Worm composting is an effective way to reuse organic scraps and turn them into viable, rich vermicompost, or worm compost, for soil. The process may seem complicated at first, but I’ve compiled some of the best worm composters for convenience.
I’ll also guide you through some of the essentials of worm composting and how to choose a worm composter. Here are some critical factors to consider when beginning, so your setup produces the best vermicompost.
Best Worm Composters
Before diving in, I’ve selected a few of the best worm composters for you to check out ‘at a glance’. If you’re short on time or already knowledgeable, check out these options.
I have split them out into categories; best outdoor worm composter, best indoor worm composter, and the best mini worm composter for anyone with limited space.
Best Outdoor Composter
Hungry Bin – Continuous Flow Worm Composter
High-capacity composter allows the materials to flow downward naturally. Easy to harvest castings or worm tea.
Best Indoor Composter
Worm Factory 360 Composter
Multi-tiered, easy to assemble. Bedding accessories included. Convenient smell-free composting indoors.
Best Mini Composter
The Essential Living Worm Composter
Compact model, ideal for beginners or people low on indoor space. Multiple trays and a good draining system.
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Choosing a Worm Composting Bin
Composting all begins with the bin, so it’s crucial to figure out the details. To make it easier, I’ve outlined some of the essential factors you should consider when choosing a worm composting bin below.
Outdoor vs Indoor Worm Composter
One of the first decisions you’ll want to make is whether you’ll be keeping the composter indoors or outdoors. Location is dependent on available space, local climate, and personal preferences.
Generally, worm composters shouldn’t smell, so if that’s a fear for keeping it indoors, be sure not to overfeed or overwater the bin. Worms prefer a moist environment with a mild temperature that doesn’t dip below freezing or get too hot.
Most composters have features with indoor or outdoor settings specifically in mind, but some can be for both.
Composting Capacity
The capacity of your bin is one of the most crucial factors to consider. It’s a balancing act between how much waste you’ll be feeding the worms, how many worms you’d like to maintain, and how much vermicompost you’re hoping to harvest.
It’s important to assess the ratio of food waste to worms. I’ve found it most accurate to track my food waste for a week and found that my family of four generally produces around 5-7 lbs per week.
With that in mind, 2 lbs of worms can process about 1 lb of food waste. Calculating this can give you an idea of the size of the container you’ll need and how many worms will be necessary. As a precaution, it may be better to start with fewer worms than you expect to need, as worms reproduce quickly.
Liquid Drainage
Liquid drainage is another part of composting that can play a large role in your worm’s happiness. If your compost gets too wet, it can cause the scraps to rot and smell more than they should. On the other hand, if too much water drains out, the worms will be unhappy in a dry environment.
Some compost bin options can even take excess drained water and redistribute it to reduce water waste.
Additionally, some options have a way to collect what is known as worm tea through a small drainage tap like the one shown in this image. This tea is a bonus for composters, as it can mix with 1 part of water to be another fertilizer in the garden.
Good Air Flow
Even though worms spend their time buried, they still need good airflow. If the airflow is too restricted, the moist environment may become too humid for the worms to thrive. Humidity will, again, also increase the chance of scraps rotting and causing issues.
Luckily, commercial compost bins should have good airflow as part of the design. The best worm composter bins will have holes in the side of the trays to provide good airflow.
Ease of Harvesting Worm Castings
Worm castings are the waste that worms create, the powerful vermicompost that may have gotten you started with composting. Since harvesting these can be most of the point, you don’t want to get annoyed every time you need to handle it.
There are a few methods to harvest them, from pushing the worms to the side and digging it out or handpicking the worms to clear the harvest.
I’ve found that one of the most effortless designs for harvesting worm castings is a removable tray system or removable tiered bins. When a tier becomes full of casting, you can easily move the scraps to a higher section. The worms will tunnel upwards for the food, and the entire bottom trays can be removed and harvested at once.
Protection From Heat and Frost
Depending on the location of your bin, the protection from heat and frost can be a pressing concern. Worms can live at 55° to 80° F but thrive in the 70° F range. There are different bin options for indoor and outdoor use, but consider placing outdoor composts in shaded areas so they won’t overheat.
Additionally, covering the bins can help regulate the temperature. Some composters have wheels, making it easier to move the entire setup when threatening weather occurs.
Worm Compost Starter Kit Accessories
Finally, a fun aspect of buying worm composters is considering what accessories come with the kit. Of course, the newer you are to worm composting more accessories may benefit you.
