Best Electric Composters of 2026? Natridy vs Lomi vs Reencle vs FoodCycler, Compared

The best electric composter to buy depends on your goal: choose Natridy Electric Composter for the lowest listed price of the four, or Lomi 3 for its fast Express and slow Grow modes. Choose Reencle Prime if you want compost made by microbes, or FoodCycler Eco 3 for the longest standard warranty of the four.

We make Natridy. We flag our own arithmetic and anything a maker does not publish.

Criterion Natridy Electric Composter Lomi 3 Reencle Prime FoodCycler Eco 3
Price (listed 2026-10-31) $269.99 Lomi lists $549 alone; $449 with a $120/year filter membership, plus tax Reencle lists $549 FoodCycler lists $399.99; Grey on sale at $359.99 that week
Bucket capacity 100 oz (3 L); the manual recommends 68 oz (2 L) per use About 101 oz (Lomi lists 3 L; our conversion) 3.7 gal (14 L), per Reencle About 118 oz (FoodCycler lists 3.5 L; our conversion)
Cycle time About 2–8 hours (Auto); 4 hours (Quick) Lomi lists 3–6 hours (Express); 11–17 hours (Grow) Reencle says continuous operation; 90% gone in 24 hours FoodCycler lists 4–9 hours
Noise 39 dB (measured), per the product page Lomi lists under 45 dB Reencle's FAQ says 30 dB; no figure in its spec table Not published by the maker
Output Dried, ground scraps rather than compost Lomi calls it nutrient-rich dirt Reencle calls it compost; fully cured in 3 weeks, but the same page also says 30 days FoodCycler calls it a fine, dry by-product named Foodilizer
Energy About 1 kWh per 4-hour cycle Lomi lists Express 1 kWh; Grow 1.1 kWh; Cleaning 0.2 kWh Reencle lists average 52 W; FAQ says 60 W; our arithmetic: about 1.25–1.44 kWh/day FoodCycler lists 0.9 kWh/cycle
Filter / consumables Carbon bag $29.99; every 3 months or 45 cycles Lomi lists $29.99/refill; every 3 months or 45 cycles Reencle lists $35/filter; every 9–12 months; $65 microbe pack only if colony cannot recover FoodCycler lists $29.99/carbon refill; every 3–4 months
Size and weight 9.84 × 14.3 × 11.8 in (250 × 362 × 300 mm per the manual), W × D × H; 19.2 lb (8.7 kg) Lomi lists 11 × 11 × 12 in, W × D × H; 16 lb (7.25 kg) Reencle lists 13 × 12 × 18.4 in, W × D × H; 20.1 lb Not captured in our read of 2026-10-31
Warranty 2 years Lomi lists 1 year standard; 3 years while membership is active Reencle lists 2 years on product page; 1 year on how-it-works page FoodCycler lists 3 years standard
Returns 90 days; buyer pays change-of-mind return shipping, Natridy pays if faulty; no restocking fee Lomi lists 90-day in-home trial; free return shipping and full refund Reencle lists a 60-day trial; refund and return-shipping terms not captured in our read of 2026-10-31 FoodCycler lists 90 days from delivery for direct purchases; return label and full refund
Where sold shop.natridy.com Lomi: lomi.com Reencle: reencle.co FoodCycler: foodcycler.com

Quick answers to the questions buyers ask

What is the best electric composter to buy?

Choose by your priority: Natridy Electric Composter for price, Lomi 3 for modes, Reencle Prime for its microbial process, or FoodCycler Eco 3 for standard warranty. Natridy lists $269.99, the lowest listed price of the four. Lomi lists Express and Grow modes. Reencle calls its output "compost" and says microbes do the work. FoodCycler lists a 3-year standard warranty, the longest of the four.

What is the best composter for home use in a kitchen?

For a kitchen counter, pick by footprint and output. Natridy's manual lists 9.84 × 14.3 × 11.8 in (W × D × H; 250 × 362 × 300 mm) and asks for 7.9–11.8 in (20–30 cm) of wall clearance and no installation under cabinets; Lomi 3 lists 11 × 11 × 12 in. Natridy dries and grinds scraps; Reencle's machine runs continuously with microbes. The output you want decides between them.

Are electric composters worth it?

Electric composters are worth it when a smaller, drier scrap volume is worth the price, the filters and the electricity. Natridy claims 90% less waste by volume and lists $269.99 upfront. Its carbon bags cost $29.99 every 3 months or 45 cycles. It uses about 1 kWh per 4-hour cycle, so your local electricity rate sets the running cost.

