretically have more limits than some other composters, with the manual supplied with our unit advising you not to compost bones or thick sauces. However, I did add some chicken bones and they didn’t cause any issues with the device, with some even breaking down over time.
Do note that the filter needs replacing – Reencle suggests doing this once a year. Fortunately, the Prime does come with a spare filter, so it will be a while before you need to take action!
You’ll love this if: You are looking for a stunning kitchen composter that makes actual compost.
Alternatives: Choose the GEME Terra II for a larger capacity and the ability to compost small bones and thick sauces.
GEME Terra II: Up to 2kg of waste a day
The GEME Terra II works fast, makes actual compost and has lower running costs than competitors. It performed well in our tests, handling kitchen waste including meat and thick sauces. It could even handle small bones - although this took a while.
Our Testing Notes
The biggest issue I had with the GEME Terra II is the height. In comparison to the Reencle, it was too high to sit on our countertop and we had to move things around in our kitchen in order to fit it in.
That said, it’s actually a touch narrower than the Reencle (27 cm vs 33 cm across) – the bulk is in its depth and height, so it’s counter depth and headroom you need to check, not width.
One advantage it has over the Reencle is a permanent filter which doesn’t need replacing. That doesn’t mean no running costs, though. In addition to electricity (around the same as a fridge, and a little bit more than the running costs of the Reencle) GEME do suggest you buy their compost starter material, Kobold, roughly once a quarter.
Apart from that, and five weeks into testing, I am impressed so far. The mix of 46 different microbes contained in the starter material breaks down material quickly and aggressively. It can also handle more waste than the Reencle – when I added 1.7kg of waste, it broke down in hours. I also like the use of smart sensors, which allows the device to adjust factors like warmth to match the progress of the compost.
The GEME also handles an impressive range of materials. I had no problem with meat, for example, and small chicken bones caused no issue with operation – although these did take quite a while to break down. (Remember, though, that bones are extremely challenging to compost.)
You’ll love this if: You are looking for a kitchen composter that can quickly turn large amounts of kitchen waste into compost.
Alternatives: Choose the Reencle for stunning looks and a smaller footprint.
Reencle Prime v. GEME Terra II: In-depth Comparison
| Feature | Reencle Prime | GEME Terra II |
|---|---|---|
| Daily capacity | Up to ~1kg / 2.2lb | Up to ~2kg (tested in-house at 1.7kg) |
| Footprint / size | 46.7 × 33 × 30 cm (H×W×D) | 54 × 27 × 45 cm (H×W×D) |
| Waste range | Struggles with some bones, sticky sauces, fruit pits | Wider — meat, thick sauces, small bones (slow) |
| Microbes / starter | Bacillus on bran + activated charcoal | “Kobold” starter, high-carbon/high-lignin |
| Filter | Activated charcoal + rear filter | Permanent washable metal-ion (no refills) |
| Running cost (elec.) | ~1.25kWh/day (designed to run 24/7) | ~1.4kWh/day, ideally left on |
| Compost quality | High N & organic matter, good germination (mfr data) | Eurofins-classified; high organic matter, N-P-K |
| Availability | Available now | New / early |
| Warranty | Not stated | 12 months |
What we’re considering next:
So far we’ve only reviewed microbial composters – but sitting in a box waiting for review is Lomi. It is a grinder and dehydrator rather than a microbial composter – but we thought that might suit some people, so we’ll be putting it through its paces.
How do bio-waste electric composters work?
Traditionally, electric composters worked by grinding and dehydrating waste. The resulting material could be composted or even added to the soil – but it’s not living compost.
Actual composting requires bacteria to turn waste into an organic material. The fastest – and least smelly – bacteria are aerobic (which literally means ‘with air’). These bacteria need warmth, oxygen and the right level of moisture in order to break down material. Electric composters work by recreating this ideal scenario.
Is an electric composter right for you?
Let’s get one thing clear – you don’t need an electric composter to make compost. If you have a garden, you can use outdoor compost bins or even trench composting to create large amounts of compost at low cost. If you don’t have a garden, you can use worm bins or cardboard box composting to compost inside.
Some electric composters claim to be environmentally friendly. The idea here is that the waste doesn’t go into landfill where it produces methane but is instead turned into compost. However, these devices do use electricity – about 1-1.5kWh per day. Unless you have a renewable source of energy, it is hard to see how these can have a net benefit for the environment.
The real benefit of these devices is that they can quickly and efficiently get rid of kitchen waste – without it having to wait up to a week in a box to be picked up. The compost it makes is a real side benefit, and while it won’t be enough to feed a proper garden, I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of compost produced.
The reviewers
Apart from an interlude abroad, when he was stuck in a high rise flat, James has been gardening since the tender age of 8 (which is more years than he cares to admit). Since 2018 he has been writing about composting, covering everything from the studies that help inform better composting practices to in-depth
Siska is an accomplished cook who used to own a food business. When she’s not cooking for a hundred people at a time, she’s putting kitchen compost bins through their paces. While James is interested in the science behind them and the compost they produce, Siska assesses bins both from their aesthetics and their practical usability in a busy kitchen.
James and Siska are the parents of two grown-up ‘kids’ and have been happily married since 2002.