Is it safe to use compression for nandroids (backups) created by custom recoveries?

Many custom recoveries, like TWRP, have an option to use compression when creating nandroid backups. By default, this option is typically disabled. Is it safe to use the compression option? Are the only downsides the time that must be spent to compress the nandroid and the possible need for temporary working space to perform the compression? Any other reasons why that option is typically disabled by default?