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InSinkErator Evolution Excel vs InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR Side-by-Side Comparison

Busy households with plenty of food scraps to deal with daily would prefer something rigid and capable like the two we have here. But they can be quite pricey.

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InSinkErator Evolution Excel

InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR

InSinkErator Evolution Excel vs InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR

Overall Verdict

Ranking by
OverallScore Performance60% Design25% Usability15% ScoreOverall 60%Performance 25%Design 15%Usability InSinkErator Evolut...InSinkErator Evolut...9.39.39.68.57.97.38.98.4
Showing: 2/2 Items

Coming from the same series, the Evolution Excel and the Evolution Essential XTR share a number of features. Most notably is the exclusive SoundSeal technology and the multi-stage design for the grinding chamber.

The Evolution Excel, however, is better on all fronts. For example, it enjoys a thicker, more layered body casing that enhances noise insulation. That means even quieter operation. Other than that, the Evolution Excel’s chamber is also more nuanced than that of the Evolution Essential XTR. This is evidenced by the results from running our performance tests.

Pros & Cons

  • Noise cancelation
  • Vibration damping
  • High-torque motor
  • Advanced chamber layout
  • Auto-unjam mechanics
  • Extra high capacity
  • Stainless steel grinding components
  • Noise cancelation
  • Vibration damping
  • High-torque motor
  • Strengthened chamber layout
  • High capacity
  • Stainless steel grinding components
  • Included sink top switch
  • Extra heavy
  • Space-consuming
  • No power cord
  • Expensive
  • Heavy
  • Space-consuming

Key Specs

Type of feed
Continuous
Continuous
Horsepower
1
3/4
Motor type
Induction (with auto-reverse feature)
Induction
Averaged RPM
1483
1478
Family size
7-8 people
3-4 people
Dimensions
L6.1 x W8.9 x H12.9 inches
L6.1 x W8.6 x H12.4 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$392.95
$295.55

*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
7.3

Scrap Mix

9.8
6.6
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 Evolution Essential XTR Scrap Mix Test
12.19 ounces of fish pin bones in mess of assorted scraps from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking top.
21.46 ounces of ground products from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of assorted scraps, including fibers, bones, etc.
Almost 0 ounces of ground products from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Pieces of shredded dietary fiber.
Input Load
90.0 oz (2551 g)
90.0 oz (2551 g)
Time
2 min
2 minutes
Layer 1
0.7 oz (19 g)
12.2 oz (346 g)
Layer 2
7.2 oz (203 g)
21.5 oz (608 g)
Leftovers
0.3 oz (8 g)
0.00 oz (0 g)

Raw Fish Scraps

9.3
8.3
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 Evolution Essential XTR Raw Fish Scraps Test
7.24 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Broken fish bones among a mess of raw fibrous tissue.
3.52 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of assorted shredded fish bones and raw fibrous tissue.
0.12 ounces of ground fish scraps from a garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded fish skin and a piece of pin bone.
Input Load
49.4 oz (1400 g)
49.4 oz (1400 g)
Time
3 min
3 min
Layer 1
4.9 oz (140 g)
7.2 oz (205 g)
Layer 2
2.3 oz (65 g)
3.5 oz (100 g)
Leftovers
0.1 oz (3 g)
0.1 oz (3 g)

Raw Chicken Scraps

8.5
7.8
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.
InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR Raw Chicken Scraps Test
3.03 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded soft tissue and pieces of shredded bones.
1.01 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded tendons and pieces of shredded bones.
0.3 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)
3.0 oz (86 g)
Layer 2
1.1 oz (30 g)
1.0 oz (29 g)
Leftovers
0.2 oz (5 g)
0.3 oz (9 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.6
8.9

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.
InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR 3/4 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.

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.
InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR 3/4-hp food disposer with mount assembly and elbow tube. Dimensions show 8.6-inch width, 12.4-inch height, 3.4-inch depth to dishwasher outlet, 6.6-inch depth to outlet, 6.1-inch distance to elbow tube.
Length
6.1" (15.5 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
Width
8.9" (22.6 cm)
8.6" (21.8 cm)
Height
12.9" (32.8 cm)
12.4" (31.5 cm)
Weight
19.4 lbs (8.8 kg)
16.0 lbs (7.3 kg)

Mount Assembly

InSinkErator Evolution Excel Mount Assembly
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Mount Assembly
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Mount Assembly 1
3-Bolt Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform. “food waste disposer” and “InSinkErator” engraving on rim of sink flange. Sink stopper in position.
3-Bolt Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform. “food waste disposer” and “InSinkErator” engraving on rim of sink flange. Sink stopper in position.
Parts of 3-Bolts Mount assembly on platform, including backup flange, mounting ring, snap ring, fiber gasket, stopper, cushion mount, sink flange with “food waste disposer” and “InSinkErator” engravings, removable sink baffle, lower mounting ring.

Grind Chamber

9.5
8.5
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 through collar of InSinkErator Essential XTR 3/4-hp garbage disposal into grinding chamber after testing. Highlighting layout of grinding components, showing swivel impellers, flywheel, and grater/grinder ring.
Top view through collar of InSinkErator Essential XTR 3/4-hp garbage disposal into grinding chamber after testing. Highlighting layout of grinding components, showing swivel impellers, flywheel, and grater/grinder ring.
Inside view of Evolution Essential XTR 3/4-hp garbage disposal, highlighting design of GrindShear grater ring by InSinkErator, partially showing details of flywheel.
Inside view of InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR 3/4-hp garbage disposal after testing, highlighting design of impellers, partially showing details of flywheel and grater/grinder ring.
Capacity
37.0 fl oz (1.1 L)
32.0 fl oz (946.4 ml)
Verticality
5.9" (15.0 cm)
5.4" (13.7 cm)
Flywheel
5.3" (13.3 cm)
5.3" (13.3 cm)
Assembly Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Layout
Advanced
Strengthened

Motor

9.0
8.0
Horsepower
1
3/4
Speed
1725 RPM
1725 RPM
Real Speed
1483 RPM
1482 RPM
Voltage
120 V
120 V (60 Hz)
Current
10.2 A
8.1 A
Wattage
1224 W
972 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 InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR 3/4-hp with two pre-cut electrical wires and no power cord. (Unscrewed) cover plate and screw to the sides.
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.
Hose clamp and elbow discharge/outlet tube for garbage disposals displayed on granite-looking top.
Width
3.3" (8.3 cm)
3.3" (8.3 cm)
Length
5.3" (13.3 cm)
5.3" (13.3 cm)
Material
PVC
n/a

Build Quality

10
10
InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal, with 3-Bolt Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed.
InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR 3/4 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal, with 3-Bolt Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed.
Noise Reduction
Yes
Yes
Vibration Reduction
Yes
Yes

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.5
8.4

Ease of Use

10
9.0

Installation

5.0
7.0

Smooth Operation

10
10

Unjam Mechanics

10
5.0
Bottom view of InSinkErator Excel disposal, showing jam buster wrench in manual unjam slot.
Bottom view of InSinkErator Evolution Essential XTR 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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