--- Best Choice ---
Generac GP2500i - Best-Rated

Comparsion Table
Model | Start/Run Wattage | Fuel Type | Inverter | Start Type | Editor’s Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Generac GP2500i Check Price |
2500/2200 | Gasoline | Recoil Start | 8.3 | |
Generac 76711 GP1200i Check Price |
1200/1000 | Gasoline | Recoil Start | 8.0 | |
Generac 7033 Guardian Series Check Price |
0/0 | Natural Gas, Propane | Electric Start | 7.9 | |
Generac 7117 GP2200i Check Price |
2200/1700 | Gasoline | Recoil Start | 7.6 | |
Generac XD5000E Check Price |
5500/5000 | Diesel | Recoil Start | 7.1 |
#1. Generac GP2500i - Portable Inverter Generator 2,200 Rated Watts
Are you looking for a portable generator for your home power? Look no more Generac GP2500i is now available to sort out your entire power problem. It’s ideal for your power need because it’s small and lightweight for one person to move, considering has only 48 lbs. GP2500i inverter generator produces 2,500 starting watts and 2,200 running watts.
What is in the Package?
Included: engine oil, oil funnel, spark plug wrench, battery charging cables, manual, and warranty card. The generator is shipped without gasoline.
Why prefer Generac GP2500i
Easy portability: due to its lightweight design, it makes the best power solution for camping, outdoor, and tailgating.
Parallel compatibility: to double the watt produced, GP2500i has been designed to allow a parallel connection of two generators.
Clean power: for our home electronic safety, this generator produces clean power with less than 3% THD this means all our sensitive electronics are safe when using its power.
California residents only buy GP2500i inverter generator that is CARB-compliant. More so, this device can be easily maintained, and it has a real gas-containing additive to ensure it is always kept fresh.
This inverter generator is equipped with ECONOMY MODE to regulate noise, save fuel and ensure that sensitive electronics save power.
Noise Test
- Idle speed, 23 ft., eco mode on: 59 dBA
- Idle speed, 23 ft., eco mode off: 63 dBA
- 1,500-watt load, 23 ft., eco mode off: 71 dBA
The oil shutdown protection is very low. This protects the engine from any chemical and physical damage.
It is equipped with LED indicator lights along with the control panel, which helps to show the system's status.
This unit includes two 120V 20A (NEMA 5-20R) household outlets, one 12 VDC outlet, and two 5V 2.1A USB outlets.
The Generac GP2500i will offer more power for less price. It comes with a three-year warranty and free lifetime technical support.
Specifications
- Starting Wattage: 2500
- Running Wattage: 2200
- Inverter: yes
- Start Type:  Recoil Start
- Fuel Type:  Gasoline
- CARB Compliant: CARB Compliant
Our grades
Pros
- With its clear control panel it is easier to monitor its internal functioning, no need to stops it’s running to check its parts
- This unit designed to automatically adjust its speed to make only the amount of energy needed this increases fuel efficiency while limiting exhaust emissions and reducing the noise level during operation
- Comes with 2 USB ports this enables easy powering of electronics such as phones
- It is super quiet when operating
- It is very reliable
Cons
- Despite its low price, many users felt it would be ideal if this unit had an electrical start button instead of a manual recoil system to get the engine running
- Increase in noise level when running at a full load
- Relatively low run time
#2. Generac 76711 GP1200i - Portable Inverter Generator
Generac GP1200i is one of the best compact and lightweight (33 lbs.) inverter generators for the price. Its 54cc Generac 4-stroke recoil start engine produces 1,000 watts of continuous power and a maximum surge power of 1,200 watts.
What is in the Package?
Included: spark plug tool, oil funnel, quick start guide, manual, warranty card. The generator is shipped without oil and gasoline.
Good fuel efficiency: It has FlexPower, a feature that enables the generator to run in high mode and eco speed. It has a 0.8-gallon tank that can run for 5.5 hours at a 50 percent load. Its power efficiency makes it an ideal source of power for recreational activities.
The generator is equipped with two power outlets that are 120 volts at 8.3 amps max. Also has 2 USB ports (1 amp and 2.1 amp) for easy charging of your gargets.
