If you are looking for a brand name that is synonymous with quality, then InSinkErator is what you have been looking for. Each of their waste disposal units is manufactured in the United States to guarantee quality control - they have been in business for more than 75 years, and their popularity continues to grow.
Over the last 85 years, InSinkErator has transformed into the largest and best-selling designer and manufacturer of not only hot water dispensers but also of waste disposers in the world. In fact, 9 out of 10 professional plumbers state that they would choose an InSinkErator brand garbage disposal over any other name brand because of their grinding power, quiet operation, durability, and product quality.
Why The Insinkerator Badger 5?
For the discerning homeowner that demands quality, but does not want to pay a small fortune, InSinkErator produces the Badger line of food waster disposers, and the shining star of this line is the InSinkErator Badger 5 ½ HP Standard Series Food Waste Disposer (see today's price). The best qualities of the Badger 5 are its power and durability, efficient grinding, and simple installation process. Moreover, it is backed by an industry leading warranty and is compatible with most septic systems setup. For more than 10 years, it has been one of InSinkErator’s best-selling models with over 10,000 reviews on amazon with a solid 5 star out of 5 star rating.
- RELIABLE & EASY INSTALL: Badger Series disposers are a reliable & functional choice when affordability is the prime...
- DURABLE COMPONENTS: This garbage disposal features our exclusive 1/2 hp Dura-Drive Induction Motor and long lasting...
- AMERICA'S #1 DISPOSER BRAND: There are more American-built InSinkErator garbage disposals in US homes than all other...
Best Features Of The Insinkerator Badger 5
- Galvanized Steel Construction – The Badger model features a galvanized steel grind system. It may not be as robust as premium stainless steel, but it still offers a decent grinding action especially when combined with the machine's DuraDrive Technology.
- DuraDrive Technology – InSinkErator’s patented DuraDrive technology is used in the design of this garbage disposal’s ¾ HP induction motor, and you can feel the power of the unit when you turn it on. When the grinding chamber kicks into gear, you can feel its powerful vibrations.
- Quick Lock Technology – The unique locking mechanism makes it simple to remove and install a new InSinkErator model. This eliminates the need to call a professional plumber, which can cost hundreds of dollars. The technology is compatible with other garbage disposals units and was designed to make for a quick and hassle free installation experience.
- InSinkErator Grind Technology – The Badger 5 boasts the company’s top secret, patented one stage grind technology, which includes a GrindShear ring that turns tough to grind foods into mincemeat. Because food waste is virtually liquefied, it allows the waste to flow smoothly through your home’s sewage system and reduces the chances that you’ll develop a clog.
- RELIABLE & EASY INSTALL: Badger Series disposers are a reliable & functional choice when affordability is the prime...
- DURABLE COMPONENTS: This garbage disposal features our exclusive 1/2 hp Dura-Drive Induction Motor and long lasting...
- AMERICA'S #1 DISPOSER BRAND: There are more American-built InSinkErator garbage disposals in US homes than all other...
Having a solid and reliable garbage disposal like the Badger 5 helps speed up after meal clean-up
Our Review of the Badger 5
The Badger 5 is a fantastic choice for those looking for a reliable and durable garbage disposal on a budget. It has been on the market for several years now, and over this time it has amassed quite a following with over 12,000 reviews on amazon, and a very impressive 5 out of 5 star average rating.
Value & Price
Value for money is perhaps the most impressive area where the Badger 5 shines - compared to other competing garbage disposals in it's category (priced around $100), the Insinkerator Badger 5 just delivers a feature set that other models from other makers don't provide.
Warranty
We can't think of another product that offers a 3-Year "We Come to You" In-Home Service Warranty - for around a hundred bucks. Warranty is usually an afterthought when it comes to many purchases, but we argue that this is one of the best features of this entry-level disposal. Three years may not seem like a long warranty period, but just remember that other competing brands typically only offer a 1 year warranty, and a limited one at that. Limited warranties usually mean that even if you are still under warranty you may still need to pay out of pocket. With the Badger 5, you are covered for a full three years for any problems that may pop up. Any issues will will be handled by Insinkerator directly with their "we come to you" service - something we don't really see with similarly priced comepting disposals
Noise Insulation
The insinkerator is offers some noise insulation. Admittedly not alot, but other competing models at this price point usually do not provide any sound insulation at all - the noise the Badger 5 makes when it's running may not be as quiet as, say the premium Insinkerator 3/4 HP Evolution Compact, but it certainly is much more quiet than other offerings priced at around $100. In fact, noise is one of the largest sources of buyers remorse when it comes to budget model garbage disposals. With the Badger 5, however, you can rest assured that the sound it generates won't be too intrusive and annoying as it does provide some sound dampening.
