Last updated on November 20th, 2023 at 12:05 pm
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If you are skeptical about whether to purchase the Insinkerator Badger 5 or Badger 500, here’s our review of their best features and specifications that may help you make the decision.
Table of Contents
Insinkerator Badger 5 VS Badger 500
Insinkerator Badger 5 Features
The Badger 5 is one of the popular garbage disposal units from Insinkerator because of its durability and affordability. The compact design and powerful grinding make it a favorite among customers.
Power
The Dura-Drive induction motor with ½ horsepower is effective when it comes to grinding hard food scraps like coffee beans and chicken bones. The garbage disposal Badger 5 features 1-stage grinding technology and it has a speed of 1725 RPM. The waste is converted into a liquid so that it may smoothly go through the drain pipes without clogging them.
This small yet strong garbage disposal unit takes cares of regular food scraps in the kitchen without any problem. It is an ideal unit for a small family.
Noise
Although the Insinkerator Badger 5 manages to make as little noise as possible, it isn’t exactly the quietest in the market. For the price, though, the noise may be acceptable. If you do not want to spend too much on higher priced models, the Badger 5 is a safe bet. For many users, the noise is not much of an issue, and even the most expensive garbage disposal unit will make at least some noise.
Size
The Insinkerator Badger 5 is quite compact and measures 7 x 7 x 13 inches. It might just be the smallest garbage disposal in the market. Its convenient size makes it easy to fit under the sink without taking up too much space. It can also be placed on countertops.
Installation
Installing the Insinkerator Badger 5 is quite easy once you nail down the instructions. Doing it yourself will also save you the plumbing cost. The garbage disposal Badger 5 has a sink mounting system with a quick lock for installing on the mounting. In case you are just replacing an old Insinkerator model, you can do so by utilizing the sink flange and mounting bracket. With the Badger 5 vs 500, the former does not have a pre-installed cord, whereas the latter uses direct current.
Specifications
- Grinding speed: 1725 RPM
- ½ horsepower
- It features a continuous-feed model
- Steel construction
- Drain connection measures 1-½ inches
- Weight: 13.75 pounds
- Product dimensions: 7 x 7 x 13 inches
- 3-bolt sink mounts
- 2-year parts warranty and in-home service
- Color: Black
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Efficient grinder liquifies hard food scraps and minimizes jamming | As stated before in our Badger 5 vs Badger 500 review, it does not have a pre-installed cord. Requires the user to buy a separate cord |
| The Badger 5 is budget-friendly | Not the quietest unit |
| Easy installation | It uses galvanized steel components instead of stainless steel |
| With ½ horsepower, it is ideal for small families | May not work on all food scraps |
| Can be used with septic tanks | |
| Compact size makes it easy to fit under the sink or place on the countertop |
- RELIABLE & EASY INSTALL: Badger Series disposers are a reliable & functional choice when...
- DURABLE COMPONENTS: This garbage disposal features our exclusive 1/2 hp Dura-Drive Induction Motor...
- AMERICA'S #1 DISPOSER BRAND: There are more American-built InSinkErator garbage disposals in US...
- FASTER, CLEANER, SMARTER: From meal prep to cleanup, InSinkErator helps make it fast & easy to keep...
Insinkerator Badger 500 Features
The Badger 500 is another effective garbage disposal unit by Insinkerator. It is quite similar to the Badger 5 but pricier. The Badger 500 has a powerful motor that finely grinds food scraps and prevents clogging in the drain pipes.
Operation and Power
The Badger 500 does not fall anywhere behind the Badger 5 in terms of operation and power. It operates on the same ½ horsepower as the Badger 5. It also has a heavy-duty Dura-Drive induction motor that effectively helps grind hard food scraps into liquids for smooth passing through drain pipes. While the garbage disposal Badger 5 requires a separate cord to operate, the Insinkerator Badger 500 utilizes direct current. The stainless-steel impellers with a one-grind chamber can process all types of food scraps efficiently.
Noise
The Insinkerator Badger 500 is fairly quiet when operating, although the noise is not completely eliminated. All garbage disposal units, even the most expensive ones, will make noise. Given the price and quality of the Badger 500, the noise of this garbage disposal is hardly noticeable. It will let you work in the kitchen without being a nuisance.
Installation
Installing the Badger 500 is quite simple. You can do it at home by simply following the instructions given with it. It features quick-lock sink mounts that make it easy to install and come with disposer replacement.
Specifications
- Weight: 13.9 pounds
- Product dimensions: 12.63 x 6.31 x 6.31 inches
- ½ horsepower
- Dura-Drive induction motor
- Continuous-feed model
- Chamber capacity: 26 oz.
