Should you buy the InSinkErator Evolution Excel or the Waste King L-8000? If you've been shopping for garbage disposals, there's a good chance that you've stumbled across both. You may even be on the fence between which to buy.
Both of these disposals have powerful 1-horsepower motors, but each manufacturer approaches the method of disposing garbage differently. This article will give you a head-to-head comparison so you can decide for yourself which is the best fit for your home.
InSinkErator vs Waste King
Price
One of the obvious differences between the InSinkErator Evolution Excel and the Waste King L-8000 can be found by looking at the price tag.
Of course, prices fluctuate and sale prices are often available, but the odds are good, that on any given day, you'll find the Waste King L-8000 priced significantly less.
While the Waste King disposal is competitively priced and offers excellent value for any budget, the InSinkErator has all the bell-and-whistles you'd expect from a top-of-the-line garbage disposal, and it's premium pricing reflects the quality and workmanship that it delivers.
However, to simply look at the price tag isn't a good indication of the quality of any disposal. Both of these are solid performers with plenty of satisfied owners. But is spending so much more money for the InSinkErator Evolution Excel really worth it?
The Motor
Both the InSinkErator Evolution Excel and the Waste King L-8000 feature a powerful 1-HP motor which is more than capable of handling large amounts of food waste.
Motor Type
Different motor types are used by each manufacturer, and as you might expect, each style has it's own set of pro's and con's. Although, a deep comparison of the two is beyond the scope of this article, we have provided links to help you with your research if you want to dig deeper.
- InSinkErator uses their Dura-Drive® Induction Motor which tends to have more torque and, as a general rule, is more durable.
- A Permanent Magnet VORTEX™ Motor is used by Waste King. These types of motors are less complicated and tend to be significantly lighter.
RPM
The InSinkErator’s Dura-Drive® Induction Motor spins at 1725 RPM, while the VORTEX™ motor of the Waste King L-8000 swirls at a whopping 2800 RPM!
But, don't let the RPM disparity fool you. It doesn't necessarily mean that the Waste King L-8000 is the more powerful of the two garbage disposals. What it does mean, is that the Waste King wins the race when it comes to quickly grinding food waste.
Combine the increased RPM with the fact that the Waste King disposal's permanent magnet technology allows the motor to reach full speed immediately upon powering on, and you have a garbage disposal that saves both electricity and water by shortening the necessary run time.
Although it may sound as if the Waste King L-8000 won this match by sheer brute force, what the InSinkErator Evolution Excel lacks in speed it makes up for in efficiency and quietness.
Grind Comparison
The InSinkErator Evolution Excel features 2 grind techniques that increases its performance and adds value.
First, Waste King may pulverize the food waste by it's sheer power and rapid RPM, but the InSinkErator Evolution Excel utilizes another method called 3-stage MultiGrind® Technology.
This clever technology sends the waste through finer grinds until its pulverized and is easy to wash away. Since the waste will be traveling through 3-stages of grinding, you'll be able to place more challenging types of foods, such as bones through your disposal.
The second grind techology InSinkErator has in place is an Auto-Reverse Grind System. Each time the disposal is used it will change direction. There are 2 main purposes for this system:
- Reducing Jams - Reversing the grind is an added layer of insurance in preventing jams.
- Extended Service Life - Reversing the grind extends the service life of the disposal by helping the components wear evenly.
Although the Waste King L-8000 spins at a much faster RPM, the MultiGrind Technology and Auto-Reverse Grind features move the InSinkErator Evolution Excel's motor into a higher class.
Sound Reduction
Both of these garbage disposals feature proprietary technology meant to reduce noice output. The Waste King L-8000's higher RPM means that its SoundSHIELDTM technology has more work to do in order to keep things quiet.
Waste King has insulated the parts of the L-8000 to reduce as much noise as possible, but InSinkErator's technology definitely put's the Evolution Excel on the top when it comes to quiet performance.
> > Read our full article on How to Purchase a Quiet Garbage Disposal < <
The InSinkErator Evolution Excel’s SoundSeal® allows the disposal to operate so quietly you'll barely know it's running. At its peak sound output, the InSinkErator puts out only 45 dB, and during normal operation, it runs at a mere 25 dB.
In comparison, the Waste King L-8000's peak sound output is 95 dB, with a normal operating output of 80 dB. If you're concerned about noise, the InSinkErator Evolution Excel is the right garbage disposal for you.
Jams
Both disposals are equipped with powerful motors that are designed to break up food waste without jamming. But, even the best disposal will have an occasional jam.
The InSinkErator Evolution Excel deals with jamming with its Jam-Sensor® Circuit. When the grind motor slows, the sensor sends a signal to ramp up the torque in order to bust through the jam.
When a jam forms in the Waste King L-8000 the motor will automatically power off. If necessary, a broom handle can be used to dislodge the jam, then you can press the manual reset button on the front of the unit to power it back on.
Dimensions and Installation
Both the Waste King L-8000 and the InSinkErator Evolution Excel have design attributes that can lead to some difficulty during installation.
