As a result, inverter generators are only as loud as they need to be.
Once you add a larger load, the engine ratchets up.
With an inverter generator, if you have only one or two small items plugged in, the engine throttles down on its own, using just enough gas and power to maintain the load. Regular generators, in contrast, run at a constant speed, which you adjust manually as needed. First, inverter models typically have an eco mode that ramps the engine up or down depending on the current electrical load. Inverter generators don’t make nearly as much of a racket as regular generators, for a couple of reasons. If you’ve already invested in Ego’s batteries through purchasing the company’s lawn gear, the Power+ Nexus is even more appealing, as the batteries are all compatible. It’s handy if you live in an area prone to short-term power outages, but you’ll need to keep a close eye on the battery levels. During our real-world testing, we always reached for this model above the others due to the simplicity of the battery power as opposed to gas. In spite of those flaws, the Ego is still an excellent generator, with an intuitive app that helps you stretch out your power supply. Fully recharging the batteries can take eight or so hours. It particularly excels in intermittent work-we got a day’s worth of cuts with a circular saw on a single charge-but its limitations show in high-draw, continuous-use applications such as powering a space heater, which causes the batteries to drain too quickly. That makes it perfect for doing projects around the house or garage, or for hosting backyard entertainment. It needs hardly any maintenance, barely makes any noise, and produces no exhaust, so you can use it indoors.
Honda generator portable#
The Ego Power+ Nexus Portable Power Station PST3042 offers power similar to that of the Honda EU2200i with none of the drawbacks of a gas engine. But if we were riding out a storm-related outage or powering a coffee maker on a camping trip, this is the machine we’d rely on. The EU2200i is typically priced over $1,000, about $400 more than other gas options. Honda generators have an excellent reputation and recognition in the industry as the gold standard, but the hitch is that this quality comes at a cost. (And that’s why you should never run one of these indoors or even in your garage with the doors open.)
Honda generator generator#
Like all of our picks, the EU2200i also has an onboard carbon monoxide detector that shuts the generator down if a concentration of the deadly gas gets too high, which can happen if the generator is running in an enclosed area. This is a relatively new feature that not many generators have. In addition, you can easily monitor the Honda’s power output through a Bluetooth-connected app, so during a storm you can manage (and maximize) the generator’s operation from the cozy confines of your home. Starting a gas engine can be frustrating, and that alone could keep someone from buying a generator, but the EU2200i was the only model we tested that started on the first pull of the cord every single time we used it. Its distinguishing feature is its high-quality Honda engine, which is significantly larger than other generators we tested. The Honda was the quietest, lightest, and most powerful generator we looked at-it even exceeded its listed capabilities and powered appliances and tools that caused the other generators to overload. After we tested four generators in the 2,200-watt range, it was clear to us that the Honda EU2200i was the best.