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7 Best Kitchen Compost Bins for Richer, Healthier Soil

Natalie Wilkinson
Written By Natalie Wilkinson
Last updated: Feb 24, 2025, 05:30 AM
Affiliate Disclosure ↓

Turning kitchen waste into garden gold is the perfect example of “trash to treasure.” Those banana peels and coffee grounds you toss? They’re superfoods for your garden.

Large square-shaped stainless steel kitchen compost bin on a kitchen counter, filled to the top with banana peels, apple cores, and vegetable scraps.

Studies show that compost from kitchen scraps delivers some of the richest and most powerful nutrients for your garden

If your garden’s soil becomes more fertile and holds moisture and nutrients better, everything you grow will flourish. With kitchen compost, plants grow stronger, flowers bloom brighter, and fruits and veggies look and taste better. Healthy soil means bigger, better results in your garden. Essentially, composting with different food scraps supercharges your soil. After careful consideration, we voted the Epica Kitchen Compost Bin best overall out of seven popular compost bins.

View all Contents
  • Choosing the Best Kitchen Compost Bin: A User's Guide
      • My Personal Pick
      • 5 Things You Need to Consider When Choosing a Kitchen Compost Bin
    • A Personal Note
  • Kitchen Compost Bin FAQs
  • Our Recipe for Trust: Why Choose Kitchen Institute
  • Contributors
  • Related Reviews

Our Top Picks

  • Epica Kitchen Compost Bin: Best Overall (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this kitchen compost bin ↓
  • Modern Barnhaus Kitchen Compost Bin: Runner-Up (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this kitchen compost bin ↓
  • Lomi Electric Kitchen Composter: Luxury Pick (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this kitchen compost bin ↓
  • OXO Kitchen Compost Bin: Best Design (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this kitchen compost bin ↓
  • Utopia Kitchen Compost Bin: Most Stylish (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this kitchen compost bin ↓
  • KaryHome Kitchen Compost Bin: Most Durable (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this kitchen compost bin ↓
  • Cooler Kitchen Compost Bin: Most Capacity (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this kitchen compost bin ↓

7 Best Kitchen Compost Bins of 2025

Epica Kitchen Compost Bin

Best Overall
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The Epica Kitchen Compost Bin (featured in Bon Appetit and Forbes) handles up to 1.3 gallons of kitchen scraps. It’s no surprise that thousands of people are choosing this brand (2K+ sales this month alone!) to make composting easy and odor-free.

To begin with, the bin’s stainless steel design is durable and scratch-resistant. The best part? Its airtight lid and replaceable charcoal filters (good for over six months) keep odors sealed inside—no unwanted smells in your kitchen! What’s more, you can choose from many colors to match your aesthetics—silver, gold, black, bronze, copper, gray, and white. In short, it’s not every day that a product boasts a 4.7-star rating from over 18,000 happy customers, but this bin has earned its place as a top pick for anyone serious about sustainable, easy composting. We voted it best overall for its quality design and powerful filters that obliterate odors.

Why It Flies off the Shelves
  • 18,000+ customers give it a 4.7-star rating
  • Stainless steel design for durability and style
  • Charcoal filters keep your kitchen odor-free
  • Holds up to 1.3 gallons of food scraps
  • Available in six colors to match any kitchen
What to Note
  • 83% of customers gave it a 5-star rating (we searched high and low for a con—no luck!)

Modern Barnhaus Kitchen Compost Bin

Runner-Up
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Say hello to the runner-up, the Modern Barnhaus Kitchen Compost Bin. To begin with, it holds 1.3 gallons, just like the best overall, but with a retro turquoise look that gives your kitchen a fun pop of color. It even comes with a year’s supply of charcoal filters and compost bags (yep, you’re set for the next 12 months!).

Now, compared to the best overall (Epica), this one has a bit more personality with its retro turquoise design. Performance-wise, it’s just as effective at controlling odors with its airtight lid and charcoal filters, but it also includes a quick-start booklet. Moreover, it’s slightly pricier. But with a 4.6-star rating from 1,500+ reviews, it’s not far behind in terms of customer love.

Why It Flies off the Shelves
  • 4.6-star rating from over 1,500 customers
  • Retro design that adds style to your kitchen
  • Comes with a year’s supply of filters and compost bags
  • Includes a helpful composting guide
What to Note
  • Only comes in turquoise

Lomi Electric Kitchen Composter

Luxury Pick
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Meet the luxury pick—the Lomi Electric Composter. This isn’t your average compost bin. With a 0.79-gallon capacity and cutting-edge smart technology, it turns your food waste into nutrient-packed natural fertilizer with the push of a button. It’s pretty, classy, and designed for your countertop, but its price tag reflects its high-tech features.

Compared to the best overall and runner-up, Lomi is in a league of its own. It takes composting to the next level with its powerful electric composting capabilities—turning food scraps into fertilizer in under 24 hours. If you’re serious about sustainability and love the idea of convenience at your fingertips, this bin is perfect for you. But it’s definitely more of an investment at $379 (as of this writing). In short, while the best overall and runner-up are great for manual composting, this kitchen compost bin does all the work for you.

