Have you ever been chopping vegetable and found your cutting board crowded with rinds, peels and other scraps? Time to head to the garbage bin, right?
Unfortunately, discarding organic scraps in the garbage only means that they’re going to sit there and rot. They’ll eventually smell and attract flies as well, and what’s worse, they’ll end up in a landfill.
To make your kitchen more efficient and help the environment, why not turn to reviews on garbage disposals in order to find the best garbage disposal for your kitchen?
Top garbage disposals can add such a big convenience to your home life, and I’ll help you find the top rated garbage disposal with my garbage disposal reviews below!
What Is the Best Garbage Disposal?
In case if you don’t want to waste your time researching dozens of different garbage disposals; for your convenience we’ve compiled a list of best garbage disposals, each in specific category. Check them out:
Cheapest Garbage Disposal
The most inexpensive garbage disposal that still gets the job done is the General Electric GFC520V. It’s a heavy duty model with grinding action at 2800 and has an amazingly large capacity.
This garbage disposal also has EZ Mount installation and splash guard that can be removed if you prefer. → Check General Electric GFC520V on Amazon.com
Best Garbage Disposal for the Money
The Waste King L-8000 Legend Series is by far the best sink disposal I’ve seen. This model has 1.0 horsepower and a maximum rotating speed of 2800 RPM. You’ll never get a jam with this garbage disposal.
Honestly, when I’ve installed these, I never see problems with jamming down the line, which is pretty amazing when you think about it. → Check Waste King L-8000 on Amazon.com
Top Garbage Disposal
T
he InSinkErator O1100XL is another one of my top choices for a garbage disposal. It features the patented MultiGrind feature, which works amazingly fast.
I also love that this stainless steel disposal is so quiet! It has another feature called the Quiet Collar, which does wonders for reducing the usually harsh sound of a disposal. → Check InSinkErator O1100XL on Amazon.com
Best Overall Garbage Disposal
If you’d ask me in general for my recommendation overall of the best sink garbage disposal, I’d have to say it is the InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP. InSinkErator reviews continually list this model as a cult favorite.
It features SoundSeal technology for a super quiet working mode and the classic MultiGrind technology as well. This means that there are three levels of grinding. → Check InSinkErator Evolution Excel on Amazon.com
Best Garbage Disposal Reviews
Waste King L-8000 Legend Series 1.0-Horsepower Continuous-Feed Garbage Disposal
Other garbage disposals simply don’t offer the power that this unit does. It has the maximum amount of power that a garbage disposal can have at 1 HP. You also get the maximum turning and grinding speed at 2800 RPM. Finally, you can’t go wrong with the installation. It’s simple to put in and comes with all the hardware you’ll need.
Technical Specifications:
- POWER: 1 horsepower;
- MATERIAL: Made of insulated stainless steel;
- WEIGHT: 14.8 lbs;
- DIMENSIONS: 9 x 9 x 14.2 inches.
PROS:
- Super high power at 1 HP
- Includes swivel impellers as a special anti-jamming feature
- Includes a splash guard that is also removable for easy cleaning
- Noise is not a problem with the insulated stainless steel
CONS:
- A few garbage disposal reviews for this product mentioned that customer service was difficult to get a hold of when there was a problem
- More on the expensive side
Conclusion
Again, this is the unit to get when you want maximum power. People who cook a lot and need to grind heavy duty scraps will want a unit that has the maximum horsepower like this one does. You’ll also want to consider this unit if you’re worried about noise. Just keep in mind it’s slightly more expensive than some of the other units.
Martin J. Sanford
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
InSinkErator Badger 5 – 1/2 HP Food Waste Disposer
I listed the InSinkErator Badger as the best food waste disposer on the list because I’ve read a lot of Badger garbage disposal reviews, I’ve installed a lot of units, and I’ve used a lot of disposals myself as well. This product continually get positive feedback from both professionals and users. It’s durable, great at grinding even tough scraps and lasts forever.
Technical Specifications:
- POWER: ½ horsepower;
- MATERIAL: Made of steel;
- WEIGHT: 13.6 lbs;
- DIMENSIONS: 7 x 7 x 13 inches.
