In today’s world, there are millions of people who want to do their part to save the earth. Composting is a great way to do this and you can maximize your efforts with the best compost tumbler.
Compost bin tumblers are completely sealed containers to keep your compost in. However, you can also rotate a tumbler composter to better mix compost materials together.
A compost barrel tumbler also keeps compost off of the ground, unlike a compost bin. This way, animals can’t get to it as well as making the compost easy to mix.
With the right compost tumbler, you can easily convert some of your waste into a usable form. Here, we’ll take a look at what you need to know to choose the best compost tumbler.
To help you even further, we’ll even take a look at a few of our favorite compost tumblers out there!
The 15 Best Compost Tumblers
1. EJWOX Large Dual-Rotating Compost Tumbler
This compost tumbler is great for larger quantities since it’s a dual-chamber option. This way, while one chamber is composting, you can fill the other chamber with new materials.
The EJWOX compost tumbler also features an aeration system. This helps to mix the composting materials and offer necessary airflow.
On top of that, the tumbler features double-wall black panels. These work to both absorb and retain heat, helping the composting process.
You can rely on this compost tumbler to last you quite a while too. It features a powder-coated steel frame and galvanized steel feet to withstand deterioration and rust.
Best of all, this compost tumbler is made to cater to the user. You won’t have to struggle to get the results you want.
For one, it’s easy to turn, so you don’t need to exert yourself too much. Plus, the sliding doors are easy to open with a single door length of 10.23 inches and a width of 6.1”.
2. FCMP Outdoor Compost Tumbler
FCMP offers a dual-chamber compost tumbler that even a beginner can use! With a total capacity of 37 gallons, the paired chambers are great for a continuous workflow.
It’s not difficult to keep up with either. All you have to do is go out and turn it five to six times every two or three days.
It’s quick to show results as well. During the warmer, sunnier months, you can expect results in as little as two weeks.
Aeration is a key feature of this compost tumbler too. It has both fins and aeration holes to help improve oxygen flow and break down compost clumps.
The design of the compost tumbler has additional advantages. For example, the materials are BPA-free, made with post-consumer recycled polypropylene, and UV-inhibited.
Furthermore, the frame is made up of galvanized steel. This way, it won’t corrode over time and the risk of rust is significantly lower.
All of this adds up to a simple concept. This is a compost tumbler that will work hard and last a long time.
3. Lifetime Outdoor Double Bin Rotating Composter
If you need a heavy-duty option to meet your composting needs, Lifetime has an answer for you. Their double bin rotating composter is strong and high capacity.
In all, the total capacity includes two 50-gallon barrels. This adds up to 100 full gallons or a cubic foot capacity of 6.7 feet.
This is also an option with a convenient loading height. This way, you won’t have to strain yourself to get the job done.
In addition, the double-barrel layout adds to utility. You can load the second while the first composts for a continuous, uninterrupted level of efficiency.
The process is sped along by reliable aeration in the bin too. The internal aerated bar introduces the necessary airflow to the process.
Adding some balance to the equation, you don’t need to worry about rotation difficulties either. With the included spring-loaded pin, you can lock rotation while you fill the barrel.
If you’re new to composting, Lifetime has you covered here as well. This compost tumbler comes with a compost guide to help you out.
4. Spin Bin Outdoor Compost Tumbler
Not everyone needs something as spacious as a dual-barrel compost bin. If that’s the case, for you, you’ll want to check out this Spin Bin single-barrel compost tumbler.
That doesn’t mean that this compost tumbler doesn’t feature a comfortable amount of space, though. YOu can still depend on this compost tumbler for its 60-gallon capacity.
Spin Bin even designs this compost bin with impressive aeration features. It has 20 ventilation slots to make sure your compost has the air it needs.
The dual mixer bar also improves aeration in the tumbler as well. It helps to facilitate the movement of air alongside moving the entire compost tumbler.
While its purpose is eco-friendly, the build of the bin is too. It’s made with 100% recycled plastic which is also dark for heat absorption.
Legs coated in steel keep this off the ground, keeping it away from pests. All the while, compost slots allow compost tea to drain out into the soil.
If you’re new to composting, the embossed instructions on the lid are also handy.
5. Joraform Compost Tumbler
Joraform is here to cater to your needs without tiring you out. That’s way, their compost tumbler is designed with ease of use in mind.
All you have to do to use this compost bin is fill it and turn it by hand. Thanks to the straightforward design, it doesn’t take much effort to do this either.
This is a great choice if you need more space and an optimized workflow too since it’s a dual-chamber tumbler. IT has a 106-gallon capacity or around 13 to 21 gallons each week.
Thanks to this dual design, you never have to wait once you get going. While one compartment composts, the other is open for you to add materials.
This compost tumbler is also designed to stay at the optimal temperature for composting. The internal temperature is meant to stay at 160 degrees Fahrenheit at a minimum.
The compost tumbler is designed to reduce odors as well. It’s an important feature for a potentially very odorous undertaking.
6. Good Ideas Compost Wizard Jr.
When you want something as environmentally-friendly for your composting needs, Good Ideas have you covered. The Compost Wizard Jr. is made up of 98% post-industrial polyethylene.
It’s also extremely easy to compost properly using this compost tumbler. All you need to do is add the materials and tumble the bin once a week.
When you follow these steps, you won’t have to wait long for rich fertilizer. Your finished product will be ready for use in approximately 30 to 45 days.
As for the capacity of the compost tumbler, this one can hold up to seven cubic feet. It’s a single-barrel bin, so it will hold one batch of compost at a time.
Despite its compact size, this compost tumbler doesn’t lack features either. It’s designed to offer full functionality to every gardener.
The container of this compost tumbler is animal-proof too. As such, you don’t have to worry about pests ruining your batch.
7. Lifetime Compost Tumbler
Unlike the last Lifetime compost product, this compost tumbler is made with a single-barrel design. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s only for limited use – it still has an 80-gallon capacity or 10.72 cubic feet.
The tumbler also uses double-walled panels that help to absorb and retain ambient heat. This way, you’re materials will decompose faster, making the composting process much more efficient.
Additionally, the tumbler features an internal bar on the inside which serves for more than the purpose of rotation. It works to increase the airflow in the bin as well.
On the subject of turning the tumbler, though, it’s not a hard task to undertake. It turns on an axis, so it doesn’t take a lot of manual effort on your part to get the job done.
This is a sturdy design that will last a while too. It features components made of galvanized steel and UV-protected high-density polyethylene.
8. Squeeze Master Large Compost Tumbler Bin
The Squeeze Master compost bin is made up of two separate compartments. With this design, you can streamline your compost batches so that you always have an option available.
All in all, you’ll have 43 gallons available to you. Of course, this capacity is broken into two parts and this includes two equal compartments of 21.5 gallons.
Another great benefit of the Squeeze Master compost tumbler is the aeration. Because your compost needs airflow to decompose properly, this model includes holes for air circulation.
You can turn this by hand without much trouble either. This means you don’t have to get your hands dirty to mix things up.
The compartments are protected by sliding doors. While offering protection, this also makes them easy to open and add your materials.
To properly compost with this, you only need to rotate it about six or seven times every couple of days.
9. Mantix Compact Compost Tumbler
When you want something simple and straight to the point, this Mantix compost tumbler might just be the answer. It’s a galvanized steel plain green drum that you can rotate with a handle on the side.
That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have everything you need to succeed, though. It’s still prepared to do exactly what you need it to while keeping your compost safe from pets and pests.
For example, it’s still just as easy to load and unload your compost. All you have to do is open a removable door to add or remove materials from the compost tumbler.
Not to mention, this is a fairly large drum for a sizable amount of compost. You can fit up to 12 cubic feet or 88 gallons of material comfortably in this tumbler.
It won’t take long to get the compost results you’re looking for. The complete process only takes about four to six weeks before your compost tumbler is ready for a fresh batch.
10. Miracle-Gro Large Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler
Miracle-Gro has long been a trusted brand for a variety of lawn care and gardening needs. Now, it can be a part of your composting process with their compost tumbler.
This compost tumbler is a dual-chamber option that gives you the room to work on two batches at a time. This will help you keep your workload efficient and streamlined, so your ready at all times.
The compartments are both hexegon shapes that rotate independently of one another. This allows you mix them without too much exertion.
The compost tumbler even features mixing bars to help out with this step. These do thier part to help cure your compost faster.
The plastic on this compost tumbler is UV-protected as well. This way, it will keep its like-new appearance even as it stays outside.
Anoither useful thing about this compost tumbler is that it comes with gloves for composting too.
11. Lifetime 50-Gallon Compost Tumbler
Lifetime has shown time and time again that they’re worth quite a few spots on this list. For people looking for a smaller, more compact option for smaller material loads, there’s this 50-gallon compost tumbler.
This is designed to be there when you need it, no matter if you have lawn clippings or food scraps. You only have to open a removable lid to both add materials and remove finished compost.
The lid latches shut too. You can use this feature to help keep out pests like rodents without adding a lot of extra effort.
It rotates easily on top of everything else. This makes sure that you can get all the work done with minimal exerted effort.
Alongside simple rotation, the inner bar in the compost tumbler is made to help with aeration. This will increase the airflow in the tumbler and allow for faster decomposition of materials.
