There isn’t a more convenient way to clean up after a meal than to quickly run the chunks of food waste down the drain. Having the best garbage disposal saves your drains, eliminates odor and cuts down on noise and scraps.
No more subtle aromas of stinky trash in your kitchen sink drain or hours spent cleaning up. And you can forget about having to scrape leftover bits of foods into a compost bin.
Check out these 2 brand models we have chosen along with our helpful purchase tips:
2 Best Garbage Disposals Brands and Models
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Top | Waste King L-1001 Garbage Disposal with Power Cord, 1/2 HP | PrimeEligible | Buy Now On Amazon | |
 Top | Moen GXP33C Lite Series PRO 1/3 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal, Power Cord Included | PrimeEligible | Buy Now On Amazon |
Let’s take a look at the top two garbage disposal options for getting rid of all types of food waste.
1. Waste King L-1001 Garbage Disposal
- HIGH-SPEED MOTOR: The 1/2 HP, 2600 RPM (115v) permanent magnet motor jams less. Has dishwasher hookup
- EASY INSTALLATION AND CLEANING: EZ Mount for a quick and easy kitchen sink installation, removable splashguard for easy cleaning
- 2 YEAR PROTECTION: 2-year Limited. Corrosion resistant grinding components
- NO ELECTRICAL EXPERTISE NEEDED: Pre-installed power cord, no electrical work required
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Compact and lightweight garbage disposer saves space under the sink
- CONTINUOUS FEED DISPOSAL: Activated by a wall switch, the disposal quickly grinds food waste continuously as it runs.Grind chamber capacity:27.3 oz
- NOTE FROM THE MANUFACTURER: Customers may receive product with the original brand logo or updated logo and packaging.
- Dishwasher compatibility: 7/8 rubber hose
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
There is a reason why this Waste King model is the first on our list for your best garbage disposal options.
It has a powerful high-speed motor at 0.5hp and 2600 rpm that devours leftover food scraps. It runs on 115-volt electricity and has a permanent magnet motor that quickly reaches maximum speed, preventing food waste jams.
It comes with an easy-mount quick lock system for simple installation that twists and locks into place. All of the necessary hardware comes with the purchase, including a 32-inch power cord.
To install, you will need the following tools: adjustable pliers, plumbers putty, screwdriver, dowel/punch, and hammer.
There is also a removable splash guard for easy cleaning. It is very lightweight, only 7.5 pounds, and compact, saving a ton of space underneath the sink compared to other bulky options.
This is a continuous feed garbage disposal, which means it is directly connected to a power source and can be turned on at any time with a flick of the switch.
As the name implies, continuous feed disposals allow you to continuously get rid of various types of garbage as long as the switch is on.
The Waste King’s strong motor grinds rapidly to save on run time, which can reduce your footprint and your power bill. And, it creates little noise relative to its speed.
This model is made out of high-strength polymer and galvanized steel components to ensure maximum benefit of durability.
In the rare case of a jam, the Waste King model comes with a manual reset button. The manual reset is a safety feature to shut the motor off if there is an overload to save the motor and blades.
Watch this Youtube Video on how to install the Waste King, and see why it made our list of the best garbage disposals.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Waste King Garbage Disposal
- Item Weight: 7.5 Pounds
- Product Dimensions: 5.25 x 5.25 x 12.75 Inches
- Size: 10
- Style: Removable Splash Guard 1/2 HP Continuous feed garbage disposal with Power Cord – (L-1001)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Voltage: 115 Volts
Pros
- Powerful motor technology disposes of large amounts of food
- Continuous feed with a magnetic motor will decrease the chance of jams or dull blades
- Easy to install and clean with removable splash guard
- 23.7-ounce grind chamber
- Corrosion-proof grinding chamber and drain connection
- High-strength, stainless steel grind components
- Safe to use with septic systems
- Pre-installed power cord
Cons
- Need to have separate tools for installation
- Chrome trim piece won’t match a sink space that isn’t chrome
2. Moen Lite Series PRO
- LITE SERIES: Designed for those who rarely cook from scratch and just want cleanup to be simple
- POWERFUL GRINDING: 1,900 RPM, ⅓ horsepower Vortex motor provides fast, powerful grinding of everyday food scraps and helps reduce jamming
- SIMPLE SWAP: Fits most existing assemblies, including other brands; includes pre-installed power cord
- COMPACT DESIGN: Compact design is lightweight for easy installation and frees up valuable space under the sink
- SEPTIC SAFE: Safe to use with properly sized septic tanks
- REDUCE WASTE: Disposals reduce waste sent to landfills, making them an eco-friendly option for your home
- BUILT TO LAST: 5-year limited warranty with in-home service guarantees help is there when you need it
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Moen Lite Series is another one of the best garbage disposals, especially if you don’t do a lot of cooking at home but want to minimize food waste and make cleanup easier.
It is called the “Lite” because it is a 1/3 horsepower model, compared to the above-mentioned 0.5hp and 1900 rpm Waste King, but it’s still plenty powerful to break down food and ice.
This one is super easy to install with a universal mount to fit most existing assemblies with a 3-bolt pattern, including other brands. It even includes a pre installed power cord and runs off a continuous feed of 115 volts of electricity.
It is very lightweight and compact enough to fit under your kitchen sink without taking up extra space, and the continuous speed vortex motor with stainless steel components gets up to speed very quickly to avoid jamming.
If you only need something for small scraps like cereal, corn, soft foods, vegetable peels, and fruit skins, then the Moen Lite Series model is the right choice for you. It also comes with a 5-year limited warranty and in-home service guarantees.
Watch this YouTube Video for more on Moen Lite Disposals.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Moen Garbage Disposal
- Item Weight: 7.75 Pounds
- Product Dimensions: 6.34 x 6.34 x 14.76 inches
- Size: 10
- Color: Black
- Style: Transitional, Continuous feed disposal technology
- Warranty: 5-year limited warranty
- Voltage: 115 Volts
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design
- Very efficient at breaking down soft food waste
- Stainless steel drain stopper
- Inexpensive
- Low noise level for quiet disposal
- Continuous feed model for more efficiency
- 5-year warranty and in-home services
- Safe to use with septic tanks and systems
Cons
- Not ideal for someone who does a lot of home cooking
- Does not fit 4-bolt sinks
About the Companies
Waste King
Waste King boasts 50 years of experience put into their many products. They offer a full line of disposals to suit any kitchen, budget, or family size.
Moen
Moen is known for more than just garbage disposals. They offer a wide variety of bathroom and kitchen faucets, showerheads, accessories, and more. Founder Al Moen was the inventor of the single-handed water faucet. Since then, the company has had 75 years of innovation under its belt.
Garbage Disposal FAQs
Q: Can I Use a Disposal If I Have a Septic Tank?
A: Yes, each model mentioned above can be used with appropriately sized septic systems.
Q: Can Continuous Feed Garbage Disposals Break Down Ice?
A: The two continuous feed products above can both handle ice, and believe it or not, ice is actually a very effective way to clean your garbage disposal.
Q: What Does the Term “Continuous Feed” Mean?
A: It’s a common type of disposal that’s plugged directly into the 115-volt power source, so it’s always powered. Continuous-feed disposals can continue to run as things like dirty water, chicken bones, vegetable peels, and other scraps are placed inside – as long as the wall switch is on.
Batch feed disposals can only get rid of one batch of food at a time, and they require a cover to be put in place before they are turned on. For those reasons, a continuous feed model is considered more convenient.
Points to Consider
A traditional drain stopper is a way of the past. Instead of emptying gross, leftover kitchen scraps into the trash, you can eliminate the food and smell immediately with one simple device.
The Waste King and the Moen Lite are the best garbage disposal options that a person can buy for their busy kitchen right now.
If you’re looking for a heavier-duty disposal model, we recommend that you go with the Waste King. For those of you looking for a lighter option, we suggest you take a closer look at the Moen Lite.
