When it comes to gardening or living an eco-friendly life, worm composting plays a crucial role. Worm composting is a method where worms effectively reduce kitchen waste and produce organic, rich soil. Worm composting or vermicomposting is known as “black gold”. As most of us live in apartments or small houses where the traditional worm composting process is impossible, worm composter bins come as a savior.
After extensive research, we have gathered the 7 Best Worm Composter Bins 2024 that are easy to use, take up little space, and will not rip out your wallet. Our top-tier best worm composter bins include a variety of features, such as sturdy construction, optimal ventilation, and simple maintenance, ensuring a smooth composting experience. Let’s find out which worm composter is the best fit for you!
7 Best Worm Composter Bins 2024
1. Best For Beginners 2024 : Tumbleweed Worm Cafe Vermicomposter for Outdoor Indoor
2. Best Backyard Worm Composter 2024 : SUBPOD Mini Compost Bin Outdoor
3. Best For Professional 2024 : Urban Worm Bag Worm Composting Bin Version 2
4. Best Overall Worm Composter 2024 : Worm Factory 360 Black US-Made Composting System
5. Best Budget 2024 : VermiHut Plus 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin-Easy Setup and Sustainable Design
6. Best Mini Worm Composter 2024 : FCMP Outdoor – The Essential Living Composter
7. Best Stakable Design 2024 : 4-Tray Worm Compost Kit
1. Best For Beginners 2024 : Tumbleweed Worm Cafe Vermicomposter for Outdoor Indoor
The Tumbleweed worm cafe vermicomposter comes first on the list of best worm composter bins for its amazing attributes. The large capacity of this bin allows you to recycle 5-6 kg of organic waste every week. It features a classic, simple design with 3 large working trays and a hinged fly-proof lid, one collector tray, one worm farm bedding block, one tap and nut set, and 4 ant prevention legs. Even though this bin is sturdy, it is still light enough to move around, so you can put it indoors or outdoors. This bin has a stackable design that keeps it stable.
The Tumbleweed worm composter bin is perfect for a new farmer or gardener. The drip-free tap will ensure mess-free harvesting of liquid fertilizer. All the instructions are straightforward for this best worm composter bins. Simply assemble the legs and stack the box, and your bin is ready to be used. Make sure to use a large bucket when soaking the bedding. For beginners, only one tray is required to start the farm. Once you assemble the trays and legs, make sure to set up the worm farm first. Then place the tray in a cool place when the sun is setting. After setting up the first working tray, fill a bucket with around 7 liters of water. Place the brand’s worm farm bedding block inside. A minimum of 1000 worms are required to start the farm.
When using the Tumbleweed Worm Cafe vermicomposter, you should be concerned about a few things. First, you’ll need to get the worms separately since they’re not included with the composter. Second, setting up the composter might take some time and effort to make sure the worms are happy and healthy.
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Brand: Tumbleweed | Material: 100% recycled plastic | Color: Black | Capacity: 20 Gallons | Product Dimensions: 20 x 15.3 x 29.5 | Shape: Rectangle | Item weight: 18.75 pounds
Pros:
- Perfect stackable design for easy usage
- Does not leak any liquid
- Best compact size for both indoors and outdoors
- The tray for collecting liquids offers an efficient drainage system.
- Does not take up big space
Cons:
- The worms can sometimes wriggle through holes and comes out.
2. Best Backyard Worm Composter 2024 : SUBPOD Mini Compost Bin Outdoor
SUBPOD mini is the ultimate solution for hassle-free and odorless composting. You do not need to worry about the unpleasant smell and annoying pests if you have a SUBPOD mini compost bin. The amazing system of SUBPOD Mini promotes odorless microbes, enhancing the composting process while keeping your surroundings fresh and clean.
It is easy to use, making it ideal for busy households with a lot of food waste to compost. This compost bin can handle up to 22 lbs (10kg) of food waste per week, making it ideal for households of 1-4 people. With a 360-degree ventilation system and a dual compost chamber, SUBPOD mini provides better airflow. Because of this, your compost smells fresh and pleasant, similar to the scent of a forest floor. The composting system in this compost bin is similar to traditional worm composting. So even if you are new to the composting journey, you can easily compost worms without professional help.
The Subpod Mini is designed to work with compost worms and beneficial microbes, acting as your dedicated composting workforce. It only takes 5 minutes to maintain the compost bin each week. As the active worms below do the hard work for you, all you have to do is open the lid and stir your scraps. The SUBPOD mini compost bin should be planted 12” underground to directly provide nutrients to your soil. Worms are not included in this compost bin.
