The best trash compacters will compress your trash and help you cut down the number of times you have to take it out. As well as saving you time, trash compactors can also help you to cut down on plastic waste by reducing the number of trash bags that you use.
Trash compactors come in different shapes and sizes, whether you are looking for a free-standing model or a built-in design that can slot in with your kitchen appliances, you can rest easy knowing that there will be one to suit your needs.
The design of your desired trash compactor should be one of the first factors to consider. If you'd prefer your trash compactor to be next to invisible, then you might want to consider a built-in model that can hide behind your cabinets. If you don't mind having the compactor being visible in your kitchen or elsewhere in your home, then you can opt for a freestanding model and place it wherever you want.
Once you have chosen a design, you need to think about your budget. The best trash compactors can cost anywhere between $700 to $1500, so it's important to make an informed choice with all factors considered. If your budget is towards the lower end, you may have to go for an option with fewer features, such as design aids that help to eliminate the smell of your garbage or the amount of garbage that it can crush and how quickly it can do so. If you're in the market for other kitchen appliances, be sure to check out our guide to the best French-door refrigerators or the best dishwashers.
The best trash compactors
With high attention to detail, stylish design, and a host of non-essential but nice-to-have features, the KitchenAid Trash Compactor is a premium appliance with the price-tag to match. While some might hesitate at the $1,500 price, if you’ve just splashed out for a nice new kitchen, it could be the finishing touch.
If you select the Solid Pack Control option, this compactor can reduce the volume of your trash by up to 80%, while also keeping bad smells at bay with an odor control system. While the fan from this system can be a little on the loud side sometimes, even with the noise reduction system, the quality of the build and effectiveness of this trash compactor more than makes up for it.
Finished to a high standard, the KitchenAid KTTS505ESS Trash Compactor has a stainless steel finish and features satin textured handles which will look fantastic inside any modern kitchen.
The Whirlpool GC900QPPB is both portable and convertible and is designed to be easily installed anywhere. It can be easily placed in your kitchen, utility room or garage. It is about $500 cheaper than the KitchenAid Trash Compactor and includes fewer features, but it still shines above other trash compactors at a similar price point.
The Whirlpool GC900QPPB has an average rating of 4.2/5 stars on Whirlpool's website, with users praising its portability and ease of installation. The small number of negative reviews criticize Whirlpool's customer support, rather than the trash compactor itself.
The hands-free drawer operation is operated by a touch-toe pedal and an auto anti-jam feature that prevents your trash compactor from jamming when the door is open. This compactor has a clean, stylish finish - while it may not be premium-looking we think that the design matches its portable nature, as it will suit the majority of environments. While it can feel flimsy in some areas, it is still a reliable trash compactor from a reputable brand that performs well and offers unmatched value for money.
The streamlined touch controls are simple to use and easy to clean, and the hidden removable key is used to control who operates the appliance. This compactor features a tilt-away trash basket which can help to prevent splatters when loading with trash.
This model will come with heavy-duty trash bags, so you don't need to worry about buying them alongside your new trash compactor. The number of features and the impressive value for money makes this the second-best trash compactor on our list and the best trash compactor in terms of portability and ease of use.
The Gladiator GACP15XXMG is a simple but effective trash compactor that may be lacking in features, but for the price, it boasts impressive compacting potential. It can effectively reduce trash to a quarter of its original volume. It is a freestanding model that can be easily installed in any room thanks to its casters for ease of movement. It has a standard 1/3 HP motor that will compact the majority of trash.
The Gladiator GACP15XXMG has an average rating of 3.3/5 stars on Amazon, with positive reviews praising its low price point and portability. A number of the negative reviews criticize its compaction force, stating that it is weak and will struggle with tougher pieces of garbage.
It may not be the most powerful compactor on the market, and it doesn't feature any extra power options so it may struggle with some tougher items, but it is still a reliable option.
