Stainless steel is a popular material used for many kitchen equipment and appliances, like the sink. This is because stainless steel is a durable metal that’s stain and heat-resistant. These are important features because the kitchen can be a busy part of the house. Hence, a stainless steel sink would be a timeless piece you can add to your kitchen.
But, before you purchase one, you have to ensure that you’re choosing the right sink for your needs and preferences. That’s why in this article, you will learn how to choose the best sink for your kitchen and what factors to consider. The best stainless steel kitchen sinks in the market today will help you make more informed shopping decisions.
How to Choose the Best Stainless Steel Sink for Your Home
Material is one of the most important factors to consider when buying anything. The same goes when buying kitchen sinks. In this case, stainless steel is one of the most durable options. But, there are a few factors you need to consider when choosing the best stainless steel sink for your kitchen:
Steel Gauge and Grade
Any stainless steel sink you look at would have a gauge and grade detail. The gauge refers to the thickness of the material. On the other hand, the grade refers to the percentage of chromium and nickel in its makeup.
The common grade for stainless steel is 304. This is also 18/8, meaning it has 18% chromium and 8% nickel. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the percentage of these materials, the higher the quality of the stainless steel sink.
Gauge, on the other hand, ranges from 16 to 23, with 16 being the thickest. Although the difference between the thicknesses is minimal, the thicker the material, the more sound-absorbent it would be.
Type of Sink
Like any other kitchen sink, you can get your stainless steel sink in different types, mainly based on the way it would be installed. There are three basic and common types: undermount, top-mount, and farmhouse.
Depending on your personal preference, and how you want to layout and design your kitchen, you can get a stainless steel sink in any of these types.
Insulation
Stainless steel sinks can be very noisy if not properly insulated. To ensure you’re getting the best stainless steel sink, check if the product has insulation and coatings. This will help reduce the noise and usually comes in 1/8 of an inch thick sound pads that are located on the bottom of the sink. There are also thick layers of undercoating paint to help dampen sound more.
Finish
This refers to the surface of the stainless steel material. Although it doesn’t necessarily affect the quality of the material, it can affect its look and it can hide scratches and imperfections. There are two main finishes you can choose from: mirror and matte.
The mirror finish has a shiny, polished look and feels smooth. But, scratches are noticeable because of its mirror-like shine. The matte finish, on the other hand, has a “brushed” look rather than a smooth one. It’s also called a satin finish and makes water spots less noticeable.
5 Best Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks in 2023
Stainless steel sinks offer many benefits. You can use them for a long time, buy them for a more affordable price and in a variety of styles, and are easy to maintain. Among the hundreds of options in the market, here are some of the best ones you can get for your kitchen:
1. Best Overall: Ruvati 32-inch Workstation Ledge Undermount Kitchen Sink
The Ruvati 32-inch workstation ledge sink is a stainless steel sink with a single-tier track and commercial-grade brushed finish. When bought, the sink comes with built-in accessories like a hardwood cutting board, colander, and dish-drying rack.
It also features a sound guard undercoating and thick rubber padding to reduce noise and condensation. It has an overall modern look with its sloped bottom and sharp inside corners.
Specifications
- Gauge: 16 gauge stainless steel
- Installation Type: Undermount
- Exterior Dimensions: 32" (wide) x 19" (front-to-back) x 10” (depth)
What We Like About It
- Comes with built-in accessories
- Thick stainless steel with cool brushed finish
- Sound guard undercoating and rubber padding for less noise and condensation
- Sleek modern look
2. Best Single Bowl: Kraus KHU100-32 Standard Pro Undermount Single Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
This Kraus Standard Pro single bowl stainless steel sink is rust and corrosion-resistant. Its package comes with a protective bottom gris, drain assembly, and a kitchen towel. It has a stunning satin or matte finish that you can match with almost any other appliance.
This sink also features thick pads that cover about 80% of the sink and a non-toxic undercoating to reduce noise. For a simple single-bowl type of sink, this stainless steel from Kraus is a great option.
Specifications
- Gauge: 16 gauge stainless steel
- Installation Type: Undermount
- Exterior Dimensions: 32" (wide) x 19" (front-to-back) x 10” (depth)
What We Like About It
- Corrosion and rust-resistant
- Comes with useful accessories
- Have pads and undercoating to lessen noise
3. Best Dual Bowl: Hykolity 33-inch Double Bowl Stainless Steel Sink
If you prefer a dual bowl type of sink, the Hykolity double bowl stainless steel sink is a top option. It has a soft satin finish that makes it scratch and stain-resistant. It’s like a deep single bowl sink that has a low center divider, giving you a 50/50 double bowl.
Like others on the list, this sink has extra-thick pads and protective undercoating to lessen noise and vibration. The bottom of each bowl is gently sloped to make sure water drains directly and doesn’t stand in the sink.
Specifications
- Gauge: 16 gauge stainless steel
- Installation Type: Undermount
- Exterior Dimensions: 33" (wide) x 19" (front-to-back) x 9” (depth)
What We Like About It
- Comes with accessories like dish grids and strainers
- Dual type is great for multitasking
- Thick pads and undercoating for reduced noise and vibration
- Resistant to scratches and stain
4. Best Matte Finish: Vasoyo Nano PVD Apron Front
This Vasoyo stainless steel sink comes in a stunning black matte finish. This gives it a rustic charm that you can use to enhance your kitchen’s look. It’s an apron front type of sink that can also function as a workstation.
It features an outer layer of the nano-PVD technique. This makes the sink very easy to clean and durable. With its accessories and two tracks, you can convert it to a workspace anytime. Like most high-quality sinks, it has a sound guard and padding to minimize noise and vibration.
Specifications
- Gauge: 16 gauge stainless steel
- Installation Type: Farmhouse or Apron Front
- Exterior Dimensions: 33" (wide) x 22" (front-to-back) x 10” (depth)
What We Like About It
- Durable and soundproof stainless steel
- Have heavy anti-condensation coatings
- Easily convertible to a workspace
- Comes with accessories like a dish grid, colander, etc.
5. Best 2-Tier: Kraus KWU210-57 Kore 2-Tier Workstation Stainless Steel Sink
If you’re a serious home chef, a good two-tier and wide kitchen sink is what you need, like this Kraus 57-inch stainless steel sink. This is the widest in the list and it has a deep bowl that’s gently sloped to prevent water from standing in the kitchen.
It features two separate work tiers where you can place two bamboo cutting boards or a draining rack. It also has a soft, brushed finish giving it a timeless look. You also don’t have to worry about the noise despite its size because it has sound-dampening pads.
Specifications
- Gauge: 16 gauge stainless steel
- Installation Type: Undermount
- Exterior Dimensions: 57" (wide) x 19" (front-to-back) x 10.5” (depth)
What We Like About It
- Extra wide workstation
- Comes with necessary accessories like a cutting board and drying rack
- Has noise-dampening pads
- Stain and scratch-resistant
Conclusion
Stainless steel is one of the most popular sink materials used in many kitchens in the world. It’s durable, affordable, stain and scratch-resistant, and easy to clean. If you’re looking for the best stainless steel kitchen sinks, make sure to consider the steel gauge, grade, the type of sink, its finish, and of course, its specific dimensions.
You can rely on the list we provided above for some of the best options. If you want to look at more choices, you can check out our stainless steel sink collection. We offer different kinds of stainless steel sinks that come with high-quality features.