Small kitchens
You empty a counter tin every day and you need a lid that stays shut. A 2 litre stainless Kilner suits a small daily load of tea bags and a few peelings. It is the wrong size if one meal already fills it.
Metal compost bin comparison 2026
The best metal compost bins, compared.
Top pick: ENLOY metal kitchen caddy Best value: KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia duck-egg – Same 90-point total at about £13.39, with bullets that describe a compost bin and a carbon filter. Updated October 2026.
On amazon.co.uk, a metal compost bin is a small indoor kitchen caddy, about 2 to 5 litres, not a galvanised garden composter. It holds peelings and coffee grounds for a day or two before you walk them to an outdoor heap or a council food-waste bin. Judge one by the stated capacity, whether the steel is stainless or coated carbon steel, and whether a charcoal filter is in the listing. A tin that only says metal still needs that check. The [metal compost bin buying guide](/hub/raised-beds-greenhouses-and-compost/metal-compost-bin/sub/metal-compost-bin-buying-guide) covers capacity, steel and filters before the stars. It does not finish compost on the worktop, and it is not a galvanised garden bin of hundreds of litres. If you need that outdoor volume on bare soil, use the [compost bin comparison](/hub/raised-beds-greenhouses-and-compost/compost-bin).
On amazon.co.uk, a metal compost bin is a small indoor kitchen caddy, about 2 to 5 litres, not a galvanised garden composter.
36 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +18,600 readers
10 of 10: Best metal compost bins compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 10Best overall
Best value
6.8/10
6.6/10
6.3/10
9.0/10
9.0/10
7.0/10
6.7/10
6.9/10
6.9/10
5.6/10
∼ £31
∼ £30
∼ £20
∼ £13
∼ £13
∼ £25
∼ £17
∼ £15
∼ £14
∼ £34
4.7(4,040)
4.7(605)
4.6(29)
4.5(9,461)
4.5(9,459)
4.5(672)
4.5(74)
4.4(1,850)
4.4(1,850)
3.7(7)
Personal buying guide
Which metal compost bin fits?
Question 1 of 2
What do you want the tin to survive?
The best metal compost bins in detail
Our view
The ENLOY caddy is a cylindrical 430 stainless tin listed at 1.3 gallons, 19.8 by 19.9 by 27.7 centimetres and 948 g, at £30.99 on amazon.co.uk. The listing shows 4.7 from 4,040 ratings, while the captured reviews holds three reviews tagged United Kingdom, so that average is not a UK-only sample. Bullets claim an airtight lid and rust-resistant 430 steel, and they do not state a charcoal filter. The few UK notes call it sturdy and tidy on the counter, with one buyer saying it is smaller than the photo and warning you not to overfill it. There is no aggregated UK complaint theme in the Amazon reviews, which is a thin evidence base rather than a clean bill of health. It queues peelings and coffee grounds until you walk them to an outdoor heap or a council food bin. At this price it sits in the upper band of the ten-tin set, which is a steep step up from a coated 3 litre caddy if you only needed colour and a filter.
Pros
- Bullets name 430 stainless steel rather than an unstated metal
- Airtight lid claimed, with a carry handle
- 4.7 from 4,040 amazon.co.uk ratings
- UK notes describe a sturdy tin that looks tidy on the counter
Cons
- Only three UK-tagged reviews in the captured reviews
- Charcoal filter not stated on the bullets
- Capacity is in gallons, and one buyer found it smaller than the photo
- £30.99 is the upper band of this shortlist
Best for: You want a named 430 stainless caddy and you will empty it before it is packed solid.
Less suitable: You need a confirmed charcoal filter, a litre capacity, or a large set of UK reviews.
Specifications
- Model
- ENLOY metal kitchen caddy
- Brand
- ENLOY
- Price
- ∼£31
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(4,040)
- Capacity
- 1.3 gal
- Material
- 430 stainless
- Charcoal filter
- No
- Inner liner
- No
- Shape
- Cylindrical
- Dimensions
- 19.8 × 19.9 × 27.7 cm
- Weight
- 948 g
Common questions
What capacity does the ENLOY listing state?
The listing states 1.3 gallons. Match how often you cook and how often you walk scraps to the outdoor bin or council caddy.