Some helpful add-ons can include informational guides to keep handy, worm blankets to keep the bin covered, or bedding material to get things started.
Some retailers sell accessories as an optional extra cost add-on, or they may throw in a few options as part of the composter bin. One main thing to consider is that composting bins don’t come with worms automatically, so they will be an extra purchase.
Best Worm Composter Reviews
Now that I’ve covered the basics to look for in compost bins, let’s see how the reviews stack up. My criteria for ranking each product is based on a number of factors. For example; are they well suited for the function they were designed? So does the indoor composter fit indoors and prevent mess…for example. I assed the build quality and how easy they were to use day to day. How easy they were to put together out of the box, and of course overall value for money.
So here are the products that made the final list.
1. Hungry Bin Continuous Flow Worm Composter
Best Outdoor Composter
- Type: Continuous Flow
- Location: Outdoor
- Capacity: 13 CuFt
- Accessories: None
Pros:
- Continuous flow design allows easy harvesting
- Collects vermicompost and worm tea
- Wheels for easy moving
- Easy set up for beginners
- Requires little maintenance
Cons:
- On the expensive end
- Worm tea can collect and cause stagnant water
When I first saw the Hungry Bin, it seemed like a strange trash can. The design blends right in outside, but the tapered container makes it clear that it has some other function.
That function is a specially designed composting system known as a continuous flow. The container lets gravity do the work for harvesting, you can easily add scraps on top, and the dirt and castings get pushed to the bottom and compressed.
The Hungry Bin is a simple design, especially for beginners, as it requires little upkeep. The worms will keep working their way to the top, they prefer topsoil, and they know it’s where the food is. All that’s left is keeping them well-fed, the bin moist, and harvesting castings.
The method of harvesting might be the real draw of this bin. Instead of dealing with digging the worms or moving around the compost, a bottom tray detaches and is already full of ready-to-use vermicompost.
The outside bin is convenient, but for those like me, who live in a climate with cold winters, it has wheels for easy moving to a protected location. The wheels also come in handy, so you don’t have to deal with the heaviness of moving the bin.
This is a fantastic worm composting bin, that’s mobile and still manages to offer a high capacity of compost. Head over to UncleJims to get this worm composter, as it’s built to last a very long time.
2. Worm Factory 360 Composter
Best Indoor Composter
- Type: Stackable
- Location: Indoor or Outdoor
- Capacity: 3 CuFt
- Accessories: Bedding Starter Kit, Hand Rake, Scraper
Pros:
- Stackable trays
- Comes with bedding material and other accessories
- Easy to set up and maintain
- Worm tea spigot
- Indoor or outdoor use
Cons:
- Can be susceptible to pests
The Worm Factory 360 Composter immediately caught my eye as a stackable option. The tiered trays have grids that allow the worms to move freely between levels.
Tiered options are a personal favorite as the worms feed and fill the lower trays, all that is necessary is to put a new tray on top, and they’ll move out of the bottom trays that are ready to harvest.
I found that while I liked the tray system, sometimes they didn’t fit snugly together, which allowed some ants to crawl inside. It’s key to keep this composter away from pests.
Still, I appreciated the ease of harvesting. The worm tea collector at the bottom has a convenient nozzle to empty the worm tea. The nozzle was a big draw, as some tea collectors can be bothersome to deal with the liquid.
Additionally, this composter came with plenty of handy materials. The bedding starter kit was especially helpful, as it can be hard for me to accumulate enough material. It made the setup quicker than some of the other models. Head over to UncleJims to get this worm composter
3. The Essential Living Worm Composter
Best Mini Composter
- Type: Stackable
- Location: Indoor or Outdoor
- Capacity: 3 Gallons
- Accessories: None
Pros:
- Stackable trays
- Pleasing design
- Designed to keep things moist
- Worm tea spigot
- Indoor or outdoor use
- Convenient size
Cons:
- Too small for families
- The worm tea nozzle is in an awkward spot
The Essential Living Composter is one of the more sleek and modern designed composters I’ve seen. It’s attractive enough to stay inside the home and shouldn’t have any smells.
The stackable trays allow for easy harvesting and maintenance. This composter also features specially designed channels to direct water flow and keep it moist. I appreciated it and found having to add water less often than other composters.
The mini size does make it ideal for individuals or beginners, but serious composters or people with larger families may struggle with this composter. Still, as long as you limit the number of scraps you add, it should fit any situation.
