Countertop Compost Bins That Don't Smell: The Best 4

A good kitchen compost bin holds a few days of scraps without smelling and cleans up easily. Our picks from OXO, Exaco, Package Free and Joseph Joseph, based on America's Test Kitchen's week-long testing.

By Tyler RamirezUpdated October 30, 2026How we pick products

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A countertop compost bin is the first step to composting: a place to collect peels, coffee grounds and scraps until you take them out. The best ones keep smells in, hold a few days’ worth, and are easy to empty and clean.

You don’t need an expensive bin. America’s Test Kitchen’s top pick, a simple plastic OXO, contained odors for a full week without any filter.

Compare at a glance

Test notes are from America's Test Kitchen's countertop compost bin testing, which used each bin daily for a week, sniffed for odor every 12 hours, smeared them with coffee grounds and condiments to test cleanup, and opened each lid 100 times.

How we picked

We relied on America’s Test Kitchen’s testing of eight countertop compost bins, rated on ease of use, odor containment, cleanup and durability. We focused on:

• Odor control
• Easy cleaning
• Capacity
• Handle and lid design

We left out ATK’s lower-rated bins, including a ceramic bin with a small opening and a handle that fell off.

We haven’t tested these bins ourselves. Read more about how we pick products.

1. OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin: Best overall

Buy it if: Almost everyone.

ATK’s winner held odors in for a full week, even without a filter. It’s light, has a wide opening and a sturdy handle, and its lid comes off, stays open while you scrape a cutting board and has a collar that holds a bag. It holds about five days of scraps for two people and goes in the dishwasher.

What bugs us: Nothing in testing. It’s plastic, if that matters to you.

Skip it if: you want a plastic-free bin.

2. Exaco Eco 2000 Kitchen Compost Bin: Best for big households

Buy it if: Families and big cooks.

At 2.4 gallons, the Exaco was the largest bin ATK tested, holding about a week of scraps for two. It earned high marks for odor control, and its smooth inside cleaned quickly.

What bugs us: The handle is less sturdy than the OXO’s, though still easy to carry.

Skip it if: counter space is tight.

3. Package Free Compost Bin Container: Best stainless steel

Buy it if: Plastic-free kitchens.

This attractive stainless bin has an easy-to-change cotton and charcoal filter and a hook-style handle that stayed secure even when full.

What bugs us: The lid was hard to flip open with one hand while cooking, and it isn’t dishwasher-safe.

Skip it if: you want to toss it in the dishwasher.

4. Joseph Joseph Stack 4 Food Waste Caddy: Best small bin

Buy it if: One or two people.

This compact bin kept odors in and has a detachable lid with a collar to hold a bag.

What bugs us: Slits around the edge trapped gunk, mold and water, and the filter holder was hard to open. It’s small.

Skip it if: you cook a lot of vegetables.

Tips for a no-smell compost bin

• Empty it every few days.
• Use compostable bags or line the bottom with newspaper.
• Freeze scraps in summer if you can’t empty often.
• Rinse and dry the bin each time you empty it.

Ready to compost outside? See the best tumbling composters.

Questions people ask

Do I need a filter? Not always. ATK’s top bin controlled odors without one.

What size compost bin do I need? About 1 to 2 gallons for most households.

What can go in a kitchen compost bin? Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, filters, tea bags and eggshells. Skip meat, dairy and oily foods for backyard composting.