Visually it is not the best-looking trash compactor, but if you're planning on keeping it in your garage or somewhere else out of sight then this probably won't matter to you. It is also a great option if you are thinking of trying out a trash compactor for the first time, as you will have an appliance that will do the job without breaking the bank. It will do its job, compacting your trash and reducing the number of trips to the curb, but if you want a higher-end model with more features then you might want to look at some of the other models on our list. The warranty is only one year, which could definitely be higher.
GE is a reputable and well-known brand for home appliances, and this trash compactor is a sleek option with some solid features. Design-wise it's super streamlined and modern, with the sleek finish being complemented by a hidden control panel that sits nicely behind the compactor door.
Users are generally quite fond of this trash compactor, giving it an average rating of 3.7/5 stars on GE's website. Customers praise its ease of movement and installation, while also noting its decent compacting power. Some dissatisfied users have stated that this compactor struggles with tougher pieces of garbage and may not reduce the volume by much.
The controls are simple and easy to use, and the quick operation is nifty. The noise reduction system is another nice-to-have feature that you usually see limited to more premium models, but overall it still lacks some features when compares to other premium models.
The rear wheels allow for easy movement and installation, and the automatic jam system will prevent your compactor from jamming when the door is open. it also features a toe pedal opener for hands-free opening making it easy and clean to load - alongside the removable drawer this model is great for germaphobes who don't want to touch any trash residue. This model has a removable key lock that provides extra safety by assuring the drawer remains locked during use.
It has a three-to-one compaction ratio, and is also less powerful than other models in this guide and can sometimes feel like it doesn't compact enough garbage to justify its $1000 price tag. It can sometimes be quite noisy despite its noise reduction system. it is a reliable option, but the lack of power is a downside, and for the same price you can get more powerful and efficient trash compactors.
- Read our GE UCG1680LSS Trash Compactor review
The Whirlpool TU950QPXS is towards the higher end of trash compactors, with a number of impressive features and a beautiful built-in design. This trash compactor offers a sleek, fully integrated look that will slot in neatly alongside your kitchen units while helping you to save time and energy by reducing your trash volume and trips to your garbage can.
Users are generally quite fond of this trash compactor, giving it an average rating of 4/5 stars at Home Depot. Positive reviews praise its ability to quietly compact trash while also preventing odors from escaping, while negative reviews often criticize the hinge, stating that it can become loose after many uses.
The 1.4 cu. ft. capacity holds a decent amount of trash, and the easy roller installation wheels help you to easily position the compactor wherever you want it. The touch-toe drawer opener provides a hands-free opening, offering a cleaner, more convenient experience than a conventional compactor - a light tap is all it takes to activate, releasing the drawer with ease.
The fully integrated controls provide a sleek look with an easy-to-use cycle selection. The 1/3 HP motor provides strong compacting power, and the automatic anti-jam reverses the compression during operation to prevent any accidental jamming when the door is open.
The packing is quiet so that you can run the compactor without disrupting your home, and the bag retainer buttons will help to keep the bag in place to percent slipping during use. Heavy-duty trash bags have to be ordered separately, and can become costly in the long run - an important factor to consider if you are going to be using this trash compactor daily.
Buying advice for the best trash compactors
Type
Before looking at different models, measure the area where you plan to store your trash compactor. Most models are under-counter designs, although there are a good amount of free-standing compactors. You can also get some portable trash compactors that can be wheeled into different rooms or to mess in your vehicles, garage or yard before being returned to where they are usually stored.
Performance
The compaction ratio is another important factor to consider. A ratio of four to one means the machine can crush the average volume of four bags into the size of one. That means more trash taking up less space. However, it also means the bags are heavier, so you need to consider how much you can lift without hurting yourself.
Features
A lot of well-built trash compactors have a toe bar- a switch that opens the compactor when you push it with your foot. When you're holding trash to toss, this can make a lot of difference, and for germaphobes, it can also be a great addition when you want to toss something without touching the potentially dirty buttons. It is also a good idea to get a trash compactor that features an odor-removal system, especially if you plan on having it in your kitchen or utility room.
