Having a garbage disposal unit is something that few of us take for granted. Being able to drop leftovers down the drain, turn on the tap, and flip a switch is the ultimate convenience. But, for a lot of households, the garbage disposal in the sink came pre-installed, which means that when it breaks or if they want one with more power, then they have to replace the unit.
Garbage disposals are priced at both ends of the spectrum. However, getting a high-quality, reliable unit for your kitchen doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune. We have researched and reviewed dozens of the best low-cost models available on the market today, and in this post, we reveal the top 3 garbage disposals that are not only sturdy and dependable but are also priced at under a hundred bucks!
Read on to find out all about their key features including the motor, horsepower, grind stage, component materials, capacity, size, and noise levels of each one so that you can choose the best garbage disposal under $100 to suit your kitchen and lifestyle.
3 of the Best Garbage Disposal Under $100
1. Whirlpool GC2000XE 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
Whirlpool GC2000XE 1/2 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal
List Price: $139.00
Description
This 1/2-HP in-sink disposer works effortlessly and efficiently. It features continuous feed operation to help minimize jamming. Food is reduced to fine cuttings and whisked down the drain without the need to pause and check for clogging…
Product Description and Features
The Whirlpool GC2000XE is a dependable disposal unit that is capable of easily handling the mess created by a small household. The motor generates 0.5 horsepower, which is ideal for making mush out of small, soft food particles. The grinding chamber weighs 26 ounces and is manufactured out of ABS plastic which is durable and lightweight. It can hold a decent amount of processed food particles that get to the chamber after the one-stage grinding process.
The wheel and the shredder ring are both made from galvanized steel, which gives the parts a long lifespan. The GC2000XE also comes with an internal centrifugal switch which ensures that the moving parts get enough torque to rev up to 1,725 revs per minute. This gives the motor quite a bit of oomph that most users appreciate when trying to get through the chores as quickly as possible.
This disposal is very easy to handle and comes with a manual-reset overload switch as well as a jam-release wrench to protect the unit from malfunctions. You also get the advantage of convenient and fast continuous feed operation which makes it easier to get a lot of garbage processed in a very short space of time.
The GC2000XE is a direct-wire unit, which means that it must be connected to the existing electrical system. There is an included dishwasher connector that you can also take advantage of when connecting your disposal. You don’t need much experience to set it up as it comes with a locked-in mounting setup that makes it so simple and easy to install the unit.
Thanks to its collection of amazing features, this is arguably the best garbage disposal under $100. The Whirlpool brand stands firmly behind their product with a one-year full warranty, in case your garbage disposal needs to be repaired or replaced within that time.
Pros
- Powerful 1/2 horsepower motor which has continuous feed capability for faster disposal
- Shredding ring made from galvanized stainless steel grinds food waste within a very short time
- Manual reset button and overload protector make using the device easy and hassle-free
- Food gets shredded as soon as you turn unit on thanks to continuous-feed system
Cons
- Smaller capacity size compared to other models which means it doesn’t work for a bigger size family
- There have been some reports of the unit jerking while in use
- The size is a bit bulkier than the other models on our list
2. Waste King Legend Series 1/2 HP Power Cord-(L-2600) Garbage Disposal
Waste King L-2600 Garbage Disposal with Power Cord, 1/2 HP
List Price: $76.59
Description
The Waste King Legend 2600 1/2-Horsepower Disposer showcases a powerful motor, stainless steel grinding components, superior sound insulation, and a corrosion-proof grinding chamber for efficient, quiet, no-fuss waste disposal…
Product Descriptions and Features
As with the first offering on our list, this garbage disposal is also very easy to install, no matter what level of expertise you have. It comes with an EZ mount kit which takes all the hassle and stress out of the entire installation process. Considering its price, the Waste King 2600 Legend Series is a deceptively powerful disposal unit that gives great value for money.
It has a permanent magnet motor that spins at over 2,600 revs per minute. Its motor boasts 0.5 horsepower and quickly pulverizes small loads of foods, both soft and hard. This high-quality product from a well-known brand also comes with a pre-installed 36-inch power cord, which is great because it means you don’t have to deal with any of the electrical work.
The L-2600 has a glass filled nylon grinding chamber which significantly lessens wear and tear, and ultimately reduces the need for repairs to the disposal unit. The swivel impellers are made from high-quality stainless steel, which will never degrade or corrode over time. And thanks to the super convenient noise-dampening chamber, you don’t ever have to put up with head-splitting noise while running the garbage disposal.
