Best Can Crusher
Recycling your aluminum cans is a smart move because it can help the environment and reduce waste by making it possible for the material to be reused. But if you’ve been recycling cans for any amount of time, you know they can take up a lot of space and fill up your recycling bill quickly, especially if you consume a lot of drinks, such as beer and soda, that are in cans. But did you know that there’s something you can do about this problem? The solution is to get yourself a good quality can crusher.
As the name implies, a can crusher will crush your aluminum cans down into a small package so they’ll take up a lot less space in your recycling bin. And the best part is that today’s can crushers are really easy to use, as well as affordably priced, so there’s sure to be something for you regardless of your budget.
There Is More Than One Type of Can Crusher
When you begin looking for a can crusher, you’ll see that there are many options out there. And you’ll also note that there are different types of can crushers that you can choose from.
One easy option is to mount your can crusher to a wall. You can set it up in your garage over your recycling bin or inside your home—wherever you’ll find it easiest to crush and dispose of your cans is the best place to set this up.
With a wall mounted can crusher, you basically pull a handle to quickly and easily crush the can down to a compact size. Then, you can take the can and toss it into your recycling bin. Just be careful, as there might be sharp edges that could cut you, so you might want to wear a pair of gloves to protect yourself.
Another popular option is the countertop can crusher that will rest horizontally rather than be set up vertically on a wall. These are typically designed to be used with the push of a button or, as you’ll see in the list of products below, a foot pedal. When you press the button, the can crusher will automatically crush the can, and the can will fall into your recycling bin below. This is faster and could help you crush more cans in a shorter amount of time. But if you don’t go through a lot of cans in a short span of time, getting a more basic wall mounted can crusher that crushes just one can at a time might be sufficient for your needs.
Typically, whether you go with a can crusher that you operate manually or not, you want it to be easy to use. Consider checking customer reviews on any products that you’re thinking about buying, as they can shed some light on features, simplicity of use, etc. For instance, while a can crusher might seem great at first, you might discover that the handle is designed poorly and, therefore, makes it difficult to use the product.
Are You Interested in Getting a Can Crusher?
Now that you have a general idea of what a can crusher is, and how flattening your cans with this type of product can come in handy, you might be interested in seeing some of the options that are currently out there. Well, to help you get started, we’ve compiled the list of items below. As you’ll see, this list includes different types of can crushers, and the products range in price as well, depending on their features.
1. Editor’s Choice: HomeBuddy Can Crusher for Recycling
This can crusher is the type that you can mount to a wall so it won’t be in your way. It’s made of thick metal for durability, and it can crush 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans. Also, the ergonomic handle is long and designed to be easy to grip and move. Plus, the base has a soft rubber liner that can help ensure the crushed cans won’t pop out.
Pros:
- This product is made of thick metal and has an ergonomic handle.
- You can use this can crusher as a bottle opener too.
- This can crusher works with 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans.
- You can mount this can crusher to a wall.
Cons:
- You can only crush one can at a time.
- You need to manually remove each can after it’s crushed.
2. Runner Up: Dial Industries M92 Can Crusher
Another option that’s worth considering is this can crusher, which can hold up to 10 cans. Rather than placing one can and crushing it before moving on to the next one, you can put several cans into this crusher and crush them all within seconds. Plus, after each can is crushed, it’s ejected so you don’t need to use your hands to pull it out and toss it into your recycling bin.
Pros:
- You can flatten several cans in a short span of time with this can crusher.
- Because the cans are ejected, you don’t need to worry about touching the rough or sharp edges of crushed cans.
- You can mount this can crusher to a wall.
Cons:
- Some people might find it harder to pull the handle up rather than down like other can crushers.
- This can crusher works best with 12-ounce cans.
3. Best Versatile: Mckay 16 oz. Metal Can Crusher
Another option that’s worth considering in the world of wall-mounted can crushers is this one from McKay. It can be used to crush cans of various sizes, including 8-ounce, 12-ounce, and 16-ounce cans. But what’s also nice about this product is the fact that it will even crush plastic bottles. The base features rubber to keep the can in place after it’s crushed so it doesn’t fall out unexpectedly, and the handle is soft and designed to be easy to grip. Plus, it has a bottle opener built in for added convenience.
Pros:
- This can crusher is made of durable steel.
- You can mount this can crusher on a wall.
- This product can crush a variety of cans, as well as water bottles.
- The handle is easy to grip to make crushing cans easier.
Cons:
- Some customer reviews state this product could be sturdier.
4. Best for 12-Ounce Cans: Ram-Pro 12 oz Aluminum Can Crusher & Bottle Opener
This is an affordably priced can crusher that you can mount to your wall. Just put an aluminum can in it, pull the handle down to crush it, and then take the crushed can out to throw it into your recycling bin. The grip on the handle is comfortable, there’s a bottle opener built in, and installing this product is easy.
Pros:
- This can crusher is made of steel for durability.
- The handle has a soft grip for comfort.
- This is a compact can crusher, measuring about 13.1 inches high by 4.4 inches wide.
Cons:
- This model only crushes 12-ounce cans, but there is another model that’s designed to hold 16-ounce cans.
