Dispose of the notion that noisy garbage disposals have to pause kitchen conversations; modern soundproofing technology has made garbage disposals much quieter than their predecessors. The Waste King 1 horsepower garbage disposer is the best overall option in terms of affordability, power, and quietness.
| Top Quietest Garbage Disposers | Why It's Best | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Waste King Legend Series 1 HP Garbage Disposal | Very quiet, powerful, affordable, compact | ★★★★★ |
| InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Compact Garbage Disposer | Very quiet, durable, compact, affordable | ★★★★★ |
| Moen Prep Series 0.5 HP Garbage Disposal | Very quiet, durable, affordable | ★★★★★ |
| InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP Disposal | Exceptionally quiet, very powerful, durable | ★★★★★ |
| Waste Maid 0.5 HP Economy Garbage Disposer | Quiet, compact, inexpensive | ★★★★★ |
The Best Quiet Garbage Disposals in 2023
Waste King Legend Series 1 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
The Waste King Legend Series garbage disposer is a nice blend of affordability and the premium features that you usually see only in more expensive garbage disposers.
The motor and grinding components are well insulated inside the body of the device. This reduces noise and makes this one of the quieter garbage disposers on the market.
Installation is also simple with this device. It comes with a power cord so that you can plug it directly into an outlet instead of having to hire an electrician to connect the disposer to your home’s electrical setup.
The design of the Waste King garbage disposer is sleek and simple, so it will fit easily under your sink without taking up valuable storage space.
The grind chamber is made out of a durable polymer that resists corrosion, while the grinding components themselves are pure stainless steel. These materials will make the disposer the only one that you need for years to come.
As a way to increase your confidence in this purchase, the manufacturer offers a 20 year limited warranty on all units shipped. If your disposer malfunctions, you can get parts or even the entire unit replaced at no cost to you.
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Garbage Disposer
The InSinkErator Evolution Compact garbage disposer is a top rated garbage disposal with many happy customers due to its quiet yet powerful performance.
The model uses sound sealing technology to reduce noise when it’s operating. And, despite its quiet operation, it is powerful enough for the vast majority of applications.
It is a compact garbage disposer that fits right under your sink, so it won’t take up any extra space in your kitchen.
Multi-grind technology means that this garbage disposer grinds the food waste in stages, which leads to smaller bits of residue. This will greatly decrease the amount of clogs in your sink from food particles.
The disposer has stainless steel components, which will increase the durability and longevity of this product.
Generally, the higher horsepower a disposer has, the noisier it is. This unit is a little below average in terms of horsepower, so that is a good indication that it is quieter than the average garbage disposer.
The tradeoff, however, is that it will never be as powerful as a unit with a higher horsepower. If you truly want a garbage disposer that can battle even the largest and grossest of food residue, you may want to look at other products. I recommend a garbage disposer of 1 horsepower or higher if you want the most powerful product possible, though you will likely have to tolerate more noise.
InSinkErator Garbage Disposal, Evolution Excel, 1.0 HP Continuous Feed
The InSinkErator Garbage Disposal, Evolution Excel, 1.0 HP Continuous Feed offers an excellent blend of silent operation and power.
It is one of the quietest garbage disposers on the market, as it has unique technology that seals in sounds.
And, at 1 horsepower, it has a powerful induction motor that is durable and has immense grinding force. This disposer has 3 grinding stages to ground even the toughest of food scraps. Bones, fruit cores and rinds, and more can be processed through this garbage disposer.
The grinding force helps prevent jams. As an added measure, the garbage disposer has jam assist so that you can toss any food scraps without worrying about whether they’ll clog the machine or not.
All the grinding components are made out of alloy stainless steel, which is a nice indicator that this is a quality product. Metal is durable and will increase the longevity of this garbage disposer. Also, the blades will not dull any time soon.
Overall, this is one of the best, if not the best, garbage disposers available online. Despite its power, it is a disposer with near silent operation. The only catch, as you may expect, is that the cost of this garbage disposer is hefty.
