The Best Garbage Disposals

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Garbage Disposals and hope the blog can help you.

To find the best garbage disposal for your kitchen and your needs, learn the ins and outs of this appliance type and get the details about the top picks on the market.

Residential garbage disposals are not only great for post-meal cleanup, but they also reduce the amount of leftover food scraps in the trash can, which cuts down on odors. Plus, the typical garbage disposal will last 8 to 15 years.

All garbage disposal brands pulverize soft foods with ease, but some do tend to jam while trying to grind raw, fibrous vegetables, such as celery. On the other hand, some of the most powerful disposals will break down chicken bones!

Read on for facts, figures, and features and a list of top picks to find the best garbage disposal for your home.

1. BEST OVERALL: InSinkErator Pro Series 3/4 HP Food Waste Disposal
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Waste King L-1001 Garbage Disposal with Power Cord
3. UPGRADE PICK: InSinkErator Evolution Compact Garbage Disposer
4. BEST FOR SMALL KITCHENS: Waste King Legend Series 1/2 HP Disposal with Cord
5. BEST FOR FAMILIES: Waste Maid Premium Black 1-1/4 HP Garbage Disposal
6. BEST FOR SEPTIC TANKS: Moen Host Series Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
7. EASIEST TO INSTALL: Waste King Garbage Disposal with Power Cord

Before You Buy a Garbage Disposal

Not all municipal sewage systems can handle food waste from garbage disposals. Since bits of food flow through the drain pipes, using a garbage disposal can increase the risk of clogs in a home’s plumbing, or possibly even cause problems in septic and municipal sewage systems.

• Contact the local building authority to determine whether garbage disposals are permitted in the community.
• If users experience frequent clogs in their home’s plumbing, they’re probably better off passing on a disposal, even if they’re permitted in the community.
• Food particles break down slower than other types of waste, which can lead to accumulated food matter in a septic tank. If shoppers have a septic system, they will want to contact the company that installed it or the company that pumps out the tank and ask if their particular system can handle a disposal. Typically, larger tanks are more suitable for use with a disposal.
• On average, 2 to 3 gallons of water per minute are used with a disposal. If buyers use their disposal twice a day, running it half a minute each time, they will use approximately 850 to 950 additional gallons of water per year.

How We Chose the Best Garbage Disposals

We researched the most sought-after garbage disposals in their respective categories and discovered that the best models are determined by their type, horsepower, construction materials, ease of installation, operation volume, and other special features included by select brands.

While searching for the best garbage disposals on the market, the continuous-feed models were unanimously the most popular among users for their ease of use and consistent operation. Our featured garbage disposals range from ½ to 1¼ horsepower motors and have durable stainless steel and nylon constructions for long lifespans and durability.

Our top picks also have easy twist-and-lock, three-bolt, or snap-and-lock installation and are compatible with existing assemblies. For added convenience, many of these garbage disposals have noise-deadening features, preinstalled power cords, and compatibility with septic systems and wall switches.

Our Top Picks

Selected based on the criteria detailed above, the following list contains some of the best garbage disposals on the market in a range of categories.

Best Overall

InSinkErator Pro Series 3/4 HP Food Waste Disposal

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The InSinkErator ¾ HP garbage disposal stands out for safety and quiet operation. For one thing, the magnetic lid for the disposal must be securely in place before it will run. This cover also serves as a start switch, a feature that’s ideal for kitchen-island sinks. The InSinkErator’s lid reduces noise, as does its insulated body, and the SoundSeal technology makes this garbage disposal much quieter than standard disposals.

With its two grinding stages, which makes tough food a cinch to dispose of, this model is also a good choice for those who have limited cabinet space.

Product Specs

• Type: Continuous feed
• Power: ¾ hp
• Grinding chamber material: Stainless steel
• Ease of installation: Moderate

Pros

• Quiet garbage disposal; SoundSeal technology integrated
• Magnetic lid included; provides noise reduction
• 2 built-in grinding stages; great at handling typical food waste
• Compact size can fit most cabinet spaces

Cons

• Pricey compared to other options
• Power cord not included

Get the InSinkErator Pro garbage disposal on Amazon or at Build With Ferguson.

Best Bang For The Buck

Waste King L-1001 Garbage Disposal with Power Cord

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Adding a garbage disposal to a kitchen doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. This reasonably priced unit from Waste King features a ½-hp motor for midsize households. The garbage disposal comes with EZ Mount for quick installation with the kitchen sink, and it has a preinstalled power cord that plugs directly into the wall—no electrical work required.

The stainless steel and plastic unit is a continuous-feed disposal that activates with a wall switch and will continually grind food as it runs. The garbage disposal also has a removable splash guard for easy cleaning.

