10 Best Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks 2021 – Reviews and Buying Guide

In every kitchen, the sink plays an integral role in terms of functionality and aesthetics. It is therefore not surprising how sink designs have changed over the years. One of the materials that has revolutionized modern, high end sinks is stainless. The best stainless steel kitchen sinks are easy to maintain, non-porous, inert, and germ repellent. What’s more, when well-managed, the sink stays rust-free.

Top 10 Best Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks 2021

1. Kraus KHU100-30 Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink – Best Overall

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For the best stainless steel kitchen sink, the Kraus KHU100-30 Stainless steel sink is my top choice. With this sink, you get a perfect blend of practicability, style, and elegance. Built from a tough T30 stainless steel, this sink is in it for the long run without rusting. The 16-gauge T304 stainless steel stays dent free because of the 1.5mm thickness.

If you are sourcing for a kitchen sink for commercial enterprises, then this will be a great option. It has a satin finish, making it resilient to rust and corrosion. Plus, the finish creates an easy to clean surface while matching all of your kitchen accessories. Combine all these with the heavy gauge, you will be bagging a sink fit for the huge traffic in a commercial kitchen.

There is just something about noisy kitchen sinks that irritate me. You can forget all that with the Kraus KHU 100-30. A sound proofed construction creates a quiet sink experience. This noise defend technology is non-toxic and is complimented by an extra padding at the bottom of the sink, covering about 80% of the surface. For those asking about the dimensions, this sink measures 30”x18”x10” (LWD). Because of this, this sink fits into 33” cabinets. Plus, the bowl size can accommodate reasonably sized skillets, roasting pans, and baking sheets. A superior drainage entails a sloping bottom to keep water flowing. At the same time, the slope is optimized such that glassware don’t fall in the sink.

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2. Kraus KHU100-32 Kitchen Sink – Best Contemporary Design

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First and foremost, Kraus is one of the leaders in kitchen sink manufacturer. They have a broad product range made to outstanding qualities. One of these kitchen sinks is the Kraus KHU100-32. It features cutting edge sink technology, dedicated craftsmanship, and quality stainless steel raw materials. The result is a versatile kitchen sink that meets most of your small scale needs.

Measuring 32 inches, the Kraus 100-32 Pro series is slightly bigger than the previous Kraus 100-30. With the realization for better pot handling capabilities, this kitchen sink comes in handy. In most middle-sized kitchens, the sink will be large enough to soak the largest pan you have got. And that’s the value your customers should always be getting from your purchases.

Apart from the increased size, this stainless kitchen sink perks almost the same features as the KHU100-30. The sink is made from both T304 and TRU16 stainless steel. These are offer exceptionally resistance to rust and corrosion. On the other hand, TRU16 is a 16-gauge, 1.5mm thick steel for outstanding resistance to impacts. A perfect balance between bottom slope and glassware stability is another great feature. You don’t have to worry about your glasses falling over while in the sink, while ensuring complete sink drainage after washing. Sink corners are gently rounded to maximize on workspaces as well as creating a great contemporary look in your kitchen.

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3. Ruvati RVH7400 32” Kitchen Sink – Best Undermount Kitchen Sink

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With a vast manufacturing and distribution network, Ruvati is a household name in Kitchen wear manufacture. One of their premier products is the single bowl Ruvati RVH7400 Stainless Kitchen Sink. This 32” sink comes highly recommended for customers looking for an Undermount kitchen sink.

The RVH7400 offers you a modern, rectangular shaped bowls. For easy cleaning, bowl corners are slightly curved. These corners not only eases your work, but they also add a bit of pomp to the sink. They look great and stylish, which is all you look for when redesigning a kitchen to your modern tastes.

