The Best Compost Bins in Australia 2026: Kitchen Caddies Compared

A kitchen compost caddy holds food scraps on the bench until you move them to a council FOGO bin, a worm farm, a bokashi bucket or an outdoor heap. The phrase compost bin covers everything from a small bench caddy to a 300 litre outdoor box, so this guide keeps the two apart and compares the kitchen caddies first, with the one outdoor composter we found on Amazon AU after them.

Throwing away less food in the first place helps too, and our vacuum sealer guide for bulk meat and leftovers looks at sealing portions for the freezer.

This guide compares the kitchen caddies on Amazon AU by what each listing says, then covers the one outdoor composter we found there. The OXO Good Grips Easy Clean Compost Bin comes first, and the others are set against it on capacity, material, cleaning and what the listing says about odour. Scraps left in the open can attract pests, so a closed bin matters; see our rat trap guide if you already have a problem. For a sealed drum in the backyard instead of a heap, our compost tumbler guide covers tumblers.

What is the best compost bin for most Australian kitchens?

The best compost bin for most Australian kitchens is the OXO Good Grips Easy Clean Compost Bin. Its Amazon AU listing shows 4.7 out of 5 stars from 17,525 ratings, smooth interior walls so food and liquid do not build up, and a removable lid that makes emptying simple. The right bin also depends on where your scraps go next.

In plain terms, a kitchen compost bin is a small, indoor container used to temporarily store food scraps like vegetable peelings, fruit rinds, coffee grounds and eggshells before transferring them to an outdoor heap or a council FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bin.

That said, the best bin depends on your kitchen. If smell is your main worry, the Blue Ginkgo listing names a tight sealing lid and no need for charcoal filters. If you want a door mounting bracket for a small kitchen, the Joseph Joseph Compo 4 includes one. If you want a stainless steel look, the simplehuman lists brushed stainless steel, and the Perfnique lists a cream beige colour with a farmhouse pattern. For a backyard where you want finished compost, you need an outdoor composter such as the Costway 300L, because a caddy only stores scraps.

Kitchen compost caddies compared

This table puts the benchtop caddies and the one outdoor bin that can be bought on Amazon AU side by side, using each listing's own figures and wording.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

No kitchen caddy "makes" compost. It stores scraps until you move them somewhere they can break down, whether that is a worm farm, a bokashi bucket, a backyard heap, or your council FOGO bin. If you do not have one of those destinations, a caddy on its own will eventually just turn into a small bin of rotting food. Plan the destination first, then buy the caddy.

How we checked these compost bins

We are an Australian first home buyer site, not a testing lab, and we did not compost in each bin ourselves. For every bin we read the Amazon AU listing, including its bullet points and its product information table, and recorded the rating and the number of ratings it shows. Specs come from the maker's bullet points and the product information on each listing. Where a listing contradicts itself, as the Blue Ginkgo does on capacity, we say so.

Last checked: 19 October 2026

• Sold on Amazon Australia. Every bin has an Amazon AU listing that we saved and read. A bin that could not be bought on the day we checked is described as such in its own section.
• Ratings and rating counts. We print the star rating and the number of ratings each listing shows, and no other review figures.
• Odour. We report what each listing says about odour, filters and lids, and say so where a listing does not mention it.
• Cleaning and capacity. We note removable inner buckets, what each listing says about dishwashers, and the capacity it gives.
• Australian relevance. We point to your own council or FOGO service for what you can add, because the rules depend on the service.

Best overall: OXO Good Grips Easy Clean Compost Bin

The OXO Good Grips Easy Clean Compost Bin is the caddy we would point most kitchens to first. It holds 6.62 litres, which is larger than the 4 litre caddies in this guide, and its listing says smooth interior walls prevent foods and liquids from building up. A contoured bottom and removable lid make emptying simple, and a rotating handle makes the walk to an outdoor compost heap easier. Its Amazon AU listing shows 4.7 out of 5 stars from 17,525 ratings, more than any other bin in this guide.