Does this listing include a charcoal filter?
Not stated on bullets. Replace filters when smell returns; that interval is not tested here.
How strong is the amazon.co.uk review line?
The listing line is 4.7 out of 5 from 4040 ratings. The captured reviews contains 3 reviews tagged United Kingdom.
Our view
The VeoHome bin is the only row here with a stated 5 litre capacity, in stainless steel, at about 20 by 20 by 29 centimetres and 1.1 kg. On amazon.co.uk it is £29.99 with 4.7 from 605 ratings, and the captured reviews holds eight United Kingdom reviews. The title and listing say charcoal filters are included, which is the odour hardware several cheaper tins only imply. UK buyers describe it as a smart replacement after an older metal caddy rusted at the lid rim, and they mention easy cleaning. The Amazon reviews still record fruit flies, rust, an awkward lid, and a weak filter among the criticisms, so stainless and a filter are not a guarantee against those faults. It will hold more than a 2 or 3 litre tin before a trip to the outdoor heap or the council caddy. Eight UK reviews is a narrow sample beside 605 ratings, and £29.99 is a lot if a coated 3 litre bin already matches how often you cook.
Pros
- Stated 5 litre capacity, the largest litre line in this set
- Charcoal filter included on the listing
- Stainless steel, bought by UK reviewers replacing a rusting tin
- 4.7 from 605 amazon.co.uk ratings
Cons
- Fruit flies, rust, an awkward lid, and a weak filter in review themes
- Only eight UK-tagged reviews in the captured reviews
- £29.99 sits in the upper price band
Best for: You fill a 3 litre caddy in one cooking session and you want stainless with a filter in the box.
Less suitable: You want the cheapest coated tin, or you need hundreds of UK reviews on this exact ASIN.
Specifications
- Model
- VeoHome metal kitchen caddy
- Brand
- VeoHome
- Price
- ∼£30
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(605)
- Capacity
- 5 l
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Charcoal filter
- Yes
- Inner liner
- No
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Dimensions
- 20 × 20 × 29 cm
- Weight
- 1100 g
Common questions
What capacity does the VeoHome listing state?
The listing states 5 litres. Match how often you cook and how often you walk scraps to the outdoor bin or council caddy.
Does this listing include a charcoal filter?
Charcoal filter included (listing). Replace filters when smell returns; that interval is not tested here.
How strong is the amazon.co.uk review line?
The listing line is 4.7 out of 5 from 605 ratings. The captured reviews contains 8 reviews tagged United Kingdom.
Our view
The Candco tin is listed as a 1.7 gallon rectangular metal bucket, 18 by 15 by 23 centimetres and 980 g, at £19.99. The title says rust-proof metal with a charcoal filter, while the material field is only “metal”, with no steel grade. Amazon shows 4.6 from 29 ratings, and the captured reviews has two United Kingdom reviews. One UK buyer liked the look, the lack of smell, and carrying scraps to an allotment. The critic theme in the Amazon reviews is a weak filter, and a review on the page calls the bin small enough that it still needs frequent emptying. The marketing line about turning scraps into fertiliser indoors overstates the job: this is a holding tin, not a composter. With 29 ratings and two UK reviews, the 4.6 average is too thin to treat as a settled UK result. The gallon capacity also fights a litre comparison, so you should measure it against how often you empty rather than against the 3 litre KitchenCraft line.
Pros
- Charcoal filter named in the title
- One UK review praises the look and low smell on the way to an allotment
- £19.99 sits below the stainless upper band
Cons
- Material is unstated metal, despite a rust-proof claim
- Only two UK-tagged reviews and 29 ratings
- Filter called weak in the Amazon reviews, and a review says it is small
Best for: You want a mid-price metal tin with a filter in the title and you will empty it often.
Less suitable: You need a named stainless grade, a litre capacity, or a large UK review sample.
Specifications
- Model
- Candco metal kitchen caddy
- Brand
- Candco
- Price
- ∼£20
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(29)
- Capacity
- 1.7 gal
- Material
- Metal
- Charcoal filter
- Yes
- Inner liner
- No
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Dimensions
- 18 × 15 × 23 cm
- Weight
- 980 g
Common questions
What capacity does the Candco listing state?
