Undermount Kitchen Sink Reviews 2022 – The Discreet Sinks

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BLANCO, Anthracite 441094 DIAMOND SILGRANIT Super Single Drop-In or Undermount Kitchen Sink, 33.5' X...
911 Reviews
BLANCO, Anthracite 441094 DIAMOND SILGRANIT Super Single Drop-In or Undermount Kitchen Sink, 33.5" X...
  • SINK DIMENSIONS: 33.5" L X 22" W X 9. 5" D and designed to fit a minimum 36" cabinet base

Last updated on 2022-07-02 at 05:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Those looking to remodel their kitchens will soon find out that figuring out the perfect sink is going to be one of the hardest parts of the whole project. With so many sink styles available out there, it’s no surprise that finding one is going to take time and research.

Lucky for you, we’ve already done the research, so you’ll find your ideal kitchen sink in no time. A model that most people don’t take into account and should are undermount kitchen sinks.

Continue reading our undermount kitchen sink reviews so you can work out whether or not they’re the sinks for your kitchen.

Model
Material
Dimension
Price

Blanco Diamond Single
Granite
33.5 x 22 x 9.5 inches
$$

Kraus KHU102-33
Stainless steel
32.8 x 19 x 10 inches
$$

Swanstone KSDB-3322
Granite
33 x 22 x 9 inches
$$

Elkay ELGU2522
Quartz
24.6 x 18.5 x 9.5 inches
$$

 

Best Undermount Sink 2022

Blanco Diamond Single Bowl Anthracite

blanco stainless steel sink reviewsPros:

  • Extremely durable with its resistance to heat, cold, scratches and stains
  • Comes with drain grooves to facilitate drainage
  • Effective drainage system
  • Great sound resistance
  • Incredibly easy to be cleaned

Cons:

  • Might develop a white film that is difficult to get off

>> Read owner reviews on Amazon

 

Kraus KHU102-33 Standard PRO 50/50 Double Bowl Kitchen Sink

Pros:

  • Resistant to corrosion, stains, and scratches
  • Extra deep
  • Optimal drainage
  • Comes with a basket strainer and bottom grids
  • Lifetime limited warranty

Cons:

  • More expensive than similar models
  • The sound insulation is not the best

>> Read owner reviews on Amazon

 

Elkay Quartz Classic ELGU2522 Single Bowl Sink

Pros:

  • Resistant to all types of damaging agents
  • Very functional, extra deep and super easy to clean
  • Looks simple but elegant enough to be the focal point of your kitchen
  • Perfect for small kitchens due to a lower width but being deeper

Cons:

  • The water drains rather slowly when compared to a rounded sink
  • The installation can be a bit challenging, especially if you’re doing it for the first time

>> Read owner reviews on Amazon

 

What is an Undermount Kitchen Sink?

best undermount kitchen sinksSince the drop-in kitchen sink is primarily found in people’s homes, most people do not venture outside that parameter. Let us tell you that there is a whole world of kitchen sinks that you’re missing out on.

One that screams elegance and nobility is the undermount kitchen sink. The undermount sink stands apart from the drop-in one because of the way it is set up and placed on the kitchen counter.

A drop-in sink normally has the lid resting on the countertop, which can lead to dirt getting caught in between the two areas. Even installing a drop-in sink varies from an undermount one because you have to drop the sink into place from above.

On the other hand, to set up an undermount kitchen sink, you have to raise it into place from underneath the kitchen countertop. The defining feature of this type of sink is that it lacks a rim to rest on the counter.

This sink receives no support whatsoever from its exterior, but only from what’s below the countertop. Since all the support that sink requires comes from underneath the sink, it makes installing it extremely difficult but worth your time.

Things to Keep in Mind

The undermount sink comes with no rim on the counter, which means you won’t be setting up your faucet and other sink accessories the same way as you would for a drop-in kitchen sink.

Instead, you’ll have to install these pieces either in the wall or through your countertop. You might think that this won’t disrupt your kitchen remodeling plans, but if you don’t have an undermount sink already installed it could mean you require plumbing work to set this up.

