A garbage disposal is a perfect gadget to keep your drain sparkling clean. Instead of cleaning your drain by hand or using caustic cleaning products, a garbage disposal gadget is a fast and effective way to eliminate food waste.
Powerful Garbage Disposal Gadgets For Effective Food Waste Elimination
Keeping your kitchen drain free of built-up food scraps can be a time-consuming, messy task. A powerful garbage disposal unit is the smart way to keep your drain clean and it will do all the messy clean-up work for you.
These convenient household gadgets effectively eliminate drain blockages and odors by grinding up food scraps into small enough pieces so they can pass easily down the drain and into the septic system or city sewage pipes. A garbage disposal unit, like an indoor compost bin, is an environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient gadget. It reduces landfill waste and is quite affordable to run.
The 9 Best Garbage Disposal Units
- Waste King Legend Series L-3300 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal
- InSinkErator Badger 5XP 3/4 HP Household Garbage Disposer
- General Electric GFC320V 1/3 HP Continuous Feed Food Waste Disposer
- Moen GXS75C GX Series 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal
- Waste Maid 358 ½HP Food Waste Disposer
- Kitchen Aid KCDB250G ½HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
- Whirlaway 291 ½HP Garbage Disposer
- Emerson Evergrind E202 Food Waster Disposer
- Frigidaire FFDI331DMS GrindPro 1/3 HP Continuous Feed Waste Disposer
Our Top Pick for the Best Garbage Disposal
Our top pick for the best garbage disposal is the Waste King L-3300 Legend Series Garbage Disposal.
The Waste King L-3300 is a fantastic garbage disposal gadget for any kitchen. Once you have the compact unit installed under your sink, its superior grinding system efficiently grinds up any food waste so that your kitchen drain stays fresh and clean.
How to Choose the Best Garbage Disposal
Continuous-Feed versus Batch-feed Garbage Disposal Units
A continuous-feed garbage disposal is one of the most popular and efficient garbage disposal units. After flipping a switch to turn the disposal on and putting your food scraps into the disposal unit, food is automatically ground into small pieces and flushed down the drain. Ultra convenient, you can use the unit during food preparation as well as after meals.
Safety can be an issue with a continuous disposal. You have to be careful that your fingers do not get stuck as you feed your scraps into the unit. Also, if you drop a spoon inside, it could damage the unit. A cover or stopper can add extra safety while you use the disposal.
Batch-feed disposal is very effective too but as they process the food scraps in batches, the grinding process is slower, so they are better suited to small tasks.
Motor Power
The garbage disposal's motor power is rated in horsepower (HP). The higher the horsepower you have, the more powerful your disposal will be. If your household contains one, two or three people, a 1/2 HP garbage disposal, like the Waste Maid 358 Garbage Disposer, or the General Electric 1/3 HP Garbage Food Disposer, is sufficient for everyday food disposal tasks.
For a large family, you will need a unit with a higher horsepower like the Waste King Legend Series ¾HP Garbage Disposal or the InSinkErator Badger 5XP ¾HP Garbage Disposer.
RPM
You also have to consider the motor's RPM (revolutions per minute). Overall, a garbage disposal with higher RPM's will be able to process and grind tough waste like chicken bones.
Size
Even though most garbage waste disposal units have a compact design that fits under most kitchen sinks, it is best to measure the space under your sink before making your final choice.
Durability
A quality garbage disposal should feature stainless steel grinding components like a cold-rolled carbon-steel armature shaft or stainless-steel dual-swivel impellers.
The grinding chamber is the most important part of the garbage disposal as this where all the grinding action takes place. This chamber should be made with highly corrosion-proof stainless steel or a heavy-duty polymer material. These heavy-duty rust-proof materials will ensure a long-lasting grinding performance.
Garbage Disposal Installation
Installing a garbage disposal is made quick and easy these days as manufacturers offer user-friendly installation mounting. InSinkErator has a Quick-Lock mounting system. Waste King includes an EZ Mount twist-and-lock system. Moen offers a Universal Xpress Mount system that fits most existing 3-bolt mounting assemblies.
Garbage disposals may come with a pre-installed power cord or you may have to direct-wire the disposal to your wall power switch. If the disposal does not come with a power cord, you can purchase a standard 2 or 3 prong plug from your local hardware store or the manufacturer may supply their own at a small additional cost.
