Best White Undermount Kitchen Sink (6 Picks in 6 Materials)

A white undermount sink sits below the counter, so there is no rim to catch crumbs. You can wipe spills straight into the bowl.

White also brightens a kitchen and pairs with almost any countertop. The trick is choosing a material that stays white.

The short version: The Kohler Riverby K-5871-5UA3-0 is the best white undermount sink. It is enameled cast iron with workstation accessories. For a lighter sink at a lower price, choose the Kraus Pintura KEU-14WHITE. For a matte composite, the Blanco Precis 440150 is a long-running favorite.

Our Picks at a Glance

• Best overall (cast iron): Kohler Riverby K-5871-5UA3-0 Undermount Workstation SinkJump to review ↓
• Best enameled steel: Kraus Pintura KEU-14WHITE 31.5-Inch Undermount SinkJump to review ↓
• Best granite composite: Blanco Precis 440150 Silgranit Super SingleJump to review ↓
• Best quartz composite: Elkay Quartz Classic ELGRU13322WH0Jump to review ↓
• Best value composite: Karran QU-712 Quartz Undermount SinkJump to review ↓
• Best fireclay: Ruvati Fiamma RVL3030WH 30-Inch Fireclay SinkJump to review ↓

Pick	Material	Overall Size	Bowl Depth	Min Cabinet	Price Seen
Kohler Riverby	Enameled cast iron	33 x 22 in	9 in	36 in	See listing
Kraus Pintura	Enameled T304 steel, 16 gauge	31.5 x 18.4 in	10 in	36 in	$480 at AJ Madison
Blanco Precis 440150	Silgranit granite composite	32 x 19 in	9.5 in	36 in	$631 at one retailer
Elkay Quartz Classic	Quartz composite	33 x 18.4 in	9.4 in	36 in	See listing
Karran QU-712	80% quartz composite	32.5 x 19.4 in	9 in	36 in	$362.94 at Karran
Ruvati RVL3030WH	Fireclay	30 x 18 in	9 in	33 in	See listing

1. Kohler Riverby K-5871-5UA3-0: Best Overall (Cast Iron)

Kohler’s enameled cast iron is the classic white sink. The glossy enamel is fused to heavy iron, so it is quiet, solid and easy to wipe clean.

The Riverby is also a workstation sink. A ledge holds a colander with a built-in cutting board and a utility rack. You can rinse, chop and drain in one spot.

The bowl slopes 2° toward the drain, so water does not pool in the corners. That matters on a white sink, because pooled water leaves marks.

Cast iron is very heavy. The cabinet and counter need proper support, so plan for a pro install.

Who should buy it: Anyone who wants the classic, long-lasting white sink.

2. Kraus Pintura KEU-14WHITE: Best Enameled Steel

The Kraus Pintura looks like cast iron but weighs a fraction as much. It is a stainless steel sink coated in white porcelain enamel.

That makes it far easier to undermount. You get the glossy white look without reinforcing the cabinet.

Its 10-inch bowl is the deepest in this guide. It hides a stack of dishes and fits large pots.

Kraus adds thick rubber padding to cut the hollow sound steel sinks can make.

Who should buy it: Remodelers who want glossy white without the weight of cast iron.

3. Blanco Precis 440150 Super Single: Best Granite Composite

Blanco’s Silgranit is one of the best-known composite sink materials. It is mostly granite bound with resin, giving a matte, stone-like finish.

The “super single” bowl is one big, open basin. There is no divider, so sheet pans and roasting pans lie flat.

The rear drain frees up space under the sink and keeps the drain out from under stacked dishes.

Matte white composite can show marks from metal pots and dark drinks. Wipe it daily and use a bottom grid.

Who should buy it: Cooks who want a large, stone-look white sink from a trusted brand.

4. Elkay Quartz Classic ELGRU13322WH0: Best Quartz Composite

Elkay’s Quartz Classic is a quartz composite sink with a smooth, matte finish. It is made in a wide 33-inch size with a single bowl.

Like the Blanco, it has a rear center drain. That leaves room under the sink for a garbage disposal and storage.

Quartz composite resists scratches and heat. It is also quieter than steel, because the thick material dampens sound.