Brand: Subpod | Material: 60% recycled Plastic | Color: Mini | Capacity: 22 Lbs | Product Dimensions: 19.4″L x 17.7″W x 16.9″H | Shape: Rectangle | Item weight: 16.27 pounds
Pros:
- The new Latch locking system keeps the organic waste secured.
- Prevents smell and annoying pests.
- Easy to maintain
- Hassle-free experience
Cons:
- The plastic hinge is fragile and breaks easily
- Assembling is complicated
3. Best For Professional 2024 : Urban Worm Bag Worm Composting Bin Version 2
The Urban Worm Bag Worm Composting Bin Version 2 is the best worm composting bin for professional gardeners who want to take their worm composting to the next level. One of the best things about the Urban Worm Bag Version 2 is its fully removable bottom, which doesn’t have a zipper. The zipper makes harvesting the worm castings super easy. You can collect the rich compost without disturbing the worms or making a mess. An Urban Worm Bag can process up to 3–4 lbs of household waste per day, with a maximum capacity of 8 lbs of composting worms.
The bin also has excellent airflow and moisture control. The breathable fabric allows air to flow, keeping things fresh and preventing bad smells. Plus, the bag’s moisture-wicking properties help regulate the right amount of moisture. This creates a healthy environment for the worms to do their job of breaking down the organic matter. The worm bag performs great throughout the summer without smelling bad or attracting annoying pests.
One thing to consider is that when the bin is full, it may need additional support or a stand to keep it from sagging. However, this is easily solved by getting a sturdy stand or making a support system to keep the bag stable and working well. The removable bottom makes harvesting a breeze, and the bin can handle larger composting loads. It also has great airflow and moisture control. While some extra support may be needed, it’s a minor issue that can be easily fixed.
Brand: Urban Worm | Material: Iron | Color: Black/Brown | Capacity: 8lbs | Product Dimensions: 26.75″L x 26.75″W x 31.75″H | Shape: Square | Item weight: 7.5 Pounds
Pros:
- Easy to harvest and collect waste
- Breathable fabric provides excellent aeration
- Large capacity
- The moisture-wicking properties control moisture
- Durable construction with sturdy material
Cons:
- Additional support is needed when the bin is full.
4. Best Overall Worm Composter 2024 : Worm Factory 360 Black US-Made Composting System
The Worm Factory 360 Black US Made Composting System is one of the best compost bins out there for its smart design and functionality. It has multiple trays that can be stacked on top of each other, allowing you to compost without any mess. As you place food waste in a tray, the worms slowly move up, leaving behind nutrient-rich compost. The simplicity of use of Worm Factory 360 is one of its best features. Starting with 1/2-pound worms, they can eat 1/4 pound of feed per day. Feed more as your fly family expands.
These trays have a special grid at the bottom that allows the worms to move up as you add new food. When one tray is full, another is placed on top. And here’s the cool part: when the bottom tray is ready to be harvested, it becomes the new top tray. It also has a spigot for storing mosquito tea, a watering special that your plants will love. Worm Factory 360 also comes with a tool to monitor temperature and pH levels, so you can make sure everything is right for the worms. Having the right moisture and pH levels helps the weeds break down and create tasty compost. The clever expandable design of this composting system lets you make the most of your space. It can hold a lot of compost, even in a small area.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that you need to be careful with humidity. Sometimes composting materials can be too wet, causing bad weather and harming worms. However, by regularly checking and adjusting the bed and water table, you can keep the compost habitat healthy and balanced.
Brand: Worm Factory | Material: Plastic | Color: Black | Capacity: 1 Liter | Product Dimensions: 17.95″L x 17.95″W x 14.95″H | Shape: Round | Item weight: 11 pounds
Pros:
- Expandable multi-tray design
- Temperature control system
- Made in the USA with recycled plastics
- Easy setup
Cons:
- Requires careful attention for moisture management
5. Best Budget 2024 : VermiHut Plus 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin-Easy Setup and Sustainable Design
The VermiHut Plus 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin has plenty of space to handle lots of organic waste and worms. Its stackable design makes it easy to add and remove materials without disturbing the worms. The bin is built to last with sturdy recycled plastic. It has special features like the worm ladder, which helps worms move freely between trays, speeding up the decomposition process. The bin also includes a starter kit and user’s manual for easy setup.
The VermiHut Plus 5-Tray bin has a special component called the “V-Board” and a coconut mat in the lid that help eliminate any minimal odors. V-Board holds moisture and creates a comfortable environment for the worms. The VermiHut Plus also has a “worm-saving tray” built into the system. This tray prevents worms and compost debris from falling into the liquid tray, and it improves the airflow for better compost efficiency. To top it all off, the bin comes with a set of base “shoes” that keep unwanted visitors out. This is a clever design element that adds extra protection.
