2025 garbage disposal picks
Best Garbage Disposals 2025 (Top Picks for Every Kitchen)
Ready to replace an old, noisy, or leaking unit? This page pulls together some of the best garbage disposals in 2025 based on everyday use, power, noise level, and value. Whether you just need a simple 1/2 HP replacement or a quiet upgrade for a busy kitchen, you can quickly scan the options and choose what fits your sink, budget, and family.
How We Picked the Best Garbage Disposals for 2025
This guide reviews the best garbage disposals for 2025 so you can choose the right power, noise level, and size for your kitchen.
Always double-check horsepower, dimensions, and mounting style against your current setup before you buy.
Quick Top Picks
If you just want a fast answer, here are a few top picks and what they’re best for. You can scroll down for more details and full pros and cons on each one.
How to Choose the Best Garbage Disposal for Your Kitchen
Before you pick a model, it helps to think through how you actually use your kitchen. A small household that rarely cooks has different needs than a big family that runs the disposal several times a day.
- Horsepower (HP): 1/2 HP is fine for light use, 3/4 HP fits most families, and 1 HP is best for heavy use and tougher scraps.
- Noise level: Basic models are louder; upgraded lines use sound insulation to stay quieter.
- Size and clearance: Measure under-sink height and width so you know the unit will fit.
- Mounting style: Many replacements drop into existing InSinkErator-style mounts to keep things simple.
- Budget: It’s often worth spending a little more up front for quieter operation and fewer clogs.
If your current disposal is also leaking or not draining as well as grinding poorly, a fresh unit can fix several problems at once.
Best Garbage Disposals for 2025 (Detailed Picks)
InSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal (1/2 HP)
The Badger 5 is one of the most common budget garbage disposals for basic everyday use. It’s a straightforward replacement for many older units, especially if you already have an InSinkErator mounting system in place.
- 1/2 HP motor for standard daily food scraps
- Compact design that fits under most sinks
- Galvanized steel grind components
- Budget-friendly price
- Often drops into existing mounts
- Good for basic daily use
- Louder than premium models
- Not ideal for heavy grinding
InSinkErator Badger 5XP Garbage Disposal (3/4 HP)
The Badger 5XP keeps the same familiar form factor as the Badger 5 but steps up to a 3/4 HP motor. That extra power helps grind tougher scraps and can reduce clogs when used correctly.
- 3/4 HP Dura-Drive motor for heavier use
- Similar footprint to the standard Badger
- Designed as an easy upgrade for many InSinkErator setups
- More power than 1/2 HP models
- Good balance of price and performance
- Works with many existing mounts
- Still not as quiet as Evolution-style disposals
- Overkill for very light use
InSinkErator Evolution 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal
The Evolution line is built for people who want a stronger motor and less noise. This 3/4 HP model uses sound-reducing technology and multi-stage grinding to handle tougher scraps while staying noticeably quieter than basic disposals.
- 3/4 HP motor with upgraded grind system
- Sound insulation for quieter operation
- Multi-stage grinding helps reduce clogs
- Quieter than standard models
- Good power for most households
- Helps break down food more finely
- Higher price than basic disposals
- Slightly larger body may need more under-sink space
Moen GX100C Garbage Disposal (1 HP)
The Moen GX100C is a 1 HP disposal built for heavy use. If your kitchen sees a lot of cooking and you frequently run the disposal, the extra power can help chew through tougher scraps more confidently.
- 1 HP motor for demanding kitchens
- Sound-reducing design for quieter running
- Universal-style mounting for many sinks
- High power for tough scraps
- Noise control features
- Good option if you upgrade from older units
- More expensive than basic disposals
- May be overkill for very light use
Waste King Legend L-3200 Garbage Disposal (3/4 HP)
The Waste King Legend L-3200 is a solid 3/4 HP waste disposal that balances power, price, and reliability — a popular alternative to InSinkErator models.
- 3/4 HP high-speed motor for everyday kitchen scraps
- Continuous-feed design for consistent grinding
- Compact enough for many standard under-sink spaces
- Good power-to-price ratio
- Alternative to InSinkErator — useful if clearance/mount differs
- Solid for typical family kitchens
- Mounting system may differ from older InSinkErator setups — check compatibility
- Not the quietest unit on the market
Which Garbage Disposal Is Best for You?
If you’re replacing a leaking or noisy unit, the best choice is usually the one that fits your existing mount, fits under your sink, and matches how often you cook.
- Light use, tight budget: Badger 5 (1/2 HP)
- Everyday family use: Badger 5XP or a similar 3/4 HP model
- Quieter performance: Evolution 3/4 HP
- Heavy use / big household: Moen GX100C (1 HP)
- Want to compare brands: Consider a mid-range Waste King option
When in doubt, stepping up slightly in horsepower and choosing a model with better sound control is usually worth it over the lifetime of the disposal.
Need to Confirm the Problem First?
If you are not sure whether you actually need a new disposal yet, use the troubleshooting guides below. They can help you decide whether a repair is enough or if a fresh unit makes more sense.
Quick FAQs About Buying a New Garbage Disposal
What horsepower garbage disposal should I get?
For most households, 3/4 HP is a good sweet spot between power and price. Smaller 1/2 HP units work for light use, while 1 HP models make more sense for big families or frequent cooking with tougher scraps.
Do I need a plumber to replace a garbage disposal?
Many homeowners can swap a disposal themselves if they are comfortable working under the sink and turning off power. If you need to change wiring, mounting systems, or you see signs of bigger plumbing issues, hiring a licensed pro is a safer option.
How long should a garbage disposal last?
Many disposals last around 8–12 years with normal use. If your unit is in that age range and you are dealing with leaks, repeated clogs, humming, or grinding problems, it may be time to replace instead of repair.