The Best Garbage Disposals Of 2023

We all know how messy after-dinner tidying can get. Even if you do your best to get the table scraps into the trash, some are still likely to make their way into your sink with the dirty plates. From there, it's just as easy for food bits to go down the drain. There's also the problem of the smell if you leave your food scraps in the bin for more than a few hours.

Luckily, a garbage disposal that's used well can make your kitchen clean-up a lot easier by pulverizing your leftovers. While installing a garbage disposal system under your sink may take a little effort, we guarantee that it will be well worth it. Most modern garbage disposals feature a continuous feed, which means that you can simply dump your food scraps down the drain, turn on the faucet and the disposal, and watch as they are mashed away into oblivion (via Total Home Supply).

Garbage disposals can also be a great investment for the environmentally conscious since they minimize food that ends up in landfils. This is a particular problem because rotting food creates methane, a significant greenhouse gas. Plus, with an increasing number of wastewater facilities across the U.S. installing equipment to deal with processed food particles, garbage disposals are becoming even more eco-friendly. According to a spokesperson for the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, many green wastewater facilities are even investing in infrastructure that turns food waste into renewable energy (via ABC News).

There's little doubt that installing the right garbage disposal can revolutionize your life. It can save you time, reduce kitchen odor, and even help to protect the environment. While most waste disposals can do the basic job of shredding soft food waste, even a brief survey shows that they're by no means created equal.

When researching garbage disposals, we looked at a number of criteria to refine our list. The first elements we took into account were motor horsepower and grinding speed in revolutions per minute (RPM) — in this case, the higher the numbers, the more powerful the waste disposal system is. We also looked at chamber capacity and the noise level created by each unit. Finally, we evaluated each appliance's ease of installation and warranty, because nothing is more important than peace of mind.

Ready to learn more about garbage disposals? Here's our list of the best garbage disposals in 2023 to help you along the way.

There are more InSinkErator garbage disposals installed in U.S. homes than all other brands combined and for a good reason (via Amazon). A case in point is the InSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal. Equipped with a 1/2 HP Dura Dura induction motor that spins at 1725 RPM and is made from a galvanized steel-grind construction, the Badger 5 is an ideal choice for medium-sized households. It's also compact enough to fit in small kitchens. What's more, it's ultra easy to install thanks to a patented Quick Lock mounting system that's compatible with all InSinkErator models. The unit can be purchased with or without a cord and comes with a three-year in-home service warranty.

While the Badger 5's motor might not be the strongest on the market, the garbage disposal has more than sufficient power to grind everyday household scraps. If you aren't looking for bells and whistles, it's a durable and affordable choice (via Healthy Kitchen 101). The only downside of the unit is the detail that it's noisier than some other garbage disposal systems (via Think Tank Home). Nevertheless, one Amazon reviewer described the noise level as not bad, saying that the unit "doesn't 'scream' like a horror movie," compared to other disposals.

Purchase the InSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal from Amazon starting at $122.75.

Garbage disposals can cost upwards of several hundred dollars, but that doesn't mean you can't find a good one for much less. Meet the Waste Maid 158, an economical appliance that more than gets the job done.

The Waste Maid 158 is equipped with a ½ horsepower, 2,600 RPM motor that can grind everything from fruit salad to chicken bones. A partial sound shell ensures you can still have a conversation while the appliance is operating. The Waste Maid 158 also features a corrosion-proof grinding chamber, removable splash guard, and Bio-Shield anti-microbial technology that helps prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria and unpleasant odor.

Reviewers on Walmart's website gave the appliance 4.6 stars, with many citing its easy install process, reduced noise level, and, of course, price as major pros. "As a realtor, I like to give this disposal as a closing gift to my new home buyers when the builder did not install one in the home," one buyer wrote. "The new homeowners love it as it is so quiet. I asked a master plumber who runs the showroom of a major plumbing business his advice on this purchase. He did not have a product in his catalog that could compare in features and price."

You can buy the Waste Maid 158 from Walmart for just $54.99.

Designed for households with septic systems, the InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist Garbage Disposal comes with unique bio-charge technology that breaks down food scraps and even solid waste such as toilet paper to help keep your septic system in tip-top condition. The bio-charge treatment works by delivering over 300 million enzyme-producing microorganisms into the unit each time it's activated.

The InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist Garbage Disposal is both quiet and powerful. The unit comes with a 3/4 HP Dura-Drive induction motor and a two-stage grind system that makes crushing kitchen leftovers a breeze. The disposal also features noise-reduction technology that will let you "hold a conversation with elevated voices in the same room," as per the InSinkErator website. The InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist Garbage Disposal comes with an eight-year in-home service limited warranty.

Purchase the InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist Garbage Disposal from Amazon starting at $264.

Equipped with a powerful 3/4 HP motor that runs at over 2,700 RPM, the GE Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal makes easy work of grinding fruit pits, fruit scraps, and even small bones. Plus, the kitchen tool reaches its maximum spin speed quickly to prevent any accidental clogging. The unit's angled fin design and two-level pre-cutter also prevent jamming. Last but not least, the GE Garbage Disposal comes with a generous 32-ounce chamber and a stainless steel grinding component for the continuous pulverizing of large batches of food.

