What Is a Drop-In Sink?

Below the countertop are clips to hold the sink firmly in place.

They are also typically less expensive than undermount sinks.

Double drop-in sink placed inside sink opening with marble countertop

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Additionally, the rim of the sink is visible when looking at the countertop.

Not all drop-in sinks require clips to lock them down.

In some cases, two people are needed during the installation.

Undermount kitchen sink

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

What Is an Undermount Sink?

Anundermount sinkis installed from underneath the countertop, rather than on top of it.

Undermount sinks are typically installed with special mounting clips that attach the sink to the underside of the countertop.

Illustration comparing undermount sinks vs. drop-in sinks

The Spruce

The sink is then sealed to the countertop with a silicone caulk to create a watertight seal.

Because of the precision required for installation, undermount sinks may be more expensive to install than drop-in sinks.

Overall, undermount sinks are a popular choice for many homeowners because of their modern appearance.

However, there is one throw in of drop-in sink that cansave some counter space: thedrainboard sink.

A depression remains, and this naturally becomes a magnet for food buildup.

With drop-in sinks, all working areas of the sink are visible and accessible.

The only difference is that you have better access and more visibility when cleaning the drop-in sink.

In fact, ease of cleaning is the number one selling point of the undermount configuration.

While an exact replacement in size is generally easier, there are additional things to consider.

Removing the old sink is not always an easy task, as it becomes easy to damage the countertop.

The depth of the sink needs to be considered, too.

This can result in having to alter the plumbing drain connection below the sink.

By comparison, undermount sinks require much more care for proper installation.

They must be fitted in place and supported temporarily while the clip locations are marked.

Holes must be drilled into the countertop (very carefully) and the clips installed.

Then the sink must be caulked and mounted, with almost no room for error.

The laminate isn’t the issue; it’s the underlying base ofparticleboard or MDF.

MDF does not hold clip fasteners well, and it is highly vulnerable to moisture damage.

That said, undermount sinks clearly have a more custom, high-end look and feel compared to conventional drop-ins.

Which Sink Is Best: Undermount or Drop-In?

Also, drop-in sinks are versatile and easy to install.

Assuming the sinks have similar measurements, you’ll just need to drop the sink in and secure/seal it.