# Best Plate Compactors and Hand Tampers for Pavers and Gravel (2026) Plate compactors and hand tampers ranked on their makers' published specs for paver patios and gravel bases, with lifts and base gravel worked out from the calculators. Buying guide page: (published 2026-10-06, updated 2026-10-06). This Markdown version has the picks, how they were ranked, their published specs and the figures behind them; product links and the full article are on the page. ## Key takeaways - Compact a paver base in layers: Unilock says most plate compactors will not compact more than 4 in, so lay it 3 to 4 in at a time. A 6 in patio base is 2 lifts. - A maker's "compaction depth" of 12 in or more is not a lift. Tomahawk's TPC80H is the only pick here whose maker states a depth per lift, and it matches Unilock's layers. - Run a plate compactor over the laid pavers only with a pad: Unilock calls a protective plate cover a must. Tomahawk sells a poly pad for the TPC80H and TPC90H. - The base runs 6 in past each edge, so the paver calculator's 12 × 12 ft patio needs gravel for 13 × 13 ft: 3.13 cu yd at 6 in, before any compaction allowance. - Picks are ranked on the makers' published specs for this job, not on our own use of them. ## In this guide 1. [Quick picks](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/plate-compactors-for-pavers/#quick-picks) 2. [How we chose](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/plate-compactors-for-pavers/#methodology) 3. [The picks in detail](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/plate-compactors-for-pavers/#picks) 4. [Spec comparison](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/plate-compactors-for-pavers/#comparison) 5. [What to look for in a plate compactor for pavers](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/plate-compactors-for-pavers/#what-to-look-for) 6. [Plate compactor specs side by side](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/plate-compactors-for-pavers/#compactor-specs) 7. [Base gravel and lifts for a paver patio](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/plate-compactors-for-pavers/#base-and-lifts) 8. [Hand tamper or plate compactor?](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/plate-compactors-for-pavers/#tamper-or-compactor) 9. [Frequently asked questions](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/plate-compactors-for-pavers/#faq) ## Quick picks **Quick picks, in rank order** | Rank | Pick | Best for | Type | Plate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Tomahawk TPC80H 5.5 HP Honda Vibratory Plate Compactor | Best overall for paver patios and walkways | Forward plate compactor, gas | 17 × 21 in | | 2 | Tomahawk TPC90H 5.5 HP Honda Vibratory Plate Compactor with Water Tank | Best for driveway bases and asphalt | Forward plate compactor, gas | 22 × 20 in | | 3 | Tomahawk eJXPC50 2 HP Electric Plate Compactor | Best electric plate compactor | Plate compactor, electric | 19 × 15 in | | 4 | XtremepowerUS 61019 6HP Gas Plate Compactor | Best for 15 kN on a smaller plate | Vibratory plate compactor, gas | 20 × 17 in | | 5 | VEVOR CNP60C-2 6.5 HP Gas Plate Compactor | Best for covering open ground quickly | Walk-behind plate compactor, gas | 20.1 × 15 in | | 6 | Kraft Tool CC939 10 in. × 10 in. All Steel Tamper | Best hand tamper for edges and small areas | Hand tamper, one-piece steel | 10 × 10 in | | 7 | Bully Tools 92540 Thick Steel Plate Tamper | Best lighter hand tamper | Hand tamper, steel plate and steel handle | 9.75 × 9.75 × 3/8 in steel | ## How we chose Ranked on published manufacturer specs and features for compacting the gravel base under DIY paver patios and walkways and setting the laid pavers; not hands-on tested. Every spec is quoted from the maker's product page or manual and was checked on 2026-10-06. No prices or ratings are shown; the order is a judgment on these criteria: 1. **A paver pad from the maker.** Unilock tamps the laid pavers with a compactor in all directions and calls a protective plate cover a must, because the steel plate can mar or damage the stones. A compactor whose maker sells a pad for it can make that final pass as well as compact the base. One point. 2. **Published depth per lift.** Unilock says most plate compactors will not compact more than 4 in of base and asks for layers of 3 to 4 in. A maker that states the depth its plate compacts per lift lets you plan those layers; a "compaction depth" of 12 in or more describes how deep vibration reaches, not a lift. One point. 3. **Published machine weight.** You lift a compactor into a truck and steer it around the patio by hand. A published weight tells you before it arrives whether you need a helper or a ramp. One point. 4. **Force, compared like for like.** The force the plate's exciter produces, in kN, breaks ties between compactors with the same points. We compare it only between makers that call it centrifugal force; a pick that quotes another force term ranks after them. 5. **Power source: gas or electric.** A gas engine works anywhere on the site. An electric plate runs from a household outlet with no exhaust, but needs a heavy extension cord. Not scored: it decides which pick suits your yard. 6. **Plate and weight for hand tamping.** A hand tamper firms edges, corners and spots around posts that a plate compactor cannot reach. Plate compactors rank above tampers for a whole base; tampers rank by published weight, heaviest first. ## The picks in detail ### 1. Best overall for paver patios and walkways: Tomahawk TPC80H **Tomahawk TPC80H 5.5 HP Honda Vibratory Plate Compactor.** The only pick whose maker states a depth per lift: 3–4 in at 100% compaction, the same layers Unilock asks for, so a 6 in patio base is 2 lifts. It puts 13 kN of centrifugal force on a 17 × 21 in plate from a 5.5 HP Honda GX160, weighs a published 176 lb, and Tomahawk sells it with a poly pad for the final pass over the pavers. Ranked on: a paver pad from the maker, published depth per lift, published machine weight, force, compared like for like. - Type: Forward plate compactor, gas - Plate: 17 × 21 in - Force: 13 kN centrifugal force - Power: 5.5 HP Honda GX160 gas engine - Weight: 176 lb - Lift depth: 3–4 in per lift at 100% compaction - Travel speed: 79 ft/min - Paver pad: Poly pad sold with the compactor as an option - Warranty: 3-year engine, 2-year product Specs from [Tomahawk 5.5 HP Honda Vibratory Plate Compactor (TPC80H) product page](https://tomahawk-power.com/products/5-5-hp-honda-powered-gas-plate-compactor-tamper-for-asphalt-soil-compaction) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 2. Best for driveway bases and asphalt: Tomahawk TPC90H **Tomahawk TPC90H 5.5 HP Honda Vibratory Plate Compactor with Water Tank.** 15 kN of centrifugal force, tied for the most here, on the largest plate here, 22 × 20 in, with a 3.5 gal water tank for asphalt and the same poly pad option. Unilock's driveway base is 8 to 12 in; Tomahawk states compaction of soils up to 12 in but no depth per lift, so still lay it in 3–4 in layers. At 240 lb it is the heaviest compactor here. Ranked on: force, compared like for like, a paver pad from the maker, published machine weight. - Type: Forward plate compactor, gas - Plate: 22 × 20 in - Force: 15 kN centrifugal force - Power: 5.5 HP Honda GX160 gas engine - Weight: 240 lb - Compaction depth: Up to 12 in (cohesive and granular soils) - Water tank: 3.5 gal - Paver pad: Poly pad sold with the compactor as an option Specs from [Tomahawk 5.5 HP Honda Vibratory Plate Compactor for Asphalt, Aggregate and Soil (TPC90H) product page](https://tomahawk-power.com/products/5-5-hp-honda-vibratory-plate-compactor-for-asphalt-aggregate-soil-compaction) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 3. Best electric plate compactor: Tomahawk eJXPC50 **Tomahawk eJXPC50 2 HP Electric Plate Compactor.** A 2.0 HP brushless 120 V motor instead of an engine, so there is no exhaust beside the house; Tomahawk says to run it on a 12-gauge extension cord or heavier. At 110 lb it is the lightest compactor here with a published weight, and it puts 9.4 kN of centrifugal force on a 19 × 15 in plate. Tomahawk gives 6.2 in of compaction in granular soils but no depth per lift, and lists no paver pad for it. Ranked on: power source: gas or electric, published machine weight, force, compared like for like. - Type: Plate compactor, electric - Plate: 19 × 15 in - Force: 9.4 kN centrifugal force - Power: 2.0 HP (1.5 kW) brushless 120 V electric motor - Weight: 110 lb - Compaction depth: 6.2 in (granular soils) - Travel speed: 79 ft/min - Cord: 12-gauge extension cord or heavier - Warranty: 1 year Specs from [Tomahawk 2 HP Electric Vibratory Plate Compactor (eJXPC50) product page](https://tomahawk-power.com/products/2-hp-electric-vibratory-plate-compactor-tamper-for-gravel-soil-compaction) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 4. Best for 15 kN on a smaller plate: XtremepowerUS 61019 **XtremepowerUS 61019 6HP Gas Plate Compactor.** 15 kN of centrifugal force, tied for the most here, on a 20 × 17 in plate, from a 6 HP, 208 cc Kohler CH260 engine. XtremepowerUS publishes no weight, no depth per lift and no paver pad, so use it on the gravel base and lay that base in Unilock's 3–4 in layers rather than its stated 13 in compaction depth. Ranked on: force, compared like for like, power source: gas or electric. - Type: Vibratory plate compactor, gas - Plate: 20 × 17 in - Force: 15 kN centrifugal force - Power: 6 HP (4.1 kW), 208 cc Kohler CH260 gas engine - Compaction depth: Up to 13 in - Travel speed: 80 ft/min Specs from [XtremepowerUS 6HP Plate Compactor (61019) product page](https://xtremepowerusa.com/products/6hp-walk-behind-plate-compactor-vibration-tamper-epa-carb-kohler-motor) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 5. Best for covering open ground quickly: VEVOR CNP60C-2 **VEVOR CNP60C-2 6.5 HP Gas Plate Compactor.