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The Best Wooden Compost Bins for 2024
Do you need a compost bin? Are you looking for an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to dispose of your organic waste? Do you want to get the most out of your garden? If you answered yes to these 3 questions, then this blog post is perfect for you!
Compost bins can be made from all sorts of materials – even metal or plastic, but here at Garden Junkie, we like to recommend the use of wooden compost bins.
Wooden compost bins are great because they last longer than other materials such as plastic and metal. They also have a rustic ‘natural’ look when placed in any garden or allotment, and are cost-effective and environmentally friendly. With several options currently available on the market, a wooden compost bin could be your best solution!
When it comes to buying a wooden compost bin, we know you do not want to spend hours online searching for what is best – so we did that work for you!
We have compiled a ‘short list’ below of the best wooden compost bins for 2023. We have scoured through all the Amazon reviews and found these top picks by looking at quality, price, and customer feedback.
Have a read through our list of the best wooden compost bins and see what we recommend, you may be surprised!
Wood is a Good Insulator
Did you know wood is also a good insulator? Wooden bins are good at retaining your bin’s heat, which in turn speeds up the decomposition of your organic matter.
Please Note: We independently selected all the products mentioned in this Buyer’s Guide. The guide includes amongst others, Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from any purchases made through these links. For more information, please refer to our affiliate’s FAQ page.
In a Hurry?
Wooden Compost Bins If you don’t have much time, use the link below to quickly find out my ‘Top Pick’ for the Best Wooden Compost Bins available for you on Amazon. You can be assured we only recommend products based on our research, product quality, usability, and value for money… ‘Best Overall’ Rowlinson Beehive Composter
Best Wooden Compost Bins: Wooden Bins Are Good at Retaining Your Bins Heat
Wooden Compost Bins – Our Top 3 Compost Bins
Product Image
Best Overall 
Runner-Up 
Best Under £70 
Model/Make
Rawlinsons Beehive
Forest Garden
Rawlinson Budget Composter
Volume
432L
650L
439L
Dimesions
74cm (W) x 79cm (H)
102cm (W) x 82cm (H)
100cm (W) x 60cm (H)
Construction
Pressure Treated Timber
Pressure Treated Timber
Pressure Treated Timber
Lid
More Information
Best Overall
Product Image
Model/Make
Rawlinsons Beehive
Volume
432L
Dimesions
74cm (W) x 79cm (H)
Construction
Pressure Treated Timber
Lid
More Information
Runner-Up
Product Image
Model/Make
Forest Garden
Volume
650L
Dimesions
102cm (W) x 82cm (H)
Construction
Pressure Treated Timber
Lid
More Information
Best Under £70
Product Image
Model/Make
Rawlinson Budget Composter
Volume
439L
Dimesions
100cm (W) x 60cm (H)
Construction
Pressure Treated Timber
Lid
More Information
Last update on 2024-04-24
Best Wooden Compost Bins – A Buyers Guide
Rowlinson Beehive Composter
The Rowlinson Beehive Composter is a natural, environmentally-friendly way to dispose of your kitchen and garden waste.
This wooden compost bin is made from FSC-approved, environmentally friendly pressure-treated wood and thus the wood is protected against insect attack, rot, and fungus.
Though additional treatment is not necessary, some customers recommend additional wood treatments periodically, for a belt and braces approach.
Being sturdily built with an attractive natural finish, the compost bin is able to withstand the worst the British weather offers.
The composter has a lifting lid with a ‘stay’ that prevents it from falling back into the compost bin when opened.
A ‘removable’ bottom panel also allows easy access to the ‘finished’ compost for collection or removal.
The Rowlinson wooden compost bin has a 328L capacity and measures just 74cm x 74cm x 79cm (29in x 29in x 31in) so this small compact design can be sited almost anywhere in a garden and is suitable for most homes composting needs.