PROS:
- Sizable 26 ounce grind chamber;
- Easy to install;
- Reasonably priced;
- Heavy duty induction motor with ½ horsepower;
- Takes care of waste quickly and efficiently;
- Comes with 2 year in home limited warranty.
CONS:
- A few users who had had their unit for an extended period of time had to get minor cracks fixed.
Conclusion:
I love the power on this unit. I feel like I can throw anything down there and it will be quickly ground up by the InSinkErator. I also love the overall quality and customer service with this product. You know it was created by the original creators of the first garbage disposal, and they also provide a 2 year in home warranty with all of their products.
Martin J. Sanford
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Household Garbage Disposer
This is a large garbage disposal, so that’s what you’ll want to recognize right off the bat. If you tend to chop and slice a lot, this might be the unit for you. The chamber is 34.6 ounces in volume, and there are two grinding stages to make sure that everything gets through without a jam.
Technical Specifications:
- POWER: 3/4 horsepower;
- MATERIAL: Made of stainless steel;
- WEIGHT: 19.4 lbs;
- DIMENSIONS: 8 x 8 x 12.1 inches.
PROS:
• Large 34.6 ounce grind chamber for grinding large amounts of waste
• Special SoundSeal technology to reduce noise and vibration
• Grinds waste in two grind stages
• Amazing 4 year in home limited warranty
CONS:
• Garbage disposal reviews consistently state that this is one of the more expensive units
Conclusion
This is an excellent unit for homes that cook a lot. I used to have a InSinkErator Evolution Compact because I like to have at least a ¾ horsepower on my garbage disposal, and that’s what this is. It’s also quite quiet for the amount of work it does, which is great when you sometimes cook late at night like I do!
Martin J. Sanford
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
Waste King L-2600 Legend Series 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Operation Garbage Disposal
I like the Waste King L-2600 most of all because of its amazing warranted. Waste King stands by their products, and it shows. I also like that this unit is reasonably priced. There’s no need to worry about breaking the bank and then being out of warranty when something goes wrong. I often recommend this unit for couples who have just bought their first home.
Technical Specifications:
- POWER: ½ horsepower;
- MATERIAL: Made of stainless steel;
- WEIGHT: 9.8 lbs;
- DIMENSIONS: 9 x 9 x 14.2 inches.
PROS:
- Reasonably priced;
- Compactly designed;
- High rotating speed at 2600 RPM;
- Comes with a splash guard that is removable;
- Excellent warranty for in home repairs that lasts 5 years.
CONS:
- Some reviews mentioned leaking, but remember there is a long warranty with this unit;
- Despite the claim of being low on noise, some users mentioned it being rather loud.
Conclusion
Waste King L-2600 Legend Series 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Operation Garbage Disposal is easy to install and even simpler to operate. This is a standard garbage disposal that is reasonably priced and gets the job done. There aren’t really any frills, but sometimes that’s just what you want.
Martin J. Sanford
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP Household Garbage Disposer
The InSinkErator Evolution Excel is the top garbage disposal for those who have money as no option. Some people are just not worried about how much they spend, and when I talk to these folks about garbage disposals, I always recommend the Evolution Excel from InSinkErator as one of the highest rated garbage disposals for the home. It’s big, powerful and never jams.
Technical Specifications:
- POWER: 1 horsepower;
- MATERIAL: Made of stainless steel;
- WEIGHT: 26 lbs;
- DIMENSIONS: 13 x 12 x 12 inches.
PROS:
- Intense power with 1 horsepower;
- Large grinding chamber at 40 ounces;
- Special MultiGrind technology: Uses three grinding stages to make sure any and all food waste gets through quickly and efficiently;
- Includes 7 year in home limited warranty.
CONS:
- Again, if you’re not prepared to spend the big bucks, this may not be the unit for you as it’s more on the expensive side.
Conclusion
This is truly the best kitchen garbage disposal, but the price is high, and that’s just a fact. But if you can get over the initial payment for the product, remember that you do have a 7 year limited warranty, and this often curbs expenses that would otherwise have to pay for a product of less quality.
