If you’re into gardening, then chances are you’ve already heard of composting. But many people are still confused about what it means, and they often shy away from making their own compost, thinking it’s a complex process. In fact, it’s simply about decomposing organic waste like food scrap and even dried leaves, grass, and other organic garden waste.

Composting is a convenient waste disposal method that could provide excellent fertilizer for your garden. Compost is full of nutrients and is perfect not just for your plants, but also for the soil and its microbial environment. It can help with water retention and also boost the pH balance of the soil. And if you’re particular about your eco-footprint, composting will help you minimize the waste you’re adding to landfills.

For anyone new to composting, kitchen compost bins are a great way to start. These bins come in convenient sizes to sit on your kitchen counter and are perfect even for apartments and homes with limited space. So, you no longer need to miss out on all the benefits of compositing, and you can start right away.

How Do You Stop Your Kitchen Compost From Smelling?

How do you stop your kitchen compost from smelling?

One of the biggest concerns of many newbies with compositing is the odor. Let’s face it, nobody wants their kitchen to smell of rotten food. In fact, this is perhaps the number one reason why many people are reluctant to try composting.

But this usually happens because of rotting food scrap. The fact is, composting requires alternating layers of kitchen waste and brown waste. Brown waste includes things like paper and dried leaves, and maintaining a ratio of 1:3 between kitchen and brown waste is one of the most important steps to avoid nasty odors.

However, many modern kitchen compost bins come with carbon filters that will help block the unpleasant smell. Replacing these filters every few months is essential to ensure that they are in working order to keep the bad odors away from your kitchen.

Emptying the bin regularly is also important. When you do, ensure that you wash the bin with some detergent and let it dry before using it again.

The bottom line is, the smell can be tackled effectively and it shouldn’t stop you from composting.

The Best Kitchen Compost Bins For Your Countertop

We’ve reviewed some of the best compost bin products and accessories on the market for their unique features, pros and cons, as well as customer reviews. Here are our top recommendations.

1. EPICA Stainless Steel Compost Bin

Stainless steel kitchen compost bin by Epica.

The Epica kitchen compost bin is a super sleek product to keep in your kitchen so you can collect food waste for composting without hassle. It’s designed with a tight-fitting lid and an activated-charcoal filter to block off all foul odors. The filter is washable and can work up to six months depending on your usage.

The bin is produced as a one-piece stainless steel container to avoid any leaks and rusting over time. It also ensures durability and prevents any toxic chemicals from getting into the compost. And the stainless steel finish provides extra assurance for longer use.

The 1.3-gallon bin is 11” in height and 7” in diameter. So, it’s quite a convenient size for you to keep on the counter. And it’s got some great reviews from customers with 5-star ratings, especially for keeping the odor away.

Like it? Click here to buy.

2. Gran&Rosi Stylish Farmhouse Kitchen Compost Bin

Farmhouse kitchen style small compost bin by Gran&Rosi.

This indoor compost bin has several excellent customer reviews. It’s made of rust-free material with a special coating for durability and longer use.

The lid has a built-in charcoal filter that can last for 3-4 months. You’ll also get two extra ones so you can easily go on for another 6-8 months without purchasing filters. The tight-fitting lid further prevents any odors from escaping. And the overall design makes it easy to clean after emptying.

This kitchen compost bin by Granrosi comes with a 1.3-gallon capacity, so it won’t take up much space on your kitchen counter.

To learn more, click here.

3. Gold Star Kitchen Compost Bin

Kitchen compost bin for countertops by Gold Star.

This is a 5-star rated kitchen compost bin with a premium stainless steel design. The surfaces are quite thick and sturdy and made for high durability.

But best of all, it’s fitted with two carbon air filters for extra protection from bad odors seeping out. They also provide two extra filters for your convenience, and you can purchase more online when it’s time for a replacement. The packaging also includes an instruction manual to help get you started.

Overall, this kitchen compost bin will not only look great in your kitchen with its premium satin finish but will also keep all the bad odor away for good. And the beautiful packaging makes it great for a gift as well.

To read the latest reviews, click here.

 4. Third Rock Compost Bin

Kitchen compost bin for countertops by Third Rock.

If you like the rustic look for your kitchen, then this kitchen compost bin is an excellent option for you. It’s stylishly designed with a vintage look so it could blend right in with your rustic kitchen decor.

The lid has a fitted charcoal filter to keep odors and flies away. The bin is manufactured using stainless steel and double powder-coated carbon steel to prevent rusting and other damage.

You can use this compost bin with a liner for extra care. But even if you don’t, you can easily wash it off with soap and water. The filters can also be cleaned together with the lid. But it can only last for 2-3 months, so it’ll need more frequent replacements.

Keep in mind that this kitchen compost bin is quite small, with just a 1-gallon capacity. But it’s got a lovely decorative look and will be an adorable addition to your kitchen counter. You can even give it away as a gift.

Ready to buy? Click here.

5. KaryHome Kitchen Compost Bin for Counter Top

Kitchen compost bin for countertop by KaryHome.

