Best Quietest Garbage Disposals

Looking to grind up your food waste so that it doesn’t clog up your drain?

Garbage disposals to the rescue!

However, you might agree with me on this:

They are noisy.

I can’t count the number of times my little one has woken up unusually early, thanks to our old garbage disposal’s annoying grinding noise. Thankfully, we quickly replaced it with a newer one and things have been better ever since.

If you find yourself in a similar boat, worry not!

I will walk you through everything I have learned in the process and help you choose a quiet and efficient garbage disposal.

Note: If you’re serious about restoring the tranquility in your kitchen, you might also want to consider replacing your existing range hood with the best ultra-quiet range hood that’s also easy on your wallet.

1. InSinkErator Garbage Disposal

If you are looking for continuous feed garbage disposal with a powerful 1 HP motor, the InSinkErator Garbage Disposal might be worth checking out.

It’s built for the long run as all its components are made of stainless steel which makes it impervious to corrosion and rust.

At maximum, the steel chamber can accommodate about 40oz. of waste. Hence, if your kitchen really becomes a bit too messy or you have a large family then it should suffice.

The 1HP “Dura-Drive” motor runs at a rate of 1725RPM which gives it the ultimate power to churn all the wastes completely. This is the most powerful motor on my list.

Sound Seal along with the Quiet Collar sink completely prevents the churning noise.

The 3-Stage Multigrind Technology with jam assists to handle the toughest food scraps. Multigrind technology is preferred over single-stage and two-stage systems since they ensure that the food wastes are completely processed and will not clog your sink.

It’s not all fairytales though.

It does make a humming noise during its operation—although it is relatively quiet.

The rubber collar might create some problems in letting the solid wastes enter into the system properly for complete processing but with a persistent effort, the issue can be solved.

Pros:

• Powerful 1 HP Dura-Drive motor
• Stainless steel makes it rust-free
• 3-Stage Multigrind Technology
• Sound Seal technology

Cons:

• May produce some humming noise
• Rubber collar causes some may block solid food from going inside

2. Waste King L-8000

Looking for a continuous feed garbage disposal with a 1HP motor on a budget? The Waste King L-8000 might be worth looking into.

At its peak, it generates about 80 to 90 decibels of noise.

The powerful 1 HP runs at a rate of 2800 RPM. The rate is 1.5 times greater compared to InSinkErator Garbage Disposal. It is also free of jams and being magnet-based, it is sound-insulated.

The grind components are all made of stainless steel which makes them rust-free. It is also easy to handle since it is light in weight and compact in size. The polymer body makes it very durable and sturdy.

The installation process is pretty straightforward and can be carried out without the help of a professional. You also need not tackle tricky electrical connections since the product already comes with a pre-installed power cord.

This garbage disposal gets triggered by a wall switch in order to start grinding the food waste. The continuous feed garbage disposal jams have a reset switch that shuts the machine to unclog it.

It also comes with a 32-feet power cord to help tow the device easily.

A few users reported that they had to deal with a bad smell from it sometimes. Some units leaked due to the ring inside the system. Although, if you ask me, it’s likely that it could have been a defected product and one can easily issue a free replacement if it ever happens.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Easy installation
• 1 HP motor
• Free from rust and corrosion
• Lightweight and compact

Cons:

• May smell slightly after using for some time
• In rare cases, the ring may cause some leakage

3. Moen GXS75C GX Series

Are you in search of a 3/4 Horsepower continuous feed garbage disposal on a budget? This product from Moen might be worth a look.

It produces a noise of about 70 to 95 decibels while it operates. It is one of the quietest garbage disposals as it features SoundSHIELD. The SoundSHIELD baffles the noise that is generated by the motor.

The 3/4 Horsepower motor is encased within several layers of sound-dampening materials that attenuate all the noise.

It is pretty effective and fast at grinding food scraps, thanks to the Vortex motor technology. It comes with a universal mounting kit with the package which makes the installation process pretty straightforward.

In order to prevent leakage of liquid garbage, this continuous feed garbage disposal has a splash guard.

Besides this, it also includes a chrome sink flange, a 1-½-inch drain elbow, and a built-in 7/8-inch dishwasher hookup.

It has its downsides, too.

It doesn’t come with a soft start feature so as soon as it is turned on, the motor instantaneously starts working at 2700RPM. The end result?

It might be a little noisier initially, although this feature does help prevent clogs.

You may get to listen to some noise initially as it does not feature soft start which means that as soon as it is turned on the motor instantaneously starts working at 2700RPM. Though it is a drawback, it helps prevent clogs.

Also, the reset buttons placed at the bottom which makes it difficult to reach. Although this is just nit-picking to be fair.

Pros :

• 3/4 Horsepower
• Vortex motor technology
• Universal mounting kit included
• SoundSHIELD
• Lightweight
• Splash guard

Cons:

• No soft start
• Reset button at the bottom of the unit

4. InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist

On the hunt for a premium 3/4 Horsepower continuous feed garbage disposal? The InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist is a no-brainer.