** A 6.5 HP, 196 cc gas engine and a 20.1 × 15 in plate that travels 82 ft/min, the fastest published travel speed here. VEVOR rates it at 10.5 kN of compaction force, a different term from the centrifugal force the others state, so we do not rank the two against each other. It has no published weight, depth per lift or paver pad; lay the base in 3–4 in layers. Ranked on: power source: gas or electric, force, compared like for like. - Type: Walk-behind plate compactor, gas - Plate: 20.1 × 15 in - Force: 10.5 kN compaction force - Power: 6.5 HP, 196 cc gas engine - Compaction depth: 12 in - Travel speed: 82 ft/min Specs from [VEVOR Plate Compactor, 6.5 HP 196CC Gas Engine (CNP60C-2) product page](https://www.vevor.com/plate-compactor-c_43335/vevor-plate-compactor-6-5-hp-196cc-gas-engine-5600-vpm-vibrating-ground-rammer-2360-lbs-compaction-force-20-1-x-15-in-plate-walk-behind-compactor-for-paver-landscaping-asphalt-foundation-soil-p_010289929759) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 6. Best hand tamper for edges and small areas: Kraft Tool CC939 **Kraft Tool CC939 10 in. × 10 in. All Steel Tamper.** A one-piece steel tamper with a 10 × 10 in plate and a published weight of 23 lb, the heavier of the two tampers here, standing 48 in tall with a rubber end grip. Each blow covers 0.69 sq ft, so keep it for edges, corners and posts and leave the open base to a plate compactor. Ranked on: plate and weight for hand tamping. - Type: Hand tamper, one-piece steel - Plate: 10 × 10 in - Weight: 23 lb - Handle: 48 in tall, rubber end grip Specs from [Kraft Tool Co. 10" x 10" All Steel Tamper (CC939) product page](https://www.krafttool.com/CC939) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 7. Best lighter hand tamper: Bully Tools 92540 **Bully Tools 92540 Thick Steel Plate Tamper.** A 9.75 × 9.75 in plate of 3/8 in steel on an all-steel handle with a rubber grip. At 16 lb it is the lighter of the two tampers here, for longer stretches of tamping by hand along walkway edges and around posts. Ranked on: plate and weight for hand tamping. - Type: Hand tamper, steel plate and steel handle - Plate: 9.75 × 9.75 × 3/8 in steel - Handle: All-steel, rubber grip - Overall size: 48 × 10 × 10 in - Weight: 16 lb Specs from [Bully Tools Thick Steel Plate Tamper (92540) product page](https://www.bullytools.com/products/lawn-and-garden/digging-tools-tampers/thick-steel-plate-tamper/) (checked 2026-10-06). ## Spec comparison **Published specs of each pick** | Pick | Type | Plate | Weight | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. Tomahawk TPC80H | Forward plate compactor, gas | 17 × 21 in | 176 lb | | 2. Tomahawk TPC90H | Forward plate compactor, gas | 22 × 20 in | 240 lb | | 3. Tomahawk eJXPC50 | Plate compactor, electric | 19 × 15 in | 110 lb | | 4. XtremepowerUS 61019 | Vibratory plate compactor, gas | 20 × 17 in | Not published | | 5. VEVOR CNP60C-2 | Walk-behind plate compactor, gas | 20.1 × 15 in | Not published | | 6. Kraft Tool CC939 | Hand tamper, one-piece steel | 10 × 10 in | 23 lb | | 7. Bully Tools 92540 | Hand tamper, steel plate and steel handle | 9.75 × 9.75 × 3/8 in steel | 16 lb | “Not published” means the maker's page or manual does not state it. ## Figures behind the picks Computed with this site's calculators; the page shows the working. - Base layers (Unilock): 3–4 in per lift; no more than 4 in per lift for most plate compactors - Base depth (Unilock): 4 to 6 in for walkways; 8 to 12 in for driveways - Lifts for a 4 in base: 1–2 (4 ÷ 4 = 1.00, 4 ÷ 3 = 1.33, rounded up) - Lifts for a 6 in base: 2 (6 ÷ 4 = 1.50, 6 ÷ 3 = 2.00, rounded up) - Lifts for a 8 in base: 2–3 (8 ÷ 4 = 2.00, 8 ÷ 3 = 2.67, rounded up) - Lifts for a 12 in base: 3–4 (12 ÷ 4 = 3.00, 12 ÷ 3 = 4.00, rounded up) - Paver patio (the paver calculator's default): 12 × 12 ft, 144 sq ft: 736 pavers of 7.87 × 3.94 in with a 10% allowance - Base under the pavers, 6 in deep (paver calculator): 72 cu ft, 2.67 cu yd - Base footprint, 6 in past each edge (Unilock): 13 × 13 ft, 169 sq ft - Base gravel for that footprint, 6 in deep (gravel calculator, no allowance): 84.5 cu ft, 3.13 cu yd; 3.5 cu yd in half-yard steps - Lifts for that 6 in base: 2 lifts of 3 in - Plate footprints per lift on 169 sq ft, before overlap: Kraft Tool CC939 (10 × 