Installation Problems
DIY enthusiasts may prefer to install the garbage disposal on their own to save money on a plumber but there can be a few issues with this type of installation. Before you start, consult the manufacturer's installation guide and read it carefully or watch a helpful installation video. If in doubt, leave the installation to the professional experts.
Noise
Garbage disposals can be noisy as they grind up the food scraps. While the noise may not be that noticeable in a large kitchen, it can be annoying in a small kitchen. Sound-proofing anti-vibration technology, like the InSinkErator's Soundseal Technology, or a sound insulation guard will help to eliminate the harsh grinding sound.
Additional Operator-Friendly Features
Other great features may include a removable splashguard for sink cleaning, an automatic anti-jamming sensor, a manual reset button, and a dishwasher connector.
Septic Tank Specific Disposal
If you have a septic tank, you will already know that you have to be careful with the detergent you use, but you also have to be careful with the types of scraps that go into your food disposal unit. So before you choose your garbage disposal, check to see that is septic tank safe.
Best Garbage Disposal Reviews
1. Waste King Legend Series L-3300 ¾HP Garbage Disposal
Fast and reliable, the Waste King Legend Series L-3300 Garbage Disposal is the perfect drain cleaning gadget for grinding up tough food scraps.
With a high-speed, energy-efficient 2700 RPM ¾HP permanent magnet motor, the continuous disposal unit achieves an impressive grind and can tackle heavy-duty food scraps in seconds. Its jam-less sensor technology ensures a reliable smooth-running performance. The high strength, corrosion-proof polymer grind chamber and stainless steel grind components not only provide long-lasting durability but the specially insulated components significantly reduce the amount of noise the disposal makes during operation.
As the L3300 has a compact, sleek space-saving design, it fits easily under any type of sink. Waste King’s EZ Mount twist-and-lock system provides a fast and easy way to install or replace the disposal in your kitchen sink. The unit also comes with a pre-installed 32-inch power cord and all hardware.
If your home uses a septic system, the Waste King disposal is safe to use with properly sized septic tanks.
The Waste King disposal features a manual reset button for overload protection and a removable splashguard.
Waste King offers a 5-year in-home warranty on the garbage disposal.
Pros
- High-quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Made in the USA
- High speed, energy-efficient permanent magnet motor
- Jam-less motor
- Fast and effective
- High strength, corrosion-proof polymer grind chamber
- Easy to use and install
- Stainless-steel components
- Insulated for reduced noise
- Ideal for a septic system
- Easy EZ Mount twist-and-lock system
- Removable splashguard
- Manual reset button
- Compact and lightweight
- Pre-installed power cord
- All hardware included
- 5 Year in-home warranty
Cons
- Requires basic plumbing skills for installation
- Noise level is a bit loud in a small kitchen
2. InSinkErator Badger 5XP ¾HP Household Garbage Disposer
For fast and reliable grinding of your daily food scraps, let the affordable, compact, and reliable InSinkErator Badger 5XP Garbage Disposal do all the hard work.
The continuous-feed garbage disposal has an extra powerful ¾HP 1725 RPM Dura-Drive motor which has plenty of power to effectively grind large amounts of food waste like vegetable peels, fruit, egg shells, celery stalks, and small bones.
With a compact and space-saving design, the Badger 5XP is especially ideal for sink units that have limited storage space. Its patented 3-bolt Quick-lock easy installation sink mount equals fast installation and disposal replacement.
The unit has a galvanized stainless-steel construction which includes a large 26-ounce corrosion-proof stainless-steel grinding chamber for long-lasting durability. It comes with all installation hardware, a 1½-inch drain connection, a dishwasher drain connection, and a stopper. The garbage disposal is also safe to use for properly sized septic tanks.
Even though the Badger does not have Soundseal technology, it is a quiet operator in a medium or large kitchen. If you have a small kitchen, the InSinkErator’s Evolution Series Garbage Disposal is a good choice as it has Soundseal Technology.
InSinkErator offers an exclusive 3-year in-home limited warranty. If your Badger disposal stops working, InSinkErator will send a trained technician to your home to repair it.
Pros
- Great-quality
- Excellent value for money
- Fast and efficient
- ¾HP Dura-Drive motor
- 1725 RPM
- Continuous feed design
- 2-Stage MultiGrind Technology
- Galvanized steel construction
- 26-ounce stainless-steel grind chamber
- Quiet performance
- Quick Lock easy installation sink mount
- Assembled in the USA with American Pride
- Comes with all hardware
- Safe for properly sized septic tanks
- Manual reset button
- Easy installation instructions
- 3-year in-home limited warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Power cord kit must be purchased separately
- Can leak if the mounting system is not installed correctly
- A bit noisy in a small kitchen
3. General Electric GFC320V 1/3 HP Continuous Feed Food Waste Disposer
With a convenient design, a quiet performance, and powerful grinding action, the General Electric GFC320V Continuous-feed Garbage Disposer is a great choice for any home.
Designed for large capacity food scraps, the powerful 1/3 HP 2,500 RPM permanent magnet motor delivers ultra-fast food grinding action which reduces food waste to small particles, making the unit safe for any properly sized septic system. The two-level pre-cutter, cold-rolled carbon-steel armature shaft, stainless-steel sink flange, galvanized-steel turntable, and stainless-steel dual-swivel jam-resistant impeller blades provide an efficiently smooth running performance.
Even though it is powerful, General Electric's advanced insulation ensures a quiet operation. Its convenient design includes an EZ mount installation, an on/off wall-switch with a sink stopper, a direct-wire power connection, a manual-reset overload protector, and a splash guard. As the unit has a compact, slimline design, it will fit easily under most sinks. You can even connect it to a dishwasher with the drain connector.
The General Electric food waste garbage disposal unit is covered by a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
- High-quality
- Very good value for money
- Very affordable price
- Powerful 1/3-horsepower motor
- Large-capacity continuous-feed disposer
- Fast 2500 RPM grinding action
- Stainless-steel jam-resistant, dual-swivel impellers
- Stainless steel components
- Ultra-quiet operation
- EZ mount installation
- Direct-wire power connection
- Standard sound-insulation package
- Compact design
- 2-level pre-cutter
- Wall-switch with sink stopper
- Manual reset overload protector
- Splashguard
- Dishwasher drain connector
- Septic safe
- 1-year limited replacement
Cons
- Vibrates a lot
- Can still be a bit loud in a very small kitchen
- Not very effective with chicken bones
- Can be hard to install
- No power cord
4. Moen GXS75C GX Series 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal
Super powerful, the Moen GXS75C Series Continuous-feed Garbage Disposal will grind through food waste in seconds.
Tackling tough everyday food scraps is effortless with the Moen Garbage Disposal. The ultra-powerful ¾HP 2,700 RPM high-speed Vortex permanent magnet motor delivers fast grinding action and reduces jamming from heavy-duty use.
Quick and easy to install, the Universal Xpress Mount system fits most existing 3-bolt mounting assemblies and can be attached with a simple twist-and-lock installation. The garbage disposal comes with its own pre-installed cord, drain elbow, mounting assembly, a sink flange, and a polished stainless-steel drain stopper.
You can save space under your sink due to its compact, streamlined design. Moen includes essential operator-friendly features such as Soundshield insulation that helps reduce noise without sacrificing performance, and the splashguard eliminates any mess. The garbage disposal can be connected to a dishwasher with the 7/8-inch dishwasher connection, and it is safe to use with properly sized septic systems.
The Moen garbage disposal can be purchased with a 1 HP, ½ HP, or a 1/3 HP motor, and it is covered by a 5-year warranty.
Pros
- High-quality
- Great value for money
- High-powered Vortex motor is designed to reduce jamming
- Super fast and powerful grinding action
- Ideal for heavy-duty use
- Designed to reduce jamming
- Soundshield insulation
- Quick and easy Universal Xpress Mount installation
- Pre-installed power cord
- Compact, streamlined design
- Removable splashguard
- Drain elbow and mounting assembly
- Sink flange
- Polished Stainless Drain stopper
- Can be connected to a dishwasher
- Septic tank safe
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- A little pricey
- Can still be a bit loud in a very small kitchen
5. Waste Maid 358 ½HP Food Waste Disposer
Fast and efficient, the Waste Maid 358 Food Waste Disposer is a fantastic choice for a busy kitchen.
