Best Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal is one of the most useful pieces of equipment you can have in your home. It gets rid of all the pesky garbage you don't want lying around, helping to reduce waste and process it ready to be disposed of or recycled properly.

This means that it has even more environmental benefits than simply composting the food waste does, because the scraps are emptied down the drain and sent directly to a wastewater plant.

The best garbage disposals are made from high quality materials that will last for years without breaking down. They're also easy to clean and maintain, so they won't require a lot of time or effort on your part.

You'll find that certain types of garbage disposal come with many additional features that make them easier to use than other models available today, which is why it can be particularly difficult to know exactly what one to opt for.

Unfortunately, garbage disposals are not all made equal, so how can you be sure you're not about to waste your money? If you're looking for a reliable garbage disposal, check out our list of the top 10 best garbage disposals below.

We've selected these products based on their design, as well as their average reviews made by previous customers, so you can be sure that you're getting a properly decent deal.

Chooba Garbage Disposal 3/4 HP

The Chooba model offers a continuous feed disposal system, which grinds up things like fibrous vegetables and chicken bones into tiny food particles with ease.

Soft foods and tough foods alike can be processed swiftly by the 3/4 horsepower motor and stainless steel grind components. The voltage is 110V-120V, and this is more than enough to keep on top of your food preparation needs for many years.

Not only is it effective, the Chooba Garbage Disposal also offers a quiet grinding experience; it produces up to 20% less noise than similarly powerful disposal systems. 

The process itself uses 4 separate grinding stages, after which only the smallest food particles will be left, and you won't be able to see any food debris still in the grind chamber.

This keeps your garbage disposal running smoothly and prevents it from getting clogged up.

Pros

• Quiet grinding experience due to advanced sound insulation
• Deals with any type of food waste
• Removes all food debris from grinding chamber, saving issues with your plumbing
• Straightforward installation

Cons

• Can be tricker to install in smaller spaces
• High purchase price

Waste Maid 10-US-WM-058-3B Garbage Disposal

Here's a great budget option that offers plenty of power at an affordable price. The Waste Maid comes with a 1/2 horsepower motor that rotates at speeds of 2600RPM, and stainless steel grinders that cut with maximum torque. 

The stainless steel swivel impellers are balanced to vibrate quietly, as well as give your system a longer lifespan. It runs on standard 120V power, and the attached power cord is 34 inches long so you can plug it in at a convenient point.

The 3-bolt mount assembly really lets you remove your old system for easy replacement of garbage disposers, as you don't need to fix a whole new flange to your kitchen sink.

The removable guard also helps you to clean the disposal unit and reach the awkward places, making maintenance a piece of cake. The WasteMaid garbage disposal is covered by a two-year warranty, so you can be confident in your investment.

Pros

• 3 foot power cord reaches comfortably to nearest power outlet
• Compact size for easy installation
• Rubber gasket dampens vibrations and offers robust sound insulation
• Low purchase price compared to other models

Cons

• The drainage system isn't as effective as it could be

Moen A1SPC Waste King Knight 1HP Garbage Disposal

This garbage disposal from market leader Waste King has everything you need to crunch up super tough food particles, from artichokes to rib bones.

Like other products in the Waste King range, including the Waste King L-1001 Garbage Disposal and the Waste King Legend Series, the Moen A1SPC model works on a continuous feed disposal system.

This means that you can add in more food waste while the machine is already running.

Unlike alternative Waste King garbage disposals, the powerful unit runs on a massive 1-horsepower motor, which is the most out of any of the models on our list.

It turns at a rate of 2800 RPM and is sound insulated, letting you dispose of your food waste in peace. The whole thing weighs 16.5 pounds altogether, so it is a fairly compact design that you shouldn't have trouble installing in your current kitchen.

Pros

• Energy-efficient, so it uses its given electricity to get the optimal output
• Mess-free, since the stainless steel swivel impellers prevent the system from jamming
• Nylon grinding chamber will not corrode

Cons

• Towards the higher end of the price range
• Some consumer reports mention a limited useful lifespan (3 years)

HISUN Garbage Disposal, 3/4 HP

The 4th option on our list sits right in the middle of the expected price range for garbage disposals, and you might be wondering what that means in terms of its features and usability. 

Well, we can tell you that it is in fact quite advanced for models at a similar cost. First of all, you can tell just by looking at it that this is something you want in your house - the compact size and sleek design would be worth bumping up the price alone.

