Composting is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to turn kitchen scraps and garden waste into rich, natural fertilizer for your flower or vegetable garden. If used regularly and correctly, compost can balance pH, improve soil structure and provide adequate material for soil organisms to feed on. That being said, creating an ongoing compost process can be hard work. To simplify the process, you should consider investing in a compost bin or compost tumbler, and following a reliable step-by-step guide. For example, this guide from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on home composting to get started easily and correctly.
Choosing between a compost tumbler and a compost bin depends on your space, how fast you want compost, and how much effort you’re willing to put in. A compost tumbler speeds up composting, is low-maintenance and pest-resistant, but pricier. Meanwhile, a compost bin handles larger volumes, is cheaper and larger, but requires more manual effort and time. We’ve put together a detailed guide on the best compost bins, as well as a separate article focused on the best kitchen compost bins for kitchen waste, if you’re mainly composting indoors.
If you’re looking for a clean, fast, and low-effort way to compost, a compost tumbler is an excellent choice. How do you choose the best compost tumbler? The good news is that we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 models that will blend right in with your garden’s needs. We’ve also included a convenient buyers guide that identifies the key features you should consider as you shortlist your potential favorites. Some of these specifications include the capacity, construction material, and whether or not your particular model is UV-protected. Understanding what features to look for will ensure that you pick the best outdoor compost tumbler for all your composting needs.
More features: decent aeration, durable construction, garden gloves included, sunlight-proof, rain-proof
The VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter features a 43-gallon twin chamber. With two chambers, it’s easy to compost in batches – one side decomposes while you add new material to the other side. This means that from the second batch, you’ll have a steady flow of healthy compost. Regarded as one of the best home compost tumblers, this unit is well worth considering!
We included this model on our list because of its creative tumbling design. This feature allows you to turn the compost with minimal hassle. It’s sturdy, durable as well as corrosion and weather resistant. This model boasts adjustable air vents and deep fins that provide superior air circulation. With the high volume of oxygen that flows through the compost, it only takes a few weeks to produce.
More features: dual doors, rodent-proof design, durable galvanized steel, food-grade non-toxic insulation
The Jora compost tumbler is an extremely beneficial option for everyone with a higher compost demand. With dual doors, the composter has two chambers, and the total capacity is a mammoth 70 gallons. Each chamber can be used independently, so you don’t have to stop the composting process. It is made of galvanized steel and is not only durable, but also looks great. Meanwhile, the inside of the compost bins is made of food-grade, non-toxic insulation.
The Jora compost tumbler is raised off the ground, and you may not be required to kneel down to empty, fill, or turn it like you need to with other tumblers. For those who are old and have back issues and want to compost, they can easily do so. Also, it has handles that make the hand turning process easier. The temperature inside the chambers can be increased to more than 160 degrees Celsius, which turns out to greatly aid faster composting.
The assembly, like with many other composters, is a bit difficult. So it will take some time to put the parts together.
More features: easy to use, durable construction, 100% post-consumer recycled polypropylene
If you’re new to composting, the IM4000 is ideal for beginners. With its easy-to-use tumbling design, it’s so much simpler than digging, mixing, and turning a compost pile by hand. Deep side fins serve as ergonomic handholds, making the composter easy to carry to your garden for emptying out. The 37-gallon capacity size is perfect for starting with kitchen scraps and garden clippings.
We included this unit on our list because it’s durable, great for beginners, and even better for reducing single-use plastic. Its galvanized steel frame is both sturdy and corrosion-resistant.
The one feature that sets this composter apart from others in the same category is that it’s made from 100% post-consumer recycled polypropylene. This is great for reducing your carbon footprint even further!
More features: easy to turn, fast working system, two sliding doors, aeration system for oxygen inlet
This small compost tumbler from Miracle-Gro is ideal for small spaces. Despite being smaller than most other models in this category, this unit also features 2-chambers. With UV-protected plastic chambers, your composter is guaranteed to withstand the elements while processing your compost. It’s easy to see why this unit is regarded as the best dual chamber compost tumbler.
We added a smaller-than-usual compost tumbler to our list to add an option for folks who don’t have the space for a larger unit. This unit is small enough to be placed on an apartment balcony. With its 37-gallon size, it’s ideal for two or three people who want to turn their kitchen scraps into compost.
This unit is different from most other models in that it features internal mixing bars that easily speed up the decomposition process. Miracle-Gro promises fertile, nutrient-rich compost in just 4 to 6 weeks.
More features: large clearance area, adjustable built-in air vents in a drum, 12-gallon cart
The RSI MCT-MC Maze Compost Tumbler is made from UV high impact plastic making it durable and weather resistant. Additionally, a geared handle makes it easy to turn the composter even if it’s fully loaded. It’s no wonder this handy model made it to the best outdoor compost tumbler list!
