Best Space Saving Garbage Disposal: Badger 5 Wins

The best space saving garbage disposal is the InSinkErator Badger 5, an 11.5-inch-tall 1/2 HP unit that fits more cabinets than anything else here. If you grind tough scraps every day, the Badger 5XP steps up to 3/4 HP in a body just 5 lb heavy. Here is the quick shortlist: the Badger 5 for most kitchens, the 5XP for heavy cooks, and the Waste King L-111 when budget rules.

Best space saving garbage disposal at a glance

A quick note on the search itself. Amazon read "space saving" loosely, so not every result is genuinely compact. Two of these run wider or taller than a tight cabinet allows. I'll flag which ones below so you can judge the fit against your own under-sink space rather than trusting the label.

How I narrowed the field to five

I worked from the published listing data only, comparing the specifications side by side. No marketing gloss decided anything. Here is the screen, in order.

1. Body height and width first. Under-sink space is the whole point. I ranked every unit by its published dimensions before looking at anything else.
2. Motor power second. A disposal that jams is a disposal you regret. I noted the horsepower figure for each.
3. Warranty third. These sit under water for years. A longer stated warranty broke ties.
4. Weight and install last. Lighter units mount easier when you're on your back in a cabinet.

Nothing was cut for being a bad product. All five earned a place. What changed was the buyer each one suits. The Moen Prep is the tallest at 14.8 in, so it lost the space race but kept a spot for its easy-swap design. The Mountain Plumbing PROSELECT5 carries the strongest warranty at 3 years, yet only one seller stocks it, which matters if you ever need a replacement.

The best space saving garbage disposal for you comes down to how tight your cabinet is and how hard you cook. Both are things only you can measure.

Does a compact disposal actually save cabinet space?

Yes, but the number that matters is height, not the word "compact" in the title. A disposal hangs straight down from the sink flange, so every inch of body height is an inch stolen from the shelf below.

Compare the published heights:

• InSinkErator Badger 5: 11.5 in
• Mountain Plumbing PROSELECT5: 12.1 in
• InSinkErator Badger 5XP: 12.6 in
• Waste King L-111: 12.8 in
• Moen Prep Series PRO: 14.8 in

The gap between the Badger 5 and the Moen Prep is 3.3 in. That is the difference between clearing a pull-out drawer and blocking it. Width matters too if two units share a double-bowl sink. The Waste King L-111 is the narrowest here at 5.25 in, followed by the PROSELECT5 at 5.75 in. Measure your cabinet's clear internal height from the underside of the sink before you buy anything. The best space saving garbage disposal is the one that leaves room for what you actually store down there.

1. InSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal — Best overall

The Badger 5 is the shortest unit here at 11.5 in, and it comes from the brand more common in US kitchens than any other.

Best for: most single-sink kitchens on a mid budget Skip it if: your cabinet is unusually shallow and every ounce counts

What sets the Badger 5 apart within this set is its 11.5 in height, the lowest of the five. That extra clearance below the unit is real cabinet space you keep. It runs a 1/2 HP motor, plenty for everyday scraps, and InSinkErator describes the Dura-Drive induction motor and galvanized steel components as built for a dependable grind. Treat that as the manufacturer's claim, but the brand's long track record backs the design.

The 2-year in-home warranty covers parts and labor, and InSinkErator will come to you rather than making you haul the unit anywhere. This is also the pick buyers here reach for most often, which speaks to a safe, proven choice.

The trade-offs are honest. At 17 lb, it is by far the heaviest unit in this group, so mounting it solo is a workout. It also lacks a pre-installed power cord, meaning you either hardwire it or buy a cord separately. If you want plug-and-play simplicity, the Moen or Waste King below arrive ready to plug in.

Pros:

• Shortest body here at 11.5 in
• 1/2 HP motor for everyday scraps
• 2-year in-home parts and labor warranty
• Widely stocked, proven brand

Cons:

• Heaviest unit at 17 lb
• No pre-installed power cord
• Only two sellers list it

2. InSinkErator Badger 5XP Garbage Disposal with Power Cord — Best premium

The 5XP steps power up to 3/4 HP while weighing just 5 lb, the lightest disposal in this comparison.

Best for: heavy cooks who grind tough scraps daily Skip it if: 1/2 HP already handles your kitchen load

The 5XP is the muscle of this group. Its 3/4 HP Dura-Drive induction motor is the strongest power rating here, and InSinkErator calls it a rugged, rust-resistant stainless build for maximum grinding power. That is the maker's claim, but the higher horsepower is a hard specification, not marketing.

Two details make it easy to live with. It weighs only 5 lb, so lifting it into place is genuinely simple, and it ships with a power cord already attached plus a jam-buster wrenchette and drain stopper. The Quick Lock mount, per the listing, lets you swap an existing InSinkErator unit fast. The warranty is the longest from this brand at 4 years, in-home service included.

The cost of the extra power is size. At 12.6 in tall, it gives back 1.1 in of the clearance the Badger 5 saves. It also sits at the higher end of the price positions here. If your scraps are ordinary, the Badger 5 does the job in a shorter body for less.

