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InSinkErator Evolution Excel vs GE GFC525N 1/2-HP Side-by-Side Comparison

For those with a tight budget, the GE GFC525N does scratch a certain itch with its adequate power and forgiving price. Those who look for something with top-of-the-line features, however, would find the Evolution Excel more compelling.

By , , and ·Published

InSinkErator Evolution Excel

GE GFC525N 1/2-HP

InSinkErator Evolution Excel vs GE GFC525N 1/2-HP

Overall Verdict

Ranking by
OverallScore Performance60% Design25% Usability15% ScoreOverall 60%Performance 25%Design 15%Usability InSinkErator Evolut...GE GFC525N 1/2-HP9.39.39.68.56.76.07.97.4
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The InSinkErator Evolution Excel is a powerful garbage disposal, sporting a vigorous motor and an intricate grinding chamber. It can quickly deal with all sorts of kitchen scraps and, drawing from our testing, even raw meat scraps. What’s more, the disposal’s noise canceling system is no-doubt the best we’ve seen. A big family with members who are sensitive to loud noises would definitely benefit the most from what the Excel has to offer.

The GE Disposall GFC525N is modest in configurations. It runs on a small motor and is built to be affordable. But the disposal is stronger than what it seems. Our testing shows that it can make quick work of cooked chicken bones and avocado pits without hassle. But the disposal is not good with large volumes of food and tricky materials like raw fish bones.

Pros & Cons

  • Noise cancelation
  • Vibration damping
  • High-torque motor
  • Advanced chamber layout
  • Auto-unjam mechanics
  • Extra high capacity
  • Stainless steel grinding components
  • High-speed motor
  • Affordable 
  • Easy installation
  • Extra heavy
  • Space-consuming
  • No power cord
  • Expensive
  • Small capacity
  • No noise/vibration insulation
  • Faulty details

Key Specs

Type of feed
Continuous
Continuous
Horsepower
1
1/2
Motor type
Induction (with auto-reverse feature)
Permanent magnet
Averaged RPM
1483
4317
Family size
7-8 people
1-2 people
Dimensions
L6.1 x W8.9 x H12.9 inches
L5.4 x W5.8 x H12.7 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$392.95
$103.13

*You help support HealthyKitchen101's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
9.3
6.0

Scrap Mix

9.8
5.8
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Scrap Mix Test
0.66 ounces of ground products from a garbage disposal, displayed on a digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Visible fish pin bones in a mess of assorted scraps.
7.16 ounces of ground products from a garbage disposal, displayed on a digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Mess of assorted scraps, including fibers, bones, etc.
0.29 ounces of ground products from a garbage disposal, displayed on a digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Broken up pieces of corncob.
GE GFC525N 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Scrap Mix Test
11.67 ounces of fish pin bones in mess of assorted scraps from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking top.
14.19 ounces of ground products from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of assorted scraps, including fibers, bones, etc.
0.12 ounces of ground products from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Shredded pieces of dietary fiber.
Input Load
90.0 oz (2551 g)
90.0 oz (2551 g)
Time
2 min
2 min 53 sec
Layer 1
0.7 oz (19 g)
11.7 oz (331 g)
Layer 2
7.2 oz (203 g)
14.2 oz (402 g)
Leftovers
0.3 oz (8 g)
0.1 oz (3 g)

Raw Fish Scraps

9.3
5.6
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Raw Fish Scraps Test
4.93 ounces of ground fish scraps from a garbage disposal, displayed on a digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Visible pin bones among a mess of raw fibrous tissue.
2.3 ounces of ground fish scraps from a garbage disposal, displayed on a digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Mess of assorted shredded bones and raw fibrous tissue.
0.12 ounces of ground fish scraps from a garbage disposal, displayed on a digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Small mess of shredded fish backbone and skin.
GE GFC525N 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Raw Fish Scraps Test
6.01 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Pin bones among a mess of raw fibrous tissue.
1.89 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of assorted shredded bones and raw fibrous tissue.
3.79 ounces of ground fish scraps from a garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded fish backbone and skin.
Input Load
49.4 oz (1400 g)
49.4 oz (1400 g)
Time
3 min
3 min
Layer 1
4.9 oz (140 g)
6.0 oz (170 g)
Layer 2
2.3 oz (65 g)
1.9 oz (54 g)
Leftovers
0.1 oz (3 g)
3.8 oz (107 g)

Raw Chicken Scraps

8.5
6.8
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Raw Chicken Scraps Test
0.68 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Mess of shredded soft tissue and few pieces of shredded bones.
1.07 ounces of ground chicken scraps from a garbage disposal, displayed on a digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Mess of fibrous soft tissue and pieces of shredded bones.
0.19 ounces of ground chicken scraps from a garbage disposal, displayed on a digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Small mess of soft tissue and pieces of shredded cartilage.
GE GFC525N 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Raw Chicken Scraps Test
0.8 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded soft tissues and shredded bones.
2.25 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded tendons and shredded bones.
0.29 ounces of ground chicken scraps from a garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of soft tissue and pieces of shredded cartilage.
Input Load
7.4 oz (210 g)
7.4 oz (210 g)
Time
2 min 30 sec
3 min
Layer 1
0.7 oz (19 g)
0.8 oz (23 g)
Layer 2
1.1 oz (30 g)
2.3 oz (64 g)
Leftovers
0.2 oz (5 g)
0.3 oz (8 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.6
7.9

In the Box

InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1 HP with 3-Bolt Mount assembly on top, next to its box, user manual, registration slip, sink stopper, hose clamp, elbow tube, straight tube, wrench, and bolts.
GE Disposall GFC525N 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal with EZ Mount assembly on top, next to its box, user manual, registration slip, sink stopper, elbow tube, and two sets of flanges and bolts.

