Compost Bins: Ratings of Sources
Total of 25 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
1. ConsumerReports.org
July 2004
Compost Bins: The Best Cost Less
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
Consumer Reports tested four compost bins -- two static models and two tumblers -- for performance and ease of use. Though this article is very dated, and the results aren't reported as thoroughly as in… some other Consumer Reports articles, its testing is still the most reliable we've found on this subject. Testers' findings on two compost bins conflict in some ways with information from other sources. This review is no longer available at ConsumerReports.org.
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Compost Tumbler
by Brook Elliott
Our Assessment
The staff of the environmental magazine Mother Earth News tested seven compost tumblers against open compost piles. Although the article is older, most of the tumblers featured are still among the most… popular and widely available models, and the article offers a useful description of the different styles and brands of tumblers tested. For "base rolling drum" style tumblers, the testers express a clear preference for the Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker over the EZ Composter. However, in the other categories, the testers offer pros and cons of each model without expressing a preference for one over the other. The article also contains useful tips for operating a compost tumbler that apply to all models.
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Mantis ComposT-Twin
by Leon A. Frechette
Our Assessment
This is a thorough, single-product review from an author with over 15 years of experience as a tool reviewer. Ultimately, Leon Frechette says the Mantis ComposT-Twin compost bin is worth the investment for those serious about composting, but this article gives a good overview of both the pros and cons for this model.
Tumbleweed Composter Test Results
by Editors at Clean Air Gardening
Our Assessment
The Clean Air Gardening website outlines the results of compost-bin testing by members of the National Home Gardening Club. Twenty-seven gardeners volunteered to try the Tumbleweed Composter in their own… yards and were given survey forms with which to evaluate their experience. Using a scale of one to 10, participants rated the Tumbleweed Composter on a variety of elements, such as performance, design, ease of use and comparison to similar products, and many included additional comments. The overall average score is 8.9. Scanned copies of completed survey forms from the Tumbleweed Composter product test can be accessed through a link.
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Composter Reviews
by Jeff Davis
Our Assessment
The motivation behind this website is unclear. Several models are reviewed by Jeff Davis, but the reviews are mainly descriptive and positive while providing no explanation of the methodology, if any, used for testing, Furthermore, some models receive two different ratings, with no explanation. The features discussions here are helpful, but the ratings don't make much sense.
Easy-On-the-Nose Compost
by Sara Schaefer Muñoz
Our Assessment
Two small composters and two crocks meant to hold kitchen scraps are reviewed here by Sara Muñoz. While a few opinions are proffered, Muñoz doesn't express a preference or recommend any over the others.
The Reviews Are In: Our Top Five Composters
by Editors at PeoplePoweredMachines.com
Our Assessment
The proprietors of People Powered Machines, a retail website, indicate that they conduct their own product testing before choosing which compost bins to sell. After testing 20 compost bins, they chose the… Green Cone System, the Tumbleweed Composter, the RolyPig Composter, the Sunmar Composting Line and the NatureMill Electric Composter Line. Unfortunately, little information is included on their methodology, and we're not told which compost bins were disqualified based on the results. The site currently shows two additional composters, the Soil Saver Backyard Composter and the Triformis Can-O-Worms.
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Garden Composting On the Move
by Michael Scott
Our Assessment
Several compost tumblers available in England -- the Tumbleweed Composter, the Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker, the Mantis ComposT-Twin, and the Original, Back Porch and Compact models of the… ComposTumbler -- are profiled and recommended in this article. It is not clear which of the models the reviewer has actually used, however. Another article on this site discusses static compost bins, of which only the Gardener's Supply Company Deluxe Pyramid is readily available in the U.S.
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Composters
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment
The Triformis Can-O-Worms has the most owner reviews here, only one of which is a very low, one-star rating. All other compost bins rated receive no more than four reviews. These include the Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker, the Smith and Hawken Biostack, the Garden Gourmet, the Original ComposTumbler, the Back Porch ComposTumbler and the Urban Compost Tumbler UCT-9.
Soil and Amendments
by Contributors to WormsWay.com
Our Assessment
Worm's Way allows owners to rate and review products, but most of the compost bins sold here are not reviewed. The Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker, the Sunleaves Wormtopia, Kitchen Compost Bin and the… Garden Gourmet are the four models that have been evaluated, and none has more than nine ratings or three narrative reviews each. The Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker and the Sunleaves Wormtopia composters receive the best ratings.
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A Review of Garden Compost Tumblers
by Stuart Robinson
Our Assessment
This blog, maintained by an Australian gardener, has useful information on the pros and cons of several models of tumbling compost bins, but it's not clear whether the reviewer tested more than one of the composters listed himself. His first choice, the Nylex Ezyroll, is only available in Australia. Other models profiled are the Urban Compost Tumbler UCT-9 and the OriginalComposTumbler.
