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The simplehuman Compost Caddy is beautiful. Maybe too beautiful. If you live in a country kitchen like mine, you’ll probably find it looks out of place. And if you’re a frequent and/or frantic cook, you’ll find the aperture a little too narrow for speedy waste disposal.
If, however, you live in a modern kitchen and are the type that carefully scrapes scraps into the bin, it’s a strong choice. And if you’re already a simplehuman fan with one of their larger kitchen bins, it’s probably a no-brainer — the magnetic docking system is designed exactly for that pairing.
The perfect caddy for a sleek, modern, designer kitchen. Not the one for busy, lived-in kitchens or budget conscious shoppers.
Key features
- Type: Countertop
- Capacity: 1.06 gallons (4L)
- Odor Control: Soft-seal lid + Agion® antimicrobial coating — no charcoal filter
- Material: Brushed stainless steel outer; plastic inner bucket
- Dishwasher Safe: Inner bucket only
- Colors: Brushed Stainless, Matte Black, White, Matte Gold
You’ll love the simplehuman Compost Caddy if: You want style and aesthetics for a modern kitchen, you’re just getting started with composting and want something that looks good on the counter, or you’re already in the simplehuman ecosystem and want a caddy that docks directly onto your existing bin.
Alternatives: Choose the mBillion for a similar but more functional design, or the Epica for stronger odor control and more capacity at a lower price.
💡 Not sure if this is your perfect match? Compare it against our other favorites in the complete best kitchen compost bins guide.
My Experience
Design and Build Quality
My wife says: “this is very small, very cute, and very pretty — just like me.” I say this is a minimalist, sophisticated kitchen bin. From the start, the presentation is beautiful throughout – and that includes the instructions, the interior, the accessories, and even the box it came in.
I can imagine a graphic designer loving this, but I think it’s wasted on me — my instinct is that this belongs in an ultra-modern, stylish apartment. That said, I was briefly confused by the instructions and the mount that it came with. Then I realized this caddy was designed to be mounted on a simplehuman kitchen bin.
Fortunately, it works just fine as a stand-alone bin.
The build quality gets a 5/5 from me — there’s some serious engineering gone into this. simplehuman obviously have confidence in the build, backing the caddy up with a rare and impressive 5-year warranty.
It’s also very compact, although there’s not much capacity, which again points to the chic apartment owner rather than a busy cook or large messy family.
Odor Control
Note that the simplehuman doesn’t come with a charcoal filter. Whether that’s a good thing or not depends on you. If you don’t empty regularly and are happy ordering filters every few months, that’s a bad thing. For everyone else, it doesn’t really matter.
What’s more, given the effort that’s clearly gone into the design, you won’t be surprised to hear that the lid has a soft, snug fit, which will combat odors on its own.
Plus the simplehuman Compost Caddy has other tricks up its lid — there’s an EPA-registered antimicrobial coating infused into the steel itself, which inhibits bacteria and mold. We certainly didn’t have any issues with odors, although as mentioned we do tend to empty regularly.
Lid Mechanism
Like the Oxo Good Grips, the lid can be opened with one hand and stays open while you throw waste in. However, you need to remove the lid to take out the inner bin, which is one area where it falls behind the mBillion hanging
Neither the outer bin nor the inner bin have a carry handle – I prefer to have a handle, but given the size and the fact I used it with a bin, that didn’t really matter.
Cleaning
The interior plastic bin is dishwasher safe, while the outer stainless steel bin is designed to be wiped down. In practice, as we used this with bags it didn’t get very dirty and only needed a quick wipe.
On Those Bags
Unlike some bins, such as the Full Circle Fresh Air, bags aren’t mandatory here. The inner bucket is solid, so you can use it liner-free if you prefer. However, we chose to use this bin with bags — throwing scraps into this bin without one felt like a crime against design. We used other, less pretty bins for scraps destined for our outside compost bins.