Elkay sells the same sink in black and greystone if you change your mind on white.

Who should buy it: Kitchens with a 36-inch cabinet that want a wide composite bowl.

5. Karran QU-712 Quartz Undermount: Best Value Composite

The Karran QU-712 gives you a quartz composite sink for much less than Blanco or Elkay. It is about 80% natural quartz bound with acrylic resin.

It is heat safe to 535°F, and the non-porous surface resists stains.

Karran also sells a kit version with a stainless bottom grid, basket strainer and care oil. The kit is worth it to protect a white bowl.

Who should buy it: Budget remodelers who want a white composite sink.

6. Ruvati Fiamma RVL3030WH: Best Fireclay

Fireclay is clay fired at very high heat and glazed. It is dense, glossy and very resistant to stains and scratches.

The Ruvati Fiamma is a 30-inch fireclay sink that fits a 33-inch cabinet. That makes it the best choice for a smaller kitchen.

It can be undermounted or dropped in. A bottom grid and strainer come in the box.

Its 1-inch-thick wall needs an extended flange for a garbage disposal. Tell your plumber before install day.

Who should buy it: Smaller kitchens that want glossy white fireclay.

White Sink Materials Compared

Enameled cast iron is heavy, quiet and glossy. It lasts decades but needs strong support.

Enameled steel looks like cast iron but weighs far less. It can chip under a heavy blow.

Granite composite is matte and stone-like. It resists scratches and heat but shows marks on white.

Quartz composite is similar to granite composite, with a smooth matte finish.

Fireclay is glossy, dense and stain resistant. It is heavy and needs careful installation.

If you are also weighing stainless steel, read what gauge stainless steel sink is best. Want a drying area too? See the best porcelain kitchen sink with drainboard.

How to Choose the Right Size

Measure the cabinet. Most 33-inch sinks need a 36-inch base. A 30-inch sink usually fits a 33-inch base.

Check depth. 9 to 10 inches hides dishes well. Deeper bowls mean more bending.

Single or double bowl. Single bowls fit big pans. Double bowls let you wash and rinse separately. In a small kitchen, a single bowl usually works better.

Drain location. Rear drains free up space under the sink. Center drains suit most disposals.

Keeping a White Sink White

Rinse and wipe daily. Do not let coffee, tea, wine or tomato sauce sit.

Use a bottom grid. It stops pans from leaving gray metal marks.

Clean weekly. Use a paste of baking soda and water on glossy sinks. For composite, follow the maker’s cleaner and care oil.

Avoid harsh abrasives. Steel wool and gritty powders dull enamel and fireclay.

Remove metal marks. A soft cream cleanser lifts most pan marks. Rub gently in small circles, rinse well and dry the bowl with a soft towel so no film is left behind.

Clean cookware stains less. Our guides on how to clean stainless steel pans and how to clean a ceramic pan help. Cast iron leaves the most marks, so set heavy pans like a Lodge cast iron skillet on the grid.

Undermount Installation Tips

1. Pick the sink first. The counter fabricator needs the sink or its template to cut the opening.
2. Use a solid counter. Stone, quartz and solid surface work. Laminate does not.
3. Support heavy sinks. Cast iron and fireclay need brackets or a support frame.
4. Seal the joint. Silicone between sink and counter stops leaks and mold.
5. Plan the faucet. Undermount sinks need faucet holes drilled in the counter, except sinks like the Riverby that have their own deck.

Making the Most of Your Sink Area

An over-the-sink cutting board adds prep space. A magnetic knife strip keeps knives close but off the counter.

Under the sink, use stackable bins and a pull-out tray. Our small kitchen cabinet organization ideas cover the space around plumbing. For more counter room, see countertop organization ideas for a small kitchen.

A clean, dry sink also helps keep pests out of a small kitchen. If your dishwasher sits beside the sink, keep it fresh with our guide on how to clean a dishwasher.

Remodeling Around a New Sink

A new sink is a good time to refresh the rest of the kitchen. Good ventilation keeps steam off cabinets; see the best under-cabinet range hood.

If you are replacing appliances too, consider the best compact Energy Star appliances for small kitchens. A low-flow faucet aerator is an easy way to reduce kitchen energy use.

Single Bowl, Double Bowl or Workstation?