The listing calls it a convenient size and design for everyday counter top use and says it was designed with the home cook in mind. It is plastic, and its overview lists 21.1 by 25.8 by 30.5 centimetres, so measure your bench before you buy.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The listing does not mention a filter, an odour seal or dishwasher use, so we cannot tell you how it handles smell or whether it can go in the dishwasher. If smell is your main worry, the Blue Ginkgo below lists a tight sealing lid. Because nothing in the listing covers odour, empty it often and keep the lid on.

How the OXO compares with the other caddies

Capacity is where the OXO stands out among the caddies you can buy here. Its product information lists 6.62 litres, while the Blue Ginkgo title gives 5 L and the Joseph Joseph Compo 4 and the simplehuman list 4 litres. A bigger caddy holds more scraps between trips to the outdoor bin, which suits a household that produces a lot of peelings, so check your bench against the 21.1L x 25.8W x 30.5H centimetres in its product information.

Handling is the other strength the listing describes. The rotating handle is there for easy transport of waste to an outdoor compost heap, the contoured bottom and removable lid make emptying simple, and the smooth interior walls are meant to stop foods and liquids from building up. Those are the points a daily user touches most often.

Where the OXO gives you less than some rivals is in the odour detail. The Blue Ginkgo, the simplehuman and the Compo 4 each name a lid or vent feature for smell, and the OXO listing does not. If you choose it, treat odour control as your own routine: empty it often, keep the lid on and rinse it out.

Who the OXO suits

The OXO suits a bench where you want a larger caddy and a handle for carrying scraps out to a heap. The listing calls the size and design convenient for everyday counter top use and says it was designed with the home cook in mind, and the title gives the colour as Charcoal.

Blue Ginkgo 5L Kitchen Compost Bin: the alternative with a tight sealing lid

The Blue Ginkgo Kitchen Compost Bin is the one to look at if smell is your main worry. Its listing names a tight sealing lid that helps keep odors in and bugs out, and says it contains odors without the need of costly charcoal filters, so there is no charcoal filter to buy. It is made in South Korea from dishwasher safe plastic, and it has two handles, one on the bin and one on the inner colander, for a cleaner disposal.

Its Amazon AU listing shows 4.6 stars from 3,777 ratings. The listing says its square shape and compact handles mean it will not waste as much space as a similar capacity circular bin, that the inner basket is removable, and that it is perfect for a 4 person household. The title and bullets give the capacity as 5 L, while the product information table lists 2.6 litres, so check the size before you rely on either figure.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The listing relies on the lid and not on a charcoal filter, so empty it often and rinse it out. Its capacity figures disagree, so measure your bench and think about how many scraps you produce before you buy. It is plastic, not stainless steel, so if you want a metal body look at the simplehuman below.

Cleaning and where to put it

The Blue Ginkgo listing is one of the few that talks about washing in detail. It says the inside is smooth to prevent food waste from sticking, that you can hand wash it or place it in the dishwasher, and that a clean pail is just a few minutes away. It also says the bin works on the countertop, under your sink or in the fridge, so the listing leaves the choice of spot to you.

EKO 7L Stainless Steel Compost Bin: could not be bought on 19 October 2026

The EKO 7L Stainless Steel Compost Bin listing describes a 7L stainless steel caddy with a removable inner bucket and a built in deodorizer compartment with one EKO carbon filter included. It says a snug lid and the deodorizer compartment lock in smells and keep fruit flies out, that the inner bucket lifts out for quick cleaning, and that the fingerprint resistant stainless steel resists stains and corrosion.

The listing describes a dual opening design: flip up the lid for quick disposal or slide down the front panel to keep counters clear. It says the bin can hang on cabinet doors, mount on walls or sit on countertops, and comes with a hook and sample bags. The product information table lists 25.1 by 16.9 by 29 centimetres and 7 litres. Its Amazon AU listing shows 4.5 stars from 1,094 ratings.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The filter sits in the deodorizer compartment and is a carbon filter, and the listing does not give a replacement interval. The product information lists 25.1L x 16.9W x 29H centimetres, so measure your bench first if it is listed for sale again.

The listing also says the removable inner bucket keeps bags secure and lifts out for quick cleaning, and the title names the deodorizer compartment. Those are the features to compare with other caddies if it is listed for sale again.

