The article discusses various methods of compaction of composite materials: static, vibration, shock, as well as combined action. The designs of mechanisms for compaction are given: a vibrating press, a vibrating plate, a mechanism with a ramming bar, a continuous press for molding products from powdery masses with a connecting rod-rocker impact mechanism, a machine for compacting rigid concrete mixtures, and others. Their principle of operation is considered, advantages and disadvantages are indicated. The analysis of existing compacting methods allows synthesizing the accumulated knowledge in this field, combining them into a single system, finding shortcomings and ways to improve the applied compacting methods in order to increase the productivity of the process, reduce the required drive power of the mechanism, improve the operational characteristics of products. The works of Russian researchers are considered: E.A. Shishkin, A.A. Smolyakov, O.G. Klevtsova, V.I. Ivanchura, A.P. Prokopyev and others. The works of foreign researchers are also considered: Donghai Liu, Ning Wang, Erbo Song, Carl Wersall, K. Rainer Massarsch, Johan Spross and others. The research examines modern methods of compaction, including practical experiments aimed at identifying the most optimal parameters of equipment operation and refining the designs of existing mechanisms. The authors note that many processes related to compaction require additional experimental studies, and the existing methods of compaction are not effective enough and have disadvantages that cannot be eliminated without making significant changes. Thus, it is necessary to apply new methods that meet the requirements of modern technological processes.