A common flaw in sink design places the drain hole at the center of the sink. This in turn introduces a challenge as dishes block the drain, preventing water flow. With the RVH7400, the drain is at the rear. Resultantly, dishes don’t cause any blockage, for a no fussy cleanup job. Another great feature is the drain channel that keeps water flowing towards the drain hole. Construction-wise, the RVH7400 is made from T304 stainless steel that never rusts nor stains. The chromium and nickel present in this steel allows for this capability. Sound padding and noise proofing diminishes noise as well as increasing thermal insulation capabilities. A brushed finish creates a long lasting lustrous look that’s just as easy to clean.

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4. HOUZER CS-1307-1 Undermount Club Series Stainless Steel Sink – Best Stand Alone

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The HOUZER CS-1307 Undermount stainless steel sink is one of the best sinks for your creative applications. Although it’s relatively small in comparison with the rest of kitchen sinks, it’s one of the best sinks for its category. The sink is multi-functional, is capable of standing alone and very simple in design.

The Houzer is a great buy, especially if you are looking for a sink for your entertainment joint, lavatory, or even a small sized kitchen. This particular model is made from 18 gauge stainless steel. Ideally, this is not the thickest around, but it still works as intended. Measuring about 10 inches wide, 12 inches long, and 6 inches deep, it can handle most simple washing needs.

An accompanying satin finish gives it a lustrous finish complemented by highlighted rims. For silencing functionalities, the sink features SpecPlus along the edges, StoneGuard undercoat, and silencer pads. The result is reduced clattering sounds when washing dishes or glassware. At the same time, the undercoat eliminates under-bowl condensation. For added convenience when mounting, every purchase of this kitchen sink comes with mounting clips to fit 18” cabinets. An 18/10 chrome-nickel alloy means the overall product stays hygienic, scratch proof, albeit with reasonable care routines. Because of the marble powder undercoat, hot water retains the heat for longer, until you are done cleaning.

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5. Ruvati 32-inch RVH8300 Kitchen Sink – Best High-End

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The Ruvati RVH8300 is my choice for the most prestigious stainless steel sink. It’s a sizeable, yet premium quality 32” sink workstation. This sink fits beautifully in any kitchen and then blends well with all the appliances already in place. Combine all these with a sliding track, and you have one grand looking stainless steel kitchen sink.

Apart from the T304 stainless steel construction, this sink features solid wood cutting board, stainless steel colander, and a drying rack that rolls up out of the mounting. Roll up all these and you have one workstation for the price of a kitchen sink. The sink itself has a commercial-grade brushed finish for less cleaning work.

Unlike satin finish, a brushed finish stays resistant to scratched quite impressively. Heavy-duty rubber padding and sound-guarding undercoat works in two ways. First, the undercoat reduces condensation, which degrades wooden cabinets, while the padding minimizes noise levels. It may not be visible, but the bottom of the sink slopes towards the middle, for efficient drainage. Instead of rounded corners, the RVH8300 has zero radius corners. Resultantly, you get a resoundingly modern look. Apart from the sink, the packaging includes a cutting board, colander roll up rack, strainer, cutout template, mounting clips, drain assembly, and an installation guide. And for its price, this would be a great value for your money.

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6. Friho 33” Kitchen Sink – Best TopMount

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Also referred to as a drop-in kitchen sink this single bowl sink is one of the best stainless steel sink you can opt for. In fact, it’s one of the most popular kitchen sinks currently available. With a 33” length, most of your utensils will definitely fit right into it. Because of the size, make sure that you have sufficient counter space to fit the kitchen sink.

Premium grade SUS304 stainless steel construction is 18 gauge. It may not be the most rust resistant construction, but it does hold up pretty well. While scratch-resistance is great, knives will still scratch it as well as mishandling or over-zealousdish washers. Noise defend technology and rubber padding makes for a dependable convenience when in use.