The listing states 1.7 gallons. Match how often you cook and how often you walk scraps to the outdoor bin or council caddy.
Does this listing include a charcoal filter?
Filter mentioned (listing). Replace filters when smell returns; that interval is not tested here.
How strong is the amazon.co.uk review line?
The listing line is 4.6 out of 5 from 29 ratings. The captured reviews contains 2 reviews tagged United Kingdom.
Our view
The duck-egg KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia bin is a 3 litre coated carbon-steel caddy at £13.39, with 4.5 from 9,461 ratings and 50 UK-tagged reviews in the file. Bullets state a 3 litre size, 16.5 by 12 by 24 centimetres, an integral carbon filter, a swing handle, and hand wash only, with a 12 month guarantee. That is the coherent compost-bin text the cream ASIN does not have, which is why this colourway is the best value here rather than a second top pick. UK reviews like the retro look and the peelings capacity, and one buyer taped air holes after fruit flies turned up between July 2023 and March 2024. Rust through the coating, an awkward lid, and a weak filter remain in the critic themes, so the filter is a consumable, not a permanent seal. It holds scraps for the outdoor heap or the council caddy. Fifty pence or so above the cream tin buys you bullets that actually describe this bin.
Pros
- Bullets include an integral carbon filter and hand-wash instruction
- 3 litres stated, with a swing handle
- 4.5 from 9,461 ratings and 50 UK-tagged reviews
- £13.39, the best-value badge beside the cream top pick
Cons
- UK themes include rust through the coating
- Fruit flies, an awkward lid, and a weak filter recur
- Coated carbon steel, not stainless
Best for: You want a cheap 3 litre coated caddy whose listing actually describes a compost bin and a filter.
Less suitable: Your last coated tin rusted, or one meal already fills 3 litres.
Specifications
- Model
- KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia duck-egg
- Brand
- KitchenCraft
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(9,461)
- Capacity
- 3 l
- Material
- Coated carbon steel
- Charcoal filter
- Yes
- Inner liner
- No
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Dimensions
- 24 × 16.5 × 12 cm
- Weight
- 527 g
Common questions
What capacity does the KitchenCraft listing state?
The listing states 3 litres. Match how often you cook and how often you walk scraps to the outdoor bin or council caddy.
Does this listing include a charcoal filter?
Charcoal filter included (listing). Replace filters when smell returns; that interval is not tested here.
How strong is the amazon.co.uk review line?
The listing line is 4.5 out of 5 from 9461 ratings. The captured reviews contains 50 reviews tagged United Kingdom.
Our view
The cream KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia caddy is listed at 3 litres of coated carbon steel for £12.89, with 4.5 from 9,459 amazon.co.uk ratings and 50 UK-tagged reviews in the captured reviews. That volume and price are why it is the top pick in this set. UK notes praise the counter size for peelings and the look, and one buyer still liked it months later after taping air holes because fruit flies arrived quickly. The Amazon reviews also record rust through the coating, an awkward lid, a weak filter, and flies despite a filter. The bullet block on this ASIN describes a sponge flan tray, including oven and dishwasher lines, so you cannot use those bullets as the compost bin’s care instructions or as proof a carbon filter is in the box. The duck-egg colourway states a carbon filter and hand wash only. This cream tin is a cheap, widely reviewed 3 litre holder, and the listing text itself is the part you should not trust until the page matches the product.
Pros
- £12.89 for a stated 3 litre coated caddy
- 4.5 from 9,459 ratings, with 50 UK-tagged reviews in the file
- UK buyers praise the counter size for vegetable peelings
- Highest score in this comparison, so it is the top pick
Cons
- Bullet text on this ASIN describes a sponge flan tray, not the caddy
- UK themes include rust, fruit flies, an awkward lid, and a weak filter
- A carbon filter is not clearly included the way the duck-egg listing states
Best for: You want the cheapest widely reviewed 3 litre coated tin and you will check the live bullets before you buy.
Less suitable: You need the listing text to match the bin, or you have already rusted a coated caddy.