Some users find that the trays stick together when filled with moist compost, but periodic checking and loosening can solve this. The bin can handle 10 lbs. of worms, reducing 5 lbs. of food scraps per day. With its efficient design and unique features, the VermiHut Plus 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin is the best worm composter bins for managing household food waste and creating nutrient-rich compost.
Brand: VermiHut | Material: Plastic | Color: Dark Greem | Capacity: 40 Liters | Product Dimensions: 17″L x 17″W x 33″H | Shape: Square | Item weight: 12 Pounds
Pros:
- High capacity that can hold up to 10lbs worms
- Stackable efficient design
- The “V-board” system provides odorless composting
- Worm-saving trays prevent worms and compost debris from falling into the liquid tray
Cons:
- Some users found the gap between each tray to be big
- Sometimes the trays can stick together
6. Best Mini Worm Composter 2024 : FCMP Outdoor – The Essential Living Composter
Introducing the FCMP Outdoor Essential Living Composter, a special composting system just for professional gardeners. This small but mighty composter is perfect for turning your food scraps into nutrient-rich compost for your plants. You can use this composter indoors year-round, which is a great feature. It composts in a clever way that minimizes smells, allowing you to keep it inside your home throughout the year. This is super handy for professionals who always want a fresh supply of compost for their plants, no matter the weather outside.
The FCMP Outdoor Essential Living Composter has some cool features that make the worms inside happy and productive. It has a special water channel around each tray to keep the bedding moist and prevent it from drying out. And there are 52 tunnels for the worms to move easily between trays, which helps them make compost faster. The trays also have little holes for good airflow all around, making the worms feel right at home.
Another cool thing about this composter is that it collects a special liquid called “Worm Tea” in the bottom. When you mix it with water, it becomes a powerful fertilizer for your plants. It helps them grow strong and healthy. Just remember, when you get this composter, you’ll need to find worms separately. And if you want to compost a lot, you might need extra trays.
Brand: FCMP Outdoor | Material: Polypropylene | Color: Black | Capacity: 3 gallons each tray | Product Dimensions: 15″L x 15″W x 22.01″H | Shape: Square | Item weight: 9.73 pounds
Pros:
- Ensures optimal moisture control
- Plenty of opportunities for worms to migrate
- Oxygen-rich environment
- Durable construction
Cons:
- Need high maintenance
- Worms can leak if not careful enough
7. Best Stakable Design 2024 : 4-Tray Worm Compost Kit
The 4-Tray Worm Compost Kit is perfect for you if you are a beginner and have a small space. The tray is the best composter bin because it is compactable and easy to move around. This kit has excellent air ventilation, which means no smelly compost! You will have a clean and enjoyable composting experience whether you use it indoors or outdoors.
The fact that this kit is reasonably priced and portable is one of its best features. You can use it all year round because of its small size, which fits perfectly in any space. It’s just the right size for managing your kitchen waste without taking up too much room. The kit creates a healthy environment for your worms to turn food scraps into nutrient-rich compost. The worms naturally move up into the next tray as they finish composting, leaving behind amazing castings. This continuous process makes your composting system work like a charm!
Plus, the 4-Tray Worm Compost Kit comes with everything you need to get started. It includes 4 working trays, a rack, and a spigot for collecting liquid fertilizer (worm tea) that doesn’t smell bad. You’ll be all set to begin your composting adventure. Just remember to get worms separately, which you can easily find from different suppliers. So, if you’re a professional gardener, the 4-Tray Worm Compost Kit is the way to go.
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Brand: quest | Material: Plastic | Color: Blue | Capacity: ¼ pound | Product Dimensions: 9″L x 12″W x 8.5″H | Shape: Square | Item weight: 2 pounds
Pros:
- Minimize odors
- Affordable and easy to move
- A complete starter kit helps to set up easily
- Compact in size and fits into any place
Cons:
- Can not hold even 5lbs waste
Types of Worm Composting Systems
There are various kinds of worm composting systems available that you can use according to your preferences. Here are some types of worm composting systems that you can use!
1. Continuous Flow Systems: The most convenient and efficient worm composting system is the continuous flow system. They feature multiple trays or layers, allowing you to continuously add food scraps to one end while the worms decompose waste on the other. That means you can harvest compost from one tray while the worms continue their work in the remaining trays.
2. Vermibags or Worm Bags: Vermi Bags are ideal for those who do not have much space to do traditional worm composting. Vermicomposting bags are lightweight and small so you can hang them on a small stand. They provide a controlled environment for the worms, offering good aeration and drainage.