Pros:

• Strongest motor here at 3/4 HP
• Lightest unit at 5 lb
• 4-year in-home warranty
• Pre-installed power cord and jam wrench

Cons:

• Taller than the Badger 5 at 12.6 in
• One of the pricier picks here
• Single stage of grind

3. Moen Prep Series PRO Continuous Feed Compact Garbage Disposal — Most versatile

The Moen Prep replaces most existing disposals, including non-Moen brands, thanks to its pre-installed cord.

Best for: swapping out a non-matching old unit Skip it if: your cabinet is under 15 inches deep

Versatility is the Moen's calling card. Moen says it effortlessly replaces most existing garbage disposals, non-Moen brands included, using the pre-installed power cord. If you're pulling out a mystery unit an old owner left behind, that cross-brand fit removes guesswork. The motor is rated 0.5 HP, and Moen cites a 2,600 RPM Vortex motor for fast grinding of everyday scraps.

It's also septic safe by the maker's description, which matters if you're on a tank rather than a sewer line. At 9.64 lb it sits mid-pack for weight, lighter than both Badgers except the 5XP.

Here's the catch, and it's a big one for this category. At 14.8 in tall, the Moen Prep is the tallest unit in this comparison by a clear margin. It's compact in width at 6.34 in, but height is what eats your shelf. If cabinet clearance is why you're reading this, the Moen loses ground fast. Its warranty is also stated only as limited with in-home service, without a year count, so it's harder to compare against the others.

Pros:

• Replaces non-Moen units with pre-installed cord
• 2,600 RPM Vortex motor claim
• Septic-safe per the listing
• Mid-pack weight at 9.64 lb

Cons:

• Tallest unit here at 14.8 in
• Warranty length not stated
• Loses the space race on height

4. Waste King Garbage Disposal L-111 — Best budget pick

The L-111 is the cheapest of the five and the narrowest at 5.25 in, ideal for tight double-bowl setups.

Best for: light cooks and rental kitchens Skip it if: you grind bones or fibrous scraps regularly

The L-111 wins on price and footprint. It's the cheapest option here and the narrowest at 5.25 in, so it slides into cramped cabinets where a wider body wouldn't. At 7.5 lb it's easy to hoist into position, and Waste King says the EZ Mount and pre-installed power cord mean no extra electrical work.

The motor is the smallest in this group at 1/3 HP, spinning a 1,900 RPM permanent magnet motor that Waste King says reduces jams. That power rating is fine for coffee grounds, peels and soft scraps. It's a light-duty unit and priced like one.

The removable splashguard, per the listing, makes cleaning simpler than fixed-baffle designs. The warranty runs 2 years in-home, matching the Badger 5.

The honest weakness is grinding power. At 1/3 HP, it's the least capable here, and hard or fibrous waste will test it. If you cook a lot or feed a big household, step up to a 1/2 HP unit like the Badger 5 or the PROSELECT5. For a low-traffic kitchen, this is the sensible spend.

Pros:

• Cheapest of the five
• Narrowest body at 5.25 in
• Light at 7.5 lb with pre-installed cord
• Removable splashguard for cleaning

Cons:

• Smallest motor at 1/3 HP
• Struggles with bones and fibrous scraps
• Least suited to heavy use

5. Mountain Plumbing PROSELECT5 Perfect Grind — Best for families

The PROSELECT5 carries the longest warranty here at 3 years and pairs it with a 10 lb, 12.1-inch body.

Best for: high-volume kitchens wanting a 3-year warranty Skip it if: you want a proven, widely stocked brand

The PROSELECT5 targets busy households. Mountain Plumbing describes 3-stage grinding technology that pulverizes tough food waste to minimize jams, driven by a 1/2 HP motor. It also cites anti-jam auto-reverse technology to prevent clogs and extend the unit's life. Treat both as the maker's claims, but a multi-stage grind is a feature the two Badgers don't list.

For a family that runs the disposal after every meal, the 3-year warranty is the standout. It's the longest stated coverage in this comparison, beating the Badger 5's 2 years. The body is reasonable for space too, 12.1 in tall and 10 lb, second-shortest here after the Badger 5.

The reservation is availability. Only one seller lists this unit, the fewest of any pick, so a warranty claim or replacement could be harder to fulfill than with the widely stocked Badgers. It also sits in the upper price range. If broad support and a household-name brand matter more than a longer warranty, the Badger 5 is the safer bet.

Pros:

• Longest warranty here at 3 years
• Second-shortest body at 12.1 in
• Light at 10 lb
• 3-stage grinding claim for tough waste

Cons:

• Only one seller lists it
• Upper price range
• Less proven brand than InSinkErator

How much horsepower do you really need?

Horsepower is where buyers overspend. More power grinds tougher waste, but it also usually means a taller, pricier body. Match the motor to your cooking, not to the biggest number.

Here's the rough map across this set:

• 1/3 HP (Waste King L-111): soft scraps, peels, coffee grounds. Light households.
• 1/2 HP (Badger 5, Moen Prep, PROSELECT5): everyday cooking, most families. The sweet spot.
• 3/4 HP (Badger 5XP): daily heavy use, fibrous or tough scraps.