This is a sleek, stylish, and compact kitchen compost bin that’s perfect for modern kitchens. It’s got a simple design with lots of small thoughtful features for your convenience.

It’s designed with hooks so you can mount it on the wall or just hang it on a kitchen cupboard door while you cook. This makes it especially perfect for small kitchens with limited space. It’s made with white non-toxic PP material, so it’ll blend in easily with your decor.

But keep in mind that it doesn’t come with a filter. So, it will save you the expense and hassle of replacing filters every few months. However, it also means that this bin will not be able to contain the smell at the same level as a bin using carbon filters. However, the tightly sealed lid will help block the odor to a great extent.

Another thing to note is that it can fill up quickly because of its 1.3-gallon compact capacity. So, you will need to empty it regularly.

Love it? Click here to buy now.

6. Full Circle Scrap Happy Food Scrap Collector and Freezer Compost Bin

Kitchen compost collector for counters and cupboard by Full Circle.

This is a small compost bin designed to store food waste in the freezer until you dispose of it. It’s a simple solution for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with the more sophisticated kitchen compost bins with charcoal filters.

This bin is designed with a wire rim to help you hang it on a kitchen cupboard door or a drawer, so it’s super convenient to collect food scrap right off the cutting board. And it’s made with a flexible rubber material, which means you can empty and clean it easily by flipping it inside out. It’s also dishwasher safe so you can wash it off easily.

But keep in mind that this compost bin is quite small at 8.5 x 6.1 x 5.5 inches. This helps you to store it easily in the freezer, but it also means that you will need to empty it more regularly if you cook often for a big family.

To learn more, click here.

7. Addis 2.5 Liter Kitchen Compost Caddy

Small countertop kitchen compost caddy by Addis.

This kitchen compost caddy is another super simple solution to make composting easier indoors.

What you’ll first notice is its modern stylish design. It’s also quite functional with a removable lid so you could easily empty the contents and wash it off. It has an inner bucket that is removable, and you can even slip in a liner if you like. It’s also designed with non-slip feet for better grip.

But keep in mind that it only has a 2.5-liter capacity, which makes it extremely small. Also, a few customers had pointed out issues with the lid, which had allowed flies to get in. So, if you find that the lid doesn’t seal properly, just get in touch with the Addis customer support team.

To see pricing, click here.

8. Simply Carbon Extra Thick Filters for Kitchen Compost Bins

Extra thick charcoal filters for kitchen compost bins by Simply Carbon.

If you’ve decided to opt for an indoor compost bin with a charcoal filter, then this is a great product for you to stock up on.

These filters are designed to fit any compost bin up to 7.25”, regardless of the brand. The packaging includes round and square cutting templates in six sizes between 4.5” and 7.25”. This will allow you to cut the filters to perfectly fit your compost bin.

But most importantly, Simply Carbon’s filters are exceptionally dense at 0.4”. This ensures better filtration of odor and longer use of up to four months. The packaging comes with six activated-carbon filters, so you can keep your kitchen smelling fresh for up to two years.

The biodegradable packaging can be sealed to ensure that the filters remain intact for optimum performance. Simply Carbon also offers a money-back guarantee so you can return it in case you are not happy with what you have purchased.

To learn more, click here.

9. Third Rock Charcoal Filter Replacements for Kitchen Compost Bin

Charcoal filter replacements for kitchen compost bins by Third Rock.

This is a twelve pack filter package for your 1-gallon compost bin.

The thick ⅓-inch filters can provide excellent odor protection for your kitchen for up to three months. The 12-pack will provide you with enough filters to last for three years, which will work out to be quite economical. The two layers of activated charcoal in the filters will also provide added support to ward off all the unpleasant smells.

To see pricing, click here.

10. Hippo Sak Compostable Small Food Scrap Bags

Small compostable food scrap bags by Hippo Sak.

If you prefer to use a liner with your compost bin, then this is the perfect option for you. These liners are also great to prevent any leaks while keeping the bin clean.

The bags come in a 3-gallon size, which fits with many of the kitchen compost bins. They are made from vegetable starch and are biodegradable, so you can just toss the bag together with the content into your regular trash. According to Hippo Sak, they will break down within 60 days. But according to some customers, the bags will start decaying pretty fast.

Having said that, many customers have given the Hippo Sak bags 5-star ratings, particularly for its sturdy composition that doesn’t tear easily.

The packing includes two rolls of forty bags each, and it’s certified for home and commercial use.

To read the most recent reviews, click here.

To Sum it Up…

Needless to say, composting has many benefits. It’s a great way to add lots of extra nutrients to your plants while avoiding the hassle and expense of buying fertilizer. It’s also an excellent solution to reduce the waste you’re adding to landfills.

You can start composting right in your kitchen with a mini indoor composting bin. It can make disposing of kitchen waste super convenient and hassle-free, and is perfect for those struggling with limited space. These kitchen bins are also a great way to test things out before you try to do a bigger composting project in your backyard.

Ready to take your composting to the next level? Check out How to Start a Compost Pile in Your Backyard.