Quick Glance

Insinkerator has two lines of disposals, Badger & Evolution series. Most of us know the name Badger as the model is a classic from Insinkerator and appears in the market from the start of garbage disposal history. The Evolution series is more like a renovated, modern and fully featured version of the old garbage disposals. Besides all the Evolution models Insinkerator also has a disposal that is specially designed for homes with a Septic system.

On the other hand, Waste King contains two types of product range, containing EZ Mount System & 3 Bolt Mount System. The EZ – Mount disposals are more modern and easier to install. Waste King has disposals of different power and price range.

Waste King vs Insinkerator: Comparison of Two Best Garbage Disposal Brands

Power & Performance

Not much difference in this area. Both disposals have powerful motors with high capability of grinding kitchen waste. You need to choose a disposal unit according to its power depending on your need for usage. More powerful units are capable of dealing with more wastage on a frequent basis.

Premium Pricing vs Competitive Pricing

When we are talking about Insinkerator vs Wasteking, the most noticeable difference between these two disposal brands is the pricing. Waste King costs much less than an Insinkerator garbage disposal. Compared to Insinkerator models, Waste King disposals come with a motor that operates at higher RPMs and a longer period of warranty.

For budget purchase, Waste King is an excellent option over Insinkerator. Waste King is going to provide great value for money on the disposal units compared to the other best garbage disposal brands.

Multiple Grinding Stages

More Compatible Size vs More Grinding Space

You have a smaller space under your sink. What should you choose? Waste King or Insinkerator? I’ll say go for Insinkerator.

Insinkerator disposals are more compact in size than Waste King disposals. An Insinkerator can easily fit within the space under your sink. Insinkerator Evolution Compact is just the perfect unit if you are concerned about size.

Of course, a compatible size is always a better option while you are choosing a kitchen gadget. If the bottom area of your kitchen sink is congested; then it is a must to choose a small size disposal unit.

On the other hand, Waste King’s different models are similar in size. As the size is big, it holds more grinding space in it, which is also a positive factor for the Waste King.

Which One is Less Noisy?

The newer models of both garbage disposals are not very loud. The old badger disposals were very noisy and quite irritating. The Waste King disposals also make noise while grinding, but most of the users say it’s tolerable.

Now, if you are looking for a very quiet disposal, then you must go with the Insinkerator’s new evolution models. The sound is just a light humming compared to the old models.

The sound seal technology of Insinkerator works much efficiently than the Waste King. Waste King’s sound insulation technology is nothing but a thick foam wrapped inside the unit.

So, in this Waste King vs Insinkerator battle, Insinkerator wins without any doubt in terms of making least noise.

Who Wins the Warranty Battle?

Of course, Waste King wins the warranty battle. Who can win over a lifetime warranty? Insinkerator’s highest warranty covers up to 7 years, where all of the high-end Waste King disposals come with a lifetime warranty.

The consumers of both the brands have more or less good experience over warranty & support service. But the Waste King users are more comfortable with the longer warranty period.

Power Cord Included or Not?

Another very usual complain about Insinkerator is that it does not include the power cord. So you need to buy the power cord spending ten more bucks out of your pocket and install it with the disposal unit. It is not very hard to install; the kit is easy enough to setup by yourself.

Many consumers prefer the pre-installed power cord as a more convenient option. This is the point where I prefer Waste King. All the Waste King disposals come with a pre-installed power cord.

Plastic vs Metal Mounting Flange

As for my personal opinion (and many others), Insinkerator garbage disposals are made with better-quality material than Waste Kings. The body of Waste King disposals are made of plastic, as well as the mounting flange neck. On the other hand, all the Insinkerators have a strong metal mounting flange. Both disposals are good to go with the built but Inskinkerator’s built is stronger than Waste King’s disposals.

Reset Button

Last month when my disposal got stuck, I had a hard time to reach the reset button on my Insinkerator Evolution Compact. It’s on the bottom side of the disposal unit.

The reset button is needed whenever your garbage disposal is stuck or jammed for this type of emergency. It’s always better to have the reset in front of the disposal unit, somewhere your hand can easily reach. The reset button of the Waste King disposal is located in a suitable place that you can easily find and reach.

Easier Water Drainage

Many users complain that the Waste King disposal’s splash guard has a bad design. It prevents the water to drain fast.

The small hole and tightrubber prevents to move water quickly when you work with full water flow.