Featuring the latest in Advanced Food Disposal Technology, the continuous food waste disposer will blast away tough food blockages like coffee grounds, vegetable scraps and small bones in a standard 90mm sink waste.
The high-speed, ½HP heavy-duty permanent 2600 RPM magnet motor and the computer designed TorqueMaster Balanced Grinding System provide superior torque grind speed and long system life. Built strong, the Waste Maid has all stainless-steel griding components, a corrosion-proof grinding chamber, and a laser-sharp cutting ring. To ensure a quiet running operation, the motor has sound shell insulation.
To prevent any build-up of nasty odors, Bio-Shield anti-microbial protection helps prevent bacteria from growing in the grinding chamber. The Waste Maid is safe to use with septic systems, and you can connect it to a dishwasher with the drain hose fitting.
You can also choose from 4 other designs that cater to all different types of kitchen sink food disposal requirements: economy, standard, mid-duty, and deluxe. The Waste Maid 358 is easy to install and comes with a speed master-mounting ring and a power cord. It is covered by an 8-year warranty.
Pros
- High-quality
- Great value for money
- Heavy-duty grinding action for tough kitchen scraps
- High-speed, heavy-duty motor
- TorqueMaster computer designed and balanced grinding system
- Bio-Shield anti-microbial and odor protection
- All stainless-steel grinding components
- Corrosion proof grinding chamber
- Laser sharp cutting ring
- Full sound insulation makes it very quiet to operate
- Safe to use with septic systems
- Can be attached to a dishwasher
- Available in 4 other designs
- Easy to install
- Speed-master mounting ring
- Power cord
- 8-year warranty
Cons
- A little pricey
- A little bulky for small sinks
- Can still be loud in small kitchens
6. Kitchen Aid KCDB250G ½HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
For fast and easy food scrap clean-up after meals, the highly efficient KitchenAid Garbage Disposal is an excellent gadget for any home.
At just the press of a button on the wall, the continuous feed garbage disposal springs into action to effectively eliminate food scraps from your sink. The powerful ½HP 1725 RPM motor can tackle the toughest food scraps and grind them up into small pieces without using too much energy.
The disposal has a solid ABS plastic grinding chamber, a galvanized steel grinding wheel, 360° stainless-steel swivel impeller blades, and a galvanized steel shredder. To reduce any noise, the Whisper Quiet Polystyrene Sound Barrier allows for a quiet grinding performance.
Essential safety features include a manual reset button, a rubber safety cap, and a generously sized splash guard.
The garbage disposal unit is very easy to install with a “quick-mounting” 3 bolt system, and it can also be attached to a dishwasher and used with septic tank systems. It also comes with a centrifugal switch, a power cord, and simple step-by-step instructions.
As the unit is quite bulky and heavy, it may not suit smaller kitchen sink setups. You may need 2 people to set it up or hire a professional plumber.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Fast and effective performance
- Convenient design
- Solid ABS plastic grinding and drain chamber
- Whisper Quiet Polystyrene Sound Barrier
- Galvanized steel grinding wheel
- 360-degree stainless steel swivel impellers
- Galvanized steel shredder
- Easy to install quick-mounting system
- Centrifugal electric switch
- Power cord
- Can be connected to a dishwasher
- Safe for septic tanks
- Manual reset button
- Generously sized splash guard
- Rubber safety cap
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- May require professional installation
7. Whirlaway 291 ½HP Garbage Disposer
Keep your kitchen drain clean and fresh with the Whirlaway 291 Garbage Disposer.
This small capacity continuous-feed garbage disposer is designed for light duty food scrap disposal, for one or two people or a family of three.
Its powerful ½HP 2,600 RPM high-speed Vortex-powered permanent magnet motor can grind soft food waste and it produces more power per pound, so it is incredibly energy-efficient.
For long-lasting durability, the garbage disposal has heavy-gauge galvanized steel cutting components and the stainless steel anti-jam swivel impeller blades deliver ultra-effective smooth food grinding action. There is also a manual reset button in case of overload and a splashguard.
The compact, space-saving unit will fit under most sinks and it is very easy to install with the patented PLUMB EZ-mount system. It also comes with a corrosion-proof mounting ring, a drain stopper, and a drain elbow. You can connect the garbage disposal to a dishwasher and it is safe to use with properly sized septic tanks.
