Upgrading your garbage disposal can be a quick, inexpensive way to upgrade your kitchen. In general, you can find smaller, less powerful garbage disposals for $75 to $125. Heavy-duty models that can handle tough jobs typically cost around $150 to $300 or more.
For most homeowners, our top garbage disposal recommendation is the InSinkErator Evolution for its durable build, powerful motor, and leak-proof protective liner. However, it is on the more expensive side—so we offer a few budget-friendly recommendations, as well.
Top 8 Garbage Disposals
All of our recommendations will be an upgrade from the builder-grade garbage disposal you likely have under your sink. As you read through the list, make sure to take your budget and sewer system into account.
*Links open to product retail page.
- Best Overall: InSinkErator Evolution
- Best for Septic Systems: InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist
- Best for Shallow Sinks: InSinkErator Badger 5
- Most Durable: Waste Maid WM-658-3B
- Best Warranty: Moen GXS75C Host Series
- Best Value: Waste King L-1001
- Best for Large Sinks: Waste King L-3200
- Best for Composting: Sepura Composting Garbage Disposal
Compare Top Garbage Disposals
The table below highlights our top picks for the best garbage disposal options.
| Product | Retail Link | Installation | Feed Type | Motor | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hardwired |
Continuous |
0.75 hp |
4-year |
||
|
Hardwired |
Continuous |
0.75 hp |
8-year |
||
|
Hardwired |
Continuous |
0.50 hp |
2-year |
||
|
Plug-In |
Continuous |
1.25 hp |
10-year |
||
|
Plug-In |
Batch Feed |
0.75 hp |
10-year |
||
|
Plug-In |
Continuous |
0.50 hp |
2-year |
||
|
Plug-In |
Continuous |
0.75 hp |
8-year |
||
|
Hardwired |
N/A |
N/A |
1-year |
Best Overall
InSinkErator Evolution
Good for: Homeowners looking for a heavy-duty garbage disposal that can handle all types of scraps.
For most homeowners, the Insinkerator Evolution strikes the perfect balance between price and quality. You get most of the features of a commercial-grade garbage disposal—a powerful motor, three-stage grinder, and sound-dampening insulation—at a significantly lower cost. The Evolution is also built for the DIY installer, with a special adapter that easily connects to your home’s wiring. If you’re looking to upgrade from an entry-level garbage disposal, the Evolution is a good place to start.
Pros and Cons of InSinkErator Evolution
- Quieter than most other garbage disposals
- Three-stage grind technology prevents clogging
- Rust-resistant
- Does not include a power cord
- More expensive than an entry-level disposal
Key Features
Fast Facts:
- Width: 8 inches
- Length: 12.1 inches
- Motor: 0.75 horsepower
- Warranty: 4 years
Best for Septic Systems
InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist
Good for: Homeowners with septic systems that need to ensure their disposal can fully break down foods.
This septic tank-friendly disposal uses a replaceable cartridge loaded with natural bioorganisms to break down foods and keep your septic system running smoothly. We were also impressed that it deodorizes the sink and drain with a citrus scent.
Pros and Cons of InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist
- Two-stage grinding mechanism
- Quick-lock sink mount is easy to install
- Quieter than most competitors
- Does not include a power cord
- Must be hardwired
Key Features
Fast Facts:
- Width: 11 inches
- Length: 16 inches
- Motor: 0.75 horsepower
- Horsepower: 8 years
Best for Shallow Sinks
InSinkErator Badger 5
Good for: People with limited under-sink space looking for a compact design that doesn’t lack power.
This tiny disposal still boasts a powerful motor while fitting in tight areas. It’s not as quiet or efficient as other InSinkErator models, but that’s the trade-off you make with crowded cabinets.
Pros and Cons of InSinkErator Badger 5
- Comes with a wrench and other tools and components for installation
- Compact design is just over 6 inches wide, compared to similar models that typically run 8 inches wide.
- Durable motor is built with galvanized steel components that are built to last
- Louder than other InSinkerator products
- Made of galvanized steel, which is more prone to rusting than stainless steel
Key Features
Fast Facts:
- Width: 6.3 inches
- Length: 11.5 inches
- Motor: 0.5 horsepower
- Warranty: 2 years
Most Durable
Waste Maid WM-658-3B
Good for: Customers looking for a sturdy disposal that will last for years and won’t corrode.