Coming flat packed, with a fixing kit and assembly instructions the Rowlinson Beehive Composter is not difficult to assemble, with minimal tools needed.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Pressure Treated Timber
- Compact
- Sturdily Built
- Lifting Lid With ‘Stay’
- Removable Bottom Door
- Easy Assembly
- 10-Year Guarantee
- A Little Pricey
- No Larger Model Option
Forest Garden – Wooden Slot Down Compost Bin
The Forest Garden slot-down bin is a wooden ‘slot down’ compost bin, and ideal for the serious gardener or allotment owner.
This large wooden compost bin holds approximately 650L of compost.
However, what is nice about this ‘slot down’ bin is it’s ‘expandable’ using the ‘slot down extension kit’.
This bin expands in multiples of 650L, just by easily adding more boards and corner posts to your existing bin. So in fact you can add as many bins as you like to this wooden composter until you reach a size to suit your needs.
The Forest Garden 650L slot-down compost bin is constructed from special ‘pressure-treated timbers which means it will last longer than other types of wood used in wooden compost bin construction.
This composter bin is very easy to assemble although we feel perhaps the ‘corner posts’ could benefit from a ‘spike’ to stabilise the posts (especially during assembly) into the ground.
The manufacturer provides a 15-year guarantee against rot and fungal decay for this bin.
Measuring 102cm (L) x 102cm (W) x 82cm (H) (3ft 3in x 3ft 3in x 2ft 6in) access to the bin and mature compost is easy, just by simply removing the ‘individual’ sideboards.
If the need arises to move your bin to another location within your garden or allotment dismantling and assembling can be undertaken fairly quickly.
Just a note to advise that all wooden compost bins should be ‘sited’ on fairly firm level ground. If not then assembly can sometimes become difficult.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Pressure Treated Timbers
- Expandable
- Easy Assembly
- Large Size
- 15 Year Warranty
- No Spikes for corner posts
Rowlinson Wooden Composter Bin
The Rowlinson wooden composter bin is perfect for the garden enthusiast on a budget.
The Rowlinson bottomless compost bin is a simple design, which makes it easy to assemble.
With 15mm (1/2in) pressure-treated timber planks in the construction, it’s durable enough to last for years.
Though additional treatment is not necessary, some customers recommend additional wood treatments periodically, for a belt and braces approach.
The Rowlinson Budget Composter has a capacity of 439 Litres making it perfect for grass and garden waste.
It is the ideal composter for gardens with little spare space, as it stands just 60cm (H) x 100cm (W) x 100cm (L) (.6m x 1m x 1m) when assembled.
With its simple design, this compost bin assembles in minutes without the need for tools or specialist skills.
Just a note to advise that all wooden compost bins should be ‘sited’ on fairly firm level ground. If not then assembly can sometimes become difficult.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Quick & Easy Assembly
- Value For Money
- Large Capacity
- Pressure Treated Timbers
- Good Ventilation
- No Manufactures Warranty
Lacewing Wooden Compost Bin
The Lacewing Wooden Compost Bin is a stylish and slim-line solution for all your garden composting needs.
With its simple slatted design, it’s both eco-friendly and economical. This ‘bottomless’ wooden compost bin is made from pressure-treated wood to resist rot and fungal infection for 15 years!
Though additional treatment is not necessary, it may pay users to provide additional protective ‘wood treatments’ periodically, for a belt and braces approach and or a different ‘aesthetic’ look.
Being ‘flat packed’ makes transporting the composter easy and with easy-to-follow assembly instructions, putting together the compost bin yourself is done without needing any tools or specialist skills; you’ll have the job done in no time at all.
Its very affordable price tag means you won’t break the bank either – which makes this great value as a gardening product, an absolute must for anyone who values their green space as much as they do money.
One drawback is that your finished ‘compost’ is difficult to access. There are several ways one can do this, however, One user, for example, lifts off a ‘whole section’ e.g. the top 3 pieces on all 4 sides as one and sets it aside to get at the compost lower down. Another lifts the ‘whole’ bin up to access the compost or raises it from the bottom on one side to access compost.
