Compare Composters: side by side charts: from People Powered Machines

People Powered Machines knows composting is important to the environment and great for your garden. We look at many different composters and choose the ones we think are the best in their class. If you are trying to decide which composter is just right for what you are looking for, see the compare chart below.

Composter Compare Chart:

	Sun-Mar 200 Continuous Composter	Green Cone Composting System	Solar Cone Green Johanna Compost Bin	Naturemill Plus XE Composter	Tumbleweed recycled compost Maker	Tumbleweed Pet Poo Converter	Rolypig	Biolan 220 Composter	Can-o-worms	stainless Steel compost Pail

Retail List Price	$310	$154	$265	$299	$189	$119	$229	$1386	$114	$39.99
Weight	15.2 pounds	35 pounds	22 pounds	17 pounds	22 pounds	10 pounds	20 pounds	70 pounds	13.1 pounds
Type	Rotating drum	Green Cone - recycled plastic	Large Bin - durable plastic (last 10 yrs or more)	Indoor container	Rotating Bin, batch style	Nesting boxes with lid on legs, hard plastic	Kid friendly, drum composter, uv plastic + fiberglass	Large Bin, thermally insulated	Large round containter with layered trays + a collector tray	Compost Pail, with filter
How it Works	Compost Material goes in the top and exits automatically out the end as the drum rotates	Buried open basket allows aeration + breakdown with heat from the sun	Unique venitlated, closed, hot composting system	Items remain in upper chamber, with "hot composting" conditions: mixing, air flow, heat, + moisture	Add compost material, tumble regularly to create aerobic action. Air + moisture are distributed for rapid decomposition	Worm farm: worms eat pet droppings + breed, liquid manure collects in bottom box	New waste added thru snout, compost flows from one compartment to the next, then to rear discharge	Ventiation system supplies air to middle of compost mass, enhancing composting. Lid returns condensed moisture to compost.	Large container filled with soil, with several hundred worms which eat their way up leaving rich castings behind + liquid fertiziler.	Used for collecting compost in the kitchen then taking to your outdoor composter
Tips	Rotate regularly add moisture if dry keep in sun for warmth	choose a sunny spot w/ good drainage place in sunny spot empty basket of compost every 1-2 years	add 8" of twigs for bottom layer for aeration garden + kitchen waste place among trees on soil or grass	add waste any time to top remove compost from lower chamber every 2 weeks (when red light comes on) automatic, electric	tumble daily or every few days place in sunny spot + place you walk by so you can spin shred larger items	recycle your pet waste worms eat bacteria so no odor no chemicals	kids love this one tumble about every 3 weeks to move waste to next compartment feed wet golf-ball sized items pest free	year round composter adjustable air vent built in thermomenter for monitoring bottom door to remove mature compost	place in shaded outdoor location or basement moisten dry material before adding read instructions before adding manure	Carbon filter keeps smells contained keep lid on when not filling can rinse or reuse filter
What to Add	kitchen waste yard waste sawdust, leaves, straw	kitchen waste animal products like meat + fish	garden + kitchen waste (2:1 ratio) add sawdust if only kitchen scraps	kitchen waste: veggies, coffe grounds, dairy, meat or dish	75% lawn clippings + 25% other (leaves, veggies, tea leaves, fruit, coffee grounds, vaccuum dust, eggshells)	pet droppings	kitchen waste lawn clippings newspaper + paper (shredded + wet)	kitchen waste leftover meat + fish coffee/tea grounds boiling water soft/wet papers eggshells pet droppping natural fibers	food waste newspaper cardboard water	kitchen waste
capacity	50 gallon.	7 cu. ft.		120 lbs per month	58 gallons		6 gallons	58 gallons	depends on number of worms	1 gallon
Who uses	hobby gardener w/ kitchen scraps + yard waste	Avg. family of 4	avg. family of 5	avg. family of 5 down to 1 individual	avg. family or gardener	avg. of 2 medium dogs	avg. family	avg. family (2-6)	avg. family	avg. family
size of unit	31"h x 33"l x 24"	27"h x 24"w x 11.5"	38"h x 36"w x 21"top	20"h x 20"d x 12"w	46"h x 33.5"d x 25.5"w	13"h x 21.5"l x 13.5"w	32"h x 43"l x 31"w	47"h x 24"w x 24"d	29"h x 20"w	11"h x 7"w
composting time		about 1 year	4-6 mths	2 weeks	4 weeks		12-15 weeks	5-8 weeks	few months to get started, then continuous	na
need to stir or turn?	turn	no	stir	no	yes	no	turn	not much	no	na
Options	sun-mar 400: 100 gallon capacity sun-mar 600: 150 gallon capcity	compost boost + kitchen caddy included	winter jacket	additional air filters, cabinet kit	accessory kit: thermometer, counter pail, liners, compost starter, + composting book	worms		Biolan 550 - for 10-15 people	worms	replacement filters available
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Drum-style Composting
The Sunmar Continuous Composters are very easy to use with the material going in the top and exiting through the end when done. The Tumbleweed Recycled Plastic Compost Maker is another great drum style composter. Regularly rotating and you'll have compost for your garden in no time.

Indoor Composting
We recommend using the NatureMill Plus XE or Pro XE for convenient indoor composting. The Stainless Steel Compost Pail is a handy and stylish counter style collection bin that you can fill then take to your outdoor compost pile.

Pet Waste Composting
Two of our most popular composters for converting your pet droppings into compost is the Tumbleweed Pet Poo Converter and the Biolan year-round composter.

Worm Farms
The Can-O-Worms worm farm is versatile and easy to use and fun for all ages. The Can-O-Worms will reduce the amount you have for your trash and product fertilizer for your garden.

Which Composter is Right for You?

Composter Compare Chart: