Kitchen Faucets Blog is reader supported – if you click on a link and make a purchase, We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links at no additional costs to you.

Contents show

What Gauge Stainless Steel Sink is Best?

One of the most indispensable items of a modern kitchen is the sink since it is used innumerable times when you are in the kitchen. A stainless steel sink is an ultimate choice as it is usually less expensive than other options in the market.

When buying one, you must keep in mind whether it is long-lasting and worth the price you are paying for it. The quality relies on the thickness and better quality sinks are thicker than sub-standard ones and hence more expensive. Top grade sinks are scratch and corrosion resistant and fade slowly.

The market is teeming with stainless steel sinks of a vast range of quality and durability that can cater to a variety of demands and needs. Therefore, if you want to know what gauge stainless steel sink is best for your kitchen, go through this article till the end.

What Is The Gauge?

The thickness of the stainless steel sink is known as the gauge.

The gauge thickness is the most dominant factor in determining your sink’s durability and quality. If the gauge is not thick enough, the sink will often rattle and make “pinging” sounds that are annoying.

The lower the gauge, the thicker is the material. Cheaper sinks have 22 to 23 gauge thickness while top-level costlier ones have 18 to 19 gauge. Lower gauge sinks ensure the strength and sturdiness of the sink.

16 Gauge vs 18 Gauge Stainless Steel Sink

16 gauge is thicker at 0.0625 inches than 18 gauge which is 0.05 inches thick. So 18 gauge is 20 % thinner than 16 gauge, which is stronger.

If you come across two sinks (16 and 18 gauge) that have similar prices, buy 16 gauge because there is no detectable variation between the two. At similar costs, 16 gauge is more promising as it is thicker which implies it is stronger.

However, if 16 gauge is more costly, buy 18 gauge because though 18 gauge is thinner, it will be a better deal than 16 gauge since there is hardly any difference between them.

16 gauge is long-wearing because it is heat resistant and is stain, dent, and scratch proof. It dampens sound, hence when you dispose of garbage into it, it doesn’t cause much vibration.

18 gauge is highly durable as well, because it is heat, stain, dent, and scratch proof too. It also does not cause much noise and remains stable during disposal.

Is 16 Gauge For You?

The answer to this question relies on your budget and how much you want from your kitchen’s refurbishment. If you are renovating your kitchen with high end and costly utilities, it is better to install 16 gauge. It is fine to have a less expensive kitchen sink but if you want it to go with your classy and posh looking kitchen, upgrade to 16 gauge.

On a different note, it can be said that thicker gauge does not mean better quality, just because it is thicker. It is often made thick to cover flaws in manufacturing, which questions its standard. Therefore it would be a poor choice for your kitchen.

My Top 4 List Of 16-Gauge Stainless Steel Sink

Ruvati 32 inch Sink

This sink is a bit expensive but well received by many users. It is large, deep, and looks great. So, it is definitely a good purchase if you’re thinking of buying a new sink.

Pros

It does not stain or rust due to its premium grade stainless steel.
It has a polished finish, hence it is easy to clean and is scratch proof and durable.
It comes with fat rubber padding that reduces sounds and prevents condensation.

Cons

Prone to Water spots

You May Read More Here:>>> Ruvati Sink Reviews

Sarlai 33 Inch sink

This is another great 16-gauge sink. We really love its design. Its sound-dampening pads are great at reducing noise while cleaning.

Pros

It is extremely durable and hard-wearing.
It does not stain or rust.
It can be cleaned easily.
Enables water to be thoroughly drained.
It has curved corners that offer a classy appearance.

Cons

Securing clips are difficult to put in

Ruvati 15 x 15-inch sink

The Ruvati 15 x 15-inch sink is simple and well built. It is a bit small so best for small kitchens.

Pros

It is designed for small kitchens.
It comes with a chopping board.
It can be cleaned easily and is long-lasting because it will not stain or rust due to its premium grade stainless steel design.