Pros

  • undermount kitchen sink reviewsIf you’re looking to save up on counter space, then you’ve found the perfect sink. Because the rim of the undermount sink is tucked underneath the sink, you open up half a square foot of space. You can give your kitchen a minimalist makeover simply by installing this sink.
  • Don’t you hate it when you’re trying to wipe dirt on the countertops straight into your sink but there is a rim there that catches it all? This rim comes in the way of you cleaning your kitchen. The undermount sink has its rim underneath the counter so that you can wipe the dirt on your counter right into the sink.
  • There is also no debris build-up with undermount sinks, so you can expect that they’ll also be easier to clean than being drop-in sinks.
  • After you take a look at how an undermount kitchen sink looks like, you’ll have fallen in love with it. Interior designers all agree that undermount sinks are one of the most aesthetically pleasing options out there.

Cons

  • Undermount sinks are known to be high end, so don’t expect them to be cheap. These sinks will serve to be an investment for your kitchen.
  • The installation process for this sink is more involved on your part. Sometimes people hire third-party help to deal with setting up the sink.
  • The weight of the garbage disposal along with the water will be extremely heavy on the sink, so you need to make sure that it is properly installed.

Undermount Sink Options

If you’re digging the overall design and build of undermount kitchen sinks, then it’s time you learn more about the options you have available to you.

Size

First off, you can choose from single, double, and triple sinks. The size of the sink entirely depends on how much space you can spare.

Those who have an area with width ranging from 20 inches to 40 inches can buy themselves an undermount kitchen sink.

Various Sink Materials

Stainless Steel

best undermount sinkOut of all the kitchen sink materials, stainless steel seems to be one of the most popular choices. Its popularity is all due to the various gauges and finishes that are available in stainless steel. This means it can accommodate any surrounding interior decor in the kitchen.

This material has lightweight qualities and is effortless to clean. It’s highly likely that you already have a stainless steel sink at home because it is available in various styles other than undermount.

Stainless steel is durable enough to withstand years of use before the metal starts to give out.

Copper

best sink for quartz countertopIf you don’t like the visual aesthetics of a stainless steel sink, then copper is your next best choice. Copper is known to be a durable metal that won’t tarnish or rust, which are the essential qualities for a kitchen sink to have.

Thanks to the natural properties of copper, a green or brown film called patina will develop naturally as time passes, resulting in a unique finish.

Another benefit to having a copper sink is that the material itself gives off antimicrobial properties, which means that the sink will resist harmful viruses and bacteria from forming. Those who have children at home should consider a copper undermount kitchen sink.

Granite

best undermount kitchen sinks for granite countertopsSimilar to stainless steel, you can also find granite drop-in sinks as well as undermount ones. This is where the similarities end because granite sinks are manufactured very differently from stainless steel or copper ones.

To create a granite sink, you have to spray an acrylic and granite blend on top of a resin base. Once the spray settles, you end up with a sink that is scratch and stain resistant, so imagine the minimal amount of cleaning you’ll be doing.

The mixture of the spray and resin base also makes the granite sink heat resistant up to about 540 degrees Fahrenheit. As the blend acts as a protective barrier, it’s no shock to find out that it is bacteria resistant as well.

Fireclay

Many people don’t assume that clay would make a great undermount sink material, but we beg to differ. Fireclay is an extremely durable material that involves an intricate production process.

The creation of a fireclay undermount sink involves firing the clay at extremely high heat, which results in a sink that is chip and scratch resistant.

Fireclay also won’t discolor or fade as you expose it to water and chemicals. You can have this sink for decades, and it won’t appear any different than from the day you first installed it.

Those who are picky about the color they want their undermount sink to come in, you’ll be ecstatic to hear that you have a variety of colors to choose from when you decide on a fireclay sink.

In regards to its bacteria resistance ability, fireclay undermount sinks have a non-porous surface, which means it is one hundred percent bacteria resistant.

Porcelain

Porcelain without any coating wouldn’t be the best sink material to choose from. A top tier porcelain sink will come with a porcelain enamel base that’s coated in lightweight steel.

The steel works in conjunction with the porcelain enamel to create a surface that is smooth while being scratch and stain resistant. Since porcelain itself is such a durable material, it is heat resistant up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Porcelain is a go-to material for science experiments, so why shouldn’t your sink be made out of the same material?

You won’t go wrong with choosing one of the sink materials we have gone in-depth with above. Keep in mind that the material will dictate the price tag of the undermount sink.

What is the Best Undermount Kitchen Sinks for Granite Countertops?

