Best Stainless Steel Sinks:
10 Quality Designs for 2019

Whether you’ve recently remodeled your kitchen or are simply looking to update the look of your current kitchen, a stainless steel sink is the perfect addition. With a number of different sinks available from various manufacturers, it can be hard to decide on the perfect one for your home’s needs.

To combat the analysis paralysis, we’ve scoured the market and created this best stainless steel sinks article, which lists the top units for the various types of installation. Just below, you’ll find a quick comparison chart of each unit, and below that a review for each individual unit.

Stainless Steel Sink Comparison Chart

1. Kraus Undermount Kitchen Sink (KHU100-32) – Editor’s Choice 2019/Top Undermount Pick

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The Rundown

Despite its relative newness in the bath and kitchen appliance industry, Kraus puts out high quality and well-designed products. The company was founded in 2007 and is currently a rising star in the home appliance industry. They focus on kitchen and bath products, such as faucets and sinks. Kraus is based out of New York state, but has over 100,000 square-feet of warehouse space around the country, which ensures that you will receive your purchase in a timely manner. For each of their products, Kraus aims to combine quality, beauty, and affordability.

Kraus’ stainless-steel undermount kitchen sink (KHU100-32) exemplifies the way they combine quality and affordability in their products. In addition to the heavy-duty stainless-steel exterior, each KHU100-32 comes with a limited lifetime warranty, free kitchen accessories, and Kraus’ patented sound-proofing technology. All of these features—plus the versatile look of the sink—contribute to our decision to make it top pick for this category.

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Specifications

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• Dimensions: 32 x 19 x 10 in.
• Weight: 26 lbs.
• Minimum cabinet size: 36 in.
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime
• Material type: Extra thick 16-gauge stainless steel
• Drain opening: 3.5 in.
• Drain position: Rear
• Mounting options: 1 (undermount)

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Pros

• Kraus uses extra thick stainless-steel (and include a 18/10 Chromium Nickel content), which sets it apart from the other stainless-steel sinks on the market. The added thickness increases the durability and endurance of the sink.
• Stainless-steel sinks can be quite loud. To combat this Kraus uses their own proprietary sound dampening technology (NoiseDefend Soundproofing) to keep the sink user friendly and quiet.
• When you purchase the KHU100-32 you will receive more than just a sink. Kraus provides free kitchen accessories like a solid stainless-steel bottom grid, 3-piece basket strainer, and 100% cotton dish towel.
• Kraus believes so much in their product that they provide a limited Lifetime Warranty for all of their sinks, which guarantees your satisfaction with the product.

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Cons

• The KHU100-32 is not a divided sink, which for some people will not be a problem. That being said, if you are in the market for a divided sink, this may not be the one for you.
• There have been a few complaints that the large size of the sink coupled with the angle of the bottom makes it hard for waste to drain on its own.

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The Bottom Line

With the KHU100-32 Kraus has fulfilled their three goals of quality, creativity, and design. The high standards of the stainless-steel make it an extremely desirable and durable appliance. Additionally, the deep basin and rear-set drain allow for maximum functionality. At its reasonable price-point, you cannot get a better stainless-steel sink, which makes the KHU100-32 our editor’s top pick.

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2. Ruvati Overmount Kitchen Sink (RVH8000) – Top Overmount Pick

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The Rundown

Ruvati is another relative newcomer to the kitchen and bath appliance scene. They were founded in 2009 in order to provide consumers affordable and high-end bath and kitchen fixtures: two qualities that rarely appear together in this market. Ruvati is also committed to creating environmentally conscious products. All of their fixtures are eco-friendly, and they use sustainable business practices in sourcing their materials. In order to prove to their consumers that they provide the best products, Ruvati partners with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). An IAMPO certification represents a stamp of approval from North American’s highest plumbing organization, and so indicates Ruvati’s high standards.

Ruvati’s overmount kitchen sink, the RVH8000, illustrates the care they put into all of their products, as, for starters, it’s made out of premium stainless-steel (16-gauge 304 with a 18/10 chromium to nickel ratio). It is the largest sink discussed in this review, and has zero radius inside corners. Having sharp corners gives the RVH8000 a more modern look, which allows this sink to fit into any trendy kitchen design. Ruvati offers other dimensions of the RVH8000 as well, such as 15 x 15 x 9 or 25 x 22 x 10. Thus, if you want a well-designed modern stainless-steel sink that’s easy to maintain, you can purchase one from the RVH8000 line, even if your kitchen is not large enough to hold the one described here.