Why It Flies off the Shelves
  • Turns waste into fertilizer in under 24 hours
  • Smart technology—just press a button and it does the rest
  • Compact size but still holds 0.79 gallons of waste
  • Perfect for busy households looking for easy composting
What to Note
  • Pricey (but that hasn’t stopped thousands from investing in it!)

OXO Kitchen Compost Bin

Best Design
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The next composter is available in white or charcoal. With a 4.6-star rating, the OXO Kitchen Compost Bin is a popular pick. It’s practical, looks discreet, and comes in two sizes: 0.75 gallons and 1.75 gallons.

Because there are no holes, there is zero odor, so no filter is needed. Moreover, the flip-up lid makes adding scraps easy with one hand. Likewise, the smooth interior walls prevent buildup, while the durable handle makes it convenient to carry the bin to your outdoor composter without spilling. If you’re after a compost bin that doesn’t use filters, this is a top contender.

Why It Flies off the Shelves
  • 4.6-star rating from over 16,000 customers
  • Affordable kitchen compost bin
  • Available in two sizes (0.75 and 1.75 gallons)
  • Comes in two color options: white and charcoal
  • Flip-up lid for one-handed opening (so convenient while cooking)
What to Note
  • No charcoal filters included

Utopia Kitchen Compost Bin

Most Stylish
image
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No, you’re not seeing double—the Utopia Kitchen Compost Bin looks almost identical to the best overall. Of course, there are some differences though. While the Epica offers its own range of colors, this brand gives you options like silver, white, gold, dark purple, copper, black, and gray.

In terms of size, this pick comes in a 1.3-gallon capacity (the same as the best overall), but it also offers a 1-gallon size, giving you a bit more flexibility based on how much composting you do. Rating-wise, this kitchen compost bin boasts 4.6 stars from over 18,000 customers, making it a popular pick with a strong following. Like the best overall, the Utopia bin uses charcoal filters to trap odors naturally. It’s also made of durable stainless steel that resists scratches and chips, so you can count on it lasting for the long haul. Lastly, cleaning is easy—rinse with warm, soapy water, and you’re good to go.

Why It Flies off the Shelves
  • 4.6-star rating from over 18,000 customers
  • Comes in multiple colors like silver, gold, and dark purple
  • Available in two sizes: 1 gallon and 1.3 gallons
  • Charcoal filters keep odors in check
  • Made of durable stainless steel (built to last)
What to Note
  • Slightly cheaper than the best overall

KaryHome Kitchen Compost Bin

Most Durable
image
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Here we have a bin that’s mountable. The 1.3-gallon KaryHome Kitchen Compost Bin can be hung on cabinet doors, mounted under the sink, or placed right on your countertop. Unlike traditional compost bins, there’s no need for charcoal filters—it’s designed to be odor-free without them.

Moreover, mounting is easy with the included hook or self-adhesive tape. A clever place to hook it would be inside the kitchen cupboard—under the sink and out of sight. Most importantly, there’s no need for drilling; you can either hook it or stick it. Quality-wise, it’s rated 4.5 stars and is available in white, black, green, gray, and blue.

Why It Flies off the Shelves
  • 4.5-star rating
  • Mountable design that hangs on cabinets or sits on the counter
  • Odor-free without the need for charcoal filters
  • Available in multiple colors like white, black, green, gray, and blue
What to Note
  • No charcoal filter costs

Cooler Kitchen Compost Bin

Most Capacity
image
Check On Amazon

Our last bin is classy. And Thousands of customers love it for a reason. The Cooler Kitchen Compost Bin stands out for its glossy finish in either white, red, or black. However, don’t let its looks fool you—it’s made from high-quality carbon steel. Its modern design and 1.3-gallon capacity make it perfect for any kitchen. Most noteworthy, it has an activated charcoal filter, keeping your kitchen odor-free. 

Moreover, the removable plastic liner makes emptying and cleaning easy. You can even toss it in the dishwasher. Likewise, the easy-lift lid gives you quick access without tricky locks. This means you can toss in scraps while cooking without missing a beat.

Why It Flies off the Shelves
  • 68% of customers give it a 5-star rating
  • Made of high-quality carbon steel, built to last
  • Comes in three classy colors: white, red, and black
  • Removable plastic liner (no leaks and dishwasher safe!)
What to Note
  • One activated charcoal filter is included

Choosing the Best Kitchen Compost Bin: A User's Guide

My Personal Pick

1. Epica Kitchen Compost Bin

Best Kitchen Compost Bin for Its Quality Design and Powerful Filters That Obliterate Odors

The Epica Kitchen Compost Bin sold on Amazon

Image courtesy of Epica

Why Choose It?

  • A solid 4.7-star rating and over 18,000 units sold
  • 83% of people give it a 5-star rating
  • Keeps odors sealed with a charcoal filter for a fresh-smelling kitchen
  • Built to last with durable stainless steel construction
  • Voted “best overall” by the Kitchen Institute Review Team

5 Things You Need to Consider When Choosing a Kitchen Compost Bin

Whether you’re looking for a reliable countertop bin or something tech-forward (like the Lomi), there are a few key things you’ll want to keep in mind when picking the perfect kitchen compost bin.

