If you’ve ever tossed food scraps in the trash and felt a twinge of guilt, you’re not alone. According to the USDA, 30-40% of food in the U.S. is wasted every year, with much of that waste ending up in the landfill rather than being composted.
Did you know that you can compost more easily at home with an automatic composter? These appliances make it easy to turn your food waste into nutrient-rich soil at home. And no green thumb is required; you don’t even necessarily need a backyard. Using an automatic composter at home helps to reduce your carbon footprint and move toward a more zero-waste lifestyle.
Here, we’ll break down what automatic composters do, why they’re helpful, and what to know before you buy one.
Table of Contents
Market for automatic composters
What is an automatic composter? How do they work?
Benefits of using an automatic composter
Types of automatic composters
1. Countertop vs. freestanding units
2. Indoor vs. outdoor models
3. Batch vs. continuous composters
What to know before you buy
Top brands to know
1. Lomi
2. Vitamix
3. Reencle
4. beyondGREEN
5. GEME
How to use your automatic composter (and get the best results)
Tips for best results
Final thoughts: Is an automatic composter right for you?
Market for automatic composters
The market size for the automatic composting machine market was estimated at USD 3.1 billion in 2024, according to the Business Research Company. And it’s expected to continue to grow over the coming years as consumers become more aware of their household waste and its potential impacts on the planet.
What is an automatic composter? How do they work?
An automatic composter is a kitchen or outdoor appliance that turns food scraps into compost with minimal effort. Unlike traditional composting – where you need to manage a pile of scraps, turn it regularly, and wait months – automatic composters speed up the process using heat, grinding, and air flow.
Think of it like a slow cooker for your food waste. You add scraps like vegetable peels or coffee grounds, press a button, and a few hours later, you’ve got compost ready to use in your garden or houseplants.
Benefits of using an automatic composter
Why use an automatic, electric composter? Let’s take a look:
- Convenience: No need to shovel, stir, or track outdoor compost bins. Just drop in your food waste and press start.
- Saves time: The efficiency of the composter is irrefutable (at least compared to outdoor compost piles). Many automatic composters finish a cycle in 3-48 hours instead of weeks.
- Controls odors: Many units have an odor-reducing carbon filter to trap smells. This means they’re great to keep in your kitchen and can easily be used in an apartment.
- Eco-friendly: Food waste in landfills creates methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. Composting at home keeps food out of landfills and benefits your garden or local soil.
Types of automatic composters
Automatic composters generally fall into two categories based on size and placement:
1. Countertop vs. freestanding units
- Countertop composters are compact and designed for small spaces like apartments or single-person households. They typically process small batches of compost at a time.
- Freestanding composters are larger units that sit on the floor, often in kitchens, garages, or laundry rooms. They’re better suited for families or anyone who cooks frequently and has more household food scraps.
2. Indoor vs. outdoor models
While most automatic composters are made for indoor use, some heavy-duty versions are suitable for outdoor placement. Outdoor models typically have more ventilation and may be more weather-resistant; however, they do require protection from extreme temperatures.
3. Batch vs. continuous composters
- Batch models process one load of compost at a time. You fill the bin, run the cycle, and wait until it’s finished before adding more kitchen scraps or other organic material.
- Continuous models let you add food scraps daily, even while the composting process is ongoing. If you cook often or have a high volume of food waste, a continuous model offers the most convenience.
What to know before you buy
Here are some key things to consider when picking an automatic composter:
- Capacity: Think about how much food waste you produce. If you cook daily or have a family, look for a larger unit (around 2-3 liters) that can handle large volumes of food scraps. If you live alone or have limited space, a compact unit will do just fine.
- Composting speed: Consider the efficiency of the composter. Some models take a matter of hours to finish a cycle (around 3 hours), while others take 24-48 hours. Note that faster doesn’t always mean better; it depends on what you plan to compost and how often.
- Energy use: Most automatic composters plug into a standard outlet. Check the wattage or energy usage; some efficient models use less than a lightbulb (around 50W per cycle), while others can be more power-hungry.
