Top 5 Best Kitchen Sinks – Reviews and Buying Guide
Designing a kitchen or revamping it to upgrade its appearance and functionality remains a pretty challenging task on its own. Add to it the burden of finding contemporary, resourceful yet economical kitchen fixtures and you’re probably looking at days of haphazard and futile groundwork. To help you avoid such pitiful instances, we do the work for you.
In today’s article, we’re going to be discussing about kitchen sinks; more specifically, about kitchen sinks from Vigo Industries. Vigo largely concentrates on stainless steel sinks unlike more diverse sink collections from brands like Elkay and Blanco. These too are however limited to stainless steel and Granite. If you’d like to extend your research to other materials and sink configurations, you might also want to check our copper sink reviews and farmhouse sink reviews.
Vigo kitchen sinks are popular among homemakers for their functional designs, durability, generous assurance periods and of course, highly competitive pricing. In this Vigo kitchen sink review, we’ve made sure to elaborate relevant aspects in relation to their products so that you know beforehand, what would be a realistic expectation if you opt for a Vigo Industries’ sink as your next kitchen sink upgrade.
Our Top 5 Picks (Comparison)
Best Kitchen Sink Reviews
1. Kraus 30-inch Single Bowl Undermount Kitchen Sink – Best Undermount Sink
The KHU100 undermount kitchen sink features an aesthetically appealing look while it also provides very efficient functionality. The exterior dimensions of this sink being 30” (length) x 18” (width) x 10” (depth), it provides adequate space to accommodate all your oversized cookware, platters and cutlery. Furthermore, this stainless steel sink easily contains splashing of water owing to the generous depth.
The sink is constructed out of grade T-304 steel that possesses commendable anti corrosive properties. Adding to that, T-304 stainless steel also imparts a high degree of resilience towards dents and fissures. You also need not worry about sharp cookware edges scratching the base of your sink as the stainless-steel grid (included in accessories) guards it.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 21.1 pounds |
| Finish | Satin |
| Depth | 10 inch |
| Included Components | Bottom Grid, Basket strainer, Kitchen towel |
2. Ruvati 32-inch Single Bowl Undermount Kitchen Sink – Best Workstation Kitchen Sink
The RVH8300 is a convertible Undermount kitchen sink that can be completely transformed into a workspace using the complementary accessories included in your purchase. The accessories include a wooden chopping board, a perforated stainless-steel colander and a roll -up rack that can be used to drain off dripping water and dry dishes. All of the three adjuncts can easily slide over the ledges provided on the front and back walls of the sink.
The Ruvati RVH8300 kitchen sink extends for a length of 32 inches and width of 19 inches (exterior dimensions) providing ample space to harbour all your pots and pans. Furthermore, 10 inches of depth ensures complete submergence. I reckon, you’d have sufficient clearance to work hassle-free even after stuffing all your night’s utensils at once.
The RVH8300 too is made out of grade T-304 stainless steel. So, the sink is inherently resistant to staining and corrosion. The sink design exhibits sharp inside edges with zero radius curvature unlike the Kraus KHU100.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 48.3 pounds |
| Finish | Brushed |
| Depth | 10 inch |
| Included Components | Stainless steel colander, Sink, Wood cutting board, Mounting brackets, Basket strainer, Rinse grid, Cut-out template |
3. Kraus 33-inch Farmhouse Double Bowl Kitchen Sink – Best Farmhouse Kitchen Sink
This farmhouse kitchen sink from Kraus offers much more than just appealing looks. It being constructed from 16-guage T-304 grade stainless steel, add durability and dent-resistance to the list alongside sheer elegance.
Besides, double bowl kitchen sinks are always more functional than single bowl alternatives. But, if for some reason, you’d prefer a single bowl farmhouse kitchen sink, this range from Kraus has multiple variants at your disposal.