Best budget compost bin: Joseph Joseph Compo 4

The Joseph Joseph Compo 4 is the budget pick, and it earns its place on design. It is a slimline caddy with an adjustable air vent: the listing says open helps reduce moisture and odour build up, and closed provides an insect barrier. A wide aperture makes scraping food from plates easier, and a door mounting bracket is included, so you can hang it on a cupboard door and free up the bench. The listing gives a capacity of 4 litres.

The listing describes a slimline design perfect for storing on the worktop or inside cupboards, and the title gives the colour as Graphite. Its Amazon AU listing shows 4.6 stars from 5,137 ratings. If you want to start composting with a small caddy and you value the option to mount it out of sight, this is the one to look at.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The listing says the vent helps reduce moisture and odour build up when open and provides an insect barrier when closed, so keep it closed if insects are the worry. The listing does not mention a filter, so it is not the bin to choose if you want a filter to lock in smells.

Where the Compo 4 fits

This is a caddy for people short on room. The listing describes a slimline design for storing on the worktop or inside cupboards, and a door mounting bracket is included, so you have two ways to keep it off the bench. Its 4 litre capacity matches the simplehuman and the Stack 4 and is smaller than the OXO at 6.62 litres, so expect to empty it more often. The title gives the colour as Graphite.

Best premium compost bin: simplehuman Compost Caddy

The simplehuman Compost Caddy is the choice if you want a caddy that docks to a bin. Its listing describes a magnetic docking system that attaches to the side of rectangular or slim liner rim trash cans, with magnets that also help keep the lid open while in use, and says it is easy to detach for use on the counter during food prep and clean up. The soft seal lid lets food scraps breathe, minimizing odor and keeping pests like fruit flies away, and the handled inner bucket is easy to remove.

The listing says the stainless steel surface is protected by an invisible fingerprint proof coating that is also infused with Agion, an EPA registered antimicrobial that inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungi, mold, and mildew. It holds 4 litres, and the listing offers custom fit compostable liners. Its Amazon AU listing shows 4.4 stars from 2,194 ratings.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The magnetic docking attaches to the side of rectangular or slim liner rim trash cans, so it only docks to a bin of that type. At 4 litres it is small for a big household. The listing promotes custom fit liners and does not say whether other compostable bags fit.

Who the simplehuman suits

The listing says the caddy hangs neatly on the side of your trash can and is easy to detach for use on your kitchen counter during food prep and clean up. That makes it a fit if you want scraps within reach while you cook and then want to carry the bucket out in one go. The Code Z liners it promotes are described as fitting the caddy perfectly and fully decomposing with the rest of your compost.

Zenify Earth 5L Stainless Compost Bin: could not be bought on 19 October 2026

The Zenify Earth listing describes a 5L kitchen caddy made with premium 304 stainless steel, a lid that is ventilated to reduce moisture, and two layers of washable charcoal filters to stop odours. It says the bin and the charcoal filters can be hand washed with warm soapy water, and its title says Australian Owned, with a small Sydney based profits for purpose family business named in the bullets.

The product information table lists 5 litres and dimensions of 18L x 18W x 28.5H centimetres. Its Amazon AU listing shows 4.7 stars from 186 ratings.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The listing says the lid is ventilated to reduce moisture, so it is not described as a sealed design. It lists 5 litres, so a large household should check the capacity against its scraps.

The title also calls it a double charcoal caddy, and its bullets describe a hand washable bin and washable charcoal filters. Those are listing claims from the seller, not results from our own testing, so compare them with the live caddies above.

Best farmhouse style compost bin: Perfnique Kitchen Compost Bin

Not every kitchen wants brushed steel. The Perfnique Kitchen Compost Bin listing describes a cream beige colour and classic farmhouse pattern, with a plastic inner pail and handle that comes out easily, and 2 active carbon filters to prevent odor leaking.

The listing says the plastic inner pail isolates the scraps from contact with the outer metal bucket, so it will be more durable and will not crack, rust, or corrode. It lists 1.3 gallons of space for temporarily collecting organic kitchen and food waste for several days, and says the carbon filter is used for about 4 months to 6 months. Its Amazon AU listing shows 4.5 stars from 993 ratings.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The listing says it is not suitable for dishwashers and asks you to clean it with soapy water and a soft cloth. The carbon filters are consumables, and the listing asks you to replace them in time. The listing also asks you not to contact sharp objects, to avoid scratching the finish.