10 in, 0.69 sq ft): 244; Tomahawk TPC80H (17 × 21 in, 2.48 sq ft): 69 ## Frequently asked questions ### How thick should each layer of paver base be? Unilock asks for layers of 3 to 4 in, because most plate compactors will not compact more than 4 in of base. A 6 in patio base is 2 lifts; a 12 in driveway base is 3–4, depending on whether each layer is 4 or 3 in. ### Can I run a plate compactor over pavers? Yes, as the last step: after the pavers are laid and swept clean, Unilock tamps them with a compactor in all directions and says a protective plate cover is a must, because the steel plate can mar or damage the stones. Do not compact the bedding sand before the pavers go down. ### How much gravel base do I need for a 12 × 12 paver patio? At 6 in deep, run 6 in past each edge as Unilock describes, the base covers 13 × 13 ft: 84.5 cu ft or 3.13 cu yd, 3.5 cu yd in half-yard steps. Compacted gravel takes up less room than the loose gravel delivered, so ask your supplier how much extra to order. ### Is a hand tamper enough for a paver patio? For edges, corners and small areas, yes. Over a whole base it is slow: the 13 × 13 ft base is about 244 blows of a 10 × 10 in tamper per lift before any overlap, against about 69 footprints of a 17 × 21 in compactor plate. ### What does compaction depth mean on a plate compactor? Makers quote it in different ways: XtremepowerUS gives 13 in, VEVOR 12 in, and Tomahawk up to 12 in of soil for the TPC90H. Only Tomahawk's TPC80H page states a depth per lift, 3–4 in at 100% compaction. For a paver base, follow Unilock's 3 to 4 in layers whatever the larger figure says. ### Did you test these compactors? No. They are ranked on each maker's published specs for compacting a paver or gravel base, and every spec on this page links to the maker's own page. The lifts and gravel figures come from Unilock's installation guidance and this site's paver and gravel calculators. ## Related calculators and guides ### Calculators - [Paver Calculator](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/paver-calculator/) — Pavers and pallets for a patio or walkway from area and paver size, with optional base gravel and bedding sand volumes. - [Gravel Calculator](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/gravel-calculator/) — Gravel, crushed rock, or landscape rock volume in cubic yards and meters, with an optional weight from your supplier's density. ### Guides - [Gravel driveway layers: base, depth, and stone types](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/gravel-driveway-layers/) — Layer thickness, stone choice, crown, ditches, and ordering for a gravel driveway, from road agency manuals. - [How Many Pavers Are on a Pallet?](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-many-pavers-on-a-pallet/) — Units, square feet, and weight per pallet from manufacturer cut sheets, and how to order pallets for a patio. - [Gravel Sizes and Types: #57, #8, Crusher Run, and More](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/gravel-sizes-and-types/) — Size numbers, sieve ranges, and stated uses for #57, #8, crusher run, #411, and pea gravel, from state DOT specifications. - [How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Gravel Weigh?](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-much-does-a-yard-of-gravel-weigh/) — Tons per cubic yard for crushed aggregate, loose versus compacted, and how to convert a volume into an order by weight. ## Sources - [Do's and Don'ts of Paver Installation: Step 2 of 3 - Base Preparation](https://unilock.com/diy/dos-and-donts-of-paver-installation-base-preparation-23/) — Unilock. Used for: Base 4–6 in for pedestrian walkways, 8–12 in for driveways; compact in layers of 3–4 in; base extends past the paved edge by its depth; bedding layer not compacted. Checked 2026-10-06. - [Do's and Don'ts of Paver Installation: Step 3 of 3 - Installing the Pavers](https://unilock.com/diy/dos-and-donts-of-paver-installation-installing-the-pavers-33/) — Unilock. Used for: Compact the laid, cleaned pavers in all directions with a protective plate cover on the compactor. Checked 2026-10-06. - [NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C: General Tables of Units of Measurement](https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2025/12/30/appc-26-HB44-20251222.pdf) — National Institute of Standards and Technology. Used for: 1 yd³ = 27 ft³; 1 US gal = 231 in³. Checked 2026-10-03. **Estimate only.** Results are planning estimates computed from the numbers you enter. They are not engineering, structural, or code advice. Confirm quantities, product yields, and installation requirements with your supplier, the product label, and your local building authority before you order or build.