To solve this problem, I suggest you cut the rubber sides a bit, so it gets a bit more space to grab water quickly. On the other hand, Insinkerator’s splash guard is well designed and easier to work with full water flow.

Insinkerator Charges a Premium Price, Is it Worth the Money?

Waste King or Insinkerator? I have faced this question a thousand times. But many also doubt about Insinkerator’s extra pricing compared to Waste King.

Insinkerator will cost you extra bucks, but the disposals have strong making quality which ensures durability. Nothing to say about operation, it works like magic with your trash. These disposals will sit under your sink and eat things like a silent monster.

Insinkerator offers different types of disposals that fit in your home. All the disposals have a modern sleek design with a noise reduction technology. From Insinkerator, you get all that needs to be included in a modern garbage disposal unit. Not to mention, thousands of existing users of Insinkerator have a great experience when switching from their old badger to new evolution series disposals.

Yes, I think the premium pricing of Insinkerator is worth the quality.

Waste King Vs Insinkerator – Conclusion

As most of the Waste King disposals are cheaper than Insinkerator disposals, many users go for Waste King disposals, which I actually think is a very wise decision. Most of the high-end disposals of Waste King cost less than Insinkerator.

All you get from Waste King is a good disposal that can grind your waste and gives you value for money. If you are a budget concern buyer, you should go with a Waste King disposal unit rather than Insinkerator. Because I personally feel like Waste King’s pricing is very competitive and gives you real value for money.

If you have a higher budget and need heavy use of a disposal unit, go for Insinkerator. It will charge you premium but as well provide the premium service.

Features of Both Badger Products

Both Insinkerator Badger 5 & Insinkerator Badger 500 has the same ½ horsepower machine with one stage grinding system. Both units are good for regular kitchen use but not suitable for big family heavy-duty kitchens. If commercial garbage disposals is what you need, then check our guide.

Performance wise, both are exactly the same machines and the making is nearly identical to each other. The outside body of each unit is plastic and looks exactly the same, except the two zeros beside number 5 (jokes aside). The inside body is constructed with galvanized steel – in both models.

If you have a Badger 5 and your new unit is Badger 500, then you can easily remove and re-install the unit. If the old mounting is still good enough, you can use it again – all you need to do to replace your disposal is simply to mount off the old unit and mount on the new one. The units’ weight is nearly 12 to 13 pounds. The grinding chamber capacity for both units is 26 ounces. Both use similar methods and parts to mount. Both the units come with 2- year limited warranty.

User Reviews

Badger 5 has been a more popular disposal unit than Insinkerator Badger 500 in general. I’ve seen people using both disposals and got many good reviews for both of them. Most of the people agreed that both disposal units are very good for medium-level waste grinding.

People with small families usually prefer these disposals as a very convenient option. According to usage the units last from 5 to 10 years.

Both units are very affordable from a trusted brand of garbage disposals. Those who are not willing to spend a lot of money and buy a fancy unit that hides under the sink, and of-course need no heavy use of a garbage disposal can simply go for any of these disposals. Basically, there is not much to lose, anyway.

When using both of these disposals you need to understand that you are getting what you are paying for. Many users have been disappointed with badger 5 because they wanted a heavy duty disposal and went for it.

Insinkerator and many other brands contain many powerful disposals with a different price range which are more powerful than Badger 5 or 500. If you need to use it heavily, go for a stronger disposal unit than these two.

The Main Differences – Badger 5 vs 500:

So, if I found anything regarding Badger 5 vs Badger 500 that would be the selling point, then it is the fact the Badger 500 is not listed for online selling by the manufacturers’ website. To buy a Badger 500, you need to buy it physically from a store or the home depot.

The Badger 500 garbage disposals are stocked on store shelves, and you can physically see and purchase the product as quickly as you can get to a home-improvement store.

We have also created an in-depth review of the Badger 5 for your reference.

While the badger 5 is available to purchase online and comes with a competitive price, you need to order it online and wait for it. So, the difference comes as the convenience. If you are more price-concerned buyer, I’d suggest you to go with Insinkerator Badger 5.

Price Comparisons

We have seen that, regarding features & performance there is no difference between Badger 5 and 500; surprisingly the pricing of both units is not the same. Badger 500 will cost you 25 to 30 bucks more than a badger 5 unit. The cost may vary time to time. In both cases, you need to buy a power cord accessory kit that cost around $12.