InSinkErator Badger 100 vs Badger 5: Which Garbage Disposal Should You Choose in Los Angeles?

Badger 100 vs Badger 5 at a glance

Specs are taken from InSinkErator's current product pages. Warranty terms have changed between production years, so always check the box you're buying.

The real difference: 1/3 HP vs 1/2 HP

On paper the two units share almost everything: the same chamber size, the same height, the same kind of motor. The difference that matters in your kitchen is power. The Badger 5's 1/2 HP motor has noticeably more torque than the Badger 100's 1/3 HP motor, so it is less likely to stall on peels, rice, pasta or a handful of leftovers pushed down at once.

The Badger 100 is the budget pick. It does the job for light use, but it's the model we most often see jammed and humming when a household cooks a lot. The Badger 5 costs a bit more, but it's more forgiving day to day and carries a longer warranty, which is why for most LA households that cook at home we steer people toward the 1/2 HP class. For a deeper breakdown of every power level, see our disposal horsepower guide.

When the Badger 100 makes sense

• A rental unit, ADU or apartment turnover where you need a working, inexpensive disposal fast.
• One or two people who mostly rinse plates and don't cook big meals.
• You're replacing an old 1/3 HP unit that served you fine, and the budget is tight.
• An investment property where the owner wants the lowest-cost reliable option.

When to step up to the Badger 5 (or bigger)

• You cook at home most nights or have three or more people in the house.
• Your old 1/3 HP disposal jammed or tripped the reset button often.
• You want the longer manufacturer warranty.
• Your dishwasher drains through the disposal and you run it daily.

If you cook heavily, entertain, or have a big family, consider going beyond the Badger series to a 3/4 HP model. We're happy to talk through the options on the phone before you buy anything.

Can you swap a Badger 100 for a Badger 5?

Usually, yes. Both use InSinkErator's standard mount and are the same height, so in many kitchens the upgrade reuses the existing sink flange and drain line if they're in good shape. A few things can turn a simple swap into a longer job:

• A leaking or corroded sink flange. If water is seeping around the top of the disposal, the flange should be resealed or replaced while the unit is off.
• Drain pipes that don't line up. Old traps and tailpieces are often cracked, glued or set at the wrong height. When extra piping is needed, it's a flat +$99.
• The dishwasher knockout plug. On a new disposal, the dishwasher inlet is sealed with a plastic plug that must be knocked out. Forget it and your dishwasher backs up on the first run. This is one of the most common DIY mistakes we fix.
• No cord or no outlet. Some units ship without a power cord, and some older kitchens are hard-wired. We check this before we start.

What a Badger installation costs in Los Angeles

Our pricing is simple and posted up front:

The disposal unit itself depends on the model you choose. We'll tell you the full total before any work begins, so there are no surprises. Learn more on our garbage disposal replacement and garbage disposal installation pages.

• $75 travel fee on every visit.
• $99 on-site repair if your current disposal can be fixed (jams, reset issues, minor leaks).
• $249 replacement labor when the disposal needs to be swapped.
• +$99 extra piping only if your drain pipes need to be rebuilt.

Common Badger problems we fix

• Hums but doesn't spin. Something is jammed between the plate and the grind ring. Turn off the power, insert a 1/4-inch hex key (Allen wrench) into the socket on the bottom of the unit and work it back and forth, then press reset. Step-by-step help is in our humming disposal guide.
• Stops in the middle of use. The motor overheated and tripped the red reset button on the bottom. Wait a few minutes, press it, and run cold water before switching it on again.
• Leaking from the bottom. That usually means an internal seal has failed, and the fix is a replacement rather than a repair. Read why disposals leak.
• Rust and slow grinding after years of use. Galvanized steel parts wear over time, especially with LA's hard water. See the best disposals for hard water.

If your Badger is still under warranty, check with InSinkErator first, since the manufacturer may cover it. For out-of-warranty units, our InSinkErator repair service in Los Angeles covers all Badger models.

Not sure which Badger fits your kitchen?

Call (213) 293-0752. Tell us how many people live in the home and how often you cook, and we'll recommend the right model and give you the total before we start. We serve Los Angeles and nearby cities. See our service areas, garbage disposal repair in Los Angeles, or get an instant quote. You can also head back to the Garbage Disposal LA home page.