They're 15 inches wide, 34 1/2 inches tall, 24 inches deep. They weigh about 150 pounds. So it doesn't have to be this big, ugly thing, standing there bulking up your kitchen. Most of them are built into cabinets, and now there's a new Broan model that's even shallower - 22 1/4 inches deep. Or you can get a stainless-steel, black, or white freestanding unit and ass a cutting board top so it extends your counter surface.

What about the smell?
New models address that. There's a compartment for a charcoal filter. They run about $5 each. Broan makes a model that has an odor-reduction disc that cycles through automatically for up to six months. But really, when people complain about the smell, just put a piece of newspaper over the trash. It's a simple fix, a little trick no company tells you about. That way, when the compacting plate comes down, it doesn't touch the trash, just newspaper, so it doesn't get dirty before it lifts back up.
What other accessories do I need?
Just the plastic bags, which are about $1 each.
How good are compactors for the environment?
Some people say that they're not green, that the trash is so tightly compacted that it slows decomposition. But they're great for compacting recyclables. Often, people will buy two compactors - one for trash and one for recyclables. Some areas charge for recycling by the bin, and you use fewer bins by compacting your bottles and cans. Not glass, though - I don't recommend crushing glass.

How much can I expect to spend?
There's a Whirlpool model for $550. A high-level Electrolux is about $1,500.

Safety features?
Oh yeah, once you hit start, you can't open it. No way a kid can open the door and put her brother in! Also, Broan has a model with a removable key - you can't even turn it on without the key. Kids can close it, but it won't start, so they can't throw in toys or glass bottles. Only you can start it, with your key.

Skeptical?
I'd have to say that all the negative things you could think of are taken care of - they're not smelly, noisy, bulky. They're convenient. You take out the trash less, you contribute less to the landfill. But this is the coolest thing: If very single household in the U.S. had a trash compactor, our landfills could be reduced by 80 percent. Can you believe that? Huge. It's also a kitchen appliance that guys are really hip to, since taking out the trash is usually the guy's job.