Specifications
- Model
- KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia cream
- Brand
- KitchenCraft
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(9,459)
- Capacity
- 3 l
- Material
- Coated carbon steel
- Charcoal filter
- Yes
- Inner liner
- No
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Dimensions
- 16.5 × 12 × 21.5 cm
- Weight
- 400 g
Common questions
What capacity does the KitchenCraft listing state?
The listing states 3 litres. Match how often you cook and how often you walk scraps to the outdoor bin or council caddy.
Does this listing include a charcoal filter?
Filter mentioned (listing). Replace filters when smell returns; that interval is not tested here.
How strong is the amazon.co.uk review line?
The listing line is 4.5 out of 5 from 9459 ratings. The captured reviews contains 50 reviews tagged United Kingdom.
Our view
The Kilner kitchen composter is a 2 litre cylindrical stainless caddy at £25.00, listed at 17.5 by 14.5 by 20 centimetres. Amazon shows 4.5 from 672 ratings, with 50 UK-tagged reviews in the file. Bullets include the bin and two carbon filters, and they say you wipe it with a damp cloth. UK buyers call it compact beside the sink and better looking than a plastic box, and several say it is on the small side, suited to tea bags more than a full peelings session. Fruit flies, rust, an awkward lid, and a weak filter still appear in the critic themes, so stainless and carbon filters do not end those complaints. The item weight of 60 g on the same page cannot be the mass of this steel tin, so treat that figure as a listing error. At £25 it costs more than the 3 litre coated KitchenCraft bins while holding less. It suits a one-person counter where 2 litres is emptied daily.
Pros
- Stainless steel with two carbon filters in the bullets
- 2 litre size that UK buyers say fits a counter or cupboard
- 4.5 from 672 ratings and 50 UK-tagged reviews
- Wipe-clean instruction on the listing
Cons
- 2 litres is the smallest stated capacity in this set
- Fruit flies, rust, an awkward lid, and a weak filter in the themes
- 60 g item weight conflicts with a steel caddy
- £25 is above the coated 3 litre bins
Best for: You want a Kilner stainless tin for a small daily scrap load and you will replace the carbon filters.
Less suitable: A household fills 2 litres at one meal, or you are buying on the 60 g weight line.
Specifications
- Model
- Kilner kitchen composter
- Brand
- Kilner
- Price
- ∼£25
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(672)
- Capacity
- 2 l
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Charcoal filter
- Yes
- Inner liner
- No
- Shape
- Cylindrical
- Dimensions
- 17.5 × 14.5 × 20 cm
- Weight
- 60 g
Common questions
What capacity does the Kilner listing state?
The listing states 2 litres. Match how often you cook and how often you walk scraps to the outdoor bin or council caddy.
Does this listing include a charcoal filter?
Filter mentioned (listing). Replace filters when smell returns; that interval is not tested here.
How strong is the amazon.co.uk review line?
The listing line is 4.5 out of 5 from 672 ratings. The captured reviews contains 50 reviews tagged United Kingdom.
Our view
The AVLA listing is a rectangular metal caddy at 1 gallon, 17.8 by 15.2 by 26.7 centimetres and 898 g, priced at £16.99. Bullets claim an activated-charcoal filter, a coating inside and out, and a lid meant to hold scraps for several days. Amazon shows 4.5 from 74 ratings. The captured reviews contains no reviews tagged United Kingdom, so there is no UK praise or complaint theme to weigh. “Metal” plus a coating is not the same as a stainless grade, and the capacity is in gallons rather than litres. The odour claim is a listing sentence, not a result from UK buyers on this page. It can still sit on a counter as a scrap queue before a garden heap or a council bin. At £16.99 it is cheaper than Kilner or VeoHome, but you would be buying bullets and a small global rating line, not UK experience.
Pros
- Charcoal filter named on the bullets
- Bullets claim an inside and outside coating
- £16.99 is below the stainless rows
- Compact footprint at about 18 by 15 centimetres
Cons
- No UK-tagged reviews in the captured reviews
- Steel grade is not stated
- Capacity is 1 gallon, not a litre figure
Best for: You accept a filter claim and a coating claim without UK reviews on this ASIN.
Less suitable: You choose from UK review patterns, or you need litres and a named stainless grade.