We added this model to our review because there’s so much to like with this unit. Adjustable built-in air vents in the drum make oxygen flow easy. A big clearance area under the drum allows for the cart to easily fit underneath, making it easy to slide the cart underneath.
Unlike the other models in this review, this model has a nifty cart with a low profile that makes it super easy to collect and transport compost to where it’s needed. The cart has a 12-gallon capacity. You can even use the cart to transport scraps to the composter!
More features: easy to use, decent aeration, rolling design
Another unit that’s easy enough for beginners to master is the FCMP Outdoor HOTFROG Rolling Composter. Its unique rolling design makes it super easy to move the composter to where it’s needed. There’s no need to scoop compost into buckets or wheelbarrows. A large door makes it easy to remove and add new scraps and clippings.
This model made it to our list because of its round size, that’s different from the average octagonal type. The sides are also not completely smooth as the indents in the design serve to avoid material from clumping together as it’s being mixed. Its rolling feature is the reason many regards it as the best small compost tumbler.
Unlike the other models in this review, the HOTFROG doesn’t have a stand or frame. Despite its 37-gallon capacity, it’s compact enough to place on the back porch or even on an apartment balcony.
More features: fast composting, durable outdoor construction, easy to assemble
The MaxWorks Garden Compost Bin Tumbler holds up to 42 gallons and is designed to save space while remaining simple to operate. It features two separate compartments, allowing you to add fresh waste to one side while the other side finishes breaking down. Using it is straightforward: add food scraps and garden debris, slide the door shut, and rotate the drum using the integrated grip areas to mix the contents.
Under the right conditions—such as warm weather and a balanced mix of green and brown materials—this composter can create usable compost in as little as two to three weeks. In cooler or wetter environments, the process may take longer, since heat plays an important role in decomposition. Although each chamber is slightly smaller than some competing models, they are well insulated to retain warmth and help speed up the composting cycle.
The MaxWorks Garden Compost Bin Tumbler is made from a blend of new and recycled plastic, offering both strength and sustainability. Its sturdy plastic body is supported by a solid steel frame, providing reliable stability during filling and rotation.
More features: easy to rotate, UV-protected, extra-large removable lid, easy to load
The Lifetime 60076 50 gallon is ideal for garden trimmings and organic waste. Since it rotates easily, you’ll have nutrient-rich compost in only a few weeks. Despite having only one chamber, this unit still made it to the best compost bin tumbler list.
This model also features an extra-large removable lid that makes it much easy to load and remove lawn and garden cuttings and trimmings. There’s a latch that keeps compost in a while rotating. It also keeps rodents and pests from nesting in the compost.
Since this composter has a larger capacity size than most of the units on our list, it’s easier to make larger compost quantities.
More features: aerated internal bar, ingenious tumbler design
The largest capacity composter on our review list is the Lifetime 60309 Outdoor Double Bin Rotating Composter, and it’s easy to see why it’s regarded by experts as the best large compost tumbler. Since the unit is made up of two 50-gallon barrels, it allows for continuous composting. You can easily fill one side and start the composting process. While that’s going on, simply start the next batch. By that time, the second side is full, and the first side should be ready to use.
We added this unit to our review list as consideration for people who are serious about composting! If the smaller units on our list aren’t what you’re looking for, this larger, sturdier unit might be right u your alley. Unlike the other models in this category, this model has a spring-loaded pin to keep the barrel locked during rotation.
More features: chambers rotate separately, BPA-free, UV inhibited, heavy-duty gardening gloves included
There are a lot of features to this model that’ll make you love this tumbler. Produced by plant care aficionados Miracle-Gro, it is a two-chamber model. While the first one has almost finished working, you can fill in the second chamber without any delay.
It has a hexagonal shape, which is highly effective as the materials don’t stick to the sides throughout a rotation with a cylindrical six-sided barrel. The yellow and green twin doors of this Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter make it visually striking, while the sturdy metal legs assure good distance from the ground to make it harder for pests to get inside.
However, this composter is not very reliable. Many owners have reported that this composter started falling apart after several uses after full and heavy load. Not everyone liked the materials used for the construction of this model. Still, you can use that for smaller batches of compost and if you don’t have that high demand.
The chamber doors are very big at about ten inches when the usual size of chamber doors of other composters is about six inches. As each chamber works independently, tipping them and removing the compost when ready is enough.
If you’ve only recently decided to add the composting process to your garden routine, a quick search of the available options can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled a buying guide to help you identify the features required to make composting easier. We recommend reading our guide to get an idea of the features to consider as you start shortlisting favorites.
If you’ve decided to add compost to your garden, the next question in your mind will center around the best method to process the compost. While you can do it manually in a corner in your yard, it’s considerably easier to use a compost tumbler. Some of the reasons you’ll benefit from using a compost tumbler include:
There are many items that you can place in a composter to eventually add to your garden. Making compost out of your kitchen scraps and garden cuttings will considerably reduce the waste you send to the landfill. Some popular items to add to your composter include:
While the general principle of compost tumbling is the same, not all tumblers work the same. There’s also a difference in the material used to construct them, capacity, size, and the number of chambers. It’s important to know which features would suit your individual gardening needs. Are some features better than others? Are there specific features that you should highlight in your shortlisting process? Keep reading to get an idea of the key specifications to consider.
