Best Garbage Disposals 2019 – Reviews, Comparisons & Buying Guide

Did you know there are more than 200 garbage disposal units under 50 plus brands?

That doesn’t make finding a good garbage disposal any easier, does it?

The problem is amid this large number of options, it is almost impossible to find that just one garbage disposal you want for your kitchen.

So I created a small list of the best garbage disposals.

You can find the best disposal for any category, whether it is one with the most features or the best one for money, from my list.

So believe me when I say, your search ends here.

Best Garbage Disposal Units of 2019 – Top 12 Reviews

Here are they;

	Power, type	Noise Insulation	Warranty	Features
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Check Product	1 HP induction motor, 1725 RPM, Continuous feed	Ultra-Quiet	7-years	3 stage grinding, Stainless Steel grinding components and grinding chamber, Jam-Sensor Circuit to increase torque to break through jams, auto-reverse technology.
Waste King A1SPC Knight Check Product	1 HP permanent motor, 2800 RPM, Continuous feed	Ultra-Quiet	Lifetime warranty	Stainless Steel grinding components, corrosion resistant grinding chamber, pre-installed power cord
Waste King L-8000 Check Product	1 HP permanent motor, 2800 RPM, Continuous feed	None	20-years	Stainless Steel grinding components, corrosion resistant grinding chamber, pre-installed power cord
InSinkErator Evolution Essential View Product	3/4 HP induction motor, 1725 RPM, Batch feed	Quieter	6-years	2 stage grinding, Stainless Steel grinding components and grinding chamber.
InSinkErator Evolution Compact View Product	3/4 HP induction motor, 1725 RPM, Continuous feed	Quiet	4-years	2 stage grinding, Stainless Steel grinding components, compact design
Waste King L-3200 Legend Series View Product	3/4 HP permanent magnet motor, 2700 RPM, Continuous feed	Quiet	8-years	Stainless Steel grind components and corrosion resistant glass filled polyester grinding chamber, Removable splash guard, pre-installed power cord
Moen GX50C GX Series View Product	1/2 HP permanent magnet motor, 2600 RPM, Continuous feed	Good	4-years	Stainless steel grinding components and corrosion proof polymer grinding chamber, pre-installed power cord.
Waste King L-2600 LegendSeries View Product	1/2 HP permanent magnet motor, 2600 RPM, Continuous feed	Average sound insulation	5-years	Stainless Steel grind components, glass filled polyster grinding chamber, Removable splash guard, pre-installed power cord.
Waste King L-111 Legend Series View Product	1/3 HP permanent magnet motor, 1900 RPM, Continuous feed	None	2-years	Glass Filled Nylon Grinding Chamber. Heavy gauge Galvanized Steel swivel impellers: Stainless Steel turntable, Removable splash guard, pre-installed power cord.
InSinkErator Badger 5 View Product	1/2 HP dura drive induction motor, 1725 RPM, Continuous feed	None	2-years	Galvanized steel grinding elements with two stainless steel 360° swivel lugs.
KitchenAid KCDB250G View Product	1/2 HP induction motor, 1725 RPM, Continuous feed	Have a sound insulator cover to reduce noise	1-year	Galvanized steel grinding elements, SS swivel impellers and corrosion resistant grinding chamber.
General Electric GFC520V View Product	1/2 HP permanent magnet motor, 2800 RPM, Continuous feed	None	1-year	Stainless steel grinding blades, corrosion proof grinding chamber.

1. InSinkErator Evolution Excel – Best of the Best

Who is this disposal suitable for?

Evolution Excel is recommended for;

• Anyone wanting the best, top of the line disposal
• those with large households (5+ people)
• Those needing some extra grinding power to dispose of hard food items like chicken bones
• Those looking for an ultra-quiet disposal

Detailed review

Let’s take a detailed look at InSinkErator Evolution Excel.

Power, size, performance

InSinkErator Evolution Excel is the most powerful a household garbage disposal can be (That above 1HP are usually used for commercial purposes); it has a dura-drive induction motor which delivers a power of 1HP, powerful enough to grind almost anything. It uses a slow speed motor (1725 RPM) just like the Evolution Compact model but the 1 HP power gives its blades some extra torque to cut through tough food items. It has an amp rating of 10.2A and operates at the normal household ratings which are 120V and 60Hz.

