Head-to-head · Best Garbage Disposals

InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP vs InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 2.8). InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series is best for: larger households who want a quiet 1 HP disposal for heavy daily use. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Garbage Disposals

InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP

2.8

1 sourceall derived

No disposer is installed more often in North America than the Badger 5, the default 1/2 HP swap-out unit for two decades. Reviewers (shouldit.com, This Old House 4.6/5) agree on the same three things: reliable, easy to install, noisy. Buy it for small kitchens, apartments and rentals; skip it for daily heavy cooking or noise-sensitive layouts.

Strengths

— Compact 11-1/2 inch height fits the tightest under-sink cabinets
— Galvanized steel grind components hold up to everyday food waste at a fraction of stainless-tier pricing
— Lowest sticker price in the InSinkErator residential range, with attached power cord versions widely available

Watch-outs

— Older Dura-Drive induction motor design more prone to jamming and overheating under sustained heavy loads

Buy at insinkerator.com Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Garbage Disposals

InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series

4.5

1 sourceall derived$291as of Oct 17

The InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series is a 1 HP continuous-feed disposal with a Dura-Drive motor running at 1,725 RPM, a 28.5-ounce capacity and a four-stage stainless steel grind. The Spruce names it the best garbage disposal overall, and its tester, who used it multiple times a day for more than a year, reported no jams or clogs and said it is so quiet it blends into the sound of running water. The Spruce also notes that it ships without a power cord, that its insulation makes it wider than some competitors, and that the rubber guard needs constant cleaning. It suits larger households that put a lot of food waste down the sink; buyers with cramped cabinets or narrow doors under the sink should measure first.

Strengths

— Very quiet: The Spruce's tester said it blends into the background once the water runs
— No jams or clogs after more than a year of daily use in The Spruce's tester's kitchen
— Four-stage grind with stainless steel components handles bones and other tough scraps

Watch-outs

— No power cord in the box, so a cord must be bought unless it is hardwired
— Extensive insulation makes it wider, which can complicate narrow cabinets or posts under the sink
— The rubber guard needs constant cleaning to remove food scraps

$291 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP

Roughly half the motor of the Evolution Compact 3/4 HP and a third of the Excel 1 HP, with single-stage grinding instead of MultiGrind. Lacks the bio-charge mechanism of the Septic Assist and the safety mechanism of the Cover Control Plus. The Badger's only structural advantage against any of those is its shorter cabinet footprint and roughly half their sticker price.

InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series

The Evolution 1HP Advanced Series matches the 1 HP rating of the InSinkErator Evolution Excel 1.0 HP and has twice the horsepower of the InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP. Unlike the InSinkErator Evolution Cover Control Plus 3/4 HP Batch Feed, it is a continuous-feed unit, so scraps can be added while it runs.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	InSinkErator Badger 5 1/2 HP	InSinkErator Evolution 1HP Advanced Series
Motor	1/2 HP Dura-Drive induction	Dura-Drive, 1,725 RPM
Grind Stages	1 (single-stage)	4
Feed Type	Continuous	Continuous
Chamber Capacity	26 oz galvanized	—
Mounting	3-Bolt Quick Lock with Lift & Latch	—
Overall Height	11-1/2 in	—
Weight	13 lb 10 oz	—
Warranty	5-year We Come To You in-home	—
Material	Plastic	Plastic
Horsepower	—	1 HP
Capacity	—	28.5 oz
Grind Components	—	Stainless steel
Power Cord	—	Not included (hardwire or separate cord)
Dimensions	—	8.25 x 8.25 x 12.25 inches
Voltage	—	120 volts

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