The Ultimate Guide To Picking The Best Garbage Disposal

During our review of garbage disposals, we found that Evolution Excel is the best. It 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 anything that is allowed to be thrown into a garbage disposal. This is a slow speed motor which runs at a speed of 1725RPM just like the Evolution Compact model but the 1HP 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, including 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 pulp.

This is the only ‘batch feed type’ garbage disposal on our top 10 list. Its 3/4 HP motor keeps the disposal running at 1725 RPM. The Dura-Drive 3/4HP motor is capable of grinding most food wastes you can expect from a household kitchen. With a chamber capacity of 40 oz, which is exactly the same as that of the Evolution Excel model, it easily grinds large amounts of food wastes with the help of its two-stage grinding system.

I really loved reviewing this garbage disposal. The InSinkErator Evolution Compact garbage disposal is powered by a ¾ HP Dura-drive induction motor. It runs at a speed of 1725RPM consuming around 3-4KWH per year. It operates at 120V, 60 Hz but needs slightly more Amps 8.1A, which is more than those of the Waste King models. 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.

It uses MultiGrind technology, a two-stage system for grinding which includes a GrindShear Ring and Tri-action Lug System. This lets you efficiently grind difficult food items like small chicken bones with no difficulty at all.

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 which operates at 115V, 60 Hertz, and 4.5amps. This ¾ HP motor may not be the most powerful you can 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 Waste King L-3200 garbage disposal 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.

The GX50C by Moen uses a 1/2HP, 2600RPM motor. It is a 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 disposal and has only a single grinding stage.

Made by Waste King, the L-2600 series run with a 1/2HP motor which delivers enough power to be used in a normal household. Its operational requirements are same as that of the L-3200 series; 4.5A, 60Hz and 115V, and it is capable of grinding kitchen food wastes like small fish bones and fibrous veggies. Even with single stage grinding the 2600RPM 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 in all Waste King disposals.

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 is useful for light, occasional uses. It operates at 115V, 60 Hz, and 4A and runs at 1900RPM. 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 we found during our review that this is pretty much enough for a small household.

The Badger 5 series by InkSinkErator has a power of ½ HP which is in the same league as the L-2600 model by Waste King. But this one runs with a different 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.

The KCDB250G series garbage disposal by KitchenAid works with a ½ HP motor. It runs at an RPM of 1725 which is same as that of each InSinkErator garbage disposal I reviewed. 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 we have no idea how much electricity it requires. Like the Badger 5 series, this disposal is also a continuous feed single stage one.

GFC520V is the best garbage disposal by General Electric. It is powered by a 1/2 HP motor capable of maintaining a speed of 2800RPM. 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 27ounces of food wastes. This garbage disposer uses only a single stage grinding.

This is the quietest garbage disposal we came across during our review. It uses SoundSeal technology which consists of Anti-vibration mount, anti-vibration tailpipe mount, Quiet collar sink baffle and Sound Limiter insulation. 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 the best garbage disposal choice if you want a really quiet unit.

This is the 2nd quietest garbage disposal on our list. Similar to the Evolution Excel product this one uses Sound Seal technology but is a little noisier.

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

The L-3200 Disposer is one of the quietest garbage disposals by Waste King. It is properly insulated and has rubber dampers on the mount to reduce any vibrations. It is not very quiet but during our review, we found that it is quieter than L-111, Moen GX50C or Badger 5 by InSinkErator.

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. 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.

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.

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.

The Badger 5 is a quite popular disposal 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.

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.

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

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 makes it more durable. In my search for the best garbage disposal, the Evolution Excel ranks the highest in build quality.

Evolution Excel garbage disposer is 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.

Evolution Compact garbage 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 we came across during our garbage disposal review.

The 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 polyster, a kind of plastic material with good strength and hardness. The build quality of the unit is similar to that of the Evolution Compact model by InSinkErator, and it is cheaper too.

