The 6 Best Garbage Disposal For Septic Tank and Your Wallet

If you are looking to purchase a garbage disposal, you want to get the best one that not only fits your needs but is easy on your bank account as well. We understand how much time and effort goes into researching and shopping for the right one, so we’ve done the research for you. We spent days trying out products, reading reviews, checking verified customer ratings and what they had to say, reading manufacturer’s manuals and suggestions, and anything else garbage disposal-related that’s associated with our article and the products we reviewed for it. We appreciate you checking out our article. Find out the best garbage disposal for your septic tank and your wallet!

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How Products Are Assessed

We didn’t just pick products at random; we were picky. We began our ranking system by doing research on the chosen products, taking note of various comments, reviews, and ratings from verified purchasers. Based on this initial list, we began researching in earnest the products which made our shortlist.

Next, we reached out to actual users of the products, getting their ratings, comments, and/or complaints. We wanted to be sure we saw these products from every angle. We personally either used or observed most of the products on our list; others we relied on the trusted word of the personal word of other reviewers, users, and/or purchasers.

We then evaluated each product based on their features, function, usage, price, and customer rating. After considering the pros and cons for each product, we then chose the six that would be named in our article as top picks and best value. Continue reading to learn which is the best garbage disposal for you, your septic tank, and your wallet.

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Best Garbage Disposal for Septic Tank 2023

#1 InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Household Garbage Disposal

This compact garbage disposer from InSinkErator truly is an evolution. If you want both a powerful and quiet compact disposal, this may be the one for you. It’s ideal for smaller households with space-saving design for those with restricted cabinet space. Quieter performance is delivered via SoundSeal Technology, making it much quieter than a standard disposal. While the two-stage grind, MultiGrind Technology, quickly grinds virtually any type of food waste products. With its 3/4 horsepower (HP) Dura-Drive motor, it can chew up anything. The product is assembled in the USA and has a four year “We Come to You” In-home Limited Warranty.

Pros:

• Powerful with 3/4 HP Dura-Drive motor
• 2-Stage MultiGrind Technology
• SoundSeal Technology for quiet performance
• Quick-Lock easy installation
• Septic tank safe

Cons:

• Power cord not included
• Slow Drain

Final Verdict:

As this product received an average 4.6-star rating out of 5 stars from almost 2400 customers, it’s safe to say this is a great product. Most verified purchasers agree that it’s super quiet and that it has a strong motor for chewing up even the toughest foods. It’s easy to install and comes with a limited four-year warranty; can’t beat that!

#2 InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist 3/4 HP Household Garbage Disposal

This garbage disposal is also from InSinkErator, called Evolution Septic Assist because it’s specifically designed for use in homes that have septic systems. It has a powerful 3/4 HP Dura-Drive induction motor that’s strong and durable. In addition, it has MultiGrind Technology delivering two-stage grinding, allowing food items to more efficiently ground. Exclusive to this product, breaking down food waste is even easier with this garbage disposal due to Bio-Charge Injection Technology which uses natural microorganisms. Furthermore, the quiet performance can be attributed to SoundSeal Technology. This product is assembled in USA and has a four year “We Come to You” In-Home Limited Warranty.

Pros:

• Specifically designed for use with septic systems
• Powerful with 3/4 HP Dura-Drive motor
• 2-Stage MultiGrind Technology
• Bio-Charge Technology to break down food waste and control odors
• SoundSeal Technology for quiet performance
• Quick-Lock easy installation
• 4-Year Limited “We Come to You” Warranty

Cons:

• Power cord not included
• Customer complaints of Bio-Charge unit ‘falling out’
• Expensive

Final Verdict:

This product received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which is really high. Although this product is on the pricey side, you get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a great garbage disposal made specifically for septic tanks use, this may be the one for you. Easy installation makes it a cinch to put in and it comes with a four year Limited Warranty, “We Come to You.”

#3 Waste King Legend Series 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal with Power Cord – (L-3200)

Waste King has been delivering quality garbage disposals for over fifty years and this product is no different. The EZ-Mount garbage disposal has a 3/4 HP motor, making it very powerful, but still yet compact as well, tackling everyday food scraps with an impressive grind while maintaining energy-efficiency. The L-3200 is easy to install, saves space, and is a reliable product. There’s no need for a separate power cord or electrical wiring; this garbage disposal comes with a cord. The product comes with a full 8 Year In-Home Warranty.

Pros:

• Compact size
• High-speed motor
• Easy installation and cleaning
• Pre-installed power cord/no electrical work needed
• Durable
• 8 Year In-Home Warranty
• Affordable price range

Cons:

• Some users complained of noise; most verified purchasers claimed it was quiet.
• There are no major issues with this product that we could find!

Final Verdict:

The Waste King Legend Series 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal with Power Cord – (L-3200) really is a great product at a reasonable price. It’s easy to install, easy to clean, runs smooth and quiet, and really has consumers saying a lot of great things about it. A neighbor has had this exact product for over twelve years, still running in peak condition. Best of all, this product offers an astounding 8 Year In-Home Warranty. If you can’t afford more than a hundred dollars, then this may be the disposal for you.

#4 Waste King Legend Series 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal with Power Cord – (L-1001)

This Waste King garbage disposal is powerful yet compact, making it the perfect addition to your kitchen and for keeping your sink nice and clean. With 1/2 HP, this little disposal can tackle every day food scraps while remaining energy-efficient. This disposal’s high speed motor provides an impressive grind at an even more impressive price, which is why it’s our best value pick. This durable disposal is easy to install, saves space, and comes with cord; no need for separate power cord or electrical wiring. Comes with two year In-Home Warranty.

Pros:

• High speed motor
• Easy installation and cleaning
• Pre-installed power cord/no electrical expertise needed
• Continuous fee activated by wall switch
• Cost efficient

Cons:

• Only 2 year warranty
• Not as quiet as other disposals
• Can only accept small portions at a time

Final Verdict:

If you’re looking for a good garbage disposal that can work with your septic system as well as your budget, this may be the product for you. Compact, but powerful, this disposal is easy to install and comes with a cord; no electrician needed for wiring. For such a low price, you really get a great product. Look no further than this garbage disposal from Waste King.

#5 Whirlaway 191 1/3 Horsepower Garbage Disposal

This garbage disposal from Whirlaway is an affordable, cost-effective product. It only has 1/3 HP motor, which is smaller than most in its price range, but that doesn’t seem to affect its power, matching those in its class in grinding and chopping. Nonetheless, the 191 is geared more towards those who are on a budget, so the smaller motor means lowered priced. It’s still a pretty heavy-duty disposal and should be plenty powerful enough for what its used for. Comes with two year limited warranty.

Pros:

• EZ mount quick installation
• Vortex powered
• Safe for septic tanks
• Durable and requires low maintenance
• Affordable price/great value

Cons:

• Noisy
• Smaller HP motor not suitable for big amount of waste
• Power cord sold separately

Final Verdict:

The Whirlaway 191 1/3 Horsepower Garbage Disposal is a good, reliable unit that is compact and comes at an affordable price. It’s easy to install and seems to be a very reliable unit requiring very little maintenance. Disposal may not be as powerful as some, but at this price, it’s a great value and the fact that it’s still safe for septic tanks is a big plus. In addition, for such a low price point, two year warranty is for full replacement of part. As long as you realize you’re getting a less powerful unit, this may be the one you’re looking for if you’re on a budget.

#6 Waste King 1.0 Horsepower Garbage Disposal with Exclusive Silencer Technology, A1SPC Knight

This garbage disposal from Waste King is a whopping 1.0 HP showcasing an ultra-powerful motor featuring a more powerful grind. The continuous feed disposal means you can keep adding waste as the unit is running. Unit is corrosion-free and one the quietest of any disposal on the market. It’s easy to install with the new Snap and Lock mounting system and comes with a 36-inch power cord. Product is safe for use with properly-sized septic tanks. In addition, Lifetime In-Home Service Warranty makes this product one that may be replaced for life free of charge.

Pros:

• 2700 RPM Motor/1.0 HP
• Exclusive Silencer Technology, same material used to sound-proof music studios
• New Snap and Lock Mount for easy installation
• One-Pass technology — no multi-stage chambers needed
• Continuous feed

Cons:

• More expensive model
• Rubber food guard isn’t removable
• Some customers say unit can be hard to clean

Final Verdict:

If you need a powerful garbage disposal for your septic system that can chew up anything, this may be the one for you. It’s powerful motor is made to grind up anything that comes it’s way. It’s extremely powerful while remaining quiet at the same time. It’s super easy to install and comes with a power cord. Best of all is it basically has an in-home lifetime warranty. Nothing beats that! If you need power in your disposal and cost isn’t an issue, this may be the product you’re looking for.

What to Consider Before Buying

Before choosing a garbage disposal, there are some things you need to consider. Some are more important than others, but we’ve made a list of things you’ll need to consider before choosing your product. These first few are the most important, followed by more personal choices you may want to consider.

Septic Tank Size

Is your septic tank large enough? Check with your local building inspector before installing a disposal to make sure your septic system is up to speed. In addition, you may have to empty your septic tank more often when using a disposal.

Water Usage

Is the extra water usage worth it? You’ll be using about nine hundred gallons or more per year when utilizing a garbage disposal, so make sure it’s worth it. This is also something that needs to be considered during times of drought or in areas that have a water ordinance. Check with city officials.

Up-to-code/date Plumbing

Is your plumbing up to it? You shouldn’t just install a garbage disposer if you’re not sure that your plumbing can handle it. Have someone who knows what they’re doing to check it out!

Continuous vs Batch Feed

Some garbage disposals are continuous feed while others are batch fed. While most people prefer continuous feed, if you’re looking for the safer of the two, you’ll probably want a batch feed model.

Stages of Grinding

The more your disposer grinds, the better. The more stages of grinding, the finer the waste will be when it goes through your septic tank or sewage system. This should depend on what type of waste you’ll be getting rid of most. If your family mostly eats pasta this won’t be as big a deal as it would if your family eats a lot of steaks and pork chops.

Noise

The noise doesn’t really have anything to do with how well the unit operates, but for some, it’s just as important. Some just don’t want to hear it grinding up the waste. Be sure to check individual reviews to see if the unit you’re checking out is indeed quiet or not.

Other Options to Consider

Other important options include price – of course, you’ll know how much you’re willing to spend, size – you need to use a compact disposal in smaller areas, but in larger areas, you’ll have a choice of sizes, and brand, if you are a person who tends to be brand-loyal. Of course, all these things are important, but remember to keep an open mind. Even though one product may not have something you’re looking for doesn’t mean it may not be the best unit for your sink. Be sure to cover all the bases and choose accordingly.

Features to Consider

Electric Cords

Those with cords can be plugged into typical outlets. However, those without cords will need to be hardwired, possibly required an electrician as well as a plumber.

Auto-Reverse Mode

This is an option that can help to clear jams. Unfortunately, jams happen when you have a garbage disposal, so this may be an option you want to consider. However, some models include a feature for clearing.

Horsepower Ratings

Don’t decide to go with the disposal with the highest horsepower – it may not be the strongest! Even those with lower HP, say 1/2 HP, can still handle waste as hard as bones just as well as it does softer waste. Nonetheless, if your kitchen waste is typically tougher stuff, a higher HP disposal is probably more what you’ll need. The more HP, generally the better it grinds, so if you live in a larger household, you’ll probably want a higher HP disposal. However, if you live alone or with one or two others, if you’re vegetarians, or rarely eat tough foods, there’s no reason why a smaller HP can’t be plenty to handle all your waste while leaving your septic system running smoothly.

Quick-Mount

This is probably more important than some of the other features. Be sure to check how the garbage disposal is installed. Many disposals, including all on our list, have some type of quick mount installation, making it easier for homeowners to install the disposals themselves without having to hire a plumber. Be sure you know what you’re doing, though. There’s nothing worse than starting a job, just to have to call a plumber to fix it.

Safety Covers

These are found mostly on InSinkErator models, which can be found on our list. This basically prevents the unit from being turned on unless the cover is in place. This safety feature should most definitely be considered if you have children in your household.

Warranty

Of course, you definitely want to find out how much of a warranty comes with each garbage disposal. The ones on our list come with at least two years warranty all the way up to lifetime warranty. A longer warranty doesn’t actually mean that the product is better or will last longer, but it may drive up the price. Make sure to check not only the warranty but reviews from verified purchasers to ensure the warranty is either not needed or sufficient.

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Conclusion

Of course, you definitely want to find out how much of a warranty comes with each garbage disposal. The ones on our list come with at least two years warranty all the way up to a lifetime warranty. A longer warranty doesn’t actually mean that the product is better or will last longer, but it may drive up the price. Make sure to check not only the warranty but reviews from verified purchasers to ensure the warranty is either not needed or sufficient.