I’ve had some of the best compost bins over the years. As someone who’s passionate about composting leaves, garden waste and kitchen scraps, one thing I haven’t quite mastered is aeration. All that organic material gets really heavy and can be a total chore to routinely aerate.
That’s why I decided to give Amazon’s bestselling composter a whirl to see if the tumbler-style container would make the job easier. The Vivosun compost bin really impressed me, and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to my old composting ways.
What Is the Vivosun Compost Bin?
The Vivosun is a double-chambered device for batch-style composting that significantly benefits your garden. One side cooks materials, while the other begins the composting process by breaking down fresh organic material. The result is easier, uninterrupted composting that can be used several times each season.
This is a big upgrade from DIY-style composters, because cold and temperate climates can typically only “harvest” their compost once or twice a year. Of course, you can still build a compost bin yourself. But if you have a large garden or frequent composting needs, this two-chambered beauty is a total win.
While the double-chambered design is certainly useful, the easy rotating tumbler-style format makes spinning and aeration easy for just about anyone, kids included. It lets you turn your compost without tedious digging or hand-mixing. Just fill it up, close the door and give it a spin every few days. It’s that easy. P.S. If you want quicker results, check out these electric composters to turn your dinner scraps into rich plant soil in just a few hours.
How We Tested It
I’ve had a successful compost bin or two going for years, but I couldn’t keep up with the physical demands of regular shovel-mixing — something I wish I knew before starting a composting bin. I was excited to put this top-rated Vivosun compost bin to the test, starting with assembly.
For starters, this composter is more affordable than comparable models because it comes unassembled. While that’s a turnoff for some, it shouldn’t be. Every tool you need is included. Screws, fasteners and even a screwdriver come with, so there’s no fishing around your toolbox for the right items. That alone is a timesaver.
It took me about 25 minutes to unpack the Vivosun, lay out all the components, study the instruction manual and put it together. While one person can certainly do it, it’s ideal to enlist a helper to hold some of the pieces as you fasten them. Once assembled, it turned easily.
I filled mine with a mixture of last season’s dried leaves, green scraps from kitchen countertop compost, old paper goods and some grass cuttings. I placed the large, black plastic bin in a sunny corner of my yard to heat up and work its magic. After all, heat is one of the most important components of making good (and fast) compost, and something I don’t have year-round in my Northern climate.
The thick black bin began heating in minutes. Within two hours, it reached an interior temperature of 90 F, even with outside temperature barely 55 F. The bin doesn’t come with a thermometer, so I added my own to measure how it was heating up. Experienced composters know optimal composting happens at about 135 F, so inching toward this temperature signaled to me the Vivosun compost bin would be a surefire success.