Composting Bins
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
Amazon.com's owner ratings on compost bins are sparse, with only a handful of products earning any reviews at all. The Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker receives a couple dozen reviews, the most of any… compost bin, with mostly favorable ratings. The Tumbleweed Composter gets nearly 10 very high four- and five-star reviews. Some compost bins require more advanced searches to uncover; simple strings such as "composter" or "compost bin" don't reveal them.
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Compost Items
by Contributors to ThisNext.com
Our Assessment
ThisNext.com describes itself as a "social shopping site." There are fewer user reviews on this website than on Amazon.com or Epinions.com, with each compost bin or pail generally receiving only two or three recommendations. The NatureMill Automatic Kitchen Composter receives the most. Several popular models are included, as well as some compost bins not rated on the other user review sites.
I Love My Can of (Pet) Worms
by Sarah Sands
Our Assessment
This article from London's Daily Mail recommends the Triformis Can-O-Worms for those composting in smaller spaces. It features a woman who has been using the worm bin in her London home. Several books about worms and composting are also mentioned.
Urban Composting: A New Can of Worms
by Mireya Navarro
Our Assessment
This article discusses urban composting with a focus on vermicomposting. Although it does not recommend any specific brand of commercial worm bin, it provides useful information for those having trouble with worm bins or who may be unsure of how to get started. The article also mentions the NatureMill compost bins as an alternative to using worms.
Shopping with Jill Fehrenbacher: All Shades of Green
by Tim McKeough
Our Assessment
Green-design expert Jill Fehrenbacher names several products, including the NatureMill Automatic Indoor Composter, as gadgets that can contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. Her criteria include how much energy a product uses, whether it is made from recycled materials and whether it reduces waste.
Compost Tumblers, Garden Backyard Composters, Barrels and Bins
by Robert Matthews
Our Assessment
A number of compost bins are listed in this survey of the major types of backyard and garden composters. Descriptions are brief, and compost bins aren't ranked in any way, nor do they appear to have been formally tested.
Treehugger Picks: For the Domestic Composter
by Collin Dunn
Our Assessment
Treehugger.com rounds up its past reviews of both indoor and outdoor composters, although its picks are limited to mainly indoor composters. The descriptions of the composters are brief, focusing on the one or two key features of each. Readers add their composter suggestions at the end of the article.
Compost Bins
by Contributors to Clean Air Gardening
Our Assessment
Clean Air Gardening welcomes owner reviews, but hardly any have been submitted. Two compost bins are listed as bestsellers: the Tumbleweed Composter and the Big Round Compost Bin. The Big Round Compost Bin… is reviewed only by one unsatisfied consumer, while the Tumbleweed Composter receives a handful of reviews. The site also selects a Stainless Steel Compost Pail for collecting food scraps as one of its bestsellers. Finally, the site offers a short, but helpful buyer's guide to compost bins.
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Compost Bins
by Editors of The Compost Bin
Our Assessment
This list of popular compost bins doesn't offer much in the way of ratings or recommendations, but it does provide a convenient resource for finding basic information on 17 composters at once.
The Ten Best
by Compiled by Adam Vaughan
Our Assessment
The Triformis Can-O-Worms is given a brief mention as one of the 10 best ways to conserve planetary resources. There's no indication of why the Triformis Can-O-Worms (referred to here as the "Wiggly Wigglers Can-O-Worms") was chosen over other products, however.
Biostack Composter: Green Gardening
by Editors of TheBudgetEcoist.com
Our Assessment
Only one compost bin is recommended on this website that caters to the eco- and budget-conscious -- the Smith and Hawken Biostack, which the editors like for its "ease of use and simplicity." The review does not explain its testing method, however, or compare the Smith and Hawken Biostack to any other compost bins.
Compost Systems
by Contributors to Gardener's Supply Company
Our Assessment
Gardener's Supply Company is a retailer and designer of gardening products in Burlington, Vermont. They offer many composting systems, many of which have received a large number of user reviews. The Gardener's Supply Wire Bin Composter receives more than 90 reviews, with well above-average overall ratings.
Soil, Compost and Mulch Forum
by Contributors to GardenWeb.com
Our Assessment
There's very little to be found here in terms of formal reviews, but searching for certain compost bins by name (such as the Smith and Hawken Biostack) can locate some model-specific tips and owner opinions shared by forum members. Requests for composter recommendations are posted from time to time, but there's rarely a strong consensus in terms of which model is best.
Compost Bins
by Andrew Delroy
Our Assessment
This article discusses the various types of compost bins available, such as plastic, homemade, compost tumblers and indoor compost bins. Each type has a list of advantages and disadvantages. The only brand mentioned is the NatureMill Indoor Composter. This article is useful for those wanting an overview of the various types of compost bins available.
