The Best Garbage Disposals of 2024 Tested and Reviewed
Garbage disposals are essential to many modern households. But, despite having been around for decades, there still isn’t enough accurate data on their performance. That’s why we’ve tested the top models on the market, putting them through rigorous tasks, so we can bring helpful information to our readers.
For instance, we’ve found that the InSinkErator Badger 5, although featuring a more robust build, doesn’t grind as effectively as the more affordable Waste King L-1001. We’ve also assessed enough models to say that premium options such as the InSinkErator Evolution Excel or its latest version, the Evolution Advanced 1-HP, completely dominate the rest in terms of grinding performance and utility.
Of course, premium options are more expensive, while affordable ones are less impressive. Whatever your needs, our list should give some ideas for your next garbage disposal.
Everything we recommend
For the best grinding performance, this disposal can handle the toughest scraps with no hassle. Combined with its premium build, features, and quiet operation, the disposal is on an entirely different level in terms of quality.
This disposal runs on a high-speed permanent magnet motor that avoids jamming effectively, even when grinding large amounts of scraps. Its ample power and stainless steel grinding components easily take care of daily kitchen scraps while offering high durability.
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If you want something more compact that fits in tight spaces, this is one of the better choices. Although it’s not very impressive in terms of grinding power, the disposal handles common scraps in small amounts effectively and is more budget-friendly.
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For a quick replacement that does the job, this generic-looking option is worth considering. Being noticeably cheaper than the others in the same power range, the disposal’s high-speed motor and stainless steel parts are impressive enough.
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How We Test our Garbage Disposals
Our main objective is to see how each garbage disposal deals with various types and amounts of food scraps. Each unit’s performance is assessed based on the data we’ve collected through running tests, each designed to reflect aspects of practicality:
- In the Scrap Mix test, the disposals’ ability to deal with common food scraps is highlighted by pitting them against 11 different types of food.
- The Raw Fish Scraps test, in turn, challenges their grinding capabilities against raw salmon bones.
- Finally, the Raw Chicken Scraps test further showcases the disposals’ ability to handle raw chicken thigh bones.
To inform our decisions, we draw on insights from design and usability examinations. The layout of the grinding chambers, motor power, and build quality are our main focus. Personal impressions on the overall user experience, including difficulties and malfunctions during installation or operation are also considered.
Check out full How We Test and Score Garbage Disposals for more information.
How We Decide
In this list, our decisions and recommendations regarding the products’ ranking are based heavily on the evaluation scores. Ultimately, we take into account their grinding capabilities, their build quality, and their economical values in relation to how they performed. The availability of the products also affects the current list.
InSinkErator Evolution Excel
Best Overall
For the best grinding performance, this disposal can handle the toughest scraps with no hassle. Combined with its premium build, features, and quiet operation, the disposal is on an entirely different level in terms of quality.
Things We Like
- Noise cancelation
- Vibration damping
- High-torque motor
- Auto-reverse motor
- Advanced chamber layout
- Auto-unjam mechanics
- Extra-large capacity
- Stainless steel grinding components
Things We Don’t Like
- Very heavy build
- Space-consuming design
- Expensive
Out of the 20 different models we’ve tested, the InSinkErator Evolution Excel takes the number 1 spot not simply thanks to its premium features, but also its top-tier performance.
In the Scrap Mix test, the disposal set a standard for the entire franchise as it only took 2 minutes to plow through 90 ounces of materials, leaving only 0.3 ounces in the chamber. The disposal also released remarkable output quality with chart-topping figures on Layer 1 (0.7 ounces) and Layer 2 (7.2 ounces).
Yet, the real highlights were from the challenge tests as we watched the Excel grind down raw meat scraps with ease. In Raw Fish Scrap, the disposal managed to reduce 50 ounces of salmon scraps down to only 0.1 ounce in the chamber. The same thing went down in Raw Chicken Scrap as only 0.2 ounces remained from the 7.5 ounces of bones.