This model does collect worm tea in the bottom reservoir, but I found this a bit troublesome. The valve is located in the center bottom to allow it to drain fully, but it was a bit difficult to reach. Additionally, since I was keeping it inside, it dripped a bit after I dispensed the worm tea for a slight mess, nothing a few paper towels couldn’t handle.
Pros:
- Unique in the ground design
- Very high capacity
- A handy guide on the lid
- Locks to keep pests out
Cons:
- No worm tea collection
- It needs extra aeration maintenance
- The worm population can be questionable
The SUBPOD Compost Bin is unlike other composters, and I was interested in trying it out. The bin should be partially buried directly into the garden beds, allowing worms to come and go as they please.
I found this intriguing, and I was worried that all of the worms I bought would leave, never to return. However, they came back to work away at the bounty of food scraps I left for them. I can’t say for sure it’s the same amount, but it seems to be working. The capacity of this bin is astounding.
The bin has a cheat sheet for composting on the lid that I appreciated for beginners. Additionally, the top had locks to keep curious pets away. Given how low to the ground this bin is, this is a crucial feature.
The SUBPOD should have good airflow, but it does require some extra help to keep things aerated. This aeration process was one of the drawbacks, as it needed a bit of extra maintenance to keep it from smelling.
Pros:
- Stackable trays for easy harvesting
- Collects vermicompost and worm tea
- A worm tea spigot
- Keeps out insects
- It comes with a coir brick for bedding and moisture
Cons:
- Somewhat limited shipping options
The Worm Cafe is a great stackable setup, as it’s sturdy and well-built to handle both indoor and outdoor settings. A small detail that I appreciated was engraved instructions for use on the inside of the lid.
One of the best accessories, this bin comes with a coir brick that is not only useful for bedding but helps maintain the correct moisture in the composter. I had this composter up and running quickly.
I found the worm tea nozzle very accessible on this model and didn’t have any issues with excess tea leaking. The unique design of these trays helps to encourage the worms to move upwards as you add trays.
I enjoyed some of the measures taken to keep insects away. The legs discourage ants from finding their way inside, and the lid keeps scraps out of reach from flies. I didn’t have any issues with pests with this composter. Head over to UncleJims to get this worm composter
- Type: Bag and Continuous Flow
- Location: Indoor
- Capacity: 120 Lbs
- Accessories: None
Pros:
- Continuous flow design
- Relatively easy harvesting
- Well-made
- Pest free
Cons:
- Zippers can stick
- It is heavy when full
- Worms may escape during harvesting
The Urban Worm Bag relies on classic vermicomposting technology in bags mixed with some of the ease of continuous flow. I was a bit worried about trying this one out, but I was pretty pleased with my results.
The bag is incredibly well-made, with sturdy fabric and zippers. The frame was a tad flimsy for how heavy the bag became, but I didn’t have any real issues.
The fabric was great because it allowed ample airflow for the entire unit. It was odorless, and I never had issues with this product attracting pests.
There is a zipper at the bottom to harvest the worm castings, and the worms and scraps should stay at the top. However, I did have worms occasionally fall out and did have to do some sifting. The zipper also got caught once or twice, which didn’t cause serious issues but some hassle.
Additionally, this bag was quite heavy when it was full. I wouldn’t want to move this composter, and I could see that being an issue for people who need to move it to keep the conditions controlled. Head over to UncleJims to get this worm composter
- Type: Stackable
- Location: Indoor
- Capacity: 5.5 Gallons
- Accessories: None
Pros:
- Stackable design for easy harvest
- Visually pleasing
- Insulated for moisture and temperature
- Collects worm tea and vermicompost
Cons:
- Low capacity
- Potential aeration issues
The Tumbleweed worm composter is another mini composter for indoor use that is pleasing to the eye. It hides the stacks inside a uniform cube, making it sleek. This also insulates the trays to keep their temperature regulated and moist.
I liked that the cube had a handle to easily relocate the entire composter. Its lid is locked to keep out pests, and the cover is ideal if flies are a concern.
I was a bit worried about the aeration of this design, but I think that it held up well. The worms seemed to do fine for the time that I tested it out, as it’s designed for air to flow out the lids.
This composter does collect worm tea in an easy-to-remove bucket, which also has an indicator to know when it’s full.