Single bowl sinks give you one big basin. They fit sheet pans, roasting pans and a tall stockpot with a lid. All six picks here are single bowl.

Double bowl sinks split the space so you can wash on one side and rinse on the other. Each side is smaller, so large pans do not lie flat.

Workstation sinks, like the Kohler Riverby, add a ledge for a cutting board, colander and drying rack. They turn the sink into a prep station, which helps in a small kitchen with little counter space.

Baking sheets are often the widest thing you wash. If yours do not fit, check the bowl length against the pan. Our guide on why baking sheets warp in the oven explains why a cold rinse on a hot pan is a bad idea.

Choosing Accessories for a White Sink

Bottom grid. The most important add-on for a white sink. It keeps pots off the bowl floor and stops metal marks. Ruvati includes one, and Karran sells a kit with one.

Basket strainer. Catches food scraps. Kraus and Ruvati include one.

Roll-up drying rack. Lies across the bowl so dishes drip straight into the sink.

Soap dispenser. A built-in pump frees up counter space.

Faucet. A pull-down faucet makes it easy to rinse every corner of a large single bowl. Brass, black and stainless finishes all look sharp against white.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ordering the counter before the sink. The fabricator needs the exact sink to cut the opening.
• Skipping support for heavy sinks. Cast iron and fireclay need brackets or a frame.
• Forgetting the disposal flange. Thick fireclay and composite sinks may need an extended flange.
• Using bleach on composite. It can dull the finish. Use the maker’s cleaner instead.
• Leaving cast iron pans in the sink. They leave rust and gray marks. Wash, dry and store them right away; see how to store pots and pans in a small kitchen.
• Dropping knives in the bowl. It chips enamel and dulls blades. Wash them by hand and keep them keen with a good knife sharpener.

Which White Undermount Sink Should You Buy?

Buy the Kohler Riverby for classic cast iron with workstation tools.

Pick the Kraus Pintura for the cast-iron look at less weight.

Choose the Blanco Precis for a large, trusted granite composite.

Get the Elkay Quartz Classic for a wide quartz bowl with a rear drain.

Go with the Karran QU-712 for the best composite value.

Choose the Ruvati Fiamma for glossy fireclay in a 33-inch cabinet.

Undermount Installation Tips

An undermount sink hangs from the underside of the countertop, so the install matters as much as the sink. It needs a solid surface such as granite, quartz or solid surface; laminate counters cannot support it.

Have the countertop fabricator cut the opening to the sink’s template, and ask for a polished edge. Good installers use clips or brackets plus a bead of silicone, not glue alone. A heavy fireclay sink may also need support rails underneath the cabinet.

Related Guides

• Coolest Kitchen Appliances to Buy
• Vertical Storage Ideas for Small Kitchens
• How to Organize Kitchen Drawers in a Small Kitchen
• How to Organize a Small Kitchen With No Pantry
• Pots and Pans Rack Reviews
• Best Side-by-Side Refrigerator
• Best Airtight Food Storage Containers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best white undermount kitchen sink?

The Kohler Riverby K-5871-5UA3-0 is the best pick in this guide. It is a 33-inch enameled cast iron workstation sink with a 9-inch-deep bowl that slopes toward the drain. It comes with a utility rack, a colander with a cutting board and a bottom rack.

Do white sinks stain easily?

Some do. Glossy enameled cast iron, fireclay and porcelain enamel resist stains well and wipe clean. Matte composite sinks like granite and quartz can show coffee, tea and metal marks, so clean them often and follow the maker's care steps.

Which white sink material is most durable?

Fireclay and enameled cast iron are the hardest-wearing glossy surfaces. Granite and quartz composites resist scratches and heat well. Porcelain enamel over steel is lighter and cheaper but can chip if a heavy pan hits it hard.

What size cabinet do I need for an undermount sink?

Most 30-inch sinks need a 33-inch cabinet, and most 32- to 33-inch sinks need a 36-inch cabinet. Check the maker's minimum cabinet size before you order the counter.

Can any sink be undermounted?

No. The sink must be designed for undermount, with a flat rim that sits under the counter. Your counter must be solid stone, quartz or solid surface. Laminate counters do not suit undermount sinks.