If you want to find the best undermount kitchen sink for your needs, you’re going to have to look at the material that your countertops are made out of. Various materials will look better in combination with each other, and you can keep your kitchen looking as sharp as possible by taking advantage of this.

Undermount kitchen sinks tend to be one of the more popular types that are used with granite countertops because of the ease of installing them compared to other kinds of sinks. When working with something like granite, you’re going to want to pick a sink that isn’t too work-intensive to mount.

When it comes to granite, you’ll want to ensure that you pick a material that compliments the stark and classy look that it gives off. A brass kitchen sink on a granite countertop will often be overkill, and you’ll typically want to avoid something so obviously ostentatious unless you have a truly unique idea.

Of course, combining granite countertops with a granite sink also isn’t the greatest idea because it will easily get lost and won’t stand out like you want your sink to. Porcelain, on the other hand, simply doesn’t do granite justice when it comes to the contrast between the two materials.

As you can see, this doesn’t leave you many alternatives when it comes to choosing the right material for your undermount kitchen sink for granite countertops. Most buyers will choose a sink that’s made out of stainless steel (like the Kraus KHU102-33) thanks to a range of factors, including a more reasonable price, and (more importantly) how well it compliments granite.

A stainless steel undermount kitchen sink will also typically be easier to clean than your other options. Also, stainless steel’s sleek and elegant look matches granite’s aesthetics without looking identical.

Price

Other than the material, both the size and style play a role in how much your undermount sink will cost you.

To make things easy for you, we have split up the average cost of an undermount sink based on the material its made out of. This will give you a clear picture as to which is the best undermount kitchen sinks that won’t make a massive dent in your wallet.

Material
Average Cost
Factors That Affect Cost
Stainless Steel
$$

  • Gauge of the material
  • Finish
  • Accessories

Granite
$$

  • Granite quality
  • Finish
  • Accessories

Fireclay
$$$

  • Finish
  • Accessories
  • Color

Porcelain
$$$$

  • Quality of glaze
  • Extra sink features

Copper
$$$$$

  • Intricate designs
  • Accessories
  • Finish
  • Gauge of copper used

You could always minimize your costs when you take your time searching for the best undermount sink.

Now that you have the necessary background knowledge regarding undermount kitchen sinks, you can now ask yourself the relevant questions that will get you one step closer to finding the sink of your dreams.

Questions to Ask Yourself

How can I save money?

Before you purchase an undermount kitchen sink, you have to make sure that you’re getting the best price available. This means that you’ll have to compare the prices of the deals you find in store and online.

You have to be realistic with your budget, but keep in mind you want to think of buying a sink as an investment. You should place the material of the sink above the design of the sink on your list of priorities.

More often than not, buyers end up settling for a standard sink model with the material that they like best. It’s a good way to break down which sink manufacturers you’ll like and dislike.

What is the best way to maintain your undermount kitchen sink?

If your sink opening is cut smaller than is required, then your counter will overhang the sink for a mere 0.25 inches or maybe even less. This is called a negative reveal, which comes with a particular set of rules to adhere to when it comes to cleaning it.

The main part of the undermount sink you have to worry about cleaning when you have a sink with a negative reveal is the underside of the overhang. You can readily clean this section by using a solution of mild bleach to sanitize it thoroughly. You’ll want to do this twice a month.

On the other hand, if your sink opening is cut larger than is adequate, then you have a positive reveal, which you can’t maintain the same way as you would a sink with a negative reveal.

Those with a positive reveal have to get ready for cleaning daily because the exposed sink rim will collect large amounts of debris. Your sink material will dictate the cleaning method you can perform.

Model
Material
Dimension
Price

Blanco Diamond Single
Granite
33.5 x 22 x 9.5 inches
$$

Kraus KHU102-33
Stainless steel
32.8 x 19 x 10 inches
$$

Swanstone KSDB-3322
Granite
33 x 22 x 9 inches
$$

Elkay ELGU2522
Quartz
24.6 x 18.5 x 9.5 inches
$$

Conclusion

Finding the perfect undermount kitchen sink can be a difficult process when you have no clue as to what to look for. Now that you have a deeper understanding of undermount sinks, you can go ahead and shop for them and know that you’re getting yourself the optimal choice available.

Can’t make up your mind yet? Read our reviews of various kitchen sink materials and types before you proceed with your purchase:

You should also check out our individual reviews of kitchen sinks: