The 10 Best Garbage Disposals
Updated by · How we research
Ten garbage disposals compared on grinding stages, noise, power cords and warranty. The InSinkErator Evolution 3/4 HP is the pick for most kitchens. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
The horsepower printed on a disposal box isn't a standard measure, and some makers' own fine print says the number doesn't reflect what the motor puts out. That's why a heavy, padded unit can outgrind a cheap one with a bigger figure. This guide is for anyone replacing a worn-out unit or adding one under a kitchen sink, septic tank or not.
At a Glance
Editor's Notes
October 26, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The InSinkErator Evolution 3/4 HP now leads this list. It grinds in three stages, it's padded for a low hum, and its nine-year in-home warranty comes at a much lower price than InSinkErator's flagship.
Six earlier picks have left the market: the Evolution Excel, Waste King 9980TC, Gasland Chef, InSinkErator 74032, Becbas Element 7 and Moen GX50C. The 9980TC's model family was part of a 2017 recall. We dropped the Emerson Evergrind E202 for its one-year warranty, and the Waste Maid Premium and Titan 10-US Premium 1060 because their big horsepower numbers come with fine print saying they aren't motor output.
The GE Disposall GFC525N stays, under its current model number. New picks include the InSinkErator Badger 5, the slim Moen Prep Series PRO GXP50C, two Waste King units, and corded options from Kraus and Frigidaire.
No lab has published noise measurements for these units, so we leaned on InSinkErator's comparison chart for grinding stages and warranties, a plumber's on-camera grinding run, and the 2017 recall notice, which still matters for anyone buying a used Waste King.
March 31, 2021:
A garbage disposal unit mounts to the underside of a kitchen sink via the drain, and is designed to collect solid food waste in a grinding chamber. Once activated, a spinning disk, or set of blades, shred the solids into tiny pieces that can be washed away without blocking the pipes. The power and RPM of the motor and the size of the grinding chamber are the main factors that influence how effectively the unit performs and this is obviously reflected in the price.
In this update, we switched several models with their most up-to-date counterparts. Waste King and InSinkErator are two highly recommended companies in the waste disposal industry, and in this ranking, we included the Waste King 9980TC, which, although being one of the pricier models, has a one-horsepower motor that generates 2,800 RPM and features all stainless steel grinding components. This along with its sound-insulated housing make it a good choice for daily use and larger families. The InSinkErator 74032 and the InSinkErator Evolution Excel are two high-quality options, the former of which features a bio-friendly additive that helps break down food, thus making it ideal for use with septic tank systems. The latter boasts a three-stage grinding process that can handle the toughest food scraps, including fruit rinds and chicken bones. As a budget option, we included the Gasland Chef, a lightweight unit with an ABS plastic shell that boasts a 4000 rpm high-speed motor and a bladeless grinding system. However, its 1/2-horsepower motor may be slightly underpowered for some fibrous vegetables and peels.
February 16, 2020:
Despite the power it offered, the Waste King 5000 was replaced with a new lineup of disposals from the company, one of which is the upgrade to their 9940, the new 9980TC, which cuts through food in batches and places its reset button on the front of the body, rather than on the underside, so it's much easier to get to if the motor gets overloaded.
We also added the Titan 10-US Premium 1060 to our ranking, as this is a model whose 1-1/4 HP motor outperforms the vast majority of the rest of the market, and whose odor-fighting treatment is among the best in the business. A poorly made sink flange is the only thing keeping it from a higher spot on the list.
Our other addition was the West Maid Premium, the balanced impellers in which make for a significantly low-vibration performance, which is ideal for anyone who uses their disposal several times a day, as it's liable to stand the test of time. Beyond those considerations, we ordered our ranking based on horsepower, motor performance, compatibility with septic systems, and the ins and outs of a given assembly and installation process.
Special Honors
InSinkErator Evolution Cover Control A batch-feed disposal runs only when its stopper is in place, so nobody can reach into a spinning grinder. InSinkErator's Evolution Cover Control is the best-known model of this type, with the same grinding and sound padding as the brand's continuous-feed Evolution units. insinkerator.com
Mr. Rooter Plumbing Installing a disposal means plumbing, and often wiring, under a cramped sink. Mr. Rooter is a national plumbing franchise with local offices that install and replace disposals, and you can request an estimate on its website. mrrooter.com
Horsepower, Grinding Stages And Noise
Waste Maid, Titan and American Standard units, all from the same maker, carry a note that the package rating doesn't describe motor output.
A disposal doesn't chop food with blades. A spinning plate with two swinging lugs flings scraps against a fixed, toothed ring until the bits are small enough to wash down the drain (Wikipedia). How well that works depends on the motor, the number of times the food gets ground, and how much padding surrounds the whole thing.
