7 Of The Best Kitchen Sinks (2024 Updated List!)
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There aren’t many kitchen components that are as integral and essential as your kitchen sink. Whether you’re buying your first kitchen sink or doing a remodeling, buying the right one is always a huge investment!
However, with all the options on the market, buying a suitable sink without knowing the right options or what to look for can be a little overwhelming, and that’s where this article hops in for the rescue!
Today, we’ll walk you through brief reviews of the 7 best kitchen sinks in different styles and categories as well as a quick buyer’s guide, so you can pick the one that fits your needs perfectly. Let’s jump right in!
Top 7 Kitchen Sinks Currently On The Market
1. Kraus 30 Inch Kore Kitchen Workstation Sink
- Single bowl design
- Quietest sink on the market
- Made from heavy duty steel
Let’s start with one of the overall best options that you can find out there! Kraus is easily one of the most popular brands when it comes to kitchen sinks and the KWU110-30 Kore is among the brand’s most successful models!
As the name suggests, this one is a complete workstation that will give you a lot more functionality than a simple sink. The unit is made of premium 16 gauge stainless steel with clean-cut corners and an offset drain for the maximum working space in the sink.
The kitchen sink is available in a wide variety of size options that range from 27 inches all the way up to a rare 45 inches for the exceptionally large counters!
We really like that the kitchen sinks come in a wide variety of styles, as you can choose between undermount, drop-in, or farmhouse designs!
All these designs have a top workstation ridge that allows you to place a drying rack or a cutting board over the sink for the maximum utilization of the kitchen’s space! In fact, both of these items are included in the package, along with a grid, strainer, and drain cover.
Pros
- Made from the highest grade of stainless steel
- Comes with a workstation ridge along with a cutting board and a draining rack
- Extremely easy to clean and maintain
- Available in a variety of sizes and designs
Cons
- A bit pricey for a stainless steel sink
2. BLANCO Diamond Silgranit Double Bowl Kitchen Sink
- 60/40 bowl split
- Made from an extra durable and patented granite material
- Scratch, chip, stain and heat resistant
Blanco is another big name when it comes to kitchen sinks, and they’re known for making some of the best granite sinks on the market.
The Diamond Silgranit kitchen sink comes in a huge variety of color options that utilize the captivating look of matte finishes.
This sink is available in 31 x 21 inches with a double basin design and an offset drain opening. However, it doesn’t come with a drain, so you have to purchase one separately.
The sink is remarkably durable upon heavy use and has a pretty remarkable tolerance against high temperatures. However, like other stone sinks, you need to wipe it daily in order to maintain their beauty.
Pros
- Available in a variety of color options
- Offset drains to increase workspace
- Low-device double basin design for multifunctionality
Cons
- Doesn’t come with drains
3. Kraus Pintura Enameled Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
- Porcelain enamel coating (stainless steel core)
- Extra deep bowl
- Sloped bottom for easy draining
The Kraus Pintura is a true bang for the buck. It has a simple yet impressive design with round edges that makes it super easy to clean and maintain.
The single-bowl undermount sink has a thick 16 gauge stainless steel chassis that is coated with a thick layer of enameling for further protection. It’s remarkably lightweight, so you don’t have to do any cabinet modifications before installing it.
It has a large capacity and depth, which allows it to house all your large pans and pots. Also, it has a gently sloped and sound dampening surface that makes it remarkably quiet while washing the dishes.
Pros
- Durable and resistant to corrosion and chipping
- Easy to install
- Suit all kitchen styles
Cons
- May leave some water stains if not drained and wiped
4. Elkay Quartz Classic Single Bowl Undermount Sink
- Available in many beautiful colors
- Durable and low-maintenance
- Smudge and stain resistant
If you want a simple stone sink that is made of quartz dust, you’re going to love this undermount single bowl sink from Elkay!
The sink is made of premium quartz dust and is relatively thick to retain the sink’s durability and prevent it from producing noises due to clattering dishes and running water.
It’s also resistant to heat for up to 500+ degrees F as well as scratches. Moreover, you can always repair any scratches that it gets with epoxy resin!
The quartz kitchen sink is available in a unique range of colors and has an impressive matte finish that suits contemporary kitchen styles.
Pros
- Highly resistant to heat
- Decently affordable price
- Lightweight and easy to install
- Durable and sleek design
Cons
- Requires frequent maintenance and cleaning
- It may crack over time, but you can easily fix that with epoxy resin
5. Bocchi Classico Apron Front Fireclay Kitchen Sink
- 100% organic and all-natural (fireclay)
- Farmhouse style
- Comes with bottom grid and strainer
If you have a traditional-style kitchen and want to maintain its rustic design, an apron ceramic sink is your way to go!
The Bocchi Classico white kitchen sink is made out of premium fireclay ceramic that is covered with multiple layers of nonporous glaze to make it easy to clean and maintain.
Additionally, it has a nice glossy appearance and comes in various shades of black and white to match your kitchen’s style.
The sink measures 30 inches long and 18 inches wide with a single basin design. It also comes with a protective grid as well as a strainer for added convenience.
Pros
- Excellent for traditional style kitchens
- Unmatched resistance to heat
- Hydrophobic coating to facilitate the cleaning process
Cons
- Ceramic sinks might stain quickly if you don’t regularly dry them
6. Kohler Whitehaven Farmhouse Sink
- Self trimming design
- Durable cast iron material
- Offset drain
If you don’t mind spending a little more to land one of the most durable kitchen sinks on the market, you should consider the Whitehaven Farmhouse Sink from Kohler.
This extremely durable kitchen sink is made of porcelain-enameled cast iron, which gives it an unmatched level of durability all the while making the sink easy to clean.
The sink also comes in a wide range of white shades as well as other colors, including beige and black!
The sink is engineered so that it has a sloping edge that runs towards the offset drain, which helps in keeping the kitchen sink as dry as possible while keeping your workspace uninterrupted.
Pros
- Unrivaled level of durability and sturdiness
- Comes in different shades of white, black, and beige
- Of-center hole placement to extend workspace and prevent pots from blocking the drain
Cons
- Premium price tag
7. Kraus Premier Double Bowl Kitchen Sink
- NoiseDefend Soundproofing technology
- Easy to install
- Commercial grade satin finish
Lastly, if you’re on a budget and looking for a reliable yet affordable kitchen sink, you should consider the KTM32 Premier from Kraus.
This surprisingly inexpensive kitchen sink is made of 18 gauge 304 stainless steel. Although it may not be as thick as Kraus Kore’s 16 gauge, it’s still durable enough to handle daily use without chipping or cracking.
The kitchen sink is 33 inches and comes in a variety of design options, including a single bowl, 50/50 bowl, or a 60/40 bowl, so you can pick the one that suits you the most!
The kitchen sink is completely padded, which helps in dampening vibrations and sounds to keep the sink quiet. It also has rounded corners that make it extremely easy to clean.
Pros
- Ideal for buyers on a budget
- Remarkably quiet with excellent sound dampening design
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- Doesn’t work with laminate counters
Things To Keep In Mind While Shopping For A Kitchen Sink
While shopping for a kitchen sink, there are various aspects that you need to keep in mind in order to land yourself the perfect option for your needs. In this section, we’ll have a quick look at each one of them:
Material
The material of the sink should always be the first thing you need to decide on. Ideally, there are 5 main materials that most modern and traditional style kitchens are made of. So let’s have a quick look at each one of these materials:
1. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is currently the most commonly used material if you want a modern kitchen sink that retains functionality. The sink goes well with all kinds of countertops, including wood, stone, granite, and acrylic!
As a metal, the sink is extremely durable and will resist chipping and scratching. Moreover, stainless steel is also heat resistant and won’t crack due after consistently pouring boiling hot liquids in the sink.
However, thin stainless steel sinks are prone to irreversible dents if a heavy pot slams hard into them. For that reason, you should always opt for 16 or 18 gauge (the lower the gauge, the thicker the metal.
Additionally, premium stainless steel sinks that are made of 300 series (304 or higher) are highly resistant to corrosion. Although they can be a little pricey.
2. Fireclay Ceramic
At one point, ceramic kitchen sinks were the most popular material out there. However, they’re mostly used in traditional-style kitchens nowadays.
Ceramic sinks are made by heating special clay and water at extremely high temperatures and then covering with a layer of glazing material to make the sink non-porous and extremely tough. Depending on the type of glazing, the outer finish can either be glossy or matte.
The most durable type of ceramic is fireclay ceramic, which has an excellent level of heat, corrosion, and chip resistance. However, fireclay ceramic is usually prone to cracking under heavy pressure.
3. Porcelain Enamel Cast Iron
Cast iron sinks remain one of the most durable materials that you can make a kitchen sink out of. This one is made by coating a cast-iron chassis with glass-based glazing, which can be made into a variety of colors.
The material is remarkably heavy, so you typically need to make some reinforcement to the cabinet before installation. While this might seem a little tedious, the outcome is extremely worth it.
For starters, there isn’t any other material that is more durable than cast iron, so you can rest assured that the sink will stand the test of time. Additionally, this type of investment can actually increase the value of your property.
The cast-iron chassis is technically indestructible, although the glazing might get scratched if you use abrasive cleaners and chemicals. However, you can always re-glaze the enamel with enamel restoration kits.
4. Porcelain Enamel Stainless Steel
This one is a fairly new approach that uses the same technique followed while manufacturing cast iron kitchen sinks. However, in this case, the iron chassis is replaced with a stainless steel one.
Similar to porcelain enamel cast iron, this one is a great balance between the advantages and the drawbacks of cast iron.
For instance, it weighs significantly less than cast iron, so you typically won’t have to reinforce the cabinets in order to house one. Additionally, they’re much more affordable than cast iron kitchen sinks and would typically save you up to 50% of the price!
Stainless steel is also great at resisting corrosion, so it’s going to last for years. However, since the outer element is the same and stainless steel is less durable, this one is prone to corrosion by harsh chemicals and heavy impacts.
5. Stone
Another popular approach while making kitchen sinks is stone-based materials. These can be granite composite or quartz.
These are made by blending acrylic resins with various types of stone dust to create a material that can be molded into a sink then hardened by heat.
They’re fairly durable but can easily chip and scratch. Luckily, you can use epoxy resin to repair these scratches, even if you’re not a professional. The most impressive thing about stone sinks is the impressive matte finish.
Sink Design
The design of the sink is also a major aspect you need to keep in mind. Here are the three most popular sink designs on the market, so you can pick the one you’re looking for:
- Farmhouse “Apron Sinks”: One of the most popular types of sinks. The apron in this sink extends beyond the limits of the edge of the counter because. Ideal for traditional styles and sophisticated tastes.
- Undermount: These look extremely sleek, as they’re installed from under the cabinet. This design also makes them incredibly easy to clean because all the liquids and debris are directly pushed into the sink without getting cause to the edge of the sink
- Drop-in: They’re also called topmount kitchen sinks. These are the easiest kitchen sink to install, as the edges of the sink sit directly over the kitchen counter. Despite being remarkably easy, they’re much less practical when compared to undermount sinks.
Single vs. Double Bowl
Next, you should decide whether you want the sink to have single or double basins. Each one of them has its own pros and cons, so let’s check them out
Single
Single basin sinks are extremely common in drop-in and farmhouse sinks. However, they’re extremely rare in undermount ones.
They’re excellent for smaller kitchens with limited size counters, as they use the entire space of the sink for a single basin, which makes it large enough to fit all kinds of pots. However, it lacks multifunctionality when the sink is filled with pots and pans.
Double
Double bowl or double basin sinks are ideal for larger kitchens, as they make the kitchen sink extremely versatile.
For instance, you’ll be able to drain hot water into one basin while washing vegetables or fruits in the other. These sinks can either be equally or unequally split, which are usually called 1.5 bowls or 60/40 bowls.`
Dimensions
The size of the kitchen sink is one of the most essential aspects that you should never ignore. Ideally, you need to measure your counter or your old sink to find out the suitable size option for you.
Ideally, most house kitchens will have sinks that range between 25 to 36 inches long and 15 to 20 inches wide, with few exceptions here and there.
The depth is also an essential aspect that ranges between 8 to 10.5 inches. The deeper the sink, the larger the pots you can leave inside.
Overall Weight
In addition to the dimensions of the sink, you should also keep an eye on the weight of the sink.
The reason why this is extremely essential isn’t only because of how difficult it is to install a heavy one, but also because heavy sinks require counter reinforcements to support the weight.
Ease Of Cleaning
Although the materials remain the main influence on how easy it is to clean the sink, some design aspects can also have a say in this aspect.
For instance, a kitchen sink with round edges will be much easier to clean than sharp edges where debris gets stuck in crevices.
Additionally, a sink with a sloping bottom will drain water effectively, which leaves no water spots that need to be wiped consistently.
Sound Dampening
To avoid the sound of cluttering dishes and water hitting the bottom of the sink, you should opt for a padded sink.
These sinks are great at dampening the sounds and reducing both the noise and vibrations caused while using the sink.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proper way to maintain a kitchen sink?
This depends mainly on the type of kitchen sink in question. However, the key to keep any kitchen sink in a good shape is to wipe it at least once every day with a damp cloth and a drop of mild dish soap or detergent.
What are the installation costs of kitchen sinks?
The costs are usually based on the amount of time needed to install the sink. In most cases, a plumber would need anywhere between 3 to 5 hours to get the sink installed.
Since the average hourly pay for a plumber ranges between $40 to $200, a full kitchen sink installation can range from $120 all the way up to $1,000.
What are the most popular kitchen sink brands?
There are many great brands on the market. However, some of these brands have consistently produced excellent models that earned them an unmatched reputation that put them above the competition. These brands include Kraus, Kohler, Blanco, and Bocchi.
Which type of kitchen sink is the most reliable?
The reliability of a kitchen sink is mainly associated with being easy to clean, relatively quiet, and easy to work with.
Although this may change from one user to another, a lot of homeowners agree that stainless steel kitchens are the most reliable type of sinks.
They’re chip, heat, and corrosion-resistant while requiring low maintenance when compared to other models.
How do I Install the kitchen sink myself?
The process of installation will vary depending on the model. However, this is a rough guide of all the main steps you’ll need to do in order to install one yourself, provided that you have the necessary tools and experience:
1. Mark the sink’s layout depending on its measurements.
2. Cut the counter to fit the kitchen sink.
3. Install the faucet on the sink if necessary.
4. Attach the sink’s strainer using a plumber putty.
5. Run silicone sealant around the edges of the sink, then let it sit inside its housing.
6. Connect the water supply to the faucet and drain pipes to the sink’s drain(s).
7. Use a deck plate to cover up any extra faucet holes.
Wrap Up
With that said, this best kitchen sinks guide comes to an end. With all this information at your hand, you should be able to decide on the most suitable kitchen sink for your needs.
Before deciding on a sink, it’s essential to study all the potential options and make a shortlist of the most suitable ones for your needs.
If you’re looking for a decent all-around option, we recommend Kraus KWU110-30 Kore Kitchen Workstation Sink because it combines durability, sleek design, functionality, all the while coming at a reasonable price.
However, if you don’t mind spending a little more to land the most durable investment out there, you might want to go for the KOHLER K-6489-0 Whitehaven Farmhouse Sink. This cast iron kitchen sink is resistant to scratches, chips, heat, and all kinds of heavy use!
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