- Cushioned slip joint: 1 ½ inches
- Electrical usage: 3-4KWh in a year
- Single phase motor
- No cord included
- Waterborne gray enamel finish
- 2-year warranty and in-home service
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Insinkerator Badger 500 is easy to install and can be done so at home by carefully following the instructions | It does not include a power cord |
| It is fairly quiet when operating | It may not work on certain food scraps |
| The Insinkerator Badger 500 has a spacious grinding chamber that effectively grinds hard food scraps | |
| The garbage disposal unit is reasonably priced | |
| It comes with a 2-year warranty and in-home service |
- Brand New in box; The product ships with all relevant accessories
- Power Cord Sold Separately; Most Installations are Direct-Wired and Do Not Require a Power Cord
- Quick lock sink mount allows for easy installation and disposer replacement
- Power cord is sold separately for installations where a power outlet is present, most installations...
Similarities Between the Insinkerator Badger 5 Vs Badger 500
Both the Badger 5 and 500 are among the most widely used garbage disposal units due to their powerful grinding technology that cuts through hard food scraps. The most common feature in both is the motor that features ½ horsepower.
The Badger 5 and Badger 500 are continuous-feed models. They weigh around 13 pounds and have the same Dura-Drive induction motor for adequately grinding food scraps. Both garbage disposal units have a waterborne grey enamel finish. They also utilize 120 volts for their operations and run at the same speed to effectively grind hard food scraps like coffee beans and chicken bones.
The Insinkerator Badger 5 and Badger 500 also come with a 2-year parts warranty and in-home service. Installing these garbage disposal units is also fairly easy and can be installed by the user at home.
Differences Between the Insinkerator Badger 5 and Badger 500
The main difference between the Badger 5 vs the Badger 500 is the price. The Insinkerator Badger 500 is priced slightly higher than the Badger 5. Furthermore, the Badger 5 requires the user to purchase the cord power separately for the unit to operate, whereas the Badger 500 utilizes direct current.
Although the noise in both units is hardly a problem, the Badger 500 makes relatively less noise than the Badger 5 as mentioned before in our Badger 5 vs 500 comparison.
Badger 5 VS Badger 500 Buying Guide
Here are a few features to consider when buying a garbage disposal unit, which will also help you make a decision between the Badger 500 and Badger 5:
Grinding Power
The performance and durability of a garbage disposal unit is measured by its grinding power. It is critical to buy a quality product without worrying too much about the price. The high quality will leave you little regrets later. A horsepower of 1/3 or 1/2 is a safe bet, but a horsepower of 1 will deliver an even better performance.
Lower-priced models are not as effective when it comes to grinding hard food scraps and may ultimately clog pipes and cause plumbing emergencies. It is essential to buy a unit that offers high power. The high-powered models grind food in various stages and cut through hard food craps and liquefy them to smoothly pass through drainage pipes without clogging them.
Noise
When buying a garbage disposal unit, do consider noise as one of the determining factors. Some low-priced models can make a lot of noise when operating. This makes doing your daily tasks in the kitchen difficult while the unit is working.
You can analyze how much a unit will make noise by its size and weight. The larger and heavier it is, the less noise it’s likely to make. However, you also need to make sure the size fits well under the sink.
Although manufacturers have been trying their best to completely eliminate noise, even the highest-quality garbage disposal units will make at least some noise. The stainless-steel disposers can make a lot of noise under the sink, but they also have the best blades that can cut through the food scraps in no time. When making a purchase, do consider getting a unit that is quiet to operate and does not affect your productivity in the kitchen.
Type
A garbage disposal unit can be either a batch-feed or a continuous-feed model. In a batch-feed unit, the drain cover requires a stopper while the unit is operating. This helps stop unwanted items from falling into the disposal when it is operating. Batch-feed units are priced higher but make less noise than the continuous-feed ones.
On the other hand, continuous-feed garbage disposal units require a wall-mounted switch in order to be activated. In case of these units, the noise is reduced with the help of a rubber shield that is placed on the opening of the sink. Depending on your budget and requirement, any one of them can be selected.
Anti-Jamming Feature
In case the pipes get clogged, the disposal unit may stop working altogether. The anti-jamming feature will keep the unit functioning well and reduce disposal jams. The low-priced models contain manual anti-jamming features, whereas expensive models may include automatic anti-jamming features. Consider getting a unit that offers automatic anti-jamming features as it will save you effort and time.
Warranty
The expensively priced models usually offer corrosion and mechanical defect warranty along with replacement. It is safe to look for a model that offers replacement and lifetime coverage. For a low-priced model, getting a replacement is more cost-effective than purchasing a new unit altogether.
A garbage disposal unit usually comes with a warranty of 1 to 10 years, but it’s important to note that the longer warranty does not mean a better performing unit. Consider getting a unit that offers in-home service in case of issues or any mechanical defects in the unit.
Final Verdict
The Badger 5 and Badger 500 are both highly efficient garbage disposal units by Insinkerator. The Badger 500 does everything that the Badger 5 was doing while being eco-friendly. It can be safe to conclude looking at their main features and specifications that both garbage disposal units are similar to the point that they may just be the same unit with the difference of a power cord and higher price tag. If you are someone who is looking to buy a Badger 500 and think that a higher price means better quality, let me ease your worries by telling you that they are essentially the same.
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