Size and Weight
The InSinkErator Evolution Excel is heavy. It weighs 23 lbs which can make it a bit challenging to install. It's also quite large, and measures in at 13" x 9" which can take up a fair amount of space under the sink. Space that some people like to utilize for storing household items.
The Waste King L-8000 is significantly lighter, and weighs in at slightly under 12 pounds. This makes installation much easier since less muscle will be needed to hold and secure the disposal in place.
It's also a large unit and measures in at 16" x 8.5" which makes the L-8000 several inches taller than the Evolution Excel. Although, it may only be 3-inches taller, some sink cabinets may not be able to accommodate the extra height.
Mounting System
Both garbage disposals feature their own mounting system to make replacing an old garbage disposal a simple DIY project.
The InSinkErator Evolution Excel’s Quick Lock® Sink Mount (see picture below) allows the installer to simply twist the old disposal off and screw the new one in place without replacing too much hardware.
The Waste King L-8000's EZ mount system works the same way and since its much lighter, its easier to install to the bottom of the sink, assuming your under sink area can accommodate the additional height.
Waste King also includes a power cord with their L-8000 disposal. This is a nice touch and can prevent putting the installation on hold while you run to the store to buy one. But on the other hand, InSinkErator gives you the option to purchase a power cord if you need one . . . and save money if you don't.
Components
Both garbage disposals were designed and built to last. They each feature stainless steel components, which is the gold-standard when it comes to preventing rust and corrosion.
There is however, one major difference between the two, and it's the material used for the grind chamber. The InSinkErator Evolution's 40-oz grind chamber is made of stainless steel, where the grind chamber of the Waste King L-8000 is made from glass-filled nylon.
Both resist rusting and corrosion, but the stainless steel grind chamber of the InSinkErator Evolution Excel is by far the superior material and design.
Warranty
There's a big difference when it comes to warranties between these two garbage disposals. The Waste King L-8000 comes with a Lifetime In-Home Service Warranty and the InSinkErator Evolution Excel offers a 7-year "We Come To You" Warranty.
Waste King
Waste King backs the L-8000 disposal with a limited mechanical warranty which covers any issues that develop from material or mechanical defects for the life of the orginal purchaser. The disposal will be replaced at no cost in your home. In addition, the unit has a corrosion lifetime warranty.
If the garbage disposal needs to be replaced because of corrosion, Waste King will not cover the cost of removal and installation. The warranty is also not transferable. This means that if you sell your house, the warranty would not apply for the new homeowner.
One point of confusion regarding Waste King's warranty is the actual time period it covers. The sales material on Amazon states that its a lifetime warranty, but the actual warranty itself, which you can read HERE, is for 20-years. Still, this is impressive.
InSinkErator
The InSinkErator Evolution Excel warranty on the other hand is transferable for the duration of the warranty. If you sell your house after owning the garbage disposal for 4-years, the new home owner will still have 3-years of coverage!
You can read the warranty for the InSinkErator Evolution Excel HERE.
Claim Handling
Another huge difference in the warranties is how the company handles claims. If you file a warranty claim with InSinkErator, they'll send a representative to your home to assess the situation. No dealing with customer service phone-tag or emailing pictures to convince a representative that your unit is defective. The problem will be resolved by a professional, and all you'll need to do is file the claim.
The Waste King L-8000 warranty is without a doubt longer, but take a look at some of the online reviews and you'll likely find that InSinkErator is easier to deal with when it comes to warranty claims.
Reputation and Customer Service
InSinkErator is the most trusted brand in garbage disposals. This can be credited to superior engineering and cutting-edge technology.
The company has also been around longer than Waste King. In fact, the founder of InSinkErator is credited with inventing the garbage disposal. There's no denying that InSinkErator is the premier garbage disposal manufacturer.
Final Thoughts
Waste King packs a lot of power into their L-8000 for such a competitively priced disposal. But if price isn't an issue, the InSinkErator is no comparison. The Evolution Excel delivers on every aspect you'd want from a garbage disposal.
It would be easy to say that the InSinkErator Evolution Excel is the best disposal on the market and simply move on. But our goal is to help you find the best disposal to meet your needs.
Bottom Line
Probably your biggest decision is whether the InSinkErator brand and their state-of-the-art garbage disposal design is enough to justify the higher price tag.
However, regardless of which one you choose, you'll be the owner of a high-performance garbage disposal that's capable of handling a significant amount of food waste.
InSinkErator Evolution Excel Garbage Disposal
InSinkErator Evolution Excel
- Has superior features
- Offers a more effective, quiet grind of food waste
Waste King L-8000 Garbage Disposal
Waste King L-8000
- Has a quicker grind that saves water and electricity
- Offers a longer warranty
If you're still on the fence, we've reviewed both garbage disposals individually to give you even more depth in your research. Read the full reviews here:
- InSinkErator Evolution Excel Review
- Waste King L-8000 Review
Last update on 2024-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API