I do like the fact that it came with a roll of 30 compostable bags. In contrast, the mBillion came with non-compostable bags, while most bins don’t come with them at all.
Space Required
Being compact, the simplehuman required very little counter space. That makes it a good option if you have a small kitchen — although it’s worth noting that the mBillion, which hangs from the top of a cupboard door, is also a strong option for saving space.
Verdict
If looks are important, you have a modern designer kitchen, and you’re prepared to pay for a premium model, this could be your dream compost caddy. If you’re already a simplehuman fan and have the simplehuman bin, it’s probably a no-brainer.
If, however, function, price, or capacity matter more, I’d suggest heading over to our kitchen bins guide and choosing a different model. As for me? I love the design, but it’s not for me. I’d buy the simplehuman Compost Caddy as a gift for the right person, but not for personal use.
Bottom Line: The simplehuman Compost Caddy is the best-looking bin we’ve tested — beautifully engineered and a natural choice if you already own a simplehuman main bin. But if you have a busy, lived-in kitchen, value function over form, or need something reasonably priced, I’d suggest choosing another option from our list of best kitchen compost bins.
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
- Value: 2.5/5 (premium price for limited capacity — justified if you’re in the simplehuman ecosystem)
- Odor Control: 4/5 (snug lid works well; Agion® coating a nice extra)
- Ease of Use: 3.5/5 (one-handed lid is good; narrow aperture and no external handle less so)
- Build Quality: 5/5 (exceptional finish and engineering)
Testing Note: Tested for 3 weeks. Kitchen bins are storage containers, not composting systems — 3 weeks of daily use covers everything that matters: odor control, usability, and cleaning.
Full Pros & Cons
Click to expand full specifications and testing notes
Dimensions: 9⅝” W × 5½” D × 8¹¹⁄₁₆” H (24.5cm × 14cm × 22cm)
Capacity: 1.06 gallons / 4 litres
Material: Brushed stainless steel outer; plastic inner bucket
Lid Type: Soft-seal, one-handed operation — stays open when cooking
Handle: No external handle on outer bin; inner bucket has a handle for emptying
Colors Available: Brushed Stainless, Matte Black, White, Matte Gold
Odor Control: Soft-seal lid + Agion® EPA-registered antimicrobial coating (brushed model only). No charcoal filter.
Dishwasher Safe: Inner bucket — manufacturer claim. Not tested — unnecessary due to bag use. Outer bin: wipe down only.
Bag Compatibility: Optional (solid inner bucket). Code Z custom-fit compostable liners. 30-pack included in box.
Warranty: 5 years
What’s Included: Outer stainless bin, inner plastic bucket, mounting hardware for simplehuman bins, 30-pack compostable liners, instruction sheet.
Testing conditions: 3 weeks, autumn. Two adults, light cooking. Tested with vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and occasional cooked scraps. Emptied every 2–3 days. No odor issues when closed.
Related Guides
Best Compost Bins — Our complete guide to every type of composting system — kitchen bins, outdoor bins, tumblers, and worm composters — across all price points. The starting point if you’re still deciding what’s right for you.
Best Kitchen Compost Bins — Our comprehensive guide comparing all tested kitchen caddies, ranked by odor control method, capacity, and budget. See how the simplehuman stacks up against the full field.
Best Outdoor Compost Bins — Where to take your scraps next. Complete guide to backyard composting systems including static bins, tumblers, and hot composters.
mBillion Kitchen Compost Bin Review — A natural alternative if you like the simplehuman’s compact style but want better usability and a lower price. The hanging design also frees up counter space entirely.
OXO Good Grips Kitchen Compost Bin Review — My wife’s favorite for one-handed operation while cooking. Worth considering if ease of use matters more than aesthetics, and a 5-year warranty isn’t a deciding factor for you.
9 Easy Ways to Stop Kitchen Compost Bins Smelling — Practical tips for any kitchen caddy, including what to put in, how full to fill, and natural odor control without relying on filters or coatings.