Most kitchens land squarely in the 1/2 HP tier. That's why the Badger 5 wins overall: it delivers the middle power level in the shortest body. Only jump to the 5XP's 3/4 HP if you genuinely grind hard waste often. And only drop to the L-111's 1/3 HP if your kitchen sees light traffic and price is the deciding factor.

What the listings leave out

The published data is strong on size and warranty, but thin in a few spots you should know about before buying.

• Noise. None of these listings publish a decibel figure. Disposal noise varies widely, and no spec here lets you compare it. Plan for that unknown.
• Bowl clearance. Height is listed, but the sink flange adds more drop. Always add a margin below the stated body height.
• Cord vs hardwire. The Badger 5 has no pre-installed cord; the 5XP, Moen and Waste King do. That decides whether you plug in or wire in.
• Grind chamber material. Only some listings name their internal components, so cross-model durability is hard to compare directly.

Read the dimensions as your firm ground and treat the feature bullets as the manufacturer's pitch. When a spec you need isn't listed, assume you'll have to confirm it yourself before install day.

When a different pick wins

The Badger 5 is the default, but three clear conditions flip the recommendation.

1. If you grind tough scraps daily, the Badger 5XP wins. Its 3/4 HP motor is the strongest here, and at 5 lb it's still easy to mount despite the extra 1.1 in of height.
2. If price is the hard limit, the Waste King L-111 wins. It's the cheapest and narrowest at 5.25 in, and a light kitchen won't miss the extra horsepower.
3. If you want the longest warranty, the Mountain Plumbing PROSELECT5 wins with 3 years, provided you're comfortable that only one seller stocks it.

And if you're replacing an unknown old unit, the Moen Prep's cross-brand, pre-corded design saves the most hassle, so long as your cabinet clears its 14.8 in height.

The verdict

The best space saving garbage disposal is the InSinkErator Badger 5. It's the shortest unit here at 11.5 in, it runs the 1/2 HP motor most kitchens actually need, and it comes from the brand more common in US homes than any rival. The 2-year in-home warranty covers parts and labor, and the price sits comfortably mid-pack. For the widest range of single-sink kitchens, it's the sensible default.

Two conditions flip that call. If you cook hard and grind tough scraps every day, the Badger 5XP is worth the step up: its 3/4 HP motor is the strongest in this comparison and, at 5 lb, it's actually the easiest to lift into place, though it's 1.1 in taller. If your budget is fixed and your kitchen is light-duty, the Waste King L-111 is the cheapest and narrowest pick at 5.25 in wide, and it arrives with a cord ready to plug in.

The runner-up's exact advantage over the winner is power, not fit. The 5XP grinds harder; the Badger 5 fits more cabinets. Measure your under-sink height, judge your cooking, and pick on that.

FAQ

Is a space saving garbage disposal worth it over a full-size unit?

A space saving garbage disposal is worth it when cabinet clearance is tight or you store bulky items under the sink. The Badger 5 stands just 11.5 in tall, freeing shelf space a taller unit blocks. If your cabinet is deep and empty, the space gain matters less, and you can weigh power over footprint instead.

How much does the cheapest pick here cost to run compared to the others?

The cheapest pick here, the Waste King L-111, uses a 1/3 HP, 1,900 RPM motor, the smallest in this group, so it draws less power per grind than the 3/4 HP Badger 5XP. Running cost isn't published for any unit, so treat lower horsepower as generally lower draw. For light kitchens, the L-111's smaller motor is efficient enough.

Does the Badger 5 or the Badger 5XP grind better?

The Badger 5 versus the Badger 5XP comes down to power. The 5XP runs a 3/4 HP motor against the Badger 5's 1/2 HP, so it grinds tougher waste with more margin. The 5XP is also lighter at 5 lb but taller at 12.6 in. For everyday scraps the Badger 5 is plenty; for daily heavy use, choose the 5XP.

Will a compact disposal fit under any kitchen sink?

A compact disposal fits under most sinks, but not automatically any of them. Height is the deciding figure. These range from the Badger 5 at 11.5 in to the Moen Prep at 14.8 in, a 3.3 in spread. Measure your clear internal cabinet height, then add margin for the flange drop before you commit to a model.

What is the biggest mistake buyers make choosing a garbage disposal?

The biggest mistake buyers make is overspending on horsepower they'll never use. A 3/4 HP motor sounds better, but most kitchens run fine on 1/2 HP, and the bigger motor often means a taller, costlier body. Match power to how you actually cook. The Badger 5's 1/2 HP handles everyday scraps in the shortest body here.

Start by measuring the clear height inside your under-sink cabinet, because that single number rules out or confirms every unit on this page. If it clears 11.5 in with a margin, the Badger 5 is the pick that gives back the most shelf space while still running the 1/2 HP motor most kitchens need. Its long-standing brand and in-home warranty make it the low-risk choice, and the shorter body is the reason it edges out heavier, taller rivals. Confirm your fit, then order with confidence.

Last updated: September 13, 2026. Product availability re-checked.

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