Product Specs

• Type: Continuous feed
• Power: ½ hp
• Grinding chamber material: Nylon
• Ease of installation: Moderate

Pros

• ½-hp motor suitable for midsize households
• EZ Mount installation is quick and simple
• Includes a preinstalled power cord
• Compatible with a wall switch for very easy installation

Cons

• May require additional chrome sink trim for installation

Get the Waste King garbage disposal at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Lowe’s.

Upgrade Pick

InSinkErator Evolution Compact Garbage Disposer

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Don’t sacrifice power for size. This garbage disposal from InSinkErator has a robust, compact design, ideal for small households and small cabinets. The unit also boasts a ¾-hp motor for robust operation. The garbage disposal is made with stainless steel components and LeakGuard liner.

This garbage disposal also comes with noise-reducing SoundSeal technology for quiet performance and two-stage MultiGrind technology to reduce food waste. Food gets repeatedly broken down into smaller particles, including melon rinds and even chicken bones.

Product Specs

• Type: Continuous feed
• Power: ¾ hp
• Grinding chamber material: Stainless steel
• Ease of installation: Easy

Pros

• Noticeably quieter operation compared to other options
• Made using long-lasting stainless steel materials
• Strong motor and grinder can even handle chicken bones

Cons

• Unit is quite bulky for a “compact” model

Get the InSinkErator Evolution garbage disposal at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Best for Small Kitchens

Waste King Legend Disposal with Cord

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The Waste King Legend continuous-feed disposal is affordable, efficient, and easy to install. With a ½-hp motor, this compact unit fits right into small under-sink spaces. There’s a removable splash guard for easy cleaning, and the disposal is safe to use with a septic tank. The grind chamber features durable stainless steel that will keep this disposal working long term.

No wiring skills are required to set the Waste King Legend unit in place; it comes with an attached power cord that plugs directly into an under-sink outlet. You’ll still need to connect the plumbing under the sink, but clear, simple instructions are included.

Product Specs

• Type: Continuous feed
• Power: ½ hp
• Grinding chamber material: Nylon
• Ease of installation: Easy

Pros

• Removable built-in splash guard; helps reduce kitchen mess
• Easy mount system integrated; allows for quick installation
• Power cord included, which is not always guaranteed
• Affordable price point compared to similar options

Cons

• Plumbing will need to be connected manually

Get the Waste King Legend garbage disposal at Amazon, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Build With Ferguson.

Best for Families

Waste Maid Premium Black 1-1/4 HP Garbage Disposal

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With a 1¼-hp motor, this continuous-feed garbage disposal unit from Waste Maid can chew up more or less anything that’s placed inside of it, including watermelon rinds. And the stainless steel components will last for years.

The Waste Maid garbage disposal comes with Silver Guard, a powerful magnet system that catches cutlery and metal objects before they fall into the disposer. The removable rubber splash guard makes it easy to clean. The three-bolt mounting system ensures a fast installation or replacement; most garbage disposal brands use the three-bolt system.

Product Specs

• Type: Continuous feed
• Power: 1¼ hp
• Grinding chamber material: Stainless steel
• Ease of installation: Easy

Pros

• Suitable for medium to large households (depending on how much food is disposed of)
• 3-bolt mount assembly is very simple to install
• Silver Guard magnet system integrated; helps save runaway cutlery
• Removable splash guard included

Cons

• Some users report loud operation volume

Get the Waste Maid garbage disposal at Amazon.

Best for Septic Tanks

Moen Host Series Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal

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Looking for a garbage disposal to use with a septic tank? This unit from Moen is safe to use with appropriately sized septic tanks. It also boasts noise reduction through SoundSHIELD sound-deadening insulation. The ¾-hp motor provides fast, powerful grinding of all food scraps. And it reduces jamming. The compact design frees up space under the sink.

This garbage disposal fits most existing assemblies, including those from other brands, for shoppers looking for something easy to install. And the preinstalled power cord plugs directly into the wall.

Product Specs

• Type: Continuous feed
• Power: ¾ hp
• Grinding chamber material: Unlisted
• Ease of installation: Easy

Pros

• Features integrated SoundSHIELD sound-deadening insulation
• Compact design fits easily under most sinks
• Compatible with most existing assemblies
• Preinstalled power cord included

Cons

• No built-in hex slot; may be tougher to resolve severe jamming

Get the Moen garbage disposal at Amazon, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Build With Ferguson.

Easiest to Install

Waste King Garbage Disposal with Power Cord

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This garbage disposal unit from Waste King comes with EZ Mount for a twist-and-lock installation, and it features a preinstalled power cord, which means no electrical work is required. The compact size of the disposal unit creates room under the sink, and the sound-deadening insulation ensures silent running.

The garbage disposal is made of stainless steel grinding components for durability and to increase the lifespan of the product. The continuous-feed disposal activates via a wall switch or sink-mounted air switch and runs until turned off.

Product Specs

• Type: Continuous feed
• Power: ¾ hp
• Grinding chamber material: Stainless steel
• Ease of