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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.
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.
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.
Best Overall
Kraus Standart Pro 32-Inch Undermount Kitchen Sink
Pros
- Durable steel with satin finish
- Sound deadening over 80 percent of the sink
- Large volume for washing pots and pans
Cons
- No way to separate dishes or set up washing stations
Folks looking for a high-quality and quiet kitchen sink will want to check out Kraus’s Standart Pro model. This stainless steel undermount sink features thick steel with a satin finish for durability and long-lasting good looks. It also measures 32 inches wide by 10 inches deep, providing plenty of volume for large pots and pans. The corners are slightly rounded to allow for easy cleaning as well.
This single-bowl sink features sound-deadening padding covering about 80 percent of the sink’s exterior, helping to keep the clanking to a minimum. It also comes with plenty of accessories, including a drain assembly with a removable strainer, a protective bottom grid, and even a kitchen towel. Just remember that with one bowl, it won’t be possible to separate clean and dirty dishes or set up washing stations.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Number of bowls: 1
- Accessories: Protective grid, drain assembly and strainer, kitchen towel
Get the Kraus single-bowl undermount kitchen sink on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Glacier Bay Zero Radius Undermount Kitchen Sink
Pros
- Includes sound-deadening materials
- Affordable price point
- Host of accessories
- Plenty of volume, low wall for large pots and pans
Cons
- Zero-radius corners can be tough to clean
With a large footprint, two bowls, and plenty of accessories, this reasonably priced kitchen sink from Glacier Bay may be a “steel.” This stainless steel sink measures 33 inches wide and 10 inches deep, and though it features two equal-size bowls, the half-height wall between them allows for washing large items. And when things get a bit too close to the side walls, this sink features a sound-resistant undercoating and rubber padding to minimize the noise.
This stainless steel double-bowl sink comes with plenty of accessories to sweeten the deal. Those items include a cutting board, grids for the bottom of the sinks, drains, colanders, and a drying rack. The cutting board and drying racks fit across the ledges at the front and back of the sink for convenience. The sink’s design includes zero-radius corners, but though they look nice, they can be difficult to clean.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Number of bowls: 2
- Accessories: Cutting board, drying rack, drains, colanders
Get the Glacier Bay undermount kitchen sink at The Home Depot.
Best Single Bowl
Ruvati Roma Workstation Ledge Undermount Kitchen Sink
Pros
- Comes in several sizes
- Sound-deadening material keeps noise to a minimum
- Comes with several accessories
Cons
- Zero-radius corners can be tough to clean
Folks looking to make the most of their sink by eschewing double-bowl sinks in favor of one single basin will want to consider the Roma from Ruvati. This stainless steel sink comes in several sizes, including width choices of 13, 15, 18, 21, 23, 28, 30, and 32 inches, all of which measure 10 inches deep. The single bowl allows for washing large pots and pans, and the sound-deadening rubber padding and undercoating will keep noise to a minimum.
This undermount kitchen sink comes with several accessories, including a cutting board, colander, folding drying rack, and a basket strainer with a cover. The cutting board and colander sit on ledges at the front and back of the sink as well. Do keep in mind that this model has zero-radius corners, so though they look great, expect to spend some extra time cleaning them.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Number of bowls: 1
- Accessories: Cutting board, colander, drying rack, drain, strainer
Get the Ruvati Roma undermount kitchen sink on Amazon or at Lowe’s.
Best Double Bowl
Kraus Standart Pro Undermount Double Bowl Sink
Pros
- Full-height center wall for a true 2-bowl design
- 80 percent of exterior covered in sound-deadening material
- Comes with dish grids, strainers, and a towel
Cons
- Won’t fit large cutting boards or pots
When the goal is keeping two bowls of dishes completely separate for washing and drying, or for washing produce while also collecting dishes, shoppers may find their answer in the Standart Pro double-bowl sink from Kraus. This stainless steel sink features a full-height wall between the two bowls, keeping items completely separate. And because it measures 32.75 inches wide by 10 inches deep, each bowl offers plenty of volume.
The Standart Pro double-bowl sink from Kraus sinks plenty of features into the deal. It comes with extra-thick rubber pads and undercoating on 80 percent of the exterior to provide a sound-deadening feature. It also comes with a dish grid for each bowl, three-piece strainer baskets, and a kitchen towel. The one frustration some folks might experience is not being able to place larger pots or cutting boards in the sink because of the full-height center wall.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Number of bowls: 2
- Accessories: 3-piece strainer baskets, dish grids, kitchen towel
Get the Kraus double-bowl undermount kitchen sink at The Home Depot.