Specifications
- Model
- AVLA metal kitchen caddy
- Brand
- AVLA
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(74)
- Capacity
- 1 gal
- Material
- Metal
- Charcoal filter
- Yes
- Inner liner
- No
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Dimensions
- 17.8 × 15.2 × 26.7 cm
- Weight
- 898 g
Common questions
What capacity does the AVLA listing state?
The listing states 1 gallons. Match how often you cook and how often you walk scraps to the outdoor bin or council caddy.
Does this listing include a charcoal filter?
Filter mentioned (listing). Replace filters when smell returns; that interval is not tested here.
How strong is the amazon.co.uk review line?
The listing line is 4.5 out of 5 from 74 ratings. The captured reviews contains 0 reviews tagged United Kingdom.
Our view
The cream Harbour Housewares bin is a 3.2 litre cylindrical metal caddy at £14.99, about 19 by 19 by 20.6 centimetres and 807 g. Amazon shows 4.4 from 1,850 ratings, with 50 UK-tagged reviews in the file. Bullets list a removable white plastic inner bucket, two side handles, and a lift-off lid, and they do not mention a charcoal filter. UK buyers like the vintage look and a tight lid under the sink, and they also say the inner tub is hard to pull out and has no handle. The Amazon reviews also mention fruit flies, rust, a size that feels small, an awkward lid, and a weak filter. The material line is “metal”, not stainless or coated carbon steel, so rust reports are a reason to read the finish carefully. The black colourway carries the same 4.4 from 1,850 line at £13.98. This cream one is the inner-bucket option when you want to lift scraps out in plastic, if you can accept that the bucket itself is the awkward part.
Pros
- Removable plastic inner bucket for emptying
- 3.2 litres, slightly above the 3 litre KitchenCraft line
- 4.4 from 1,850 ratings and 50 UK-tagged reviews
- Side handles and a lift-off lid on the bullets
Cons
- No charcoal filter stated on the bullets
- UK reviews say the inner bucket is hard to remove and has no handle
- Fruit flies, rust, and a small feel show up in the themes
- Steel grade is not stated
Best for: You want a 3.2 litre vintage tin with a plastic liner you can carry to the outdoor bin.
Less suitable: You need a charcoal filter in the box, or you hate wrestling a liner with no handle.
Specifications
- Model
- Harbour Housewares cream
- Brand
- Harbour Housewares
- Price
- ∼£15
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(1,850)
- Capacity
- 3.2 l
- Material
- Metal
- Charcoal filter
- No
- Inner liner
- Yes
- Shape
- Cylindrical
- Dimensions
- 19 × 19 × 20.6 cm
- Weight
- 807 g
Common questions
What capacity does the Harbour Housewares listing state?
The listing states 3.2 litres. Match how often you cook and how often you walk scraps to the outdoor bin or council caddy.
Does this listing include a charcoal filter?
Not stated on bullets. Replace filters when smell returns; that interval is not tested here.
How strong is the amazon.co.uk review line?
The listing line is 4.4 out of 5 from 1850 ratings. The captured reviews contains 50 reviews tagged United Kingdom.
Our view
The black Harbour Housewares bin is listed at 3.2 litres for £13.98, with the same 4.4 from 1,850 ratings as the cream colourway and 50 UK-tagged reviews in the file. Bullets again describe a lightweight metal body, a white plastic inner bucket, side handles, and a lift-off lid, with no charcoal filter. The UK snippets in this file match the cream listing, including praise for a cream finish, so you should not treat the two ASINs as two independent tests. Buyers like the look and a tight lid, and they complain that the inner bucket has no handle and can be impossible to lift out when it is full. Fruit flies, rust, a small capacity, and an awkward lid are the critic themes. Dimensions on this page are 24 by 19.5 by 21 centimetres, while the bullets say 19.5 centimetres diameter and 21 centimetres high. It is the cheaper Harbour colour if the liner is what you want and you will not rely on a filter the page does not mention.