The sink is 32.9 inches in length and 20.75 inches in width. So, you need a cabinet size of at least 33 inches for it to seamlessly fit in. It is however only advisable to consider installing a farmhouse kitchen sink when you’re redesigning or remodelling your kitchen. The reason being it often takes custom cabinet sizes to ensure accurate installation.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 46.2 pounds |
| Finish | Satin |
| Depth | 10 inch |
| Included Components | Kitchen Towel, Two Bottom Grids, Assembly Strainer, Basket Strainer, Kitchen Sink |
4. Ruvati 33-inch Single Bowl Top-mount Kitchen Sink – Best Drop In Kitchen Sink
This 33-inch sink displays the perfect blend of build quality, aesthetics and functionality. The sink’s exterior dimensions being 33 inches x 22 inches, everything from oversized pots and pans to full sized platters fit in easily. A vertical space of 10 inches ensures that you have sufficient clearance to work with.
Furthermore, the sink has a commercial grade brushed finish which is more resilient than the generic satin finish. Also, a brushed finish gives the sink a matching look to your other kitchen appliances. The sink base is coated with a thick rubber padding to ensure minimal noise production. This drop-in kitchen sink sports zero radius sharp edges giving it a sleek modern look.
This provision however compromises reach to the sharp edges and acute corners. Moving ahead, the base of the sink is designed with grooves declined towards the 3.5-inch drain opening to facilitate drainage. The base is further protected from scratches by a stainless-steel grid like we’d expect.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 50 pounds |
| Finish | Brushed |
| Depth | 10 inch |
| Included Components | Sink, Basket strainer, Cut-out template, Rinse grid |
5. ZUHNE 30-inch Single Bowl Undermount Kitchen Sink – Best Customer Review
This Undermount kitchen sink form ZUHNE is very reasonably priced when compared to similar models from other brands. Besides, it also comes with extra handy accessories including a perforated colander, sponge holder, drain strainer and a stopper. The colander, however, rests over your counter unlike in the Ruvati RVH8300 where it had dedicated ledges.
ZUHNE Modena Undermount kitchen sink is fabricated form 16-guage T-304 grade stainless steel as favoured by users. The sink further has a brushed satin finish for it to be easy to clean.
Also, this finish renders the basin a matching look with a luxury kitchen faucet and other stainless-steel appliances. In line with the expectations, the kitchen sink comes with a stainless-steel grid that protects the bottom of the sink from scratches.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 32 pounds |
| Finish | Brushed |
| Depth | 10 inch |
| Included Components | 2pc Over-sink Colander Set, Suction Sponge Holder Caddy, Scratch Protector Grate, Drain Strainer with Lid, Mounting Clips and Cutout Template |
Kitchen Sink Buying Guide
If you’re reading this, I’ll presume you’re a bit skeptical regarding the new kitchen sink that you’re about to buy. Also, I think you’d expect me to share all the critical information you should consider before buying the best kitchen sink. Well, that’s exactly what’s about to down! Further ahead, I dissect all the factors that make a kitchen sink worth considering for evaluation.
Give it a thorough read and I believe, you’d be able to crack the code for yourself. For your reference, I’ve also listed 5 of my personal best picks that are the absolute prime in their respective categories. Check them out once you’re through. Here’s everything you need to know before buying a kitchen sink. So, without wasting a minute, let’s make it an easy job for you!
I. Types of Kitchen Sinks
As you might be already aware, kitchen sinks come in different shapes, sizes and materials. We’ve broadly categorized them into the following two categories.
A. Based on Installation Method
1. Undermount Kitchen Sink
- There’s no rim between the countertop and the sink. So, you can directly wipe small crumbs off your counter into the sink without worrying about anything getting caught up under the rim.
- An undermount kitchen sink offers a sophisticated look to your kitchen owing to the seamless continuity from the countertop to the sink bottom.
- An undermount sink is harder to install as compared to drop-in kitchen sinks
- These are often a bit more expensive than top-mount sinks with similar configurations
As the name suggests, an undermount kitchen sink is installed from beneath the counter. Meaning, it is bolted to the under surface of the counter with the help of washers and nuts provided along with your purchase. Due to such installation, the countertop runs in perfect continuation with the sink walls. Installing an undermount kitchen sink is a bit laborious than a drop-in kitchen sink (discussed later).
However, an undermount kitchen sink adds a seamless touch to your counter. People are generally inclined towards this type owing to the sheer elegance it provides to the kitchen. A variety of materials can be used to manufacture undermount kitchen sinks. These include stainless steel, copper, composite granite and fireclay. Also, these are available as single and double bowl sinks.