This wooden compost bin measures just 70cm (H) x 73cm (W) x 73cm (L) (2.29ft x 2.39ft x 2.39ft) with a total volume operating capacity of 353 Litres (77.6 gal)
Just a note to advise that all wooden compost bins should be ‘sited’ on fairly firm level ground. If not then assembly can sometimes become difficult.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- 15-Year Timber Treatment
- Value For Money
- Easy Assemble
- Slatted Design
- Compost Difficult to Access
Gartenwelt Riegelsberger Wooden Composter
The Gartenwelt Riegelsberger Wooden Composter is an excellent addition to any garden, allowing for easy and efficient composting of organic waste.
The pine compost bin assembly set is a perfect size, measuring 90cm (L) x 90cm (W) x 70cm (H) (35.5in x 35.5in x 27.5in). The easy assembly and simple ‘slotted’ wooden design of this compost bin provide a bin capacity of just under 600L. That’s large enough for any garden or allotment, providing ample space for all your garden waste.
The 16 mm thick, clean-cut planks give the composter a sturdy and durable feel, ensuring it lasts for years to come.
One of the standout features of this compost bin is its simple ‘insertion’ system. The design allows for easy assembly and disassembly, making it simple to empty and maintain. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, this compost bin is ideal for all types of organic waste, from kitchen scraps to grass cuttings and fallen leaves.
Overall, the Gartenwelt Riegelsberger Wooden Composter is an excellent investment for any garden enthusiast. It’s simple to assemble and disassemble, making it easy to maintain.
The Gartenwelt Riegelsberger Wooden Composter is crafted from professional pressure-impregnated pine wood, (although the manufacturer does not provide a protection period, this is usually 10-15 years) with the ‘slotted’ design allowing for ‘nice wide gaps’ that are perfect for airflow and thus speedy decomposition of your organic materials.
Additional ‘wood’ treatment should not be required, but would not hurt being applied periodically.
One drawback as with all ‘slotted’ designed bins is that your finished ‘compost’ is difficult to access. There are several ways to get over this problem and users usually find a way that suits them best, perhaps raising the whole bin slightly off the floor when wanting to access compost is one way.
As with all bin designs of this nature, they should be ‘sited’ on fairly firm level ground. If not sections may not fit correctly.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Wide Gap Design
- Slotted Design
- Easy Assembly
- Pressure Treated Timber
- Large Volume
- Compost Difficult to Access
- No Manufactures Guarantee
Dovetailonline Garden Composter
If you’re a gardener with heavy-duty needs, this is the composter for you. Made from 10cm x 2.5cm (4in x 1in) thick ‘slatted’ timbers that are ‘fully’ treated against rot and fungus, the Dovetailonline garden composter will last years.
Although the manufacturer does not provide a protection warranty period, treated timbers usually last between 10 -15 years with minimal maintenance.
The bin’s durable ‘construction’ will make sure that all section parts are ‘glued and screwed’ together, ensuring durability in all UK weather environments.
Although treated against certain wood diseases the composter will benefit from being stained or painted with a high-quality exterior wood sealer to protect against UV light damage.
A hinged lid keeps birds and squirrels away from gathering you’re ‘organic’ kitchen waste, while also trapping any smell coming from within the composter.
This garden composter is not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye but also practical! The Dovetailonline Garden Composter comes with its own ‘removable’ bottom door at the base of the bin, which is ideal for the removal of usable compost. No more ‘unstacking’ of bin panels to access your compost, who wouldn’t want that?
Measuring 63cm (W) x 63cm (L) x 90cm (H) (2ft x 2ft x 2ft 9in) giving a total volume of over 300L. The Dovetailonline is probably the perfect size for many gardens in the UK, you can place this ‘beehive’ bin almost anywhere in your garden or yard.