Power And Performance
Another notable feature of the Insinkerator Badger 5 compared to it's competition is that it comes with a powerful 1/2 horsepower motor to grind away food scraps. This means that it can handle everyday food waste with ease. With other competing models in this class, entry-level garbage processors are equipped with a 1/3 horsepower motor - this is barely adequate, and a 1/3 horsepower motor may frequently jam. 1/2 HP is enough for most small household's typical food disposal needs and should still be able to handle everyday meal waste. It's patented one stage grind technology, includes a GrindShear ring that turns tough-to-grind-foods into mincemeat, reducing the chance of clogs forming.
Installation
Perhaps one of the most overlooked features is the QuickLock installation system that makes installing the Badger 5 quick and easy. If you have an old Insinkerator, all you need to do to upgrade is unscrew the old garbage disposal from its place under the sink and screw the new one in. It should take no more than 20 minutes to install a Badger 5, and even less if you are upgrading from an existing Insinkerator. It's also important to note that insinkerators all interchangeable once you have installed the QuickLock flange into the kitchen sink, meaning you can upgrade should your garbage disposal needs increase (e.g., with a bigger family, etc.,)
Now some honest advice - when it comes to selecting the right garbage disposal for your home, in general, going with the crowd is usually a safe choice - we actually have a Badger 5 installed at our apartment - and we are happy to say we are one of the 11,000+ families who have given the Badger 5 a full 5 stars out of 5 rating on Amazon. For the everyday family, you simply cannot go wrong with this choice!
Badger 5 Standard Series by Insinkerator Model Comparison
Insinkerator Badger 2023 Model Comparison |  Badger 5XP | Badger 5 |  Badger 500 |  Badger 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon Rating | 3400+ Ratings | 11900+ Ratings | 480+ Ratings | 3400+ Ratings |
Horsepower & Speed | 3/4 HP 1725 RPM | 1/2 HP 1725 RPM | 1/2 HP 1725 RPM | 1/3 HP 1725 RPM |
Feed Type | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous |
Mount System | Quick Lock Easy Swap | Quick Lock Easy Swap | Quick Lock Easy Swap | Quick Lock Easy Swap |
Basic Sound Insulation | ||||
Warranty | Full 4 Year Parts and In-Home Service Warranty | Full 3 Year Parts and In-Home Service Warranty | Full 3 Year Parts and In-Home Service Warranty | Full 1 Year Parts and In-Home Service Warranty |
Power Cord Included | ||||
Sink Drain Flange & Internal Grind Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
Where to Buy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Badger 5 Disposal Installation Instructions
The QuickLock installation system promised to make installing it quick and easy. According to the reviews, all I had to do was unscrew my old garbage disposal from its place under the sink and screw the new one in – sort of like changing a lightbulb. It sounded too good to be true, but I figured it was worth a shot.
When the Badger garbage disposal arrived, it came with a Quick Lock Sink Mount, the tailpipe, a Jam Buster wrench, tailpipe gasket, the stopper, and installation instructions. In short, I had everything I needed to install it right then and there, which is exactly what I did. It took me nearly 20 minutes to wrestle my old food disposer out from underneath the sink because of all of the rust and corrosion. (I guess that’s what you get for using inferior products!) However, once I had that sucker out, it only took me 15 minutes to install the InSinkErator Badger 5 myself!
Check out the video below from Insinkerator on how to install your Badger 5 without the help of a plumber:
Badger 5 Disposal Manual
A user manual comes with the garbage disposal unit itself, but in the case that you lose it, the document can be downloaded in their website here. If you are looking for the specifications or other documents, all you need to do is look for the Badger 5 garbage disposal unit in the list of products, then you can easily access all the related documents from there.