The 3/4 HP Dura-Drive Induction Motor helps grind the waste efficiently. Despite having a powerful motor, it is ultra-quiet and generates only about 45 to 65 decibels of noise which is about 20% less compared to Waste King L-8000. It features advanced noise-reducing, insulated SoundSeal Technology which makes one of the most silent garbage disposals.

Its full-on stainless steel chamber and grinding parts make it perfectly resistant to rust and corrosion. It comes with all the tools that are needed to install the device easily. Also, it adds extra confidence to homes with septic systems.

The 2-Stage Multigrind Technology with jam can handle the toughest food scraps.

In order to prevent the churning noise from escaping the barrier inside, Sound Seal technology has been integrated into the system.

It comes with its fair share of flaws too.

It comes with a substantial rubber collar that blocks solid food from going down the drain without assistance. Products like Waste King L-8000 have much thicker sound-absorbing shrouds compared to this.

Pros:

• Powerful 3/4 HP Dura-Drive motor
• Stainless steel makes it rust-free
• 2-Stage Multigrind Technology
• Sound Seal technology

Cons:

• Rubber collar causes some may block solid food from going inside

5. InSinkErator Garbage Disposal, Badger 1

Hunting for budget-friendly garbage disposal with continuous feed and 1/3 HP motor? InSinkErator Badger 1 might be a great pick.

The 1/3 HP Dura-Drive Induction Motor has the most jam-busting torque that churns almost anything to perfection. The device is made for the long run and all its components are galvanized with steel.

The quick-lock mounting system allows for easy installation and replacement of kitchen garbage disposals.

A wall switch is used to on/off the device. The grinding chamber can hold about 26oz. of waste at a time. It provides whisper-quiet performance while grinding the noisiest of food waste.

Handling is pretty easy due to its compact, space-saving design. Installation can also be done without the help of experts.

The product is backed by a warranty of 1 year.

Some users found the motor to be smaller compared to other products. Also, the power cord is not provided in the package.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Continuous feed
• Compact
• Quick-Lock mounting system
• 1/3 hp Dura-Drive Induction Motor
• Galvanized steel components

Cons:

• Small motor
• Power cord not included

6. Waste King L-2600

Are you in need of continuous feed garbage disposal with 1/2 HP motor? Consider having a look at Waste King L-2600.

The 1/2 HP permanent magnet motor is free of jams and operates at a rate of 2600 rpm which facilitates smooth churning of all the wastes that it comes in contact with. If you are looking for motors that have a higher RPM, you may want to consider products like the Waste King L-8000.

The grind components are made of stainless steel which makes them rust-free. It is easy to handle since it is light in weight and compact in size.

Installation is straightforward and can be done without the help of any professional assistance. It comes with EZ Mount for a quick and easy kitchen sink installation. Cleaning can also be done very easily due to the presence of an easily removable splashguard.

It comes with a pre-installed power-cord, so you can save yourself from dealing with complex electrical connections.

It comes with a 5-year Limited Warranty. 

Pros:

• 1/2 HP motor
• Continuous feed
• Removable splash guard
• Compact and lightweight
• 5-year Limited Warranty

Cons:

• May leak from the gasket
• A bit slow

The Buying Guide: Factors to Consider Before Buying

1. Mount material

When it comes to purchasing garbage disposal you would definitely want to invest in one which will serve you for long. The durability of the product depends on the quality of the materials it is composed of.

Even if you are on a budget, checking the quality of the grinding chamber is crucial. Many products have chrome-plated steel grinding tools encased within thick layers of polymer which definitely minimizes noise to a huge extent.

Of course, the ones which have their components built of stainless steel will remain intact for a much longer period of time as they are resistant to corrosion and rust.

Keeping these facts in mind, in my opinion, Waste King L-8000 is really a good competitor.

2. Motor Capacity

The power that the device derives from its motor is measured in Horsepower and RPM is the rate at which it operates. The greater the horsepower of a motor, the more capable it is for doing work.

Depending on the amount of waste that is generated, you can select one of the many options available. If at the end of the day you really generate some really tough to tackle wastes, then you would need a motor with greater horsepower units to perfectly churn them.

If that sounds like you, then I would suggest you check out InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist or Moen GXS75C GX Series.

Moderately powerful motors are great for those who have some soft wastes to deal with. Waste King L-2600 might be worth a look in that case.

3. Sound Insulating technology

The sound insulating technology helps minimize the noise emitted by the garbage disposal.

Most of the large garbage disposal systems make use of SoundShield to baffle most of the sound generated. It basically makes use of the principle that thick materials are capable of attenuating noise.

Many layers of sound-dampening materials are put around the motor to quieten the noise. One such product making use of this effective method is Moen GXS75C GX Series.

