May. 2024
Here you will find the best inverter generator reviews and a comparison chart for a quick overview of the important factors you should be looking at.
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Inverter Generator Comparison Chart 2024
Best Inverter Generator Reviews 2024
Best Portable Inverter Generator
TOP 5 COMPARISON
✅See the generator we prefer. This generator has received excellent reviews as well.
Summary:
Choosing a generator can be a daunting task and it isn’t something that you should buy without knowing a few key factors first.
With generators the two most important factors are the power output and the sound levels.
If you plan on going camping, it is important to know that federal parks will not allow any generator that generates a noise of more than 59 dB during non-quiet hours. It has to be lower than 59 dB.
Furthermore, to add insult to injury, you are not allowed to run any generator at all during quiet hours, no matter how quiet the generator is.
To further complicate matters, the startup power rating is just as important as the rated power, since you will not be able to start your equipment if the initial power requirement is not there.
If you want the best inverter generator, buy the Yamaha EF4500iSE or if you want the best value for money and more power than the Yamaha, buy two WEN 56310i’s, but be sure to read the reviews first.
What Does Inverter Generator Mean?
There are three main types of generators that are used for various applications to produce electricity when normal grid power is unavailable.
This includes conventional, silenced and inverter generators.
Conventional generators start up, powers a motor connected to an alternator which produces electricity (AC (alternating current)) and then runs at a constant speed giving a constant electricity output.
Silent generators are the same as conventional generators but have been modified to reduce noise levels; not as efficient as inverter generators though.
How inverter generators work: They make use of high-tech magnets and through the use of microprocessors and advanced electronics, produce AC power as normal, but then rectifiers convert the AC power to DC (direct current) power which then gets inverted back to clean AC power.
Inverter vs. Generator. Are Inverter Generators Better?
Absolutely. There is no doubt. Some advantages include the following:
- Fuel efficiency: Because the inverter generator adapts to the power requirements and does not just run at one speed as conventional generators do, they can significantly decrease fuel consumption.
- Noise levels – Are inverter generators quiet? If you have ever heard a conventional generator start up and run, you will know how loud they can be. Some inverter generators can run at noise levels as low as 54 dB, which is very quiet… you probably won’t hear it from a few feet away. Noise levels below 60 dB are at about the same noise levels as an average conversation.
- Weight: Inverter generators are mostly portable and much lighter than their equivalent conventional generator counterparts. The perfect generator for your RV and outdoor life.
- Clean AC power: Gives the same quality power than your power utility and will not damage sensitive electronic equipment such as phones, your plasma TV, your PC, your laptop or game consoles. Produces pure sine waves.
- Not enough power? No problem… connect two inverter generators together to produce double the power. Requires a parallel kit that is specific to the model that is purchased. Please note: Not all models are parallel capable and individual reviews below will mention if a model is parallel capable or not.
With the advantages, there are also some disadvantages:
- Price: Expect to pay a bit more than you would pay for a conventional generator. Although this is an initial disadvantage, the savings in fuel consumption will eventually make up for the price difference… unless you only use it once or twice.
- The power output: At this stage the maximum generated power from an inverter generator is about 3000 – 5500 Watts; with some generators, you can double that to 8000 Watts if you buy two portable inverter generators.
What’s the Difference Between Rated Watts and Surge Watts?
Rated watts or running watts is the watts that an inverter generator can run at continuously while surge watts is the maximum watts it can handle during start up and for short bursts.
Some of these short bursts can be for up to 30 minutes, depending on the brand, but it’s not recommended.
Both of these values are important, since some devices require more Watts to start up.
The inverter generator comparison chart uses the rated Watts.
Best Inverter Generator Buyers Guide
As always, price is a factor, but what else should you look out for when buying a generator?
We have compiled a list of factors that we consider important; the most important being that you should make sure that the inverter generator will supply the amount of power that you are looking for.
- Power output: This is crucial. You need to know the starting and the running wattage of the equipment that you are going to connect to your generator inverter. Use the wattage calculator here to determine your needs and then come back to choose the best inverter generator.
- Outlets: How many different outlets does the generator have? Make sure that it has the outlets you need to connect your favorite device.
- Weight: Is your generator portable? This may or may not be an issue, but expect more weight with increased power.
- Running time: How long can you run without having to refuel? Could be an important issue, especially at night.
- Parallel connections: If you need more power, can you connect two generators together? Not all inverter generators offer this choice, but most do.
- Sound levels: The inverter generators have been designed with low sound levels in mind and it’s important that your new generator runs as quiet as possible. The comparison table lists the maximum sound levels, which usually occurs at startup. Most of the time, the sound levels will be lower, especially if you run at lower loads.
For comparison, normal ambient sound is at 40 dB, a general conversation is around 60 dB, and a vacuum cleaner is at about 80 dB.