The Tumbleweed worm composter is attractive, but it won’t be able to handle any high-capacity composting. Head over to UncleJims to get this worm composter
- Type: Stackable
- Location: Indoor or Outdoor
- Capacity: N/A
- Accessories: None
Pros:
- Stackable design for easy harvest
- Collects worm tea and vermicompost
- Compact design
Cons:
- Low capacity
- Potential aeration issues
- Some sharp edges
The Quest composter is another one that is visually pleasing and provides easy indoor use. This composter can go outside, but it’s very low to the ground, so I’d recommend placing it on a table to keep it away from ants.
Unfortunately, the exact capacity is unknown, but I found it one of the smaller units on this list. This composter is best suited for individuals or those only interested in small amounts of compost. It could be an option for teaching kids about compost.
I did have some aeration issues with this model, not enough to harm the worms, but enough that it did start to stink. I think that with fewer scraps, it may have been alright, but it still could use some more airflow.
This bin does require some assembly that isn’t too hard to put together. I did feel as though some of the plastic edges weren’t entirely smooth, so I sanded them down before allowing the delicate worms into the bin.
Verdict: Best Worm Composter
After discussing and trying all of these composters, I have a clear winner in mind. I feel that the Hungry Bin Continuous Flow composter is the best worm composter. Its unique design is easy to use and maintain, and the wheels allow for movement to keep the worms where they’re happiest.
Best Outdoor Composter
Hungry Bin – Continuous Flow Worm Composter
High-capacity composter allows the materials to flow downward naturally. Easy to harvest vermicompost soil or worm tea.
Best Indoor Composter
Worm Factory 360 Composter
Multi-tiered, easy to assemble, and comes with bedding accessories. Convenient and smell-free composting indoors.
Best Mini Composter
The Essential Living Worm Composter
Compact model is ideal for beginners or individuals low on indoor space. Features multiple trays and a good draining system.
The bin is high-capacity and great for beginners and avid composters alike. As long as you keep up with draining the worm tea, there should be no issues with this bin.
How Does Worm Composting Bin Work
The worms process organic food scraps from the kitchen and turn them into a rich soil additive, providing a happy home for worms and stopping unnecessary food waste.
How do you start a worm compost bin?
The bin begins with some bedding, usually ripped up paper or cardboard, and a bit of dirt or sand for grit. The contents are wet thoroughly, though not drenched. I’ve found that the ideal moisture content is around the feeling of a wrung sponge, and similarly, soaking the bedding and then wringing it out can create the perfect level.
The dampness creates a happy home for the worms, as they prefer moist and dark environments and require grit to help decompose the organic material. Once worms are acquired, place them gently into the bin, and allowing them time to make themselves at home for about a week will lead to happy worms ready to eat.
Once the worms settle in, it’s feeding time. They feed on organic kitchen scraps such as:
- Fruit and veggie scraps
- Crushed eggshells
- Teabags with staples removed
- Coffee grounds (not filters or plastic cups)
I’ve found that the smaller the scraps are cut or crushed, the better the outcome. It’s easier for the worms to break apart, so the food has less time to rot before they can get to it.
When feeding the worms, there are a few materials you should avoid. Don’t put metals or plastic material into the bin, as worms can only process organic waste. Some ink used on printed cardboard or paper can even be toxic for worms.
There are also a few organic items you may want to avoid. Worms can process some of these, but they’re more complex and take longer, becoming odorous and attracting pests. These can be things such as:
- Meats or animal fat
- Dairy
- Cooked foods
- Onions or garlic
- Citrus fruit
- High acidic food
- Processed food
- Salty or spicy food
Around feeding time is a convenient time to check the dampness of your composting bin to keep things from drying out or becoming too wet from waste. Once you begin using the composter, feeding the worms, keeping it moist, and harvesting the casting is all the upkeep needed.
What are the best worms for compost bins?
All worms aren’t equal, and there are two types of worms that are the best for composting:
- Red wigglers (Eisenia fetida)
- Redworms (Lumbricus rubellus)
Although you may want to find worms in your yard, most common worms won’t be happy in the composting bin. The worms previously mentioned prefer composting environments over soil and produce more potent vermicompost than other worms.
The most reliable way to get red wigglers is by ordering them from a local farmer, who will also easily be able to supply the quantity you need.
Best Worm Composter FAQs
For some extra help, I’ve put time into finding the two answers to the most frequent questions on worm composting.
Final Thoughts
Worm composting is a fun way to get rid of kitchen scraps, and it has so many ecological and personal benefits. Now that I’ve gone through the composting basics, I hope you feel confident investing in a bin and beginning your compost journey.