Which electric kitchen composter doesn't smell?

No maker publishes a smell test, so there is no proven winner: all four rely on carbon or charcoal filters. Natridy routes air through two carbon channels and runs a fan-only Storage mode between cycles. Lomi lists charcoal filters; Reencle lists an activated carbon filter; FoodCycler says it controls smells with refillable charcoal filters. Natridy says to change the carbon every 3 months or 45 cycles, sooner if smells return; FoodCycler says every 3–4 months, or sooner.

What can you put in an electric composter?

Use your machine's own allowed-food list; Natridy accepts fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds, eggshells and plant trimmings, plus drained meat, fish, leftovers, cooked chicken bones and ribs. Keep out glass, metal, plastic, beef bones, pork shank bones, hard shells, fruit pits, frozen scraps, uncooked dough, pet waste and excess oil or liquid. Natridy's manual recommends 68 oz (2 L) per use.

Do electric composters produce compost or dried food scraps?

It depends on the machine: Natridy dries and grinds scraps, while Reencle describes a microbial composting process. Natridy says the output is dried, ground food scraps, not compost; mix it into soil or a compost pile to finish, or bin it. Lomi calls its output nutrient-rich dirt. FoodCycler calls its output Foodilizer. Reencle gives conflicting cure times: 3 weeks and 30 days.

What is a good alternative to the Lomi composter?

Natridy Electric Composter is an alternative if you want dried, ground scraps at a lower purchase price. Natridy lists $269.99; Lomi lists $549 alone or $449 with a $120/year filter membership, plus tax. Natridy lists 100 oz (3 L) capacity, with 68 oz (2 L) recommended per use. Reencle Prime offers a different process: its maker says it uses living microbes.

Lomi vs FoodCycler vs Reencle: which electric composter is best?

Choose Lomi 3 for its listed mode choices, FoodCycler Eco 3 for its standard warranty, or Reencle Prime for its stated microbial process. Lomi lists Express at 3–6 hours and Grow at 11–17 hours. FoodCycler lists a 3-year standard warranty. Reencle says it runs continuously; its product page lists 2 years of warranty, while another page says 1 year.

What is the best countertop food recycler for a small apartment?

Measure your counter first. Of the three units with published sizes, Lomi 3 has the smallest footprint: 11 × 11 × 12 in. Natridy is narrower at 9.84 in but deeper at 14.3 in, and its manual asks for 7.9–11.8 in (20–30 cm) of wall clearance and no installation under cabinets. FoodCycler Eco 3's size was not captured in our read of 2026-10-31.

Is the Natridy electric composter any good?

Natridy Electric Composter suits a household that wants dried, ground scraps at the lowest listed price of the four. Natridy lists $269.99, a ceramic bucket with no PFAS coating and a detachable cast-iron blade. Its noise figure is 39 dB (measured). The product page lists a 2-year warranty. Its output is not compost, and the manual recommends 68 oz (2 L) per use.

How we compared

We compared maker statements about price, capacity, cycle time, smell control, noise, output, energy, filters, size, warranty, returns and where to buy. Prices are US-store prices in US dollars, read on 2026-10-31. Natridy's installation guidance comes from its user manual. This is a comparison of what the makers publish, without independent performance testing or user anecdotes.

On 2026-10-29 we asked ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Mode and Perplexity ten buyer questions. Lomi and FoodCycler were each named in 30 of the 40 answers and Reencle in 24; reencle.co was the most-cited site; and all four engines called Natridy a food recycler when asked about it by name. That is why these three are the comparison set. We make Natridy. Where a maker publishes only litres, the ounce figure is our rounded conversion and says so. Reencle's electricity range is our arithmetic from its conflicting power figures.

Natridy Electric Composter

The Natridy Electric Composter suits buyers who want to dry and grind scraps at the lowest listed price of the four. The product page claims 90% less waste by volume.

Strengths. The ceramic bucket has no PFAS coating. The cast-iron blade detaches for rinsing in the sink. Two carbon channels handle outgoing air, and Storage mode runs the fan between cycles. The $269.99 price includes one carbon bag.

Trade-offs. Capacity is 100 oz (3 L); the manual recommends 68 oz (2 L) per use, matching the page's recommended maximum batch. Give it the manual's wall clearance of 7.9–11.8 in (20–30 cm) and do not install it under cabinets. Disconnect the power and let it cool completely before cleaning. Our what can go in an electric composter guide covers Natridy's own allowed-food list. Thaw frozen scraps first. Keep hard shells, fruit pits, beef bones, pork shank bones, uncooked dough, pet waste and excess liquid out.