This disposal is made from durable stainless steel and has a magnetic silver guard that catches most metal objects like silverware before they fall into the disposal. At 1.25 horsepower, the Waste Maid has the most powerful motor on this list, making it particularly adept at grinding items like bones, fruit pits, and fibrous vegetables like carrots or celery.
Pros and Cons of Waste Maid WM-658-3B
- Simple to install, requiring only three bolts
- Anti-odor technology keeps bad smells away
- Can sometimes be slow to drain
- Is bulky
Key Features
Fast Facts:
- Width: 8.7 inches
- Length: 15.5 inches
- Motor: 1.25 horsepower
- Warranty: 10 years
Best Warranty
Moen GXS75C Host Series
Good for: Customers looking for a high-quality garbage disposal that’s backed by an unbeatable warranty.
Even the best garbage disposals can get smelly when food gets trapped in the works. Not the Moen. We love its proprietary tech that pushes your sink water through more areas of the disposal, helping all that gunk get washed down the drain.
Pros and Cons of Moen GXS75C Host Series
- Motor immediately operates at full speed, helping eliminate jams
- Fits most existing assemblies, including those from other brands
- Comes with a 10-year warranty, more than most other top brands
- Larger than other top-rated garbage disposals
- Doesn’t fit with all existing plumbing systems
Key Features
Fast Facts:
- Width: 9.7 inches
- Length: 14.9 inches
- Motor: 0.75 horsepower
- Warranty: 10 years
Best Value
Waste King L-1001
Good for: Homeowners seeking a compact disposal that won’t break the bank.
We like this garbage disposal as an affordable way to prevent kitchen clogs. It has a rust- and corrosion-proof grind chamber, and, despite a weaker motor, it’s still plenty powerful enough to break down small food scraps with ease.
Pros and Cons of Waste King L-1001
- Has a corrosion-resistant polymer grind chamber
- Has a compact design that’s just 5.25 inches wide
- Is equipped with an accessible front-mounted reset button
- Has weaker horsepower than some other disposals
- Is noisy, according to several customer reviews
Key Features
Fast Facts:
- Width: 5.3 inches
- Length: 12.8 inches
- Motor: 0.5 horsepower
- Warranty: 2 years
Best for Large Sinks
Waste King L-3200
Good for: Homeowners with large sinks that are budget-conscious.
Most of the garbage disposals we recommend need to be hard-wired into your home’s electric. Not this one. If your setup requires a plug-in model, the Waste King L-3200 is our top choice for you. With a high-powered motor and twist-and-lock installation, we find that this garbage disposal is easy for any homeowner to install and use.
Pros and Cons of Waste King L-3200
- Comes with a power cord
- Has a removable splash guard for convenient cleaning
- Is made with rust-resistant stainless steel components
- Not designed to grind raw meat or fish
- Won’t work with hard-wired systems
Key Features
Fast Facts:
- Width: 7.8 inches
- Length: 13.8 inches
- Motor: 0.75 horsepower
- Warranty: 8 years
Best for Composting
Sepura Composting Garbage Disposal
Good for: Environmentally conscious people who love the idea of a composting disposal.
This unique garbage disposal comes at a premium price, but composters may find the benefits well worth it. Rather than grinding and flushing food scraps, the Sepura collects food scraps into a sealed, odorless compost bin. Since there are no blades, it is also safer than most disposals.
Pros and Cons of Sepura Composting Garbage Disposal
- Septic-safe
- Odor-free design
- Wireless button can be installed on your sink to trigger the disposal
- Expensive
- Since it does not actually dispose of food, it requires an extra step to get rid of the waste
Key Features
Fast Facts: (Bullet points that highlight vital information):
- Width: 11.5 inches
- Length: 17.5 inches
- Motor: N/A
- Warranty: 1 year
Garbage Disposal Buying Guide
Before deciding on the right garbage disposal for you, consider the product’s dimensions, horsepower, and grinding method. Here’s more on the most important factors to consider when buying a garbage disposal.
Garbage Disposal Dimensions
A garbage disposal’s dimensions impact its compatibility with your kitchen sink. For example, our research shows that larger models might not fit in the cabinet under all kitchen sinks. While purchasing a compact garbage disposal removes the hassle of fitting the model under your sink, most compact garbage disposals sacrifice power for size.
Horsepower
A garbage disposal’s horsepower influences the type of food it can grind. For example, we found that a 0.25-horsepower disposal can tackle meat trimmings and other soft food, while a 0.75- or 1-horsepower disposal can grind tougher particles, such as melon rinds.
