Quiet garbage disposals are slightly quieter than a normal conversation between two people (which is around 60 decibels). Compared to a typical garbage disposal, quiet garbage disposals are 30 to 60% quieter.
The below table compares the noise from the best quiet garbage disposals to standard ones;
| Garbage Disposal Model | Noise Level (Comparison to Standard) |
|---|---|
| InSinkErator Evolution Excel | 60% Quieter |
| KitchenAid Superba KCDS075T | 40% Quieter |
| InSinkErator Evolution Pro 1100 XL | 60% Quieter |
| InSinkErator Evolution Cover Control Plus | 60% Quieter |
| InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR | 40% Quieter |
| Moen GXB75C | 40% Quieter |
| InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist | 40% Quieter |
| InSinkErator Evolution Compact | 40% Quieter |
| Waste King L-8000 | 30% Quieter |
| Moen GXS75C | 40% Quieter |
For easy comparison, the video below gives you an idea of the noise from a standard as well as quiet garbage disposals;
Quietest garbage disposals review
Below is a detailed review of the best 10 quiet garbage disposals;
1. InSinkErator Evolution Excel
InSinkErator Evolution Excel is the quietest garbage disposal on this list. It is whisper-quiet, powerful, has very good build quality, a long warranty, and most importantly, a long track record.
Here’s a quick review.
InSinkErator Evolution Excel is the go-to choice for everyone, whether they are looking for the quietest, most powerful, best-built, or the best-of-everything type of garbage disposal. It is definitely the best garbage disposal money can buy. But it is not cheap. If you are willing to spend around $400 on new garbage disposal that will last more than 15 years, stop reading and just buy it, you can’t go wrong.
Let’s talk about how quiet it is. An InSinkErator Evolution Excel is 60% quieter than a standard disposal. It means you can run the garbage disposal while having a normal conversation in the same room.
There are reviews talking about how people forgot to turn this garbage disposal off or complained that it was not working because it was so silent!
This unbelievable quietness is achieved by the use of multiple insulation layers inside the garbage disposal, as well as by the use of some special anti-vibration fittings. InSinkErator calls this SoundSeal Plus technology, which is an advanced form of SoundSeal technology. It includes special foam insulation around the motor and the grinding chamber of the garbage disposal to muffle all the sounds coming from it. It also has anti-vibration mounts and a special type of sink baffle for further noise reduction.
This is a 1 HP garbage disposal with multi-stage grinding, durable stainless steel construction, a long warranty, and compact dimensions. There is more to know about this product, so I urge you to check the product page for more information as I am focusing only on the quietness aspect of it in this article.
Pros:
- It is the quietest garbage disposal
- Powerful with 1 HP motor
- Anti-jamming technologies to prevent clogs
- 3-stage grinding system makes it possible to grind meats and fibrous items.
- Best build quality combined with a long warranty
Cons:
- Possibly the priciest garbage disposal.
- Powercord should be purchased at an extra cost
2. KitchenAid Superba KCDS075T
This one is 40% quieter than the standard garbage disposal. That’s still as quiet as having a normal conversation with your friend. If you are looking for feature-rich but affordable disposal, this one is a good choice. Here’s my review;
KitchenAid garbage disposals are made by InSinkErator, so many of their technologies are used in KitchenAid too. This Superba model uses a similar noise insulation technology to the Evolution Excel model. It was also rated the quietest by ConsumerReports along with the latter.
If you are looking for a quiet garbage disposal with a 3/4 HP power rating, this is the one for you.
As I said before, this garbage disposal uses SoundSeal technology, which differs from the SoundSeal Plus technology used in the Evolution Excel models. So this one is not as quiet as the latter.
But still, it is 40% quieter than a typical garburator.
Although KitchenAid units are not as popular as InSinkErator’s, they are pretty good. Both brands share the same technology, so you won’t be disappointed if you decide to choose KitchenAid Superba garbage disposer over one from a different brand.
3. InSinkErator Evolution Pro 1100 XL
It has the most powerful motor, 1.1 HP, among household garbage disposals. It is 60% quieter than standard disposals and has every feature such a product can have. This one is too good to skip.
Evolution Pro 1100 XL is a relatively new model in the long line of InSinkErator’s Evolution series. What makes it different from all other units is its power rating. It is powered by a 1.1 HP motor, making it the most powerful household garbage disposal on the market.
Evolution Pro 1100XL uses the same SoundSeal Plus noise insulation technology as the Evolution Excel model. It comes with Multi-Layer SoundLimited insulation, Anti-Vibration Mount, Anti-Vibration Tailpipe Mount, and a QuietCollar sink baffle; a bunch of things that help to keep this disposal ultra-quiet.
However, since this garbage disposal is a bit more powerful than the 1 HP Evolution Excel, it is a bit noisy in comparison. Let’s say this one is the second quietest garbage disposal in the market.