Undermount sinks work great with waterproof countertops like granite and marble. However, these are not recommended with laminate countertops. Reason being the edge between the countertop and sink is exposed to water spillage and hence prone to water induced damage. You can read the pros and cons of Undermount kitchen sinks.
2. Drop-in Kitchen Sink
- Top-mount kitchen sinks cost less in the first place and also involve less labour charges owing to easy installation
- Installing a top-mount kitchen sink might as well become an interesting DIY project for you
- If at all, you need to change your kitchen sink, a top-mount sink can be easily replaced without altering the counter cut-out.
The counter residues get caught up under the sink rim and develop into gunk over time
Drop-in sinks are also popularly known as top-mount sinks. A top-mount sink has a clearly visible rim along the periphery of the sink that rests flat on the counter. Installing a drop-in kitchen sink includes very little manual labour unlike in the case of undermount sinks. It merely includes dropping the sink into the countertop cut-out and clamping the rims with the counter using the metal clips.
Cleaning the counter for crumbed residues may bother you here. Such tiny bits of gunk generally get caught in and around the sink’s rim. This aspect is, however, compensated by the fact that these can be easily installed, are inexpensive and are readily available for modifications.
Have a look at some pros and cons of Drop-in kitchen sinks
3. Farmhouse Kitchen Sink
- A farmhouse sink claims attention. If you want your sink to be the centre of attraction in your kitchen, this is your go-to sink type
- These come in a variety of materials including stainless steel, cast iron, fireclay and copper. Also, you’ll easily find single bowl and double bowl options fairly easily
- Farmhouse sinks are typically installed under the counter, so you can easily wipe residues off the counter directly into the sink
- Apron front sinks are generally pricier than undermount and top-mount variants
- The exposed Apron front is prone to wearing in the long run
Ah! Are we here already? Pardon my drooling tone here, if you notice it, which I’m quite sure you will. I’ll try my best to not over-emphasize and keep it just.
Farmhouse sinks (also popularly known as Apron front sinks) have gained massive admiration owing to the cozy tenderness associated with it’s looks. These symbolically represent the good old country cottages and carry a warm homely feeling. Apron front sinks have been traditionally used for a varied range of purposes including scrubbing pots and pans, washing clothes and bathing babies.
Nothing adds sophisticated elegance to the kitchen like these do. Farmhouse sinks are long enough to accommodate baking trays and sheet pans, deep enough to stack a pile of them and wide enough to easily move things around. The exposed apron front catches the eye in an instant and is sure to be the focus of your kitchen.
Unlike Undermount or top-mount kitchen sinks, Apron front sinks are installed by sliding the sink in the custom gap created in the counter. The weight of the sink is entirely supported by the cabinet beneath. A custom-built cabinetry and countertop are, however, a prerequisite for installing most Apron front kitchen sinks.
There’s this one drawback I’d like to bring your notice. The exposed stainless-steel Apron on the front can get scratched over time due to regular contact with metallic elements at waist level like the Belt buckle.
B. Based on number of Bowls
Just for the sake of mentioning it, there are two prominent types of kitchen sinks based on the number of bowls: Single bowl and double bowl sinks.
1. Single Bowl Kitchen Sink
- Single bowl sinks can easily lodge a pile of dirty dishes, pots and pans along with the cutlery all at once. You’ll still have plenty of space left to work.
- Ideal for small kitchens
- It requires some expertise to wash, rinse and then drain in the same bowl.
Single bowl sinks have a large solitary bowl. Some people prefer this type because of its ability to accommodate large plates and pans easily. These come in a varied range of primary dimension right from around 12 inches to a staggering 33 inches.
As far as you select the right size according to your personal needs, you’d never struggle cleaning baking trays and sheet pans. On the downside, you might have a hard time separating clean dishes from the dirty ones while dishwashing. You might as well need a separate perforated basket to let that excess water drip off of cleaned utensils.
Single bowls are mostly the preferred choice they can house all size of sheets and utensils along with other additions based on your sink. You don’t need to worry about adding other fixtures like a dispenser or a garbage disposal. If you’re planning to get a quiet and functional garbage disposal along with your sink, refer our comprehensive guide for the best garbage disposals for models in ever price range.