A premium quality 3mm thickened edge plate emanates a fashionable, durable look. The outer surface of the sink is brushed to an anti-corrosion resistant finish. Complementary items in the package includes the 18-gauge sink, dish drainer, cutting board, dish grid, and basket strainer all for free. By incorporating a Handmade X flume design into the drainage plug, an aesthetically pleasing look results. Better yet, this drainage plug drains out water in a matter of minutes. While the sound proofing makes it hard to notice water dripping (in case you forget to close the tap) it’s a great way of dealing with utensil clattering.

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7. Sarlai Topmount 33 Inch Kitchen Sink – Best Roomy Single Bowl

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I initially thought I couldn’t find a roomier single basin kitchen sink until I came across the Sarlai 33” kitchen sink. It features 10mm radius angles that allows for slight expansion of the sink cleaning capacities. The angled edges makes for an easy to clean sink surface as the corners are easy to wipe after a round of dishwashing session.

Just as no oil residues remain on the surface, rusting is kept at bay thanks to the T304 stainless steel construction. An added advantage is the 16-gauge metal, making the stink sturdy, for denting resistance. The rear set drain hole avails more working space within the sink as well as beneath the sink.

At 10” deep, the depth accommodates lots of utensils without them sticking out of the sink before the cleaning job. For a proper fit, the manufacturer specifies for a 36” wide cabinet space. Also allow for about 3” working space and hardware fitting. In as much as the description says it’s a TopMount sink, it’s adaptable enough for an Undermount fitting. Even though the mahogany cutting board provided is great, I still think it needs some working on for even a flashier look. I would suggest you lightly sand the board for a flossy look. At its price and quality of construction, this board fits in most of your budgets. A 3-month buy back guarantee gives the confidence to make the purchase as its testament of the quality.

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8. Bonnlo 25’’ Kitchen Sink – Best Small-Size Sink

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Sometimes you don’t need all the spaces taken up by either a 32 or 33” kitchen sink. If you find yourself in such a scenario, then the Bonnlo would be a great option to consider. Its 25” in size, which is neither too big nor too small to meet all your dishwashing desires. The Bonnlo sink is crafted from 16 gauge stainless steel.

The Bonnlo offers you superior durability and strength because of its unique 7 layers of protective coating. Above and beyondthe strength, its coating works to inhibit bacteria growth. Collectively, these result in a scratch and rust proof home addition. Despite its relatively small size, this sink still holds quite a lot inside.

Just as other stainless sinks, noise reduction technologies are incorporated into the design. As sound is masked, a layer of coating ensures no water condensates forms at the bottom of the sink when washing with hot water. Although they are underrated, rubberized dish grids are a welcome relief when it comes to protecting the sink bottom from sharp knives/utensils. All the corners are rounded, making light of the sink cleaning task. 3.5” wide drainage hole empties waste water in seconds, allowing you to dry the sink and get back to other tasks at hand. For some unknown reasons, I have found people washing up to 3-year olds in the kitchen sink. I don’t know if that’s safe or not, but if it works for them, then well and good.

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9. Kraus KHF203-36 Kitchen Standart PRO Sink – Best Farmhouse Sink

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As I had earlier on stated, a farmhouse kitchen sink can be an Undermount, a TopMount, a double or a single. Well, the Kraus KHF203 is one such, as it is both an apron, an Undermount, and a double bowl sink. Being able to mount it under the sink vastly improves the aesthetic afterwards. All the leftovers and spillages are directed into the drain.

Although this sink bears close similarities with the KHU100-30, there are lots of notable differences. For a start, this stainless kitchen sink is a double, having a 60-40 division, with a full height divider. Basically, you will be having two sinks, which is great for multi-tasking. Both portions are made from 16-gauge, T304 stainless steel for unrivaled durability.

While you are washing the dishes in the large section, you can be putting them in the smaller portion for rinsing. In this way, you don’t have to buy an additional pan/rack for holding the dishes.As an added advantage, the sink has two bottom grids, basket, drainage, and strainer for the two bowls. Protective bumpers at the bottoms of the bowls reduces the chances of scratching. Moreover, this sink works well with almost all counter tops, be it Formica or any other type. Generally, these double bowls occupy large spaces (bear in mind its 36”). So ensure you have enough mounting counter top space before placing your order.

