August 1, 2022

5 Best Garbage Disposals for Pairing with a Push Button (our top picks)

Garbage disposals usually hook up to an electrical switch, like you would use with a light.

But having a garbage disposal that uses a push button can make cleaning up and doing the dishes much easier and quicker. Some people also just prefer this to the light switch mechanism.

Instead of flipping the switch on and off, you can hold down the button and simply let go when you're done.

Most of them look something like this:

A push button for a garbage disposal.

A push button for a garbage disposal.

Garbage disposals are commonplace in many homes, but can also differ greatly between brands, primarily in terms of noise, horsepower, ease of installation, and the materials used to produce these garbage disposals.

Read more: Best garbage disposals overall

Note that almost any garbage disposal can work with a push button.

But selecting the best one for your needs and budget is critical. We'll take all this into consideration in this roundup while focusing only on disposals that are best suited for being setup with a push button instead of a switch.

Best Garbage Disposals for Push Buttons (our top picks)

There are many brands of push button garbage disposals on the market, so we have taken five leading units to compare which differ in terms of price and the previously mentioned features. All of these are highly rated, top-selling options.

Pic

Name

HP

Shop

InSinkErator Badger 5

InSinkErator Badger 5

1/2 HP

Wate King L-111 Garbage Disposal

Waste King L-111

1/3 HP

Moen GXS75C Host Series

Moen GXS75C Host Series

3/4 HP

Waste King L-3200

 Waste King L-3200

3/4 HP

InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3-4 HP Garbage Disposal

InSinkErator Evolution Compact

3/4 HP

1. InSinkErator Badger 5

InSinkErator Badger 5 XP

Effectiveness

The InSinkErator Badger 5 has 0.5 horsepower which is the typical HP rating used in most households.

The grind components are made of galvanized steel meaning they will not wear down quickly and aren't particularly expensive to manufacture (saves you some money). It's a good option if you do not require a higher horsepower unit, perhaps for moderately high use kitchens.

It has a grinding speed of 1725 RPM - a little on the slow side (most are 2000 or higher) and a capacity of 26 ounces.

But the Vortex motor is still fairly powerful, even at just 1/2 HP, allowing tough food scraps to be broken down easily, which helps to avoid jamming within the system.

1725 RPM certainly isn't the fastest on the market, but if the push button is your primary focus, this is a good middle-of-the-road option that still gives you a lot of power.

Here's what the push button kit might look like:

Push button kit for a garbage disposal.

Push button kit for a garbage disposal.

It's pretty simple to install and actually just plugs into a regular outlet. The most annoying part would be drilling a hole in your countertop to place the button. 

This video covers it for granite: How to drill a hole in granite countertop

Durability and Materials

As I mentioned, the Badger 5 is produced using galvanized steel components that are resistant to rust, meaning it will last a long time before any replacement is needed, if ever. The dimensions of this unit are 11.5 by 6.3 by 6.3 inches which is fairly compact and won't eat up a ton of space underneath your cabinet. 

Budget

Consistently this unit retails around $100, which is fairly cheap by most garbage disposal standards, certainly more affordable than the Evolution series. What's even more impressive is that it comes with a 10-year limited warranty with in-home service guarantees. 

Ease of installation

The Badger 5 is a hard-wired garbage disposal, meaning it will simply plug into a wall outlet or - in this case - the adapter that comes with the push button kit. The Badger 5 comes with assembly instructions, though you'll need to dovetail those with the push button kit instructions, depending on which one you get.

Noise

The Badger 5 uses a technology called SoundShield, which is a sound deadening insulation and helps to keep the unit quiet..

Pros

  • Adequate horsepower
  • Galvanized steel 
  • Great with or without the push button
  • InSinkErator's warranty is 10 years

Cons

  • Not the quietest
  • You'll need to purchase the push button separate and figure out the wiring

2. Waste King L-111

Wate King L-111 Garbage Disposal

Effectiveness

This disposal unit has 1/3 horsepower which does mean that the unit isn't made to handle large amounts of waste, so it is ideal for a household that will not use it too often. Single or two person apartments are good candidates for the L-111.