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Specifications

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• Dimensions: 33 x 21 x 10 in.
• Weight: 50 lbs.
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime
• Material type: 16-gauge T-304 stainless steel
• Drain opening: 3.5 in.
• Mounting options: 1 (overmount)

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Pros

• The look of the RVH8000 sets this sink apart from its competitors. The zero-radius sharp corners create a modern, industrial look perfect for the trendiest kitchens.
• With your purchase of the RVH8000 will receive your sink, a cut-out template to aid in installation, a rinse grid, and a basket strainer.
• Ruvati backs up all of their stainless-steel sinks with a limited lifetime warranty, which guarantees your satisfaction with the product.
• Most note the ease with which the RVH8000 installs in their kitchen. You don’t need to be a plumber to work with this sink.

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Cons

• Just as with the KHU100-32, the RVH8000 is a large single bowl sink, which can make draining waste into the disposal hard without a faucet sprayer.
• At 50 lbs. the RVH8000 is the second heaviest sink on our Best Stainless Steel Sinks article. The weight allows the sink to fit securely in your cabinet, but it can also be hard to handle when installing.

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The Bottom Line

Ruvati provides a close second to our top pick for stainless-steel sink. The RVH8000 does everything well, just not as well as Kraus’ KHU100-32. The stainless-steel is not as thick and the sound-proofing not as functional on the Ruvati as on the Kraus. However, this is still an extremely well-made sink, which will give you a lot for your money.

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3. Frigidaire Undermount Kitchen Sink (FPDP3219-D10) – Undermount Runner-Up

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The Rundown

Of the three companies discussed in this review, Frigidaire is by far the oldest. In fact, Frigidaire has been a part of American culture for so long that most scholars believe the slang word “frig” comes from Frigidaire’s name. The company began in 1916, and focused on refrigerated products. In 1916 they offered the first self-contained refrigerator. For a company just over a hundred years old, it is not surprising that Frigidaire has had multiple owners. The were owned by General Motors from 1919-1979, then were bought by the White Sewing Machine Company in 1979. In 1986 Electrolux bought the White Sewing Machine Company. Electrolux is Frigidaire’s current parent company.

Frigidaire aims to create great appliances that help people make good food together. Their undermount kitchen sink, FPDP3219-D10, lives up to this promise. It is a good-sized sink made out some of the best materials. When you buy a Frigidaire appliance you have the advantage of knowing that you will receive a high quality and affordable product.

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Specifications

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• Dimensions: 31.5 x 18.5 x 10 in.
• Weight: 40 lbs.
• Minimum cabinet size: 36 in.
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Material type: 16-gauge T-304 stainless steel
• Drain opening: 3.5 in.
• Drain position: Rear
• Mounting options: 1 (undermount)

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Pros

• Frigidaire provides a handcrafted commercial grade stainless-steel sink with the FPDP3219-D10. The high quality of workmanship guarantees a durable and long-last sink.
• Frigidaire also has patented a technology called V-Therm Shield, which proports to keep your water hot longer and dampen the sound of the sink.
• Frigidaire provides a lifetime guarantee for the FPDP3219-D10.
• Frigidaire follows Kraus and Ruvati’s lead and gives free kitchen accessories with a purchase of their sink. Along with the sink, you will receive dishwasher safe bottom grids with removable feet, a sink strainer with a basket, and a roll-up dish drying rack.

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Cons

• As is becoming a trend with the single-barrel sinks, users have reported problems with the FPDP3219-D10 draining. They claim that the bottom of the sink is quite flat, which makes getting waste to the drain difficult.

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The Bottom Line

The FPDP3219-D10 provides a needed smaller stainless-steel sink variety to this stainless steel sink reviews list. For those people that need an excellent smaller sink but don’t want to sacrifice looks or value, then this is the sink for you. Frigidaire’s high-quality materials, high-level workmanship, and lifetime warranty guarantees that you will be satisfied with your purchase.

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4. Kraus Farmhouse Kitchen Sink (KHF200-33) – Top Farmhouse Pick

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The Rundown

Despite being such a young company, Kraus—which was founded in 2007 as was previously discussed—has risen to prominence in the kitchen and bathroom appliance industry. Funny enough, before having done the research, we believed Kraus had been around for a much longer amount of time. Also discussed above, the company strives to create affordable, stylish, and quality products. Their handmade sinks and faucets ship from all over the United States, which means less time waiting for your purchase to arrive.

The stainless-steel sinks KHU100-32—discussed above—and KHF200-33 demonstrate the desirability of Kraus’ products. Both kitchen sinks are similar in design (they are a single basin, square, industrial-looking models) and quality (they are made from 16-gauge T-304 stainless steel). However, there are some important differences that set these two sinks apart. First of all, the KHF200-33 has three different mounting options (undermount, flushmount, or topmount) while the KHU100-32 only mounts under your cabinets. This increase in flexibility can be important for some buyers, but is pricier than some of the other options listed. This increase in price, and the lack of some items that come standard with the KHU100-32, put this sink below its brother in terms of desirability and cost-effectiveness.

