The single vs double bowl sink question comes down to how you clean up. A single bowl gives you one wide, uninterrupted basin for sheet pans, stock pots and roasting racks. A double bowl splits the space so you can soak on one side and rinse or prep on the other. If you mostly load a dishwasher and cook with big cookware, a single bowl is usually the easier fit. If you hand wash a lot or want a separate side for a disposal, a double bowl (often an offset 60/40) makes more sense.
Single vs double bowl sink: the short comparison
Signature Hardware’s kitchen sink buying guide puts it simply: single bowls work well for people who cook with large pots, pans, trays and baking sheets, while double bowls suit households that hand wash most dishes, since one side can hold soapy water and the other is kept for rinsing and drying.
| Factor | Single bowl | Double 50/50 | Offset 60/40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Large pans, sheet pans, dishwasher households | Hand washing with a wash side and a rinse side | One big bowl for pans plus a smaller prep or disposal bowl |
| Separate zones | No, unless you add a rack or colander | Yes, two equal zones | Yes, one large and one small |
| Disposal setup | One drain | Two drains to connect | Two drains; the small bowl often takes the disposal |
| Widths in our table below | 30 to 36 in. | 30 in. | 30 to 36 in. |
Bowl layouts explained
Single bowl
One basin with no divider. Sheet pans and large skillets can lie flat, and you can tilt a stock pot without hitting a wall in the middle. The tradeoff is losing a dedicated rinse side.
Double bowl, equal 50/50
Two matching bowls. It is the classic wash and rinse setup. The catch is that each bowl is narrow, so in a 30 inch sink a sheet pan or large skillet may not lie flat.
Offset 60/40 or 70/30
One large bowl and one smaller one. The large side handles most pots, and the small side works for rinsing produce or housing the disposal. Wells describes its 30 inch CSU3019-97-1 as having a 5:4 bowl ratio that makes it easy to connect a garbage disposal to the small bowl while keeping both bowls useful.
Kitchen sink size and cabinet fit
Signature Hardware notes that the most common kitchen sink sizes are 30 or 33 inches, with standard sinks running roughly 24 to 36 inches long. It adds that sinks up to about 30 inches usually hold one large bowl, while longer sinks more often have two or more bowls.
Your base cabinet sets the limit. Listings often state a minimum or recommended cabinet width. For example, the ANZZI Vanguard 30 inch single bowl lists a minimum cabinet space of 33 inches, and the Wells 36 inch apron front sinks list a recommended cabinet size of 36 inches. Measure the inside of your sink base, not just the countertop opening, and compare it to the spec sheet before you buy.
- 30 in. sink: a strong single bowl size; a double will have narrow bowls.
- 33 in. sink: room for a comfortable 60/40 or a roomy single.
- 36 in. sink: generous single, or a double where both bowls are usable for pans.
Bowl depth and comfort
Most of the sinks below are 8 to 10 inches deep. Deeper bowls hide dishes and contain splashing, but you reach lower to grab the last plate. Offset doubles sometimes use two depths; the Wells CSU3019-97-1 lists a 9 inch deep left bowl and a 7 inch deep right bowl.
Depth also affects plumbing. Signature Hardware warns that moving to a much deeper basin can leave the drain too low for the existing trap and may require changes inside the wall. It suggests measuring the tailpiece (the pipe from the sink drain to the tee) as a guide to how much deeper you can go without changes.
Workstation sinks: a middle path
A workstation sink has ledges inside the bowl that hold sliding accessories such as a cutting board or colander. The ANZZI Aegis series uses a dual half inch suspended ledge and includes a chopping board and hanging colander, with a 10 inch deep single bowl in 16 gauge stainless steel.
Mount type in brief
- Undermount: clips under the counter so the rim is hidden and crumbs wipe straight in. Signature Hardware notes they typically need a solid surface counter such as granite or quartz.
- Drop in (top mount): the rim sits on the counter. Easier to install, works with any countertop, often has faucet holes.
- Farmhouse (apron front): an exposed front panel and usually a large, deep bowl. It needs a matching cabinet.
For a bathroom version of this decision, see our guide to vessel sink vs undermount sink.
Disposal, dishwasher and drain placement
A single bowl has one drain, so connecting a disposal and dishwasher is simpler. A double bowl needs both drains tied together, and you choose which side gets the disposal. Several Wells sinks list a drain offset toward the back, while the SSU3018-9-1 lists a center drain; match this to your existing plumbing. Drain, trap and venting rules vary, so a licensed plumber and your local code have the final word on any change.
Materials in brief
Per Signature Hardware, stainless steel sinks are usually 14, 16 or 18 gauge Type 304, where a lower number means thicker steel, and most carry sound deadening on the underside. Fireclay is fired clay with a porcelain enamel finish, and granite composite blends granite stone with acrylic resin.
Single and double bowl sinks we carry
Specs and prices come from each listing at the time of writing. Browse the full Wells Sinkware collection or the ANZZI collection for more sizes.
| Sink | Type | Listed size | Bowl depth | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells SSU3018-9-1 | Single, undermount | 30 x 18.13 in. | 9 in. | 18 gauge Type 304 stainless | $622.00 |
| Wells SSU3319-9-1 | Single, undermount | 32.5 x 18.63 in. | 9 in. overall | 18 gauge Type 304 stainless | $511.00 |
| Wells NCU3621-10-AAP | Single, apron front | 36 in. apron; 33 x 16 in. inside | 10 in. | 16 gauge Type 304 stainless | $718.04 |
| ANZZI Aegis 30 in. | Single workstation, undermount | 30 in. | 10 in. | 16 gauge stainless | $279.99 |
| ANZZI Aegis 32.75 in. | Single workstation, undermount | 32.75 in. | 10 in. | 16 gauge stainless | $429.99 |
| ANZZI Vanguard 30 in. | Single, undermount | 30 x 18 in. | 10 in. | 304 stainless | $299.00 |
| Wells 30 in. 50/50 | Double 50/50, undermount | 29 1/8 x 18 1/2 in. | 8 in. | 18 gauge Type 304 stainless | $488.00 |
| Wells CSU3019-97-1 | Double 60/40, undermount | 30 in. | 9 in. and 7 in. | 16 gauge Type 304 stainless | $721.00 |
| Wells NCU3621-10L-AAP | Double 60/40, apron front | 36 in. apron; 19 x 16 and 13 x 16 in. inside | 10 in. | 16 gauge Type 304 stainless | $774.20 |
The two Wells 36 inch apron front models share size, depth and gauge and differ only in the divider, which makes them a clean side by side choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is a single or double bowl sink better?
Neither is better for everyone. A single bowl suits big cookware and dishwasher users. A double bowl suits people who hand wash and want separate wash and rinse sides. An offset 60/40 is a popular compromise.
What kitchen sink size fits a 33 inch base cabinet?
Check the sink’s listed minimum cabinet size. For example, the ANZZI Vanguard 30 inch single bowl lists a 33 inch minimum cabinet.
Is a workstation sink worth it?
If you want a wide single bowl but also like a cutting board or colander over the sink, a workstation sink gives you both. If you rarely prep at the sink, skip it.
Can a double bowl sink have a garbage disposal?
Yes. The disposal usually goes on one bowl, often the smaller side of an offset sink. Have a licensed plumber confirm the layout meets local code.
Our outdoor kitchen cost guide and bathroom vanity sizes guide cover related fit questions. Orders of $999 or more ship free, and a $200 flat rate applies below that. Questions about sizing or plumbing fit? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST, and review our return and refund policy before you order.
