Whether it comes to the actual convenience, the possibility to recycle waste yourself, or the necessity to lower your landfill “contribution”, the quietest garbage disposals is a brilliant idea to contribute to green living. The primary concept behind this appliance is fairly simple.
Toss your leftovers inside the garbage disposal, close the tap, and switch them on. The machine will shred everything in tiny pieces – so small that they can go through the plumbing pipes without clogging them. You send organic stuff straight out of your house, so there is no need to overfill your bin again.
So, what should you know about this industry? More importantly, what are the quietest in the market, and what makes them so special?
Table of Contents
Comparison Table of the Best 5 Quietest Garbage Disposals
| Disposal | Brand | RPM | Material | Grind Component | Our Rating | More Details |
 | InSinkErator | 1725 | Stainless-Steel | Alloy Stainless Steel |   (4.6 / 5) | Check Here |
 | Waste Maid | 2600 | Stainless-Steel | Stainless Steel |  (4.7 / 5) | Check Here |
 | InSinkErator | - | Steel | Galvanized Steel |  (4.8 / 5) | Check Here |
 | Waste King | 2700 | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | (4.8 / 5) | Check Here |
 | Moen | 2600 | Steel | Galvanized Steel | (4.6 / 5) | Check Here |
Benefits Of Using A Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposal will save you time. Cleaning your kitchen and getting rid of leftovers will take minutes only. It breaks up food, so you can forget about filling up the bin bag and taking it outside. Once your meal is done, you can relax within minutes.
Less trash? Consider it done! This is another major plus of using a garbage disposal. Depending on the model, it will be able to shred food of particular hardness, so there will still be some stuff going in the bin. However, there will be much less than normal.
The odor is not to be overlooked, either. Whether you open the bin outside of the closet where you keep the bin in your kitchen, rotting food does smell. Food is ground and sent out of your house – no funnier smells around.
Even without garbage disposal, there are lots of people who will get rid of certain foods by dumping them in the toilet.
They are simply too watery to go in a bin bag. With time, everyone has experienced a clog or perhaps a leak. It happens – those potatoes will not always go. Given the fact that food is ground out of your house, there are no leaks or clogs.
Now, think about your expenses as well. Do you have to pay for your trash to go out? Are you trying to recycle as much as possible to save money? With a garbage disposal, you will rarely need the waste bin removed, as it will take forever to fill it up.
Besides, a disposal unit will also protect your pipes. In other words, you will save money you spend on plumbing services too.
Go Green
As if all these were not enough, everyone is trying to contribute to the overall protection of the environment. People are trying to get greener, create less waste, and use less plastic. Recycle everything that is recyclable and get rid of uneaten food with garbage disposal then.
Getting rid of your own food will reduce the necessity to empty your bins – in other words, it reduces the greenhouse gas released by trucks.
At the same time, you have a small (but significant) impact on the methane produced at landfills. If a whole neighborhood got garbage disposals, imagine the impact on the methane release.
All in all, there are definitely a few good benefits out there. But before disclosing the quietest garbage disposals, what should you look for when buying one?
What To Look Out For When Choosing The Quietest Garbage Disposals
Grinding Power
The grinding power is probably your top consideration. More power will come with more benefits. For example, you get a top-notch performance, but a more powerful unit is also more durable. Sure, you can get a small unit with a low 1/3HP motor, but it is suitable for a few veggies, and that is it. You will need more power for meat or small chicken bones.
A unit with at least 1/2HP is more suitable. Ideally, you should go for 3/4HP or even 1HP. A large motor garbage disposal will perform much better when dealing with hard food, so you are more likely to avoid clogs in the long run.
A high-power unit will grind pretty much anything. It will liquefy soft veggies, hard foods, overnight leftovers, chicken bones, and so on.
Connections
As a general rule of thumb, a garbage disposal will connect to the sink drain outlet, so the interlocking is easy, direct, and convenient. If you think having a special sink will cause problems, you are wrong. There are lots of adapters out there, so quality garbage disposal will match pretty much any sink.
Noise
When hunting the quietest garbage disposals out there, you probably imagine you have to make a compromise. After all, the more powerful the model is, the more noise it will make. So, what do you choose? Is it the quietness? Is it the performance?
The good news is you do not have to worry too much. Given this common problem, plenty of top brands provide quiet models and a higher level of insulation.
But then, the motor is not the only party responsible for the noise. No matter what garbage disposal you get, it will never be super quiet. Your cat sleeping in the kitchen will still wake up. However, the rest of your family will not hear it in the bedroom. Then, think about the sink too. A stainless steel sink will vibrate more than other types.
Septic Assistance
Septic assistance is often overlooked when buying a garbage disposal. When you think about it, a garbage disposal can be quite harsh on the septic system. Most microorganisms in the system will struggle to digest your remains.
Some brands, for instance, rely on injections with microorganisms, so they get to work on your leftovers before the ground food reaches the septic system. Some would classify this feature among the bells and whistles, but it is worth it if you truly care about the environment.
Now that you know what to look for, it might be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the market. What are the top-rated brands out there, and why do they dominate the market?
Best 5 Quietest Garbage Disposals
InSinkErator Garbage Disposal Evolution Essential XTR
InSinkErator’s Evolution Essential XTR is among the quietest garbage disposals out there. It features the brand’s proprietary SoundSeal technology, which lowers the noise without affecting the overall performance.
The unit comes with 3/4HP of power, a Dura-Drive induction motor, and a double stage grinding technology – it can handle small bones as well. In order to deal with all these, the garbage disposal is obviously made of quality components – stainless steel and alloy, as well as a liner that prevents leaks.
Bottom line: If you want convenience and a strong motor, this garbage disposal will get the job done. The two-stage grinding motor will take most foods.
Waste Maid 458
This unit comes in a few different options regarding motor power. The most common one features a 3/4HP power motor, which is more powerful than most other alternatives. It has 2700RPM and operates at 120V. The power cord coming with the disposal is about three feet in length.
The motor features a permanent magnet. At the same time, should anything happen, you have an anti-jamming feature based on stainless steel impellers. It will take care of any issue in no time. The magnet system carries the Silver Guard quality standards – it will catch cutlery and metal stuff before accidentally making it to the grinder.
The grinding system is made of stainless steel. The turntable can resist abrasion and corrosion. The wet parts of the appliance come with a unique agent.
It is a bio shield that will simply clear all the bacteria responsible for bad odors – not to mention the growth of various microorganisms.
Other than that, the garbage disposal is easy to clean and install, while the continuous-feed operation means you can drop food in as it runs.
Bottom line: The anti-jamming feature and the continuous feed operation are excellent to ensure a long-lasting experience.
InSinkErator Garbage Disposal Badger 5XP
Known as one of the quietest from InSinkErator, the Badger 5XP model is available in two models – 3/4HP and 1HP. The 3/4HP motor seems to be more popular – it is more than enough for most foods out there.
This model provides great value for money. It is easy to install and feels compact and space-saving. If you use it to replace different InSinkErator disposal, the installation will be a breeze. All in all, the Dura-Drive induction motor comes with galvanized steel parts for great durability.
There are no fancy bells and whistles regarding garbage disposal. It is so affordable because it does what it is supposed to do even though not as quiet as other products from InSinkErator, but it is still better than most of the competition.
The motor features a single-phase operation. You have wall switch control and a large 26 ounce grinding chamber.
The lower and upper bearings are permanently lubricated, so there is no major maintenance to do on this unit.Altogether, it weighs just over 15 pounds and comes in a gray design with an enamel finish.
Bottom line: InSinkErator’s garbage disposal is great if you do not feel like spending a fortune. It gets the job done, but it also requires a bit of care.
Waste King L-3200
Waste King has designed one of the quietest garbage disposals in this price segment – affordable, great value for money, and less likely to wake your entire family up. Despite being quite small, the compact disposal comes with a powerful 3/4HP motor, which will grind pretty much everything. It weighs less than nine pounds.
The high-speed motor goes up to 2700RPM and runs on 115V. You also have a permanent magnet motorless jam than ever, as well as less noise. It is sound insulated. Installing the garbage disposal is a matter of minutes – it features a classic EZ mount for quick operation. The splash guard can be removed and cleaned within minutes only.
Some of the parts are pre-installed, so you will not require a professional plumber. In terms of durability, the stainless steel grinding components will not let you down. Indeed, there is some plastic in its composition too, but the important parts are made of steel.
Bottom line: The L-3200 is a great choice if you want a quiet operation and the possibility to grind most foods without spending too much. Throw the right foods in, and the garbage disposal will last for ages.
Moen GXP50C GX PRO Series
Moen has implemented a vortex motor technology to ensure no food can get jammed inside its garbage disposal. Furthermore, the motor is one of the quickest in its range, so leftover food will become history within seconds only.
Once you get the item, you will be surprised by how light it is – just 8.5 pounds. Despite the weight, it is quite powerful – 1/2HP and 2600RPM. It is a permanent magnet unit that will contribute to preventing jams.
The installation is fairly simple – it features a universal Xpress mount. It works with other Moen mounts, as well as most three-bolt assemblies. Some parts are pre-installed though – the power cord is already in place and will save you some money and time.
Now, you probably ask yourself about the noise. This is one of the quietest ever designed by Moen. The covered activation reduces noise automatically. Moreover, the SoundSHIELD technology will take its operation even further.
It is worth mentioning the continuous feed operation too, not to mention the galvanized steel grinding components, which will ensure solid durability.
Bottom line: Moen’s garbage disposal makes a good choice if you are after a cost-efficient unit with basic features and great durability.
Top Brands For Garbage Disposals
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the perfect size for a garbage disposal for my home?
It is impossible to get a universal answer on this question because different people have different necessities. Consider the power you require beforehand. How many people are in your home? Do you have any pets? How often do you plan to use the disposal? What kind of food do you normally eat? How much waste do you come up with?
The more people live in your home, the more waste you will create. At the same time, you will cook more food and use the disposal more often. Ideally, you should go for 1/2HP or more. Most experts recommend going over 3/4HP.
What kind of foods can I throw in a garbage disposal?
Not everything can go down a disposal. It depends on the power – powerful units can take small chicken bones. When it comes to forbidden foods, never throw pasta, beans, coffee grounds, cooking oil, grease, rice, or eggshells inside your garbage disposal. More powerful garbage disposal will be able to handle some of these foods, but you should still avoid them as a maintenance tip.
What is the difference between batch feed and continuous feed?
Batch feed disposals take more time because they allow grinding food in limited batches. You open the appliance, throw the food in, and use a stopper for power. Otherwise, it will not work. This option is way safer than the other one.
The continuous feed disposal allows throwing food in while it runs. Turn the water on too. While it is faster and more convenient, it is not as safe as the other one.
Should I run water when using the garbage disposal?
Some manufacturers mention it, while others do not. You should, indeed, run water while running the disposal. It will help in the grinding process, but it will also take all the remains down the drain – the best way to prevent clogs.
Coldwater is ideal for food waste, as it prevents fat from liquefying. On the other hand, hot water is suitable when cleaning the disposal. It depends on what products you use though. If you use citrus peels, stick to cold water. If you use vinegar, professional cleaners, or baking soda, hot water is more helpful.
How can I clean my garbage disposal?
Normally, these appliances do not require too much maintenance. If you can smell anything, chances are the food has built up. Turn the unit off and unplug it. Remove the sink baffle, clean it, put it back, and run some cold water. Throw in some ice flakes and lemon wedges to refresh the disposal.
Do I need a particular type of sink to install a garbage disposal?
No. Most garbage disposals will work with most sinks. If you have a unique sink, you might need an adapter though. It is more important to ensure you have enough room under the sink, as you will need to fit the disposal in there.
Can I throw other stuff apart from the food inside the disposal?
No. As a general rule of thumb, anything that is not biodegradable should not go to disposal. Nonfood will damage plates, so stay away from plastic, paper, metal, or glass. Combustible items, cigarette butts, grease, potato peels in heavy amounts, or expandable foods can clog the disposal.
Conclusion
As a short final conclusion, the garbage disposal is just like any other appliance in your house. It is gaining more and more popularity these days because it seems a greener choice, as well as a more convenient alternative to the classic bin.
Choosing the quietest garbage disposal is not hard because you do have a few good options. Go with a reliable company, and there will be nothing to worry about. Make sure the disposal comes in the right size for your home needs too.
A few years ago, noise was one of the main issues associated with garbage disposals. For this reason, more and more brands have invested in superior technology to reduce vibrations and keep the noise under control.
Once you get your item, make sure you understand precisely what the installation involves. Go through the manual of instructions and follow one step at a time. If you are not sure about it, just get a plumber to come over – it might save you some money in the long run.
However, most garbage disposals are quite straightforward and the installation makes a great DIY project.