Cons

Difficult installation

Zuhne 33 X 22-inch sink

From the award-winning company Zuhne, comes the Zuhne 33 x 22-inch sink. It has a decent size and a solid build quality giving it a place in this list.

Pros

It comes with drying rail, suction sponge, and brush holder.
It is resistant to scratches because it has a scratch protector grid.
It reduces noise due to quality insulation.
The corners are curved and hence can be cleaned easily.

Cons

Prone to rusting

18 Gauge vs 20 Gauge Stainless Steel Sink

18 gauge is thicker than 20 gauge, which is 0.0375 inches thick and is 40 % thinner than 16 gauge.

20 gauge, being ultra-thin, causes noises and rattling during disposal and usage, such as washing. If you have heavy and large cookware, 20 gauge is not ideal whereas 18 gauge, with its perfect thickness, is the ultimate choice.

18 gauge resists dents and bumps due to movement during washing and other activities. 18 gauge is more durable and hard-wearing. 20 gauge is not a good value for money as it is not economical to spend money on it ignoring its shortcomings.

Is 18 Gauge for You?

It is made of premium top grade steel that ensures durability and quality. It is only 5% less thick than 16 gauge. It is going to resist any cookware you would place on the sink. It can be said that it is more well-built than the cabinets and countertop supporting the sink.

It provides a greater value for money because if you find similarly priced 18 and 20 gauge sinks, it is going to be better to buy the 18 gauge as it is thicker and sturdier.

Hence, of all the gauge sinks mentioned in this article, this would be a good option for purchase.

My Top 3 list of 18 gauge stainless steel sink

Kraus 25 inch Sink

Kraus is one of the top companies which sell kitchenware. So, you can expect quality from their Kraus 25 inch sink which is an Amazon bestseller as well.

Pros

It is manufactured from top-grade and highly durable stainless steel.
It is resistant to dents and scratches and does not get damaged from everyday use.

Cons

However, it has a satin finish which does not go with your kitchen ambiance.
It has a limited lifetime warranty.

Kraus KBU29 32 inch Sink

The Kraus is a two-compartment kitchen sink which is great for multitasking.

Pros

It comes with a basket strainer, scratch protector grid, water drainage system, kitchen towel, and hanging gear.
It is dent-proof, durable, and is completely insulated to absorb annoying sounds.

Cons

It has a satin finish and a limited warranty.

APPASO 28-inch sink

The Appaso 28 inch sink is a decently sized sink that has great durability and brilliant design. You will definitely be satisfied with its build quality.

Pros

It is extremely heavy-duty and hardwearing because it is composed of 25% more steel than regular sinks.
It does not get deformed with use.
Rubber padding covering 80% of the sink absorbs noise caused by friction.

Cons

A bit expensive

20 Gauge vs 22 Gauge Stainless Steel Sink

22 gauge is 0.0312 inches thick which is 50% thinner than 16 gauge.

It easily dents and gets deformed because it is so thin and lightweight. It vibrates easily and cannot handle garbage disposers. They are really fine at the edges, which makes them incompetent at supporting heavy cookware and faucets.

However, the 20 gauge is neither dent-proof because it is also very lightweight. But it is a good value for money as you are getting thicker material without a heftier price tag.

Is 20 Gauge for You?

It is very cheap because it is fine, ultra-thin and lightweight. It is the ultimate sink for small kitchens because you don’t need to worry about huge and heavy utensils lying on and deforming it. However, it dents too easily. It easily fades and corrodes with time. It rattles with garbage disposers.

My Top 2 List Of 20 Gauge Stainless Steel Sink

US1030T top mount sink

This is a good quality kitchen sink with sound dampening design. Allowing you to do your kitchen work with less noise.

Pros

It has mind-blowing durability despite its thickness.
There are sound absorbing pads under it which reduce unwanted noises.
It can be cleaned easily.
It is highly broad, has a sloping edge.
It has a single large bowl which makes it highly functional as you can do a lot of washing.