Next of course is the impressive 0.75-horsepower motor, which makes light work of tough waste like chicken bones with a high-speed 4000 RPM motor.

This is inspired by German technology, and comes complete with advanced insulation over 3 layers to reduce operating noise to a minimum. The unit itself uses a high quality stainless steel grind system, which provides excellent durability and multi-grind technology.

Pros

• Incredibly high rotation speed deals with food waste fast
• Large capacity grind chamber (1200 ml) for less frequent emptying
• Removable splash guard isolates debris and stops things falling into the chamber accidentally

Cons

• Running the tap can cause cool water to back up and collect in the sink when the disposal unit is installed

InSinkErator Evolution Select Plus 3/4 HP

To be completely honest, the name alone should be enough to convince you to buy this model - where else could you get excellent puns and kitchen garbage disposers in the same product? 

It essentially does the same job as an incinerator, and it goes in your sink; perfect! We also really enjoy the color of this one, seeing as the smart red-purple design is an unusual and welcome change from standard models.

We must talk about the purchase price: this is by far the most expensive garbage disposal we are reviewing here, but that doesn't mean it's not worth it.

The Evolution Select Plus is part of the Quiet Series, which focuses on keeping noise levels to a minimum during operation using world-class sound reduction technology.

The 0.75-horsepower motor grinds meat bones into perfectly manageable food particles to make them much easier to deal with.

Pros

• Appealing, unique color and design
• Extremely quiet so you can barely hear it in action
• Powerful motor with efficient grinding action
• Family size, so can deal with all your food waste at once (but may require more storage space)

Cons

• Very expensive purchase price - not accessible to all customers
• Doesn't come with a pre-installed power cord, so you may have to purchase this separately

Buyer's Guide

When it comes to selecting a garbage disposal, there's no shortage of options. From top-of-the-line models with stainless steel blades to basic models that cost less than $100, there are plenty of choices.

However, not every model is created equal. Some models come with more features, while others may lack some important features.

To help you choose, we've put together this guide to find out what features to look for when buying a new garbage disposal.

While some of these are similar to what you would consider with any product, the reasons for them may be specific to garbage disposals - they are also good to keep in mind generally.

Type Of Disposal

There are two main types of garbage disposal available today: electric and manual. Electric models use electricity to turn food scraps into liquid and then push them through a pipe where they get sent away for recycling.

Manual models work by hand using a spinning blade to grind up food scraps. Electric ones are of course more convenient because they require less effort from you.

Size

The size of your kitchen garbage disposer plays an important role in how well it works. You can get large garbage disposals that can accommodate a lot of waste, but you can also get smaller ones with a compact design that may fit more conveniently into your kitchen and your life.

If you plan on having kids in your house, make sure you buy a model that has a larger capacity. This way, if they drop something in the sink, you'll still have enough room to empty it.

However, we also recommend not letting small children play around in the vicinity of the garbage disposal, as the equipment can be dangerous if you don't treat it with an appropriate level of respect and caution.

The motor quality will also affect the overall size of your model. A strong motor that has plenty of power for grinding up a mix of bones and fibrous foods will often make it bulkier than weaker models.

It really depends a lot on the types of waste you will be dealing with, although even a 0.5-horsepower motor should be sufficient for most types of waste.

You will also need to factor in other aspects of the device, such as the power cord (for example how much room this will take up and how long it is - a longer power cord can provide greater flexibility in terms of installation, but it can also mean that there is excess flack if you don't need all the length)

Material

You should always go with a model that uses durable material. Stainless steel is the best choice because it doesn't rust and lasts longer than other materials. Plastic models tend to break down quickly, but they're cheap and easy to replace.

A garbage disposal with stainless steel components will be able to put your mind at ease, since you won't have to do anything special to keep it in good condition. It should last for years without requiring much maintenance.

Features

Some models include additional features such as timers, filters, and even water sensors. In addition, they may have an adjustable speed control, which allows you to adjust the flow rate of the unit to match the amount of food being processed. This makes cleanup much simpler as well.

These extra features are nice additions, but they aren't necessary. If you already have a dishwasher, you probably don't need a timer. And unless your kitchen is very small, you likely won't need a filter.

Therefore, it is best to consider your own personal situation and needs when deciding which features you want your garbage disposal to come with.

Price

As mentioned earlier, garbage disposals vary widely in price. The cheapest ones usually only come with a single setting, which means you'll have to manually adjust the settings each time you use it. More expensive models typically offer multiple settings, including pulse and speed control.

Since we've already discussed the various features you may come across, we're not going to add anything further about them here, except to remind you that the more complex models will cost significantly more. You should try and find the right balance between functionality and price.

Warranty

Garbage disposals often come with warranties ranging from 1 year to 5 years. Make sure you read the warranty carefully before purchasing. You might be able to extend the warranty if you take care of the unit properly.

However, you definitely shouldn't buy one that doesn't come with a warranty, as you will have no protection if it breaks shortly after you start using it.

A 1-year warranty is the minimum we would suggest, but you can even get as long as a 7-year warranty if you know where to look!

Maintenance

Garbage disposals are fairly simple machines. But just like any other appliance, they do wear out over time. So make sure you regularly check the blades and clean them thoroughly.

Also, make sure you keep the drain plugged so that no debris gets stuck inside. If you don't keep up with this routine, you may find that your maintenance costs go up as you'll have to call someone in to look at it.

Proper care can prolong a garbage disposal's life and help you get the most out of it.

Installation

Installing a garbage disposal is pretty straightforward. All you really need is some basic tools. This means that practically anyone can do it if they make sure to read the instructions carefully and take their time. 

You don't need to hire a handyman to come out and install it for you, so you don't need to factor extra costs into your budget.

However, if you're really not sure what you're doing, it would be better to pay someone to install it than risk unfortunate incidents that could end up with you paying far more than you ever intended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garbage Disposal Or Trash Compactor?

Garbage disposals and trash compactors are both very useful household gadgets and are similar in terms of their design and purpose.

However, a garbage disposal only gets rid of food waste, and this is done in an immediate manner where the waste gets flushed off straight to a processing plant.

If you need to get rid of both food waste and general waste such as empty bottles and cartons, we would go with a trash compactor. They are very easy to install (and remove if necessary).

The only downside is that they do not work as well on large quantities of food scraps, but then again, you're most likely not using them for that purpose anyway.

If you decide to get a trash compactor, make sure that it has an option to automatically turn off when full. This will save you from having to empty it manually every time.

It also means that you won't encounter any unfortunate overflows or spillage accidents, keeping your kitchen clean and tidy.

What Other Appliances Can Help The Environment?

If you're on a mission to make your house more environmentally friendly and you enjoy the benefits a garbage disposal gives you in this area, you could also consider getting a composting toilet. 

These toilets use some kind of bacteria to break down organic material into compost which can then be used as fertilizer.

Composting toilets are much more expensive than a regular toilet, so this might not be worth it unless you're planning on doing lots of gardening.

If you decide to get a composting toilet, make sure that it's set up correctly. There are many different types of composting toilets available, and each type works differently.

You should check out Wikipedia's article on composting toilets before buying one - many people are unfamiliar with these systems and can find them confusing at first.

Also, make sure that you know how to operate it. Some people find these toilets difficult to use because there's no flush button. In addition, some models require manual emptying after use. If you don't want to deal with these issues, you may prefer a conventional toilet instead.

If you decide to buy a regular toilet, make sure that you choose one that has a tankless water heater. Tank-style toilets use too much hot water, making it harder to conserve energy.

If you have a tank-style toilet, think about replacing it with a tankless model for a greener home. The relatively cold water used in such models makes a huge difference to your overall energy usage.

You can also buy energy-efficient appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. Refrigerators are great because they help keep food fresh. Washing machines are great because they reduce the amount of electricity needed to run the dryer.

Can I Buy A Garbage Disposal With A Sink?

We don't recall having ever seen a garbage disposal with a built-in sink, so it's safe to say these don't come up often, if at all. If you want to have a sink, you'll probably need to buy a separate one. 

Don't worry, because most garbage disposals will fit most sinks, so you don't have to buy a specific type of garbage disposal (or sink!) to be able to enjoy the whole range of functions.

That said, if you really want to have a sink inside your garbage disposal, you can always buy a sink adapter kit.

These kits usually consist of two parts: a pipe that connects the sink drain to the garbage disposal drain, and a bracket that holds the sink in place over the garbage disposal. Installing these kits is pretty straightforward and doesn't require any special training or advanced DIY knowledge.