Relatively easy to install, the GE Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal comes with all the setup tools including a three-bolt mount kit. The unit is safe for homes with septic systems and comes with a five-year limited warranty. However, you're unlikely to need it as one Amazon reviewer attested, saying, "We had one of these garbage disposals in our commercial kitchen for nine years. After daily abuse, it finally died. Because it was such a screamer, we decided to purchase the same one again. Don't look any further, and don't spend a higher amount on one. This is all you need."

Purchase the GE Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal from Amazon starting at $143.

Let's face it, garbage disposals can make a racket that can be not just unpleasant to you but also to your neighbors — especially if you happen to share a wall. This is where the Moen GXS75C Host Series Garbage Disposal can make a big difference. Designed with sound-deadening insulation, the unit is quieter than most other food waste disposals on the market. 

This neighbor-pleasing quiet doesn't come at the expense of power. The Moen GXS75C features a 2,700 RPM, 3/4 HP Vortex permanent magnet motor, while stainless steel grind components easily turn food waste into pulp. As one Amazon reviewer states, "[Garbage disposals] are loud industrial things that grind food. The new Moen is three times as powerful, has a motor that spins twice as fast, and makes one-tenth the noise of [my] old unit."

Compact and lightweight, the Moen GXS75C Host Series Garbage Disposal comes with a 3-bolt mounting assembly, which tends to be slightly trickier to install than garbage disposals with mounting systems. One Amazon reviewer ranked the unit's installation process as between easy and intermediate, saying, "It took me about 2.5 hours max and I was taking it slow and careful." Nevertheless, if sound insulation is high on your list of priorities, the effort of installing this disposal is a small price to pay. The unit comes with a five-year in-home service limited warranty as well.

Purchase the Moen GXS75C Host Series Garbage Disposal from Amazon starting at $113.

If you have no time for dealing with complicated bolt systems, the Waste King L-3200 Garbage Disposal might just be what you've been looking for. Featuring an EZ Mount twist and lock system and a likewise easy-to-follow installation guide, the Waste King L-3200 is a piece of cake to install under your sink. The unit also comes with a removable splash guard for easy cleaning (via Garbage Disposal Tips).

Compact yet powerful, the Waste King L-3200 Garbage Disposal features a 3/4 HP, 2700 RPM sound-insulated permanent magnet motor for grinding vegetable peels and even small bones if your after-dinner cleanup calls for it. The disposal also has in-built stainless steel shredding discs for maximum durability. Plus, the unit features a removable power cord and a power reset button conveniently located at the front of the unit. Last but definitely not least, the L-3200 comes with an eight-year limited warranty (via Amazon).

Purchase the Waste King L-3200 Garbage Disposal from Amazon starting at $120.

Splurging on a garbage disposal may not sound like the most exciting way to spend your money, but homeowners will attest that an excellent garbage disposal is well worth the indulgence. And if it were our funds on the line, we would opt for the InSinkErator Evolution Supreme SS.

Based on their prominence on this list, you can tell that InSinkErator garbage disposals are the cream of the crop, and the Evolution Series is what the manufacturer calls "the world's most advanced food garbage disposals." This Cadillac of garbage disposals features a 1 horsepower motor that is as quiet as it is powerful. The Supreme's SoundSeal technology locks in all the noise as the appliance's stainless steel components grind just about any food to a pulp. An antimicrobial collar helps prevent bacteria growth and is easily removable for cleaning. Best yet, the garbage disposal is easy to install (no need to call a plumber) and comes with a 10-year warranty.

The InSinkErator Evolution Supreme SS has received rave reviews from users. It has earned a 4.7-star rating from more than 800 customers on Home Depot's website and 4.8 stars on InSinkErator's page. "I would highly recommend this disposal to anyone interested in buying a new garbage disposal," one reviewer wrote. "It was the most expensive but worth every penny I spent!!"

You can purchase an InSinkErator Evolution Supreme SS garbage disposal from Home Depot for $493.

Ideal for light commercial use or large households, the InSinkErator Evolution Excel Garbage Disposal is nothing short of a beast when it comes to chewing waste including solids such as chicken bones (via Think Tank Home). The InSinkErator website describes the Evolution Excel as "the best grinding, quietest line of disposals we have ever made." This shouldn't come as a surprise, really, since the waste disposal features three grind stages and a 1 HP motor. Perhaps the only drawback is Evolution Excel's size. At 9" x 9" x 13", it might take up a fair bit of space under your sink (via Think Tank Home).

The Evolution Excel comes with a twist-on Quick Lock mount system for relatively easy installation (keep in mind that the unit weighs 26 pounds) and a large 40-ounce grinding chamber. In addition, the unit features SoundSeal technology for an ultra-quiet performance and an auto-reverse grind function. Last but not least, the disposal comes with a 10-year in-home limited warranty.

Does the InSinkErator Evolution Excel Garbage Disposal stand up? According to one Amazon reviewer, it sure does. They say, "I stuffed a whole bag of old oranges one at a time into it as a first test. I couldn't hear it as it is so quiet but could feel each orange being bounced around a bit. Within 15 seconds the disposer consumed each one."

Purchase the InSinkErator Evolution Excel Garbage Disposal from Amazon starting at $405.91.