It has a continuous feed type (standard for most disposals) and a grinding speed of 1900, which is a little quicker than the Badger 5.

Durability and Materials

The dimensions of this unit are 12.75 by 5.25 by 5.25 inches making it a much smaller compact unit. The chamber material is reinforced polymer which is lightweight and resistant to corrosion, ensuring easy movement and a long lifespan.

Budget

The price is incredibly low(you can compare some pricing below) even with a decently high quality standard, making it the most cost-effective option on this list. However, it only comes with a two-year protection plan which pales in comparison to the 10 year agreement on the Badger 5.

Ease of installation

The L-111 comes with the patented EZ mount system which requires no screws and a simple power cord, allowing for easy installation. There is no need for electrical work which makes it easy to install by yourself. It comes with a removable splashguard for easy cleaning.

Noise

Though not the lowest noise level, it does have some insulation to prevent it from getting too loud. There are quieter disposals we can recommend if sound is a high priority.

Read more: Quietest garbage disposals

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • 2-year limited warranty
  • Easy installation
  • Great value for money

Cons

  • Low horsepower compared to the average
  • Not suitable for extensive or daily use


3. Moen GXS75C Host Series

Moen GXS75C Host Series

Effectiveness

The Moen unit has been designed for people who frequently cook for guests and need more powerful grinding capability that can handle heavier scraps and larger work loads.

With a grinding speed of 2700 RPM - way higher than the Badger 5 and L-111 - the 3/4 horsepower motor allows for fast and powerful grinding of tough food scraps. This unit has been designed for daily use, and rarely has issues with jamming.

The unit has a continuous feed type with a capacity of 33.5 ounces making it suitable for the disposal of large amounts of waste.

Durability and Materials

The chamber material is a corrosion-proof polymer meaning it will last a long time before any replacement or serious maintenance is needed, similar to the L-111.

This unit’s dimensions are 14.88 by 9.69 by 9.69 inches, which is fairly compact, but certainly doesn't save as much space as the L-111. 

If space is your priority, that's probably your best option.

Read more: Best Low Profile Garbage Disposals

Budget

Hovering around in most markets $100, it re-ups the  10-year limited warranty  we saw with the Badger 5. It also includes an in-home service guarantee. So if you need help or a repair, someone (probably a contracted serviceman) will come to your house.

Ease of installation

You may want to procure professional help for installation since it requires electrical wiring. If you decide to do the work yourself, it's always a good idea to consult a licensed electrician anyway and to check on your local municipalities code requirements, especially if you plan to sell your home in the near future.

Also remember that you'll need to configure the wiring to connect to the push button kit we talked about in the opening paragraphs.

Noise

This unit has been designed with SoundSHIELD, the sound-deadening insulation we mentioned early, which actually seems to keep the Moen units quieter than the Waste King options.

Pros

  • Sound reduction
  • Gets you back to the 10-year warranty
  • High horsepower
  • Decent price point for a higher HP disposal

Cons

  • Installation is not as straightforward as other units


4. Waste King L-3200

Waste King L-3200

Effectiveness

The L-3200 comes with a high-speed motor, with 3/4 horsepower, just like the Moen model we looked at. It has a 2700 RPM grinding speed and the standard continuous feed type. This is another high-capacity, strong disposal designed for busier kitchens and larger volumes of waste. 

Durability and Materials

This push button-compatible garbage disposal is made using all stainless steel grind components. Stainless steel is relatively resistant to rust ensuring it will last longer before replacement is required. The chamber material reprises the reinforced polymer we've seen in other Waste King units.

Budget

Like other units in the 3/4 HP range, the L-3200 costs roughly $100. Though it's still a great deal for a 3/4 HP disposal, especially when you compare it to the Evolution series (they usually retail for around $300).

