Convert food waste into nutrient-rich soil with the best electric composters.
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5 Best Electric Composters to Turn Food Into Fertilizer
Updated on Sep. 18, 2024
Composting has been around for thousands of years. But turning food scraps and other organic materials into a nutrient-dense soil additive through decomposition can take months. The best electric composter can turn your dinner scraps into rich plant soil in just a few hours.
One of the most convenient aspects of electric composters is that they have a small footprint. Those in apartments who may not be able to compost in a traditional sense can still use these devices to fertilize their plants and fruit and vegetable gardens. Electric composters are pest- and odor-free, compact, automatic and easy to use. Here’s a breakdown of a few of our favorites.
Best Overall Electric Composter
Lomi Smart Waste Composter
Pros:
- World's first smart waste composter
- Breaks down food waste in 24 hours
- Includes first 90 cycles of filters and pods
- Compact size
Cons:
- A bit pricey
Our overall pick for the best electric composter is the Lomi composter, which introduced the world to an upgraded method of recycling. Its one-touch operation and odorless container continue to impress the growing number of five-star Amazon reviewers. The device sits on your countertop and turns your leftover food into dirt within 24 hours.
Moreover, the machine helps both your wallet and the environment by using very little power—only 70 kilowatts per 100 cycles. Those 100 cycles help prevent 220 pounds of waste from going into landfills and create an 18-pound methane reduction. Read our Lomi composter review to see why Family Handyman Associate Shopping Editor Sheri Kaz was so impressed by this countertop appliance.
On Sale
Best Value Electric Composter
Vitamix FC-50 FoodCycler
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Works on food and pet waste
- Two-liter bucket
- Carbon filter reduces odors
Cons:
- Doesn't compost the food fully
The Vitamix FC-50 has an impressive two-liter bucket that works for food items and pet waste for those serious about trash reduction. You only need a cubic foot of space for the machine, which comes with a carbon filter lid to eliminate all odors.
This electric composter and the almost 1,700 five-star Amazon ratings are proof that Vitamix appliances are great at preparing and wasting food. Note: the resulting compost still needs to decompose for a bit before being used in soil.
“To say that I’m impressed with this product would be an understatement,” writes verified purchaser Francie C. “I’ve used a variety of food waste including coffee grounds, leftover meat scraps, citrus, vegetables, eggshells, bread/bagels, fruit and even some leftover cat food. It has worked wonderfully to compost all of it.”
Quickest Electric Composter
Nagualep Food Waste Recycler
Pros:
- Composts in 90 minutes
- Carbon filters replaced twice a year
- One-click automatic drying
Cons:
- Not as strong as other machines
Whereas most electric kitchen composters take anywhere from a half to a full day to compost, the NutriCycle by Nagualep only takes 90 minutes. It uses high-temperature sterilization to kill all harmful bacteria and viruses. Furthermore, it features a dishwasher-safe 2.5-liter bucket and a whisper-quiet operation. The carbon filters only need to be replaced twice a year compared to the three-month turnaround time of most compost carbon filters.
“I just got mine and did the first run yesterday and this morning woke up to dirt in Nagualep instead of trash in the trashcan,” writes Cesar in his five-star review. “Was so happy this morning to do my bit to help the environment and use the soil for my plants in the backyard as well as my house plants. Can’t wait to see how my plants grow with this nutrient-rich homemade soil.”
Quietest Electric Composter
iDoo Electric Kitchen Waste Composter
Pros:
- Whisper-quiet under 45 decibels
- Child lock feature
- Composts in six to 10 hours
- One-touch operation
Cons:
- Not the most compact
Electric composters are known to be whisper-quiet, but the iDoo Electric Kitchen Waste Composter comes in under 45 decibels, roughly the volume of your average library. The thickened blades chop away at the food for six to 10 hours, depending on how much you’re composting. This creates a 90% food waste reduction. Parents will love the child lock feature and truly odorless bin.
Strongest Electric Composter
Airthereal Revive Electric Kitchen Composter
Pros:
- Strong Sharksden Trinity Blades
- Composts in four hours
- Odor-reducing carbon filter
- 90% waste reduction
Cons:
- Not as quiet as other machines
The Revive Electric Kitchen Composter utilizes Sharksden Trinity Blades to make quick work of all your food. Customers say you’ll hear the blades at work, though it’s worth it for the large amounts of fertilizer it creates. The four-hour run time is strong enough to handle materials like dead plants and other items from your yard.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Electric Composters
When buying an electric composter, look for a machine that’s large enough for your family. Also, consider the size and features that contain or eliminate any odors. Parents may want to look for an electric composter with a child lock as well. Lastly, if you have pets, double-check to make sure your composter can utilize their waste.
Types of Composters
There are two main types of composters: stationary composters and electric composters.
- Stationary composter: Stationary composters are the composting bins most people are familiar with and come in various forms. All are large containers or areas of dirt where food scraps, dead plants, pet waste and other organic materials are stored so they can decompose to be used as fertilizer. This process can take several months and may be assisted by worms or other organisms that help the decomposition process.
- Electric composters: Electric composters use spinning blades and heat to speed up decomposition so you can have fertilizer in hours, not weeks.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’m a performance editor of Garage Gym Reviews and a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. I began my handyman passion at the age of 12 when I poured my first cubic yard of cement. I’ve also acted as a maintenance worker for suburban condos and residential and commercial high-rise buildings in New York City. In 2019, I decided to change career paths and am now an expert product tester and reviewer, contributing to Family Handyman. In my spare time, I love baking, cooking, hiking and petting dogs.
How We Found the Best Electric Composters
I sought the best brands and their products to create this list. From there, our experts, with years of experience testing products, tested each one to confirm how the electric composters stand up to their promises. We considered each one’s functions, blades, quietness and filters. Then, I scoured the internet to research customer reviews to learn how real-life reviewers use their composters.
FAQs
Do electric composters use a lot of electricity?
No, electric composters don’t use a lot of electricity. In fact, most models use about a tenth of the electricity that modern refrigerators use.
What should you not put in a composter?
Your electric composter should be able to handle the same food waste you might put in a regular compost bin, like fruits, veggies, egg shells and coffee grounds. Harder materials, such as bones, cores and pits, as well as oils and liquids can damage your machine and may void any warranty you have.
What’s the difference between an electric composter and a dehydrator?
An electric composter heats and finely grinds your food waste, recycling it all in one machine. While the first step may sound similar to how a dehydrator functions, an electric composer’s all-in-one functionality is what makes it a convenient appliance.
How long does an electric composter take?
Electric composters turn food waste into fertilizer in a matter of hours. Some models can produce results in as little as four hours, while others take upwards of twenty-four hours.
What are the benefits of electric composters?
Electric composters speed up the process and are odorless and compact. Additionally, they are a convenient way to reduce waste and easily compost in the winter, summer or any time of year.