The GX50C is similar to Waste King’s L-3200 garbage disposal but with better looks. It is made of Stainless steel grinding components and the cutting chamber is made of corrosion proof glass filled polymer.

The L-2600 model by Waste King is one of the most sold garbage disposals on Amazon and other similar ecommerce platforms. It is a strong competitor to the Moen GX50C garbage disposal in all levels. It is made of a premium quality material that makes it durable and long lasting when compared to others like the General Electric GFC520V, KitchenAid KCDB250G, and the Moen GX50C. Like the GX50C and L-3200 its grinding components are all stainless steel but the grindng chamber is glass filled polyster. Its build quality is not as good as the L-3200 but it gets the job done which makes it more popular.

During our review, we 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.

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 2-4 people.

This kitchen Aid KCDB250G garbage disposer is made of a 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. But when compared to the Waste King and InSinkErator brands, this product doesn't stand a chance.

This garbage disposal is built with stainless steel material of high quality making the product durable and also resistant to corrosion. The impellers are made of stainless steel, and the grinding chamber is made of corrosion proof material.

InSinkErator Evolution Excel is the biggest garbage disposal on our review list. It has a height of 13” and a width of about 12”. Naturally this will take lots of space under the sink, but owing to the compact design it won’t take as much space as some other lower end models. By ‘compact’ what I mean is that InSinkErator reduced the height of this disposal and made it wider so it still has 40 oz. capacity but can be comfortably fitted under most kitchen sinks. When doing replacements, you will have to change the drainage pipes with new ones that are compatible with the product. The sink mount utilizes a Quick-Lock system so it is really easy to mount and unmounts 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.

The InSinkErator Evolution Essential garbage disposal has the same chamber capacity as the Evolution Excel model but it comes with a different size 14x10x13 inches. In terms of space, the overall height of this disposer is 14 inches which is 1” more than the Excel and this is not as compact. 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 our review team as well as for most other customers. The drain connection pipe is 1.5” dia which is standard across all garbage disposals.

The Evolution Compact, as the name says, is a really compact unit made to fit in almost all kitchen sink spaces. It has an overall height of 12.25 inches with an approximate width of 8.75”. Same as its top end models the Quick Lock system makes the mounting easier, and the drain pipe size is 1.5”.

The L-3200 garbage disposal has a width of 7 ¾” and a height of 13 5/8”. This is also one of the biggest sizes of garbage disposal products from Waste King. The sink mount is an EZ sink mount system that is very easy to install like most of the other products. The instructions that show you how to mount the garbage disposal are simple, and you will experience no hurdles during the process. 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.

The height of this garbage disposal is about 13 3/8” with a width of approximately 7 ½”. It is compact and fits perfectly. The sink mount makes use of the universal express mount technology that involves a simple twist and lock procedure. Other than this, the mounting is also a 3-bolt mounting, and this sets this product apart from the rest. With simple instructions to follow, the process has been made simple. During our review, the entire installation process was easy and very fast. And yes, a fitted power cord is included.

This garbage disposal has a width of 9” and a height of 14.2”. These dimensions indicate that it is a sizable product and it is bigger as compared to some other products like the L-111 Legend Series. 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.

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.

The size measures a height of approximately 13” and a width of 7”. This is a smaller garbage disposal 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 a quick-lock type for easy 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.

This product is not as big as the other garbage disposers we reviewed but it is large enough to take care of your needs. It has a height is 12 11/16” and a width of 5 3/16”. This product utilizes the EZ mount system technology that offers an easy installation process that is free of struggles. Like the InSinkErator models, this one too doesn’t come with a power code attached so you will have to do a bit of wiring as well.

This garbage disposer has a very sleek look. It is a beauty, and the stainless steel finish with light grey color is equally good. This is better than the Waste King disposers’ looks. Its compact design with a larger top diameter and a narrower bottom diameter provides a greater surface area that can hold a lot of garbage. It is stylish, and it looks great. The sound seal technology used makes it a better product and the multi-grind technology design sets it apart from the other brands like Waste King Brands.

