Kraus KWD201-33MCG, WasteGuard 1/3 HP Garbage Disposal Review

Kraus built its name on sinks and faucets, and the WasteGuard line is where that same design sensibility shows up in a garbage disposal. The KWD201-33MCG is the entry point into that lineup, a 1/3 HP disposal built around a newer MagnaGrind motor platform rather than a rebadge of an older Kraus design.

That distinction matters if you’ve looked at other Kraus disposals on this site already. The KWD201-33MCG runs on a 3800 RPM permanent-magnet MagnaGrind motor paired with QuietStorm soundproofing, a combination built specifically to cut down on the grinding noise that’s usually the biggest daily complaint about a budget disposal. It’s a newer listing on Amazon, first available in March 2025, so it doesn’t carry the review volume of Kraus’s older models yet, but the specs behind it are worth a close look regardless.

This review covers what the Kraus KWD201-33MCG actually delivers at 1/3 HP, how the MagnaGrind motor and ABS housing change the daily experience, and how it stacks up against other 1/3 HP disposals covered on this site.

Kraus KWD201-33MCG, WasteGuard 1/3 HP Garbage Disposal Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Kraus
Manufacturer	Kraus USA Plumbing, LLC
Model Number	KWD201-33MCG
Horsepower (HP)	1/3 HP
Motor Type	3800 RPM MagnaGrind Permanent-Magnet Motor
Feed Type	Continuous Feed
Grinding Chamber Capacity	27 oz
Grinding Components	Stainless Steel
Housing Material	ABS Housing
Mount Type	Universal 3-Bolt Mounting
Voltage	120V
Product Dimensions	5.25 × 8.75 × 14.5 inches
Item Weight	9.15 lbs
Color / Finish	Matte Cool Grey
Included Components	Drain and dishwasher connectors, optional power cord, splash guard, mounting flange with stainless steel rim, drain stopper with extended tailpiece
Septic Safe	Yes (per manufacturer guidelines)
Warranty	5-Year Limited Warranty for personal household use (per Kraus’s official installation manual)

Kraus KWD201-33MCG, WasteGuard 1/3 HP Garbage Disposal Key Features

3800 RPM MagnaGrind Motor

The KWD201-33MCG runs on Kraus’s MagnaGrind motor, a permanent-magnet design spinning at 3800 RPM. Unlike an induction motor, which takes a beat to ramp up to working speed, a permanent-magnet motor hits full torque the instant it’s switched on. Kraus specifically markets this as delivering less vibration than an induction motor over the same duty cycle, and it’s a real mechanical distinction, not just marketing language.

At 1/3 HP with a 27 ounce grinding chamber, this is a disposal built for a single-person household, a couple, or a lightly used secondary sink, the kind of everyday load that doesn’t need a bigger motor behind it.

QuietStorm Soundproofing and Anti-Vibration Mounting

Quiet operation is the headline feature Kraus leads with on this listing, and it’s built into the design at two points rather than one. QuietStorm soundproofing dampens the sound coming off the motor housing itself, while a separate anti-vibration mounting system keeps that vibration from transferring into the cabinet and sink above. Combined with the instant-torque permanent-magnet motor, this is a disposal engineered specifically around the noise complaint that shows up in reviews of cheaper, unbalanced units.

Stainless Steel Grinding Components with ABS Housing

Inside the chamber, the grinding components are stainless steel, resisting the corrosion and edge dulling that eventually wears down a galvanized alternative. Worth noting honestly: the outer housing itself is ABS plastic rather than metal, a detail confirmed in Amazon’s own technical specifications. Kraus positions this as a durability feature in its own right, since ABS housing resists the dents and surface corrosion that a metal shell can pick up over years under a sink, while the metal components doing the actual grinding work still get the wear resistance that matters most.

Universal 3-Bolt Mounting, Plug-In or Hardwire Ready

The KWD201-33MCG mounts with a universal 3-bolt system, the same style used across most residential disposals, which makes it a straightforward swap if you’re replacing an existing 3-bolt unit. Kraus’s installation manual walks through both a plug-in setup with the included power cord and a hardwire connection for households wiring the unit directly, so the installation path isn’t locked to one method.