Consider if you are willing to pay a premium for top of the line features. If you are not, then rest assured that there are plenty of other solid yet more affordable options out there.
Moen GX50C Prep Series 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
The Moen GX50C Prep Series 1/2 HP garbage disposer is a budget friendly option for people looking for a little help with cleanup rather than an expensive beast of a garbage disposer.
At half a horsepower, this unit is less powerful than most of its competitors. However, less power usually makes garbage disposers quieter. Additionally, the Moen garbage disposer comes with insulating technology to make the unit even quieter.
Where this unit is weak, it makes up for that in exceptional noise reduction.
This disposer is great for small homes or studios where space may be limited and you don’t want to disturb your family or housemates.
It is also one of the cheapest garbage disposers that you can buy that maintain good quality.
The garbage disposer comes with a power cord, so you can plug it into an existing outlet instead of rewiring your electrical cords.
In addition, it is safe for septic tanks when installed with a suitably sized tank.
Do note that any product that offers an exceptionally affordable price tag with likely also have some drawbacks. This model is no exception, although the drawbacks are minor. As mentioned before, it is made for light grinding and it may not be able to grind the toughest of scraps.
Additionally, while the disposer is fairly quiet, it will not be whisper quiet like some of the other more premium brands out there.
The unit comes with a 5 year limited warranty for extra security when you purchase.
Waste King Legend Series 0.5 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
The Waste King Legend Series 1/2 HP garbage disposer is one of the most affordable garbage disposers that you’ll find. Despite how inexpensive it is, it provides all the features that a buyer would want out of a garbage disposer.
As you may expect out of a garbage disposer as inexpensive as this unit, it is not completely silent. It does make noise, although it is not deafening or irritating like traditional garbage disposals can be.
The body of the device is made of a high-quality polymer, which is essentially a hard plastic. The inside grinding components are all stainless steel, which resists wear and corrosion.
This disposer is compact and hardly takes up any valuable storage space, which makes it fantastic for houses and apartments where space is an issue.
A 3 foot power cord is included with this garbage disposer, which makes installation much easier. You can connect it to a power outlet rather than rewiring the electrical supply.
The garbage disposer comes with all the tools needed for installation, so it should be a pain free experience to mount this garbage disposer. It connects easily with your septic tank (provided the septic tank is the proper size).
To make you more confident in your purchase, the company offers a 5 year limited warranty in case components malfunction or break.
Emerson E202, Stainless Steel
At 1/2 horsepower, the Emerson E202, Stainless Steel is exceptionally powerful. It is ideal for large households that go through a large quantity of food. It can also tackle even the toughest food scraps, such as chicken bones.
The grinding components are made of durable stainless steel that won’t dull or corrode.
Further, the Emerson garbage disposer comes equipped with an antimicrobial shield, which prevents the build-up of bacteria from your garbage disposal and sink. Not only is this more sanitary, but it also prevents odors coming from your garbage disposal.
It also comes with a silver guard, which is a magnet system that catches forks, knives, and other cutlery before they can get tangled in the garbage disposal blades.
Since the disposal has corrosion-resistant components, it vibrates less, which helps reduce noise. The disposal itself is quiet despite its power. While it may not be the quietest on the market, it produces only a dull sound rather than an obnoxious roar.
Moen Garbage Disposal
The Moen garbage disposal comes from a relatively unheard of company, but the positive reviews on this product speak for themselves.
This is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a lower-power garbage disposal for the grinding of everyday food waste. It’s optimal for households of a couple of people that do not produce a large quantity of waste.
The advantage of a low-power garbage disposer is that they are naturally quieter than higher-powered options. They also produce less bothersome vibrations.
You also don’t have to worry about rust with this garbage disposer. The grinding components are made of stainless steel, which resists corrosion and dulling.
This disposer connects easily to your dishwasher. It also comes with its own power cord, which you can plug into an outlet below the sink.
Waste Maid 0.5 Horsepower Standard Garbage Disposer
The Waste Maid 0.5 horsepower garbage disposer is a mid-range garbage disposal unit that offers a nice blend of speed, power, and affordability.
While it may be a bit too weak for large families or those who otherwise produce a lot of food waste, it is perfect for households with only 1 or 2 people. If you have a small household, then it is likely unnecessary for you to spend a fortune on a garbage disposal that it more powerful than you really need it to be.
This disposal works well for everyday dish scrapings and food waste. Its corrosion resistant stainless steel impellers prevent jams and blockage.
As is typical of lower powered garbage disposals, they are usually quiet. This product is no exception.
Further, it is simple to install even if you do not have a background as a plumber or do not consider yourself a handy person. The garbage disposal has a standard 3 bolt mounting system. It also comes with a 3 foot long power cord to connect to an outlet, so you don’t have to do any electrical wiring yourself.
One useful feature that I do not see in a lot of other garbage disposals is the antimicrobial shield. This helps prevent bacteria and mold from forming, which both prevents odors and provides a more sanitary environment in your kitchen.
Whirlaway 291 0.5 Horsepower Garbage Disposer with Power Cord
If you are looking for the ultimate space saving garbage disposal, then this Whirlaway 0.5 horsepower garbage disposal is the product for you. It is exceptionally slender and lightweight, which makes installation a breeze.
It also has an easy mount system, further simplifying the installation process for nonprofessionals. It includes a power cord so that the user does not have to do any electrical work.
The price point is also a great benefit of this Whirlaway garbage disposal. It is budget friendly yet still meets the standards of quality that you would want out of a garbage disposal unit. If you only plan to do a low to moderate amount of food waste grinding, then there really isn’t any point in spending much more money for a premium garbage disposal.
Plus, it saves storage space under your sink.
The garbage disposal is made with all anti-corrosion components, which improves longevity. This disposal can last you years or even decades. Simply install it once and you never have to think about getting a new one again.
In addition, the splash guard can be removed for easy cleaning.
Frigidaire Garbage Disposer
The Frigidaire garbage disposal comes from a reputable company that specializes in kitchen appliances. As such, you should feel confident that this product will meet your expectations.
This compact and lightweight garbage disposal fits easily under your sink, saving you cabinet space in the process. It’s ideal for everyday grinding of food scraps in small households. Do note that it does not have a high enough horsepower to tackle especially tough food scraps or lots of food at one time.
In addition, it has a sound guard to keep noise to a minimum. Also, less powerful garbage disposals tend to be quieter, so this will be a solid choice for those looking to soundproof their kitchen.
Frigidaire adds a 2 year limited warranty to this product so that you can have parts or the entire unit replaced if it is faulty.
Waste King 0.75 Horsepower Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
This garbage disposal from Waste King is a mid-range garbage dispoer that offers a convenient blend of power and affordability. This model appeals to both small households of only a couple people and families of 3 or 4 people.
At 2700 RPM, the motor is plenty fast enough to grind everything in its path instead of jamming or stopping.
Also, these garbage disposals are easy to install for non-professionals. They have an easy mounting process, and this waste disposer comes with a 3 foot long power cord so that you can plug it directly into an outlet. You don’t have to worry about enlisting the help of someone with electrical experience.
No additional components are needed for installation, although you will need to have tools on hand to install this waste disposer. Users need a screwdriver, putty, pliers, hammer, and a dowel.
This Waste King garbage disposer is durable. It has all stainless steel grinding components to resist corrosion. This keeps the garbage disposal quieter, as rust and corrosion can increase the vibration level of the device.
Each unit ships with a 8 year limited warranty so that you can receive replacement components if anything is faulty or malfunctions within that 8 year time period. This is a great indication that you are receiving a quality product, as this is basically a guarantee that they are willing to work with you to ensure that the unit works for at least 8 years.
InSinkErator Badger 5 0.5 Horsepower Garbage Disposal
The InSinkErator Badger 5 garbage disposal has thousands of happy customers for a reason. It is an affordable, quiet, and effective garbage disposal unit.
The garbage disposal has a compact and simple design to make installation even easier. It is compatible with all InSinkErator hardware.
Its 0.5 horsepower induction motor is perfect for casual use. It effectively grinds down food scraps into small particles for easy disposal. However, do keep in mind that you will need a higher horsepower motor if you plan to grind tough objects like chicken bones, or if you plan to grind a large amount of food every day.
The grinding parts are made from galvanized steel, which is a material that resists corrosion and wear.
Do note that this is a budget friendly option from InSinkErator, so it does not have special noise reducing features. It is still a quieter than average garbage disposal, but customers will have to look at more premium offering from InSinkErator if they want the quietest possible waste disposer.
Waste Maid 0.5 Horsepower Economy Garbage Disposal
You may just be shocked at how inexpensive this garbage disposer from Waste Maid is.
Despite its light price tag, this product stills packs a punch. The motor rotates at 2600 rotations per minute, which is up to par with even much more expensive garbage disposals. The faster a motor rotates, the less likely it is that the blades will jam.
Further, the grinding components and impellers are made of steel, which resist corrosion and wear in the long term.
Another useful feature that I don’t see in enough garbage disposal units is its antimicrobial shield. Essentially, the garbage disposal is coated with a material that prevents the growth of bacteria and mold. Not only is this safer and more hygienic, but it also prevents nasty odors that so commonly emanate from waste disposers.
Further, installation for this unit is quite simple. It uses a standardized 3 bolt mounting system, which most garbage disposers have in the first place. This makes it more likely that the Waste Maid disposer will neatly and painlessly replace your old one.
The garbage disposal also has a 3 foot long power cord included. Simply plug the power cord into an outlet under the sink to power the disposer. No electrical experience is required.
Cleaning is also easy due to this model’s removable splash guard.
The unit is tall and narrow, which helps save you space under the sink.
This disposer is also plenty quiet. Less powerful garbage disposals (i.e., those less than 0.75 horsepower) are naturally quieter because the motor does not run as hard, and thus it produces less noise.
Of course, with any product as cheap as this one is, there will be some small drawbacks. The disposer is almost exclusively plastic excluding the grinding parts. Plastic, as you are likely aware, tends to not be durable, although it is lightweight. You will likely not get many years or decades out of this disposal like you would get with more premium options.
Waste King 0.33 Horsepower Garbage Disposal with Power Cord
This Waste King 1/3 horsepower garbage disposal is one of the cheapest garbage disposals that you will find online. Yet, despite its price tag, it has all the features that you would want in a garbage disposer.
The unit comes with a power cord attached to it, which makes installation a breeze. You don’t have to do any time consuming electrical work. Simply plug the power cord into any outlet that it can reach.
In addition, the Waste King disposer uses an EZ mount system, which makes it simple to mount under the sink.
The garbage disposal hooks up easily to your septic system.
The body is exceptionally slim, which is fantastic for people who are short on cabinet space. This unit will barely take up any space under your sink.
The noise that this Waste King garbage disposal produces is also negligible. Smaller motors tend to naturally produce less noise, and this unit is no exception.
An addition that should increase your confidence in this purchase is the 2 year warranty. This warranty is included with every unit that the company ships. If any of the parts ever malfunction or the entire unit is faulty, then Waste King will send you replacement parts or a replacement unit at no cost to you.
The garbage disposal is also highly energy efficient. You may even save money on your electrical bills due to how little this unit saps up.
The components are also fairly durable. The body is made of a high strength polymer, while the grinding parts are made of galvanized steel. It will likely not last you as long as some of the more premium models out there, but you should get at least a few years out of this garbage disposal.
A noticeable drawback is that the motor is slower than most other motors. It rotates at 1900 rotations per minute, which is much slower than the standard value of 2600 rotations per minute. Even garbage disposals that are similarly priced have faster motors than this unit.
Slower motors do tend to cause jams more often, so keep that in mind if you decide to purchase this model. However, if you are buying a 1/3 horsepower disposer, then you probably have a small number of housemates or don’t plan to use the disposer super often. In that case, this garbage disposer should be more than enough to suit your needs, and you shouldn’t have to worry about frequent jams.
How We Selected the Quietest Garbage Disposals
When purchasing a new garbage disposer, we consider the following 4 considerations to be crucial in order to select the right option for you.
Noise
Of course, noise takes top precedence when looking for a garbage disposer. No one wants to disrupt kitchen conversations or annoy everyone in the house due to a noisy garbage disposal.
The best garbage disposal options will mention that they come with noise reducing or noise insulating technology. This usually means that the motor is insulated so that the sound it produces is muffled.
It’s generally difficult to find companies that mention the amount of decibels their disposal produces, but this is the best way to find the quietest garbage disposal. The average garbage disposal unit is about 80 decibels, so anything lower than this number is quieter than average. Naturally, you’ll want to look for the lowest number possible.
Rest assured that all the garbage disposals mentioned on this list are quieter than average, but we note if the product is whisper quiet or not.
Power
Power is also something that you must consider based on your needs and household size. The unfortunate reality is that there is generally a tradeoff between power and noise, where the more powerful a garbage disposal is, the noisier it is. However, there are exceptions to this rule if you are willing to pay a premium.
If you live in a household of 2 people or less, then power will be less important for you. Virtually any garbage disposal on this list will suffice, so you may want to go for the option that is cheapest and quietest.
For larger households of 3 or more people, you’ll generally want a disposal that is at least 0.75 horsepower. This is because more people produce more waste, which is more taxing on a garbage disposal. The exception is if the people in your home will not use the disposal very frequently or if they don’t plan to try to grind any tough food scraps with it.
In that case, a 0.5 horsepower motor could be enough.
However, for very large households, you should spring for a disposal that is at least 1 horsepower. This will ensure that there are no jams or blockages even if the disposal is used very frequently for a large amount of food scraps.
Budget
Like with any purchase, budget is something that must be considered. Garbage disposals are no exception. There is a large price range between different disposals; the cheapest ones won’t set you back much, while the most expensive ones can cost several hundreds of dollars.
Generally, smaller households have more freedom when selecting a waste disposer. Their food grinding needs are less taxing on the disposer than large households, so they do not need the more premium models.
Smaller households can decide if they want to purchase a premium model for convenience or efficiency, or if they want a more budget friendly option that provides a simple food grinding function.
Large homes necessitate a more powerful garbage disposal, generally 0.75 horsepower or more. These more powerful garbage disposals tend to be more expensive, so you may have to budget a bit more carefully than homes with only a couple people living together.
Basic food disposers are affordable, but they can lack the cutting edge features of premium garbage disposers. For example, some premium disposers have 3 stage grinding technology, which grinds food down to very small particles are virtually eliminates jams and clogs.
Therefore, consider if you are willing to pay extra for special features, or if you really just need a basic garbage disposal.
Size
Size is another important, though less obvious, consideration. Storage space in kitchens can be limited, so it is a huge convenience to have a garbage disposal that does not take up valuable space under the sink.
Look for garbage disposals that mention keywords like compact or lightweight.
Additionally, the lighter a garbage disposal is, the easier it is the install under your sink.
FAQs About Quietest Garbage Disposal
Which garbage disposals are quietest by decibel comparison?
Most manufacturers do not readily advertise the decibel level of their garbage disposal products. Nevertheless, rough comparisons can be made.
The average garbage disposal makes about 80 dB of noise, which is equivalent to a vacuum cleaner or a freight train at 15 meters away. In other words, they are so loud that you cannot hold a conversation while it is running.
Therefore, you can roughly determine the noise level of a garbage disposal by how the manufacturer specifies the sound compared to the average waste disposer.
Quietest is the keyword that you are looking for if you want the most silent garbage disposer possible. These waste disposer are so quiet that you can comfortably hold a conversation while it is running, and it will never wake anyone up.
The InSinkErator Evolution Excel is probably the quietest garbage disposal that money can buy, although it has a fairly hefty price tag.
Garbage disposers that are fairly quiet, though not silent, will usually say as much on their webpage. These disposers are not loud enough to wake anyone up, though they might make it a little difficult to hold a quiet conversation while it is running.
How do I know what horsepower I need my garbage disposal to be?
For households of 1 to 2 people, any power garbage disposal should suffice. Which horsepower you decide to go with depends on how frequently you plan to use the garbage disposal and what kinds of food scraps you plan to put in it.
For households of 3 to 4 people, I recommend a garbage disposal of at least 0.75 horsepower. You may be able to get away with a little more or less depending on how frequently you plan to use it and what you’ll be putting in it. If you plan to put chicken bones, peach pits, and other hard scraps in it, then you may want to go up to 1 horsepower to be sure that you have enough power.
If you have more than 4 people in your home, you should opt for a garbage disposal that is at least 1 horsepower. 1 horsepower is usually the highest that garbage disposals go. This is enough to grind a huge amount of food every single day. You can also grind even the toughest of food waste.
Some waste disposers go all the way up to 1.25 horsepower. This probably won’t be strictly necessary for any household, but the extra power could be nice to have if you really plan to tax your garbage disposal unit.
How do I install a garbage disposal?
The most important thing to do when installing a new garbage disposal is to thoroughly read the user’s manual. Make sure you understand what it entails, and don’t be afraid to call a professional to install it for you if it sounds like it’s above your pay grade.
Nevertheless, here are some tips and general guidelines that you can follow if you decide to do the work yourself.
Installation all depends on what kind of garbage disposal you purchase. The easiest ones to install typically come with a power cord. (Look for a power cord that is around 3 foot to ensure that it will be long enough to reach the outlet under your sink.)
A power cord means your device can simply be plugged into any nearby outlet. Otherwise, you have to do electrical work to accommodate the new disposal, which can be difficult and time consuming.
In addition, look for disposers that advertise a 3 bolt mount or an “EZ” mount. These mounts are standardized and tend to be the easiest to work with.
To install the disposer, you’ll need plumber’s putty, screwdrivers, pliers, a saw, and perhaps more depending on the nature of your garbage disposal.
First, you should identify how you are going to wire the disposal and attach the power cord if it is not already attached.
You then place some plumber’s putty underneath your drain flange, which is the metal disk with tubing that goes up to yours sink’s drain. Then put the flange in the sink and attach any mounting or backup rings to the flange from under the sink as specified in the manual.
After you have the flange, backup ring, and mounting ring in place, now you mount the disposal to the mounting ring. Use a screwdriver or wrench to tighten the mounting bracket, which should be on the mounting ring, until the disposal is secure in place.
Then attach the discharge pipe to the garbage disposal’s outlet.
Lastly, tighten all fasteners and ensure that the disposal is sealed well everywhere. Be sure to test it thoroughly to make sure that it is secure and does not leak.
How can I make my garbage disposal quieter?
If you have noticed that your garbage disposal has grown noisier over the years, several issues could be the culprit. The most likely and obvious culprit is that there is something stuck in there, such as a small piece of dishware or a bone. Unplug the garbage disposal and carefully reach in with tongs to see if you can pull anything out.
If there are no obstructions, your next step should be to look for leaks or any loose parts. Get a screwdriver or wrench and tighten all fasteners to see if that quiets your garbage disposal.
the third possibility is that your waste disposer is simply getting old. Over time, the metal corrodes and dulls, which increases the noise and vibrations that your disposer produces. Unfortunately, there is no magic solution for this problem, and it may just be time to purchase a new garbage disposer.
Last Word
People accept it at as given that garbage disposals will annoy everyone in the kitchen when you turn them on, but modern technology makes that an issue of the past. Keep those kitchens conversations going by selecting a disposal with noise reducing technology.
The quietest possible option is likely the InSinkErator Evolution Excel model, although its hefty price tag will turn off many potential buyers.
Overall, the Waste King Legend Series 1 horsepower garbage disposer is the best option in terms of affordability, power, quality, and quietness. The 0.5 horsepower model from Waste King is similarly high quality and noise proof, although it is cheaper and less powerful. The 0.5 horsepower model is best for smaller households, while larger households with 4 or more inhabitants should opt for the 1 horsepower unit.
