Garbage Disposal Reviews

When making a decision to purchase a garbage disposal, there is a host of models and types available on the market. Knowing which type to buy can be tricky as each comes equipped with a range of features that may or not suit your needs. Our report details what to look for in a garbage disposal and what garbage disposal units are the best available. 

  • Our Report
  • Buying Guide

What are the Best Garbage Disposals?

How Did We Make Our Choice

In order to find the Best Garbage Disposal, we searched the internet and other sources in order and researched the most reliable models that offer the best value . 

The Best Garbage Disposals

InSinkErator Evolution Excel Garbage Disposal Review

InSinkErator Evolution Excel Garbage Disposal Review

Type of Product

Garbage Disposal

Who is it For:

Everyone

Critic Overall Rating:

Key Features

  • Feed Type:  Continuous
  • Horse Power: 1-HP
  • Motor Speed: 1725 RPM
  • Capacity 40oz
  • Noise: Quiet
  • Control: Wall Switch

The Good

  • Sound Seal Technology makes it one of the quietest disposals on the market
  • Large Capacity
  • Triple Grind System is excellent at liquefying waste
  • Anti-Jam Sensor
  • Easy to Operate

The Bad

  • Some Consumers have complained about leakage after owning the disposal for several years.

When it comes to a garbage disposal packed with all the best features, the InSinkErator gives the rest a run for their money. Fast, efficient and powerful, this model boasts a solid 1-hp motor and triple grinding system to ensure that even the toughest types of waste will be disposed of easily. Yet despite the power of this device, the unit is incredibly quiet, thanks to advanced sound-baffling technology. All-in-all it’s a feature-packed device that will eagerly respond to your toughest needs.

Put simply, the InSinkErator Evolution Excel will handle just about anything. Three distinct grinding systems ensure that waste products will be completely shredded and liquefied before passing into the plumbing system. It also features an auto-reverse grind, ensuring that stuck items become easily dislodged. And all of it is run on one of the most powerful 1-hp induction motors available on the market. As well, the stainless steel body is incredibly durable and holds a whopping 40oz, more than enough to handle regular disposal chores.

The continuous feed system means that it’s ready to accept and grind a steady stream of waste for maximum efficiency. And the built-in jam sensor senses when higher than normal friction levels are present, automatically compensating with higher torque. This unit will dispose of whatever organic waste you put into it without getting fouled up or allowing drain clogs to form. This power, however, may come at a cost as some reviewers have noted a tendency for the unit to leak after a few years of operation. Whether that is the result of normal wear and tear or a weakness in the system is open to debate.

But what makes the Evolution Excel so exciting is its noise-reduction features. InSinkErator’s patented SoundSeal technology begins with an insulation coating for the motor and builds on it by employing a collar baffle to reduce vibrations. So even though the induction motor is incredibly powerful, the sound is kept trapped within the system so that it doesn’t escape to the outside.

Reviews of this unit have been very positive, with most noting again the quietness of the operation. Both Critics and Consumers rate it a 4.7 out of 5.


Waste King Legend 3200 Garbage Disposal Review

Waste King Legend 3200 Garbage Disposal Review

Waste King 3200

Type of Product

Garbage Disposal

Who is it For:

Everyone

Critic Overall Rating:

Key Features

  • Feed Type:  Continuous
  • Horse Power: 3/4 HP
  • Motor Speed: 2700 RPM
  • Capacity: 27.3oz
  • Noise: Quiet
  • Control: Wall Switch

The Good

  • Continuous feed for ease of use
  • Quiet operation
  • Swiveling impeller to cut more efficiently
  • High-speed 2700 RPM motor
  • Great Overall Value

The Bad

  • Smaller capacity reduces overall efficiency

Waste King has long held a reputation for quality, and the Legend 3200 is a decent entry into the marketplace. Its high speed 2700 RPM motor is designed to cut and shred with ease, powered by a 3/4-hp foam insulated motor for reduced noise levels. The unit features easy installation with its EZ sink mount and is safe for septic tank use. While not as flashy and quiet as the InSinkErator Evolution Excel, the lower price reflects fewer overall features; however, this solid unit performs well and should be considered a good value purchase.

