Garbage disposals keep your drains free from debris that can cause clogging. Instead of dumping food leftovers and common kitchen rubbish in the trash bin, you can simply drop them right down your drain – thanks to a great quality garbage disposer. It is only a matter of choosing the best disposal to buy to make sure there are no clogging issues with your drain.
But how can choose from a number of brands and models available on the market? We make it easy for you to buy the right one with this buying guide and reviews on the best garbage disposals in 2024.
Features to Look for in Garbage Disposals
Before you pick up just any disposer from the store, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions. Do you have a large septic tank for a garbage disposal? Is it worth using more water for this additional equipment in your kitchen? Are you confident about your home’s plumbing and backups are hardly an issue?
If you answer yes to all of these questions, then you are on the right track in buying a garbage disposal.
Here are the features to think about
Table of Contents
- Here are the features to think about
- List of Best Garbage Disposals in 2024
- #10. InSinkErator 1/2 HPBadger 5
- #9. Waste King 3/4 HP Monarch L-3200
- #8. Waste King 1/3 HP Legend Series L-111
- #7. InSinkErator 3/4 HP Evolution Compact Series
- #6. Waste King 3/4 HP Samurai L-3300
- #5. InSinkErator 1.0 HP Evolution Excel
- #4. InSinkErator 1/2 HP Badger 5 (Non-Corded)
- #3. Waste King 1 HP Legend Series L-8000
- #2. Waste King 1/2 HP Legend Series L-2600
- #1. InSinkErator 3/4 HP Evolution Compact
- Conclusion
1. Type: There are two different kinds of garbage disposals. The continuous feed model is very efficient to use because you can simply dump new rubbish in while the unit is still grinding the old ones. But then these come with an open filler neck, which is a safety risk to kids’ tiny hands. Scraps and bone shards may also end up flying out of the disposal, creating a mess in the kitchen. Hardwiring and mounting the power switch is also a necessity considering a continuous feed model is not corded.
On the other hand, a batch-feed model lets you load the waste first before you turn the stopper down. This activates the blades and prevents injuries or food flying out of the unit. In terms of safety, this model is the better choice. But it is also more expensive and can take slower in completing the task.
2. Electric Cord: For convenience, you want a garbage disposal with an electric cord. This spares you from the tedious task of hardwiring non-corded units.
3. Horsepower Rating: How powerful is your garbage disposal? You can get away with a unit that has a 1/2 HP rating for the motor if you’re only feeding it with softer waste including veggies, rice, and fruits. But when it comes to much tougher kitchen waste, go for a model with an HP rating of 3/4 or 1. These units crush harder rubbish quicker and prevent clogging.
4. Auto Reverse: Some disposers are prone to jamming when you dump in too much waste that the unit can handle. With an auto reverse mode, this helps clear the blade to ensure a more efficient crushing of wastes.
5. Quick-Mount Neck: If you are only setting up a smaller unit, a quick-mount neck makes it easier for you to install it. But you definitely have to get help when you are setting up a unit with 3/4 to 1 HP rating since it can weight up to 30 pounds.
6. Grinding Chamber: You want durable blades for your garbage disposal to make sure the unit lasts longer. In this case, opt for blades made from stainless steel since these can crush tough wastes well without breaking easily.
7. Safety Lid: Only select models have this feature, but it should be worth looking for one with a safety cover. This prevents the accidental switching on of the unit unless the cover is removed.
List of Best Garbage Disposals in 2024
Now that we know what features work great for an excellent unit, let’s go over our top 10 best garbage disposals in 2024 for outstanding options worth your money.
#10. InSinkErator 1/2 HPBadger 5
It may look small with an average horsepower rating, but you can count on this garbage disposal to do the job efficiently. It comes with a 1/2 HP rating motor with a power cord included and attached to the unit. The quick lock mount lets you install the unit quickly, and this also makes it easy for you to replace the disposal when needed. In fact, many users claim to install the disposal in just 15 minutes.
However, this model is a little heavy. You will need some strength to get it up into the right position. Some people recommend using a car jack the put it in place, which actually does the trick and spares you from a pricey installation fee when you hire a pro to do it for you.
#9. Waste King 3/4 HP Monarch L-3200
Equipped with a power cord, the Monarch L-3200 from Waste King does the job right. It has a 3/4 HP motor but it is actually light and compact. In fact, it only weighs a little over 8 pounds, which makes it a breeze to install. With an EZ mount feature, you should get it set up in no time. The power cord also comes pre-installed and saves you from unnecessary electrical work. With 2700 RPM, there are fewer chances of jamming, plus it operates without much noise, too!
As what many users have said, this unit is not that tough to install. But it really depends on the sink you have whether there’s more space or none. If you’ve got a smaller sink for this unit, the installation will be a problem no matter what.
#8. Waste King 1/3 HP Legend Series L-111
Compact and efficient, there are many reasons to appreciate the Legend Series from Waste King. This particular model also works because of its easy installation, durable blades, and a high-speed powerful motor that grinds the food quickly. With the sleek design of this disposal, you can expect to have plenty of storage under the sink while saving more space. The 32-inch pre-installed cord is also a nice touch since there’s no need for hardwiring. Just grab your basic tools and it should be ready to use in a matter of minutes.
One thing to note is you’ll have to change the sink collar and even cut off the abs pipe of your drain if you used a different garbage disposal before. Jamming can also occur with this unit, which means you might have to shove the waste with a screwdriver onto the grinding plate. But since it’s an inexpensive brand, the benefits still outweigh these limitations.
#7. InSinkErator 3/4 HP Evolution Compact Series
Who wants a noisy garbage disposal in their kitchen, anyway? You’ll love everything about this unit because of its silent operation, yet highly efficient grinding action. The Multi-Grind technology also makes it possible to produce the tiniest grind no matter how tough the rubbish is. With a sink mount packed with a quick lock feature, it takes around 15 minutes or less to install the unit.
However, with greater efficiency and convenience comes a heftier price tag. This is a little on the pricey side. The drain also seems a little slower since the waste goes through 2 stages of grinding, so don’t expect it to go down super quickly.
#6. Waste King 3/4 HP Samurai L-3300
There are so many things to love about the Samurai L-3300 from Waste King. For instance, there is a power cord pre-installed that spares you from getting extra help with hard-wiring. The sound insulation is another awesome feature that ensures excellent operation without waking up the entire household. For extra durability, the grind chamber is rust-proof with grinding components made from stainless steel. As this is a continuous feed model, the unit functions quite effective in getting the job completed in seconds.
It is worth noting that when you turn the unit on, there’s a clicking sound that comes with it. This is not a very loud noise, but some people say it startles them and makes them a little concerned that a metal thing is in the disposal. Other than this tiny concern, this unit is a winner.
#5. InSinkErator 1.0 HP Evolution Excel
Highly robust and super efficient, the Evolution Excel is a powerhouse. Its 1.0 HP motor makes grinding wastes a breeze, and you can be sure the rubbish turns really small after passing through the three grinding stages this unit does. There’s also an auto reverse mode that prevents and solves jamming issues. You can be at ease that whenever you use this unit, noise is the least of your problem, thanks to the SoundSeal Technology of this garbage disposal model.
Keep in mind that this is a non-corded unit. You will need to have it hard-wired before you can use it. Another issue is the big rubber collar that sometimes blocks the food from quickly moving down the drain unless you push them down.
#4. InSinkErator 1/2 HP Badger 5 (Non-Corded)
At first glance, this unit appears somewhat small. But you will be amazed by how it can efficiently grind scraps down to the smallest pieces. The Dura-Drive technology for the induction motor makes this unit maintenance-free, so that’s less of a headache for you. With the quick lock mount, installing it takes under half an hour in most cases.
This is a non-corded unit, making it a little cheap, but requires hardwiring. Another thing is it comes with a 1/2 HP motor, so do not expect very large waste to go down too quickly down the drain. You should throw tough materials in the trash instead since this unit is not made for very hard waste materials.
#3. Waste King 1 HP Legend Series L-8000
You can’t get a more powerful motor than this one at a 1 HP rating. This yields a 2800 RPM action that minimizes jamming concerns while promotes a more efficient grinding. Installation is a breeze because of the EZ mount, and there is a removable splashguard that offers a quick-cleaning benefit. As the cord comes pre-installed, there is zero need for electrical work. We also love the grinding components as these are 100% stainless steel and super durable, yet lightweight at the same time.
This is a large unit, so keep that in mind when you need to replace your old one with this, in case the latter is a bit small. It is also quite loud when turned on, but luckily the noise does not go on for several minutes because of how efficiently it grinds rubbish.
#2. Waste King 1/2 HP Legend Series L-2600
If what you look for is a compact garbage disposal, you will love the L-2600 from Waste King. It is energy-efficient and durable, and its motor can grind wastes quite well. There is also a nice sleek design that makes it compatible even with a smaller sink. The power cord lets you use the unit immediately after installing it – no need for a commercial installation and hardwiring. The grind chamber is high-strength with stainless steel parts. Cleaning up is certainly a breeze by simply removing the splash guard after use.
This unit delivers according to its promises. But just one warning – it is noisy! This is a bit of a surprise since the motor is not even in the much higher range such as the 3/4 or 1 HP rating. Thankfully, it only makes noise for a few moments.
#1. InSinkErator 3/4 HP Evolution Compact
Topping our list of the best garbage disposals is this model from InSinkErator. It has a powerful and robust 3/4 HP motor that is up to the challenge of grinding tougher wastes. There is a dual-stage multi-grind system that chops up and reduces the wastes into smaller pieces. This is not a corded unit, so be sure to hard-wire the disposal before use. But it is an inexpensive, silent, efficient, and powerful garbage disposal that does the job impressively. We also like the induction motor that it comes with, making the unit virtually maintenance-free!
This is the most silent garbage disposal we have tested, and we are thoroughly impressed by that. It works really well and installation is a cinch. Just be sure to remove the plastic cap designed to stop the water from easily flowing into your dishwasher. Other than this tip, you’re making the right choice by choosing this unit.
Conclusion
Overall, we choose the Evolution Compact by InSinkErator as our top pick for the excellent garbage disposals to use in your kitchen. While it may be non-corded, the price is perfect for its outstanding performance. You are getting an amazing deal by choosing this item, and we cannot recommend it enough after experiencing convenience and ease with this top-notch unit!
Leave a Comment