This garbage disposer has a streamlined body and a compact design that helps to increase its capacity and making it better than all the rest except the Evolution Excel. The 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.

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 allows for maximum capacity.

This garbage disposer is made of stainless steel, and it is silver in color. This silver color gives it a very sleek look that is appealing and very attractive to the eye. Even so, the shape is not as appealing as the top InSinkErator products. The wider top part and the narrower bottom part design contributes significantly to its large surface area.

This product has a very elegant finish with a stainless steel color. It has a compact design and a streamlined body, and this helps it to take up very little space under the sink making it better that the L-3200 and L-2600 Waste King series product. The blend of the different color shades makes it beautiful. The product looks stylish and fashionable.

This garbage disposer is made of stainless steel. This material has been paired up with a silver color like the L-3200 series, and this makes it equal to it in this context. It has a compact design that saves a lot of space so that it can accommodate more waste. It has a stable flat and round base. The wider upper diameter and the narrower bottom diameter is a genius in increasing the capacity, but it is not so beautiful to look at.

This kitchen garbage disposer has a more streamlined shape that is more appealing than the rest of the Waste King products. The selection of the color is also not attractive as compared to the other brands. Even so, the steel material used gives it a perfect finish and strength.

This product has an excellent finish with enamel that is grey in color, and it is waterborne. It has a compact design that helps a great deal in ensuring that the product provides maximum space for waste accommodation. The design for the sink mount is also excellent as it makes work easy for anyone to do it. The galvanized steel material used to make it also contributes a great deal to its aesthetic beauty. Compared to the other products in this price range, this one is outstanding.

The stainless steel material used to make this garbage disposer gives it a good shiny finish. It has a compact design that makes it require minimal space under your sink which is better than the InSinkErator Evolution Compact. Its streamlined nature is also an added advantage. The silver color and the red color have blended perfectly, and the contrast has been brought out excellently.

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.

Evolution excel is a premium product when compared to the other products we reviewed. Therefore, if you are looking for a premium product, this is it. It is the best in the market and gives you the ultimate garbage disposal experience with all the great features it has. It has a 7-year warranty that is described as “we come to you" in-home part and labor warranty. This means that you can make house calls when a need arises. This warranty comes second after the Waste Kind L-3200. It is better than the rest.

This is also a premium product which is batch feed type. It is in the same class as the Evolution Excel. This is excellent considering it has some of the best features as compared to the other products listed. For this price, the experience you will have will be worth it. The warranty offered by the manufacturing company is a six years in-home limited warranty. This warranty includes a house call in case you have a problem that needs to be addressed by professionals.

The description of the warranty of this product is four years all parts and labor. This means that it is better than the Waste King L-111 and some others in our ist. It also includes house calls for any need you may have. The pricing of the InSinkErator Evolution Compact is low-end, and it has proved to be pocket-friendly and efficient. It is reliable, super efficient and easy. The price and the warranty are better than some of the products like KitchenAid and the General Electric.

When compared to other Waste King garbage disposals we reviewed, this one is economical. 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.

This product is low-end in price and the features described may lead you to think it deserves more. If you are looking for a cost friendly garbage disposer, then this is the product for you. The product has a four years limited warranty and comes with in-home services. This warranty is better than that of InSinkErator Badger 5.

This Waste King garbage disposal is a pocket-friendly product, it is more affordable than the L-3200. However, this does not mean the quality is compromised. It is made of strong stainless steel material, and its grinding components are made of stainless steel also making it very durable. Other than that, these components are also corrosion proof. It is because of this durability nature that it has a five years in-house warranty as well as a lifetime corrosion warranty. This warranty beats most of the other products and especially the General Electric and the KitchenAid.