- Odor control: Look for composters with charcoal filters or sealed lids. This is especially important for indoor units. Some brands also include multi-layer filtration systems to keep your kitchen smelling fresh.
- What it can handle: Not all composters are the same. Some can process meats, dairy, and grains, while others are best for fruits, vegetables, and coffee grounds. Always check the list of acceptable materials to avoid damaging the machine.
- Noise level: If you’re sensitive to noise or live in a small space, choose a quieter unit. Most composters operate at under 60 decibels – about the volume of a conversation – but it’s worth checking.
- Cleaning and maintenance: Look for units with removable bins or dishwasher-safe parts for easier deep cleaning. Also, a composter with a spare bucket makes regular cleaning easier.
Top brands to know
When shopping for new home appliances, like an automatic composter, it’s helpful to start by looking at well-known and trusted brands. Here are some of the most popular names on the market today:
1. Lomi
Lomi is a popular choice for eco-conscious consumers. Designed by Pela, Lomi is known for its sleek design and countertop-friendly size. It can compost a wide range of materials, including some bioplastics. Lomi markets itself as an easy way to start composting with “just one button.”
2. Vitamix
Yes, the blender brand, Vitamix, also makes the FoodCycler. This is a compact composter known for its quiet operation and odor control. It’s a favorite for those living in apartments because it easily fits in small spaces and has dishwasher-safe parts.
3. Reencle
Reencle’s composters are larger and designed for continuous use, meaning you can add scraps daily without waiting for a complete cycle to finish. It uses microorganisms to break down waste, making it ideal for families who cook frequently at home.
4. beyondGREEN
This brand offers both automatic and manual composters and emphasizes sustainability in manufacturing. beyondGREEN’s units are made in the USA and include pet waste composting options, which is a plus for pet owners.
5. GEME
GEME offers a high-capacity, floor-standing composter that uses microbial degradation to transform food waste into nutrient-rich compost.
Each of these brands has different strengths, from sleek designs to large capacity, so choosing one depends on your specific needs.
How to use your automatic composter (and get the best results)
Using an automatic composter is pretty straightforward, but a few simple habits can help you get the best results:
- Add food and kitchen scraps: Chop or break large pieces into smaller chunks to speed up composting
- Press start: Most composters have a one-button operation and start processing automatically
- Wait for the cycle to finish: Depending on the model, this can take anywhere from 3 to 48 hours (note: those with continuous composting, you don’t have to wait for the cycle to finish before adding more scraps)
- Collect your compost: Once complete, remove the finished compost and either:
- Use it directly in your garden or potted plants (for those that don’t have a garden, consider connecting with your local community gardens or city parks)
- Store it in a dry container until needed
- Let it cure for a few days to enrich the microbes it contains
Tips for best results
Here are the best practices for getting the most out of your automatic composter:
- Balance your scraps: Aim for a mix of greens (fruit and veggie scraps, like apple cores and banana peels, coffee grounds) and browns (paper towels, dry leaves, small bits of cardboard). Even though automatic composters process a wider range of items, maintaining a balance helps improve texture and smell. (Consider an odor-reducing carbon filter to help manage any unpleasant odors.)
- Avoid problem materials: Even if your composter can handle meat, bones, or dairy, limiting these can reduce odors and improve compost quality.
- Don’t overload it: Stick to the recommended capacity. It’s better to run two smaller loads than one overfilled load.
- Clean regularly: Wipe down the inner bucket or clean the removable parts once a week or after every few cycles to prevent buildup and bacterial growth.
- Use compost wisely: Finished compost can be used as a soil conditioner for houseplants, garden beds, or lawn patches. If it looks too coarse or smells sour, mix it with soil and let it rest for a week before applying.
Final thoughts: Is an automatic composter right for you?
If you’re looking for a simple, clean way to reduce food waste and support sustainability, an automatic composter could be a great fit. They’re handy for people with limited outdoor space or no time to manage an outdoor compost pile.
Whether you’re a gardener, a busy parent, or just someone trying to live a bit greener, an automatic composter makes it easy to turn trash into treasure.