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10. FRIGIDAIRE 27” Stainless Steel Undermount Kitchen Sink – Best For Garbage Disposal

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The 27” series Stainless Kitchen sinks from FRIGIDAIRE are crafted from high quality stainless steel for a great user experience. It’s the only way of withstanding grueling impacts of pans, overzealous home chefs, and heavy pots. The 16-gauge and 304-grade stainless is often up to the task, provided you don’t go overboard with the intensity.

A high-end brushed steel finish is fine tuned to match these applications. In order to protect the finish during transit, a customized packaging is provided. A patented V-Therm Shield Technology serves two functions. First, it dampens vibrations, and secondly deadens noise. The result is a quiet working environment, even with a garbage disposal system connected to the sink.

Since this sink is an Undermount, expect plenty of clearance around the faucet, owing to the style of installation. Cleaning surfaces and waste disposal becomes even easier than in a top mount situation. At 10” deep, the bowl takes in virtually all pot sizes, unless it’s out of the ordinary. 10mm radial rounded corners are a bit of a hit among home owners owing to how easy it makes for a cleaning job. Additionally, an X-groove at the bottom of the sink eliminates chances of debris building up in the sink. The result is impeccable clean-ability.

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How to Choose the Best Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Ordinarily, you should expect to find an endless list of stainless steel kitchen sinks in the market. And to make your decision-making a lot harder, every manufacture brags of their products being the best, but do they.

Stainless steel kitchen sinks come in all sorts of designs and shapes, with everyone having a preference of their own. Therefore, having a rational outlook on some of the features to consider helps smoothen the decision making.

1. Styling

Stainless kitchen sinks are availed in a wide range of styles, which can be confusing for a first-time buyer. It could be the mounting style, number of bowls, or just it looks. Let me take you through a number of kitchen sink styling.

Undermount or Top Mount Kitchen Sink

If you aren’t in the know already, all sinks are either top or under mounted during installation. For starters, a top mount refers to a sink that’s dropped into the counter cavity. As a result, its edge remains on top of the counter. On the other hand, an Undermount is fixed on the under surface of the counter.

Each of these options have their own packs and issues, but the general consensus tends to favor the Undermount. Opinions aside, with an Undermount, you can easily swipe debris into the sink from the counter, have better aesthetics, and results in a seamless counter finish. However, they are difficult to mount, are expensive, and hard to modify.

On the other hand, a top mount is affordable, easy to replace, and provides a protective layer against chipping for marble counter tops. On the downside these are bulky and the exposed edges trap residues.

Single or Double Bowls?

Chances are, you already have one of these kitchen sinks right now. They are the most popular options, but are also available in variants. A single bowl kitchen sink is one continuous basin, varying in size. The right size for you depends on your cleaning volume.  Single basin sinks are typically easy to install, maintain, and costs less than double basins. While they are great for small kitchens, it’s difficult to wash large utensils.

Double Bowl Kitchen Sinks

As the name suggests, these consists of two basins. Great for multi-taskers like me. These are larger in size as compared to single ones. Most of the time, we choose double bowls because of how convenient they are at completing tasks. You can use one bowl for washing, while the dishes sit on the other bowl awaiting rinsing.

As I had earlier mentioned, double bowls are available in variants to suit different needs. You can find one that’s equally divided (50-50) or in any other ratio. The most common are 60-40 and 70-30. Essentially, having one bowl bigger than the other allows you to wash large pots and pans. It’s for this specific reason that I prefer the 70-30 configuration.

Farmhouse Sinks

Of late, there is a surge in the popularity of these types of kitchen sink, and rightly so. This type of sink encompasses all the above sink type, meaning it can either be a top mount or an under mount. Alternatively, single or double bowls can qualify as farmhouse sinks.

