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The Best 6Aggregated review·17 sources·updated October 7, 2026·checked October 19, 2026

Best Garbage Disposals

Top kitchen garbage disposals ranked by aggregate score from 17 published reviews.

This guide aggregates 17 published reviews across 6 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 1. No publisher printed a score for the top pick — its rating is derived from what reviewers wrote. How we rank.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
Quick answer

InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP is our top pick for garbage disposals — an averaged 4.5/5 across 1 published review. Runner-up: InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series (~$291).

Read the InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP review →Check Price on Amazon
At a glance6 products ▾
1InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HPTop Pick
1 sourceall derived
Best for: Large families and heavy daily cooks who want the quietest continuous-feed grinder available and will pay premium for finer particle output and a manufacturer-dispatched warranty.
Check Price on Amazon
2InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series
1 sourceall derived
$291Best for: larger households who want a quiet 1 HP disposal for heavy daily use
$291 · Check Price on Amazon
3InSinkErator Evolution Cover Control Plus 3/4 HP Batch Feed
1 sourceall derived
Best for: Households with small children where push-to-start safety matters more than throughput speed, and noise-sensitive open-plan kitchens that want the quietest batch-feed disposer available.
Buy at homedepot.com
4InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP
1 sourceall derived
$380Best for: Mid-size households swapping an older entry-level disposer who want quieter operation and finer grinding than the Badger 5 delivers, in a chassis short enough to clear tight under-sink layouts.
$380 · Check Price on Amazon
5InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP
1 sourceall derived
Best for: Apartments, rental units, vacation homes, and small kitchens with only occasional cooking, where reliability and the lowest installed cost outweigh noise and grind-quality concerns.
Buy at insinkerator.com
6InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist 3/4 HP
Unrated2 sources
Best for: Homes on septic systems where chronic sludge buildup is a real concern and the buyer wants to use a disposer without compromising tank health.
Buy at homedepot.com

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

The full ranking

How we rank →
InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP
#1 · Top Pick
Best for: Large families and heavy daily cooks who want the quietest continuous-feed grinder available and will pay premium for finer particle output and a manufacturer-dispatched warranty.
InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP
1 sourceall derived
▾Why it's ranked here

Every other 1 HP disposer chases the Excel, InSinkErator's top-of-line continuous-feed unit. Reviewers at shouldit.com, Consumer Reports and Family Handyman rank it the quietest and most thorough grinder they have tested, processing 90 oz of mixed scraps in about two minutes. Plan for the heft and the cord-kit add-on.

Strengths
  • — 40 oz stainless steel grind chamber with alloy stainless components resists corrosion and odor buildup over years of daily use
  • — Lift & Latch 3-bolt mount lets one person hang and rotate the disposer into place without a helper
Watch-outs
  • — Power cord sold separately as a kit add-on
  • — Premium pricing more than triples a 1/2 HP starter unit
Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series →
InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series
#2
Best for: larger households who want a quiet 1 HP disposal for heavy daily use
InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series
1 sourceall derived$291as of Oct 17
▾Why it's ranked here

The InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series is a 1 HP continuous-feed disposal with a Dura-Drive motor running at 1,725 RPM, a 28.5-ounce capacity and a four-stage stainless steel grind. The Spruce names it the best garbage disposal overall, and its tester, who used it multiple times a day for more than a year, reported no jams or clogs and said it is so quiet it blends into the sound of running water. The Spruce also notes that it ships without a power cord, that its insulation makes it wider than some competitors, and that the rubber guard needs constant cleaning. It suits larger households that put a lot of food waste down the sink; buyers with cramped cabinets or narrow doors under the sink should measure first.

Strengths
  • — Very quiet: The Spruce's tester said it blends into the background once the water runs
  • — No jams or clogs after more than a year of daily use in The Spruce's tester's kitchen
Watch-outs
  • — No power cord in the box, so a cord must be bought unless it is hardwired
  • — Extensive insulation makes it wider, which can complicate narrow cabinets or posts under the sink
$291 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP →
InSinkErator Evolution Cover Control Plus 3/4 HP Batch Feed
#3
Best for: Households with small children where push-to-start safety matters more than throughput speed, and noise-sensitive open-plan kitchens that want the quietest batch-feed disposer available.
InSinkErator Evolution Cover Control Plus 3/4 HP Batch Feed
1 sourceall derived
▾Why it's ranked here

Batch-feed safety is the whole point of Cover Control Plus: the disposer only runs when the magnetic cover is locked in place. InSinkErator pairs that mechanism with the full Evolution-series 3/4 HP MultiGrind chamber and SoundSeal insulation, which makes it the quietest premium batch-feed unit reviewers found. Homes with small children will find the upcharge worth it.