Pros
- £13.98 for the 3.2 litre Harbour shape
- Removable plastic inner bucket on the bullets
- 4.4 from 1,850 ratings
- Side handles for carrying the outer tin
Cons
- No charcoal filter on the bullets
- Inner bucket criticised for having no handle
- Review text overlaps the cream ASIN, including cream-finish comments
- Fruit flies and rust remain in the themes
Best for: You want the Harbour liner design in black and you have checked it is cheaper than the cream listing.
Less suitable: You need a filter, a named stainless grade, or a review sample that is only about the black tin.
Specifications
- Model
- Harbour Housewares black
- Brand
- Harbour Housewares
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(1,850)
- Capacity
- 3.2 l
- Material
- Metal
- Charcoal filter
- No
- Inner liner
- Yes
- Shape
- Cylindrical
- Dimensions
- 24 × 19.5 × 21 cm
- Weight
- 807 g
Common questions
What capacity does the Harbour Housewares listing state?
The listing states 3.2 litres. Match how often you cook and how often you walk scraps to the outdoor bin or council caddy.
Does this listing include a charcoal filter?
Not stated on bullets. Replace filters when smell returns; that interval is not tested here.
How strong is the amazon.co.uk review line?
The listing line is 4.4 out of 5 from 1850 ratings. The captured reviews contains 50 reviews tagged United Kingdom.
Our view
The XLSBZ bin is the weakest score in this set: £33.99, 3.7 from seven amazon.co.uk ratings, with six UK-tagged reviews in the file. The title says 4.5 litres and dishwasher safe, the capacity field says 3 litres, and the bullets say both 3 litres and 4.5 litres exist, so you cannot treat one figure as verified. Dimensions of 10 by 1 by 10 centimetres are not a usable size for a 1.35 kg caddy and should be read as a listing error. Bullets describe a wooden outer box and a removable stainless insert with side buckles, and they do not state a charcoal filter. UK notes split between a good-looking compact bin with stiff clasps and reports that it broke immediately or that the wood opened up after a few days. Fruit flies, an awkward lid, and an awkward inner bucket are the critic themes. It is a stainless-and-wood idea at the top of the price band, on too few reviews and too many conflicting numbers to recommend over Kilner or VeoHome.
Pros
- Removable stainless insert described on the bullets
- Lid with side buckles, which one UK buyer found very tight
- Some UK notes call it compact and good looking
Cons
- 3.7 from only seven ratings
- Title, capacity field, and bullets disagree on 3 litres versus 4.5 litres
- Dimensions of 10 by 1 by 10 centimetres conflict with the 1.35 kg weight
- UK reviews include immediate breakage and wood opening up
Best for: You want a wood-sleeved stainless insert and you can confirm the litre size on the live page.
Less suitable: You want a settled UK rating, a charcoal filter, or one capacity figure that matches the title.
Specifications
- Model
- XLSBZ metal kitchen caddy
- Brand
- XLSBZ
- Price
- ∼£34
- Customer rating
- 3.7/5(7)
- Capacity
- 3 l
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Charcoal filter
- No
- Inner liner
- Yes
- Dimensions
- 10 × 1 × 10 cm
- Weight
- 1350 g
Common questions
What capacity does the XLSBZ listing state?
The listing states 3 litres. Match how often you cook and how often you walk scraps to the outdoor bin or council caddy.
Does this listing include a charcoal filter?
Not stated on bullets. Replace filters when smell returns; that interval is not tested here.
How strong is the amazon.co.uk review line?
The listing line is 3.7 out of 5 from 7 ratings. The captured reviews contains 6 reviews tagged United Kingdom.
How we compared
Ten metal kitchen caddies are on this page. Scores use the amazon.co.uk capture from 19 October 2026. There is no laboratory odour or rust test. Amazon evidence is worth 40 points, fit for the indoor caddy job 35, and value 25. Thin UK samples, or review text that is mostly from outside the UK, are marked down. The highest total is the top pick, once. The best value is the other tin on that same total whose listing describes the bin.
1
Amazon evidence
40%The amazon.co.uk star rating, scaled by review count, up to 40. A thin UK sample, or a file that is mostly non-UK review text, is marked down.
2
Fit for the indoor caddy job
35%Stated capacity, a filter claim, stainless steel or an inner liner where the listing gives one, and whether the material line is clear.
3
Value
25%Shelf price on amazon.co.uk against the stars and against rust or size complaints in the UK reviews.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Metal compost bin buying guide
Decide the job before the stars. These ten tins are indoor scrap queues of about 2 to 5 litres, captured on amazon.co.uk on 19 October 2026, from about £12.89 to about £33.99. An outdoor bin of hundreds of litres is a different product. Prices can move after that date.
What is a metal compost bin?
A metal compost bin, across the ten amazon.co.uk listings kept here, is an indoor kitchen caddy of about 2 to 5 litres. It queues peelings and coffee grounds for a day or two. It does not finish compost on the worktop, and it is not a galvanised garden bin of hundreds of litres. If you need that outdoor volume on bare soil, use the [compost bin comparison](/hub/raised-beds-greenhouses-and-compost/compost-bin).
Best for
- A small kitchen that empties a 2 to 5 litre tin daily
- A household replacing a coated caddy that has rusted
Not ideal for
- A garden that needs hundreds of litres on soil
- Cooked food you plan to tip straight onto a home heap
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Buying a 2 or 3 litre tin for one large meal
Kilner is 2 litres and KitchenCraft is 3 litres. If one cooking session fills that, you will be emptying it immediately. VeoHome states 5 litres. Gallon listings are not a larger garden bin.
- 2
Expecting a garden composter
The title compost bin on these rows means a worktop caddy. Recycle Now’s outdoor bin sits on bare soil and is a different size. A kitchen tin does not become that heap.
- 3
Tipping the council caddy onto a home heap
Council food bins often take meat and cooked food. Recycle Now and the RHS keep those off a home heap. Split the two lists before you empty the tin.
What to weigh up
Capacity and the indoor job
HighThese tins queue scraps. They do not compost them on the counter, and they are the wrong search if you want a garden bin of hundreds of litres on soil. Match the stated litres to how often you cook and how often you will walk the tin to an outdoor heap or a council food bin. In this set the litre lines are 2 litres (Kilner, about £25), 3 litres (KitchenCraft, about £12.89 and about £13.39), 3.2 litres (Harbour, about £13.98 and about £14.99) and 5 litres (VeoHome, about £29.99).
Steel, filter and emptying
HighCoated carbon steel is cheaper here and is also where KitchenCraft UK reviews mention rust through the coating. Stainless is what several of those buyers move to. Kilner states stainless at 2 litres with two carbon filters in the bullets. VeoHome states stainless at 5 litres with charcoal filters included. ENLOY’s bullets name 430 stainless and do not state a filter, at about £30.99.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Replacing a rusted tin
Your last coated caddy rusted and you want stainless steel with a filter stated on the listing. VeoHome is the 5 litre row in this set, at about £29.99. The UK review sample on that ASIN is eight reviews, so read them before you treat the stars as a UK verdict.
A cheap 3 litre caddy
You want a coated 3 litre tin and you will hand-wash it. The duck-egg KitchenCraft is about £13.39, with bullets that name a carbon filter. It is still coated steel, and UK reviews include rust through that coating.
Common questions about metal compost bins
Which metal compost bin is the top pick in 2026?
The cream KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia, ASIN B00Z65KDXS, is the top pick on this page. It is a 3 litre coated carbon-steel caddy at about £12.89, with 4.5 from 9,459 amazon.co.uk ratings on the 19 October 2026 capture, and the highest card score, 90. The bullets on that ASIN describe a sponge flan tray, so check the live page before you treat a filter as included. The duck-egg colourway is the best value when you want bullets that describe the bin and a carbon filter.
How much does a metal compost bin cost?
On this amazon.co.uk capture the ten kitchen caddies run from about £12.89 to about £33.99. Both KitchenCraft colourways and both Harbour tins sit about £13 to £15. Kilner is about £25 for 2 litres of stainless steel. VeoHome is about £29.99 and ENLOY about £30.99. XLSBZ is about £33.99 with seven ratings. These are shelf figures from 19 October 2026, not a promise that the live price will match.
Is a metal compost bin the same as a garden composter?
