Best Plate Compactors and Rammers Under $1,000

A wide plate for homeowners and small crews doing driveways and large patios on a budget. Expect the force to be lower than the box says.

A solid mid-price plate for homeowners who want a name-brand engine. It is slower than most, but its force claim is believable.

A big, cheap plate with a water tank for driveways and asphalt patches. Plan for a ramp, since it has no wheels.

A low-cost plate with a water tank for small asphalt patches as well as gravel. Buy it knowing the warranty terms are not stated.

A mid-price plate with a believable force rating for landscapers and serious homeowners. The warranty is short.

A budget plate with a big force claim for patio and walkway bases. Little is published about it, so treat the numbers with care.

A light, low-cost plate for homeowners laying a patio or walkway base. It rolls on its own wheels and carries a two-year home warranty.

A wide budget plate for larger patios and driveway bases. Plan on a ramp or two people, since no wheels come with it.

A light, cheap plate for homeowners setting pavers or a shed pad. It is small, so work in thin lifts.

A cheap plate for a one-time patio or shed base. The 90-day warranty makes it a poor pick for repeat work.

A cheap plate for one-off paver and patio bases. The force claim is well above what a 142 lb plate delivers.

A cheap, small plate for walkways and paver patches. Bigger jobs need a bigger plate.

A small, cheap plate for a walkway or shed pad. Larger bases go much faster with a bigger plate.

A low-cost rammer for one-off trench and footing work. Little beyond force and engine size is published.

A budget rammer for homeowners backfilling a trench or setting footings. The force figure is optimistic for its weight.

A cheap, heavy rammer for occasional trench and footing work. Stark does not publish its impact force.