There are lots of things I could praise about the Badger 5. It works smoothly, does its job more than adequately, has a great warranty, etc., but it was the ease of installation that sold me on the InSinkErator brand for life. It’s rare to find a company that manufactures a product that is 100% what is advertised, and I feel that InSinkErator is a brand I can trust. Trust is something that is earned, and they’ve won my loyalty.
Is The Badger 5 The Same As The Badger 500 And The Badger XL?
Yes - we have an entire post dedicated to the confusion that Insinkerator has caused - the names of the Badger 5 are different at different retailers - The Badger 500 is the name of the Badger 5 at The Home Depot and the Badger XL is the name of the Badger 5 sold at Lowes. They are all identical except in price - we found the cheapest Badger 5 garbage disposals were on Amazon.com
What Are The Badger 5 Specifications?
The specifications PDF sheet for the badger 5 can be found here.
Badger 5 Garbage Disposal Humming
If your garbage disposal is humming, turn it off immediately and follow our guide on how to fix a humming garbage disposal
How To Reset The Badger 5
The reset button on the Badger 5 is located on the base of the unit, check the image below - it is the red square switch. If you are having trouble resetting your garbage disposal, check out our guide on how to reset your garbage disposal here.
The reset button on the Badger 5 is located on the base of the unit (red square button)
The InSinkErator Badger 5 is one of the best value garbage disposals you’ll find on the market in 2023. It may not be the cheapest, but it's definitely worth spending the extra few dollars if you’re looking for a no frills, straightforward waste disposer that is going to get the job done. It’s something we use in our kitchen every day, and it has held up well. On the off chance that something should go wrong, we know we have the company’s extended, in-home warranty to take care of us.
InSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal
-
Features
-
Ease To Install
-
Power
-
Noise Level
-
Performance
-
Value
Insinkerator Badger 5 ½ Horsepower Garbage Disposal
Value for money is perhaps the most impressive area where the Badger 5 shines - compared to other competing garbage disposals in it's category (priced around $100), the Insinkerator Badger 5 just delivers a feature set that other models from other makers don't provide.
Product SKU: Badger 5 ½ Horsepower
Product Brand: Insinkerator
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 119.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.7
Last update on 2023-02-05 at 10:05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Yet one of the cheapest Garbage disposals out there. The Badger 5 proves to stand the test of time and retains its price as well. I must commend your review Mr Garbage Disposal 🙂 Thank You.
Thanks for stopping by Johnnie!
I bought my home in 2002 (built in ’98) and it already had a Badger 5 food waste disposer installed. I just replaced the disposer this weekend with another Badger 5 and hope to get 14 to 18 years of life out of this one as well.
Thanks for your review and rating – it is very much in line with what I experienced. Removal an replacement took me in total about 30 minutes and one cold beer!
Cheers
Good to hear Jose – yea, the installation is usually easier when you know there is a beer waiting for you when you are done 🙂
So, why don’t they include a cord?
I’d imagine the primary reason for not including the cord is the simple fact that many of us have a hardwired disposal. There’s no reason to charge people the extra money for the cord if they don’t need it. If you need it, it’s available for purchase. Have to say, it’s actually rather admirable that they’re not forcing people to pay for it that don’t need it.
Mom has one of these in her apartments. They installed it with a Kenmore “ring” around the sink drain. The grommet (black rubber thing) is a constant source of smell. It is not removable. I called the maintenance man today, and he said they are permanent, can’t be removed, and must just be cleaned often. At my home, I have an insinkerator, and it has a removable grommet. I clean it in the dishwasher weekly, and have no problems. Any suggestions?
Sorry, I don’t know much about the Kenmore models.
I installed my InSinkErator omitting that rubber grommet by using DAP clear silicone latex sealant. Actually I installed my Kohler 60/40 sink (w/cutting board)using DAP on everything exposed to water: both inside rings and all around the counter-top, instead of plumbers tape. DAP will last a lifetime and never leak if applied properly because once cured it will not shrink. What is left is a micro-thin line of sealant you can’t even see, let alone gather bacteria since there’s nothing there to grow on in the first place.
I may be missing this in your description of the Badger 5 Garbage Disposal but do they all come with the dishwasher drain connection or do I need a specific model that has this ?
The grinding components are not stainless steel, they are galvanized steel. Big difference. You are lucky to get 10 years before it rusts.