Besides the power rating, Evolution Pro 1100 XL is almost the same as Evolution Excel in the specification. Both of them have the same dimensions, the same construction, and the same features; the only difference is the former comes with a sink baffle with an anti-microbial coating on it. They also differ slightly in their pricing.
If you want the most powerful but also a quiet garbage disposal InSinkErator Evolution Pro 1100 XL is the best choice.
4. InSinkErator Evolution Cover Control Plus
This is the quietest batch feed type garbage disposal.
It is also powerful thanks to its 3/4 HP motor and a 2-stage grinding system. Continue reading my review for more;
This is a batch feed type garbage disposal; and the quietest of the two of its type on this list. A batch-feed garbage disposal differs from a continuous feed type disposal in how food waste is fed. For a batch feed disposal, food wastes are fed in batches, while for a continuous feed type, it is done continuously. For more information, refer to this article of mine; Batch feed vs. Continuous feed.
Are batch feed disposals quieter than their continuous feed-type counterparts? The answer is yes. To run, batch feed disposals must be closed with a specially designed magnetic cover. This cover muffles a good part of the noise coming through the sinkhole from the disposal. So compared to a garbage disposal that doesn’t use this cover, batch feed models are quieter. The extent of this quietness depends on the power rating of their motors. A more powerful motor will make more noise and vice versa.
Evolution Cover Control is another garbage disposal model that uses SoundSeal Plus technology, making it quieter than standard disposals by as much as 60%; it has a slight difference, though. Other disposals models use QuietCollar, a specially designed sink baffle to muffle sounds, but since Cover Control is a batch feed type, it uses its magnetic cover instead.
Cover Control disposals are powered by 3/4 HP motors. They are made of stainless steel, they have a 2stage grinding system that cuts the food wastes into finer sizes, and they have a 7-year long warranty that covers parts and labor.
If you are looking for a quiet batch feed disposal, Evolution Cover Control is the best choice.
5. InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR
This is a quiet, compact garbage disposal and is a perfect fit for deep sinks. It is 40% quieter than a standard disposal and is only 12.25 inches tall.
Essential XTR is another 3/4 HP garbage disposal from InSinkErator. It comes with Advanced SoundSeal technology, which makes it as quiet as the KitchenAid Superba disposal listed above. Note that Advanced SoundSeal and SoundSeal Plus technologies are slightly different. SoundSeal Plus is the quietest, Advanced SoundSeal is the 2nd quietest, and SoundSeal is the 3rd quietest. I will explain these a bit later; now, let’s see how quiet Essential XTR models are.
The Advanced SoundSeal technology in Evolution XTR involves a layer of noise-insulating foam over its grinding chamber. It also uses anti-vibration mounts to minimize vibrations and, thus, noise. Besides, there is a QuietCollar sink baffle which is a specially designed baffle to muffle the noise coming through the drain hole of the kitchen sink.
All these noise insulation measures reduce the sound of Evolution XTR by 40%, so it is a bit louder than a normal conversation between two people.
Evolution XTR also comes with a 2-stage grinding, stainless steel construction, and a long warranty. If you are looking for a quiet, continuous feed type disposal with a 3/4 HP rating, add this one to your list.
6. Moen GXB75C
This is the second batch feed type garbage disposal on this list. It is as quiet as a normal conservation. It is also cheaper than most quiet disposals listed here. So make sure to check it before deciding your choice.
Moen is a well-known brand in the USA that makes kitchen and bathroom fixtures ranging from faucets to garbage disposals. They are relatively new in the garbage disposal business, but they have some good models to choose from.
GXB75C is a 3/4 HP batch feed type garbage disposal. This is the second batch feed type disposal on this list.
Moen uses a technology called SoundSHIELD to make this disposal quiet. It is similar to the SoundSeal technology of InSinkErator, and both of them even sound the same. But SoundSHIELD only includes foam insulation around the garbage disposal; it doesn’t include any anti-vibration mounts. Since a part of the total noise comes from the vibrations caused by the disposal’s running, this technology is not as effective as SoundSeal. So a Moen GXB75C garbage disposal is noisier than any of the above disposals by InSinkErator. Also, Moen uses a high-speed permanent magnet motor. Such motors’ noise is more unpleasant to hear than that from the induction motors used in InSinkErator disposals. I am not saying that this Moen disposal is noisy but merely stating that it is not as quiet as the ones I listed above.
That being said, the magnetic cover used to turn on the garbage disposals also acts as a noise insulator.
The high-speed motor of GXB75C runs at 2700 RPM. According to the company, this high speed eliminates the need for multiple grinding stages, and it also eliminates the chances of jams. The grinding components of this disposal are made of galvanized steel, and it is covered under a 10-year warranty. It is also priced pocket-friendly. So if you are looking for a budget, quiet garbage disposal, this one is an apt choice.
7. InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist
If your wastewater empties into a septic tank, this is the garbage disposer you need to buy. Normally, garbage disposals are not recommended with septic tanks, but this quiet disposal can be used. Read more to find out how.
Another quiet garbage disposal in this list is Evolution Septic Assist by InSinkErator. Septic Assist; why is it called so?
There is an ongoing debate between plumbers and disposal companies about the compatibility of garbage disposals with septic systems. Plumbers are against installing garbage disposals in houses with a septic system, while garbage disposal companies insist their products are safe to use with such systems. But the truth is somewhere between those claims; if you have a large septic system, you can use a garbage disposal with it. I would advise against it, though.
This particular garbage disposal model has a bottle attached to it. This bottle contains a special liquid with millions of microorganisms. It is injected into the disposal while running. These micro-organisms help break down food waste in the septic tank, thus preventing the tank from overflowing.
I am not sure how effective this technology is as I have never used any of them. However, trusting what the company says, InSinkErator Septic Assist is the quietest garbage disposal that is septic-safe.
It is another garbage disposal model that comes with InSinkErator’s Advanced SoundSeal technology which makes it 40% quieter than standard models. What makes it different from the other disposals in this list is its septic-friendly aspect mentioned before.
Like all other Evolution series disposals, this one has stainless steel construction, a 3-bolt mounting assembly, a 2-stage grinding system, and an 8-year warranty covering labor and parts.
8. InSinkErator Evolution Compact
Evolution Compact is possibly the most popular InSinkErator disposal out there. It has everything, grinding power, good build quality, a long warranty, and quietness. It ticks all the boxes, so don’t hesitate to read more about it.
There is hardly any ‘top 10’ list without including Evolution Compact garbage disposal. This one was made with the idea of a low profile garbage disposal suitable for installations under deep sinks. And that made this model very popular. Most of the other compact disposals by InSinkErator came after the introduction of this one.
The current Evolution Compact model is an improved version of the old one. Most of the changes are in its noise insulation capabilities. Evolution Compact was the 3rd quieter disposal since it used the basic SoundSeal technology. But according to its new spec sheet, InSinkErator made it quieter by adding Anti-vibration mounts and a Quiet Collar sink baffle which was not available with the older version. The noise reduction was only 30% for the old model, which is now improved to 40%.
Evolution Compact has a 2-stage grinding system, stainless steel grinding components, and an 8-year long in-home warranty. It is more compact in size than Evolution Essential, with a height of 12.25 inches.
9. Waste King L-8000
Possibly the cheapest garbage disposal on this list. Its manufacturer, Waste King, doesn’t specify its noise rating, however, it is comparable to those other units listed here. It is also very reliable, powerful and has an excellent warranty. Don’t be fooled by its looks, it is a pretty good choice.
Waste King is a strong competitor of InSinkErator. Moen is a sister brand of Waste King, like KitchenAid is to InSinkErator.
Waste King L-8000 is a popular garbage disposal that uses the same SoundSHIELD technology used by Moen garbage disposals. It is also the cheapest garbage disposal on my list. So if you are looking for the cheapest and quietest garbage disposal Waste King L-8000 is the answer.
Even though it has noise insulation, this disposal is not as quiet as the InSinkErator models in this list. The sound insulation is basically a layer of insulating material around the motor. This does block some noise, and it is a good feature to be available at its price tag.
The specifications of this garbage disposal are not bad. Its grinding components are made of stainless steel, and its grinding chamber is made of corrosion-resistant, time-tested polymer. It has a life-long warranty, a 1 HP high-speed motor, and a pre-installed power cord to make the installation easier.
If you are looking for a low-cost garbage disposal with noise insulation, you can’t find a better deal than this.
10. Moen GXS75C
This one is another affordable garbage disposal on this list. It is 40% quieter than a standard disposal, has 3/4 HP power, and has a decent warranty. Continue reading to know more about it.
Last but not least, Moen GXS75C is a powerful garbage disposal with noise insulation. This one is very similar to the GXB75C disposal listed above. The main difference is that the GXB75C model is a batch feed type model while GXS75C is a continuous feed type unit.
This also means that the GXS75C disposal doesn’t need a magnetic cover to operate, and due to that, this disposal is slightly louder than GXB75C.
GXS75C uses the same insulation used in GXB75C and Waste King L-8000. But this one is slightly quieter than the Waste King disposal. One reason is power. The L-8000 is powered by a 1 HP motor, while the GXS75C is powered by a 3/4 HP motor. The power reduction also reduces noise. Another reason is its mounting assembly. It uses a 3-bolt assembly, while the Waste King model uses an EZ mounting. The 3-bolt assembly is made of metal, while the other is made of plastic. Being firmer, the 3-bolt assembly helps to reduce vibrations.
Its pricing is also very close to L-8000, so GXB75C is another choice for those looking for a cheap, quiet garbage disposal.
Note:
There are more quiet garbage disposal models than what is reviewed above. Most of them belong to the InSinkErator’s Evolution series, and they are all very similar to each other. This is why I didn’t list all of them in this list. I also wanted to add more diversity since all the Evolution disposals are priced high.