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Specifications

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• Dimensions: 20.75 x 32.9 x 10 in.
• Weight: 53.6 lbs.
• Minimum cabinet size: 33 in.
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime
• Material type: 16-gauge T-304 stainless steel
• Drain opening: 3.5 in.
• Drain position: rear
• Mounting options: 3 (undermount, flushmount, and topmount)

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Pros

• Sound insulated with thick rubber dampening pads and stone guard undercoating helps makes this sink extremely quiet to use.
• The KHF200-33 is the most versatile stainless-steel sink on our stainless steel sink reviews article. It can be mounted under, over, or flush with your cabinets.
• As with the KHU100-32, with the KHF200-33, Kraus guarantees their quality with a limited lifetime warranty and handcrafted sink.
• They also provide a basket strainer drain assembly and stainless-steel bottom grid with the purchase of the sink.

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Cons

• The KHF200-33 is the heaviest sink on this list, measuring at a whopping 53.6 lbs. The weight does help with sturdiness, but could make navigating it into place difficult.
• And speaking of installation problem: some users indicate that the sink is quite hard to install as Kraus does not include the installation hardware.

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The Bottom Line

With the KHF200-33 Kraus has again created an impressive and durable stainless-steel sink. However, the weight, lack of installation hardware, and higher price make this product a less attractive option than its brother. Yet, if you need versatile mounting options and high-quality workmanship, then the KHF200-33 is perfect for you.

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Buying Guide

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In this buying guide, we’ll discuss the specs you should look for, offer tips on installation and maintenance, and walk you through some common questions.

Stainless Steel: A Mix of Metals

Knowing a little background about stainless steel can give you a big leg up when choosing a new sink. Despite the name, stainless steel isn’t 100% steel. Other metals like chromium, nickel, and aluminum might be added in to help resist rust and corrosion.

Stainless steel has a few properties that make it well suited for the kitchen. It’s easy to clean, rarely stains, is durable, and doesn’t conduct heat and electricity as well as other metals. Finally, its sleek appearance makes it a stylish choice for most kitchens, and it’s comparably affordable.

Gauge: Stainless Steel Thickness

When looking at stainless steel sinks, you’ll come across the term ‘gauge’. Gauge describes the thickness of the material used and is usually on a scale from 16 to 23. The lower the number, the thicker the metal.

Finish Style: Appearance & Durability

Choosing the finish type of your sink can change its appearance and some of its functionality. Stainless steel sinks can usually come in a range of finishes, including brushed, matte, satin, textured, and mirrored finish.

Satin and brushed finishes are shiny but forgiving when it comes to stains and water spots, making them a popular choice. Mirrored or polishes are extra shiny and lustrous but require regular cleaning to keep this appearance. Brushed sinks are duller but hide scratches and damage well, and textured sinks can give an industrial look.

Sink Specs

Number of Basins

Depending on the way you use your sink – you might prefer one that has one, two, or even three basins. The basins are parts of the sink that are partitioned for different uses. For example, you might prefer to clean dishes in one basin and produce in the other. If you use a lot of large cooking pots and pans, it might be easier to wash them if you only have one basin. Finally, if you air-dry your dishes, you might want an area to place dishes after washing.

Number of Holes

Another spec to consider for kitchen sinks are the number of holes built in. A faucet with a built in handle usually has one hole. Faucets with separate handles usually have two or three holes. There are also four-hole sinks to accommodate extra accessories like a soap dispenser or water sprayer.

If you like a sink, but it has too many holes, look for ones that come with a decorative covering (called an escutcheon) to hide them. However, it’s important not to buy a sink with too few holes. Drilling new holes is more time and trouble than it’s worth.

Mounting

Finally, it’s time to decide what type of mounting you’d like to have: drop-in, recessed, dual-mount, or farmhouse style.

Drop-in sinks (also called top mounts and self-rimming) are ‘dropped into’ your countertop. They include a finished edge and are easy to install.

Another type are recessed sinks, also called undermounts. These sinks are mounted from underneath the counter, giving a sleeker and more seamless look to your countertop. Because they need to be carefully attached to your counter, it’s best to leave this to a professional installer.

If you’re not sure which of these two you’d prefer – you can always opt for a dual mount sink. Dual mount sinks can be installed as either drop-in or recessed. If you’re in the process of remodeling your kitchen, you can decide on mounting style later with this versatile option.

Finally, there’s the rustic farmhouse style mounting, also called an apron front. These sinks are installed so that the front of the sink is still exposed. This style of mounting isn’t common for stainless steel sinks, but it’s an option you might want to consider. This mount will require a professional builder, since you’ll need specially designed countertops and cabinets to accommodate this style.