2. Double Bowl Kitchen Sink
- If you wash your dishes by hand, a double bowl sink can make your job much more organised.
- You can pile up all your dirty dishes in one bowl while still be able to use the other for food prep tasks
- Individual sink bowls may not be able to accommodate the largest pans amongst your cookware sets
Here, the sink is divided into two separate compartments in 30/70, 40/60 or 50/50 proportions. Some people prefer double bowl sinks because of improved functionality. Dishwashing becomes easier with one bowl containing soapy water for scrubbing and the other containing clean water for rinsing. Moreover, some models come with handy accessories like a drying rack that can be kept over the other bowl to help dry dishes.
Alternatively, you can choose to pile up dirty dishes in one bowl and still have a bowl for tasks like washing your fruits and vegetables. I’d recommend getting a 40/60 or 50/50 double bowl sink if organised dishwashing is your primary concern.
On the downside, people often deduce that individual bowls are not big enough to house sheet pans and other oversized
II. Kitchen Sink Materials
The sink material is directly related to some critical factors when it comes to buying the best kitchen sink. The material of the sink determines its superficial appearance, durability and maintenance requisites. Selecting a material that bestows the right balance of looks and durability is the key to narrowing down your quest.
Following are some of the most prominent sink materials that combine all favourable characteristics in optimal proportions.
1. Stainless Steel
Since its inception, stainless steel has found countless applications in the industrial sector. The alloy has the perfect blend of desirable qualities making it one of the top preferences for manufacturers. Stainless steel sinks as opposed to cast iron, are lighter and rather forgiving on fragile dishes. Below are some factors that make stainless-steel, a preferred option for sink producing brands.
- Corrosion resistance
- Impact resistance
- High strength
- Machinability
- Attractive appearance
- Low maintenance
Owing to these fascinating properties, stainless-steel sinks are the most widely used kitchen sinks all over the globe. On the downside, stainless steel construction can result in noisy sinks owing to the water hitting the sink bottom.
However, leading brands manufacturing stainless-steel sinks correct this issue by wrapping the under-surface with thick sound absorbing pads. Also, sharp cookware can easily scratch through the outer finish. Therefore, most metallic sinks include a stainless-steel grid to protect the sink bottom from scratches.
So, if you opt to go with a stainless-steel sink, make sure, it has some sort of noise deadening mechanism in its design and a protective grid to avoid scratches on the bottom.
2. Granite Stone
Granite is another reliable raw material for manufacturing sinks. Apart from being highly durable, granite sinks go very well with any kitchen décor.
Granite sinks have multiple benefits over metallic sinks including high resilience to scratches, and negligible noise production. Besides, granite stone sinks are available in a huge variety of colours. So, you can choose what goes best with your kitchen background scheme.
You also need not worry about sharp cutlery scratching the sink surface. Furthermore, Granite surface is immune to fingerprints and water marks unlike metallic surfaces. Elkay kitchen sinks are one of the loved options among brands that manufacture composite granite sinks.
For the cons, granite stone sinks are heavier than other materials and are also prone to cracks. It can however be avoided by maintaining conventional behaviour around your sink.
3. Copper
Copper is a softer metal when compared against custom made alloys. It, therefore, becomes important to insist on a thicker gauge if you’ve decided to go for this lustrous look in your kitchen.
Copper sinks are available as single and double bowl sinks in all prominent categories including Undermount, Drop-in and Farmhouse styles. Be it the smooth finish or the hammered finish, both variants carry extraordinary aesthetic appeal.
One clear advantage of owning a copper sink is that it is inherently anti-microbial. So, you got no worries of sterilizing your sink every now and then. Also, copper is a highly malleable metal. So, it can be moulded into desired shapes and sizes fairly easily. You can read our copper sink review to find the best sinks to buy.
Owning a copper sink involves some negatives as well. Smooth finished copper sinks are prone to scratches and dents. Also, copper has a tendency to change colour over time (Copper develops a greenish patina due to oxidation). This is a unique property of copper and users often tend to embrace it rather than mentioning it as a con.
