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InSinkErator Badger 1 HP vs InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal Side-by-Side Comparison

By , and ·Updated

InSinkErator Badger 1HP Garbage Disposal

$244.26 from Amazon

InSinkErator Evolution Compact

Check Price on Amazon
InSinkErator Badger 1 HP vs InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal

Overall Verdict

The InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP and the InSinkErator Badger 1 HP belong to two different garbage disposal series. Models in the Evolution series are featured with augmented grinding components, better sound/vibration damping, and thicker protective casing compared to those in the Badger series. The Badger 1 HP does have a stronger motor, but the Compact 3/4 HP is the better grinder.

The Compact 3/4 HP is well-known among enthusiasts for its effective and durable build. It has a pair of thicker and stronger impellers compared to the Badger, and its grater ring also has more gripping teeth, for better collision and increased breakage. And per our data from performance testing, the disposal was indeed effective as it delivered consistent quality results against various types of scraps, including avocado pits and cooked bones.

The Badger 1 HP, in turn, did not do too well with the tests. To put it simply, there were 1/2-hp models that yielded better results. Although it’s not the worst-performing we’ve tested, that isn’t any better an argument for a $220 full-horsepower garbage disposal, is it? However, the disposal’s robust build with stainless steel grinder components and its 7-year warranty do justify some of the cost.

Still, between the two disposals, the InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP offers plenty more value. Not only does it work better, it costs about $30 less and it works more quietly. We think the InSinkErator Badger 1 HP is only worth your time if you can get it under $150.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • High capacity
  • Stainless steel grinding components
  • External unjam mechanics
  • Noise cancelation
  • Vibration damping
  • High-torque motor
  • Strengthened chamber layout
  • High capacity
  • Stainless steel grinding components
  • Mediocre performance
  • Heavy build
  • Non-removable splash guard
  • Loud operation
  • Heavy
  • Space-consuming
  • No power cord

Key Specs

Type of feed
Continuous
Continuous
Horsepower
1
3/4
Motor type
Induction
Induction
Averaged RPM
1480
1482
Family size
3-4 people
3-4 people
Dimensions
L4.8 x W7.3 x H12.6 inches
L6.1 x W8.6 x 12.4 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$218.12
$203.01
$244.26 at Amazon
Check Price on Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
4.2
6.9

Scrap Mix

5.0
6.9
InSinkErator Badger 1HP Garbage Disposal Scrap Mix Test
18.34 ounces of fish pin bones in mess of assorted scraps from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking top.
13.56 ounces of ground products from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking table.
0.4 ounces of shredded pieces and one large piece of lemon peel from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking table
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Scrap Mix Test
11.03 ounces of fish pin bones in mess of assorted scraps from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking top
20.52 ounces of ground products from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of assorted scraps, including fibers, bones, etc.
0.06 ounces of ground products from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Shredded fish vertebrae and pieces of dietary fiber.
Input Load
90.0 oz (2551 g)
90.0 oz (2551 g)
Time
3 min 16 sec
1 min 49 sec
Layer 1
18.4 oz (522 g)
11.0 oz (313 g)
Layer 2
13.6 oz (384 g)
20.5 oz (582 g)
Leftovers
0.4 oz (11 g)
0.1 oz (2 g)

Raw Fish Scraps

0.0
7.3
InSinkErator Badger 1HP Garbage Disposal Raw Fish Scraps Test
7.89 ounces of visible pin bones in a mass of raw meat and skin from fish scraps on digital scale on granite-looking top.
3.15 ounces of visible pin bones in a mass of raw meat and skin from fish scraps on digital scale on granite-looking top.
5.63 ounces of broken fish vertebrae and shredded fish skin on digital scale on granite-looking top.
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Raw Fish Scraps Test
5.56 ounces of ground fish scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Few pin bones among a mess of raw fibrous tissue.
3.53 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.
2.02 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
7.9 oz (224 g)
5.6 oz (158 g)
Layer 2
3.1 oz (89 g)
3.5 oz (100 g)
Leftovers
5.6 oz (160 g)
2.0 oz (57 g)