The Whirlaway garbage disposal is covered by a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- High-quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Made in the United States
- Strong motor
- Fast and effective for light-duty food disposal
- Compact space-saving design
- Manual reset button
- Pre-installed power cord
- Heavy-gauge corrosion-resistant stainless-steel components
- Stainless steel anti-jam swivel impellers
- Drain stopper and drain elbow
- Can be attached to a dishwasher
- Safe for properly sized septic tanks
- Removable splashguard
- Comes with a drain stopper, drain elbow
- Easy Installation with the patented PLUMB E-Z Mount System
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for grinding corn cobs or chicken bones
- A little noisy
- Does not come with a power cord
8. Emerson Evergrind E202 Food Waster Disposer
This highly functional and affordable Food Waster Disposer from Emerson delivers a powerful food disposal performance.
The ½HP Dura-Drive induction motor grinds up heavy-duty food scraps with an ultra-quiet operation. Its rugged galvanized steel construction includes a large 26 ounce grind chamber, a galvanized steel shredder ring, and stainless steel swivel impeller blades.
With a space-saving compact design, the E202 is especially designed for smaller kitchens so that you can maximize space under your kitchen sink. The easily accessible reset button is an excellent safety feature for overload protection.
The Evergrind E202 is quite easy to install with Quick-Lock mounting and universal brackets. You can also attach it to your dishwasher with the dishwasher drain connection. Emerson do not include a power cord so you have to purchase a power cord kit separately but the garbage disposal is compatible with an InSinkErator power cord kit.
Emerson offers a 1-year warranty on the Evergrind food waster disposal.
Pros
- High-quality
- Very good value for money
- Very affordable price
- Effective grinding performance
- Heavy-duty powerful and quiet Dura-Drive induction motor
- Durable rugged galvanized stainless-steel construction
- Space-saving compact design
- Large 26oz grind chamber
- Easily accessible reset button
- Easy to install Quick-Lock mounting and universal brackets
- Compatible with an InSinkErator power cord kit
- Dishwasher connection
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons
- No power cord
- Warranty is not very long
- Can leak if is not installed correctly
9. Frigidaire FFDI331DMS GrindPro 1/3 HP Continuous Feed Waste Disposer
With great power, speed, a large grind capacity, and super-quiet operation, the Frigidaire GrindPro Continuous Feed Waste Disposer is an excellent choice for any kitchen.
The extra powerful 1/3HP 1900 RPM permanent magnet motor can quickly grind large amounts of food waste into fine particles, which makes this unit very environmentally-friendly. Ultra energy-efficient, the magnet motor has a high-torque capability so it uses less water and electricity than the typical garbage disposal. The stainless-steel grinding system also resist jamming and corrosion to guarantee a smooth grinding performance and long life.
A super quiet operator, the GrindPro features innovative Soundguard technology that reduces grinding noise in most kitchens. To keep your sink clean, the splashguard keeps food from splashing out of the disposal while in use.
The food disposer does not come with a power cord, so it must be direct-wired into your electrical wall supply, but the Easy-fit mounting system helps you to quickly install the compact, lightweight unit under the sink. You can also use the garbage disposal with a septic system.
The Frigidaire garbage disposal comes with a stainless-steel sink flange kit, a drain connector, a drain elbow and a sink stopper.
The garbage disposal is covered by a 2-year limited warranty.
Pros
- High-quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Fast and effective smooth performance
- Ultra energy-efficient
- Stainless steel grinding system resists jamming and corrosion
- Sound guard reduces noise for quieter operation
- Splashguard
- Powerful high torque motor
- EZ-fit mounting
- Stainless-steel sink flange kit
- Drain connector, drain elbow, and a sink stopper
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Does not come with a power cord
- Can be loud in a very small kitchen
Our Top Pick for the Best Garbage Disposal
Our top pick for the best garbage disposal is the Waste King L-3300 Legend Series Garbage Disposal.
The Waste King L-3300 is a fantastic garbage disposal gadget for any kitchen. Once you have the compact unit installed under your sink, its superior grinding system efficiently grinds up any food waste so that your kitchen drain stays fresh and clean.
