15 of the best compost bins to buy in 2022 and how to choose them

By Matt Breen

Published: Tuesday, 09 August 2022 at 12:00 am

No serious garden is complete without a compost bin or compost area of some kind. Not only is composting an environmentally friendly way of dealing with your kitchen and garden waste, but it’s also a fantastic method for enriching your garden soil and therefore helping to grow healthy plants. Don’t miss our guide to improving soil health.

Composting can be done all year round (with late summer to early winter being a peak time) and while there are general rules to follow, anyone can try it. The key is to find the best compost bin for your outdoor area – even if space is at a premium, there are small composters that will make it possible. For a few key pointers, read our guide to composting in a tiny garden.

We’ve picked out a selection of the very best compost bins available, plus a few composting accessories you might need. We also have a guide on the best types of compost to buy. First, though, read on for our guide to help you pick the right compost bin for your outdoor space.

How to choose the best compost bin for your garden

How do compost bins work?

Compost bins work by speeding up the decaying process that takes place naturally with dead, rotting organic materials. This would happen organically in an unenclosed space too – but a compost bin creates the perfect conditions for microorganisms to break down discarded material and turn it into nutrient-rich soil. The compost will emerge over the months, or even up to a year, and you can then add it to your beds as a fertiliser.

This process is aerobic, which is another way of saying that oxygen is vital in order for those microorganisms to work their magic. A natural byproduct of the composting process is heat, and temperatures inside composts can reach as high as 75C.

As our society grows increasingly environmentally aware, more and more people are turning to compost. Even some plastic manufacturers are marketing their products as biodegradable and compostable – claims that are currently being put to the test in The Big Compost Experiment.

Types of compost bin

Unsurprisingly, they come in a range of sizes and types. You’ll find the best compost bins in each category down below, but here’s a quick round-up of the main varieties:

Wooden compost bins

Wooden compost bins are generally made of slats, which allow air in through their sides – handy for assisting the composting process. Some come with a roof that keeps the rain out. One drawback to slatted compost bins is that they won’t retain as much heat as completely sealed plastic bins. But the convenience of removable slats can make a huge difference.

Plastic compost bins

Plastic compost bins are suitable for smaller gardens and outdoor spaces. Their non-porous sides mean they are effective at retaining heat, and since they don’t let in light, they prevent weeds from growing inside the compost. Cheaper plastic bins are unventilated, while higher-end choices have holes to allow air inside.

Compost bags

You can turn any old sack or tarpaulin bag into a composter, but far wiser is investing in a special composting bag. These are made of breathable, durable fabric that allows oxygen to enter inside, and won’t rot or get damaged by the stored compost.

Worm composts

Worm composts, or wormeries, are one of the best compost bin options for people who have limited outdoor space but are keen to see something useful done with their kitchen scraps. The wiggly little inhabitants of these bins break down the material and produce a nutrient-rich liquid that works as a highly effective fertiliser.

Bokashi bins

Developed in Japan, bokashi is a fermentation, rather than decomposition, process, and takes place far more rapidly – in as little as 10 days, you can have nutrient-rich material that can be added to your garden. Read our guide to bokashi for a proper run-through of what’s involved. Bokashi bins typically come in twin backs, so you can add to one bin while the other is fermenting.

For more on fermentation and feeds, read our piece on everything you need to know about foliar sprays.

Why should I use a compost bin?

There are plenty of benefits when it comes to composting, for both your personal garden and the environment.

Breaking down your own waste not only limits the amount that’s thrown away, helping to manage your carbon footprint, it can also be recycled back into your green space, enriching the soil and helping your plants thrive.