Ease of installation

The design of this unit is smaller and lighter, especially for a 3/4 HP disposal. It's good for kitchens with large sinks without taking up too much space in your cabinets. For those wanted to measure preemptively, the dimensions are 13.75 by 7.75 by 7.75 inches.

Like most Waste Kings, it comes with the EZ Mount system for quick and easy installation and has a removable splash guard for easy cleaning.

The power cord is attached, making installation simple, and the integration with a push button kit equally simple.

Noise

The sound insulation is directly around the motor in this unit. Though with the higher HP and RPM rating, it kind of evens out. It's not particularly loud, but not the quietest on this list.

Pros

  • Comes with an 8-year warranty
  • Splash guard included
  • Easy install, especially with a push button kit
  • High horsepower
  • Compact size

Cons

  • Not the quietest we've heard


5. InSinkErator Evolution Compact

InSinkErator Evolution Compact (wide)

Effectiveness

The InSinkErator Evolution Compact has less height than others in the evolution series, and is actually the second shortest unit on this list, still taller than the Badger 5. Dimensions measure 12.13 by 8 by 8 inches.

At 3/4 HP it would be considered high horsepower, then adds a two-stage grinding system to make it one of the most powerful on this list. The strength and multiple grinding stages are a major part of why the Evolution series is so expensive.

Durability and Materials

In the Evolution we get back to Galvanized Steel, weighing in at approximately 2.2 pounds. Galvanized steel is a type of carbon steel that has been coated with a thin layer of zinc, ensuring it takes a long time to rust.

The chamber material is Alloy stainless steel which is a durable and easy to clean material. Similar to Galvanized steel, stainless steel has a high rust resistance, ensuring long-term durability.

Budget

This garbage disposal is significantly more expensive than some of the other options, but ultimately gives you a better quality product that comes with an eight-year in-home warranty.

Ease of installation

Oddly it does not come with the power cord attached, so you will need to buy one as a separate add-on accessory. It implements a standard three-bolt assembly, and hard-wiring is required, which makes the push button component a little bit tricky. Once again, electrical expertise might be required for installation.

Noise

I've always thought that the InSinkErator Evolution series are some of the quietest disposals available. This is the one I have at my house and it's exceptionally quiet.

Pros

  • Suitable for small houses or homes with restricted or limited cabinet space
  • High horsepower
  • Two-stage grinding
  • Very quiet
  • The de facto high-end option

Cons

  • Power cord sold separately as an add-on

Conclusion

Garbage disposals can make keeping your kitchen clean an easier and more efficient process.

For those that prefer the push button connection, we think these disposals are going to be the most ideal options, even considering the trickier installation for some of the hard-wired models.

Use our pricing and comparison tools to narrow down your pick.

If you have questions, feel free to hit us up in the comments section below.

Other Garbage Disposal Content

Do garbage disposals get full? (simple answer)
Garbage disposals are a modern convenience that many of us rely to make kitchen cleanup easier. But as we throw food[...]
9 Maintenance Tips for Your Garbage Disposal
In this article we'll cover some simple ways to extend the life of your garbage disposal. Regular maintenance will help[...]
InSinkErator Evolution Compact Price Guide (updated live)
Article updated by Molly on June 23rd, 2023 / Updated the API price table to pull the InSinkErator Evolution compact prices[...]
Best Waste King Garbage Disposal? (Our Top Pick)
Article updated by Molly on June 23rd, 2023 / Added the price guide for the Waste King L-8000 and made some[...]
Garbage Disposal Feed Types: Continuous Feed VS Batch Feed
When choosing a garbage disposal for your kitchen, there are primarily two feed types: Continuous feed Batch feed Each type[...]
Best Garbage Disposal for a Deep Sink (our top picks)
Article updated by Molly on July 7th, 2022 / Checked product links and made some updates to the copy. If you[...]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Click outside to hide the comparison bar
Compare
Search
×