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It’s hard to beat the sleekness of an undermount kitchen sink. Whether buying new countertops or replacing an old sink that is simply on its way out after many years of service, there are plenty of good reasons to upgrade to a sink that attaches to the underside of the counter. These undermount sinks make cleanup easier, give the counters a more streamlined look, and with so many to choose from, offer stylish options for every kitchen.
You are watching: The Best Undermount Kitchen Sinks of 2023
The trick is knowing how to choose from among the best undermount kitchen sinks. There’s quite a bit to know, and this guide will help explain.
- BEST OVERALL: Kraus Standart Pro 32-Inch Undermount Kitchen Sink
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Glacier Bay Zero Radius Undermount Kitchen Sink
- BEST SINGLE BOWL: Ruvati Roma Workstation Ledge Undermount Kitchen Sink
- BEST DOUBLE BOWL: Kraus Standart Pro Undermount Double Bowl Sink
- BEST TRIPLE BOWL: Ruvati Gravena Triple Bowl Undermount Kitchen Sink
- BEST PORCELAIN: Enbol Porcelain Farmhouse Undermount Kitchen Sink
- BEST COMPOSITE: Kraus Bellucci Workstation Granite Composite Sink
- BEST FIRECLAY: Houzer Fireclay Apron Front Kitchen Sink
- ALSO CONSIDER: Kohler Ballad Undermount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Undermount Kitchen Sink
There’s quite a bit to know about choosing an undermount kitchen sink before making a purchase. Though these sinks may look great in a photo or on display, they must work for the given situation. The following sections will highlight some of the most important considerations to keep in mind when shopping for one of these smooth, streamlined sink solutions for any kitchen.
Dimensions
An undermount kitchen sink, or any kitchen sink for that matter, needs to be large enough to handle all of the tasks it might see. From enabling washing of large pots to collecting dirty dishes during a holiday get-together, kitchen sinks need to offer some volume. For example, choose a kitchen sink that measures at least 27 inches wide, with a depth of at least 7 inches for a main sink—and the deeper, the better. Also, most sinks measure about 18 inches from front to back, allowing them to fit in standard-depth cabinets.
Shape also matters. Most kitchen sinks are rectangular with rounded corners, allowing for a lot of volume and easy cleaning. Others may have “zero-radius” corners, which are almost 90 degrees and look sharp but are more difficult to clean thoroughly. Still yet are the sinks with different-size bowls, curved profiles to allow for larger pots, or even shapes and layouts that fit in corners.
Single Bowl vs. Double Bowl vs. Triple Bowl
One of the most critical decisions undermount kitchen sink shoppers need to consider is how many bowls they want: one, two, or even three. A bowl is a separate space within the sink that contains its own water and has its own drain. Which to choose is a matter of preference:
- One-bowl sinks have large, wide-open basins to fit large pans, cutting boards, and other items easily. However, these sinks are not ideal for handwashing regular plates, as there’s only one basin for collecting, rinsing, washing, soaking, and drying.
- Two-bowl sinks have a divider between them, allowing one side to serve as a collector of dirty dishes while the other side works for washing, soaking, rinsing, or allowing plates to dry. However, two-bowl sinks are not great for washing pots and pans because of each bowl’s limited size.
- Three-bowl sinks typically have a small bowl between two larger bowls on either side. This bowl is ideal for washing hands or rinsing fruits and veggies quickly, but three-bowl sinks don’t offer much room for pots or pans.
Note that some double-bowl sinks have half-height walls or dividers between the bowls. Although these lower dividers limit how much water one bowl can hold before spilling over, they allow for larger pots, pans, and cutting boards to fit in a double-bowl sink.
Material and Color
All kitchen sinks need to be durable, but the best undermount kitchen sinks are all about sleekness and good looks. For these reasons, choosing a sink made of the right material and in a complementing color or finish matters.
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The most common materials for undermount kitchen sinks are stainless steel, porcelain-coated steel, fireclay, and composites. Fireclay is simply a clay material that’s been fire-hardened for durability, while composites are typically resin and stone dust like granite. Quartz is also a popular composite.