This is a continuous feed type garbage disposal, and it has a chamber capacity of 40 oz. It uses a 3 level multi-stage grinding system, where different stages include a GrindShear Ring, Tri-action Lug system and an UnderCutter Disk, which is superior to all other garbage disposals. This multi-stage grinding technology makes sure that even the hardest food wastes are ground to a pulp.

The InSinkErator Evolution Excel comes with auto-reverse technology and jam sensor. This means that of the disposer detects any jams it will automatically reverse its rotation to unjam.

Performance wise it is hard to beat this product. If you are looking for a high performing machine add this to your list.

Noise levels

This is the quietest garbage disposal in my list. This one uses ‘SoundSeal technology’ which consists of Anti-vibration mount, anti-vibration tailpipe mount, Quiet collar sink baffle, and Sound Limiter insulations. Layers of insulation around the motor keep its operation quiet while the anti-vibration sink mount and tailpipe dampens any vibrations before them getting out.

This machine is ultra-quiet and it is your best choice if you want a really quiet unit.

Build quality

The InSinkErator Evolution Excel is a premium machine made of high-quality stainless steel components. Unlike most other disposals in the market its grinding components, sink mount, grinding chamber and almost all components are made of stainless steel. This prevents corrosion and adds to its durability.

In short, in terms of build quality, this one is the best.

Space and ease of installation

InSinkErator Evolution Excel is the biggest sink garbage disposer in terms of chamber capacity, it has a capacity of 40oz. But despite this, it is compact in size with a maximum height of 13″ and width of 12″. This means it can be installed even if the space availability under the sink is low.

The disposal is very easy to install, it uses a Quick-Lock system so it is really easy to mount and dismount the unit. What I find disappointing is that it doesn’t come with a power cord, and connecting a new power cord may prove tricky to some.

Looks and design

Evolution Excel is one of the most good looking garbage disposals. Its stainless steel finish and properly shaped body give it a premium feel (and it comes at a premium price.

Price and warranty

This is a premium product which comes with all top features, so it is not a surprise to see a premium price tag on this product. In fact, this is the priciest disposal in my whole list.

The Evolution Excel is covered under a 7-year warranty. This warranty also covers labor charges.

2. Waste King A1SPC Knight – A challenge to the best

Who is this suitable for?

The Waste King A1SPC Knight is suitable for:

• Anyone looking to own a premium disposal unit at a cheaper price
• Large households with 5+ people
• those looking for an ultra-quiet disposal

Detailed Review

This garbage disposal is clearly made as a challenge to InSinkErator Evolution Excel. It is hard to decide which one is better but the Excel models come with a few more features the Knight doesn’t have. But then this one is priced much lesser. So I leave the decision to you.

Power, size, performance

The ‘Knight’ is powered by a 1 HP high-speed motor. This is premium disposal by Waste King. It uses a permanent magnet type motor that runs at 2800 RPM. Definitely, this power is more than enough for a regular household.

Unlike its competitor the ‘Knight’ doesn’t have multiple grinding stages. Instead Waste King assures that its high speed is enough to grind any food ites thrown down it. They call it ‘One pass technology’.

Also, it doesn’t come with any particular anti-jamming features or auto-reverse. Waste King insists that’s not needed. Whatever technical jargons are used the Waste King Knight have proved to be a reliable disposal machine. Its performance is on par with its main competitors.

Noise insulation

Thankfully Waste King finally decided to make a silent disposer. The ‘Knight’ uses good sound insulations, and they call it ‘Exclusive Silencer’ technology.

One notable thing is that this product, unlike any of Waste King models, comes with a 3-bolt mounting system. A 3-bolt system is less likely to create vibrations which add to the noise, so clearly, this is an attempt to make this disposal as silent as possible. And they succeeded at it too, it is as silent as the Evolution Excel!

Build quality

The build quality of this disposal is on par with that of other top Waste King models. It uses stainless steel grinding components. Its grinding chamber is not stainless steel but is corrosion proof.

Space and ease of installation

With 9×15.9 inches this disposal is not exactly compact, it will definitely take a lot of space under the sink.

As mentioned before the ‘Knight’ uses a 3-bolt mounting system. If you are a replacing a disposal unit which uses the same system all you need to do is twist and snap this disposal in place. If the installation is for the first time it will take a few more additional minutes but that’s it.

It also comes with a preinstalled 36 inch long powercord, this makes it easy for anyone to get the disposal working within a few minutes.

Looks and design

The design of the Waste King Knight is unique, its entirely different from design followed by other disposals of Waste King. Clearly the company invested in making sure that this product looks different.