Strengths
  • — Magnetic CoverStart batch-feed activation means the unit cannot run without the cover locked in place, eliminating accidental starts from dropped utensils or curious hands
  • — 40 oz stainless steel grind chamber, the largest in InSinkErator's batch-feed lineup
Watch-outs
  • — Premium price for a 3/4 HP unit, driven mostly by the safety mechanism rather than grinding performance
Buy at homedepot.comFull review →vs. InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP →
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP
#4
Best for: Mid-size households swapping an older entry-level disposer who want quieter operation and finer grinding than the Badger 5 delivers, in a chassis short enough to clear tight under-sink layouts.
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP
1 sourceall derived$380as of Oct 19
▾Why it's ranked here

Most of the Excel's quiet performance and grind quality, in a shorter cabinet-friendly chassis at a meaningfully lower price: that's the Compact. Shouldit.com placed it in the top three for noise. The cord-not-included gotcha applies, so budget another $15 for the kit.

Strengths
  • — 12-1/8 inch overall height clears most under-sink layouts that the taller Excel cannot fit
  • — 34.6 oz stainless steel chamber resists rust and pitting through years of acidic citrus and tomato waste
Watch-outs
  • — Premium price point for a 3/4 HP unit versus simpler Waste King competitors
$380 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP →
InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP
#5
Best for: Apartments, rental units, vacation homes, and small kitchens with only occasional cooking, where reliability and the lowest installed cost outweigh noise and grind-quality concerns.
InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP
1 sourceall derived
▾Why it's ranked here

No disposer is installed more often in North America than the Badger 5, the default 1/2 HP swap-out unit for two decades. Reviewers (shouldit.com, This Old House 4.6/5) agree on the same three things: reliable, easy to install, noisy. Buy it for small kitchens, apartments and rentals; skip it for daily heavy cooking or noise-sensitive layouts.

Strengths
  • — Compact 11-1/2 inch height fits the tightest under-sink cabinets
  • — Galvanized steel grind components hold up to everyday food waste at a fraction of stainless-tier pricing
Watch-outs
  • — Older Dura-Drive induction motor design more prone to jamming and overheating under sustained heavy loads
Buy at insinkerator.comFull review →vs. InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP →
InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist 3/4 HP
#6
Best for: Homes on septic systems where chronic sludge buildup is a real concern and the buyer wants to use a disposer without compromising tank health.
InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist 3/4 HP
Unrated2 sources
▾Why it's ranked here

On a septic tank rather than a city sewer connection, Septic Assist is the disposer to buy. It pairs an Evolution-series 3/4 HP MultiGrind chamber with InSinkErator's Bio-Charge injector, which doses enzyme-producing microorganisms into every cycle to keep septic-tank sludge from accumulating. Plan on cartridge refills as an ongoing cost.

Strengths
  • — Bio-Charge cartridge automatically injects 300 million enzyme-producing microorganisms per cycle to break down food waste and reduce septic-tank sludge buildup
  • — 40 oz stainless steel chamber with alloy stainless components resists corrosion
Watch-outs
  • — Bio-Charge cartridge needs replacing every 3-4 months at typical use (~$8 per cartridge, recurring cost)
Buy at homedepot.comFull review →vs. InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP →
Reviews aggregated from
FamilyhandymanConsumer ReportsShoulditThe SpruceGarbagewastedisposalEngineerfixThisoldhouse

Spec comparison

6 products
vs
SpecInSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HPInSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series
Motor1.0 HP Dura-Drive inductionDura-Drive, 1,725 RPM
Grind Stages3 (MultiGrind)4
Feed TypeContinuousContinuous
Chamber Capacity40 oz stainless steel—
Sound InsulationSoundSeal Technology—
Mounting3-Bolt Lift & Latch—
Weight25.5 lb—
Warranty7-year We Come To You in-home—
MaterialStainless SteelPlastic
Dimensions—8.25 x 8.25 x 12.25 inches
Voltage—120 volts
Overall Height——

Frequently asked questions

What's the top pick among garbage disposals right now?
InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP is the top pick for garbage disposals — 4.5/5 averaged from 1 published reviews. Every other 1 HP disposer chases the Excel, InSinkErator's top-of-line continuous-feed unit. Reviewers at shouldit.com, Consumer Reports and Family Handyman rank it the quietest and most thorough grinder they have tested, processing 90 oz of mixed scraps in about two minutes. Plan for the heft and the cord-kit add-on.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in October 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.