Using the Perfnique day to day

The listing says you put fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, tea bags and egg shells in it during cooking, and that the little handle on the inner pail makes it a breeze to carry scraps out to your compost tumbler outdoors. The title says it includes an inner bucket liner and carbon filter. Its 1.3 gallons is described as enough space for several days of kitchen and food waste, so check that against how quickly your household fills a caddy.

Joseph Joseph Stack 4 Food Waste Caddy with Odour Filter

The Joseph Joseph Stack 4 is the one to look at if you want a bench caddy whose title names an odour filter. The listing gives a capacity of 4 litres and a liner retaining hole inside that keeps the liner tidy, and the colour in the title is Stone.

Its Amazon AU listing shows 4.6 stars from 12,708 ratings, the second highest rating count in this guide after the OXO. The product information table lists the material as plastic. The listing does not say how the filter fits or how often it needs replacing.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The listing gives few details beyond the title, the capacity and the liner retaining hole, so it does not say how well the filter works or how tight the lid seals. It is plastic rather than stainless steel, so if you want a stainless steel body look at the simplehuman above.

What to check on the Stack 4

The title is the main evidence here: it names an odour filter and the colour Stone. The bullet points add a product type of trash can, a country of origin of China and the liner retaining hole. If you want more detail on dimensions or care, the bullet points do not give it, so compare it with the OXO or the Compo 4, whose listings say more.

Best outdoor composter: Costway 300L Aerating Bin

Everything above is a kitchen caddy that stores scraps. If you have a backyard and want to turn those scraps into finished compost, you need an outdoor composter, and the Costway 300L Outdoor Compost Bin is the one outdoor bin on Amazon AU in this guide. The listing describes an aerating compost box that can load up to 300L, made of thickened PP plastic that it calls BPA free, ultraviolet inhibited and weather resistant, with 12 air vents on each side for promoting air circulation.

The listing describes a grounding design that lets liquid fertilizer flow into the soil, a large top opening flip door for loading waste, and a bottom latch on lid that lets you take out the compost. It says the bin takes about 6 to 8 weeks, or less in hot weather, to produce fertilizer, and that it is easy to assemble without any tools or expert help. Its Amazon AU listing shows 4.2 stars from 21 ratings. This is the right pick if your goal is to make compost for the garden rather than just hold scraps for the FOGO bin.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The listing shows only 21 ratings, so the track record is short. The weeks figure is the listing's own claim, not a result we tested. Check your own council or system rules before you decide what to add to an open outdoor bin.

Setting up an outdoor bin

The listing says a backyard or garden bin can reuse your daily kitchen scraps and garden clippings, and that wasted leaves and grass from your lawn can go in too. It also says the bin can maintain heat and regulate moisture, and that the snap joints guarantee a closed environment. Those are the maker's claims, so treat the weeks figure as a guide only. It does not replace the kitchen caddy; it is where the scraps go once the caddy is full.

What should you look for in a compost bin?

Match the bin to where the scraps go next, then weigh capacity, material, cleaning and odour control. Capacity differs between the kitchen caddies here, and the Blue Ginkgo listing gives two sizes, so compare the figures each listing states. Most are plastic or stainless steel. Only some name a filter or a tight sealing lid, so read the listing wording rather than assuming a bin controls smell.

Caddy, tumbler, worm farm or bokashi?

A kitchen caddy, which is what most of this guide covers, is a small container that holds scraps before you move them on to a council FOGO bin, a worm farm, a bokashi bucket or an outdoor bin. A compost tumbler is a sealed, rotating drum that speeds up aeration and mixing; our compost tumbler guide covers them.

A bokashi bucket is an airtight indoor or small space bucket that uses beneficial microbes and yeast to ferment kitchen scraps. A worm farm is a multi tier system that uses earthworms to process organic waste, and our worm farm guide covers those. If you have a backyard, an aerating outdoor bin such as the Costway stores and breaks down scraps in place.

How much odour control do you really need?

