After 15 years of composting, it’s fair to say I’ve used more than my fair share of kitchen compost bins, ranging from basic plastic boxes to high-tech electric composters. My wife, who does most of the cooking, has been a (mostly) willing testing partner throughout.
In that time, I’ve had my share of disasters (tip: don’t rely on your teenage son to empty your
That experience has taught me there’s no single “best” kitchen
With that in mind, I’ve put together a selection of kitchen compost bins to suit different budgets, needs, and living situations – all based on hands-on use rather than marketing claims.
Need an outdoor bin, tumbler, or worm bin? Check our complete compost bins guide covering all bin types with recommendations for every situation.
Our top 3 picks
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Best Overall
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Premium pick
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Best Value
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Our Rating:
4.6
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Our Rating:
4.4
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Our Rating:
4.5
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Solid stainless steel countertop compost bin with excellent odor control. |
High tech, looks great, creates actual compost |
Good value, plus we love the always open lid. |
Solid stainless steel countertop compost bin with excellent odor control.
High tech, looks great, creates actual compost
Good value, plus we love the always open lid.
In-depth reviews
1. Our Favorite Overall: Epica Kitchen Compost Bin
Full Review
We originally featured the Utopia Kitchen
The Epica bin gets the fundamentals right without cutting corners. It’s solid, well made, and has excellent odor control – even when used to store cooked food scraps.
The stainless steel construction feels noticeably sturdier than many budget metal bins, and the thick carbon filter continues to perform well with regular use. It’s true that it only has one filter (the Utopia has two) but our stainless steel bin passed the dishwasher test where the Epica failed.
Size-wise, it strikes a good balance. It’s large enough that you don’t need to empty it constantly, but compact enough to sit comfortably on the counter. When full, it feels similar to carrying a reasonably full grocery bag – noticeable, but very manageable.
Finally, there’s the design. This is one of the few compost bins we’ve tested that actually looks good left out in the open. If you want a single, reliable kitchen
You’ll love this if: You want the best overall balance of odor control, durability, and looks.
Alternatives: If you value a stay-open lid during food prep more than odor control or design, the OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin is a better fit.
2. Best for in-kitchen composting: The Reencle Food Waste Composter
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.
Full Review
Read our complete Reencle review
For a long time, I was skeptical of electric composters. To be honest, I still am in most cases, as many don’t actually make compost—they simply grind and dehydrate food.
However, my experience with the Reencle was much more positive. Unlike other devices, it uses a combination of warmth, bacteria, and heat to produce actual compost. Once set up, it’s incredibly easy to use—just wave your hand over the front, and the lid pops open. I was also surprised by how much compost it generates—not enough to mulch a vegetable garden, but certainly plenty for pot plants.
That said, I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. First, it’s significantly more expensive than the other bins mentioned here. Second, you need to balance the food waste you add with brown materials like shredded paper. If you don’t, you might end up with an acidic, vinegary smell. (Here’s a tip: use the dry and purify functions on the device to help counter this.)
Lastly, despite the marketing hype from electric composting companies, the finished compost isn’t quite ready to use. Like all compost, it needs time to mature before being added to your plants.
All things considered, I think the Reencle is a fantastic option for apartment owners who want to make real compost but lack garden space. For those with a garden, I’d recommend sticking with a regular outdoor
To learn more, check out our full, in-depth review, or visit Reencle to buy now.
You’ll love this if: You live in an apartment or don’t have garden space and want to make real compost indoors rather than just storing food scraps.
Alternatives: If you just need a simple way to collect kitchen waste before taking it outside, a traditional countertop bin like the Epica Compost Bin will be cheaper and easier.
3. Best Bang for Your Buck: OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin
It's not fancy, but after weeks of testing, that stay-open lid has won me over. Just be aware it has no charcoal filter - empty daily in summer.
Full Review
Read our complete OXO Good Grips review
OXO is a brand I’ve trusted in the kitchen for years, and after using this
In terms of design, it’s clean and understated, and it blends into most kitchens without drawing attention to itself. That said, I personally prefer the look of the stainless steel Utopia bin, which feels a little more premium. The OXO is still attractive – just in a more practical, no-frills way.