Cons

It comes with a satin finish which is not suitable for kitchens.

>>Check Price on Amazon<<

MSDP3322SB 33 X 22 inch sink

This is a large kitchen sink with a great design. Best for kitchens with a lot of space.

Pros

It has a sleek design.
The edges are gently curved and hence it is easy to clean.
The brushed finish ensures durability and glossiness.
It is stain and scratch proof.

Cons

However, it is appropriate for the home only.

22 Gauge vs 24 Gauge Stainless Steel Sink

24 gauge is merely 0.025 inches thick which is 60% thinner than 16 gauge.

It is so thin that it is unable to absorb unnecessary sounds. It is not scratch proof. They are suitable for tiny kitchens. They are much cheaper than the thicker gauge sinks found in the market. They are not appropriate for heavy utensils like cast iron pans.

22 gauge is a better deal because it is inexpensive as well as comparatively less prone to deformations and can absorb noises better.

Is 22 Gauge For You?

They are good for tiny kitchens or places that are not usually used. They are cheap and lightweight. They can be deformed easily and cannot take up sounds smoothly. They are hard to install. They may even drop from the kitchen counter. They are prone to discoloration and wear.

Hence, they are hardly a strong counterpart for all the other gauge sinks talked about.

My Top 2 List Of 22 Gauge Stainless Steel Sink

Moen G222133 2200 Series

Moen is an industry leader in kitchenware. So, you can expect nothing but the best from this sink.

Pros

A double bowl makes it highly practical.
Undercoating softens noises.
It has 3 holes that go well with a variety of faucets.
It can withstand heavy use.

Cons

Gauge is thin

Moen G222173 2200 Series

Here, we have another from Moen. It also has two bowls making it an exceptionally useful kitchen sink for multitasking.

Pros

It comes with a double bowl which makes washing easy.
It absorbs extra sounds.
It comes with 3 holes that complement various faucets.

Cons

Rusting Issues

Buying Guide

Thickness, insulation and noise absorption

The greater the thickness, the lower the gauge and hence the price is higher. Nevertheless, that is a rough guide since top-notch thinner sinks can cost more than shoddy thicker sinks.

Thicker gauge sinks have more insulation and offer greater noise absorption.

Affordability

Do keep in mind that you want the best for your kitchen at an affordable price. You may want to spend more if you want the sink to complement your chic and exclusive kitchen space but you must always remember to make a posh yet worthy purchase at a reasonable (read not too hefty) price.

Price

16 gauge sinks are priced around USD 215 and if you are looking for the high-end ones you should be ready to spend USD 370 or higher.
18 gauge sinks cost in the range of USD 170 and for top-grade ones the price may be higher than USD 250.
20 gauge costs about USD 118 but there are not many variations around this price.
The lowest price for 22 gauge sinks is USD 95 and it doesn’t go much higher.

Note that the high-end ones are not easy on the wallet if you have an average income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it necessary for my sink to have undercoating and be insulated with pads on the underside?

Answer: Pads absorb unwanted “pinging” noises caused by a garbage disposal, washing, and the water from the faucet hitting the sink. The sink needs undercoating to prevent water from condensing on the bottom of the sink.

Is 22 gauge sink a good choice for purchase?

Answer: They are really thin owing to their higher gauge value and hence they easily bow and get dented and deformed. Thus it becomes tough to install them. They can easily drop from the kitchen counter. They cause “pinging” sounds too. They are only ideal for places that are not regularly used.

Are thicker gauge sinks always better?

Answer: Not always. When taking into account their strength, and noise absorption abilities, they are a perfect option. However, there are other factors that you should bear in mind such as straightness, insulation pads, finish, etc.

Conclusion( What Gauge Stainless Steel Sink is Best? )

Gauge stainless steel is the most popular material for kitchen sinks nowadays and they are getting more and more favored day by day. I hope this guide helps you in deciding what gauge stainless steel sink is best for you in terms of features, quality, durability, and affordability.