Automatic Shut-Off Jam Protection

An automatic shut-off cuts power the moment the motor detects a jam, protecting the internals rather than letting the motor keep fighting a stuck object. Kraus’s manual documents a visible reset button on the underside of the unit for exactly this scenario, positioned opposite the discharge elbow, so clearing a trip doesn’t require any tools beyond a firm push.

Installation and What’s Included

The box covers what a standard installation needs: drain and dishwasher connectors, an optional power cord, a splash guard, a mounting flange with a stainless steel rim, and a drain stopper with an extended tailpiece. Kraus’s installation manual is detailed down to the mounting seal ring orientation, with a specific callout that the ring needs to seat correctly for the disposer to hold a proper gasket seal against the sink flange, worth reading closely rather than skimming during a first-time install.

Maintenance

The motor is permanently lubricated and self-cleaning through normal grinding, so skip any attempt to oil it. Kraus’s manual is direct on one point in particular: never put lye or chemical drain cleaners into the disposer, since that kind of corrosion damage voids the warranty outright. The manual also notes that mineral deposits from hard water can leave a rust-like appearance on the stainless steel turntable over time, which is a cosmetic effect rather than actual corrosion, since stainless steel turntables won’t corrode from mineral buildup alone.

Daily Use Experience

Kraus’s own installation manual describes the Anti-Jam Swivel Impellers making a clicking sound as they swing into position, and notes this is normal operation rather than a defect, a detail worth knowing before you assume something’s wrong on day one. For routine plate scraps, coffee grounds, and vegetable trim, the MagnaGrind motor and QuietStorm soundproofing should make this one of the quieter 1/3 HP disposals in its price range to live with day to day.

Being a newer listing, first available in March 2025, the KWD201-33MCG doesn’t yet have the review volume that Kraus’s longer-standing models carry. That’s not a mark against the engineering behind it, just a fact worth knowing if a large public track record factors into your buying decision.

Warranty

Kraus backs the KWD201-33MCG with a 5-year limited warranty for personal household use, confirmed directly in the manufacturer’s official installation manual. Coverage runs from the date of purchase through an authorized Kraus dealer and is non-transferable, applying only to units installed in the United States and Canada. The warranty specifically excludes damage from neglect, misuse, hard water or mineral deposits, leaks at the sink flange or dishwasher connections, and damage from chemical drain cleaners, so the standard care rules aren’t just good practice, they’re what keeps the coverage valid.

Kraus KWD201-33MCG, WasteGuard 1/3 HP Garbage Disposal Pros and Cons

Kraus KWD201-33MCG vs Similar 1/3 HP Disposals

Feature	Kraus KWD201-33MCG	American Standard 10-US-AS-3	Moen GXP33C	WasteMaid Pro 459
Motor Power	1/3 HP	1/3 HP	1/3 HP	1/3 HP
Motor Type	3800 RPM MagnaGrind	Permanent Magnet Motor	Standard Motor	2400 RPM Motor
Grinding Material	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel	Galvanized Steel	Stainless Steel
Item Weight	9.15 lbs	8.8 lbs	9.41 lbs	8.89 lbs
Warranty	5 Years	5 Years	5 Years	5 Years plus Lifetime Corrosion
Best For	Quiet operation from a newer motor platform	Budget-conscious replacement	Compact install from a fixtures brand	Fast, tool-light installation

Further Reading:
Moen GXP33C GX PRO Series 1/3 HP Garbage Disposal
WasteMaid Pro 659, 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal
GE GFC365W 1/3 HP Garbage Disposal
Waste King 9910 1/3 HP Garbage Disposal

Conclusion

The Kraus KWD201-33MCG makes its case with engineering most budget 1/3 HP disposals skip entirely: a permanent-magnet MagnaGrind motor for instant torque, and a two-part QuietStorm and anti-vibration system built specifically around cutting daily noise. The ABS housing is a fair tradeoff for that quieter operation, and the stainless-steel grinding components still get the corrosion resistance that matters most.

It’s a newer entry to Kraus’s WasteGuard lineup, so it hasn’t built the review history some competitors have yet. But backed by a straightforward 5-year warranty and specs that hold up well against other 1/3 HP disposals in this price range, the Kraus KWD201-33MCG is a strong pick for anyone prioritizing quiet daily operation over raw grinding power.