A compost tumbler is an enclosed, rotating drum. Instead of turning a pile with a fork, you spin the drum to aerate and mix the contents, which keeps things contained and pest-resistant.
How it works
Add a balance of greens and browns, close the drum, and give it a few turns every couple of days. The sealed design retains heat and moisture, so a well-managed tumbler can compost relatively quickly.
Pros and cons
Tumblers are clean, compact, and easy to turn, which makes them popular for smaller yards. They hold less volume than an open pile and can get heavy when full. It is essentially a convenient take on backyard composting.