Who it suits. A household comfortable with dried, ground scraps rather than compost, and with space to follow the installation guidance.

Specs. Product-page figures unless marked manual.

  • Model: CYF01-500CD5
  • Capacity: 100 oz (3 L)
  • Recommended batch: 68 oz / 2 L per use (manual; product-page maximum batch)
  • Size, W × D × H: 9.84 × 14.3 × 11.8 in (250 × 362 × 300 mm per the manual)
  • Weight: 19.2 lb (8.7 kg)
  • Power: 120 V / 60 Hz; 500 W
  • Energy: about 1 kWh per 4-hour cycle
  • Cycle time: about 2–8 hours (Auto); 4 hours (Quick)
  • Noise: 39 dB (measured)
  • Warranty: 2 years

Tested-on-CYF01 fact box

  • Model: CYF01-500CD5
  • 100 oz (3 L)
  • 68 oz / 2 L
  • ~1 kWh per 4-hour cycle
  • 39 dB (measured)
  • dry, ground food-scrap material

Lomi 3

Lomi 3 suits buyers who want the Express and Grow modes its maker offers. Lomi says it reduces food waste by up to 80%.

Strengths. Lomi lists a Cleaning mode alongside its processing modes. Its product page offers a 90-day in-home trial with free return shipping and a full refund. Lomi lists three starter filter packs with the standalone purchase.

Trade-offs. Lomi lists $549 alone or $449 with a $120/year membership, plus tax. Its product page says billing starts 3 months after purchase; its FAQ says after shipping. Lomi's 3-year warranty applies only while membership remains active. Its FAQ warns of cracking or grinding sounds with tougher scraps, including coffee grounds and eggshells.

Who it suits. Someone who values the mode choices and has compared the standalone price with the membership's ongoing cost.

Specs. Per Lomi's product page and FAQ; the ounce figure is our conversion of Lomi's 3 litres.

  • Capacity: about 101 oz (Lomi lists 3 L)
  • Size, W × D × H: 11 × 11 × 12 in
  • Weight: 16 lb (7.25 kg)
  • Voltage: 110 V North American
  • Cycle time: Express 3–6 hours; Grow 11–17 hours; Cleaning 1.5 hours
  • Energy: Express 1 kWh; Grow 1.1 kWh; Cleaning 0.2 kWh
  • Noise: under 45 dB
  • Warranty: 1 year standard; 3 years while membership is active

Reencle Prime

Reencle Prime suits buyers who want the microbial composting process its maker describes and have room for continuous operation. Reencle says 90% of scraps are gone in 24 hours.

Strengths. Reencle lists a 3.7 gal (14 L) chamber. Its spec table gives an optimum daily load of 1.5 lb and a maximum of 2.2 lb. Its FAQ instead says up to 2 lb of good waste. Reencle says its microbes regenerate; the $65 starter pack is needed only if the colony cannot recover.

Trade-offs. Reencle lists $549. Its FAQ gives 30 dB, but its product spec table gives no noise figure. The product page promises a 2-year warranty; the how-it-works page says 1 year. Confirm the applicable warranty before buying. Reencle lists a 60-day trial; we did not find its refund and return-shipping terms in our read.

Who it suits. A gardener who wants compost from the machine and has room for one that runs all day.

Specs. Per Reencle's product page and FAQ.

  • Chamber capacity: 3.7 gal (14 L)
  • Size, W × D × H: 13 × 12 × 18.4 in
  • Weight: 20.1 lb
  • Operation: continuous
  • Power: average 52 W, maximum 130 W (spec table); 60 W (FAQ)
  • Energy: about 1.25–1.44 kWh/day (our arithmetic)
  • Noise: 30 dB (FAQ); no figure in the spec table
  • Warranty: 2 years (product page); 1 year (how-it-works page)

FoodCycler Eco 3

FoodCycler Eco 3 suits buyers who prioritize the longest standard warranty of the four: FoodCycler lists 3 years from delivery. Its maker says it grinds and dries scraps.

Strengths. FoodCycler describes Eco 3 as suited to 1–3 people. Its direct-purchase return policy offers a return label and full refund within 90 days of delivery. FoodCycler says it runs quietly and controls smells with refillable charcoal filters.

