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GE Continuous Feed 3/4-HP vs GE GFC525N 1/2-HP Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

GE Continuous Feed 3/4-HP

$149 from Amazon

GE GFC525N 1/2-HP

$98.99 from Amazon
GE Continuous Feed 3/4-HP vs GE GFC525N 1/2-HP

Overall Verdict

Both the GE GFC720N and the GFC525N are strong garbage disposals. The 720N is one of the strongest 3/4-HP units we’ve evaluated. It employs a powerful permanent magnet motor that takes on all sorts of scraps while effectively avoiding jamming. The disposal also has a rigid construction and a reasonable price tag.

The 525N is much smaller but it’s a strong unit, as well. It processes kitchen scraps better than most other small disposals we’ve tested and its high-speed motor (the same type as the 720N, albeit not as powerful) avoids jamming beautifully. And it costs about the same you’d expect a small disposal does.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Noise reduction
  • High speed 
  • Stainless steel grinding components
  • Strengthened chamber layout
  • High-speed motor
  • Affordable 
  • Easy installation
  • Space-consuming design
  • Can be loud
  • No power cord
  • Small capacity
  • No noise/vibration insulation
  • Faulty details

Key Specs

Type of feed
Continuous
Continuous
Horsepower
3/4
1/2
Motor
Permanent magnet
Permanent magnet
Averaged RPM
4544
4317
Family size
5-6 people
1-2 people
Dimensions
L5.4 x W8.4 x H14.6 inches
L5.4 x W5.8 x H12.7 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$150.33
$103.13
$149 at Amazon
$98.99 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
7.9
6.0

Scrap Mix

8.3
5.8
GE Continuous Feed 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal Scrap Mix Test
5.59 ounces of ground products from a garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Visible fish pin bones in mess of assorted scraps.5.59 ounces of ground products from a garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Visible fish pin bones in mess of assorted scraps.
16.55 ounces of ground products from a garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Mess of assorted scraps, including fibers, bones, etc.
0.15 ounces of ground products from a garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Shredded pieces of fish backbone and lemon peels.
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
1 min 58 sec
2 min 53 sec
Layer 1
5.6 oz (158 g)
11.7 oz (331 g)
Layer 2
16.6 oz (469 g)
14.2 oz (402 g)
Leftovers
0.1 oz (4 g)
0.1 oz (3 g)

Raw Fish Scraps

8.4
5.6
GE Continuous Feed 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal Raw Fish Scraps Test
5.67 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Visible pin bones among mess of raw fibrous tissue.5.67 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Visible pin bones among mess of raw fibrous tissue.
2.54 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on a granite-looking table. Mess of assorted shredded bones and fibrous tissue.
1.16 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Fish vertebrae among mess of shredded fish 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
5.7 oz (161 g)
6.0 oz (170 g)
Layer 2
2.5 oz (72 g)
1.9 oz (54 g)
Leftovers
1.2 oz (33 g)
3.8 oz (107 g)

Raw Chicken Scraps

6.5
6.8
GE Continuous Feed 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal Raw Chicken Scraps Test
0.79 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded soft tissue and few pieces of shredded bones.
2.67 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of fibrous soft tissue and pieces of shredded bones.
0.68 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. 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
3 min
Layer 1
0.8 oz (22 g)
0.8 oz (23 g)
Layer 2
2.7 oz (76 g)
2.3 oz (64 g)
Leftovers
0.7 oz (19 g)
0.3 oz (8 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.0
7.9

In the Box

GE Disposall GFC720N 3/4 HP with EZ Mount assembly on top, next to its box, registration slip, user manual, installation instruction, sink stopper, adapter kit, elbow tube with rubber gasket, flange, bolts, and wire nuts.
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

GE GFC720N with mount assembly, elbow tube, sticker on dishwasher outlet. Showing 8.4-inch width, 14.6-inch height, 4.3-inch depth to dishwasher outlet, 7.4-inch depth to outlet, 5.4-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
5.4" (13.7 cm)
5.4" (13.7 cm)
Width
8.4" (21.3 cm)
5.8" (14.7 cm)
Height
14.6" (37.1 cm)
12.7" (32.3 cm)
Weight
10.3 lbs (4.7 kg)
7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)

Mount Assembly

EZ Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform. GE logo and “Disposall” engravings on rim of sink flange. Removable sink baffle/splash guard in position.
EZ Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform. GE logo and “Disposall” engravings on rim of sink flange. Removable sink baffle/splash guard in position.
Parts of EZ Mount assembly for garbage disposals displayed on white platform, including support ring, mounting ring, cushion mount, fiber gasket, rubber gasket, sink flange with “GE Disposall” engraving, stopper, removable sink baffle/splash guard.
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

9.0
6.5
Top view through collar of Disposall GFC720N GE garbage disposal into chamber after testing, looking at layout of grinding components, highlighting swivel impellers, flywheel, and grater/grinder ring.
Top view through collar of Disposall GFC720N GE garbage disposal into chamber after testing, looking at layout of grinding components, highlighting swivel impellers, flywheel, and grater/grinder ring.
Inside view of GE Disposall GFC720N 3/4-hp garbage disposal, highlighting design of two-level grater/grinder ring, partially showing details of flywheel.
Inside view of GE Disposall GFC720N 3/4-hp garbage disposal after testing, highlighting design of impellers, partially showing details of flywheel and grater/grinder ring.
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
30.0 fl oz (887.2 ml)
23 fl.oz.
Verticality
6.8" (17.3 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
Flywheel
4.4" (11.2 cm)
4.4" (11.2 cm)
Assembly Material
Stainless steel
Basic
Layout
Strengthened
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
3/4
1/2
Speed
2700 RPM
2300 RPM
Real Speed
4544 RPM
4363 RPM
Voltage
115 V (60 Hz)
120 V (60 Hz)
Current
6 A
4.5 A
Wattage
690 W
540 W
Heat
n/a
n/a
Reverse
No
No

Power Cord

Bottom view of GE Disposall GFC720N 3/4-hp non-corded garbage disposal with two pre-cut electrical wires. Information sticker showing model number, serial number, rotational velocity, power ratings, etc.
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
n/a
3-prong (B)

Accessories

Standard outlet/discharge set for garbage disposals displayed on granite-looking top, including elbow pipe with rubber gasket, flange, and bolts.
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

9.0
8.5
GE Disposall GFC720N 3/4-HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposer, with EZ Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed. Orange sticker on dishwasher outlet.
GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal with EZ Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed.
Noise Reduction
Yes
No
Vibration Reduction
No
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
7.8
7.4

Ease of Use

8.0
6.0

Installation

8.5
10

Smooth Operation

8.0
8.0

Unjam Mechanics

0.0
0.0
Inside view of permanent-magnet garbage disposal showing manual unjam mechanics with wooden stick in flywheel’s opening/gap.
External
No
No
Auto Unjam
No
No