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InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1-HP vs InSinkerator Badger 5 1/2-HP Side-by-Side Comparison

The most unsurprising thing about premium, high-quality products is that you’ll understand the price difference once you’ve tried them. And that “Oh, I get it” moment is a satisfying one.

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InSinkErator Evolution Excel

InSinkerator Badger 5

InSinkErator Evolution Excel vs InSinkerator Badger 5

Overall Verdict

Ranking by
OverallScore Performance60% Design25% Usability15% ScoreOverall 60%Performance 25%Design 15%Usability InSinkErator Evolut...InSinkerator Badger 59.39.39.68.54.01.67.57.6
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The InSinkErator Badger 5 represents a mid-range option in the garbage disposal market. While it features a well-built and durable grinding mechanism capable of handling common kitchen scraps, it may not be suitable for all users. Its limitations in ensuring drain-safe output, particularly in environments with shared plumbing like apartment buildings, should be considered before purchase.

The InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1-HP caters to a different user need, where it prioritizes superior performance. This premium disposal tackles challenging waste like raw fish bones with ease and incorporates industry-leading noise cancellation technology for a quieter experience. These advanced features contribute to its higher price point compared to the Badger 5.

Pros & Cons

  • Noise cancelation
  • Vibration damping
  • High-torque motor
  • Advanced chamber layout
  • Auto-unjam mechanics
  • Extra high capacity
  • Stainless steel grinding components
  • High capacity
  • Compact design
  • Affordable
  • External unjam mechanics
  • Extra heavy
  • Space-consuming
  • No power cord
  • Expensive
  • Mediocre performance
  • Heavy build
  • Non-removable splash guard
  • Loud operation

Key Specs

Type of feed
Continuous
Continuous
Horsepower
1
1/2
Motor type
Induction (with auto-reverse feature)
Induction
Averaged RPM
1483
1480
Family size
7-8 people
1-2 people
Dimensions
L6.1 x W8.9 x H12.9 inches
L4.8 x W6.3 x H11.5 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$392.95
$108

*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
1.6

Scrap Mix

9.8
3.2
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.
InSinkerator Badger 5 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal Scrap Mix Test
13.31 ounces of fish pin bones in mess of assorted scraps from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking top.
21.24 ounces of ground products from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking table.
0.58-ounce piece of lemon peel from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking table
Input Load
90.0 oz (2551 g)
90.0 oz (2551 g)
Time
2 min
4 min
Layer 1
0.7 oz (19 g)
13.3 oz (377 g)
Layer 2
7.2 oz (203 g)
21.2 oz (602 g)
Leftovers
0.3 oz (8 g)
0.6 oz (16 g)

Raw Fish Scraps

9.3
0.0
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.
InSinkerator Badger 5 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal Raw Fish Scraps Test
4.77 ounces of visible pin bones in a mass of raw meat and skin from fish scraps on digital scale on granite-looking top.
2.55 ounces of visible pin bones in a mass of raw meat and skin from fish scraps on digital scale on granite-looking top.
8.56 ounces of broken fish vertebrae and shredded fish skin on digital scale on granite-looking top.
Input Load
49.4 oz (1400 g)
49.4 oz (1400 g)
Time
3 min
3 min
Layer 1
4.9 oz (140 g)
4.8 oz (135 g)
Layer 2
2.3 oz (65 g)
2.5 oz (72 g)
Leftovers
0.1 oz (3 g)
8.6 oz (243 g)

Raw Chicken Scraps

8.5
0.0
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.
InSinkerator Badger 5 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal Raw Chicken Scraps Test
1.07 ounces of crushed chicken bone, shredded tendon, and fatty tissue on digital scale on granite-looking top.
1.09 ounces of crushed chicken bone and cartilage, and shredded tendon and meat on digital scale on granite-looking top.
1.92 ounces of shredded fatty tissue and broken cartilage from chicken scraps on digital scale on granite-looking top.
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)
1.1 oz (30 g)
Layer 2
1.1 oz (30 g)
1.1 oz (31 g)
Leftovers
0.2 oz (5 g)
1.9 oz (54 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.6
7.5

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.
Badger 5 with 3-Bolt Mount, box, register slip, user manual, stopper, elbow tube, rubber gasket, flange, bolts, and wrench.

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.
Badger 5 with mount assembly and elbow tube. Showing 6.3-inch width, 11.5-inch height, 3.5-inch depth to dishwasher outlet, 6.7-inch depth to outlet, 4.8-inch distance to elbow tube.
Length
6.1" (15.5 cm)
4.8" (12.2 cm)
Width
8.9" (22.6 cm)
6.3" (16.0 cm)
Height
12.9" (32.8 cm)
11.5" (29.2 cm)
Weight
19.4 lbs (8.8 kg)
12.1 lbs (5.5 kg)

Mount Assembly

InSinkErator Evolution Excel Mount Assembly
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Mount Assembly
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Mount Assembly 1
InSinkerator Badger 5 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Mount Assembly3-Bolt Mount assembly for garbage disposals with “insinkerator” engravings placed on white platform with stopper in position.
InSinkerator Badger 5 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Mount Assembly3-Bolt Mount assembly for garbage disposals with “insinkerator” engravings placed on white platform with stopper in position.
Backup flange, mounting ring, snap ring, fiber gasket, cushion mount, sink flange, stopper, lower mounting ring.

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.
InSinkerator Badger 5 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Grind ChamberTop view of grinding components in InSinkErator Badger 5 looking at layout of flywheel and impellers.
InSinkerator Badger 5 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Grind ChamberTop view of grinding components in InSinkErator Badger 5 looking at layout of flywheel and impellers.
Precutter/grater ring in InSinkErator Badger 5 showing layout of cutters and grinding teeth.
Grinding components in InSinkErator Badger 5 showing design of flywheel and impeller(s).
Capacity
37.0 fl oz (1.1 L)
32.0 fl oz (946.4 ml)
Verticality
5.9" (15.0 cm)
4.5" (11.4 cm)
Flywheel
5.3" (13.3 cm)
5.3" (13.3 cm)
Assembly Material
Stainless steel
Galvanized steel
Layout
Advanced
Basic

Motor

9.0
7.0
Horsepower
1
1/2
Speed
1725 RPM
1725 RPM
Real Speed
1483 RPM
1480 RPM
Voltage
120 V
120 V
Current
10.2 A
6.3
Wattage
1224 W
756
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 InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP garbage disposal without power cord.
Length
NaN" (NaN cm)
NaN" (NaN cm)
Type
None
n/a

Accessories

Hose clamp and elbow discharge/outlet tube for garbage disposals displayed on granite-looking top.
Standard outlet/discharge set for garbage disposals on white top, showing elbow pipe, rubber gasket, flange, and 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.
InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal, with 3-Bolt Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set in place.
Noise Reduction
Yes
No
Vibration Reduction
Yes
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.5
7.6

Ease of Use

10
8.0

Installation

5.0
8.0

Smooth Operation

10
7.0

Unjam Mechanics

10
5.0
Bottom view of InSinkErator Excel disposal, showing jam buster wrench in manual unjam slot.
Bottom view of Badger 5 1/2-hp garbage disposal showing jam buster wrench in manual unjam slot.
External
Yes
Yes
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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