With 5 (five) separate stackable and unstackable sections, means that as your compost heap grows, so can your bin as you can add separate sections. Additionally, you can unstack your sections and easily move the bin to a new location.
As with all bin designs, bins should be ‘sited’ on fairly firm level ground. If not the sections may not sit correctly on top of each other.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- Stackable Sections
- Treated Timbers
- Hinged Lid
- Heavy Duty Construction
- Aesthetically Pleasing
- Bottom Access Door
- No Formal Warranty
- A Little Pricey
Forest Garden – Beehive Compost Bin
A compost heap is a necessary but often ignored issue in modern life.
The Forest Garden Compost Bin combines a stylish and easy-to-use solution to keep your kitchen scraps and other organic matter out of the landfill – probably for all of its 15 years!
It’s designed with an opening bottom section and should sit on the ground directly, as it has no floor.
Sitting directly on the floor is better for decomposition, as the bin will provide a home for worms and other microorganisms who will quickly convert all your organic waste into valuable compost.
Measuring 74cm (W) x 75cm (L) x 85cm (H) (2ft 4in x 2ft 4in x 2ft 9in) the Forest Garden Beehive compost bin provides around 250L of usable compost.
Designed with an opening hinged lid at the top, so that you can easily put kitchen scraps and other organic matter in and close the lid, keeping your organic matter dry in the worst of the wet UK weather.
This compost bin is made from pressure-treated timber, which will naturally weather over time. The ‘slits’ in the wood allow air to flow freely through the ‘bin’ during decomposition, providing anaerobic conditions within the pile.
This ‘Beehive’ bin is really easy to assemble as it’s shipped flat packed, with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and all the fixings you need for a simple build.
Although treated against certain wood diseases the composter will benefit from being stained or painted with a high-quality exterior wood sealer to protect against UV light damage.
The Forest Garden Compost Bin makes a beautiful addition to any garden or yard while also being functional for gardening enthusiasts who want to produce their own quality compost right in their own backyard (sorry for the pun).
As with all bin designs, bins should be ‘sited’ on fairly firm level ground. If not the sections may not sit correctly on top of each other.
Pro’s
Con’s
Price
- 15-year Warranty
- Flat Packed
- Top Propped Lid
- Slotted Design
- Bottom Access Door
- Pressure-Treated Timber
- A Little Pricey
FAQ’s
Is a Wooden Compost Bin Better Than a Plastic One?
The choice between a wooden compost bin and a plastic one is one of personal preference and circumstances. Wooden bins are aesthetically pleasing and biodegradable but do require maintenance from time to time and can also attract pests.
Plastic bins are durable, low maintenance and have a higher heat retention, which is good, but they are not environmentally friendly and may not blend well in some garden settings.
What Size Wooden Compost Bin Should I Choose?
The size of a wooden compost bin depends on several factors, including the size of your garden and the amount of waste you produce.
Generally, a compost bin with a capacity of around 600-800 litres is suitable for most households. However, if you have a larger garden or generate a lot of waste, you may want to opt for a larger bin.
It’s important to choose a bin that you can comfortably manage and turn the compost in.
Do Wooden Compost Bins Smell?
Wooden compost bins can emit odours if they are not properly maintained. Generally, two sorts of smells occur — rot and ammonia, or if the contents are too wet or too dry.
Adding the right mix of green and brown materials, aerating the compost pile, and ensuring adequate moisture levels can help prevent unpleasant smells.
Conclusion
If you have been looking for a way to compost your household and garden waste, then this post will have helped you achieve that goal, especially if you were looking for wooden compost bins.
Composting is an important part of sustainable living, it reduces the amount of organic waste that goes into landfills, helps maintain soil quality, and provides nutrients for plants.
We hope this post has helped you achieve your goal of composting! If you need any more help with anything else, please feel free to contact us we’re always happy to help!
Alternatively, you can always pop over to our FAQ page to find out more about compost and composting and a whole host of other answers to your gardening questions and queries.