Best Compact Garbage Disposals

This 7 x 7 x 13 inch unit comes with a 1/2 HP motor. With a 26 ounce capacity, it should be sufficient for the needs of a household of two to three people.

This is a continuous feed model with 1-stage grinding. It will not handle some of the heavier grinding jobs that some 2-stage models can tackle.

It does not come with a power cord. If you are planning to re-use the cord off a unit you are replacing, this may be a feature not a bug in your eyes. It saves a few dollars and it reduces waste going to the landfill.

This is a trusted brand name. InSinkErator invented the disposal in 1927 and still dominates the disposal market. There are more InSinkErator disposals in the US than all other brands combined.

Although this is a smaller unit, it will fit existing InSinkErator hardware. If you are replacing an old InSinkErator model with a new one, the fact that it can use the existing flange will help make it easy to install.

Recommended if you intend to re-use the cord or have a plumber install it. Also, recommended if you are replacing an existing Badger unit that has seen better days.

Many continuous feed models do not include a cord. This 7.4 x 7.4 x 14.5 inch unit comes with a 32 inch long power cord, making it a great choice for a new DIY installation.

This is also a continuous feed model. These are popular for their low price, convenient logistics and general familiarity. However, they tend to be slightly less safe than batch-feed models and somewhat noisier.

This unit has a 26 ounce capacity and features 1-stage grinding. It should be sufficient for basic food waste disposal, but make sure to not put small bones or fibrous vegetable matter through it. Some 2-stage models can handle that, but 1-stage models cannot.

Recommended for a one to three-person household processing moderate amounts of food waste. Recommended for do-it-yourself enthusiasts.

At just 7 x 7 x 12 inches, this 1/3 HP model is the smallest one on our list. It would be ideal for a one person household, though some two person households would also be perfectly happy with it.

It is a convenient continuous feed model. This is the most commonly installed type of disposal, so you are probably quite familiar with how such a unit works. Just turn on the cold water first, then turn on the disposal and start feeding food waste through it.

Like most continuous feed models, this unit does not come with a power cord. You will need to purchase one or take the cord off the unit you are replacing.

It has a 26-ounce capacity and 1-stage grinding. It won’t handle heavy-duty jobs or a large household, but if you want a compact model, then that probably doesn’t describe your situation anyway.

The unit boasts a Quick-Lock mounting system for easy installation. The small size also helps make it DIY-friendly.

Recommended for a one or two-person household that only needs a disposal for light use.

This 1/2 HP unit is 7.5 x 7.5 x 16 inches. It fits most existing fixtures, including most InSinkErator fixtures.

The built-in sound proofing helps keep the kitchen quiet, so family members can sleep or can still hear the TV set while you cook. It runs so quiet that some customers initially panic because they think it isn’t working at all. If noise is a big concern in your household, this may be the unit for you.

The continuous feed unit comes with a removable power cord. Most continuous feed models do not include a power cord.

Having a pre-installed power cord makes a disposal easier to install yourself without having to hire a plumber. This unit also has other easy mount features to make installation a breeze.

If you are fond of Moen faucets, you may find yourself equally fond of the good design of this garbage disposal. In addition to being quiet, it also has low jam design features so it will keep on trucking.

They are so confident it will not jam they do not provide an Allen wrench compatible socket for the purpose of dislodging jams. On the downside, what if it jams anyway? You have no backup plan.

Recommended for anyone fond of Moen products. Recommended for anyone looking for a quiet continuous feed model in a compact size.

Buyer’s Guide

Small homes are a big trend right now. This is being driven by a variety of factors, such as Baby Boomers hitting retirement age, younger generations being squeezed financially, and general concern about the environment.

But having a small home doesn’t have to mean foregoing a comfortable lifestyle with modern amenities. In fact, the opposite truth is another driving force in this trend: Modern technology makes it possible to fit a full and comfortable life into fewer square feet.

A small kitchen may need more tech to make it bearable, not less. But that tech needs to fit within the allotted footprint.

Horsepower

The smallest motors start at 1/3 Horsepower (HP). This is for a one or two-person household that doesn’t put a lot of wear and tear on the unit. Think of a household that eats out a lot and doesn’t do a lot of entertaining.

The 1/2 HP motors are for a one-to-three-person household. They can handle a bit more capacity. Think of a household with one to two people that does more home cooking and entertaining or a three-person household that eats out a lot and doesn’t entertain much.

The largest motors on compact models are 1 HP. They can easily handle a household of four people. Alternatively, they can handle a household of one to three people who entertain somewhat regularly.

Dimensions

If space is at a premium, make sure to get the measurements of any models that interest you. Then check to see if it works in your kitchen.

Compact models will easily fit standard-sized cabinets and should fit smaller cabinets. But it’s a lot of hassle to purchase something, try to install it and then realize it doesn’t fit. So always check the measurements when designing a small space.

Most Compact Units Are Fairly Basic

You mostly won’t find a lot of bells and whistles with compact units. Some boast extra features like soundproofing, but you aren’t likely to find a 2-stage grinding mechanism or other fancy technology.

The general assumption is that you will not be using it that much. If you want a lot of bells and whistles, you probably need to make sure you can afford to devote the space to a larger unit.

There are still some differences between units. Don’t forget that you can elect to install an air switch to improve safety and convenience even in a small space.

If You Are On A Septic System

Generally speaking, garbage disposals are not compatible with septic tanks. If you are off-grid and using a septic system, think twice before installing a garbage disposal.

The use of a garbage disposal with a septic system will tend to drive up maintenance costs for the septic system. Septic systems are not intended to be receptacles for food waste, no matter how finely ground it may be.

This is a sales tactic when you see garbage disposals claiming they work well with a septic system. It is not actually a good idea to combine a disposal with a septic system.

Our Best Choice

We really like number 1. InSinkErator Garbage Disposal, Badger 5, 1/2 HP Continuous Feed. For the majority of small households, this will be the sweet spot for performance.

In most cases, a 1/3 HP motor will be inadequate. However, a 1 HP motor will tend to be overkill. A 1/2 HP will be just right. Plus, InSinkErator has a lot going for it, so it is the most popular brand in the US.