In addition to all that, this Waste King disposal also comes with a splash guard that is removable and makes it easy to clean your sink. The compact design of the disposal is great if you don’t have a lot of space under the sink. It leaves plenty of room for storing your cleaning supplies and other kitchen products.
To use the continuous feed garbage disposal, all you have to do is to flip the switch, until the disposal unit grinds all the food particles you throw at it. If it becomes clogged to a point where the motor gets overloaded, then you can get it running again by pressing the reset button mounted at the front. The L-2600 also comes with a 5-year warranty which covers in-home service, which is one of the reasons it earned a spot on our best garbage disposal under $100 list.
Pros
- 2600 revolutions per minute make for very fast and efficient breakdown of both hard and soft food
- 0.5 horsepower motor offers great performance
- Impeller system is insulated, which means operation is quieter than other models
- It comes with a removable splash guard and a five-year warranty which covers the majority of the operational issues
- Continuous-feed system and front reset button for easy operation
Cons
- There have been reported cases (albeit rare ones) of internal seals cracking and leaking
- The impeller system sometimes gets jammed
3. Whirlaway 191AP 1/3 hp Garbage Disposal with Cord, Blue
Whirlaway 291 1/2 Horsepower Garbage Disposer with Power Cord, Blue
List Price: $97.15
Description
Whirlaway 291 1/2 Horsepower Garbage Disposer with Power Cord, Blue
Product Description and Features
The people at Whirlaway certainly know how to create a quality machine that gives a great performance without cleaning out your wallet. The 1/3 horsepower garbage disposal is one of the most affordable and yet super-sturdy models that you will find on the market. This is the perfect product for you if you are concerned about the cost, but you don’t want to compromise on quality.
The design of this disposal unit is compact, which makes it easy to fit under any size sink. For its size, it has an extremely powerful, high-speed motor that makes dealing with leftovers a total breeze. It generates a respectable 1900 revs per minute at the press of a button and comes with a handy, removable splash guard which ensures that your sink always looks clean.
The mechanism of the blades that slide side by side is designed specifically to keep your device from jamming, and the stainless steel components ensure that your job is done quickly and effectively. All the parts that make up this unit are made from the highest quality affordable materials, which means that it will give great performance for years before anything has to be replaced or repaired.
The Whirlaway 191 is very easy to install, thanks to its EZ mount system. Anyone can install the garbage disposal without any problems even without much experience in the DIY arena. If you are searching for a low-priced garbage disposal model with a powerful, high-speed motor to help make your time in the kitchen a little easier, then this product is definitely one that you should check out.
This lightweight, space-saving unit is ideal for any kitchen, family, and lifestyle. The unit comes in a blue color and has a pre-installed power cord which saves you money and time since you don’t have to hunt for a separate cord. However, the cord can be taken off quite easily for optional hardwiring.
Pros
- Compact design is perfect if you have limited space under the sink
- Easy installation thanks to E-Z mount system
- High-speed motor grinds food a lot quicker and more effectively
- High quality, durable, lightweight, and affordable – great combination of features
Cons
- No in-home service, which is very inconvenient for most people
- This model isn’t as powerful as some of the other models in its category
- Insulation of the unit could be improved
Read these reviews on the best garbage disposal under $100.
Best garbage disposal under 100
Best Garbage Disposal Under $100 – The Final Verdict
The price is obviously one of the main concerns when buying a new garbage disposal unit, but other factors that you need to consider include:
- The motor and grinding operation
- Horsepower and performance
- The materials that the components are made of
- Ease of installation
- Warranty
- Noise level
We considered all these factors and more in coming up with our list of the top 3 garbage disposal units on the market. If you have been searching for the best garbage disposal under $100, any one of the three mentioned here will do a great job, depending on your needs.
Of the products on our list, the Waste King uses the least amount of energy, and if that is a factor that’s important to you, then it’s worth keeping that in mind when making your choice. It also uses the least amount of water, which makes it a great option for anyone who is serious about saving energy in their home.
Use our list to help you make a choice that will suit your family and your home. At a price of under a hundred bucks, any of the high-quality products we reviewed here offers a long-term investment that will make a wonderful and much-appreciated addition to any kitchen.