1. Size & Capacity

First, think about how much food waste you typically produce. Do you need a bin that can handle a lot of scraps, or are you just looking for something small and convenient? The Epica Kitchen Compost Bin, our best overall, hits the sweet spot with a 1.3-gallon capacity—big enough for a few days’ worth of scraps without taking up too much counter space.

On the other hand, the Modern Barnhaus (runner-up) also offers a 1.3-gallon capacity, but with a little more flair—ideal if you’re looking for something that makes a statement in your kitchen. It comes with a year’s supply of filters and bags, so you’re set for a while.

And, as a third option, if you want a smaller, high-tech bin, the Lomi (luxury pick) offers 0.79 gallons but brings electric composting power into the mix.

2. Odor Control

Let’s be honest, no one wants their kitchen to smell like compost. This is where the Epica Kitchen Compost Bin really shines. It comes with an airtight lid and charcoal filters, keeping those unpleasant odors sealed away—no need to worry about funky smells taking over your space. You’ll love how simple it is, yet how effectively it controls odors.

Likewise, the Modern Barnhaus also uses charcoal filters to trap odors and keep your kitchen fresh, making it another solid choice.

Of course, the Lomi, thanks to its electric composting system, doesn’t leave waste hanging around long enough to smell—composting in under 24 hours.

3. Design & Aesthetics

You’re going to see this bin every day, so design matters. The Epica Kitchen Compost Bin sports a sleek stainless steel finish that blends into any kitchen style. It’s durable, easy to clean, and looks good sitting on your counter.

Of course, if you want something with more personality, the Modern Barnhaus is a standout with its retro turquoise design. It’s perfect for those who like a bit of color and charm in their kitchen.

4. Easy to Use

If it’s not easy to use, you won’t use it. The Epica is as simple as it gets—toss in your scraps, close the lid, and let the charcoal filter take care of odors. Likewise, cleaning it is hassle-free, and it’s built to last. It’s designed for everyday use and makes composting a no-brainer.

The Modern Barnhaus offers similar ease of use but comes with extras like a composting guide and a handy magnet to remind you what you can and can’t compost.

The Lomi, meanwhile, is all about convenience—press a button, and it does the rest. But remember, this level of ease comes with a higher price tag.

5. Price

Let’s talk money. The Epica Kitchen Compost Bin is an affordable option. It’s reliable, well-designed, and great value for what it offers. If you want something that just works, without the extra frills, the Epica is the clear winner.

The Modern Barnhaus is a few dollars more than the best overall, but you’re getting more extras like filters and bags that last a year.

The Lomi? At $379, it’s for those who want the best of the best (and are willing to pay for it). It’s the ultimate convenience with smart composting technology, but if you’re budget-conscious, the Epica and Modern Barnhaus are more wallet-friendly choices.

A Personal Note

If you’re looking for a quality composting bin, the Epica is your go-to. For a bit more style and flair, the Modern Barnhaus is a worthy runner-up. And if you want to go all-in on composting convenience, the Lomi Electric Composter has the tech to back up its luxury price.

Kitchen Compost Bin FAQs

Is it better for a kitchen compost bin to have holes in it?

I prefer bins without holes. The Epica Kitchen Compost Bin, our best overall, doesn’t have holes but uses charcoal filters to trap odors effectively.

Is kitchen compost from fruit and vegetable scraps better than yard-only compost?

Yes, kitchen compost is often richer in nutrients because of the variety of fruit and vegetable scraps. I usually make instant coffee, but when I have coffee grounds, they go in the compost bin. Likewise, when I use my tea infuser to make loose-leaf tea, I also put the used tea leaves in the compost bin. Moreover, yard-only compost mainly consists of leaves and grass, which don’t break down as quickly or offer as many nutrients.

How long should I wait for kitchen scraps to completely compost in a bin?

Composting kitchen scraps usually takes about two to six months, depending on the conditions. If you're using a basic bin, it’ll take longer than with a high-tech option like the Lomi. I like to check on it every few weeks to see how things are breaking down.

Is the Epica Kitchen Compost Bin a best-seller?

Yes, the Epica Kitchen Compost Bin is a best-seller, and for good reason. With over 18,000 happy customers and a 4.7-star rating, it’s one of the most popular compost bins out there.

Our Recipe for Trust: Why Choose Kitchen Institute

At the Kitchen Institute, we're dedicated to providing reliable and accurate information on cooking trends, tips, and product reviews. Our team of passionate food enthusiasts ensures that every piece of content is thoroughly researched and based on real-world experience. We pride ourselves on our comprehensive and unbiased product reviews, rigorous research processes, and commitment to staying current with the latest culinary innovations. Trust us to enhance your culinary journey with quality insights and practical advice.

Contributors

Natalie Wilkinson
Natalie Wilkinson
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