A data storage system includes a host interface configured to be coupled to a host device, to receive data from the host device, and to send data to the host device and a memory. The data storage system further includes a primary compression engine coupled to the host interface and to the memory, wherein the primary compression engine is configured to compress data received from the host device via the host interface and to store the compressed data in the memory, and wherein the primary compression engine is further configured to decompress compressed data stored in the memory prior to the decompressed data being sent to the host device via the host interface. The data storage system further includes a secondary compression engine coupled to the memory, wherein the secondary compression engine is configured to compress data stored in the memory and to store the compressed data back in the memory, and wherein the secondary compression engine is further configured to decompress compressed data stored in the memory and to store the decompressed data back in the memory. The data storage system further includes a non-volatile storage medium and a processor configured to transfer compressed data from the memory to the non-volatile storage medium in response to a write command received from the host device and to transfer compressed data from the non-volatile storage medium to the memory in response to a read command received from the host device.