Best Inverter Generator Reviews
Updated May. 2024
While reviewing these inverter generators, one thing became clear and that is that most brands (or is it the sellers?) were deliberately trying to make their generators look better than it really is.
They are not wrong in what they are saying, but why give you the noise levels at let’s say 1/4 load and then not mention the noise levels at full load… or by telling us that the run time is at 25% or 50% of the load instead of 100%.
With inverter generators it is possible to use less fuel and achieve longer running times; we understand that, but please tell us how long it can run on a full load as well.
We struggled to get the noise levels of certain brands and removed two brands from our list due to the fact that we could not obtain proper noise levels.
Normally, in our experience, some brands will specifically hide certain data or make it impossible to obtain if the result looks bad for them.
We refuse to review such brands.
Below is a comparison table of the best brands listing the power output, the running time, the noise levels as well as the weight of each generator.
Note that that running times are all at a 50% load level.
| Rating | Brand | Rated / Surge Power Output (Watt) | Running Time @ 50% Load (Hrs.) | Noise Level (dB) | Weight (lbs. / kg) | Price $ (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
Yamaha EF4500iSE Portable Inverter Review | 4000 W / 4500 W |  14.8 hrs.
|
58-60 dB(A) | 194 lbs. / 88.0 kg | See Price |
  |
Honda EU2000I Portable Inverter Generator Review | 1600 W / 2000 W |  8.1 hrs. |
59 dB(A) | 46 lbs. / 20.9 kg | See Price |
  |
WEN 56310i Inverter Generator Review | 2800 W / 3100 W | 7.5 hrs. | 63 dB (@ 3/4 load) | 81.4 lbs. / 36.9 kg | See Price |
  |
WEN 56200i Portable Inverter Generator Review | 1600 W / 2000 W | 6 hrs. | 63 dB (@ 22 ft.) | 48 lbs. / 21.8 kg | See Price |
  |
Champion 100263 Portable Inverter Generator Review | 3100 W / 3400 W |  3.75 hrs. |
59 dB(A) (@ 23 ft.) | 95.7 lbs. / 43.4 kg | See Price |
  |
Briggs & Stratton Portable Generator Review | 5000 W / 6500 W |  7 hrs.
|
 81 dB (@ 10 ft. - Quiet mode) |
128 lbs. / 58.1 kg | See Price |
Yamaha EF4500iSE: Original specification is 7.4 hrs. at full load. Adjusted to 14.8 hrs. for comparison with other brands.
Honda EU2000I: Original specification is 3.4 – 8.1 hrs. per tank. Assumed 8.1 hrs. is at 50% load.
Champion 100263: Original specification is 7.5 hrs. @ 25% load. Assumed 3.75 hrs. @ 50% load.
Briggs & Stratton: Original specification is 14 hrs. @ 25% load. Assumed 7 hrs. @ 50% load.
Briggs & Stratton state that this generator is 60% quieter than standard generators. Data used was obtained from actual user testing.
Inverter Generator Comparison Chart
In the comparison chart, brands are ranked according to the power output that they can deliver.
Of all the generators reviewed, the Briggs and Stratton generator delivers the most power but is also the noisiest of all the brands.
Our Top 3 Best Inverter Generator Brands
Updated May. 2024
Our top three brands were selected based on the amount of power delivered, the sound levels produced, consumer reports and reviews as well as other factors.
✅Yamaha EF4500iSE: Simply the Best Inverter Generator for RV Vehicles
Yamaha is a well known-brand and they produce quality products.
This beast of a generator is simply the best in its class.
Suitable as a home generator for power outages and other appliances, suitable for camping, RV vehicles, tailgating, outdoor activities, construction work, farming activities, an air compressor as well as other applications where power is required.
Run a 15000 BTU air conditioner and a microwave oven simultaneously or run a range of power tools together.
You can even run your favorite plasma cutter while you are doing some construction work.
This generator has a 357 cc, 4-stroke engine that will cater for most of your power needs.
The long running time of 7.4 hrs. (at full load) before refueling is excellent and is the longest running time of all the inverter generators reviewed here.
This is the only generator inverter reviewed here that starts with the push of a button. The rest are all recoil starters.
Outlets: AC receptacles (x3)
✅Get more information here as well as user reviews and consumer reports.
Video: The Yamaha EF4500iSE Doing its Mojo for an RV
Need more power and the choice between 120V / 220 V? Check out the Yamaha EF6300iSDE160 that is rated at 5500 W (running) and 6300 W (starting).
- Complies with the tough Californian emission laws (CARB Compliant).
- Great variety of applications that it can be used for.
- Push button start up with electric choke – will easily start in cold climates.
- Wireless remote control to start the unit from up to 66 ft. away.
- Very quiet.
- 3 Year warranty.
- Not parallel capable.
- Not cheap.
- A bit heavy.
- Takes 1-2 months to ship.
✅Honda EU2000I: Best Portable Inverter Generator for Tailgating
This portable inverter generator from the Honda brand will last you for years to come due to the superb quality of the product.
At 46 lbs. (20.9 kg), it is the lightest unit reviewed here and you can certainly carry it around easily without too much effort.
If you want to power a fridge, microwave, TV and other small household devices, then this is the generator for you.
This generator can also be useful for a travel trailer, camping, tailgating, supplemental RV power as well as at construction sites, but you will be limited in the amount of appliances you can run simultaneously.
Outlets: Parallel operation outlets (x2), AC receptacles (x2), DC receptacle.
✅See more high quality images here as well as consumer reports, more information and reviews.
If you want the best portable inverter generator for RV use, then have a look at the Honda EU3000iS with noise levels running at 48 – 58 dB and a rating of 2800 running watts (3000 W starting).
Even better, you can also buy the Honda companion as well (parallel linking) and then you can also use it for your RV and have 3200 running watts and 4000 surge watts.
- CARB compliant.
- Parallel connectors.
- Very quiet.
- Lightweight and portable.
- 3 Year warranty.
- May not be as quiet as advertised.
✅WEN 56310i: Best Inverter Generator Under $1000
This is the best 3000 watt inverter generator for the price and definitely worth a look.
This is an attractive and neatly designed unit from the WEN brand that produces a respectable 2800 W of electricity which can be doubled if you connect it in parallel with another unit.
Great for power outages, camping, tailgating or supplemental RV use.
An extra unit in parallel (5600 rated Watts & 6200 surge Watts) will make it suitable for full RV use and it will still be cheaper and lighter than the Yamaha unit.
If you want to pay less than half the price than what the Yamaha is going for and have more power available, then this may be a sensible choice if you don’t mind the few extra decibels.
This is definitely the best portable inverter generator for the money.
The two USB ports is a cool feature for your USB devices.
If you want to save fuel, just press the Eco switch for more efficient operation.
Outlets: Parallel operation outlets (x2), AC receptacles (x3), DC receptacle, USB ports (x2).
- Can be connected in parallel.
- CARB Compliant.
- 2 Year warranty.
- Portable and lightweight.
- USB ports.
- Noise levels may be a bit too high for federal camps although it’s still at tolerable levels for other uses.
✅WEN 56200i: Best Portable Inverter Generator for RV
This is the smaller brother of the WEN 56310i and delivers an output of 1600 W.
Similar to the WEN 56310i, it is also recommended to buy two units that can be used in parallel; otherwise the power output will not be enough for a lot of appliances.
The big advantage of this generator is that it is the cheapest of all the units reviewed here.
This is the best inverter generator for camping since it is small and lightweight.
Outlets: Parallel operation outlets (x2), AC receptacles (x2), DC receptacle, USB ports (x1).
Champion 100263: Best 3000w Inverter Generator
This is the only unit here that uses gasoline and propane gas as a source of power.
Where gasoline produces 3100 W of continuous running power, the propane gas will only produce 2790 running watts… not a significant loss, but big enough to be noticeable.
This nice looking inverter generator can be used for RV’s, tailgating, camping and other tasks that require power.
If you want or need more power, two units in parallel with give you 6200 W of power.
Outlets: Parallel operation outlets (x2), AC receptacles (x3), DC receptacle.
Have a look at more high resolution pictures here as well as consumer reports, reviews and other information.
- Uses gasoline or propane gas to operate.
- Can be run in parallel with another unit.
- 3 Year limited warranty.
- Portable inverter generator.
- Could be a risky purchase since 8% of users who reviewed it had some or other problem with it.
- Could be louder than advertised.
Briggs & Stratton: Best Inverter Generator for Home Use
Of all the generators reviewed here, the Briggs and Stratton generator produces the most power at 5000 Watts.
The starting Watts of 6500 gives will also give enough room for some power hungry appliances.
This is the best inverter generator for home use since you can still power your refrigerator and a few other appliances simultaneously in case of a power outage.
If you want, you can also use it for your RV, but the noise level of 81 dB will probably drive you crazy after a while and it is doubtful whether federal parks will allow the unit.
Although not as light as some other portable inverter generators here, you can easily move it around with its telescopic handle.
Outlets: 120V-20A (x4), USB outlets (x2) and a 120V-240V locking outlet.
See a video here as well as more consumer reports and reviews.
- Produces ample power to run a few applications together.
- Compact design.
- A bit noisy at 81 db.
- Cannot be sold in California… not CARB compliant.
- Cannot be connected in parallel.
Today’s Best List:
Best Inverter Generator Reviews And Prices
List updated:
May 2024
Conclusion
The best inverter generator for 2024 is the excellent Yamaha EF4500iSE and the best inverter generator for a RV is the WEN 56310i if you buy two of them. The WEN 56200i is the best generator for the money.
