We should probably have a top 50! Nothing brings on the gas like a cool new compressor. We all have more than we need, but they all have something unique about them.

All compressors, though perhaps to a lesser degree than equalizers, sound different...if you listen close enough. Hence a 10 best list...like most 10 best lists...is laughable at best and misleading at worst. And while it is true that almost any hammer will drive a nail, the true artisan prefers quality tools. And the EXACT right tool for the job...even something as simple as nail driving.YMWNV

@Eddie: mmm, forgot that mighty sweet OverTone you made me buy ;)
@TheMaartian: no, you're not wrong, it's PACE all over, but some developers like UVI let you choose between a stick and a software hard place.

Think all agree that some list of the best whatever borders on blasphemy. Like Bit said, this list should be 10 good compressors. No such thing as 10 best, at least in this running.
 
Honorable mention of a dynamite "good" compressor is the Melda MCompressor. Free in their free effects bundle.
 
Anyone squashing an input to the insane has taken on karmic battle with the noise floor, meaning a gate is needed after the comp if you are going to survive the noise swell in quiet passages. No way around it.
 
MCompressor creates custom Benzier curves of the compression cycle. Something you cannot do with the normal generic knobs on all other compressors. (Any other stomp I missed that can do this?)
 
Zooming in and a tweak of the left side of the compression curve allows you to set the attack profile just above the local noise floor, and then create the desired time curve. The comp also provides characteristic punch and sustain unique to Melda as far as my burned out ears can hear. Means a comp with attitude and a customizable noise gate all in one unit. Check it out. Another "good" compressor:
 
http://www.meldaproduction.com/plugins/product.php?id=MCompressor
 
John

I never quite understand how "best" is decided on these kinds of lists.

bitflipper 
The list should be titled "10 Good Compressors".

Thank you, Bit.
 
If I may,
 
10 Compressors I Use:
 
Cakewalk:
CA-2A
Sonitus Comp
PC4K Bus Comp
Sonitus MB Comp
 
IK:
Bus Comp
 
Melda:
MComp
 
Waves:
H-Comp
R-Comp
V-Comp
C4 MB Comp
 
 

These are my "go to" compressors:
 
Waves SSL
Waves H-Comp
The Glue
Bendeth 10db
Waves dbx160
Fabfilter Pro C
Cakewalk CA2A
 
The other Waves compressors are pretty good as well. Slate's VMR stuff is pretty good, but I'm still learning how to use them, so I haven't yet formed an opinion. They sound good off the bat, but there is something about them that I'm not sure I like.
 
Regards,
Dan

Think we can narrow it down to 50 if we try.

Cents?

No Cents apparently.