I’m a Gardener and Composter, and This Is My Favorite Electric Composter

I’ve tested some of the top electric composters on the market. Although they all do the basic job of breaking down kitchen scraps into usable compost, Vego Garden’s latest offering is one of the best. I tested this electric composter in my home for over three months, witnessing first hand its effectiveness in converting everyday scraps into nutrient-rich compost. It features smart tech that monitors your carbon footprint and keeps a tally of your compost productions. For those looking to simplify their sustainable living practices, the Vego Kitchen Composter is a reliable choice that delivers on its promises.

Vego Kitchen Composter: At a Glance

Our rating: 4.9/5

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Testing the Vego Kitchen Composter

I tested this kitchen composter extensively over three months in my home using a variety of approved kitchen waste, including coffee grounds with filters, vegetable scraps, some leftovers, and even clippings from my houseplants. I tried all the modes multiple times and used the specialized Vego Tabs, which contain natural microorganisms designed to break down organic waste efficiently. The composter was compact enough to keep on my kitchen counter, and I operated it almost daily. It also comes with a free, user-friendly app, though the app is optional and not necessary to run the machine effectively.

Easy Setup 

The Vego Kitchen Composter was almost ready to use right out of the box. All packaging materials are recyclable, and the bioplastic bag covering the machine is even compostable in the composter itself! You’ll need to fill the filter insert with the activated charcoal nuggets provided, which is easy to do, though a bit messy. The modes are clearly displayed on the top of the machine, making it intuitive to operate. Should you need to consult them, the accompanying instructions are clear and easy to follow.

Smart Features 

The Vego Kitchen Composter is full of smart features that provide a variety of composting options. What I like best is that although the composter offers these features, it’s not complicated, and the machine is simple to run with minimal prep work. The composter offers five preset modes to accommodate various composting needs:

• Vego mode is designed for the continuous addition of waste without restarting the cycle. It processes at moderate temperatures to preserve beneficial microorganisms. The processing time ranges from 9 to 24 hours and requires using Vego Tabs. 
• Express mode is designed for rapid drying and grinding; this mode efficiently reduces waste volume and minimizes odors. It processes waste within 2 to 8 hours. No Vego Tabs are required.
• Fertilize Mode quickly produces semi-composted materials suitable for garden use. Processing time is between 9 and 22 hours, and it requires the addition of Vego Tabs.
• Grass Mode incorporates additional grinding to accelerate biodegradation and creates nutrient-rich, ready-to-use organic matter for lawns. It processes waste in 11 to 24 hours and also requires Vego Tabs.
• Clean Mode facilitates maintenance by cleaning the bucket when water is added or quickly drying the bucket and internal filter without water. The cleaning process takes approximately 30 minutes. No Vego Tabs are required.

The free accompanying app turned out to be an unexpected favorite feature. Although I usually dislike apps that are required to operate a machine, I appreciate that this one is optional. The app, however, is packed with useful information. The machine’s integrated scale measures the weight of the added kitchen waste, adjusting processing time based on the load to ensure efficient composting. This information, along with the estimated process time, total waste processed, and carbon footprint offset, is displayed in the app, so you can keep track of how much you’ve composted and feel good about your environmental efforts.

Superb Performance 

Each mode reduces kitchen waste by nearly 90 percent. This unit can effectively break down even tough scraps like potato skins and onion roots, which are a challenge for some competitors and must be excluded from others. The machine operates quietly and effectively contains any odors from the kitchen scraps before the cycle runs and as they decompose. 

All of the composting cycles will break down the scraps into garden additives. To produce actual compost, it’s necessary to use Vego Tabs, which add microorganisms to the scraps and speed up true decomposition. Samples of the tabs come with the machine, and you can purchase them separately on Vego’s website. If you find you’re running cycles with Vego Tabs frequently, Vego Garden offers a subscription service for regular delivery of Vego Tabs and activated carbon nugget refills for convenience.

After testing, I found myself using the express mode most frequently due to its quick processing time. While this mode doesn’t fully compost the waste, it breaks it down significantly, making it ideal for my needs since I cook with fresh produce daily and generate a lot of kitchen waste. I then add this partially composted material to my larger outdoor compost pile. When I want to produce real compost for my indoor plants, I use the Fertilize mode quite often.

Worth the Price Tag

For those serious about sustainable living, the Vego Kitchen Composter is a smart choice that balances cost, convenience, and environmental impact. Although it does use electricity to run, it uses at most 1.5 KWh during its longest cycle, so the electrical impact is small. It is a mid-range option in the world of electric indoor composters: Retailing at around $400 with frequent sales lowering the price, it’s a worthwhile investment for eco-conscious users looking to reduce waste effortlessly. 

Maintenance costs include the occasional replacement of Vego Tabs (around $30 to $50 for one or two bags) and carbon filter nuggets. This composter is quiet, easy to use, and effectively manages odors, making it a seamless addition to any kitchen.

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Better Than Well-Known Competitors

The Vego Kitchen Composter is a relatively new entry in the electric composter market. Vego is primarily known for its raised garden beds and other garden accessories. Top brands like the Vitamix FoodCycler and Lomi are well-known, but after using them for weeks, I can honestly say that Vego’s machine checks all the boxes for what I need in an indoor composter. 

• First, it’s compact despite its generous 4-liter capacity. While the Vitamix and Lomi 1 are also designed for the countertop, their shape limits capacity—they’re similar in size to the Vego but hold much less. 
• Second, the Vego is notably quiet; while all electric composters produce some grinding noise, the Vego is much quieter than either the Vitamix or Lomi 1. Most electric composters in this size range cost between $400 and $500, but I believe the Vego offers the best value for the money.
  

So, is the Vego Kitchen Composter right for you?

The Vego Kitchen Composter is an excellent choice for anyone looking to reduce kitchen waste efficiently and sustainably. Even if you don’t have a garden or live in an apartment, this machine can help minimize kitchen waste and reduce the amount of garbage you throw out. With a compact design that fits comfortably on the countertop, it offers a spacious 4-liter capacity—much larger than comparable models. It operates quietly, a major plus for indoor use, and effectively controls odors, making it convenient for daily use. While the Vego Tabs speed up the composting process, they aren’t necessary for every mode. My favorite feature is the free app, which provides real-time updates on processing time, waste reduction, and environmental impact—helpful if you like to track your eco footprint.

Though the Vego is in the mid-to-high price range for countertop composters, it offers great value for the features. Like all kitchen composters, it does require occasional maintenance, including refills of Vego Tabs and carbon filters, which adds to the cost. Still, the Vego Kitchen Composter is ideal for eco-conscious users seeking an easy, odor-free solution for kitchen waste and a steady supply of compost, making it a worthwhile investment for those committed to sustainable living.

Meet the Tester

Debbie Wolfe is an experienced product writer and reviewer with a focus on eco-friendly home solutions. With a straightforward and detailed approach, she brings valuable insights to readers, drawing from years of hands-on testing and expertise in sustainable living products.

 

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