The listings here handle odour in different ways, so read the wording rather than assuming. The Perfnique lists 2 active carbon filters and says the carbon filter is used for about 4 months to 6 months. The Joseph Joseph Stack 4 names an odour filter in its title.

The Blue Ginkgo lists a tight sealing lid and no need for charcoal filters, the simplehuman lists a soft seal lid, and the Compo 4 lists an adjustable air vent that helps reduce moisture and odour build up. The OXO listing does not mention odour. Decide whether you would rather replace a filter or keep a lid clean, and buy accordingly.

Whichever route you pick, the listing wording is a claim by the seller or maker, not a test result from us. A filter needs replacing, a vent is there to be closed when insects are the worry, and a plain lid depends on you emptying the bin often.

What size and material suit your kitchen?

Capacity and material differ across the kitchen caddies here. The Joseph Joseph Compo 4 and the simplehuman list 4 litres, the OXO lists 6.62 litres, and the Blue Ginkgo gives 5 L in its title but 2.6 litres in its product information table. The simplehuman lists stainless steel and the OXO lists plastic.

The Joseph Joseph and Blue Ginkgo listings give polypropylene or plastic, and the Perfnique has a metal outer bucket with a plastic inner pail. A removable inner bucket is a feature several listings name, including the simplehuman and the Perfnique, because it lets you tip and rinse without lifting the whole bin.

Which bin for which household?

Most households do well with one bench caddy and a place for the scraps to go, such as a FOGO bin, a worm farm or a heap. Check your own council's FOGO list before you add anything. For a small kitchen, the Joseph Joseph Compo 4 lists a slimline design and a door mounting bracket.

The Blue Ginkgo listing says it is perfect for a 4 person household. An outdoor bin like the Costway only makes sense if you have a backyard.

What do the listings say about cleaning?

The Blue Ginkgo listing says it is made from dishwasher safe plastic with a removable inner basket. The Perfnique listing says it is not suitable for dishwashers and asks for soapy water and a soft cloth. The simplehuman lists a handled inner bucket that is easy to remove for dumping compost or cleaning.

The OXO lists a removable lid and a contoured bottom that make emptying simple. The Compo 4 and Stack 4 listings give no cleaning instructions.

Questions to ask before you buy

Start with where the scraps go. If you have a council FOGO bin, a worm farm or a heap, a bench caddy is all you need to hold scraps until you move them on. If you want to make finished compost yourself in a backyard, the Costway outdoor bin is the only one here built for that.

Then check the space. The OXO overview lists 21.1 by 25.8 by 30.5 centimetres, the Perfnique lists 1.3 gallons and the Blue Ginkgo gives conflicting sizes: its bullets list outer dimensions of W7.2 x H8.2 x D7.2 inches, its product information table lists 18.5L x 18.5W x 21H centimetres, and its A+ content lists 23.5D x 20W x 22H cm for the 1.32 gallon size, so hold a tape measure to your bench or cupboard before you order.

Finally, decide how you feel about filters and washing. The Perfnique and the Stack 4 name a carbon or odour filter, the Blue Ginkgo says it needs no charcoal filter, and the cleaning notes above show which listings allow the dishwasher. None of this needs a lab; it needs your own routine.

How do you keep a compost bin from smelling and attracting flies?

Empty the caddy often, keep the lid closed and keep scraps from sitting wet. Smell comes from food breaking down without airflow, so what matters is how long scraps sit and how well the bin seals. Moving the contents on to your FOGO bin, worm farm or heap before they turn is the real fix.

Whatever does not go in the caddy still ends up in the kitchen bin, which is the other half of the smell problem.

That handles the fruit flies indoors. The blowflies that gather around the wheelie bin outside are a different problem, and the fix there is an outdoor fly trap placed well away from the back door.

• Empty it often. The longer scraps sit wet in a caddy, the more it smells, whatever the bin.
• Use a liner or a sheet of newspaper. A certified compostable liner or some scrunched paper at the bottom absorbs liquid and makes emptying cleaner. Check what your destination accepts.
• Add something dry. A handful of shredded paper or dry leaves over wet scraps soaks up moisture.
• Keep the filter fresh. If your bin uses a carbon filter, replace it when the listing says to. The Perfnique listing says the carbon filter is used for about 4 months to 6 months.
• Rinse and dry between fills. A removable inner bucket makes this easier.

