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When it first arrived, on the same day as the simplehuman
The lack of instructions and the inclusion of non-compostable bags didn’t add to my expectations. But after using it for a week, this bin turns out to offer both form and function, and all for a reasonable price.
For the price, this is an excellent hanging compost bin. We particularly liked the neat lid design and the one hand operation. Doesn't come with filters, so best for regular emptiers.
Key features
- Type: Hanging Bin
- Capacity: 1.05 gallons (4L) — also available in 2.1 gallon
- Odour Control: Decent seal, no filter
- Material: 401 Stainless Steel
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes (inner bin)
- Colours: Brushed Silver, White, Black, Grey
🌱 You’ll love the mBillion if: You want a hanging bin that takes up zero counter space, have a well-placed cupboard door near your prep area, and prefer to avoid bags, filters, and ongoing replacement costs.
Alternatives: See our favourite bins – the Epica for stronger odour control and aesthetics, or the OXO Good Grips for one-handed use without the hanging mount.
Design & Build
My first impression was that the mBillion had taken clear design inspiration from the simplehuman. The shape is very similar, albeit a bit chunkier and less refined.
While not quite as sophisticated as the simplehuman, the 1.05 gallon (4L) stainless steel build looks modern and feels solid.
The bin comes with two mounting options. The first is an adhesive wall mount, which I chose not to use as I prefer the flexibility to move the bin around. The second is a door hook, which I fitted to the top of a cupboard door. (Note that this fits doors up to 0.98″ (2.5cm) thick.)
The standout feature is the lid. A neat little tab allows you to operate it with one hand — a significant advantage over the Full Circle Fresh Air bin, which requires two hands.
The lid opens in two ways: tilting back to expose most of the aperture, or fully forward to and down to nestle against the front of the bin, giving a large enough opening to throw food in with ease.
There is no handle on the inner or outer bin. In practice this isn’t a big issue, as the outer bin stays in place and the inner bin slips neatly out for emptying. That said, a small handle on the inner bin would make it a little easier to carry.
My Experience
My mBillion hangs on the cupboard door just below one of my prep surfaces and next to the sink — taking up zero counter space and making it very convenient for throwing waste away.
I used this bin primarily for chicken scraps. Despite adding cooked food, I had no problems with odours — though I was emptying it daily. (It’s impossible to forget in our house – the chickens crowd at the edge of their pen and glare at us through the kitchen windows until they’ve been fed).
The seal is decent but not super tight, and there’s no charcoal filter. If you only empty your caddy occasionally, I’d try the Epica instead, or go for the 2.1 gallon mBillion model to give yourself more breathing room.
The inner bin wipes down so easily that I never needed to put it in the dishwasher, though it is dishwasher safe.
Because the inner bin takes all the waste, the outer bin stays clean. In contrast to the Full Circle, the solid inner bin means zero leakage problems, and I’ve yet to notice any condensation — though I’ll keep an eye on that as the weather warms up.
The mBillion came with simple white plastic bags that don’t appear to be compostable and likely wouldn’t be accepted in compost collections. I chose not to use bags at all, which also means zero ongoing maintenance costs with no filter to replace. If you do want to use liners, look for 1-gallon (4L) compostable caddy bags.
Verdict
This is an attractive and modern bin, and I think the stainless steel finish will suit contemporary houses perfectly — even if it feels a little out of place in my more traditional country kitchen.
It’s not quite as sleek as the simplehuman, but I think it has a better balance of form and function. The OXO Good Grips prioritises function over form; the simplehuman prioritises form over function. The mBillion sits comfortably in the middle.
At around half the price of the simplehuman, and cheaper than several other bins I’ve reviewed, that feels like a good deal.
Full pros & cons
Technical details & specifications
Dimensions & capacity
- Capacity: 1.05 gallon (4L) — also available in 2.1 gallon
- Material: 401 Stainless Steel
- Colours: Brushed Silver, White, Black, Grey
Design & build quality
- Lid Type: Sliding tab, one-handed operation
- Handle: None (inner or outer bin)
- Mounting: Door hook (fits doors up to 0.98″/2.5cm thick) or adhesive wall mount
- Amazon Rating: 4.4/5
Odour control
- Method: Decent seal, no filter
- Filter Included: No
- Replacement Cost: N/A
Cleaning & maintenance
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes (inner bin)
- Hand Washing: Very easy — inner bin wipes clean without needing the dishwasher
- Outer Bin: Stays clean as inner bin takes all waste
Bag compatibility
- Can Use Without Liner: Yes
- Recommended Bag Size: 1-gallon (4L) compostable caddy bags
- Included Bags: Simple white plastic — not compostable
What’s included
- Outer stainless steel bin
- Removable inner bin
- Sliding lid
- Door hook
- Adhesive wall mount
- Non-compostable plastic bags
- No instructions
Testing conditions
- Testing Period: [X] weeks ([season])
- Emptying Frequency: Daily
- What We Used It For: Primarily cooked chicken scraps
Related posts
- Best Kitchen Compost Bins — See how the mBillion compares against all the kitchen bins we’ve tested, with recommendations by budget and household size.
- Utopia Kitchen Compost Bin Review — Another stainless steel bin with charcoal filter odour control. Worth comparing if build quality and aesthetics are your priority.
- Full Circle Fresh Air Review — A filter-free approach to odour control using airflow. Worth considering if you want to avoid ongoing filter costs.
- How to Stop Kitchen Compost Bins Smelling — Practical tips for getting the best odour control from any kitchen caddy, including what to include, what to avoid, and cleaning frequency.