Waste King's 3200 employs a swiveling impeller system for more efficient shredding of waste. The movable blades allow for jam-free operation, a unique feature that makes dislodging stuck items a breeze. The 27.3oz capacity is enough to hold a decent amount of foodstuffs, however, the smaller size is a tradeoff for a less efficient overall performance. One under-rated feature of the Legend 3200 is its use of anti-rust materials, ensuring that corrosion stays out of the system and prolongs the overall lifespan.  The cutting power of the Waste King makes it of particular use on septic systems, as it ensures that particles are small enough to not cause backup issues.

Sound levels on this unit have been rated favorably, although they can't compare to the InSinkErator Evolution series. Still, these units have decent noise levels thanks to insulation and anti-vibration features, despite the 3/4-hp 2700 RPM motor. In fact, given the lower price tag, the 3200 can be considered one of the quietest garbage disposals in its class.

Overall, the Waste King performs well for the price and makes for a decent entry-level garbage disposal purchase. Critics give it a 4.5 out of 5, while consumers give it 4.4 out of 5.


Waste King L-8000 Garbage Disposal Review

Waste King L-8000 Garbage Disposal Review

Waste King 8000

Type of Product

Garbage Disposal

Who is it For:

Everyone

Critic Overall Rating:

Key Features

  • Feed Type:  Continuous
  • Horse Power: 1 HP
  • Motor Speed: 2800 RPM
  • Capacity: 33.50oz
  • Noise: Quiet
  • Control: Wall Switch

The Good

  • Continuous feed for ease of use
  • Quiet operation
  • Powerful Motor
  • Great motor provides a lot of cutting power.

The Bad

  • Many Consumers have complained about the small opening making it difficult to insert waste into the disposal.

An upgrade on the Legend 3200, the Waste King L-8000 garbage disposal offers a range of features not seen on lower-priced models. On price, it enters InSinkErator territory, yet overall is a well-made machine that creates its own identity in the crowded garbage disposal market. With a 1-hp motor turning at 2800 RPM's, this solid unit delivers a quiet, efficient and powerful waste disposal, albeit at a higher cost.

The grinding power of this device should not be understated. The 1-hp/2800 RPM permanent magnet motor makes it one of the most powerful available, and the unit is able to handle virtually anything you would put into a garbage disposal. However, the smaller tank capacity of 33.5oz means less can be put in at once than the InSinkErator, reducing the overall operating efficiency. Despite this, it's still a powerful unit that is more than up to the task of handling any kitchen's waste.

Another feature of the L-8000 is its ease of installation. Employing Waste King's EZ mount system, installing the unit is a matter of mounting the locking ring under the sink and then fastening the collar. As with the Legend 3200, the L-8000 uses rust-resistant stainless steel materials inside the grinding chamber to protect and prolong the functional lifespan of the disposal. Finally, the high RPM rate of the motor and blades means less water usage, an economical feature that will also go a long way to prevent unwanted corrosion.

Noise is definitely not an issue with the L-8000, as the motor and blades are well insulated and baffled against vibrations. While lacking the SoundSeal technology of the InSinkErator, it still delivers a waste grinding punch at low enough decibels to be considered a quiet garbage disposal unit.

One complaint is the smaller sink opening on the Waste King L-8000. Primarily designed to reduce debris and water escape, as well as being designed as a safety feature, the restricted opening makes it difficult to insert waste during continuous operation.

Still, this is definitely a worthwhile machine, even at a higher price tag. Critics rate it a 4.4 out of 5 while Consumers give it a 4.6 out of 5.


Final Verdict

best garbage disposal reviews

The InSinkErator Excel

After comparing the features of the InSinkErator Evolution Excel, the Waste King Legend 3200 and L-8000 models, it's clear that the InSinkErator wins the nod for the most bang for the buck. The SoundSeal technology truly makes this unit a whisper-quiet device, almost to the point that it can be difficult to tell if the unit is actually functioning. The large 40oz capacity married with 1-hp of motor power makes it a highly-efficient garbage disposal. While all models featured a continuous feed system, the triple grind system of the InSinkErator manages to liquefy waste and, married with its anti-jam system, provides the whole package when searching for a garbage disposal for your home.