With a Trash Compactor, You Can Get 5 Times the Amount of Garbage in Each Bag. Here Are the Best Models.

Editor’s Note: We reviewed our current product picks in December 2022, and no major appliance manufacturer has released or announced new trash compactor models. We’ll continue monitoring to make sure we’re bringing you the most up-to-date products and industry information. If you’re looking for the best overall pick and are ready to buy, we recommend the Whirlpool TU950QPXS trash compactor.

Whether trash is headed to a dumpster or the recycling bin, bagging and disposing of it is a chore we loathe. But a trash compactor can help compress the waste, meaning that you at least have to take it out less frequently. The appliance is a luxury, to be sure, but a convenient one worth getting if you have it in the budget.

We’ve compared all the latest options and selected the best freestanding, built-in (under-counter), and convertible trash compactors. We made sure to include both manual and automatic compactors, the former being models that rely on you to do the compacting work. Automatic models use electricity and powerful motors to condense your trash. Read on for quick info on the best trash compactors, followed by things to keep in mind as you’re buying and our in-depth reviews.

The Best Trash Compactors

What to Consider

Location

It may seem like a given, but the most important thing to think about when buying a trash compactor is if you have the space for it. Since most models are built-in, under-the-counter units, you’ll likely need to cut your kitchen cabinets to make room for one—meaning you’ll have to sacrifice precious storage space. You’ll also need an outlet behind your cabinets to plug the trash compactor in if you opt for a built-in model.

Size

Be sure to measure and determine how much space you’ll need before settling on a model. We list the dimensions of our recommended trash compactors below as height by width by depth. Most of them are 34 inches tall, 15 inches wide, and 24 inches deep.

Compaction Ratio

Trash compactors also differ in compaction ratios. As an example, a 4-to-1 ratio means that a compactor will compress a pile of trash down to a fourth of its size. Most models have a ratio of 4 to 1 or 5 to 1. It’s also worth mentioning that compacted trash bags will be heavier than ones holding loose waste.

Freestanding vs. Under-the-Counter vs. Convertible Compactors

Lastly, you need to decide what type of trash compactor you need. While most are built-in, under-the-counter units, you can also buy freestanding compactors on wheels (similar to portable dishwashers). Take this compactor from Gladiator as an example, which has a finished top that you can use for additional counter space.

Another kind is convertible compactors (like this model from Whirlpool), which work as freestanding or under-the-counter units, giving you flexibility in case you ever want to move the appliance.