Upon close inspection of the chamber, it became clear why the disposal was so effective. Compared to typical disposals, the Excel’s chamber is meticulously designed to break bones with the addition of extra grinding details and quality materials. Of course, the 1-horsepower motor played no small role in how the disposal managed such incredible results.
What truly blew us away was how the disposal kept such a low noise profile while yielding the best output quality we had seen. The anti-vibration connections and the thick soundproofing casing worked wonders when they kept the grinder quiet and stabilized throughout the entire testing process.
While the Evolution is obviously expensive, it’s on another level entirely compared to the others in our collection. Not to mention the 10-year warranty that wraps up the deal.
Read our full InSinkErator Evolution Excel in-depth review
GE GFC720N Continuous Feed
Best 3/4-HP
This disposal runs on a high-speed permanent magnet motor that avoids jamming effectively, even when grinding large amounts of scraps. Its ample power and stainless steel grinding components easily take care of daily kitchen scraps while offering high durability.
Things We Like
- Noise reduction
- High-speed motor
- Strengthened chamber layout
- Stainless steel grinding components
Things We Don’t Like
- Space-consuming design
- Can be loud
- No power cord
We prefer the GE GFC720N to the other mid-range units in our lab because the disposal consistently showed outstanding results coming out of the uncooked meat scraps challenge.
In Scrap Mix, the disposal demonstrated full competence in testing with a reassuring input-to-output ratio, reducing 90 ounces of input to 0.1 ounces left over in just 2 minutes 30 seconds. Furthermore, the disposal produced decent output quality with 5.6 ounces for Layer 1 and 16.6 ounces for Layer 2.
The GFC720N took a commanding lead over its peers when it managed to bring 50 ounces of raw materials down to 1.2 ounces leftovers in Raw Fish Scraps. Although its results from Raw Chicken Scraps, with 0.7 ounces leftovers from 7.5 ounces input, weren’t as impressive, they weren't bad figures either.
The disposal’s thick stainless steel impellers are likely one of the factors that leads to such note-worthy results, aside from the high-speed, jamless magnet motor. With a rigid build and solid performance, the GE GFC720N 3/4 HP is a worthwhile product. The cost may be steep for this range, but that’s partially justified by the product warranty with up to 5-year for replacement parts.
Read our full GE GFC720N Continuous Feed in-depth review
Waste King L-1001
Best 1/2-HP
If you want something more compact that fits in tight spaces, this is one of the better choices. Although it’s not very impressive in terms of grinding power, the disposal handles common scraps in small amounts effectively and is more budget-friendly.
Things We Like
- High-speed motor
- Affordable
- Easy installation
Things We Don’t Like
- Low capacity
- No noise reduction
The Waste King L-1001 is no doubt one of the best small garbage disposals in the market with a compact design and adequate grinding power.
Most noticeable was how the disposal did better than the Badger 1HP and the Badger 5XP in Scrap Mix, both are larger and more expensive. Specifically, while all of them pulverized the input at much of the same rate, the L-1001 released more satisfying output quality with 9 ounces and 17.9 ounces for Layer 1 and 2 respectively.
Additionally, the L-1001, for such a humble unit, finished the raw meat scrap tests admirably while several others, including the two mentioned earlier, outright failed. For your information, the disposal produced 3.4 ounces of leftovers in Raw Fish Scraps and 0.9 ounces in Raw Chicken Scraps.
The disposal runs on very humble specs, with a low-power, high-speed magnet motor and a galvanized steel grinding assembly rust easily over time. Still, the 2-year warranty and the affordable price tag sure make a bargain.
Read our full Waste King L-1001 in-depth review
AmazonCommercial 3/4 HP
Best Value
For a quick replacement that does the job, this generic-looking option is worth considering. Being noticeably cheaper than the others in the same power range, the disposal’s high-speed motor and stainless steel parts are impressive enough.
