Best Garbage Disposal 2026 — Badger 5 vs Evolution Comparison

Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25 · 6 min read · By Zomg The Handyman

4.9★ Google Rated

10,000+ Jobs Done

15+ Years in Business

Insured & Background-Checked

Same-Day Available

Buying these products?We install & assemble across California. Get a quote or book direct.

Book Now → Get a Quote

TL;DR

InSinkErator Badger 5 is loud but bulletproof. Evolution Compact is quieter. Real comparison plus our install pricing.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Zomg The Handyman earns from qualifying purchases. Picks based on what we install on the job — commission does not change your price.

Most kitchens get a 1/2 HP disposal. The standard pick is the Badger 5 — loud, simple, runs forever. The upgrade is the Evolution Compact for sound insulation that you'll appreciate every time you run it.

Quick Comparison

Pick	Best For	Approx Price
#1 Pick	InSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal	$110-$150
Quieter Upgrade	InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Disposal	$250-$350

Our Picks

#1 Pick

🚰

Recommended on Amazon

InSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal

1/2 HP workhorse we install most often. Stainless grind chamber, 2-yr warranty.

$110-$150 View on Amazon →

Quieter Upgrade

Recommended on Amazon

InSinkErator Evolution Compact 3/4 HP Disposal

Quieter than Badger 5 thanks to sound insulation. Premium sub-counter sound profile.

$250-$350 View on Amazon →

Why InSinkErator Dominates

InSinkErator owns 75% of the disposal market. Their parts and motors are universally available. Badger 5 has a 2-year warranty; Evolution Compact has a 4-year.

Sound Difference

Badger 5: ~76 dB (loud). Evolution Compact: ~67 dB (40% quieter). If your kitchen is open-plan to the living room, the upgrade is worth it.

Installation

Garbage disposal install: $199+. Includes electrical hookup if needed. Most installs take 60-90 minutes.

Need help installing what you bought? Book installation directly or request a free quote. Same-day available across California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Badger 5 or Evolution Compact?

Evolution if you want a quieter kitchen. Badger 5 is fine if noise doesn't bother you.

How much for installation?

$199+ for a standard swap. We handle plumbing and electrical.

Will any disposal fit my sink?

Most. The dishwasher inlet and discharge geometry is standardized. Check sink flange size (usually 3.5").

See also

Tools & Products We Use on Every Job

Add-ons we install or recommend alongside this. Each opens on Amazon (we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you).

Drain snake

Save $129 every clog with a $60 snake.

View on Amazon →

Bidet seat

Most install customers end up loving.

View on Amazon →

Plumber's putty

The seal we use on every faucet base.

View on Amazon →

Pipe wrench

Aluminum fits where steel won't.

View on Amazon →

Buying these products?We install & assemble across California. Get a quote or book direct.

Book Now → Get a Quote

Need a Pro in California?

Insured, background-checked handymen. 4.9☆ rated. Same-day available.

Book Online Now →

Outside California?

Zomg only works in California. Duurs, our nationwide sister marketplace, books the same kind of background-checked pros for junk removal anywhere in the US: upfront prices, same-day slots, and a rating you can check first.

Book junk removal on Duurs → See every service →