You will also want these composting accessories

A caddy is only step one. These add ons make the whole system work, and the Amazon AU search links below are a place to start.

• Certified compostable bin liners. Look for certified home compostable on the pack so the bag breaks down with the scraps. Browse compostable liners on Amazon AU.
• Replacement carbon filters. If your bin is filtered, a spare set keeps it odour-free without buying a whole new bin. Find replacement carbon filters.
• A bokashi bin and bran. The apartment-friendly way to turn scraps into pre-compost in about two weeks. See bokashi bins on Amazon AU.
• A compost tumbler. For backyards that want finished compost fast with less digging. Compare compost tumblers.
• A worm farm. Turns scraps into worm castings and worm tea, ideal for small gardens. Browse worm farms.
• A garden kneeler or compost aerator. Makes turning and harvesting an outdoor pile far easier on your back. Look at compost aerators.
• Compost starter or accelerator. Speeds up the breakdown in a new outdoor bin or tumbler. Find compost accelerators.

What about Tumbleweed, Maze and Gedye?

Brands such as Tumbleweed, Maze and Gedye are not on our shortlist because we only rank products with a live Amazon AU listing that we saved and read. Their tumblers and standing bins are outdoor products rather than kitchen caddies.

The Costway 300L is the Amazon AU option we found for a large standing outdoor bin, and for a rotating drum you can read our compost tumbler guide. The bins above are the field we compared.

Frequently asked questions about compost bins

What is the best food waste caddy?

The OXO Good Grips Easy Clean Compost Bin is the best overall choice here, with 4.7 stars from 17,525 Amazon AU ratings, the most ratings of any caddy in this guide, and a capacity of 6.62 litres. The Joseph Joseph Stack 4 follows with 4.6 stars from 12,708 ratings and an odour filter named in its title.

What are some non plastic compost bins available?

The simplehuman Compost Caddy lists brushed stainless steel as its material and holds 4 litres. The Perfnique caddy has a metal outer bucket with a plastic inner pail that its listing says keeps scraps off the metal. The OXO, Blue Ginkgo and Joseph Joseph caddies are plastic, so they are not the choice if you want to avoid plastic.

Is it worth having a compost bin?

A kitchen compost bin is worth having if your scraps have somewhere to go next. It is a small indoor container that holds peelings, coffee grounds and eggshells until you move them to an outdoor heap or a council FOGO bin. On its own it only stores scraps; the heap, worm farm, bokashi bucket or FOGO bin does the composting.

What not to put in compost in Australia?

Rules differ by system, so check the list for your own FOGO service, worm farm or bokashi bucket. The Perfnique listing names fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, tea bags and egg shells as scraps for its caddy. Google's AI Overview for compost bin says bokashi buckets ferment kitchen scraps, including small amounts of meat and dairy.

How to prepare compost using kitchen waste?

Collect scraps in a caddy on the bench, then move them to where they will break down: a council FOGO bin, a worm farm, a bokashi bucket or an outdoor bin. The Costway 300 litre outdoor bin lists about 6 to 8 weeks, or less in hot weather, to produce fertiliser. A caddy alone does not make compost.

Bundle your kitchen and outdoor setup

A compost bin is one piece of a tidy, low-waste home. If you are setting up or upgrading your space, these NestPath guides pair naturally with it.

• Best raised garden beds in Australia for growing veg in the compost you make.
• Best garden hoses in Australia to keep that garden and your compost pile watered.
• Best secateurs in Australia for prepping garden trimmings before they go in the bin.
• Best garden kneeler seats in Australia to save your back at the compost bin.
• Best food storage containers in Australia to cut the food waste that fills the caddy in the first place.
• Best soil moisture meters in Australia for getting the most from your finished compost.

About the author

Anish Puri founded NestPath in 2026 after going through the Australian first-home-buyer process himself. NestPath focuses on Australian first-home buyers because the existing review sites are American, generic, or both. Anish handles editorial selection across the homeowner hub. Reach out: hello@nestpath.com.au