A quality model can last as long as 15 years and shopping for a disposal replacement can be overwhelming, especially with the numerous product changes over time.
Most homeowners know of the two basic types – batch feed and continuous feed.
Batch feed garbage disposals grind the material in batches, while continuous feed disposals grind while the material is fed constantly into the disposer.
However, there are some technological differences that affect performance, functionality, and durability.
Tips for The Best Replacement
1. Type Of Motor
Disposals usually feature motors of two types – permanent magnet motors and induction motors.
Most disposals use induction motors, which are similar to the ones in large household appliances including furnaces, dryers, and washers. Induction motors produce less noise and offer a reliable and long motor life.
Permanent magnet motors are lightweight, variable speed motors similar to motors found in smaller household appliances including hair dryers, blenders, and power tools. Permanent magnet motors usually run at higher speeds, but they usually run fastest with smaller grind loads.
2. Grind Stages
Garbage disposals usually offer 1, 2, or 3 grind stages. The following are the differences between the three types and what they are used for:
1- Stage: These disposers feature only one stage of grinding. Food material is only ground once before it passes through the drain pipes with water.
2-Stage: These disposers grind food particles in 2 stages to ensure a finer grind. The second stage of grinding helps to liquify food material allowing for more varieties of difficult food materials to be ground.
3- Stage: These garbage disposals offer the finest grind possible thus allowing for the grinding of nearly any type of food material including hard or fibrous materials without worry of jams or clogs. 3-stage grinders are capable of handling even cut grains of cooked rice and rib bones.
3. Motor Horsepower
The motors can range from 1/3 horsepower to over 1 horsepower. The higher power disposers are usually capable of grinding heavier loads with ease. This helps to prolong motor life. If you plan to do frequent cooking or if you have a large family, consider going for a higher horsepower disposer. These also tend to last longer as they have the power to grind through material easier.
4. Component Materials
For the grind components and the grind chamber, there are 3 types of materials commonly used: galvanized steel, stainless steel, and plastic. Most grinders feature thermoplastic polymer grind chambers to help in resisting corrosion and rust. Galvanized steel is quite durable but it can corrode or rust over time. Stainless steel construction on the other hand helps to prolong disposer life due to its superior resistance to corrosion.
5. Noise Levels
Most homeowners are probably used to loud disposal noises. However, units with advanced sound technology can cut noise levels by as much as 30 to 60%. Look for disposers that are sound insulated and include noise reduction features including anti-vibration tail pipes, anti-vibration sink mounts, as well as noise reducing sink baffles.
Using any of these insulation and noise reduction features will really help to lessen the grinding noise!
Dos and Don’ts: Garbage Disposal Operation
Once you have chosen your garbage disposer, it is important to know how to care for it properly to ensure that it serves you for the manufacturer stipulated period at least. Here is a list of dos and don’ts when it comes to operating your garbage disposer.
Do:
– Run the garbage disposal unit every time you put food waste in one to prevent corrosion from food acid.
– Remove silverware along with other items from your sink before you power on the disposal.
– Use deodorizer, disposal cleaner, or citrus peel to help get rid of any lingering odors.
– Grind small sized bones to help scour the grinding chamber.
– Run cold water prior to, during, and immediately after operation.
Don’t:
– Put fibrous materials such as corn husks or celery into a standard disposal that handles normal amounts of food material including vegetable and fruit peels, small bones, and soft food scraps. The premium disposals can handle larger jobs.
– Reach into the garbage disposal during operation.
– Grind shellfish or tobacco products if you have a septic tank.
– Run hot water while the disposer is in operation.
Bottom Line
Purchasing a new quality sink disposal is a key step when planning or upgrading your kitchen. It is therefore important to ensure that you choose the best garbage disposal model for your needs.
Follow the tips discussed in this article and be sure you buy one that will grind up food waste efficiently. This will ensure that it serves you for a longer period of time.
Buy a Top Selling Garbage Disposal on Amazon
Be sure to check out more of our appliance reviews and buying guides!
Related articles:
Finding the best trash compactor
