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Moen GX50C 1/2-HP vs InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal Side-by-Side Comparison

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Moen GX50C 1/2-HP vs InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal

Overall Verdict

If we temporarily put aside the costs of the two garbage disposals and simply look at how they grind foods, the InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP is the better-performing machine compared to the Moen Prep Series GX50C 1/2 HP. Not only that, it’s also quieter, which is an impressive feat for such a strong motor.

Taking a look at Moen Prep Series GX50C 1/2 HP, there’s no surprise it can’t compete here. With a more affordable build, it’s best suited to deal with easy food scraps such as fruits and vegetables. On that front, the disposal can handle itself well. In fact, it’s in our top 3 small garbage disposals. However, when it comes to bones, even cooked, the GX50C may struggle to release safe output. Raw meat scraps are, of course, out of the question.

Talking about raw meat scraps, if that’s somehow one of your main concerns, the Evolution Compact won’t be able to help much either (so far, we’ve only tested one unit that can handle such tricky scraps). But if the bones, cartilage, and skin are cooked, the disposal can deal with them much more efficiently.

In terms of design, the Moen Prep Series GX50C is more compact than the InSinkErator Evolution Compact. The Evolution Compact sports an augmented grinding assembly that is made of stainless steel, while the Prep Series GX50C’s grinding internals are galvanized steel. They’re both quality and well-built grinders, and they offer fair value to the owners. You can often find the Evolution Compact for less than $200 and the Prep Series GX50C for less than $100.

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Pros & Cons

  • High capacity
  • High-speed motor
  • Stainless steel grind components
  • Noise reduction
  • Affordable
  • Noise cancelation
  • Vibration damping
  • High-torque motor
  • Strengthened chamber layout
  • High capacity
  • Stainless steel grinding components
  • Can be loud
  • Heavy build
  • Heavy
  • Space-consuming
  • No power cord

Key Specs

Type of feed
Continuous
Continuous
Horsepower
1/2
3/4
Motor type
Permanent magnet
Induction
Averaged RPM
4214
1482
Family size
1-2 people
3-4 people
Dimensions
L5.4 x W7.3 x H13.4 inches
L6.1 x W8.6 x 12.4 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$91.68
$203.01

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
5.5
6.9

Scrap Mix

4.9
6.9
Moen 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Scrap Mix Test
14.8 ounces of assorted scraps from garbage disposal on digital scale on granite-looking top.
16.69 ounces of assorted scraps, including fibers, bones, etc on digital scale.
0.05 ounces of shredded dietary fiber on digital scale.
 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
96.0 oz (2722 g)
90.0 oz (2551 g)
Time
3 min
1 min 49 sec
Layer 1
14.8 oz (420 g)
11.0 oz (313 g)
Layer 2
16.7 oz (473 g)
20.5 oz (582 g)
Leftovers
0.1 oz (1 g)
0.1 oz (2 g)

Raw Fish Scraps

5.7
7.3
Moen 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Raw Fish Scraps Test
0.92 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.
1.84 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.
2.83 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.
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
9.0 oz (255 g)
5.6 oz (158 g)
Layer 2
1.8 oz (52 g)
3.5 oz (100 g)
Leftovers
2.8 oz (80 g)
2.0 oz (57 g)

Raw Chicken Scraps

6.3
6.6
Moen 1/2-HP Garbage Disposal Raw Chicken Scraps Test
0.92 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.
1.55 ounces of ground chicken scraps from garbage disposal, displayed on digital scale, placed on granite-looking table. Mess of shredded tissues and shredded bones.
0.6 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.
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 (26 g)
1.4 oz (41 g)
Layer 2
1.6 oz (44 g)
1.6 oz (46 g)
Leftovers
0.6 oz (17 g)
0.4 oz (10 g)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.6
8.9

In the Box

Moen GX50C 1/2 Horsepower Garbage Disposal with EZ Mount assembly on top, next to its box, user manual, registration slip, sink stopper, elbow tube, and a set of flange and bolts.
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

Moen GX50C 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal with mount assembly and elbow tube. Dimensions show 7.3-inch width, 13.3-inch height, 3.4-inch depth to dishwasher outlet, 6.9-inch depth to outlet, 5.4-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
5.4" (13.7 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
Width
7.3" (18.5 cm)
8.6" (21.8 cm)
Height
13.4" (34.0 cm)
12.4" (31.5 cm)
Weight
9.9 lbs (4.5 kg)
16.0 lbs (7.3 kg)

Mount Assembly

3-Bolt Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform. “Moen” engraving on rim of sink flange. Sink stopper in position.
3-Bolt Mount assembly for garbage disposals placed on white platform. “Moen” engraving on rim of sink flange. Sink stopper in position.
Parts of 3-Bolt Mount assembly on white platform, including backup flange, mounting ring, snap ring, fiber gasket, stopper, cushion mount, sink flange with “Moen” engravings, removable sink baffle, 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

7.5
8.5
Grind chamber of Moen GX50C garbage disposal, showing two-level grinder ring and details on flywheel.
Grind chamber of Moen GX50C garbage disposal, showing two-level grinder ring and details on flywheel.
Grind chamber of Moen GX50C garbage disposal, showing impellers and details of flywheel and grinder ring.
Grind chamber of Moen GX50C garbage disposal, showing impellers and details of flywheel and 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.
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
30.0 fl oz (887.2 ml)
32.0 fl oz (946.4 ml)
Verticality
6.3" (16.0 cm)
5.4" (13.7 cm)
Flywheel
4.4" (11.2 cm)
5.3" (13.3 cm)
Assembly Material
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Layout
Basic
Strengthened

Motor

8.5
8.0
A digital tachometer is measuring the speed of the motor/flywheel of the Moen 1/2-HP garbage disposal in our speed test. A smartphone is running the timer app.
Horsepower
1/2
3/4
Speed
2600 RPM
1725 RPM
Real Speed
4207 RPM
1482 RPM
Voltage
115 V (60 Hz)
120 V (60 Hz)
Current
3.2 A
8.1 A
Wattage
368 W
972 W
Heat
N/a
N/A
Reverse
No
No

Power Cord

Type B power cord of Moen GX50C GX Series Prep 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal.
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
34.0" (86.4 cm)
NaN" (NaN cm)
Type
3-prong (B)
 n/a

Accessories

Standard outlet/discharge set for garbage disposals on granite-looking top, showing elbow pipe, rubber gasket, flange, 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

9.5
10
Moen GX50C garbage disposal with 3-Bolt Mount assembly on top and outlet/discharge set installed.
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
8.2
8.2

Ease of Use

9.0
9.0

Installation

8.5
6.0

Smooth Operation

8.0
10

Unjam Mechanics

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