Simply speaking the design is adorable.

Price and warranty

Waste King offers the longest warranties among all garbage disposal units. The same is very true in the case of A1SPC Knight, because it comes with a lifetime warranty!

This sink disposal have everything needed to be a premium model, except the price! It is ultra-quiet, has a life long warranty so no one would expect it to be cheap but it is!

3. Waste King L-8000

Who is this waste disposal unit suitable for?

Waste King L-8000 is suitable for anyone;

• who wants a reliable and popular but powerful disposal unit at an affordable price
• with a large household consisting of 5+ people
• who want a disposal unit with the best warranty

Detailed Review

Power, size, performance

Waste King L-8000 is a powerful disposal unit for any kitchen. Combined with its high speed and 1 HP powerful motor it can grind almost anything to pulp.

This is a continuous feed type unit. I don’t know how much its chamber capacity is, there is no way to chek it, and that’s not given in the specifications sheet either.

It doesn’t have any fancy features. Even so, this unit does what it is made for; grind. Its performance is pretty reliable and is a worthy investment for a large kitchen.

Noise levels

Clearly, this is not a premium product, and so there is no significant noise reduction. But Waste King has modified this unit recently, and the new models are recognizably more silent than the old ones.

Build quality

This waste disposal unit can be trusted to work for a lifetime without any issues. Its grinding components are made of stainless steel. The grinding chamber is made of corrosion resistant glass filled polymer. If you are not sure its quality is not top notch, just hear this; it comes with a 20-year warranty!

Space and ease of installation

This disposal machine measures 16 inches in height and 8 1/2 inches across. So this is definitely not a compact model.

Like most other Waste King models this unit can be easily installed using EZ mounting system. Since it comes with a pre-installed power cord it is pretty easy to complete the electrcal side of installation. It won’t takemore than 30 minutes to get this disposal installed and running.

Looks and design

The disposal looks good. As mentioned before Waste King did some upgrades and their current design is far better than what it was.

Price & warranty

The L-8000 comes with an incredible warranty. I already mentioned that above, but again; it comes with a 20 year warranty. If anything happens to your disposal within this time Waste King will repair it or replace it, all costs covered by them.

4. InSinkErator Evolution Essential – Best Batch Feed Type Disposal

Who is this disposal suitable for?

InSinkErator Evolution Essential is recommended for those;

• looking for the best batch feed disposer
• with a medium to a large household (3+ people)
• preferring a quiet disposal
• looking for a feature-rich, top of the line, premium disposer

Detailed review

Power, size, performance

This is the only ‘batch feed type’ garbage disposal on our top 10 list.

It has a 3/4 HP, 1725 RPM motor. This Dura-Drive induction motor is powerful enough to grind most food wastes you can expect from a household kitchen. Its chamber capacity is 40 oz, which is exactly the same as that of the Evolution Excel model. Though much similar in class with the Evolution Excel model this model uses a 2-stage grinding system instead of the superior 3-stage system in the former.

Noise levels

This is the 2nd quietest garbage disposal on our list. Similar to the Evolution Excel product this one uses Sound Seal technology and anti-vibration sink mount but it is slightly louder. I have a video here in this post which compares noise levels of some InSinkErator models, this will give you an idea of the difference in noise levels between these two models.

Build quality

Evolution Essential garbage disposer is yet another premium product which is made completely of Stainless Steel (I am not saying the splash guard is stainless steel, you get the idea). It is corrosion proof and the steel grinding components make this machine more durable than most others. This comes at par with the Evolution Excel in terms of build quality but this is a batch feed disposal, (and it is the best batch feed garbage disposal) if you are ever planning to buy a batch feed disposal definitely go for this.

Space and ease of installation

The InSinkErator Evolution Essential garbage disposal has the same chamber capacity as the Evolution Excel model (40 oz) but it comes with different outer dimensions of 14x10x13 inches. In terms of space, the overall height of this disposer is 14 inches which is 1” more than the Excel model, so this is not as compact as the latter. But again this is a batch feed disposal, so if you are looking to buy one of that kind this is the best choice. It also has the standard Quick Lock system which allows you to easily connect the disposer with the sink mount. And as in every InSinkErator model this one doesn’t come with a power cord which was frustrating to me as well as for most other customers. The drain connection pipe is 1.5” dia which is standard across all garbage disposals.

