Badger 5 VS Badger 1: What’s the difference?

Last updated on November 20th, 2023 at 12:04 pm

Badger 5 VS Badger 1 are two models from the same famous parent brand “Insinkerator” which was founded back in 1927 by John W.Hammes in the United States. While both products almost have the same specs that they even look the same, but in fact, there are some tiny differences between them, and we are going to cover each similarity and difference to help you choose the right one for your kitchen.

Here is a quick glance of the similarities and differences of both models:

Garbage disposal type	Badger 5	Badger 1
Dimensions & weight	12-5/8″ height, 6-5/16″ width, 14 lbs	11-3/8″ height, 6-5/16″ width, 13 lbs
Feed type	Continuos	Continuos
Grinding chamber capacity	26 oz	26 oz
RPM	1725	1725
Power	1/2 HP	1/3 HP
Warranty	2 years	1 year
Price	Check Current Price	Check Current Price

Appearance and size

Badger 5 VS Badger 1 are both similar in terms of shape, they are both black and have the same size. There is a slight difference when it comes to weight. Badger 1 weighs only 12.7 lbs while badger 5 weighs 13.6 lbs. So here, the appearance and size are not a big deal and we can’t base our comparison upon them.

Power and performance

Both garbage disposals Badger 5 and Badger 1 are designed with the intention to meet your expectations and give you the best value for your money, plus they both are highly recommended by plumbers. Below are the similarities and differences in some specs in terms of power and performance:

• Horsepower: Insinkerator Badger 5 has a power of ½ while Badger 1 has only a power of 1/3. This is what makes Badger 5 50% more powerful when compared to Badger 1.
• Grinding Technology: Another similar specification between these two models is that they are both designed with one-stage grinding technology. This means that they have a grind shear ring which makes the food liquefied allowing it to easily pass through the pipes, hence the sewer system.
• Capacity: Both of the units have a chamber capacity of 26 oz which make them both capable to grind a lot of food waste at the same time, but note that they must not be overloaded.

Installation

Every Insinkerator garbage disposal model comes with a stainless steel quick lock sink mount which makes installing your unit an easy process. Even if you already had a Badger 1, for example, and you want to replace it with a Badger 5 unit, you can easily do that and vice versa because they both have almost the same size as discussed before, plus you won’t need a new power cord as you can just use the old one.

Noise Level

Badger 5 VS Badger 1 are both budget-friendly garbage disposals, it’s true that they both offer the best value for your money, but you can’t just expect from them to perform without noise. However, if you are looking for the quietest garbage disposals, we advise you to read our in-depth review about them here.

Warranty

This is another major difference between Badger 5 VS Badger 1. Badger 1 comes only with a one-year warranty, while Badger 5 comes with a two-year warranty.

Some issues related to both models

As you know, there is nothing perfect in this world. Some previous customers who bought these units have reported that overtime they start leaking, and this could be either because of an improper installation or the manufacturer’s fault (even though it is very rare). Of course this is a solvable issue as we covered it here in this article, however, sometimes it can’t be solved which means that you need a replacement for your unit.

Verdict: Badger 5 VS Badger 1: Which one suits you best?

According to all these similarities and differences, Badger 5 is better in terms of power and warranty, thus the better choice. However, Badger 5 is a little bit costly compared to Badger 1, but this should not make a big difference as it is only a few dollars. If we had to choose between these two models, we will definitely go for Badger 5.