When you’re considering capacity, it’s crucial to first establish your composting needs. If you want to add compost to a thriving vegetable patch, you might need a larger tumbler. For a smaller garden, a regular size composter would work fine. Generally, the smallest composters hold about 15 gallons, while larger units can hold as much as 80 gallons. It takes about ten weeks to completely process a batch of compost.
This leads some avid gardeners to invest in composters with dual chambers, which allow composting to take place at different rates. The Vivosun Tumbling Compost Bin has a capacity of 43-gallons and has two chambers. The Hot Frog Compost Tumbler, on the other hand, has a capacity of 37 gallons but only one chamber. For a much smaller tumbler, the Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler by Miracle-Gro has 18.5 gallons with two chambers.
For durability, it’s important to consider the material your potential tumbler is made of. Some models are constructed using steel, like the Jora Compost Tumbler, but most compost tumblers are typically made of a UV-protected plastic bin that rests on a tubular steel frame.
Plastic is ideal because it’s weather and corrosion-resistant. Opting for a plastic bin will allow heat to transfer slowly and won’t rust from the moisture or outdoor elements. Steel frames make it easier to hold the weight of the tumbler as it fills up.
When it comes to rotation, you want to consider a tumbler that’s going to be easy to use. Some tumblers feature handles for turning the barrel to mix the compost. Other types of compost tumblers have rotation locks to have the two parts close securely when you rotate the barrel up and down.
Pro tip: opt for the system that’s going to be easiest for you to use when it’s full of compost. Would you prefer to crank a handle or roll a barrel? Since compost needs to be continuously mixed, you’ll have to move the barrel around, and this includes when it’s full.
For example, the RSI MCT-MC Maze Compost Tumbler has a handle that makes it easy to mix the decomposing material.
Since the tumbler needs to stand in the sun for the composting process to work effectively, extended exposure to the weather elements could cause wear on the materials. That being said, it’s recommended that you opt for a tumbler that’s made of UV-protected materials. In most instances, this means looking for galvanized steel or high-density polyethylene plastic. The Lifetime 60076 Compost Tumbler on our list is made from this type of plastic and is guaranteed to be UV-protected.
The size of compost tumbler you should look for depends on the space you have available to put it. If your composter is going to be in the way, it’s just going to annoy you, and you’ll end up not using it at all. Ideally, your composter should be out of the way but still in a place where it receives maximum sun. Always consider the space you want to dedicate to it before randomly choosing a potential favorite.
Our review list features the FCMP Outdoor HOTFROG Rolling Composter with dimensions of 24” x 27” x 24”. For larger spaces, consider the Lifetime 60309 Outdoor Rotating Composter with dimensions of 65” x 31” x 43.3”.
Some additional features to keep an eye out for include:
Dual-chamber designs: A composter with two compartments allows you to get a new batch started while the existing batch is decomposing. The Jora Compost Bin and the Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler by Miracle-Gro are examples of dual-chamber designs.
Opening size: If you’re planning to place large quantities of leaves or clippings into your composter, you’ll need a model with large opening size. In this instance, you could consider the Lifetime 60076 Compost Tumbler, which boasts an extra-large removable lid.
Accessories: Additional accessories that form part of the package can sometimes make using the particular composter so much easier. For instance, the RSI MCT-MC Maze Compost Tumbler comes with an additional cart. The cart easily fits under the tumbler and makes it considerably easier to move compost from the tumbler to the garden. This typically means there’s no need to invest in a wheelbarrow or separate bucket to move the compost around. Always look for accessories that make the composting process easier!
Your compost is ready for use once it’s dark and crumbly. You can use compost around your garden or vegetable patch.
If you’re serious about your garden and the quality of compost that goes into it, then investing in the best compost tumbler is essential. That being said, we trust our extensive review of our top 10 compost tumblers will make it much easier to find the perfect model for all your composting needs. If you’re still on the fence about a favorite, recapping our three favorites might help make up your mind.
Our editor’s choice, the VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Compost Bin, rated at 9.9, is durable and offers decent aeration, both crucial features needed to produce healthy compost. Designed with strength and flexibility, this model is easy to move around if needed.
The Jora Compost Tumbler made it to our premium pick with a rating of 9.7 features non-toxic food-grade insulation that allows temperatures to rise higher and make compost even faster.
Lastly, the FCMP IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter is our best value option, and we rated it at 9.6 because it’s ideal for beginners. Fins that serve as ergonomic handholds make it easy to carry around when you want to empty the contents. This inclusive list of the top models we’ve chosen, in conjunction with our informative buyer’s guide, will make it so much easier to find the best compost tumbler!