Martin J. Sanford
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
Waste King A1SPC Knight 1.0 Horsepower Garbage Disposal
Waste King does it again with the A1SPC Knight 1.0 Horsepower Garbage Disposal. I love the power this 1 HP unit has. What’s truly amazing about it is the soundproofing. You would swear this unit doesn’t turn on when you hear it function. In fact, the Silencer Technology used to soundproof this Waste King product is the very same technology used in professional music studios for recording.
Technical Specifications:
- POWER: 1 horsepower;
- MATERIAL: Made of stainless steel with rubber and plastic parts;
- WEIGHT: 18.4 lbs;
- DIMENSIONS: 8.8 x 8.8 x 15 inches.
PROS:
- Includes special Silencer Technology made from the same material that makes music studios soundproof;
- Fast 2700 RPM speed;
- Strong motors only need one pass to pulverize waste;
- Super easy installation with Snap and Lock Mount system.
CONS:
- One or two garbage disposal reviews mentioned that the splash guard discolored over time and began to collect food, and because it is not removable, this can present problems;
- Pricier for a standard model.
Conclusion
This is a large capacity, fast and strong unit that’s made for speed and efficiency. It’s able to pulverize even the toughest waste effectively while also remaining incredibly quiet.
Martin J. Sanford
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist 3/4 HP Household Garbage Disposer
The InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist is one of the top rated garbage disposals. It is easy to install and has great power with 3.4 HP. ThisMany users said it was quite quiet. One of the reasons that I truly admire this unit is because it works well with septic tanks, which is a real plus.
In fact, in my experience this is the best waste disposal for those who have septic tanks. Many people getting on board with having a septic system for efficiency, cost-savings and the environment, and according to all the garbage disposal reviews I’ve read and those I’ve written, this is the best food disposal for septic tanks as well as one of the only models that works.
Technical Specifications:
- POWER: 3/4 horsepower;
- MATERIAL: Made of stainless steel with rubber and plastic parts;
- WEIGHT: 22.4 lbs;
- DIMENSIONS: 14 x 11 x 16 inches.
PROS:
- Works with septic tanks
- MultiGrind Technology
- Two stages of grinding for efficiency
- Large 40 ounce grind chamber of stainless steel
CONS:
- This is a sizeable product with a large capacity, so if you don’t need the large capacity, go for another unit;
- The price is slightly higher, but that’s mostly because of the added features that make this unit work well with septic tanks, so if you don’t have a septic tank, I don’t necessarily recommend this product.
Conclusion
Septic tanks are super environmentally friendly, and many people have them. Unfortunately, most of the garbage disposals you see on the market don’t work with a septic system. This is one of those great units that you can use even if you have a septic tank, and moreover, it works efficiently and easily.
Martin J. Sanford
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
General Electric GFC520V 1/2 Horsepower Continuous Feed Disposal Large Capacity Food Waste Disposer
The General Electric GFC520V ½ Horsepower Continuous Feed Disposal is able to take large amounts of waste, but keep in mind that the opening is rather small, so large, tough pieces or scraps of food should be avoided. This is a good garbage disposal for light waste grinding.
Technical Specifications:
- POWER: ½ horsepower;
- MATERIAL: Made of galvanized steel;
- WEIGHT: 9 lbs;
- DIMENSIONS: 5.2 x 5.2 x 12.8 inches.
PROS:
- Easy to install;
- Affordable price;
- Compact design;
- Large capacity grinding chamber.
CONS:
- Many users state that this unit was louder than expected;
- Other users noted that the opening in the sink was quite small and wouldn’t fit large pieces of waste.
Conclusion
Despite a few negative garbage disposal reviews stating that it was difficult to push large pieces of waste through the splash guard and the small sink opening, I like this unit because it’s affordable and General Electric always makes quality products. I haven’t experienced any problems with these units after I’ve installed them.
Martin J. Sanford
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
Kitchen Aid KCDB250G 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
Kitchen Aid KCDB250G 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal is another affordable unit. This continuous feed garbage disposal has an effective speed of grinding at 1725 RPM and a ½ horsepower motor.
Technical Specifications:
- POWER: ½ horsepower;
- MATERIAL: Made of stainless steel;
- WEIGHT: 14.2 lbs;
- DIMENSIONS: 14.6 x 7.5 x 7.4 inches.
PROS:
- Affordable price;
- Relatively quiet when turned on with soundproof casing;
- Simple installation.
CONS:
- Some garbage disposal reviews for this specific product mentioned having trouble grinding tougher materials, such as citrus peels and potato chunks;
- Other users were disappointed that the unit petered out after continuous use, but this unit does have a warranty option for situations such as this.
Conclusion
For a quality, affordable garbage disposal, the Kitchen Aid KCDB250G 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Disposal is a good option. It has a number of high quality features and is able to grind food waste in a continuous fashion in an efficient manner. Remember that this unit is also from one of the top quality brands for kitchen appliances.
Martin J. Sanford
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
InSinkErator O1100XL Pro Series 1.1 HP Food Waste Disposal with Evolution Series Technology
The InSinkErator O1100XL Pro Series has an awesome amount of power. This is the type of unit that professional chefs want in their homes. It works at 1.1 horsepower to completely pulverize even bones and tough peels. With this in mind, the Pro Series is more expensive that some of the other units I’ve mentioned here, so keep this in mind as you shop. If you’re not worried about spending more for the best garbage disposal, this might be just what you’ve been looking for.
Technical Specifications:
- POWER: 1.1 horsepower;
- MATERIAL: Made of stainless steel;
- WEIGHT: 26 lbs;
- DIMENSIONS: 9 x 9 x 13.5 inches.
PROS:
- Extremely quiet product, 40 percent quieter than most units due to the patented Quiet Collar and SoundSeal;
- 10 ounce grind chamber made of stainless steel;
- MultiGrind feature makes sure that all waste is pulverized completely;
- Auto-Reverse Grind System
CONS:
- This is the most expensive unit I have on the list, but remember that the quality of this unit comes with the price, so just like some of the other products I’ve recommended, if money is no object, the InSinkErator O1100XL Pro Series is an excellent option
Conclusion
The Pro Series from InSinkErator is top of the line, and this is their most powerful product with 1.1 horsepower. That’s over the maximum horsepower that you normally see with even the best kitchen disposal. I love the fact that you can actually think while this disposal is on as well. It’s the quietest garbage disposal I’ve ever used. If you’re serious about cooking and your sink waste disposal, this could be the unit you’re looking for.
Martin J. Sanford
Click Here for Pricing, Pictures and Reviews on Amazon.com
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Garbage Disposal
What is a good garbage disposal? It all depends on several factors:
Motor Speed: Horsepower
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to finding the top garbage disposal is horsepower. Basically, the higher the horsepower, the better your unit is going to be able to grind and discard waste. The best horsepower is 1, and the lowest horsepower available is 1/3.
Continuous Feed or Batch Feed
There are two main types of garbage disposals. If you’ve been reading through disposal reviews and come across continuous feed models and batch feed models, you should know what these two terms mean.
First, continuous feeds are the most common. These work and keep working after you flip the power switch. Naturally, they turn off when you turn off the unit. If you have a lot of scraps to dispose of, this is the model you want.
Alternatively, a batch feed garbage disposal only grinds up waste when you get enough of it in the receptacle. If you have kids or are worried about accidently dropping a spoon or some foreign body into the disposal, get this type of disposal. It only turns on when it’s full and the cover is on.
Noise Level
Of course, noise is a problem for even the best residential garbage disposal. These things can be super loud when you turn them on. Fortunately, they’re usually only running for a few seconds at a time, but who wants to listen to that loud grinding noise all the time? For this reason, if you have the funds for added features, consider opting for a unit that has a sound subduing feature.
Anti-Jam
Even the best batch feed garbage disposal can jam up sometimes. If you plan on grinding a lot of waste or will be regularly grinding large pieces, you should consider getting a disposal that has special anti-jam features. The best home garbage disposal will only jam occasionally or not at all. Remember that batch feed disposals are generally better than continuous feed disposals at not jamming. If you are in a pinch, there are several articles, which explain how to fix jammed garbage dispsals.
Septic System
Some people who have a septic tank think that using a garbage disposal is not an option. Actually, you can definitely use a garbage disposal if you have a septic system. There are not as many of these products on the market, but essentially some companies like InSinkErator do sell garbage disposals that actually liquefy the materials you are grinding so that they go be used with a septic tank. If you do have a septic tank, just make sure you get one of these special models.
Additional Features
Normally, most garbage disposals are pretty straight forward. But there are a few special features you can get as well. For example, you normally cannot grind foods like celery or corn husks, but some special models will let you do this. If aesthetics are important to you, you can also choose the color of the sink color on your disposal. Finally, some units can be connected to a dishwasher to help clear away food remains there.
Brand
The brand will matter, but if you read enough sink disposal reviews, you’ll see that there really only a few brands that most people buy from. See my section on brands below to get a better idea of the top garbage disposal brand.
Price
Last but not least, consider how much you’re willing to spend, and remember that naturally, the best rated garbage disposal is going to be a little more expensive than the rest. With that being said, remember that you don’t have to break your bank account to get a good garbage disposal that will get the job done.
There are a number of options out there that are reasonably priced, but if you do plan on spending more, just make sure you do your research. Read lots of garbage disposer reviews like you are right now so that you can make sure you’re making a solid choice.
Best Garbage Disposal Brands
InSinkErator
InSinkErator is listed at number one because the founder of this company actually invented the garbage disposal! It doesn’t get much better than that, right? Yes, it’s true that John W. Hammes was the inventor of the in sink disposal and the founder of InSinkErator in 1927. The company is based in Racine, Wisconsin and has some of the top garbage disposals you’ll be able to find. In fact, InSinkErator garbage disposal reviews are always at the top of the list. They make quality products that last a long time.
Waste King
Reviews of garbage disposals made by Waste King are consistently high. This company is a little less elegant than the other companies you’ll find here, but they made great products. Among other companies, you’ll probably be able to find the cheapest garbage disposal here. All of the products that they have available run at 2700 RPM. This is important to remember because many other brands make models that only run at 1725 RPM. You need a fast and strong disposal to grind heavy duty scraps like potatoes and carrots.
General Electric
You’ve likely heard of General Electric in a number of different areas of home furnishings. They may refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and all sorts of appliances. All of these products have an extremely high quality, and their garbage disposals are no different. I truly love the disposals that GE sells, but I also appreciate their customer service. You can call any time, and their warranties are always honored. They also have affordable products, which is great for new homeowners.
KitchenAid
Just like General Electric, KitchenAid is a name brand you probably know well. They are another affordable brand with excellent customer service. The company began almost 100 years ago in 1919 when they produced what everyone knows and loves as the best kitchen stand mixer out there. What many people don’t know is that they make awesome garbage disposals as well, and in addition to disposals, they even have compactors. Several customers have had these installed, and they’re apparently a great addition to the kitchen. You’ll find the best KitchenAid garbage disposal on the top ten list.
Summary and Making Your Final Decision on a Garbage Disposal
After reading all those garbage disposal reviews, it’s time to make a decision! If you’re reading this now, you must be committed to purchasing the top garbage disposal for your home, and that’s great!
I hope you found this buying guide and the best rated garbage disposals I detailed above helpful to you. I know that leafing through kitchen disposal reviews can be a true pain. It’s hard to know how to choose a garbage disposal, especially when you have to bounce around from page to page just to get some consistent information.
That’s why I tried to consolidate all of my garbage disposals reviews on one page for you so that you have a concise garbage disposal comparison. This is a guide that is the result of all my research. In other words, whenever one of my customers or a friend or family member asks me “what is the best garbage disposal to buy?” I always give them this same information. You’re like family to me!
Here are a few things to remember before we part ways. First, if you find a cheap garbage disposal that claims to be the best, it’s probably too good to be true. The best garbage disposers are an investment, so no one could ever call them cheap. In that same vein, you should never buy a used disposal.
But also keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you can’t still find cheap garbage disposals. In other words, you can still get a good deal if you do your research. Beginning with a site like this that is dedicated to quality food disposal reviews is a great place to start. Keep doing your research, and I hope you find the best disposal possible!
