After 94 hours of testing 17 different garbage disposal systems and consulting 5 experts, we found that InSinkErator Essential XTR 3/4 HP is the best garbage disposals system. It breaks down any type of waste with ease and hardly makes any noise. Overall points it scored of performance is the highest among all. And InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 hp gained second place on our list. If you want to learn more about garbage disposals before buying, please refer to our buyer’s guide. It has all the information you required to buy the best one for your kitchen.
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Top 7 Garbage Disposals
| Product | Speed | Power | Family | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InSinkErator Essential | 1725 rpm | 3/4 HP | 4-6 people | CheckPrice |
| InSinkErator Evolution | 1725 rom | 1 HP | 10 People | CheckPrice |
| Waste King L-8000 | 2800 rpm | 1 HP | 6-8 people | CheckPrice |
| InSinkErator Badger | 1725 rpm | 1/2 HP | 1-2 people | Check Price |
| Moen GXS75C GX | 2700 rpm | 3/4 HP | 4-6 people | CheckPrice |
| Waste King L-1001 | 2600 rpm | 1/2 HP | 5-6 people | CheckPrice |
| InSinkErator Evolution Septic | 1725 rpm | 3/4 HP | 4-6 people | Check Price |
1. InSinkErator Essential XTR 3/4 HP – Best Garbage Disposal For Home Use
InSinkErator has high-quality products for the kitchen. Among all garbage disposals by InSinkErator, the Essential XTR 3/4 HP is not only popular but beats any other system by its performance. It uses a powerful ¾ HP dura-drive induction motor. It is capable of handling the toughest food waste. In doing so, it hardly makes any noise. It is because of InSinkErator’s patented SoundSeal technology.
We tested the system with almost all kinds of food waste a human produces in the kitchen. Be it fibrous, chunky, etc. we tried everything. The motor grinds the waste at 1725 rpm. The speed might seem less compared to others who boasts speed over 2000 rpm. But the company has deliberately made it low. It is because they prefer offering a greater torque than speed so that that grind can process even the toughest of the waste. It uses its trademark 2X MultiGrind ® Technology which processes the food in small and fine particles.
- Powerful induction motor.
- Grinds the waste in very small particles.
- It is among the quietest garbage disposals.
- Handles all kinds of food.
- Very easy to replace with the new system.
- Installation is tricky if you are a first timer.
Bottom Line
If you ask which garbage disposal is currently highest performing disposal, looking at the test results we can say InSinkErator Essential XTR 3/4 HP is right up there.
2. InSinkErator Evolution Excel – Garbage Disposal For Large Kitchen
If you are kitchen size is more than an average kitchen sie like a restaurant kitchen or kitchen that feeds around 10 people daily, powerful garbage disposal is a must. The InSinkErator Evolution Excel packs are powerful 1 HP dura-drive induction motor. The Evolution Excel is among the high-end disposal systems and uses advanced technologies.
One thing you get with Evolution Excel is an anti-jam feature. It has jam sensor circuitry. Upon sensing the jam, it auto reverses the disposer removing the jam. We tried to jam it in our tests. We were able to observe how it handles the jam. It felt that it increased the torque while reversing the disposer to remove the jam. The grinder chamber is 40 oz, which is more than enough for any kitchen.
- Uses SoundSeal Technology to keep the grinder quiet.
- Jam sensor to remove the waste jams.
- 3 stage is grinding to make sure the waste is converted into small particles.
- Powerful machine.
- Can handle any kind of food waste.
- Very expensive compared to most of the garbage Disposals.
Bottom Line
If you run a restaurant or use a kitchen that supports more than 10 people, you are bound to produce much larger waste, something like Evolution Excel would be a great addition to your kitchen. In addition, it is among the best garbage disposals for deep sinks.
3. Waste King L-8000 Garbage Disposal – Budget-Friendly Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposals are the most expensive machines, but if you have a family of 4-6, you wouldn’t want to spend more than $200 on the garbage disposal. For those with budget constraints, Waste King L-8000 Garbage Disposal is a really good option. In spite of being cheap the quality is not compromised. Mind you it is not the cheapest; it is the most budget-friendly option on our list of best garbage disposals.
As far as the use concerned, we tested with almost all kinds of food waste. It was able to process everything with ease. We hardly observed any jam. But when we intentionally jammed it, we had to clean it. The good thing is it uses replaceable splash guard which allows you to clean the disposal. Another good thing is, it has a manual reset button to stop in case of overload or jam to shut the disposal instantly. If you are using a septic system, it works perfectly with it.