Dimensions

InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1-hp food disposer with mount assembly and elbow tube. Dimensions show 8.9-inch width, 12.9-inch height, 3.4-inch depth to dishwasher outlet, 7.1-inch depth to outlet, 6.1-inch distance to elbow tube.
GE GFC525N 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal with mount assembly and elbow tube. Dimensions show 5.8-inch width, 12.7-inch height, 4.1-inch depth to dishwasher outlet, 6.1-inch depth to outlet, 5.4-inch distance to elbow tube.
Length
6.1" (15.5 cm)
5.4" (13.7 cm)
Width
8.9" (22.6 cm)
5.8" (14.7 cm)
Height
12.9" (32.8 cm)
12.7" (32.3 cm)
Weight
19.4 lbs (8.8 kg)
7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)

Mount Assembly

InSinkErator Evolution Excel Mount Assembly
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Mount Assembly
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Mount Assembly 1
EZ Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform. “Disposall” engraving on rim of sink flange. Sink stopper in position.
EZ Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform. “Disposall” engraving on rim of sink flange. Sink stopper in position.
Support ring, mounting ring, cushion mount, fiber gasket, rubber gasket, sink flange, stopper, removable sink splash guard.

Grind Chamber

9.5
6.5
Top view through collar of InSinkErator Evolution 1-hp garbage disposal into chamber after testing. Looking at layout of grinding components, showing swivel impellers, flywheel, and grater/grinder ring.
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Grind Chamber
Top view through collar of InSinkErator Evolution 1-hp garbage disposal into chamber after testing. Looking at layout of grinding components, showing swivel impellers, flywheel, and grater/grinder ring.
Inside view of Evolution Excel 1-hp garbage disposal, highlighting design of GrindShear grater ring by InSinkErator, partially showing details of flywheel.
Inside view of InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1-hp garbage disposal after testing, highlighting design of impellers, partially showing details of flywheel and grater/grinder ring.
Inside view of InSinkErator Evolution 1-hp food waste disposer, highlighting parts of Excel Tri-Action Lug system, partially showing details of grater/grinder ring and flywheel.
Top view through collar of Evolution Excel 1-hp garbage disposal into chamber, highlighting parts of Tri-Action Lug system by InSinkErator, partially showing details of flywheel.
Top view of GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal after testing, looking at layout of grinding components.
Top view of GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal after testing, looking at layout of grinding components.
Grind chamber of GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal, showing grater/grinder ring and details on flywheel.
Grind chamber of GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal, showing impellers and details of flywheel and grinder ring.
Capacity
37.0 fl oz (1.1 L)
23 fl.oz.
Verticality
5.9" (15.0 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
Flywheel
5.3" (13.3 cm)
4.4" (11.2 cm)
Assembly Material
Stainless steel
Basic
Layout
Advanced
Galvanized Steel

Motor

9.0
8.5
A digital tachometer is measuring the speed of the motor/flywheel of the GE GFC525N 1/2-HP garbage disposal in our speed test. A smartphone is running the timer app.
Horsepower
1
1/2
Speed
1725 RPM
2300 RPM
Real Speed
1483 RPM
4363 RPM
Voltage
120 V
120 V (60 Hz)
Current
10.2 A
4.5 A
Wattage
1224 W
540 W
Heat
N/A
n/a
Reverse
Yes
No

Power Cord

Bottom view of InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1-hp with two pre-cut electrical wires and no power cord. (Unscrewed) cover plate and screw to the sides.
Bottom view of GE GFC525N 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal corded garbage disposal with type-B power cord.
Length
NaN" (NaN cm)
34.5" (87.6 cm)
Type
None
3-prong (B)

Accessories

Hose clamp and elbow discharge/outlet tube for garbage disposals displayed on granite-looking top.
Standard outlet/discharge set for garbage disposals on granite-looking top, showing elbow pipe, rubber gasket, flange, bolts.
Width
3.3" (8.3 cm)
3.3" (8.3 cm)
Length
5.3" (13.3 cm)
5.3" (13.3 cm)
Material
PVC
PVC

Build Quality

10
8.5
InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal, with 3-Bolt Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed.
GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal with EZ Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed.
Noise Reduction
Yes
No
Vibration Reduction
Yes
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.5
7.4

Ease of Use

10
6.0

Installation

5.0
10

Smooth Operation

10
8.0

Unjam Mechanics

10
0.0
Bottom view of InSinkErator Excel disposal, showing jam buster wrench in manual unjam slot.
Inside view of permanent-magnet garbage disposal showing manual unjam mechanics with wooden stick in flywheel’s opening/gap.
External
Yes
No
Auto Unjam
Yes
No

Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Be Nguyen
Be NguyenReviewer

Be Nguyen is a writer and product reviewer. Being naturally curious about technology and its real-world applications, Be spent several years in university studying engineering before joining the team at HealthyKitchen101 where he disassembles, tests, and rates household appliances.

Headshot of Lap Vo
Lap VoTest Lead

Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.

Headshot of Nguyen Ntk
Nguyen NtkVisual Specialist

Nguyen Ntk is a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer whose philosophy centers around respecting and celebrating the beauty of reality. Through his lenses, Nguyen strives to capture the true essence of objects and events, showcasing and highlighting authentic features without distortion or exaggeration.

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