No. Every row here is an indoor caddy of about 2 to 5 litres, or a gallon figure in that same small range. It holds scraps until you empty it into an outdoor heap or a council food bin. A garden composter is a much larger bin on soil. Recycle Now describes that outdoor setup, including contact with the ground and a mix of greens and browns. The kitchen tin will not give you that volume, whatever the title says.
Should you choose stainless or coated steel?
Coated carbon steel is the cheaper KitchenCraft route, and UK reviews on those ASINs include rust through the coating. Stainless is what buyers in this set move to after that, including Kilner at 2 litres and VeoHome at 5 litres. A listing that only says metal, such as Harbour, Candco or AVLA, does not name a grade. Stainless is not a guarantee against rust in the review themes, and coated steel does not always rust. Read the finish on the live bullets.
Do these caddies include a charcoal filter?
VeoHome and the duck-egg KitchenCraft state a charcoal or carbon filter. Kilner’s bullets include two carbon filters. Candco and AVLA mention a filter. The cream KitchenCraft mentions one, but the bullets on that ASIN describe a flan tray, so the filter is not clearly in the box. Harbour, ENLOY and XLSBZ do not state one. Filters wear out. A filter on the listing does not guarantee a fly-free bin for the life of the tin.
Can you put cooked food in a home compost heap?
Recycle Now and the RHS tell you to keep cooked food, meat, fish and dairy off a home heap. WRAP’s home composting guidance is aimed at garden waste and some raw peelings, and it points to wormeries and bokashi for a wider range of food. A council food-waste caddy is a different list and often includes cooked food. Check the local yes-list before you tip a kitchen caddy onto a garden heap.
What changes for food waste in England in 2026?
GOV.UK simpler recycling guidance says households in England are to have a weekly free food-waste collection from 31 March 2026, unless a named council has a later date under the Environment Act 2021 commencement regulations. That collection is a council service. A metal caddy you buy does not replace it. Councils may still supply their own indoor caddy and liners. Ask the council if a transition applies where you live.
What if the listing sizes do not match?
Do not pick one number and ignore the other. XLSBZ prints 4.5 litres in the title and 3 litres in the capacity field. Kilner’s item weight of 60 g cannot be the mass of that steel tin. ENLOY, Candco and AVLA use gallons, which do not sit on the same line as the litre bins. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 expects goods to match the description. If the seller will not fix a mismatch, use the usual consumer routes.
Our verdict
These ten listings are indoor caddies, from about £12.89 to about £33.99, not garden composters. The cream KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia, 3 litres at about £12.89, is the top pick: card score 90, with 4.5 from 9,459 amazon.co.uk ratings. The bullets on that ASIN still describe a flan tray, so check the live page. The duck-egg colourway, about £13.39, is the best value on the same 90-point total, and its bullets name a carbon filter and hand wash only. Stainless rows cost more, and fly and rust themes still appear in their reviews.
Best value
View offer
KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia duck-egg
Same 90-point total at about £13.39, with bullets that describe a compost bin and a carbon filter.
Editorial
Editor, DIY & tools
Kitchen compost caddiesHome compostingDIY tools
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to metal compost bins
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Metal compost bin buying guideCapacity, steel, filter and liner before the stars.Best metal compost binWhich shortlist tin fits a stated kitchen, and who should skip it.How to use a metal compost binDaily emptying, washing, flies and filter changes.Stainless or coated metal compost binWhen to pay for stainless, and when coated carbon steel is enough.Metal compost bin or council caddyA bought tin against the council food caddy, and what may go on a heap.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources from the research digest, last checked on 19 October 2026.
- GOV.UK — Simpler recycling: household recycling in England (retrieved 19.10.2026)
- legislation.gov.uk — Environment Act 2021 commencement regulations 2024, regulation 6 (retrieved 19.10.2026)
- WRAP — Home composting (retrieved 19.10.2026)
- Recycle Now — How to set up home composting (retrieved 19.10.2026)
- RHS — Composting for schools (retrieved 19.10.2026)
- RHS — Rats in the garden (retrieved 19.10.2026)
- Test Valley Borough Council — Rats and compost (retrieved 19.10.2026)
- Norwich City Council — Food waste caddy (retrieved 19.10.2026)
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The cards use amazon.co.uk listing data and public UK sources. They are not a laboratory test.