Garbage disposals are one of those modern tools that you just can't do without. They allow you to use your sink more effectively and protect your plumbing from any annoying blockages.
There are now more garbage disposal brands than ever before, and it can be challenging to know where to start. In this guide, we'll introduce two of the best garbage disposal brands and give you the full breakdown of Moen vs Insinkerator so you can help determine which is best for your home.
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Overview Of Moen Garbage Disposals
A garbage disposal attaches underneath your sink, and they work by safely breaking up larger bits of food waste that can otherwise block your pipes.
Food and other biodegradable debris can be fed down into the disposal, which uses its mechanism to crush and pulverize the waste and let it safely flow down your sink. Kitchen garbage disposals are often attached to your dishwasher to stop any food waste accidentally clogging the pipes.
Moen is a well-known brand that specializes in kitchen and bathroom products. They were founded in 1937 by Al Moen, and what started small has now grown into an international company operating on every continent.
Al Moen is credited for inventing the single-handed faucet, and this innovation has driven the brand for the last 75 years. Their focus is on making attractive and long-lasting products, and their garbage disposals are some of the toughest on the market.
Moen kitchen garbage disposals are one of the most popular on the market. This is largely due to the design as all Moen garbage disposals have:
Xpress Mounting
This allows you to install and remove the garbage disposal with a single twist and eliminates the need for any specialist tools or professional help. The fitting is suitable for standard 1-inch drains but also works with a wide variety of sizes.
Magnetic Motor
Moen uses a permanent magnet in their motor, which is the most efficient and allows the mechanism to move really quickly. This also helps prevent any jamming of the system.
Glass Chamber
The Moen grinding chamber is made from glass which is very durable and isn’t susceptible to corrosion.
There are 3 main ranges of Moen garbage disposals, each with their own features:
Pros & Cons Of The Moen Brand
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Overview Of InSinkErator Garbage Disposals
InSinkErator has an equally long history and was founded in 1927 by John Hammes. He created one of the first garbage disposals, which operated completely differently from the models we know today, and the company has grown and grown from then.
Unlike other garbage disposal brands, InSinkErator specializes in garbage disposals and has a much narrower range of other home products. This has allowed them to focus their attention on one area and create some pretty impressive products.
InSinkErator is known for their affordability and being more efficient than other brands. They use multi-stage technology, which helps break down the food waste more thoroughly and prevent any risk of blockages. They are also renowned for being quieter than competitor brands. This makes them well suited for busy homes which use garbage disposals more often.
Some of their key features include:
Sound Seal Mechanism
InSinkErators use a unique sound insulation system that helps prevent noise from escaping from the device. This can help if you need to use it late at night or early in the morning.
Multi-Grind Functionality
Most InSinkErator models have the option of 1, 2, or 3 stage grind so you can customize the functionality based on the need. If you have a lot of tough debris, you can turn up the settings that will help protect your device and your plumbing.
Quick Lock Mount
You can fit and install an InSinkErator garbage disposal easily using their quick-lock mechanism. This limits the cost as you won't need to ask a professional for help.
There are several different lines of InSinkErator garbage disposals, each with its own features:
Pros & Cons Of The InSinkErator Brand
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Moen Vs InSinkErator: (Key Differences Explained)
Moen and InSinkErator are often compared because they have a lot of similarities. To help you understand which might be best for you, we've given a breakdown of the key factors to consider:
Material & Build Quality
Moen and InSinkErator use a lot of the same materials. They both predominantly use stainless steel, which prevents corrosion, and the build quality is good for both. Moen products are probably slightly more durable, but both brands work well in any home.
Motor Power & Size
Again, both brands are similar in this regard, and their motors have very similar horsepower. There is some variation between the different products they offer, but some of Moen's more expensive garbage disposals are the most powerful. That being said, for a great under sink garbage disposal, there is only so much power you need, and both will work well in large homes.
Moen and InSinkErator both offer garbage disposals that work well for small, medium, or large homes, but InSinkErator disposals are more compact. This makes them better suited for those with a smaller kitchen or limited space underneath the sink.
Noise Level
Moen has constructed their garbage disposals well and the majority of their products are relatively quiet compared to other brands. However, InSinkErator has made noise level a real focus, and they have unique components to help limit it.
InSinkErators are much quieter machines across the board, making them better suited for more use, smaller homes, or being used late at night or early in the morning.
If you want to see additional quiet garbage disposal reviews, check out our guide here.
Operation & Grinding Stages
The Moen grinding mechanism works well and can churn up most food waste without issue. They work pretty effortlessly, and you shouldn't have any problems using them to full effect.
On the other hand, InSinkErator models have a 3-step grinding mechanism that helps ensure your food waste is completely mashed up before it flows through. This makes the system more effective and helps to protect your pipes. If you want a more efficient garbage disposal, then InSinkErator is the one for you.
Ease Of Installation
Both Moen and InSinkErator have easy installation and mounting locks so they can slot right in underneath your sink without any specialist tools. There’s not much to set these two brands apart here, but InSinkErator disposals are generally smaller, which can make them a bit easier to handle during installation. If you want to know how to install a garbage disposal, check out our installation guide.
Ease Of Cleaning & Maintenance
Both Moen and InSinkErator have used modern materials and construction methods which make the disposals easier to clean and maintain than other brands. InSinkErator disposals do have a fixed splash guard, which can be inconvenient, so it probably is marginally easier to maintain a Moen garbage disposal. However, both manufacturers are producing reliable products which should stand the test of time. If you want to know how to clean a garbage disposal, review our cleaning guide.
Warranty
Moen offers a warranty of between 5 and 10 years for your garbage disposal, which is slightly better than the industry average. InSinkErator only provides an 8-year warranty on most of their products, so Moen is marginally stronger in this area. Make sure you register your products when you buy them, so they're fully protected against any defects.
Price
InSinkErator has made a name for themselves by creating affordable products which work well. Their products are generally priced more competitively than Moen and offer better value for money because of it. Still, it is worth exploring all the different product ranges to see what fits your budget.
In summary, both Moen and InSinkErator are reputable brands with some great garbage disposals on offer. For us, InSinkErator is slightly stronger because of the extra functionality which adds to the efficiency. They're also more affordable, which makes them better value for money.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Is there a reset button on a Moen garbage disposal?
Yes, this is usually located on the bottom of the Moen garbage disposal opposite the power cord.
How long does Moen garbage disposal last?
A Moen garbage disposal can last over 10 years if it’s properly cleaned and maintained.
How long do InSinkErator garbage disposals last?
An InSinkErator garbage disposal should last about 10 years if it's properly maintained. After this point, it may become more prone to clogging, and some components may need to be replaced.
What is wrong with my InSinkErator garbage disposal when it just hums?
This is usually a sign that power is reaching the disposal, but the blades aren’t whirring round as they should be. It could also be a sign that the garbage disposal is blocked, and that blockage needs to be removed. You should turn the disposal off and carefully examine all the parts within it to see if you can identify the problem. Check out our guide on how to fix a humming garbage disposal.
Conclusion
A garbage disposal is an essential tool in a modern home, and both Moen and InSinkErator know how to create an effective one. Moen disposals are good, but InSinkErator's are just a cut above and have extra features which make them easier to use and more effective at what they do.
This makes them better value for money for most homeowners, but it's still worth checking out both manufacturers to see if there's a specific model which perfectly fits your needs.
Josh enjoys researching, testing and diving into home improvement & DIY products. He has a passion for tools, learning new skills and fixing the everyday problems that arise around the house.