Fill Your Trash Cans to the Brim With These Manual and Electric Trash Compactors

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Trash compactors aren’t as popular as they were a few decades ago, but these kitchen appliances are still a boon for anyone who feels like their trash can is always full. Whether you opt for a manual or automatic model, trash compactors compress your household waste down to a fraction of its normal size—some of the best models can shrink it up to 80 percent—allowing you to take the garbage out less often and fit more of it into your curbside bins.

Some trash compactors look like regular freestanding trash cans, while others have a built-in design that must be installed underneath your kitchen counters. Either way, they’re often a convenient addition to households that produce a lot of waste.

The Best Trash Compactors

• Best Overall: GE 14.875-in Stainless Steel Undercounter Trash Compactor

• Best Value: Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste Titan Trash Can Compactor

• Best Splurge: KitchenAid 15 in. Built-In Trash Compactor

• Best Hands Free: Whirlpool 15-Inch Stainless Steel Undercounter Trash Compactor

• Best Panel Ready: GE 14.875-in Custom Panel Ready Undercounter Trash Compactor

What to Consider

Type

There are two main types of trash compactors: manual models, which typically have a crushing mechanism you operate by hand, and automatic options, which use electricity to compress trash with a metal ram. Manual models are much more affordable, but automatic trash compactors are more efficient and require less effort on your part.

Most electric trash compactors are designed to be installed underneath the counter in your kitchen. If you purchase one of these, be sure to take installation requirements into account.

Capacity

Pay attention to the overall capacity of your trash compactor because many are slightly smaller than an average trash can. That said, you can count on your compactor to reduce the size of the trash you throw away, giving it a much larger overall capacity than the general size of the container.

Additional Features

Many compactors come with unique features such as odor management items like charcoal filters, or self-cleaning mechanisms. You’ll also want to look into whether your trash compactor requires custom bags, which are often only available from the manufacturer).

How We Selected

To find the best trash compactors for your home, we looked at models from all major appliance brands, including GE, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and more. We also considered manual models for those who don’t necessarily have the budget or space for a built-in compactor. We evaluated the different products based on their features, crushing ability, and price, as well as dozens of customer reviews, aiming to provide a range of options that will work in different homes.

14.875-in Stainless Steel Undercounter Trash Compactor

With its moderate price tag and sleek design, this trash compactor from GE is a top choice for most homes. It’s designed to be installed under your kitchen counter, and it has hidden controls for a seamless facade.

This trash compactor has a 1.4-cubic-foot capacity and a ⅓-horsepower motor, and a removable drawer makes it easy to empty and clean.

It has automatic anti-jam technology, as well as a toe pedal opening mechanism, and a removable key lock offers added safety while the unit is in use.

Intelligent Waste Titan Trash Can Compactor

If your kitchen doesn’t have room for a built-in trash compactor, this manual model from Joseph Joseph is fairly compact with just a 5.3-gallon capacity.

That being said, thanks to its compaction mechanism, it can reduce trash volume by 66 percent, allowing the bin to hold up to 16 gallons of waste.

This trash can has a stainless steel exterior, and it opens via a foot pedal. It comes with extra-strong custom fit liners that won’t tear when you compact the trash, and there’s also an integrated odor-control filter to help eliminate the smell of garbage.

15 in. Built-In Trash Compactor

This built-in trash compactor from KitchenAid offers the best compression power you’ll find today, reducing trash to ⅕ of its original size, but it is more expensive than other built-in models. This compactor has an attractive stainless steel exterior, and it’s powered by a ⅓-horsepower motor.

This unit also operates extremely quietly so it won’t disturb your everyday activities, and it has an odor-management system that includes both a fan and charcoal filter.

Plus, if you want a more seamless look in your kitchen, the appliance is available in a panel-ready design.

15-Inch Stainless Steel Undercounter Trash Compactor

This under-cabinet trash compactor from Whirlpool has a Touch-Toe drawer opener, allowing you to easily open the unit when your hands are full. It comes with a stainless steel exterior, a 1.4-cubic-foot capacity, and its ⅓-horsepower motor can reduce the volume of household waste by around 75 percent.

The Whirlpool Trash Compactor features fully-integrated controls for a streamlined appearance, and it has automatic anti-jam technology for reliable operation, even with large loads.

You start the compactor using its foot pedal, limiting how much you have to touch the device, and the inner drawer tilts sideways to make it easier to empty.

14.875-in Custom Panel Ready Undercounter Trash Compactor

For a more cohesive appearance in your kitchen, you might want a trash compactor like this one from GE, which can be outfitted with a custom panel that makes it blend in with your cabinetry.

This panel-ready model has a 1.4-cubic-foot capacity, and its controls are on the inside of the door to make it less conspicuous.

Its powered by a ⅓-horsepower motor for maximum trash-crushing power, and it has a removable drawer for easy emptying and cleaning. It also reduces the volume of your trash by up to 75 percent from previous models, and its anti-jam technology ensures waste doesn’t get stuck while the appliance is in use.

Stainless Steel Trash Compactor Bin

Another freestanding option, this manual trash compactor has an easy-to-use press down top for quick compression. The stainless steel exterior is sturdy and weatherproof meaning it will work well in the corner of your kitchen or next to a barbecue in your backyard.

This trash compactor also comes with an internal bin that you lift out and remove to empty the trash and lock the liner in place. Alongside the foot pedal, the two feature combine to reduce your direct contact with the trash down to nothing.

Manual Garbage Can Compactor

Forget buying an entire system. This manual trash compactor turns every trash can you already own into the compactor you've been looking for. With a stick body and a flat, wide base, simply place the base on the top of your trash and press down.

This compactor is portable and can be carried with you throughout the house, so every trash can you own is being used to its maximum potential. The simple design gives it a far more affordable price tag than many other options on the list, and many users have found utility away from trash compacting as well, tamping down dirt and gravel in their yards.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?