Here are top rated best inverter generator buyer reports & ratings for home backup and rv with 4000 watt and 3500 watt 2021.
Small inverter generators are surprisingly verstile. They’re capable of powering a slew of electronics, devices and power tools.
They’re best inverter generator for home backup, also lightweight and portable and quiet enough to not drive your neighbors crazy.
However, with so many options to pick from, it’s hard to know where to start.
I chose five popular models within the 2,000-watt range, costing $499 to $1,049, to test their noise, features, ease of maintenance and portability.
After comparing them, I’ll tell you my top choices.
List of Best Inverter Generator buyer reports & ratings
These are our top picks for the best inverter generator buyer reports & ratings for home backup, rv in 2021.
- Honda EU2200i
- Ryobi 2300
- Briggs & Stratton P2200
- Craftsman 2200i
- Predator 2000
Best Inverter Generator For RV
Honda EU2200i
PROS:
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to carry
- Easy maintenance
- Quick start
- Quiet
- Runs well with power tools
CONS:
- No gauges
- High price
Ryobi 2300
PROS:
- Telescoping handle bar
- Wheels
- Quiet
- Easy maintenance
- Fuel, run-time and load gauges
- Bluetooth capability
- Low price
CONS:
- Large
- Heavy
Briggs & Stratton P2200
PROS:
- Easy start
- Easy maintenance
- Multiple handlebars
CONS:
Heavy
Bulky
Loud
Craftsman 2200i
PROS:
- Quiet
- Lightweight
CONS:
- Large
- Difficult start
- High maintenance
Predator 2000
PROS:
Lightweight
Quiet
Fuel gauge
Low price
CONS:
- High maintenance
- Difficult start
What’s an inverter generator?
Standard portable generators create “dirty” power, an unsteady current that could damage sensitive electronics such as TVs, cell phones and computers.
An inverter fixes that problem. The generator produces raw AC power, and the inverter turns that into low-voltage DC power, and then back into clean, stable 120-volt AC power that’s safe to use with your devices.
What they are (and aren’t) good for
These generators are lightweight, small and quiet, making them great for the jobsite.
They’re also useful for camping and tailgating.
They can charge your laptop and power your circular saw at the same time or keep your fan, lights and outdoor electric grill running at the campsite.
They don’t produce enough power to backup your whole house if there’s a power outage; you’d need a higher-watt option.
Things to consider for Best Inverter Generator For Home Backup
Running watts
Every generator has two watts ratings: “starting watts” and “running watts.”
The starting watts rating is always higher because it includes the extra power the generator can put out for a few seconds to start a device with an electric motor.
The running watts rating is the maximum power the generator can supply to actually run devices.
It’s the only rating you should consider when buying a generator.
Fuel, run-time and load gauges
Fuel, run-time and load gauges let you know how much fuel you have left, how many devices you’re powering and the time remaining until the generator will lose power.
Keep in mind, the run-time gauge won’t be too helpful if you’re using the generator only periodically. Surprisingly, these features aren’t common; only the Predator and Ryobi include them.
Ease of maintenance
Unlike many midsize models, inverter generators hide their motor behind a plastic casing.
To change the oil, air filter or spark plug, or to winterize, you need to open a top or side hatch.
They all have similar motor designs, but some are more maintenance friendly than others.
Some components are tough to reach or hidden behind other parts.
Bluetooth
The Ryobi Bluetooth 2,300-watt model allows you to check the fuel levels, the run-time and the load—and even shut it down—all from your smartphone.
This comes in handy when you’re camping and don’t want to leave your RV, or when you’re at a tailgating party and want to quickly check how much longer the fuel will last.
Portable power stations
Lithium-ion portable power stations have the same AC inverter and can charge at a wattage output comparable to that of inverter generators.
Not having a motor, they’re silent, clean, require little maintenance and can be recharged through a home AC outlet or a separate travel solar panel.
Of course, they’re also much more expensive, costing from $600 to $3,000. A Goal Zero Yeti 1400 portable power station costs about $1,900 on Amazon.
Connect two for more power
If you need more power, inverter generators can also link together to combine their wattage capability.
This provides flexibility for different tasks: If you’re hosting a tailgating party, you can bring a small generator rather than lug around a mid sized one, but if you’re camping in an RV, you can link both together.
It also helps with reliability. If one generator goes down, you can still use the working generator to power some things rather than go without.
Energy throttle
Inverter generators have a throttle as a standard feature to slow down the motor and conserve gas when you aren’t using much power.
It’s great when you’re using low-watt services and want to make the generator quieter and extend your run-time. If you’re using load-heavy equipment, you should turn off the throttle.
Easy portability
Inverter generators are lightweight and small enough that most people could carry them with one hand.
Typically there’s just a large handle on the top, but the Ryobi makes transport easier with wheels and a long handle.
How loud are they?
Inverter generators run quietly on idle, but I wanted to test how noisy they are while running a power tool.
To do this, I used a Reed Sound Level Meter (about $160 online) to measure the decibels.
I placed the sound meter roughly 6 in. away from the generator for an accurate reading of the sound source.
According to the Inverse Square Law, doubling the distance from a sound source subtracts 6 dB in an open field.
That means the farther you are from the source, the decibel levels significantly decrease.
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