The Best Trash Compactor for Your Home

If you’re looking to make fewer trips to the garbage can, there are things you can do, from starting a compost bin in the garden to being diligent about recycling in your home. Another effective change is to update your home with a simple trash compactor.

What Is a Trash Compactor?

An overflowing trash can is an unsightly, smelly mess that can be potentially harmful if investigative children or pets get into unsafe household waste. Electric trash compactors use a flattening weight attached to the inside of the lid to condense the garbage. This uses fewer bags, requiring fewer trips to the outside bin. Trash compactor reviews report the average ratio of one trash compactor bag can hold the waste of four to five normal garbage bags.

A residential trash compactor is a versatile appliance that can be incorporated into a kitchen, home bar, or any other room where your household can best utilize it. 

• Built-in trash compactors fit under the kitchen countertop or under the bar. Their sides are minimally insulated to allow it to fit in the space within cabinetry.
• Garage trash compactors are freestanding trash compactors with finished, insulated sides and reinforced top. They also have durable wheels for easy relocation as needed.
• A convertible trash compactor can be used as a freestanding or built-in unit.

How to Choose the Best Trash Compactor

Trash compactor reviews will give an indication of other customers’ experiences, but it’s a good idea to know what to look for in the best trash compactor for your own household.

Trash Compactor Sizes

Trash compactor sizes indicate how much the bin can hold prior to and after compaction. The amount and types of waste that can be condensed depends on the ram force of the compactor, usually indicated by the compaction ratio of the appliance, whether 4:1, 5:1, or 6:1. Keep in mind that the amount of garbage loaded into electric trash compactors still has to be removed from it, and the higher the ratio, the heavier the bags become.

Style Considerations

An important factor in choosing kitchen appliances is finding one that matches the design of the room. The best trash compactors are available in a finish to coordinate with the other appliances. Look for panel ready trash compactors, or choose from stylish black, white, or stainless steel finishes. 

There are different options for the designs of the control panels on waste management compactors. Fully integrated controls are hidden in the top edge of the door, while full console controls are displayed along the door panel.

The Best Trash Compactor Features

Operational features like foot pedal opening systems and trash baskets that tilt or swing out to allow easier bag removal are similar to the familiar kitchen garbage bins. While compactors can be noisier than the average trash can, insulation built into the casing of the appliance helps minimize the sound and reduce the inconvenience.

For bottles or cans, the fragile, sharp objects can be placed in the middle of the load to be crushed without ripping the bag. Some trash compactors have a seperate area for recyclable items such as aluminum cans. 

Depending on the horsepower of the garbage compactor, the contents are crushed with up to 5,000 pounds of pressure, which is a dangerous amount of force if used incorrectly. The best waste compactors include safety sensors to ensure that the appliance will only operate in the ideal conditions to keep users safe.

Look for safety features that include: 

• A unit lock that prevents the compactor from working unless the lock is latched closed, such as child locks, or removable key switches.
• Tilt Sensors that prevent the trash compactor from working if the unit is tilted or not settled flat. 
• Anti-jamming sensors to prevent unevenly balanced or incorrectly loaded trash from interfering with the compactor weight. 

Another feature to look for when considering a trash compactor is the unit’s odor control. Compacted garbage can be tucked away inside the appliance for longer before the bag is full, with layers of smells locked into the bin. Odor control can keep your kitchen smelling fresh, thanks to air fresheners and odor-absorbing charcoal filters built into the unit.

Ultimately, a trash compactor offers convenience and boosts cleanliness over the traditional garbage bin. The various options between types of trash compactors can be customized to best match your lifestyle, so be sure to choose the right features when you make your purchase.