- Value for the money
- Powerful motor.
- Easy to install as well as replace.
- Easy to clean in case jam or overload.
- Works with the septic system as well.
- In the case of tough waste, the motor may get noisy.
Bottom Line
The Waste King L-8000 Garbage Disposal does have great performance, and it is easy to maintain. In our list, it is the best garbage disposals for money.
4. InSinkErator Badger 5 – Garbage Disposal For Bachelors/Couples
The InSinkErator offers you another great disposal for your kitchen. The unit possesses ½ HP motor and 26 oz. Grinder chamber. Looking at its capacity, it is perfectly suitable for the family of 2-4 members. It could be a great option for bachelors who live alone. Being a small unit, it won’t cost as much as the other disposals. Though we must warn, it is not suitable if the kitchen supports more than four people.
As far as the performance is concerned, we loved what it can do. We tasted with all types of food wastes and also threw more waste than it can handle. Though it didn’t have the anti-jam features as the premium disposals of InSinkErator, you can use jam wrench to handle the jam. One stage grinder process is let down. Fibrous waste may cause build up. So maintenance would be required more often than you would like.
- Can be installed easily where space is limited.
- Can handle any type of food.
- Doesn’t make much noise compared to other models in its league.
- Cleaning is easy.
- Installation is easy.
- No jam sensors.
- Only one stage is grinding.
Bottom Line
The InSinkErator Badger 5 is only suitable for the kitchen that is small and supports 2-4. During our tests, we found that even 4 might be too much if food is prepared three times a day. However, it is highly recommended for individuals or couples.
5. Moen GXS75C GX Series – Jam-less Garbage Disposal
The Moen GXS75C GX Series garbage disposal was recommended by one of the experts we hired. He has been using this unit for around a year in his house which supports 5 members. It uses ¾ HP vortex motor. Moen is a popular brand that has been offering quality kitchen faucets for years, but recently they have entered into garbage disposal market.
Regardless of one negative point, the performance is right up there with the best. The installation is also simple. It also uses the Xpress Mount. All have to do is position the unit, twist it and lock it. It comes with a pre-installed power cord which is good. Its disheartening to see other manufacturers selling the power cord separately.
- Very easy to install compared to its competitors.
- Inexpensive.
- Powerful Vortex motor.
- Handles all types of food waste with ease.
- Jam-less.
- Could get noisy as it ages.
Bottom line
If you want to look beyond other premium brands, the Moen GXS75C GX Series is a really good option. It is not that expensive, and you will never have to worry about jams with this unit.
6. Waste King L-1001 Garbage Disposal – Best Garbage Disposals Under 100
During our test, we noticed that Waste King offers good quality garbage disposals at quite low prices. The L-1001 is by far the cheapest garbage disposals that you can buy. After testing it thoroughly, we can say it may be cheap but do not rule out its performance. It has everything that a good waste disposal system needs.
Even if jams, don’t worry the splash guard is replaceable. Just open and clean it, you are good to go. If you are using septic tanks, it works with it too. When we jammed the unit deliberately in tests, we used a reset button to shut the disposer, and after clean the disposer, machine reverts to running status.
- Very cheap compared to other garbage deposals.
- Effective motor.
- Does not jam easily.
- Most of the parts are made of plastic.
- Struggles with solid waste.
- Little noisy.
Bottom Line
If you are budget do not permit you to spend more than $100, we say go for Waste King L-1001. There is no other better option for such low price.
7. InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist – Garbage Disposal With Septic Assist
Most of the users use the septic tank in their kitchen; you would want garbage disposal to support the system. The InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist has all the best feature of an InSink Erator, but also it has a specific assist. This whole setup makes it tailor-made system for the kitchen with the Septic system.
As far as the septic assist is concerned, it enhanced the function of the septic tank. We used on a septic tank that gave out the foul smell, but when we connected it with Evolution Septic Assist after 26 hours of installation, the smell was gone and the septic system was working much smoother than before.
- Powerful motor.
- Enhances the performance of the septic tank.
- Works with any kind of food waste.
- Jam-less technology.
- Makes very little noise.
- Expensive compared to most of the models.
Bottom Line
There is not much difference compared to the original version, but it does require more maintenance because of the Bio-charge. But we have to say it is the best garbage disposals for septic tanks.
Buyer’s Guide – What to Consider While Buying The Garbage Disposals?
