This model of Kraus disposal is quiet as advertised. It's quieter, if you insert the plug/cover into the drain, but that restricts water flow into the disposal. The disposal drain cover comes with a waste pusher, but it only has two flanges, and you have to push the waste down several times. If Kraus designed it as an X flange (4 axes) it would push waste down easier. We also noticed that this 1/2 HP unit has trouble grinding orange or lemon peels, even when cut up into smaller pieces. The unit leaves residue behind in the grinding chamber, and it takes a longish time to grind it down. Perhaps the 3/4 HP unit does better. In our old Insinkerator, grinding citrus peels was not a problem. Overall, it's quiet and easily grinds most waste (although there is always some ground residue left in the grinding chamber). It's the first time we tried a Kraus unit, and would rate it as okay - it gets the job done, but no better than okay. We recommend getting a 3/4 HP unit.