If you’ve been searching for sustainable ways to boost the vitality of your soil, a compost bin is the answer. Composting at home is an eco-friendly solution that transforms everyday kitchen scraps and garden waste into rich, nourishing compost. Not only does it reduce landfill waste, but it also improves soil structure, retains moisture, and provides plants with essential nutrients.
In this guide, we’ll look at the best compost bins UK gardeners can buy in 2025, plus share practical tips to help you create the perfect compost.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best compost bins for UK gardens in 2025 — from compact tumblers to handsome wooden designs that blend beautifully into larger outdoor spaces.
The Best Compost Bins UK 2025
1. HOTBIN Mk2 200L Compost Bin
A high-performance, insulated composter that keeps contents hot (up to ~60°C) for faster results all year. Turn kitchen and garden waste into rich compost in as little as 30–90 days.
Guide price: £319.99
What we like
- Insulated 50 mm walls maintain heat for quicker decomposition.
- Accepts a wide range of waste (fruit & veg, garden clippings, many cooked leftovers).
- Airtight lid & bio-filter help reduce odours and deter pests.
- Built-in thermometer for easy monitoring.
- Leachate collection & tap – use as liquid fertiliser.
Included in the bundle
- Bulking agent (25 L), extra thermometer & winter kick-start bottle.
- Raking stick, cam straps and removable front hatch.
- Online/phone support and a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Typical delivery: free to most of mainland England & Wales; surcharges may apply for NI/ROI/Islands.
Best for
- Families or keen gardeners producing regular kitchen & garden waste.
- Year-round composting with faster turnaround than standard bins.
2. Wooden Beehive Compost Bin – Traditional and Eco-Friendly
For gardeners who love a more traditional aesthetic, the Wooden Beehive Compost Bin offers both beauty and practicality. Made from natural wood and designed in a charming beehive style, this bin blends seamlessly into your outdoor space while turning garden and kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost.
- Capacity: 300 litres – ideal for medium to large gardens
- Design: Decorative beehive shape crafted from wood
- Features: Hinged lid to deter pests, removable base for easy compost removal, and slatted sides for airflow
- Eco-benefit: Produces healthy, chemical-free compost for your plants
Its clever design makes it as functional as it is stylish, helping you recycle organic waste effectively while enhancing the look of your garden.
3. Worm Farm Kits (10L Mini) – Budget & Eco-Friendly
For an affordable, low-fuss way to compost, a compact vermicomposting kit from The Urban Worm turns kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich worm castings (vermicompost) and liquid fertiliser (“worm tea”) — ideal for feeding pots and beds.
- Excellent value and low running costs.
- Compact and tidy for small homes, balconies and patios.
- Produces high-quality compost full of beneficial microbes.
- Great for getting started with worm composting (vermicomposting).
- Best for: Small gardens, balconies, renters and urban households.
- Also good for: Producing worm tea and castings for pots and raised beds.
Note: worms and accessories vary by kit — check the seller’s listing for what’s included and setup guidance.
4. Tumbling Composter 105L – Quick & Low Effort
The Tumbling Composter 105L by Gardening Naturally is a simple, low-effort way to make nutrient-rich compost. Internal rods/fins break up the mix as you turn the drum, boosting aeration and speeding decomposition. Temperatures can reach up to ~60 °C when well managed.
- Easy to rotate — no need for a fork or turning with a spade.
- Even, faster breakdown thanks to internal mixing fins.
- Great for patios and smaller gardens; tidy, raised stand keeps pests out.
- Size: H 84 cm × W 61 cm × D 61 cm (barrel 61 cm × 61 cm).
- Use a good balance of greens (food scraps, grass) and browns (leaves, straw, wood chippings) for best results.
Guide price: £64.99
5. Bokashi Bin Kitchen Composter (2-Bucket Kit) – Odour-Free, Indoors
A tidy indoor system that ferments food waste (rather than rotting it), producing nutrient-rich bokashi pre-compost and liquid fertiliser (“bokashi tea”). Airtight lids and taps keep things clean and low-odour — ideal for flats and year-round use.
- Includes: 2× Bokashi buckets, 2 taps, scoop, tamper, 1 kg Bokashi bran, and instructions.
- Size (each bucket): H 37 cm × W 31 cm × D 25.5 cm (≈15 L).
- Layer food waste with bran; drain “tea” every few days and dilute for plants.
- After fermentation (≈2 weeks), bury or add to a compost bin to finish breaking down.
What you can add
- Food scraps & leftovers
- Dairy, meat, bones & fish
- Prepared foods (pizza, snacks, baked goods)
- Spent flowers, coffee grounds
Avoid
- Bottles/cans; glass, aluminium
- Packaging (metal or plastic)
- Tobacco ash, tea bags, pet waste
Guide price: £54.99
6. Rolling Compost Tumbler – Faster Compost, Less Effort
If you want quicker results without turning a heavy compost heap, a rolling compost tumbler is a brilliant option. The drum rotates to mix and aerate your compost, helping it break down faster while keeping everything tidy and contained.
- Simply roll to mix the contents — no fork required.
- Enclosed design helps keep compost neater and more pest-resistant.
- Great for regular kitchen scraps when balanced with “browns” (cardboard, dry leaves).
- Ideal when you want compost sooner, with less mess.
- Best for: Faster composting, small-to-medium gardens, and anyone who doesn’t want to turn a heap by hand.
- Also good for: Keeping compost tidy and contained in courtyards and family gardens.
Tip: tumblers work best when you add plenty of “browns” (torn cardboard, dry leaves) to balance wetter kitchen scraps.
Creating the Perfect Compost
A good compost bin is just the start — how you use it matters just as much. Here are some of the tried-and-tested tips from our original composting guide:
- Choosing the Right Bin
Match the bin to your garden size and style. From wooden slatted versions to insulated hot composters, the right choice ensures better results. - Master the Art of Layering
Alternate greens (food scraps, grass clippings) with browns (leaves, cardboard, straw) to maintain balance. - Maintenance
Aerate weekly and check moisture levels. Aim for the texture of a wrung-out sponge. Too dry? Add greens. Too wet? Add browns. - What to Exclude – Avoid meat, dairy, or chemically treated waste in standard compost bins. These can slow down decomposition and may attract pests. However, bokashi composting is different — it’s suitable for meat and dairy because it ferments food waste in a sealed bucket.
- Temperature Matters
Warm compost is active compost. If it cools down, add more greens or a splash of water. - The Culmination
After a few months to a year, you’ll have dark, crumbly compost with an earthy aroma — ready to use. - Bestow It on Your Garden
Spread your compost to enrich soil texture, boost water retention, and provide nutrients your plants will love.
Read next on Artisan Haus
Once your compost is ready, these guides will help you put it to brilliant use — from pots and gravel gardens to veg beds and tidy outdoor set-ups.
- Gravel garden ideas with pots: stylish, low-maintenance inspiration
- Gravel garden ideas: how to create a beautiful, low-maintenance outdoor space
- Low maintenance garden ideas
- How to start a vegetable garden
- What vegetables to plant in October in the UK
- Wheelie bin storage ideas: stylish solutions for a tidy garden
FAQs About Compost Bins
Which compost bin is best for small gardens?
Tumbling composters and worm farms are compact and ideal for smaller outdoor spaces.
Is a HOTBIN worth the price?
Yes — if you want fast composting and the ability to process a wide range of food waste.
Do wooden compost bins attract pests?
When used correctly, no. A hinged lid and balanced composting keep pests at bay.
Where should I place my compost bin?
Choose a level, well-drained spot with good airflow and partial shade.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want a fast-acting hot composter, a natural wooden bin, a budget worm farm, or a low-effort tumbler, there’s a compost solution for every UK garden. With the right bin and a few simple composting practices, you’ll reduce waste, save money, and create nutrient-rich soil that keeps your plants thriving year after year.