As for functionality, farmhouse sinks eases the work of scraping debris into the bowl. In addition, the deep-lying basin clears under faucets, creating an easier cleaning time for your large-sized pans and pots. Amidst the several advantages, one major disadvantage is the apron that gets scratched with ease over time.

The reason being, when going about your cleaning you bend over the sink apron. In the process your belt buckle or any other metallic accessories scratches the apron. Some other time, kitchen cabinets are not modelled to suit this type of sink, meaning a whole overhaul of the cabinets is required to support the fittings and seals.

2. Kitchen Sink Shape

The shape of the sink is one aspect that you might want to consider. If you are looking for the best stainless steel kitchen sinks, then look for ones with a flat bottom. In addition, a low sloping base provides ample working space for easy cleaning of drains.

Another factor that comes into play is your cabinet sizes in case of a first time installation. Compare the cabinet size, vis-a-vis the outer dimensions of the sink. In this way, you get a perfect fit during the installation process.

Nowadays, it is a common practice to avail all the mounting hardware as well as a cutout template with every sink purchase. With these, you can bet on working to scale as the sink is fitted.

3. Stainless Steel Gauge

Stainless steel is available in various gauges and thickness, depending on the end use. Therefore, if you want to gauge how stable and durable your sink will be, it is great to consider the material gauge. Simply put, the greater the gauge value, the thinner the steel will be. For example, gauge 22 stainless steel is thinner than gauge 16. This counter-intuitive classification is often confusing for buyers, making it imperative that you don’t confuse the categories.

Generally, a thick stainless steel will have a lower gauge value, is sturdy, and long lasting. Also, when you perform a thumb noise test, there is minimal noise generated. However, the lower the gauge, the costlier the sink is. Hence, gauge 16 is the best construction for sturdiness and durability while also maintaining affordability.

4. Stainless Steel Finish

Since all of us love our kitchens looking classy and lustrous, a complementing kitchen wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Ideally, stainless steel is supposed to have a satin finish, but complications exist. The finishing ought to fight corrosion and straining in the long run, as opposed to the development of patina. For this reason, avoid a sink with a matte finish. Still, no finishing is better than the other. It all boils down to individual preferences and home décor. It could be a brushed/satin. Metallic, hammered, or a high gloss finish. Each of these has their benefits and challenges. For instance, the high gloss will be the most appealing, but also the most challenging to maintain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the Purpose of Nickel and Chromium in the steel Composition?

A: Often denoted as a percentage (18/10) meaning 18% chromium and 10% nickel, these two metals are added to stainless steel to create a material that’s rust and corrosion resistant. Since sinks are often filled with water, then this extra addition elongates the usage period.

Q: Which are some of the leading kitchen sink brands?

A: Well, there are lots of manufacturers out there. Just to mention a few, Kraus, Ruvati, Blanco, and Zuhne are some that comes to mind.

Q: What’s the difference between Full divide and low divide?

A: This applies to double bowls separation. A full divide refers to a double sink with the division all the way up. Meaning you have two small sinks merged into one. On the other hand, a low divide is about half the depth. Another category arises, that is aqua divide depending on how deep the division is.

Conclusion

By now, I am sure you are able to distinguish between the different types of stainless kitchen sinks you have been seeing around. Better yet, you are able to determine which one is best for your specific need. As most buyers find out when it’s late, buying the best stainless kitchen sink isn’t just about the most expensive, elegant, big, or most talked about.

In this review, I think the Kraus KHU100-30 Kitchen Sink is the best stainless steel kitchen sink. This is especially true if you are just starting out, or are looking for something not too costly or too big. The reputation of the manufacturer is not really up for debate as they have been in the business for as long as I can remember. Regarding noise, which bother most of you, this sink has a padding covering about 80% of the surface (entire outer surface). No padding beats that in the market.