Apart from that, you need to be extra careful while selecting your sink cleaning liquids. Copper is highly sensitive to acid and other harsh chemicals. If used regardless, such chemicals can wear off the patina and expose bright spots on the sink surface. The patina often comes back with time, but it may display a difference in shade with the existing spots.
4. Fireclay
Fireclay sinks are classified under the category of ceramic sinks. These sinks are essentially moulded at extremely high temperatures. Subsequently, the outer surface of the fireclay sink is coated with a porcelain enamel and dried at 2000 °F for as long as 24 hours.
Such manufacturing procedure results in a tough, smooth and a highly durable sink. Although you are assured with a long-lasting service life, there is a limited choice of shapes, colour and finishes in fireclay sinks unlike in the case of granite stone sinks.
The heat-hardened enamel coating bestows the fireclay sink an immunity against scratches. Furthermore, cleaning stains is as easy as wiping the basin with a wet cloth. On the downside, fireclay sinks are heavy and require supervised installation. Also, you need to make sure if your counter can offer the needed support.
5. Cast Iron
Cast iron is a yet another widely used kitchen sink material. Typically, cast iron is coated with a layer of porcelain or enamel to give the sink a smooth and seamless look. People might often confuse these with fireclay sinks because of the similar outer appearance. One point of distinction is that these have a greater variety in shapes and sizes unlike fireclay sinks.
Cast iron is associated with remarkable durability just like stainless-steel. The outer porcelain coating can however suffer damage from impacts.
III. Best Kitchen Sink Brands
You’ll come across a lot of brands that manufacture kitchen sinks. Some have been in the business for years while others trying to take a spot. Regardless, here are the some of the best kitchen sink brands that you must look for, before taking the leap.
1. Kraus Kitchen Sink
Kraus is indeed amongst one of the most established plumbing fixtures brands in the US. They’ve been winning over customers by constantly striving to improve the value their products provide.
Besides being affordable, their kitchen fixtures exhibit a great deal of desirable features. From impeccable designs to durable raw materials, I believe they’ve deciphered the perfect blend. The company covers all its kitchen and bathroom products with a limited lifetime warranty. Furthermore, the brand is well-known for reliable after-sales service and customer support. With over a decade of doing what they do best, they’ve easily secured a spot in my ‘go-to brands’ list.
2. Ruvati Kitchen Sink
Founded in 2009, Ruvati is a tough competitor for the sink producing brands sitting at the top. With Uncompromising quality of their products, they’ve built a solid foundation for the company. Increasing number of sales each year is a clear indication of the “onwards and upwards” mentality of the brand.
Their products combine elegance, functionality and durability in the right ratios. Ruvati offers a limited lifetime warranty on their products further cementing their trustworthiness as a brand.
3. Kohler Kitchen Sink
I can bet good money, you’ve already known this giant all this while or you’ve heard the name a couple of times to the least. KOHLER is a renowned kitchen and bathroom fixtures brand that people trust blindly.
The company is known for its exceptional customer service and limited lifetime warranties on all their products.
4. Blanco Kitchen Sink
I know you’ve been expecting this one. Blanco is a yet another kitchen and bathroom fixtures giant that was founded about a decade ago in Germany and has made its way to US market decades earlier. Blanco values their customer’s trust more than anything. Blanco kitchen sinks are distinguished by their superios material, shape and design.
Moen sinks come with a variety of warranty offers. Some with a 5-year limited, others with 10-year and some with even a limited lifetime warranty.
5. Vigo Kitchen Sink
Vigo like other trusted brands in the US market has been winning over households for decades. The brand’s sheer dedication to provide pristine quality kitchen and bathroom sinks has definitely been acknowledged and the favour been returned with warmth.
Vigo kitchen sinks are characterized elite selection of material, thoughtful design to optimise utility and heft lifetime warranties. Like with any other established kitchen and bathroom fixtures brand, you can rely on the quality and service of this brand without any hesitation.
Conclusion
That’s about everything you need to consider before buying a kitchen sink. I really hope that this comprehensive buying guide helped you in finding the best kitchen sink for your home. I’ll re-emphasize, it’s not about the most lavish materials or the most expensive brand. It’s about figuring out which one adds the most value to your kitchen.
If you’ve come this far, I appreciate you and I sincerely hope your purpose is served. Until next time, keep cooking.