Looks and design

This garbage disposer has a streamlined body and is compact in design. Its overall presentation is attractive, stylish, fashionable and beautiful. The bits of silver color present blends perfectly with the grey color giving it an excellent look.

Price and warranty

This is also the only premium level disposal which is batch feed type. So, definitely, don’t expect this to be cheap. It is in the same class as the Evolution Excel. But I should say this is worth the money considering all the excellent features it comes with. The warranty offered InSinkErator is a six years in-home limited warranty. This includes house calls in case you have a problem that needs to be addressed by professionals.

5. InSinkErator Evolution Compact – Best Compact Disposal

Who is this disposal suitable for?

The InSinkErator Evolution Compact is suitable for those;

• looking for a powerful compact disposal unit(12.25″ height)
• with a medium to a large household (3+ people)
• who prefer a quiet disposal
• who want a premium, good looking and feature rich disposal

Detailed Review

This is my kind of garbage disposal, not too pricey, has all the premium features, is compact and good looking too.

Power, size, performance

The InSinkErator Evolution Compact garbage disposal is powered by a ¾ HP Dura-drive induction motor. It runs at a speed of 1725 RPM consuming around 3-4KWH per year on regular usage. It operates at 120V, 60 Hz but needs slightly more Amps 8.1A, which is more than those of the Waste King models listed here. It is a continuous feed type garbage disposal and its grind chamber can accommodate 34.6 ounces of food wastes at a time. The large size and continuous feeding allow you to get rid of more wastes in a short time.

Like its premium counterparts, this disposal uses MultiGrind technology. In its case, it is a two-stage grinding system which includes a GrindShear Ring and Tri-action Lug System. This additional grinding stage helps to grind more solid food wastes, even small chicken bones.

Noise levels

The Evolution Compact garbage disposal has good noise insulation. It uses SoundSeal technology, which is the name of a standard technology InSinkErator use on all of their high-end models for noise reduction, to reduce any vibrations and sounds. One of its customers even claims his unit is so quiet that the sound of the water running to it is louder than the grinding noise.

One thing to note here is that the Evolution Compact is not as insulated as the Evolution Excel model which is the quietest of all. One reason is the comparably low powered motor. Since Evolution Compact uses only a ¾ hp motor the noise produced by it will be lesser than that by the 1HP motor of Evolution Excel. But in practice, you won’t find much difference. The reason I am highlighting this is that you don’t have to go for the Excel model solely because it is quieter.

Build quality

This disposer is a more economical, compact version of Evolution Essential in terms of build quality. All the grinding components and sink mount are made of Stainless Steel but the grinding chamber is made of high quality, corrosion resistant plastic. A steel grinding chamber would have been better but still, this product is durable and lasts more years than many other economical versions. In terms of build quality, it is the 3rd best garbage disposal I came across during my whole selection process for this review.

Space and ease of installation

The Evolution Compact, as the name says, is a really compact unit made to fit in almost all kitchen sink spaces. But it also has ample chamber capacity to process large amounts of food wastes. The disposal has an overall height of 12.25 inches with an approximate width of 8.75”. Its installation is done via a 3-bolt system. This allows for fast and easy installation especially when replacing other similar disposals. Since no power cord is included with this disposal, you will have to spend a little more time doing the wiring.

Looks and design

This InSinkErator garbage disposal is made of stainless steel, and it has a perfect black enamel finish which is ideal for breaking the monotony of gray. The black enamel gives it an excellent and perfect outward look. The compact design as well as the wider top and narrower bottom design makes it look good in any kitchen.

Price and warranty

This disposal is covered under a warranty of 4 years. Despite having this disposal for the last 6 years without any complaints I wish its warranty is a tad longer because a longer warranty would give more confidence to buyers.

The disposal is priced affordably though it comes with premium features. This is why it is no wonder that this disposal is the favorite of many, including me.

6. Waste King L-3200 Legend Series – Best value for money

Who is this suitable for?

The Waste King L-3200 is the best choice for;

• Anyone looking for a powerful and reliable disposer at an affordable price
• those with medium to large households (3+ people)

Detailed Review

Let me show you why the L-3200 is one of the most selling disposals;

Power, size, performance

The Waste King L-3200 Legend Series is powered by a ¾ HP high-speed motor capable of running it at 2700 RPM. The motor is ‘permanent magnet’ type and it operates at 115V, 60 Hertz, and 4.5amps. Its ¾ HP motor may not be the most powerful you find in a household garbage disposal but it produces the most power per pound.

