Garbage Disposal Buying Guide

Consumer Reports tests garbage disposals on a number of factors. For our speed test, we grind pieces of beef rib bones for 1 minute with cold running water, then measure how much food is left in the disposal. The more food that’s left, the longer it takes to grind and the lower the score. 

To see how well the disposals grind food, we toss a mix of bones and raw vegetable scraps into each model and run the resulting fragments through four different-sized sieves to gauge fineness. A garbage disposal that garners an Excellent rating turns out food particles fine enough to slip through most of the sieves. If bigger bits are left over, there’s a greater chance the kitchen sink drain will clog—and that model will receive a lower score in this test.

For noise, we measure the decibels emitted while the disposals grind a mix of bones and vegetables. In general, we find that the quieter models are heavier because they have more insulation.

Before choosing a model, answer these three questions.

Are my pipes up to the task? Food debris might not present a problem in a newer home with slippery plastic drainpipes, but clog risks go up substantially if you have rugged old cast-iron drainpipes. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping became more commonplace in homes built after the mid-1970s. One general rule of thumb: If your pipes already clog fairly often, a disposal might not be for you.

Is my septic tank big enough? Disposal manufacturers insist their products are safe to use with septic systems, but some plumbers are equally adamant that they are not. The truth probably lies somewhere between and may depend on the age, type, and size of your system. You may need to size up your tank to accommodate food waste and pump it more often (once a year instead of the recommended three- to five-year intervals) or limit your garbage disposal use. If you have a septic system and want to install a disposal, check first with your local septic system inspector.

Is there room under the sink? Once you’re sure your plumbing can handle it, measure under the sink to make sure you have room for a disposal. The appliance attaches directly to the underside of your sink’s drain opening. There is no standard size for garbage disposals—the models we tested were 10 to 15 inches high, 5 to 9 inches wide, and 6 to 13 inches deep. Generally, the more sound insulation a unit has, the bigger it is.

The last major decision point? Horsepower. Garbage disposal motors come in varying power ratings, with most ranging from ⅓ hp to 1 hp. Generally, you’ll get a more efficient grinder and better sound insulation as you go up in horsepower—but you’ll also pay more. (We also indicate amps—the amount of electricity the disposal draws—in our ratings charts. Be sure your circuit breaker can handle the demand before buying.)

An entry-level ⅓-hp garbage disposal might not hold up to heavy-duty or frequent use. It’s a good option for a vacation home. Garbage disposals with ½ hp or ¾ hp should be adequate for the typical home. Cooks who use the disposal on a daily basis and need to grind tougher waste, including bones, may want to opt for a 1-hp model.

Here are some garbage disposal features to consider.

Power cord: Some garbage disposals come without the power cord, so you’ll need to buy a power cord (about $15)—unless you reuse the power cord from the old disposal or plan to hardwire your disposal instead.

Anti-jamming feature: Some higher-end disposals come with an auto-reverse feature that detects jams and automatically reverses the grind table to help loosen lodged food and prevent jams.

Stainless steel: Disposals with grind chambers and components made of stainless steel resist corrosion and often last longer.

Quick-mount or EZ-mount feature: This mounting design allows for easier installation as the mount implements a turn-and-lock system to secure the disposal to the sink.

Multiple grind stages: Basic models include only one grind stage, while premium models have as many as three separate stages to completely pulverize hard foods, such as bones and corn cobs.

Quiet operation: Some disposals incorporate sound-deadening elements, such as insulation around the disposal, nylon-coated grinding parts, insulated mounting baffles, sound baffles at the sink opening, and flexible mounting connections to reduce excess vibration. Manufacturers are not required to publish a disposal’s decibel level, but we test and rate noise in our lab.

Warranty: In general, garbage disposals last about 11 years, which is longer than most warranties, so rethink spending more for a longer warranty.