I have had three different types of switches. One where the switch was in the sink cabinet. You had to open the cabinet door to use it. A wall switch which I have for my cleanup sink currently and an air switch on my island for my prep sink. The in the cabinet switch was a pain. I dont care for the wall switch because I am short and because of where its placed its a long reach. I love the air switch on my island and wish I would have used one for my cleanup sink.

Thanks. How long have you had the countertop air switch? Did it ever give you problems? That’s my fear.

It will be 3 years in December. Haven’t had any issues with it so far.

It doesn't seem like it would be a big deal to replace it if need be.

We have an air switch on our island. Has been in place for 8 1/2 years without issue. It’s a pretty standard piece of equipment. I would think it could be easily replaced if it failed, but worth asking your appliance installer.

Nothing is more sanitary than a disposal air switch, preferably mounted into a sink with a faucet deck. Grind those chopped onion bits with one finger without ever touching a door handle and an out-of-sight switch. Gross.

I had an air switch in the countertop in our old house from 2003 until 2016, and put one in our new house 18 months ago. Put it in the counter, you will not regret it.

Easy replacement if it dies, no matter location. My last air switch was inside the sink base door which I did not hate. I was surprised when the contractor put it there, having never seen it done before. That said, I think countertop is better. (I’m on septic now, and really miss my disposal.)

In my parents' house, the disposal switch is on the outside of the sink base. My mother is quite petite and even with her lower-than-standard countertops she found it not-so-easy to reach for the switch on the wall.

Their switch was (like all the switches in the house) not a toggle but a push button.

It was very convenient (after 40 years in own homes I still don't like reaching across the counter for the switch). It could even be operated with your hip or wrist, although it was possible to bump it by accident.

Air switches will not activate if bumped "by accident". They require a deep, steady pressure to activate, and no, your cat walking across it won't start it, either.

This is what it looks like

Air switch in my last house 15 yrs..no problems. I have two in my new house.

Thanks everyone. The more I read your comments, the more I realize that I am way behind in the times!. We are redoing an old kitchen that we’ve been in since 2002. Up until this Reno I had no idea air switches even existed and I thought it was a new thing that would have glitches, etc. down the road! Glad to see it’s an established thing that it seems is the norm in new kitchens!

FWIW, I've had mine on the sink's faucet deck for the last twenty years. It has stuck maybe five times over the two decades and always because somebody unfamiliar with it depressed it with an off-center push and held it down so the plunger was angled and didn't come all the way back up when the finger was removed. Unsticking it was simple: press down on the button again to let the plunger re-align and then it comes back up. No need for "a pricey fix."

I put one in every kitchen I sell! Everyone loves them....not had one person not like it yet! They are super easy to replace if needed. These switches will be available for years to come!

Definitely on the counter. My sister has one under the sink where you have to open the cabinet door to use it, which is a big PITA because you have to step back, open the cabinet door, press the air switch, wait until you are done with the disposal, press the switch, then close the cabinet.

The only thing I would add about installing the air switch in the counter is that you want it to be installed at the end of the line, near the corner. Some people put the air switch right next to the faucet which you shouldn’t do. You don’t want it too near the faucet handle. Because you don’t want drippy hands at the faucet handle constantly dripping onto the air switch.

Here is how it should be placed:

thanks @Shannon_WI - very helpful!!