This is a continuous feed type garbage disposal, you can add food wastes continuously while running it. This makes it easier to dispose of large quantities of food wastes in a short time.

In Waste King L-3200, food wastes undergo only a single stage of grinding. But since this is a high-speed disposal only that single stage is needed to convert any kind of food wastes to pulp. This is one big fundamental difference between Waste King and InSinkErator brands, Waste King compensates for multi-stage grinding efficiency with a faster motor. Or maybe it is the other way around.

Noise insulation

Waste King disposals are NOT known for their quiet operation. In fact, most of the Waste King models do not attempt noise reduction, possibly to reduce costs. Among their models, the L-3200 disposer is the quietest one. Though not at par with the groundbreaking technologies used in top InSinkErator models this one is properly insulated and has rubber dampers on the mount to reduce any vibrations. It is not very quiet but it is quieter than many competitors including Waste king L-111, Moen GX50C or Badger 5 by InSinkErator.

Build quality

L-3200 garbage disposal is one of the most rugged products by Waste King. All its grinding components are made of Stainless Steel for better performance and durability. The cutting chamber is made of glass filled polyester, a kind of high-quality fiberglass material with good strength and hardness.

Space and ease of installation

L-3200 garbage disposal has a width of 7 ¾” and a height of 13 5/8”. This is also one of the biggest sized garbage disposals by Waste King. It uses EZ sink mount system that is very easy to install. (You can read more about Ez mount vs 3-bolt here). What I love about Waste King units is that they come with power cords, so I don’t have to bother about buying and connecting a new power cord. It also has a removable splash guard, so it is easier to clean this disposal.

Looks and design

This garbage disposer is made of stainless steel, and has an off- white/silver finish. They recently upgraded the design of the disposal and now it looks more stunning. Even so, the shape is not as appealing as the top InSinkErator products. The wider top part and the narrower bottom part design contribute significantly to its large grinding chamber size.

Price and warranty

Waste King disposals are known for their cheap pricing and long term warranties. Compared to the topline InSinkErator models, this one is much cheaper. But when compared to other Waste King garbage disposals this may be a bit pricier as well. Even so, it is worth every penny because of all the great advantages it has over the others. To top this up, it has an eight years in-home warranty. The fact that it has such an extended warranty period shows that it is a quality product. It also offers a lifetime corrosion warranty, and this is part of the reason why you should choose this product.

7. Moen GX50C GX Series

Who is this suitable for?

Moen GX50C is a good choice for those;

• Looking for an affordable and reliable disposer
• with a small to medium sized household (1-4 people)

Detailed review

Power, size, performance

The GX50C by Moen is equipped with a 1/2 HP, 2600 RPM motor. This motor is Vortex permanent magnet type, which is similar to that in a Waste King disposal. Consuming 4.5 amps it operates at 115V and 60Hz. Note that the Amps rating is less when a permanent magnet type motor is used. This is a continuous feed type of disposal.

Unlike InSinkErator’s top-end models, this disposal has only one grinding stage. Just like the Waste King L-3200 the lack of multiple grinding stages is compensated with the high cutting rate provided by the high-speed motor. This high-speed rotation also allows reducing jams since you get more cutting per minute.

Noise insulation

The GX50C uses SoundShield technology to shield the noise of the motor running. It is not as quiet as the top InSinkErator models or the L-3200 but it has decent noise insulation. Some customers mention regular noise and some compare it with Badger 5 in terms of running sound but I think it is more because people had higher expectations from such a beautifully designed product, not because it is actually noisy.

Build quality

The build quality of GX50C is similar to Waste King’s L-3200 garbage disposal but it has better looks. The grinding components of GX50C are made of stainless steel which is durable against corrosion. Its grinding chamber is made of a high-quality polymer which is also corrosion resistant. Overall this disposal is built well to boast of a long lifetime.

Space and ease of installation

The height of this garbage disposal is about 13-3/8” with a width of approximately 7 ½”. It is compact and fits perfectly. It uses a 3-bolt mount system. In addition, it uses ‘universal express mount’ technology that involves a simple twist and lock procedure (this is basically the quick lock system of InSinkErator under another name). In addition, it comes with a fitted power cord so it is simply ‘plug and play’ once the installation is complete.

Looks and design

I find the design of GX50C more attractive than any of its competitors. It looks like the disposal has a layer after layer latex construction but it is just the expertise of the designer. Coming in mostly black this disposal looks really classy and photogenic.

Price and warranty

The Moen GX50C is competitively priced. It has a four years limited warranty and comes with in-home services. If you are looking for a low cost disposal with good looks and good performance this is an ideal choice.

8. Waste King L-2600 Legend Series

Who is this disposal suitable for?

Waste King L-2600 is suitabe for those;

• Looking for a reliable and affordable 1/2 hp disposal
• who have a small to medium sized household (1-4 people)

Detailed Review

Power, size, performance

Made by Waste King, the L-2600 series run with a 1/2 HP motor which delivers enough power to be used in a normal household. Its operational requirements are the same as that of the L-3200 series; 4.5A, 60Hz, and 115V. This disposal is capable of grinding kitchen food wastes like small fish bones and fibrous veggies. Even with single stage grinding the 2600 RPM high-speed motor easily grinds a continuous stream of any kind of disposal friendly food wastes within seconds. The motor is ‘permanent magnet’ type which is standard across all Waste King disposals.

Noise levels

This has better noise insulation than the L-111 legend series. In this garbage disposal, Waste King provides insulation for the grinding components which succeed in reducing noise to a certain level. In my experience, it produces the same level of sound as a Badger 5, its competitor.

Build quality

The L-2600 model by Waste King is one of the most sold garbage disposals on Amazon and on other similar e-commerce platforms. It is a strong competitor to Moen GX50C garbage disposal at all levels. It is made of a premium quality material that makes it durable and long lasting when compared to competition like the General Electric GFC520V, KitchenAid KCDB250G, and the Moen GX50C. Like the GX50C and L-3200 its grinding components are all stainless steel and the grinding chamber is glass filled polyester. Its build quality is not as good as the L-3200 but it gets the job done without any problems.

Space and installation

Waste King L-2600 has a width of 6.8” and a height of 13.5”. It is not that big and you will have no trouble installing in any under sink spaces.

This product has an EZ-mount system that makes the mounting easy and does not require a plumber. And it comes with a long, 36-inch power cord.

Looks and design

The design of this disposal is much similar to L-3200. It has an off-white/silver finish with a streamlined design.  This compact design allows it to be installed in under sinks where space is less. It has a stable flat and round base. Overall this one has a simple design which may not be as good as many of its competitors but still good.

Price and warranty

This Waste King garbage disposal is a pocket-friendly product, it is cheaper than the L-3200. It comes with a 5-year warranty, and also a lifelong corrosion warranty. That means if this disposal leaks, ever, you can get it replaced or repaired for free.

9. Waste King L-111 Legend Series – Cheapest disposer

Who is this suitable for?

Waste King L-111 is suitable for anyone;

• looking for a cheap but reliable disposal
• with a small household (1-2 people)

Power, size, performance

It runs on a ‘Vortex’ powered permanent magnet type motor just like the one in L-3200 series but it has only 1/3 HP of power. This is one of the least powered garbage disposals which are useful for light, occasional uses. It operates at 115V, 60 Hz, and 4A and runs at 1900 RPM. This is a continuous type disposal so you can feed wastes without waiting for the first batch grinding to be completed. Like all Waste King disposals, this one uses single stage grinding. This is the least powerful disposal from Waste King but this is pretty much enough for a small household.

Noise levels

The L-111 is one of the cheapest garbage disposals. To make it affordable no measures are taken for noise reduction, but please note that I am comparing this with the rest of my 9 picks, this is not actually that noisy. Generally speaking, this is one of the quietest among low-end disposals. In the opinion of several customers, this disposer is quieter than their old ones.

Build quality

During my review, I found that Waste King L-111 goes one step down in terms of build quality. Its grinding components are made of Galvanized Steel which is not as durable as its stainless steel counterpart. But the swivel impellers, which are used to smash food, are Stainless Steel. The grinding chamber, like the L-2600 and 3200 series, is made of corrosion resistant glass filled polyester.

Space and Installation

The dimensions of this product are 13.44” in height and 6.38” in width. This has the same chamber capacity as the L-2600 model but it is more compact. The difference is mostly due to the bigger motor the L-2600 has. The mounting system used is the EZ mount system, and it is very easy to install and does not require a lot of time. When you are doing a replacement, you will not need to replace the power socket, but you will have to replace the drainage pipes with new ones that fit perfectly and are of the right size.

Looks and design

This kitchen garbage disposer has a straight forward, basic design. The selection of the color is also not attractive as compared to the other brands (It recently got a new design, and it looks much better now). Even so, it is not that bad.

