My original insinkerator was about 15 years old and started leaking. I purchased this one because it said it was quieter. I was trying to be considerate to the people who live below me. It is definitely much much quieter, but I was told that the majority is because the rubber sink insert pretty much covers the entire drain hole so the sink drains very very slowly unless you stick your finger in the swill so the rubber insert opens more. It was installed a month ago. That's not enough time to determine how it compares to the Badger version I had before. I purchased an insinkerator so i wouldn't have to change my plumbing to support another brand as they do not all have exit plumbing in the same place.