Stainless steel kitchen sinks are lightweight, durable, and affordable. Porcelain-coated sinks are heavy-duty and durable options, but they can chip or stain. Fireclay is very durable but can be expensive. Composites such as granite and quartz stone dust are durable but heavy and expensive, and high temperatures may damage quartz—so no hot pots or pans. All of these materials are available in a wide variety of colors, including stainless steel with several finish options.
Sound Absorption
Think back to the last family gathering and all the dishes that filled the kitchen sink. Chances are, the sounds of plates, pans, glasses, and silverware clinking and clanking come to mind, and they can make an already-undesirable job borderline unbearable. Some sinks attack these sounds head-on with sound-deadening material, preventing noise from ringing through the kitchen.
Popular sound-deadening materials and measures include sound-deadening coating on the underside of the sink underneath the cabinet. Also, rubber mats adhered to the bottoms and sides are popular. Folks who purchase a sink that ends up being too loud for their liking can find sound-deadening kits available for purchase.
Accessories
There was a time when kitchen sinks were just kitchen sinks, but some of today’s models seem to come with as many accessories as a new car. These extra touches can increase the sink’s usefulness, cleanliness, and more, making cooking easier and cleaning afterward a bit less of a headache.
Look for accessories such as dish racks that allow clean dishes to dry without touching the sink but roll up when not in use. Also, built-in cutting boards are a handy touch, as are produce trays and colanders. Consider dish mats as well, which sit on the bottom of the sink to prevent dishes from slipping or breaking. Included drain assemblies with strainers are also a plus.
Our Top Picks
It’s time to put that background on choosing the best kitchen sinksto use, rather than flushing it down the drain. The following are some of our top picks on the market, and there is a sink for almost any kitchen listed below.
Our Verdict
Folks looking for durable stainless steel, plenty of accessories, and sound deadening may enjoy the Kraus single-bowl undermount kitchen sink. Shoppers on a budget may appreciate the Glacier Bay undermount kitchen sink. And those who want something a bit smoother and fancier might appreciate the Kraus Bellucci undermount kitchen sink.
How We Chose the Best Undermount Kitchen Sinks
Putting together a list of the best undermount kitchen sinks was hard work. We had to draw upon all of our experience with not only remodeling and installing sinks, but also using them for cooking and cleaning. This experience helped to select the most important features needed from a sink.
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Once these features were set, extensive product research led to putting together a collection of some of the top models. Then, completing the guide meant comparing the prices, materials, and accessories to ensure that each sink offered enough value for the investment. Those that failed the comparison tests were discarded, while those that passed were given awards based on their strengths.
The Advantages of Owning an Undermount Kitchen Sink
High-quality kitchen sinks are expensive, but their materials generally make them easy to clean and maintain longer than a lower-quality sink can last. The best kitchen sinks resist stains, dents, and chips better.
Undermount kitchen sinks make cleanup a snap. If there’s a mess on the counter, it can be wiped directly into the sink without having to go up and over the rim.
Sinks are rarely the focal point of the kitchen, whereas countertops typically steal the show. The best undermount sinks won’t detract from the countertops, but they’ll accentuate the styling by creating a smooth, flat surface free of the sink’s rim.
- High-quality sinks can resist stains, chips, and dents better.
- Undermount sinks make sweeping debris into the sink a breeze.
- Undermount sinks don’t detract from the countertops.
FAQs
That’s a lot of background info on the best undermount kitchen sinks, as well as how to choose them. However, even with all of that new knowledge, there may be a few more questions hanging around. The following includes some of the most frequently asked questions about undermount kitchen sinks and the answers.
Q. Should I have a single-bowl or double-bowl sink?
Folks with a dishwasher will most likely prefer a single-bowl sink. Double-bowl sinks are best for kitchens without dishwashers, because dishes can dry in one side while dishwashing happens in the other.
Q. How long should an undermount sink last?
With proper care and installation, undermount sinks can last as long as typical sinks. Just be sure to remove and replace the caulk every 3 to 5 years.
Q. Do I need a special sink for undermount?
Yes. Choose a sink that explicitly states it’s an undermount model or dual-installation.
Q. Which kitchen sinks are trending?
Undermount sinks, composite materials, and porcelain are popular.
Q. What is the easiest sink to keep clean?
With care, porcelain sinks can be very easy to keep clean. However, stainless does hide dirt and grime slightly better.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens