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InSinkErator Evolution Compact vs GE GFC525N 1/2-HP Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Published

InSinkErator Evolution Compact

Check Price on Amazon

GE GFC525N 1/2-HP

$99.99 from Amazon
InSinkErator Evolution Compact vs GE GFC525N 1/2-HP

Overall Verdict

The GE GFC525N is only a 1/2 HP waste disposal, yet its performance is comparably good to the superior InSinkErator Evolution Compact with its 3/4  HP induction motor. The capacity difference is 32 fl oz compared to 23 fl oz for the GE. 

Although the InSInkErator scores better across all categories, the smaller GE can easily tackle all tasks, including difficult to process raw fish scraps. Not only that, the GE actually managed to do raw chicken scraps marginally better than the InSInkErator. The main drawback of the GE, however, is its use of less durable galvanized steel for the grind mechanisms, while some parts and joinings are not as good as they should be.

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Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Noise cancelation
  • Vibration damping
  • High-torque motor
  • Strengthened chamber layout
  • High capacity
  • Stainless steel grinding components
  • High-speed motor
  • Affordable 
  • Easy installation
  • Heavy
  • Space-consuming
  • No power cord
  • Small capacity
  • No noise/vibration insulation
  • Faulty details

Key Specs

Type of feed
Continuous
Continuous
Horsepower
3/4
1/2
Motor type
Induction
Permanent magnet
Averaged RPM
1482
4317
Family size
3-4 people
1-2 people
Dimensions
L6.1 x W8.6 x 12.4 inches
L5.4 x W5.8 x H12.7 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$203.01
$103.13
Check Price on Amazon
$99.99 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.9
6.0

Scrap Mix

6.9
5.8
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.
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 49 sec
2 min 53 sec
Layer 1
11.0 oz (313 g)
11.7 oz (331 g)
Layer 2
20.5 oz (582 g)
14.2 oz (402 g)
Leftovers
0.1 oz (2 g)
0.1 oz (3 g)

Raw Fish Scraps

7.3
5.6
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.
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
5.6 oz (158 g)
6.0 oz (170 g)
Layer 2
3.5 oz (100 g)
1.9 oz (54 g)
Leftovers
2.0 oz (57 g)
3.8 oz (107 g)

Raw Chicken Scraps

6.6
6.8
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.
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 30 sec
3 min
Layer 1
1.4 oz (41 g)
0.8 oz (23 g)
Layer 2
1.6 oz (46 g)
2.3 oz (64 g)
Leftovers
0.4 oz (10 g)
0.3 oz (8 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.9
7.9

In the Box

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.
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

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.
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
6.1" (15.5 cm)
5.4" (13.7 cm)
Width
8.6" (21.8 cm)
5.8" (14.7 cm)
Height
12.4" (31.5 cm)
12.7" (32.3 cm)
Weight
16.0 lbs (7.3 kg)
7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)

Mount Assembly

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.
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

8.5
6.5
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.
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
32.0 fl oz (946.4 ml)
23 fl.oz.
Verticality
5.4" (13.7 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
Flywheel
5.3" (13.3 cm)
4.4" (11.2 cm)
Assembly Material
Stainless steel
Basic
Layout
Strengthened
Galvanized Steel

Motor

8.0
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
1725 RPM
2300 RPM
Real Speed
1482 RPM
4363 RPM
Voltage
120 V (60 Hz)
120 V (60 Hz)
Current
8.1 A
4.5 A
Wattage
972 W
540 W
Heat
N/A
n/a
Reverse
No
No

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.
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

Hose clamp and elbow discharge/outlet tube for garbage disposals displayed on granite-looking top.
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

10
8.5
InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Continuous Feed Garbage Disposal, with 3-Bolt Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed.
GE GFC525N 1/2 HP garbage disposal with EZ Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed.
Noise Reduction
Yes
No
Vibration Reduction
Yes
No

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.2
7.4

Ease of Use

9.0
6.0

Installation

6.0
10

Smooth Operation

10
8.0

Unjam Mechanics

5.0
0.0
Bottom view of InSinkErator Evolution Compact disposal, showing jam buster wrench in manual unjam slot.
Inside view of permanent-magnet garbage disposal showing manual unjam mechanics with wooden stick in flywheel’s opening/gap.
External
Yes
No
Auto Unjam
No
No