Price and warranty

This disposal is cheaper when compared to the rest of the Waste King products listed here. It also comes with a 2-year warranty, which is not bad considering its price.

10. InSinkErator Badger 5

Who is this disposal suitable for?

InSinkErator Badger 5 is suitable for anyone;

• looking for a reliable and cheap 1/2 HP disposal
• with a small to medium household (1-4 people)

Detailed review

Power, size, performance

The Badger 5 series by InSinkErator has a power of ½ HP which is in the same league as the L-2600 model by Waste King. But this one runs at a lower speed, which is 1725 RPM. In fact, this is the standard running speed for all InSinkErator machines. It operates in 120V, 60Hz, and 6.3A. It is a single stage machine and with a chamber capacity of 26oz.

Noise levels

The Badger 5 is a quite popular sink disposer with hundreds of positive reviews on different online marketplaces. It doesn’t use any noise insulation but during my review, I found that it isn’t noisy like hell either.

Build quality

Badger 5 is InSinkErator’s answer to L-111 by Waste King. Both units match in popularity as well as build quality. Same as its competition the Badger 5 garbage disposal’s grinding components are made of Galvanized steel, the swivel lugs made of stainless steel and the cutting chamber of a corrosion resistant polymer. Both units are equally durable and suited for a normal household of 1-4 people.

Space and installation

The size measures a height of approximately 13” and a width of 7”. This is a smaller disposer than all the above with a chamber capacity of 26oz which is only a little short of that of the L-111 and L-2600 models. In terms of space both the L-111 and Badger 5 occupies the same but the latter has a more powerful motor. The sink mount is the 3-bolt type with a quick-lock setup for easy installation.

Looks and design

The badger 5 comes in enamel grey color. It follows a straight forward, and basic design style. You won’t see anything remarkable in the design, and it is meant to be so.

Price and warranty

This is an affordable sink disposal. When you are looking for a good garbage disposer at an affordable price, then this is the best choice you can go for. As compared to the rest of the disposers in our list, this is the most cost-effective. It also has a two-year part and in-home warranty.

11. KitchenAid KCDB250G

Who is this disposal suitable for?

This kitchenaid garbage disposer is suitable for anyone;

• with a small to medium household (1-4 people)
• looking for a low-cost solution.

Detailed Review

Power, size, performance

The KCDB250G series garbage disposal by KitchenAid has a ½ HP motor. It runs at an RPM of 1725 which is the same as that of the InSinkErator garbage disposals I reviewed above. I searched their product manual and some online stores to see how much amps it takes to work but couldn’t find that info anywhere. It definitely works at 115-120V and 60Hz but I have no idea how much electricity it requires. Like the Badger 5 series, this disposal is also a continuous feed type disposal with single stage grinding.

Noise levels

This garbage disposal has decent noise insulation. I should say it is as good as the Moen GX50C or may be better. The older units didn’t have noise insulation so the manufacturer added a sound insulator cover, and that does a good job too.

Build quality

The components of kitchen Aid KCDB250G is made of high-quality stainless steel material. It has a steel shredder ring that is made of galvanized steel, grinding wheel and chamber that are also made of the same material.

Space and installation

Though it has the same chamber capacity as Badger 5, the KitchenAid garbage disposal takes up only a smaller area thanks to its compact design. It has a total height of 11 3/8” and a width of 6 5/8”. This one doesn’t come with a power cord so you will need to buy a new one or use that of an existing disposal. But even so, the package has simple installation instructions to follow. It also has a simple mounting system, and the instructions are easy to follow giving you a smooth installation experience.

Looks and design

The disposer comes in a glossy red and white color. It is a bit wide at the neck. This is not exactly like the Evolution Excel but I can’t say anything bad about its looks.

Price and warranty

This is cheap, even so, it has some very great quality features that are impressive and can sustain a small household. Among all cheap garbage disposal machines, this is one of the best in the category considering it is also soundproof to some extent. The warranty to this product covers only one year, and it is the least among the rest. If any defects arise within the warranty period, the company will be responsible for the repairs.

12. General Electric GFC520V Garbage Disposal

Who is this disposal most suitable for those?

This GE disposal is suitable for;

• wanting a cheap and reliable 1/2 HP disposal
• with a small to medium household (1-4 people)

Detailed review

Power, size, performance

GFC520V is the best garbage disposal by General Electric. It is powered by a 1/2 HP motor capable of maintaining a speed of 2800 RPM. The motor is ‘permanent magnet’ type which reduces the electricity consumption to 4.5A. This appliance churns out enough power to grind most household food wastes. Its grinding chamber accommodates up to 27 ounces of food wastes. This garbage disposer uses only a single stage grinding.

