I installed this compactor in my clients home. It is quiet, works well and looks fabulous with the rest of the appliances. It helped to bridge the gap between all stainless and some all black appliances.
simple to install. good looking product. to open it, you have to push on the bottom kickplate which does not feel real solid and is sometimes a bit awkward. I am not sure it will hold up to years of kicking it to open the compactor but I might be wrong. It may be tougher than I think
i use this product in an office environment. it is the second one i have bought in 4 years. the first one, also by kitchenaid was problematic from the beginning, it was a higher model with the foot controling the compacting and open ing. this one like the one i have at home requires a knob to be turned to activate the compactor. much more reliable.