The sound level can also be measured on a scale ranging from 1 to 7. Some of the quietest garage disposals happen to be InSinkErator Garbage Disposal, Badger 1, and InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist.

4. Continuous Feed or Batch Feed

How to operate an XO Batch Feed Disposal

How to Use an InSinkErator

On the basis of operation, garbage disposals are of two types—continuous feed and batch feed.

Continuous feed is much easier to handle compared to batch feed. All you need to do is place the wastes in the disposer, switch the device on and the disposer grinds up and disposes of the food waste.

You can also add materials in it even while it is running. Hence, it is also comparatively faster. They also do not require much maintenance.

But they do have a few negative aspects as well.

First of all, they may or may not come with a power cord. Secondly, continuous feed food waste disposers have an open filler neck which implies that debris may come out during its operation. Waste King L-2600 is one of the best continuous feed garbage disposals.

Batch feed, on the other hand, requires placing a stopper into the disposal’s opening and then turning it on. It runs with the help of the stopper.

With these systems, you need to place the waste first and then turn them on. But a positive note, they are extremely safe to use. It helps prevents mishaps that can occur by placing hands in the waste disposer.

Both the systems are well efficient at their work, the only difference is in the ease with which they can be installed.

5. How Well Does The Unit Grind Garbage?

To ensure that the processing of the wastes is done completely, you should go for the ones that make use of a multi-stage grinding process.

The unit might use one, two, three, or three-stage grinding systems.

In one-stage food is ground once before passing through drain pipes with water.

In two-stage food is ground in two stages. This is used for the wastes that are a bit difficult to process. It also decreases the chances of clogs or jams. InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist makes use of this sort of grinding process.

The finest grind can be achieved with the help of the three-stage systems. They are perfect for the toughest waists. InSinkErator Garbage Disposal is one such product that makes use of a three-stage multi-grinding system.

6. Check the Power Cords, Switches, And Connections

Proper connections, perfectly working switches, and the power cord are crucial for the garbage disposal to operate optimally.

Sink flange which connects the sink to the device must also be present. It also prevents the wastes from expelling out of the hole.

With regards to switches, you have two options – flip switch and air switch. Flip switches are positioned close to the wall-mount for the Continuous Feed disposals while air switches are found on the sink countertop.

In my opinion, going for air switches is the better option as they prevent an accident by keeping electric circuitry away from the sink’s water supply.

The inclusion of a power cord in the pack also saves you from spending an additional amount in buying it separately.

With respect to these factors, I would suggest you go for Waste King L-8000.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Is My Garbage Disposal So Loud?

Here are some reasons why your garbage disposal could be noisy:

• The clogging of food and other debris in the chamber.
• Defective grinding plate
• Grinding ring or motor assembly
• Loose garbage disposal impeller plate

2. How Do I Choose a Replacement Garbage Disposal?

If your current garbage disposal is creating earsplitting noise, you may switch to newer models available in the market on the basis of these factors.

• Mount material
• Build quality
• Motor Capacity
• Sound Insulating technology
• Continuous Feed or Batch Feed
• How Well Does The Unit Grind Garbage?
• Check the Power Cords, Switches, And Connections

3. What Horsepower Garbage Disposal Do I Need?

In order to select the perfect one for yourself, you need to gauge your requirements. If tremendous amounts of waste are generated from your kitchen regularly, then in order to process them perfectly you need a powerful device with higher horsepower value.

Higher the power, the better able it is to deal with tough waste materials.

In case, you produce a nominal amount of food wastes or have a small family, then going for the less powerful motors will suffice.

4. Which Garbage Disposal is the Quietest?

Newer models feature SoundShield to provide ultra-quiet experience. In this method, the motor is surrounded by many layers of noise-insulating materials that dampen vibrations.

The smaller models with low horsepower ratings usually produce less amount of noise and hence do not require much noise insulation.

In my opinion, the best garbage disposal on my list is InSinkErator Garbage Disposal.

5. Which is Better InSinkErator vs Waste King?

Both of them are well reputed for their excellent performance. Yet, Waste King seems to outweigh InSinkErator for a number of reasons.

Waste King makes use of fo permanent magnets and hence reaches an RPM of 2,500 while an InSinkErator disposer only reaches a maximum of 1725 RPM, which is 30% less than the Waste King.

Waste King’s chambers are resistant to corrosion as they are made using corrosion-proof polymers whereas InSinkErator’s chambers are made of steel.

In terms of price and accessories. Waste King wins over InSinkErator.

The Bottom Line

I think that InSinkErator Garbage Disposal is the best quiet garbage disposal for most people. It uses a powerful 1 HP Dura-Drive motor for its operation and makes use of SoundShield for whisper-quiet processing. The 3-Stage Multigrind Technology with jam handles the toughest food scraps.

The Moen GXS75C GX Series is a great budget-friendly option with an easy-to-install process. It uses a 3/4 Horsepower motor for grinding the waste. The splash guard helps prevents leakage of liquid garbage.