Raw Chicken Scraps

6.8
6.6
InSinkErator Badger 1HP Garbage Disposal Raw Chicken Scraps Test
0.86 ounces of crushed chicken bone, shredded cartilage, and fatty tissues on digital scale on granite-looking top.
1.45 ounces of crushed chicken bone and cartilage, and shredded tendon and meat on digital scale on granite-looking top.
0.58 ounces of shredded fatty tissue and broken cartilage from chicken scraps on digital scale on granite-looking top.
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Raw Chicken Scraps Test
1.45 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.
1.63 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.
0.37 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
3 min
2 min 30 sec
Layer 1
0.9 oz (24 g)
1.4 oz (41 g)
Layer 2
1.4 oz (41 g)
1.6 oz (46 g)
Leftovers
0.6 oz (16 g)
0.4 oz (10 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.1
8.9

In the Box

Badger 1HP with 3-Bolt Mount, box, register slip, user manual, stopper, elbow tube, rubber gasket, flange, bolts, and wrench.
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 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

Badger 1HP with mount assembly and elbow tube. Showing 7.3-inch width, 12.6-inch height, 3.5-inch depth to dishwasher outlet, 6.7-inch depth to outlet, 4.8-inch distance to elbow tube.
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 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
4.8" (12.2 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
Width
7.3" (18.5 cm)
8.6" (21.8 cm)
Height
12.6" (32.0 cm)
12.4" (31.5 cm)
Weight
15.2 lbs (6.9 kg)
16.0 lbs (7.3 kg)

Mount Assembly

3-Bolt mounting assembly for garbage disposals with “insinkerator” engravings placed on white platform with stopper in position.
3-Bolt mounting 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.
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

7.0
8.5
Top view of grinding components in InSinkErator Badger 1HP looking at layout of flywheel and impellers.
Top view of grinding components in InSinkErator Badger 1HP looking at layout of flywheel and impellers.
Precutter/grater ring in InSinkErator Badger 1HP showing layout of cutters and grinding teeth.
Grinding components in InSinkErator Badger 1HP showing design of flywheel and impeller(s).
Top view through collar of InSinkErator Compact 3/4-hp garbage disposal into chamber after testing. Looking at layout of grinding components, showing swivel impellers, flywheel, and grater/grinder ring.
Top view through collar of InSinkErator Compact 3/4-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 Compact 3/4-hp garbage disposal, highlighting design of GrindShear grater ring by InSinkErator, partially showing details of flywheel.
Inside view of InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4-hp garbage disposal after testing, highlighting design of impellers, partially showing details of flywheel and grater/grinder ring.
Capacity
32 fl.oz.
32.0 fl oz (946.4 ml)
Verticality
4.5" (11.4 cm)
5.4" (13.7 cm)
Flywheel
5.3" (13.3 cm)
5.3" (13.3 cm)
Assembly Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Layout
Basic
Strengthened

Motor

8.5
8.0
Horsepower
1
3/4
Speed
1725 RPM
1725 RPM
Real Speed
1480 RPM
1482 RPM
Voltage
120 V (60 Hz)
120 V (60 Hz)
Current
10.2 A
8.1 A
Wattage
1200 W
972 W
Heat
N/a
N/A
Reverse
No
No

Power Cord

Bottom view of InSinkErator Badger 1HP garbage disposal without power cord.
Bottom view of InSinkErator Evolution Compact 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
N/a
 n/a

Accessories

Standard outlet/discharge set for garbage disposals on white top, showing elbow pipe, rubber gasket, flange, and bolts.
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
PVC

Build Quality

8.5
10
InSinkErator Badger 1HP Garbage Disposal, with 3-Bolt Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set in place.
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 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
No
Yes

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
7.4
8.2

Ease of Use

8.0
9.0

Installation

6.5
6.0

Smooth Operation

8.0
10

Unjam Mechanics

5.0
5.0
Bottom view of InSinkErator Badger garbage disposal showing jam-buster wrench in manual unjam slot.
Bottom view of InSinkErator Evolution Compact disposal, showing jam buster wrench in manual unjam slot.
External
Yes
Yes
Auto Unjam
No
No