Best Triple Bowl
Ruvati Gravena Triple Bowl Undermount Kitchen Sink
Pros
- Third bowl in the middle
- Tight radius corners that are still easy to clean
- Comes with strainers and grids
Cons
- 13-inch sink may be too small
Some at-home chefs need plenty of options, and the Gravena triple-bowl undermount kitchen sink from Ruvati offers them. This stainless steel sink measures 35 total inches wide, with the two outer bowls measuring 13 inches wide and 9 inches deep, and the center bowl measuring 6 inches wide and 7 inches deep.
This stainless steel sink features sound-deadening padding and undercoating to keep noise down. It features a tight radius, but not quite zero, allowing for a sharp look that is also easy to clean. There are three grids for the bottom of the bowls, as well as three strainers included in the kits. As long as the user feels comfortable with a smaller sink (13 inches isn’t a lot), this triple-bowl model may be a great choice.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Number of bowls: 3
- Accessories: Dish grids and strainers
Get the Ruvati Gravena undermount kitchen sink on Amazon or at Lowe’s.
Best Porcelain
Enbol Porcelain Farmhouse Undermount Kitchen Sink
Pros
- Durable porcelain finish over fireclay construction
- Heat-, chip-, and scratch-resistant
- Rustic country styling
- Comes with drain assembly, strainer, and dish grid
Cons
- Slightly shallow at just under 8 inches
Whether it’s to fit the country decor or to reflect light from a sink window into the kitchen, a porcelain sink such as Enbol’s porcelain farmhouse undermount kitchen sink may be just the ticket. This single-bowl sink is fireclay-coated with a nonporous porcelain. The porcelain provides a stain-resistant surface that resists heat, chips, dents, and scratches.
This undermount sink features a farmhouse design, which means it projects into the room over the cabinet, providing a rustic look with plenty of volume. It measures 33 inches wide and just under 8 inches deep inside, which is slightly shallow. It comes with a drain assembly and strainer, as well as a dish grid for the bottom of the sink.
Product Specs
- Material: Porcelain-coated fireclay
- Number of bowls: 1
- Accessories: Drain assembly, strainer, dish grid
Get the Enbol undermount kitchen sink on Amazon.
Best Composite
Kraus Bellucci Workstation Granite Composite Sink
Pros
- Look and feel of real stone
- Nonporous for resisting stains
- Plenty of room for large pots
- Comes with drying rack, cutting board, and drain assembly
Cons
- Difficult to keep clean and dirty dishes separate
Folks looking for the look and feel of real granite without the tremendous expense of having the sink custom carved will want to consider the Bellucci sink from Kraus. This undermount sink features a single-bowl design made of a granite composite material. This material is stain-resistant and nonporous, preventing food from sticking to it and easing cleaning.
This sink measures 32 inches wide and 10 inches deep, with an actual interior depth of just under 9.5 inches. Though there isn’t a way to keep clean and dirty dishes separate, this large volume allows for washing big pots and pans. Also, the Bellucci features a ledge at the front and back for sitting the cutting board or drying rack (both included, along with a drain assembly) on top.
Product Specs
- Material: Granite composite
- Number of bowls: 1
- Accessories: Cutting board, drying rack, drain assembly
Get the Kraus Bellucci undermount kitchen sink on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Best Fireclay
Houzer Fireclay Apron Front Kitchen Sink
Pros
- Durable fireclay construction
- Plenty of volume
- Sharp, streamlined corners that are still relatively easy to clean
Cons
- Doesn’t come with accessories
Folks looking for a fireclay sink typically appreciate when durability meets style, and that sums up the Houzer fireclay kitchen sink. This undermount apron sink is made of clay that’s fired at 2,200 degrees, creating a durable sink with a smooth finish. It resists stains, scratches, and chips as well.
This single sink measures a massive 36 inches wide and just over 10 inches deep, providing plenty of room for pots and pans. The corners feature what Houzer describes as a “contemporary radius,” giving it a streamlined look that’s not quite zero radius. Keep in mind that this sink doesn’t come with any accessories, so grids and drains will be separate purchases.
Product Specs
- Material: Fireclay
- Number of bowls: 1
- Accessories: None
Get the Houzer undermount kitchen sink on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Also Consider
Kohler Ballad Undermount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
Pros
- Durable stainless steel
- Full-height divider separates clean and dirty dishes
- Sound-absorbing materials throughout
Cons
- May not fit large pots or pans
If none of the other options on this list float the gravy boat,check out the Kohler Ballad Undermount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink. This sink features durable stainless steel construction and a full-height center divider to keep the bowls separate. It measures 31.5 inches wide and 9 inches deep, providing enough volume for most kitchen needs.
This stainless steel kitchen sink’s design features rounded corners that are less likely to trap food and are easier to clean than zero-radius corners. The exterior features sound-absorbing materials to keep things quiet, as well. Note that the center divider will make it difficult to wash large pans and pots, but it also makes it easier to keep washed dishes away from a pile of dirty ones.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Number of bowls: 2
- Accessories: None
Get the Kohler undermount sink at The Home Depot.
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.
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.