Day to day, it’s very easy to use. The stay-open lid is genuinely helpful during food prep, and the removable inner bucket makes emptying and cleaning straightforward. One thing worth noting is that it doesn’t include a charcoal filter, so while odors are manageable if you empty it regularly, it doesn’t offer the same level of smell control as the Utopia.
Where the OXO does stand out is in its balance of usability, build quality, and price. Add in the fact that OXO donates one percent of its annual sales to environmental causes through the 1% for the Planet initiative, and it’s a bin you can feel good about using – even if it isn’t the most premium-looking option on the list.
You’ll love this if: You want a solid, easy-to-use kitchen
Alternatives: If odor control and stunning looks matter more than the stay-open lid, the Epica Compost Bin is the better choice.
4. Unique Design: Full Circle Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Bin
Neat bin which uses airflow to minimise the risk of odors and eliminates the need for charcoal filters. My wife likes the always open lid, although I personally prefer bins which don't require bags
Full Review
The Full Circle Fresh Air takes a different approach to odor control — instead of charcoal filters, it uses small ventilation holes in the sides and base to keep air circulating around your scraps. It works well, and at 1.5 gallons it’s one of the larger countertop options we’ve tested. My wife liked it immediately: her first comment was that it “looked smart.”
The trade-off is that the airflow holes in the base mean you must always use a compostable liner — you can’t collect scraps bare and tip them straight into a bin or tumbler. There’s also no handle, which makes carrying it outside more awkward than it should be, and the one-handed lid mechanism isn’t quite as slick as the Oxo Good Grips.
That said, if filter costs and hassle bother you, this is a genuinely clever solution. Read our full review of the Full Circle Fresh Air →
You’ll love this if: you want a larger-capacity bin and hate replacing charcoal filters — provided you’re happy to always use compostable liners.
Alternatives: the Oxo Good Grips or Utopia/Epica stainless steel bins if you want liner-free capability.
5. Best Bin for Bags: BioBag Kitchen Counter Food Scrap Bin and Compostable Bag Kit
Designed for use with compostable liners, helping food waste dry out and reducing odors. If you really want to use bags, this is a good option.
Full Review
While this composting kit may not be the best choice for those looking for something compact and discreet to leave out on the counter, it’s a great option if you want to compost a higher volume of scraps in a lightweight and affordable container.
You don’t need to use bags with a kitchen composter, but if you prefer to, the BioBag kit is one of the best options available. It comes with 25 fully compostable bags, and the bin itself is made from recycled plastic.
The breathable design helps food waste dry out quickly, which significantly reduces kitchen odors. The bin is also dishwasher-safe, making cleanup quick and easy.
The main downside is fragility. If overfilled, the handle or hinges can break, so it’s best emptied before it gets too heavy.
You’ll love this if: You prefer using compostable bags and want a lightweight bin designed to reduce moisture and smells without needing a charcoal filter.
Alternatives: If you want better odor control and a more premium look, choose the Epica Compost Bin, or if you value an always-open lid and easy day-to-day handling, the OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin is a solid alternative.
6. Our Favorite Design: Norpro Ceramic Compost Keeper
A stylish ceramic compost bin that blends into kitchen decor while still offering decent odor control.
Full Review
Few people would step into your kitchen and guess that this stylish, simple canister is actually a functioning food composter.
The clean design and bright white finish make it an attractive addition to any style of home décor. You can also find this compost crock in black, floral blue and white, or red, giving you plenty of options to match your kitchen.
Not only is the design appealing, but it’s also strong and durable, making it a beautiful piece to display on your countertop. The composter includes an odor-preventing filter in the lid, which can last up to six months, depending on usage.
On the downside, while the stainless-steel handle makes this ceramic
You’ll love this if: You want a kitchen
Alternatives: If you want stronger odor control and a more secure lid, the Epica Compost Bin is a better everyday option, while the OXO Good Grips is lighter and easier to handle if you’re emptying it often.
What we’ve recently dropped:
The Utopia Kitchen
What we’re currently testing:
SimpleHuman Compost Caddy: I’ve literally just unboxed the SimpleHuman, and it looks gorgeous – if smaller than some of the other bins here. I’m guessing it’s going to be best for smaller families (I can picture it in a smart apartment!) but only testing will tell.
Mbillion Kitchen Hanging Compost Bin: My wife asked me to get this one, as she wants a bin she can hang on a cupboard door. This is still waiting to be unboxed, so I’ll be back with some pictures soon!
How to choose a kitchen composter
After testing dozens of bins over the years, here’s what I’ve actually learned matters — and what’s largely marketing fluff.
Where will it live?
This matters more than most guides admit. We usually keep ours on a narrow window shelf, which immediately ruled out anything wide or top-heavy. (While I loved the Reencle electric composter, it took up a bit too much valuable cooking space.) Ideally, measure your actual space before buying, not the space you imagine you have.
Counter bins need to earn their place visually — which is why I’ve gravitated toward stainless steel. It ages better, looks better next to decent kitchen kit, and doesn’t hold onto smells the way plastic does after a few months of use. That said, see below for my thoughts on ease of opening.
If you’re thinking under the sink: it works, but you’ll empty it less often, and that’s usually where smells start.
Lid or no lid?
My wife strongly prefers the always-open designs — they’re fantastic for when you’re chopping at speed. For a busy kitchen where you’re cooking twice a day (which we are, most days), that friction of lifting a lid adds up. If you’re emptying regularly, odour isn’t the issue it’s made out to be.
That said, if you’re only emptying once a week or you’re putting in anything smelly, a well-sealing lid is more important.
How often will you realistically empty it?
Be honest here. We’re a household of three or four depending on whether our daughter is back from university, and we cook from scratch every single day. That means we’re emptying the
If you cook that frequently, a 1–1.5 gallon bin is fine — you won’t need anything larger because it won’t sit long enough to cause problems. If you cook less often and empty less often, go larger and prioritise the seal quality.
We also run a separate chicken scrap bin that gets emptied daily without exception. If you’re feeding backyard chickens or your compost setup can’t take cooked food, it’s worth having two bins side by side.
How to keep fruit flies out of your kitchen compost bin
Almost always caused by the same thing: scraps sitting too long, especially fruit peelings. Empty more frequently in summer, make sure your lid seals well, and rinse the bin when you do. For persistent problems, we’ve got a full guide: How to keep fruit flies out of your compost bin.
What about liners?
We use both liners and bare bins, depending on what we’re putting in. If there’s fish or anything particularly leaky that will go out with the household waste, a compostable liner goes in first. For normal vegetable scraps, we just wipe the bin down.
One thing to be aware of: not all “compostable” liners actually compost in a home bin — when I’ve tried it in bokashi bins and compost heaps, I’ve been left with a horrible, anaerobic mess. We’ve also had liners split when lifting them out, which is exactly the mess you’re trying to avoid. If you use liners, test the brand before you trust it with a full bin.
Do charcoal filters work?
Somewhat. They reduce odour noticeably in summer or when you’re putting in anything pungent, but they need replacing every two to three months to stay effective. If you’re emptying every couple of days, you probably don’t need one at all. I wouldn’t pay a premium for a bin purely because it has a filter — but the Utopia’s two included filters give you around six months before you need to think about replacements, which is one reason it earns its place at the top of our list.
What can you put in it?
Kitchen bins are designed for raw fruit and vegetable scraps — that covers the vast majority of what most households produce day to day. In our house that’s peelings, coffee grounds, teabags (remove the staple), eggshells, and the occasional stale bread or cereal.
Whether you can add meat, cooked food, or dairy depends entirely on where it’s going next. If you’re using a hot compost system that you know reaches temperature, or use deep trench composting, you have more flexibility. If you’re cold composting, stick to plant-based material and avoid anything that might attract pests.
For a full breakdown of what goes in and what doesn’t see What can you compost?
Caddy vs. composter — know the difference
Almost every bin in this guide is a caddy or collector — it stores your scraps until you take them outside. That’s exactly what it’s supposed to do.
The one exception I’ve tested is the Reencle, which actually produces finished compost indoors using live bacteria rather than just grinding or dehydrating the material. It’s a genuinely different product, and if you don’t have an outdoor setup, it changes your options entirely. To learn more, see our Reencle review.