Things We Like
- Noise cancelation
- High-speed motor
- Stainless steel grind components
- Lightweight build
- Affordable
Things We Don’t Like
- Can be loud
At first, we didn’t think much of the AmazonCommercial 3/4 HP because it belongs to a very new franchise. But we were pleasantly surprised when we put it to the tests. In fact, the disposal came close as the best 3/4-hp pick but the GE GFC720N is slightly more impressive.
The AmazonCommercial 3/4 HP went through Scrap Mix in roughly 2 minutes with 5 ounces for Layer 1, 22 ounces for Layer 2, and 0.2 ounces of leftovers. Though the amounts caught by the two colanders were more than we would like, the disposal worked quickly. It also handled the challenge of raw meat scraps rather well with only 2.2 ounces of leftovers from Raw Fish Scraps and 0.6 ounces from Raw Chicken Scraps.
At under $100, it was a surprise to see the disposal sporting stainless steel components. But its overall build quality can be better, and Amazon only warrants the first year of use, so that’s probably why. Regardless, the AmazonCommercial 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal certainly offers great values for what little it costs.
Read our full AmazonCommercial 3/4 HP in-depth review
Honorable Contenders
- The InSinkErator Essential XTR is another splendid 3/4-hp disposal with quiet operation, quality build, and solid grinding performance. However, the disposal couldn’t yield consistent results in the raw scrap challenges.
- The Moen GXS75C Host Series is an up-and-coming disposal with a 3/4-hp jamless magnet motor. The disposal runs well and has been seeing a lot of positive reviews online but is still not quite good enough for an official spot on the list.
- The Waste King Legend L-8000 is another affordable, high-power option with a 1-hp motor and stainless steel components. If you want to upgrade your old Waste King, this could be worth checking out.
Choose the right Garbage Disposal for your home
What garbage disposal is the right one for your home? The answer of course will vary, but here are a few key things that should help you, especially first time buyers:
How Big Is Your Family?
Garbage disposals are categorized by their output power ratings. The higher the power, which is rated in horsepower (hp), the more suitable it is to deal with large amounts of food. Big families are likely to have more scraps daily, and therefore would benefit much from more powerful disposal systems, whereas small families usually find what they need in low-powered alternatives.
To get you started, here is our basic guideline for understanding which type of disposal may be the right one for you:
- 1/2 HP or less: Suitable for small homes or apartments of 1-2 people.
- 3/4 HP: Best for families of 4.
- 1 HP: Good for families of 5-6, but premium ones can handle up to 8.
- More than 1 HP: Best for commercial operations.
Despite these guidelines, on today’s market, a high-end 1/2-hp unit may outperform a stronger unit largely due to build quality differences. In our tests, we’ve even found affordable models that yield better results than their pricier and more powerful counterparts. That is to say that price does not always reflect performance or functionality. So if you have a particular model that you want to buy, it’s best to see it in action first.
The following table draws from what we’ve observed throughout our extensive testing process and from the performance results*. It shows our best picks for a garbage disposal unit based on household size and three meal preparations per day:
*Data collected from the Scrap Mix test, the Raw Fish Scraps test, and the Raw Chicken Scraps test.
For large amounts of leftovers everyday, we recommend a premium grinder like the InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1 HP for a worry-free experience. It can handle 90 ounces and 11 types of food with ease. On the other hand, if you don’t cook that often, affordable but capable models such as the GE Disposall Green 1/2 HP or the AmazonCommercial 3/4 HP Continuous Feed should do fine.
How Much Power for The Food You Eat?
Power rating is a great indicator of how well a grinder may work because it says, “This is how strong the motor is.” As a rule, stronger motors are better fitted for tougher loads and can break down rigid materials more easily with less likelihood of jamming. If you think about it, selecting the best garbage disposal has a lot to do with the types of food you eat and scraps you produce.
If your diet is mostly plant-based, a good 1/2-hp motor may be all you need—not to mention that certain models can even handle cooked chicken bones. Although you could make do with a 1/3-hp, they tend to be unreliable if you exceed a certain volume.