This is cheaper when compared to the rest of the Waste King products assessed here. Even so, it is still an excellent choice. This has a fair price considering all the right qualities it exhibits. This waste disposal has a two years in-house warranty. This is not as great as the other Waste King products listed but it is better than the General Electric and the KitchenAid.

This is an affordable garbage disposal for all people. When you are looking for a good garbage disposer, and at a very 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 parts and in-home 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 sound proof. The warranty to this product covers only one year, and it is the least among the rest. If any defects arise, the company will be responsible for the repairs.

When price is considered, this product is cheap, it is at par with the KitchenAid garbage disposal. Even so, this does not imply that it is substandard. When compared to the other cheap disposals, this one stands out because of the great features it has in place. The warranty given for this product by the manufacturing company is a one-year limited replacement and another additional one-year limited parts warranty. This is better than the warranty for the KitchenAid product mentioned.

The longevity of a garbage disposal depends on its build quality, the frequency of use and how it is maintained. High-end garbage disposals last for around 15-18 years while decent ones will work fine for about 8-10 years.

If your garbage disposal is humming when it is turned on that means it is jammed. In that case first, disconnect the disposal from your electrical circuit. Then try to rotate the blades using a stick or anything similar from above. If that doesn't work look at the bottom of the disposal for a hole that fits an Allen wrench. A 1/4inch Allen wrench is the standard size across all disposals, try to turn the motor back and forth using it to unjam the disposal. In most cases, this will work, and you can connect the garbage disposal back to the electric circuit and see if it is working. If this doesn't work remove all the food wastes you had added to the disposal and try to rotate the motor again using the Allen wrench. If this still doesn't work and you are sure there is no more food wastes to jam the blades better call a technician.

The most popular manufacturers of garbage disposals are InSinkErator, Waste King, Moen, Kitchen Aid & General Electric. All brands have their own pros and cons but the most popular ones among the above are InSinkErator and Waste King, here is a comparison you can refer.

Household garbage disposals range from 1/3HP to 1HP in terms of grinding power. Low power models are more economical so it makes sense to spend some time on deciding what power garbage disposal you need.

A 1/3 HP garbage disposal is suitable for small houses with 1-2 people where the frequency of use is less. A 1/2 HP power garbage disposal is suitable for small houses with 3-5 people with moderate use. Most people prefer a 3/4Hp disposal because they are able to process most food wastes and are suitable for a regular household. 1HP disposals are usually preferred by households with heavy usage.

Not including the cost of the garbage disposal, it will cost around $120 to get a garbage disposal replaced. It usually takes 3-4 hours of work and is charged an average of $30/hour.

There are mainly 3 reasons why your garbage disposal is not working;

1. The machine is overloaded - This happens for many reasons like running the disposal for a long time, clogs, overheating etc. in such cases the disposal is automatically shut down. In this case, you will need to manually reset the red button which is usually on its bottom side.
2. Jammed disposal - In this case, the disposal blades are jammed. You will have to remove the food wastes inside and manually rotate the blades (disconnect electricity before that) to make sure the clogs are removed.
3. Faulty Disposal - If the disposal is not working and it is not because of any of the above two reasons then the disposal must have got damaged. You will need the help of a technician in this case.

Here is a detailed list of what you shouldn't put in a garbage disposal. Everything else that is organic food wastes can go down a disposal.

Definitely NO unless you are required to by law, which I don't think is anywhere. But many households in USA use them and it is also environmental friendly than sending your trash to a landfill. But if you are composting your food wastes that's a far better option.

There is a red button at the bottom (or on the side) of every disposal. If your garbage disposal is overloaded that button will pop out and the disposal will be shut down. To reset a garbage disposal switch it OFF and press that reset button. Then run cold water for a few minutes and switch ON the disposal.

Generally, for most disposals, it is a big NO. It is ok to add them once in a while but the general advice is NO.

Properly maintaining your garbage disposal will increase its longevity. I am soon going to do an article on 'How to clean a garbage disposal', pls stay tuned 🙂