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.
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 | 1/2 HP | |
 | Waste King L-111 | 1/3 HP | |
 | Moen GXS75C Host Series | 3/4 HP | |
 | Waste King L-3200 | 3/4 HP | |
 | InSinkErator Evolution Compact | 3/4 HP |
1. InSinkErator Badger 5
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.
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
Cons
2. Waste King L-111
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
Cons
3. 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
Cons
4. 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
Cons
5. InSinkErator Evolution Compact
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
Cons
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.