3/4-hp and 1-hp garbage disposals are generally the best for breaking down tougher scraps. These larger units are the best if you often have thick peels, fruit pits, or animal bones to deal with. High-end models with high torques and intricate grinding chambers can also process raw meat scraps.
Regardless, each in-sink grinder is different and you can’t really tell whether it’s a capable unit until you see it in action. The following chart is based on the results* and observations from the evaluation process. It should give you an idea of which grinder is capable of processing different grades of food scraps.
*Data collected from the Scrap Mix test, the Raw Fish Scraps test, and the Raw Chicken Scraps test.
Less capable models like the GE Disposall Green and the Waste King L8000 aren’t reliable with anything tougher than an avocado pit. The stronger InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1 HP, on the other hand, can easily handle all sorts of food scraps, including meat scraps.
How Noisy is a Garbage Disposal?
Garbage disposals, in general, make a lot of loud noise. You’ve probably seen people startled by the sound of an in-sink grinder getting switched on. The cabinet walls help with the volume, but the noise profile of a typical disposal can affect those with sensitive ears.
Similarly to a food blender, operation typically ends within a minute. Of course, the more scraps and the tougher they are, the longer it takes to finish a session. So some people would rather pay the extra money for noise-dampening features. If you value peace of mind in the kitchen, it’s best to get a garbage disposal with an efficient noise-control.
The chart shows the noise levels of seven top grinders recorded during our hands-on testing. This hierarchy holds true whether there are scarps and no scraps in the chamber—as detailed in our product reviews.
Clearly, the InSinkErator Evolution series is the best choice if noise levels are a concern. However, they are comparatively more expensive overall. Disposals with permanent magnet motors, such as the GE Disposall or the Moen Host, tend to have low noise levels but only when the scraps are soft and fibrous.
It’s worth noting that other factors may affect noise levels. For example, if your sink is not padded, noise resonates and amplifies more. However, these days, better sinks have foam-coating and deadening pads; if you’re upgrading your kitchen, keep an eye out for them.
Our Expertise
Be Nguyen started his research on garbage disposal back in 2019, when he was preparing for some of his newest technical reviews. In 2022, sorting through dozens of different models, he, Luna, and Shouldit’s test team began examining and testing the most promising food disposers in the market.
With 200+ pounds of common kitchen leftovers (fruit, vegetables, etc.) and 140+ pounds of raw meat scraps (chicken bones, salmon remains, etc.) processed, after 20+ hours spent in preparation and 40+ more in running tests, the team was able to collect crucial data regarding each product’s performance and usability. Working with garbage hasn’t been the most pleasant experience, but thanks to the shared efforts, the team has put together strongly informed reviews on every product as well as helpful recommendations.
FAQ
If the disposal hums but doesn’t run when you flip the switch, there’s still power and the disposal is stuck. Find a way to rotate the chamber manually to unjam. If your disposal does not turn on, there’s either a problem with the disposal’s internal circuit, the switch, or the kitchen circuit. You can try the disposal’s reset button or check the power supply (switch, outlet, breaker, etc.)
First, set up a mounting assembly. You can use the old assembly if it fits and doesn’t leak. Next, hang the disposal onto the mounting assembly and secure it with tools. Finally, hook the disposal to the drainpipe. Connect the dishwasher if necessary. Check for leaks. You can find more detailed instructions in this article
Use a plunger to push through clogs and drain standing water. Next, remove and clean the pipes and p-trap. Use a plumbing snake to clear the waste line (into the wall or floor). Unjam and reset the garbage disposal if necessary and put everything back. Flush the line and check for leaks.
Try baking soda, vinegar, and hot water once a month or every two months for residual buildup. For regular cleaning, grind ice cubes, chopped citrus fruits (lemons, limes, etc.), and sea salt altogether to scour, disinfect, and deodorize the interior.