Trade-offs. FoodCycler lists $399.99, with Grey at $359.99 during the recorded sale week. It publishes no decibel figure on its product page. Size and weight were not captured in our read of 2026-10-31. FoodCycler markets the Eco 5 for "+3 people", at $499.99, with about 169 oz (FoodCycler lists 5 L; our conversion) and about 1.5 kWh per cycle.

Who it suits. A buyer who values the standard warranty and can confirm the unit's physical fit before ordering.

Specs. Per FoodCycler's product page; capacity conversion is ours.

  • Capacity: about 118 oz (FoodCycler lists 3.5 L)
  • Size and weight: Not captured in our read of 2026-10-31
  • Cycle time: 4–9 hours
  • Energy: 0.9 kWh/cycle
  • Noise: Not published by the maker
  • Warranty: 3 years standard

Compost or food recycler?

The output determines which process fits your plans for the scraps. Natridy says the output is dried, ground food scraps, not compost; mix it into soil or a compost pile to finish, or bin it.

Lomi calls its output nutrient-rich dirt, and its LomiPods page calls it Lomi Earth. FoodCycler calls its fine, dry by-product Foodilizer and describes it as a soil amendment. Reencle describes compost made with living microbes. Its how-it-works page says fully cured in 3 weeks and also gives 30 days. Reencle's own page gives both figures.

Do not treat the makers' output names as interchangeable. Choose the process whose stated output and follow-up handling match what you intend to do at home.

Running costs

Budget for filters and electricity as well as the machine. Natridy lists $29.99 per carbon bag, replaced every 3 months or 45 cycles, whichever comes first. Our arithmetic puts quarterly refills at about $120/year; daily use reaches 45 cycles in about 45 days. The $319.99 bundle adds four bags for $50 beyond the base package.

Lomi lists $29.99 refills on the same 3-month or 45-cycle schedule. Its FAQ says the $120 annual membership includes four refills. Lomi also sells LomiPods, a 45-pack of tablets at $29.99 that it says speed up the breakdown; we did not capture how often they are needed. FoodCycler lists $29.99 refills every 3–4 months, about $90–$120/year by our arithmetic. Reencle lists its $35 filter every 9–12 months.

Natridy uses about 1 kWh per 4-hour cycle; Auto consumption varies with the load. Lomi lists 1 kWh for Express and 1.1 kWh for Grow. FoodCycler lists 0.9 kWh per Eco 3 cycle. Reencle's stated 52 W average over 24 hours gives about 1.25 kWh/day by our arithmetic; its FAQ's 60 W gives about 1.44 kWh/day. A day of continuous operation and a batch cycle are different usage units. Multiply the relevant energy figure by your electricity rate and expected use.

Our pick

Choose the Natridy Electric Composter if you want the lowest listed price of the four and a detachable blade, and accept dried, ground scraps. Choose Lomi 3 if its stated mode choices justify the purchase price for you. Choose Reencle Prime if you want its stated microbial process and can clarify its conflicting terms. Choose FoodCycler Eco 3 if its 3-year standard warranty, the longest of the four, matters most.

Natridy's 90-day return window has no restocking fee. You pay return shipping for a change of mind; Natridy pays if the unit is faulty. New to the category? Start with our countertop electric composter buyer guide. For filter timing, read replace a composter filter by evidence, not a calendar. A deeper electric composter FAQ is planned for this blog.

FAQ

How often should I change the Natridy carbon bag? Change the Natridy carbon bag every 3 months or 45 cycles, whichever comes first. Change it sooner if the machine starts to smell. Refills cost $29.99 each. The optional $319.99 bundle adds four more carbon bags for $50 above the base package price.

Can I run an electric composter overnight? Yes—Natridy and Lomi say their machines can run overnight. Natridy lists 39 dB (measured), quiet enough for overnight use in a normal kitchen. Lomi lists under 45 dB for day or night use. Reencle's FAQ lists 30 dB. FoodCycler publishes no decibel figure for Eco 3 on its product page.

How do I clean the Natridy composter? Disconnect the power and let the Natridy Electric Composter cool before cleaning, as its manual directs. Remove one screw to detach the cast-iron blade, then rinse the blade in the sink. Natridy lists a ceramic bucket with no PFAS coating.

Does Natridy require a filter subscription? No, Natridy does not require a filter subscription. The $269.99 machine includes one bag, and the optional $319.99 bundle adds four more. Refills cost $29.99 each. Lomi says its $449 price requires a membership costing $120 a year, plus tax; its FAQ says that membership includes four filter refills.

Sources

All maker figures were read on 2026-10-31 in the US store view.

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