Noise levels

This GE product doesn’t have any insulation, but like the Badger 5, this too is not unbearably noisy.

Build quality

Te grinding components of this garbage disposal are built with stainless steel material of high quality to make the product durable and also resistant to corrosion. The impellers are made of stainless steel, and the grinding chamber is made of corrosion resistant material.

Space and installation

This product is not as big as the other garbage disposers I reviewed but it is large enough. It has a height of 12 11/16” and a width of 5 3/16”. It uses an EZ mount system for easy installation. Like the InSinkErator models, this one too doesn’t come with a power cord so you will have to do a bit of wiring as well.

Looks and design

The black color and the bit of silver color at the upper part have blended perfectly, and the contrast of the colors is perfect. The overall look is beautiful, and it has a stylish appeal and a classy look.

Price and warranty

As far as price is concerned, this product is cheap, it is on par with the KitchenAid garbage disposal. Even so, this does not imply that it is substandard.

The warranty given for this product by the manufacturing company is a one-year limited replacement and another additional one-year limited parts warranty.

Buying Guide – 7 things to look for when selecting a garbage disposal unit

1. Power, Size & Performance

The job of a waste disposal unit is to grind food wastes to a pulp. So performance is a must criterion for selecting a disposer. While power is an indicator of performance the most powerful disposer may not be the best performing one.

For eg: a 1HP disposer is definitely more powerful than a 3/4HP one but a smaller unit with a 3/4HP motor may perform far better than a large one with a 1HP motor.

So the ability of a kitchen sink disposer to grind food wastes depends on both power and size, which is why I used it as a criterion in my selection.

If you are not sure what power/size disposal you need, feel free to check my size guide.

2. Noise Levels

Everyone agrees that noise is bad.

The noise made by garbage disposal units is an important buying factor for many customers. People always prefer quiet units but the quieter ones always tend to be more expensive.

Most low-end disposers do not have any noise insulations so as to cut costs. But there are some affordable choices as well.

If you give priority to a quiet disposal, feel free to check my list of the quietest garbage disposals for more informtion.

3. Build Quality

The quality of a product is an indicator of its longevity. Products with high build quality last longer.

In the case of a garbage disposal, the build quality of its parts and components are of utmost importance. A garbage disposal made of good quality materials lasts for many years.

The top-notch disposals are made entirely of stainless steel while in cheaper ones only the griding components are SS.

That being said take it with a grain of salt. Because the disposals with the longest warranties are not entirely made of stainless steel.

But if you are looking for disposal s with the highest build quality make sure you check my list of stainless steel garbage disposal units.

4. Availability of Space

Garbage disposals are not tiny gadgets, they take ample room under your sink. And like every product each disposal varies in size and shape, some are compact while the others are not so. Space and ease of installation is not a big buying factor but they also play a minor role.

In some cases, the space under the sink may not be big enough for all kind of disposals. If that is the case I suggest you check my list of the compact disposal units.

5. Ease of Installation

Luckily all sink disposal units are made to fit the standard sink drain size, so you can buy any dsiposal or you sink. Whatever disposals you buy it won’t take more than a. couple of hours to get it installed and running, and that is if you are installing one for the first time.

All disposals use either a 3-bolt mounting or an EZ mounting system. Both have their own pros and cons, and both take about the same time for installation. If you are interested in knowing more about this please check my post; EZ vs 3-bolt.

6. Looks & Design

Looks are subjective, what appeals to me may not appeal to everyone.

Does looks really matter for an appliance that’s fitted under your sink, hidden from your view?

People say yes.

It’s no wonder then why manufacturers also try to make their disposals look better and better. I personally don’t see any reason worth spending more money on a unit that sits hidden from view, but feel free to make your own decisions.

7. Price & Warranty

Last but not the least, price and warranty are two important buying factors when considering any product.

An ideal product is one that is cheaper with a longer warranty.

But this never happens, usually only the top end products come with longer warranties. I have done my best to add affordable disposals to the list.

Hope you find this useful.

Most Asked Buying Questions

It is not surprising to find people asking so many questions about garbage disposals. After all many are buying disposals for the first time or after a long time. So I included a Q&A section answering some of the most frequently asked questions.