Even before considering buying a particular garbage disposal system, you have to be aware of a few factors. By knowing these factors, you will be able to find the best and the most suitable model of garbage disposal for your kitchen. Let’s look at them one by one:
1. Food Waste
Garbage disposals have different capacity. This capacity directly related to the amount of food waste a kitchen produces. A machine with a capacity of ½ HP can easily support the waste produced by 1-3 people. For 4-6 people, ¾ HP is enough, and beyond that, you require 1 HP or 2 HP machine. If you look at our list, you will find we have covered machines with all the capacity. So depending on the family size your kitchen supports, choose the machine with the right capacity. InSinkErator Essential XTR is the best for family size of 1-3 and InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 hp is best for the family size more than 4-6.
2. Grinding Power
The most important aspect of any garbage disposal is waste grinding. You don’t want to be stuck with a machine that only process soft food and not the solid food or it jams every time you throw in a fibrous waste. You want a garbage disposal unit that can process every kind of food waste and it must do it fast. The power of the grinder depends on two things—capacity and grinding technology.
If the machine has a motor of 1 HP or more, it would be able to grind any kind of food waste with ease. It won’t require any grinding technology. But if the capacity of the disposal machine is less than 1 HP, it might need a grinding technology like 2 stages or 3 stage grinding. The stage is grinding means, the grinder process the food waste several time rather than once. This another good feature to make sure the food waste is converted into drainable particles. InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 hp is 3 stage garbage disposal with 1 HP which is probably the best garbage disposals in terms of grinding.
3. Noise
Often with time or poor design, garbage disposals tend to make noise while processing the waste. During our test, we made sure we measured the noise level of each machine when the load is maximum. When you are looking to buy, you won’t be able to tell which one is noisy and which isn’t. But biggest brands like InSinkErator has a reputation for offering much quieter disposal units. Even in tests, we found that InSinErator made the least noise. We have included the noise levels in the table at the beginning of the section best garbage disposals. Please refer to it.
4. Installation
Most of the new user struggle with the installation. If you go through the manual and follow the steps mentioned in it correctly, you won’t have a hard time installing it. Another option is to hire a technician. Before buying the disposals, you have to keep in mind space beneath your sink. Whatever unit you choose, it must be able to fit in that space. Another thing you have to take care is if the disposal system is compatible with the septic system you use. One of the best garbage disposals that supports septic systems is InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist.
How We Conduct Tests For Garbage Disposals?
We began our process by selecting 22 different garbage disposal systems based on the popularity, sales, and expert recommendations. Once we acquired each model, we determined the parameters for the tests. For garbage disposals, the parameters we used were noise, power, installation, waste processing, and durability. These parameters are based on the basic function of the disposal system and the issues it can face.
After we had set the parameters, we designed the tests for each parameter. For instance, to test the noise produced by each model, we made sure that we load the food waste to its maximum limit, run it and measure the noise. We also take care of any measuring device we use is well calibrated and accurate. In addition to tests, we also value customer reviews. With the help of seller and experts, we were able to reach out to the existing customers of all the models. It gives an idea how the unit performs after months or years of purchase.
Once we had all the necessary test results, and customer feedback, we asked our team to score each model based on three aspects—speed, noise, and durability. After calculating the overall score of each model, we sorted out the seven best garbage disposals. We also categorized the top seven units highlighting their best features. Here is the scorecard of the list:
| Product | Speed | Noise | Durability | Overall | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| InSinkErator Essential | 96.4 | 97.7 | 97.4 | 97.1 | CheckPrice |
| InSinkErator Evolution | 96.4 | 97.4 | 97.4 | 97.1 | CheckPrice |
| Waste King L-8000 | 97.1 | 96.4 | 96.8 | 96.7 | CheckPrice |
| InSinkErator Badger | 96.8 | 96.8 | 96.4 | 96.7 | Check Price |
| Moen GXS75C GX | 97.3 | 96.1 | 95.9 | 96.4 | CheckPrice |
| Waste King L-1001 | 97.1 | 95.9 | 96.1 | 96.3 | CheckPrice |
| InSinkErator Evolution Septic | 95.4 | 95.6 | 96.3 | 95.7 | Check Price |
Final Thought
After testing so many different products, we can say that most important thing before you by anything, is to understand your need and budget. With garbage disposals, you have to understand what kind of disposals will be a perfect fit for the kitchen. If you have any doubt, you can refer to our best garbage disposal reviews and buyer’s guide. Once you are sure of your needs and budget, you go through the list and find the right unit.
InSinkErator Essential XTR 3/4 HP- Editor's Choice
Summary
If you ask which garbage disposal is currently highest performing disposal, looking at the test results we can say InSinkErator Essential XTR 3/4 HP is right up there.
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