3. Worm bins or Vermi bins:Worm bins or Vermi bins are a traditional worm composting system that a beginner or a professional can use. Worm bins consist of a box or container with a lid, ventilation holes, and a bedding layer where worms thrive. They are versatile and can be made from various materials such as wood, plastic, or repurposed containers.
4. DIY or Homemade System: DIY or homemade vermicomposting system are for those who have a small budget or just want to be creative. From repurposed containers to custom-built setups, these systems can be used in a variety of ways. One popular example is the Rubbermaid tub system, where a large plastic tub is used as a worm bin. By upcycling, you can design a system that meets your specific needs while reducing waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does worm composter do?
A worm composter, also known as a vermicomposter, is a system in which worms break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. You feed ground fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds, and paper cuttings to worms; they eat and digest waste. Worm composting is known as “black gold”. You can use it to improve your garden soil, nurture the plants, and help them thrive. Worm composting is a friendly and sustainable way to recycle organic waste, reduce landfill waste, and create a system in which food waste is a practical resource for gardening. An effective natural way to help the environment and make good compost for your plants.
How Does Worm Composting Work?
Worm composting works by having worms eat the food scraps and digest them into beautiful, rich soil that gives nutrients to your plants. To make worm composting work, you need to create a cozy home for the worms. They like a comfortable bed made of shredded newspaper or cardboard. It’s important to keep the right amount of moisture and air flowing in their home, too. As the worms chow down on the food scraps and bedding, they break everything down in their bellies and make a mix of partially decomposed stuff and their special castings.
How long does it take to compost with worms?
Worm composting generally takes about 2 to 3 months to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. Factors such as litter size, quality, temperature, moisture levels, and pig population health can affect the exact timing. The composting process can be accelerated by maintaining optimal conditions and providing a balanced diet with nutrient-rich vermicompost for plant nutrition.
Worm tea vs. Leachate
Worm tea is a special liquid fertilizer carefully made from vermicomposting systems. It’s packed with nutrients and helpful microorganisms, making it a fantastic organic fertilizer for plants. On the other hand, leachate is the liquid that naturally drains from compost piles or bins. Sometimes, leachate contains harmful things like germs, which can cause illness. That’s why worm tea is the better choice. It’s controlled and good for plant growth, while leachate should be used carefully because it can change and might have risks.
How to Maintain a Worm Farm?
To take care of your worm farm, just remember these simple steps:
- Feed your worms a balanced diet of kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, and shredded paper.
- Make sure you’re not giving them too much or too little food.
- Keep their bedding moist but not too wet. Add water if needed.
- Give them enough air by making sure there’s good ventilation.
- Regularly harvest the compost that’s ready, leaving some bits for the worms to keep working on.
- Keep an eye out for any pests or signs of sickness. If you spot any, take action to fix the problem right away.
- Keep the temperature between 55-77°F (13-25°C) to keep the worms happy and active.
- Don’t put things in the worm farm that might hurt them, like meat, dairy, greasy foods, or chemicals.
What are the best worms for composting?
When it comes to composting, three types of worms take the spotlight: Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida), European Nightcrawlers (Eisenia hortensis), and Indian Blue worms (Perionyx excavatus). Red Wigglers are small but mighty, reproducing quickly, adapting to different composting conditions, and gobbling up organic waste. European Nightcrawlers, larger in size, thrive in colder temperatures and are perfect for outdoor composting.
Indian Blue worms, native to warmer climates, work wonders in tropical regions. These worms all share the same goal: breaking down food scraps, paper, and other organic materials lightning-fast. Their hard work creates nutrient-rich vermicompost that boosts soil fertility, enhances plant growth, and cuts down on landfill waste.
How many worms for compost?
As a general rule, start with about 1,000 worms for every 0.5 to 1 pound of food waste you make daily. This helps the worms eat and break down the waste effectively. But remember, worms can multiply quickly in good conditions. So, starting with fewer worms and letting them have babies is also okay. Just watch the composting process and adjust the number of worms as needed to keep things healthy and make lots of compost.
Final Verdict
After taking a close look at the best worm composter bins out there, it’s easy to see why they’re considered the cream of the crop. These bins truly live up to their reputation, thanks to their smart designs, strong build, and impressive composting abilities. They’re like superheroes for recycling organic waste in a convenient and eco-friendly way.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, investing in one of these top worm composting bins is a game-changer. You’ll be able to turn kitchen scraps into fantastic soil that’s packed with nutrients. So, wave goodbye to waste and get ready for sustainable gardening at its finest with the best worm composter bins around.