Grinding Technology
Garbage disposals are split into two different types: continuous-feed models and batch-feed models. Continuous-feed disposals run continuously once their power is turned on, making it easy for users to throw large amounts of food into their grind chambers.
Batch-feed garbage disposals are rarer, but they are available. They’re generally considered safer because they can only run when their cover is on securely. While this prevents mishaps, it also limits the amount of food that can be ground at once.
Materials
Most residential garbage disposals have grinding chambers that we saw are made from stainless or galvanized steel.
If you can afford the extra cost, we recommend stainless steel grind components because they are more resistant to corrosion and rust. While galvanized steel has a rust-resistant coating, the metal starts to rust as soon as this coating chips.
You’ll also find plastic grinding chambers. Though affordable and corrosion-resistant, plastic eventually cracks.
Extra Garbage Disposal Features
Some high-quality garbage disposals have unique features that help them stand out from other models. Some features our research found to look for include:
- Anti-Jamming: Some disposals are designed to prevent larger food particles from jamming the device. This can help your disposal last longer and allow you to put more food in at once.
- Plug-In Power Cord: Some non-hard-wired disposals come with a power cord, making them easier to install and preventing you from buying your own cord. If you need to buy your own power cord, we find that it will likely cost between $15-$20 dollars.
- Garbage Disposal Noise Reduction: Garbage disposals can be noisy, but some models include noise-reduction technology that can keep the noise level minimal or even whisper-quiet. Typically, disposals we’ve seen with more RPM and horsepower will have louder operations unless they are designed to reduce noise.
- Warranty: The warranty of a disposal varies based on the brand and model. We find that anything with a shorter than eight-year warranty is considered below-average. Some warranties will extend well past 10 or even 15 years, giving you added peace of mind.
Garbage Disposal Brands
We noticed a few select brands dominate garbage disposal sales. Most top-selling models come from InSinkErator, Waste King, Moen, or Waste Maid. These are well-established and trusted brands.
How Do You Install a Garbage Disposal?
Installing a garbage disposal can be simple or difficult, depending on how the area under your sink is set up. Corded disposals that come with three-bolt mounting hardware are relatively easy to install for DIYers, but most disposals require a hard-wire installation.
Contacting a plumber to help with the installation is one option. Garbage disposal installation cost varies depending on the type of disposal and overall labor costs. However, we find it typically costs around $400 to $500.
If you have the tools, you can try to install a garbage disposal yourself.
Garbage Disposal Tips
A backed-up garbage disposal can turn a cumbersome meal cleanup into a nightmare. To get the most use out of your new disposal, here are some important tips we gathered that will help you maintain your garbage disposal.
Dos
- Cut or tear large food particles into smaller pieces before loading them into the disposal.
- Keep your garbage disposal clean.
- Run your disposal regularly to prevent rust and corrosion.
Don’ts
- Don’t put non-food items into the garbage disposal
- Don’t overload your disposal by putting too much food down at once.
- Don’t stick your hand down the disposal to remove a jammed item without turning off the power first.
The Bottom Line
Garbage disposals can reduce odors, save time, and help you become more energy-efficient. While replacing your existing garbage disposal system may seem like a hassle, it is necessary if you find that you’re smelling strange odors, hearing bizarre noises, or experiencing frequent clogs with your garbage disposal system.
When choosing the right system for you, think about how much food waste you typically have and what foods most commonly go down your disposal. Also consider your kitchen and sink setup, and if you want to compost or if you use a septic system.
Garbage Disposal FAQs
How does a garbage disposal work?
Garbage disposals mount to the underside of your kitchen sink drain to catch solid food as it enters the drain. Once the food is in the disposal’s grinding chamber, you turn on the device to grind the food into small particles. These particles easily pass through your plumbing pipes instead of causing clogs.
How long do garbage disposals last?
We find that most garbage disposals last around ten years. If your model has difficulty grinding food, makes more noise than usual, or frequently clogs, it might be time for a replacement.
How do I use a garbage disposal?
To use a garbage disposal, we recommend running cold water in your sink before turning the disposal on. Once the device is on, gradually drop food into the drain. When you’ve finished disposing of the food, turn off the device. Leave the water on for a few more seconds to flush your pipes.
How do I clean my garbage disposal?
To clean your garbage disposal, pour ice, lemon juice, or vinegar down the drain to clean the device naturally. You can also find various cleaning products on the market that unclog and freshen garbage disposals.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of garbage disposals with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final shortlist, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