12. RSI Riverstone Industries Maze Two Stage Tumbler Composter
RSI has you covered with a compost tumbler that will work well and last a while. It’s made with components of heavy-duty plastic and metal, so you don’t have to worry about deterioration.
Plus, they’re easy to clean – you can just wipe it with a cloth to return it to normal. Furthermore, the metal pieces are rust-resistant and corrosion-resistant.
It only weighs 54 pounds as well, so it won’t be a hassle to move around either. Yet, it still offers 8.69 cubic feet of space in the composter.
There is an optional compost cart you can add as well. This will allow you to use a second compartment to optimize higher loads.
Once your compost is done, it’s easy to get out to use and prepare the tumbler for a fresh batch. All you have to do is open the door and dump the contents onto the open space beneath the tumbler.
13. MaxWorks Garden Compost Bin Tumbler
The MaxWorks compost bin is made to be rugged compost tumbler that will last you a while. It’s made with a powder-coated steel frame and polypropylene bin.
This is also a dual-chamber compost tumbler. This means that you can have two batches going at once for a constant supply of compost.
You can see the results in short order as well – in as little as two to four weeks! All you have to do is turn the tumbler five or six times every couple of days.
Despite being spacious enough for two chambers, this compost tumbler isn’t cumbersome. It’s small enough to fit anywhere in your yard, so it’s easy to add to your garden supplies.
As for the specific capacity, you can fit up to 42 gallons at a maximum. This includes both chambers.
14. Hot Frog FCMP Outdoor Quick-Curing Compost Tumbler Bin
If you want something quick and straightforward for your garden and compost needs, check out this compost tumbler. In the right conditions, you’ll have the compost results you want in as little as two weeks.
Getting there doesn’t take a lot of work either. Like several of the other reliable options we’ve looked at, you just need to turn it five or six times every two or three days.
The rolling design lets you move your compost with no trouble. You can even use the deep fins on the compost tumbler body to get a good grip to turn it.
The opening on this compost tumbler is large as well and has a removable door. This takes the difficulty out of filling or emptying the bin.
While this is a single-barrel compost tumbler bin, it isn’t too quick-feeling. It boasts a capacity of 37 gallons.
15. Goplus Outdoor Compost Tumbler
One of the handiest things about this compost tumbler are the wheels on the frame. This helps you move it where you need it to go without struggle.
This is particularly helpful if you need to move it when there’s anything in the bins. After all, 45 gallons can add a lot of weight!
The compost tumbler as a whole is made of iron and non-toxic PP material. This makes it sturdy and durable.
There are holes on this tumbler to improve the design. These help to increase oxygen flow and help your compost decompose faster.
The rotation mechanic on this compost tumbler uses buckle controls. With the help of these, it’s both easy to turn and stop on a dime.
Best Compost Tumbler Buying Guide
When it comes to buying a compost tumbler, the place to start is learning what to look for. That’s why, in addition to the previous section, we’ve broken down a handy buying guide.
Size and a Compost Plan
Unsurprisingly, not everyone who composts has the same plan or needs. That’s why it’s important to consider your goals alongside the model you’re considering.
Namely, you’ll want to consider whether you want a single chamber or dual-chamber composter. This largely depends on the volume of content you’ll end up composting.
Of course, if you have a high level of compostable materials, you’ll want to opt for a dual-chamber composter. Consequentially, you can add compost to the second chamber without disturbing the process that the first full chamber is undergoing.
You should also consider size compared to how much space you have. While a dual-chamber compost tumbler is great, it won’t work well if you can’t fit it in your yard.
How Easy It Is to Use
The whole point of a compost tumbler is that it’s there to make your life easier. Well, it is regarding composting specifically, at least.
This means that when you’re looking for the best compost tumbler, you need to consider ease of use.
This sometimes comes with a bit of a tradeoff, though. For example, a larger compost tumbler will be harder to turn than a smaller one but has a higher capacity.
Similarly, small compost tumblers are easy to turn because they’re so lightweight. Yet, this also means that they hold less.
Something to look out for is that the compost tumbler is on a frame that keeps it off the ground. You should also make sure it has a locking mechanism to keep the compost tumbler stable.
Conclusion
Composting is a great way to get rid of some of the excess waste in your house without filling landfills. This makes it a great choice when you want to go green and be more environmentally friendly.
One of the most useful tools you can invest in to help you out with this is a compost tumbler. These are designed to make composting an easy, stress-free, and relatively strain-free process.
However, finding a tool that fits your needs specifically can seem like an intimidating task. That’s why we’ve broken down everything you need to know in this guide.
From knowing what to look for to knowing which products are ones that you can trust, we have you covered. Now that you have all this information, you can go forth and find the best compost tumbler for you!