Installation & Maintenance

Once you choose your preferred sink, its time to install it and maintain it well.

Installation Guide: Drop-in Sinks

Since drop-in sinks are the most common DIY mount, here are some brief instructions on how to install this style. If you have a garbage disposal or dishwasher, you may encounter some extra steps. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on removing and reinstalling those appliances.

1. Once you’ve removed your old sink, make sure the countertop and pipes are clean before installing your new one.
2. Attach the sink clips and turn them inward towards the basins.
3. Next, attach the faucet and any other accessories into the sink holes.
4. Protect your sink from leaks by adding plumber putty around the drain strainer. Add rubber gaskets to the underside of your sink drain.
5. Add some sealant around the edges of your sink and carefully lower your sink into your countertop.
6. From below the sink, screw in your sink clips and tighten.
7. Reattach the supply lines, being careful not to strip or overtighten.
8. Apply a final sealant to the edges of your sink.
9. Check for any leaks and address them.

Maintaining Your New Sink

Although stainless steel is durable, it’s still best to avoid harsh cleaners on your sink. Baking soda, lemon, and vinegar work wonders for keeping your sink sparkly clean.

To do this natural and chemical-free clean up, start by sprinkling baking soda all over your sink. Using a cloth or sponge, work your way from the sides to the drain and give everything a good scrub. If you have a lemon, you cut it in half and use it to continue to rub in the baking soda. Finally, pour just enough vinegar to dissolve the baking soda. Give your sink and final rinse to finish.

The Top-Quality Brands for Kitchen Sinks

Our top three brand picks for stainless steel sinks are Kraus, Ruvati, and Frigidaire.

Although Kraus is a newer brand, it specializes in sink and bath finishing. They do a beautiful job ensuring their products have modern designs as well as long-lasting functionality.

Ruvati specializes in kitchen sinks. They manufacture in the United States, Europe, and Asia – ensuring high-quality production control. Their designs are sleek, functional, and are specially designed for the versatile home chef.

Frigidaire is an expert in all things kitchen. They offer water and air filters as well as common appliances, accessories, and finishing. If you’re looking to replace more than just your kitchen sink, we’d recommend browsing the range of options they have available.

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FAQ

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What is The Best Gauge for a Stainless Steel Sink?

Anywhere from 18-22 works well for the home, but 18 or lower might be preferred for commercial or heavy-duty spaces. Although high-gauged are thinner, they still stand the test of time. Lower gauged sinks tend to be more expensive but are less likely to dent.

What Are the Best Brands for Stainless Steel Sinks?

We think one of the best brands for stainless steel sinks is currently Kraus. Their designs are sleek and modern, but also durable and high-performance. They’re a great choice for any home looking to upgrade their kitchen or undergoing a full renovation.

What Are the Best Materials for A Kitchen Sink?

There’s a reason stainless steel sinks are so popular. They’re timeless, durable, and cost-effective choices for almost any home kitchen. However, if you want your kitchen sink to make a statement, you might prefer opting for materials other than stainless steel.

Granite and Quartz composite sinks look modern and are quite durable. They’re made up of 80% granite (or 80% quartz) and 20% of a resin and color mix. They also don’t show water marks and scratch the same way stainless steel does. Choose from a range of beautiful colors like gray, brown, white, black, and more.

Do Stainless Steel Sinks Scratch Easily?

Overall, stainless steel sinks are durable for the long-term. However, they do tend to scratch easier than other materials. Over time, dropping utensils, dragging plates, and other everyday wear and tear can take some of the shine out of your sink.

Thankfully, there are a few ways you can buff out the damage. One quick fix is to put a small amount of olive oil on a napkin and rub your sink with it. You can also use non-abrasive pads to rub your sink along the grain to decrease the appearance of scratches.

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Conclusion

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As stainless-steel has become a more popular option for kitchen sinks, the options on the market have increased exponentially. It can be quite overwhelming for the first-time sink buyer and the experienced shopper alike. Here we’ve given you four of our top picks of stainless steel sinks. We’ve tried to balance affordability, quality, and design in our decision.

What sink you choose will ultimately come down to your own needs and preferences. However, here a just a couple of things to keep in mind while you shop.

• First, know the material you are looking for and its quality rating. We’ve made this easy for you here since all four sinks are made of the most desirable 6-gauge, T-304 stainless steel.
• Second, make to know what dimensions will fit into your kitchen. It might be tempting to buy the largest sink you can find, but if it doesn’t fit into your kitchen, then it is not going to work for you.
• Third, consider your style preferences. If you prefer an old-fashioned look then a modern industrial sink like the Ruvati RVH8000 will look out of place.

Ultimately, you should attempt to balance you budget with your wants and needs. We recommend looking at as many sinks as you can before making your final purchase.

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