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Best Garbage Disposals

Updated February 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
General Electric GFC320N Disposall
General Electric
GFC320N Disposall
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Best for singles or couples, but you may want a larger machine for big households.

Pros

Powerful, quiet, and undoubtedly durable. Great for grinding fruit peels and starchy foods like pasta or rice. A 2,600 rpm motor.

Cons

Most people need a professional for power connection.

Best Bang for the Buck
Waste King Legend Series L-2600 Garbage Disposal
Waste King
Legend Series L-2600 Garbage Disposal
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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

A powerful and quiet machine that won't break the bank.

Pros

This disposal operates at 2,800 rpm. Extremely durable stainless steel impellers won't rust and are designed to keep jamming to a minimum.

Cons

This unit does not fit certain cast iron sink types.

Moen 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
Moen
1/2 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
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Reliable Design
Bottom Line

Tough garbage disposal for individuals who regularly do a lot of prep work for their meals.

Pros

This 2,600 rpm, 1/2 horsepower motor is capable of easily grinding up everyday food scraps without jamming. The installation is designed to be pretty simple.

Cons

A few individuals noted that this model was not as quiet as they were hoping.

AmazonCommercial 1 HP Garbage Disposal
AmazonCommercial
1 HP Garbage Disposal
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

A decent garbage disposal that is easy to use.

Pros

Boasts 2,800 rpm to get rid of any food waste in a hurry. Comes with everything you need pre-installed. Easy to set up and begin using.

Cons

Does not come with a universal mount.

InsinkErator Garbage Disposal
InsinkErator
Garbage Disposal
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Expert Recommended
Bottom Line

This garbage disposal breaks down large food scraps and works quietly.

Pros

Quiet, small, and boasts a Dura-Drive motor for superior grind force. The Quick Lock mount makes installation quick and effortless, and the 3-stage Multigrind technology can handle large chunks of food.

Cons

The rubber in the drain can cause water to back up from time to time.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

52
Models
Considered
205
Consumers
Consulted
18
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best garbage disposals

A garbage disposal is a second trash can, one for all the gunk that you don't want sitting in a wastebasket stinking up your kitchen until it's ready to be emptied. It's a cost-effective odor-free device that can help you with even the toughest clean ups. But there are a few things you need to consider before purchasing the one that is best for you.

In general, a continuous feed garbage disposal is a good option because it's always ready to work. However, if you have curious children, a batch feed garbage disposal is a much safer option because it will not function until the lid is securely in place. You want a durable, high-powered model with anti-clogging features and an automatic shutoff.

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A garbage disposal reduces your trash output, which is good for the environment.

Do you need a garbage disposal?

A garbage disposal is installed under your sink. When you turn it on, the garbage disposal’s blades spin and cut up any food in the sink’s drain into tiny pieces, so the food won’t clog up your plumbing.

There are many ways a garbage disposal can benefit your kitchen.

Easy cleanup

With a garbage disposal, most leftover food can be put down the drain. As a result, you’ll likely find yourself with less trash.

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Cost-effective

No more calling a plumber, because a garbage disposal won’t clog your drain.

Odor-free

With a garbage disposal, there is no need to spritz your kitchen with air freshener because of a smelly trash can.

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Caution
Don’t put inorganic waste down a garbage disposal. A garbage disposal is for food only.
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Environmentally friendly

Garbage disposals are low-energy devices, and they help reduce overall food waste.

If you’re not keen on using a compost bin, a garbage disposal is a good alternative.

Types of garbage disposals

Continuous feed garbage disposals

The most popular type of garbage disposal, you only need to flip a switch to grind up your leftovers with a continuous feed disposal.

You can also add more food while the disposal is running since it does so continuously.

Septic feed garbage disposals

A septic feed garbage disposal works with a septic system. The device breaks down food waste mechanically, along with the help of microorganisms.

Batch feed garbage disposals

This kind of garbage disposal is basically a food processor for your food waste.

A lid is required for a batch feed disposal, which keeps users safe. The unit will only work with the cover securely tightened.

What to look for when buying a garbage disposal

Noise

Newer models are a lot less noisy, but a garbage disposal isn’t going to be your quietest appliance. Higher-end models generally make less noise.

If you notice an unusual sound or buzzing coming from your unit, this could mean something is jammed inside or the device needs maintenance.

Price

Inexpensive garbage disposals are made of less durable materials like aluminum. More expensive units are made of stainless steel and are sturdier and more powerful.

Keep in mind that the cost of a disposal unit does not include installation. In most cases, a garbage disposal should be professionally installed.

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Did you know?
A higher-end garbage disposal requires less power and water to function, which is more eco-friendly.
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Durability

Most garbage disposal units will last at least five years. Sturdier, more expensive models can last up to 10 years or longer. 

Build material

What a garbage disposal is made of is important for its longevity. Stainless steel, for instance, won’t rust as quickly.

Power

The wattage of a garbage disposal’s motor determines how efficiently it can grind food waste.

A high-wattage motor can quickly and powerfully mash nearly any kind of organic matter you put down the drain.

Extra features

Some garbage disposals have extra features to avoid clogging up the system.

Other models include safety features like auto shutoff.

A few garbage disposals can be hooked up to your dishwasher, so you don’t have to worry about rinsing and scraping off food residue before loading dishes.

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For your safety
Warning: Whatever you do, never put your hands down the drain to unclog your garbage disposal.
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What to avoid when using a garbage disposal

Not everything can be put down a garbage disposal. Avoid putting any of the following down your garbage disposal:

  • Particularly tough vegetables (like celery)

  • Fruit pits

  • Oils, fats, grease (these can cause unwanted buildup and clog your system)

  • Bones

  • Anything that’s not food

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It’s best to call a professional for installation of your garbage disposal.

FAQ

Q. Do I need to get a professional to install my garbage disposal?

A. Probably. A garbage disposal is a powerful device that grinds up food. You don’t want to grind up your fingers, and you’ll want to make sure your garbage disposal is properly installed to prevent leaks.

Q. Should I use hot or cold water when running my garbage disposal?

A. Using cold water reduces the chance of buildup inside the disposal and is more efficient at washing down debris and waste.

Q. How do I clean my new device and keep my fingers?

A. Never stick your hands in a garbage disposal. If you need to take the machine apart to inspect inside, make sure it is powered off, and you’ve cut the electrical supply. Otherwise, some natural ways to clean your disposal are by pouring ice cubes, lemon juice, or vinegar down the drain.

Q. What do I do if my disposal gets jammed?

A. First, troubleshoot a bit. You can stick something down the drain (not your fingers) to try and dislodge whatever may be causing the blockage. You can also try using a wet/dry vacuum to unblock the drain. If these options don’t work, cut the electricity connection to your device before you go inside to try and remove anything that’s stuck. If you still can’t find the culprit, call a professional. Your unit may be damaged.