5. Best for Efficiency: TELERABBIT Pneumatic Can Crusher
If, for any reason, you don’t like the idea of having to pull a handle to crush a can, a pneumatic can crusher like this one might be the best option for you. Designed to crush six cans in mere seconds, this product can save you time and reduce your effort. Plus, it works with cans of various sizes, such as 16-ounce, 12-ounce, and 10-ounce cans. Just stack the cans, press the button, and let this machine do all of the hard work for you. The cans will automatically drop out of the bottom of the crusher into your recycling bin too.
Pros:
- This can crusher is designed to work quickly, and all you have to do is push a button.
- This crusher can hold cans of varying sizes, and it can hold up to 6 cans at a time.
- This product can be assembled easily, and you can choose from single can mode and multi-can mode.
Cons:
- This can crusher is designed to be mounted on a countertop.
- This product is more expensive than other can crushers.
6. Best with Foot Pedal: Lhfacc Auto Can Crusher
Another option in the world of pneumatic can crushers is this one, which comes with a handy pedal valve so you don’t even need to use your hands. Just stack the cans you want to crush and press down on the pedal to crush each one quickly and easily. After each can is flattened, it will drop out of the bottom, so if you put your recycling bin underneath, it’ll catch it. This can help you save time when you have a lot of cans that need to be crushed.
Pros:
- This can crusher can hold several cans and flattens cans quickly.
- You can simply press on a pedal to crush each can with ease.
Cons:
- If you want to crush 16-ounce cans, you’ll need to manually set them in place.
7. Best Wall-Mounted: The Crusher Pacific Precision Metals Aluminum Can Compactor
This can crusher can be mounted to your wall, and it’s made of steel. It can crush 12-ounce cans and 16-ounce cans to the point that they’re about an inch thick. This means it can help you save a lot of space in your recycling bin. Also, the handle is designed to be comfortable and easy to grab. All you have to do is set the can in place, pull the handle down, lift the handle, pull out the crushed can, and then move on to the next can if you have one.
Pros:
- This product is designed to be easy to use.
- You can use this can crusher for 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans.
Cons:
- There’s no rubber base to help keep the can in place.
- You can only crush one can at a time.
8. Best Countertop: ATTEC Aluminum Can Crusher
If you don’t want to manually crush cans, or if you don’t want to mount your crusher to a wall, this is another great option that’s worth considering. You can set a can in place, press a button, and let the machine do the work of crushing the can. Plus, the flattened can will fall into your recycling bin below, so you don’t need to worry about taking it out by hand. Just set this up on a countertop and crush cans in minutes.
Pros:
- This can crusher is made of steel.
- You can crush 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans with this product.
- This product is easy to use because you can crush cans with the press of a button.
Cons:
- Like other automatic can crushers, this one is pricey.
- You can only place one can at a time in this can crusher.
Things to look out for:
As you begin looking for the right can crusher for your needs, there are several things that are worth keeping in mind to help ensure you make a decision you’ll be happy with for a long time. Here are some of the things we recommend looking into as you browse the many products that are for sale:
First, think about where you’ll be able to put your can crusher. This is a product that could take up quite a bit of space, so you’ll want to check the dimensions. Figure out where you’ll be able to place the can crusher so it will be easy to use whenever you need it. A wall mounted option is great, but if you don’t like the idea of having a can crusher hanging on your wall, you can go with a countertop version instead if you have a sturdy table for it. Also, you might be able to find products that are designed for use outdoors.
In addition to the overall size of a can crusher, also consider how many cans it can hold and how small the cans will be after they’re crushed. The flatter it can make every can, the better, but again, be careful with potentially sharp edges. If you go through a lot of aluminum cans because you have a big family or you like to throw parties at home, a can crusher that will hold a larger amount of cans will be a good choice. Think about how much time you have to dedicate to crushing cans, and then decide if you’d be okay with a product that makes it possible to crush only one can at a time or a few cans within minutes.
Can crushers that are capable of flattening several cans quickly are typically electric models that work with the push of a button. Electric options are also a great choice for anyone who doesn’t want to use their hands to pull a handle to crush their cans. For example, if you have a condition that makes it difficult to operate a manual can crusher, going with an electric one can simplify things.
Beyond the number of cans that a product can crush, and how quickly it can get the job done, also consider the size of the cans that it can crush. Some can crushers are designed to work with cans of varying sizes, so this gives you greater flexibility. However, others might only work with cans of specific sizes, such as 12 ounces. Depending on the size of the cans you typically purchase, you can narrow down your options based on this feature.
Also, consider if you want a can crusher that will work on crushing plastic bottles. As you can see in the list of products above, there are options that provide this extra feature as well, and it can certainly come in handy and further help you save space in your recycling bin.
If you do opt to go with a manual can crusher, check the handle’s features. Is it ergonomically designed to be easier and more comfortable to use? Is it easy to grip and move? Reading customer reviews can shed light on how easy it will be to use a manual can crusher.
Yet another thing to consider is what the can crusher is made of. There are those that are made of plastic, but if you want something that’s more durable, you might want to go with one that’s made of steel.
Finally, another feature you might come across is a drip guard to prevent messes if there’s any liquid left in the cans you’re crushing. Also, safety features are always a plus, too, regardless of the type of can crusher you decide to go with.