Treat the horsepower on the box with care. Waste Maid, Titan and American Standard units, all from the same maker, carry a note that the package rating doesn't describe motor output. InSinkErator publishes its line in one comparison chart, from the one-stage Badger 1 at 1/3 horsepower to the four-stage Evolution 1 HP. A half-horsepower unit suits one or two people who rinse plates; households that cook from scratch, peel a lot of vegetables or grind small bones do better with 3/4 or 1 horsepower and more than one grinding stage.
Noise comes mostly from insulation and weight, not horsepower. Heavy induction motors, like InSinkErator's, hum; lighter permanent-magnet motors, used by Waste King, Moen, Waste Maid and Kraus, start faster but sound sharper. InSinkErator's Evolution models add a padded shell, and the chart ranks them from quiet to quietest. Plumber Roger Wakefield ran pasta, apple cores, pits and chicken wing bones through three InSinkErator models in a video demonstration; the biggest, multi-stage unit handled the bones and was the quietest, while the one-stage Badger 5 did fine with everyday scraps.
Continuous Feed, Batch Feed, Cords And Hardwiring
Nearly every disposal sold in the U.S. is continuous feed: you flip a wall switch and add scraps while it runs. A batch-feed model only runs when its stopper is in place, which keeps hands out of the opening and makes it a sensible choice in a home with small children (Wikipedia). InSinkErator's batch-feed option is the Evolution Cover Control.
Check how a unit gets power before you buy. Waste King, Moen, Waste Maid, GE, Kraus and Frigidaire ship most of their units with a cord attached, so they plug into an outlet under the sink. The InSinkErator Badger 5 comes with no cord at all, and the Evolution models come ready to hardwire, with a plug-in cord sold separately. Hardwiring means a junction box and a circuit, so call a licensed electrician if you aren't sure what's behind the cabinet wall.
Most disposals hang from a three-bolt mount that fits a standard sink drain opening, and many brands' mounts are interchangeable, so a swap often reuses the old ring. If a dishwasher drains through the disposal, knock out the plastic plug in the dishwasher inlet before connecting the hose, or the dishwasher will back up. InSinkErator's newer models make that plug removable without a hammer (InSinkErator).
Septic Tanks, Recalls And Keeping It Running
Disposals add solids to a septic tank, so the tank fills faster. InSinkErator says all its disposers are safe with a properly maintained septic system (InSinkErator), and Moen and GE say the same for properly sized tanks. Expect to pump the tank more often. Some towns once banned disposals and a few still restrict them, so check local code if you're adding one for the first time.
In 2017, Anaheim Manufacturing and Moen recalled several Waste King, Moen and Frigidaire disposals sold between December 2015 and March 2017, because a metal part could break off. The list includes the Waste King L-8000, L-3300 and 9980, and owners got a free replacement (CPSC). Units sold now come from later production, but check the serial label on a used or long-stored one. A separate 2018 InSinkErator recall covered a countertop switch accessory, not the disposals themselves (CPSC).
Run cold water before, during and for several seconds after grinding, and feed scraps in a little at a time. Keep grease, large bones, fruit pits and big batches of fibrous peels out. If the motor hums but won't turn, switch off the power, then turn the hex socket on the bottom of the unit with the wrench that came with it to free the plate, and press the reset button (Wikipedia). Never reach into the opening.
How we researched this
We compared 23 garbage disposals, including every model from the previous list, read InSinkErator's comparison chart and the other makers' published specs and warranty terms, read a plumber's account of his grinding demonstration, looked at patterns in owner feedback, and checked every brand against Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls. No lab has published noise measurements for these units, so the quiet ratings come from the makers.
Frequently asked questions
Is InSinkErator better than Moen?
They suit different buyers. InSinkErator uses heavy induction motors, and its Evolution models add multiple grinding stages and thick insulation. Moen, which also owns Waste King, uses lighter permanent-magnet motors, usually with a cord attached and in-home warranty service. Moen's compact units fit tight cabinets better.
Do garbage disposals have blades?
No. A spinning plate with swinging lugs throws scraps against a fixed grinding ring, which shreds them into small bits that wash down the drain.
What horsepower garbage disposal do I need?
A half-horsepower unit is enough for one or two people who mostly rinse plates. Families that cook often should look at 3/4 or 1 horsepower. Keep in mind that some brands' box ratings don't describe motor output.
Can I use a garbage disposal with a septic tank?
Usually, yes. InSinkErator says its disposers work with properly maintained septic systems, and Moen and GE say the same for properly sized tanks. The tank fills faster, so plan on pumping it more often.
How do I fix a jammed garbage disposal?
Turn off the power at the switch or unplug it. Put the hex wrench into the socket on the bottom of the unit and work it back and forth until the plate turns freely, then press the reset button. Never put your hand in the opening.
How much does a garbage disposal cost?
Units run from about $70 for a basic half-horsepower model to about $340 for a premium four-stage unit, plus a cord kit for some InSinkErator models and a plumber's fee if you don't install it yourself.