Just as the most inverter generators of its class, do not expect to use it as a home backup generator. It won’t be able to power anything heavy such as an air conditioner since the surge power is not enough to get the air conditioner started. This type of generator is designed for small applications.
What Appliances Can Be Connected?
- Laptop, Phone, Tablet and other sensitive electronics
- Computer/Laptop (50-500 watts)
- TV + Game console (300-400 watts)
- Lights in the house (all LEDs)
- Mini fridge (50-100 watts) or Freezer (300-500 watts)
- Home security system (5-20 watts)
- Pellet stove (400-800 watts)
- Food Blender (500-700 watts)
- and more…
If you are looking to buy a generator for camping and recreational purposes, Generac 5971 would be ideal. However, if you intend to use it to power high-power consuming appliances such as fridges, air conditioners, microwaves, Generac 5971 is not the best option.
Specifications
- Starting Wattage: 1200
- Running Wattage: 1000
- RV Ready Outlet: Yes
- Inverter: yes
- Start Type:  Recoil Start
- Fuel Type:  Gasoline
- CARB Compliant: yes
Our grades
Pros
- It is portable and lightweight
- Very quiet
- Feature two USB outlets
- Economy Switch
- Easy to use
- Quality assembly
- Stable voltage
- Starts with 1 pull
- Uninterrupted operation
Cons
- It does not have parallel capability
- Oil is not included
- Poor quality control (There are defective models)
#3. Generac 7033 Guardian Series - 11,000 Watt Generator for Whole House
Finding the right standby generator that can meet the power that your home needs to stay on during an outage can be challenging, worry no more True Power Technology has come up with Generac 7033 Guardian Series 11KW/10KW that can deliver best in class power quality with less than 5% total harmonic distortion (THD) this mean all our sensitive electronics such as TVs, Laptops, and smartphones can be connected.
This unit is the best back-up when connected to your propane or natural gas fuel supply, it kicks in within seconds of sensing power loss – automatically – and runs for so long as necessary until utility power returns.
Why Generac 7033 Guardian Series 11kW/10kW
Durable: to ensure it last longer it base is made of stainless steel to which it resists rust while the enclosure is made of corrosion resistant aluminum coated with rhino coat powder finish to make it more resistant to corrosion.
Easy monitoring: this unit is mobile linked for remote monitoring this ensures that the user can monitor its working from any part of the world using the smartphones, tablets, or PC.
Dual fuel technology: this generator engine is designed to runs using natural gas or propane; hence, the user has the option of choice on the fuel to use.
Conclusion
While it relatively expensive, this unit has the ability to supply your entire house with power.
Warranty
Generac 7033 Guardian Series 11kW/10kW comes with 5 Year Limited Warranty.
Specifications
- Propane Running Watts: 11000
- Natural Gas Running Watts: 10000
- Noise Level from 23 ft.: 64 dBA
- Inverter: no
- Start Type:  Electric Start
- Fuel Type:  Natural Gas, Propane
- CARB Compliant: CARB Compliant
Our grades
Pros
- The unit variable speed operation automatically adjusts based on the appliance you run which is a big thumb up
- Its mobile Link Remote Monitoring lets you check in on the generator while away from home
- Very quiet operation running at a lower RPM
- Aluminum case on the motor is safe for use in all climates hence last longer under any condition
- LED indicators
- 5 Year Limited Warranty
Cons
- Some customers have complained of buying this unit with a design flaw that causes it to leak oil and the unfortunate thing is that repair kit is not guaranteed
- Due to its nature, it must be installed by a professional after purchasing it this translates to more overhead to the user
- Most customer claim is that the Generac doesn’t honor its warranty claims
#4. Generac 7117 GP2200i Portable Inverter Generator
Are you and your family outdoors junkies on the lookout for an affordable portable inverter generator on the market? You might have to pay close attention to this Generac’s economical model that has an incredibly quiet functionality.
Whether you are tailgating for the upcoming big game or simply enhancing your camping experience – the Generac 7117 GP22200i will present you with stable power with no disturbances to the neighbors or surrounding wildlife.
At a glance, the GP2200i resembles a huge laundry detergent container instead of a portable generator. Nonetheless, it is this design-build that’s its prime selling point. Let’s have a look at why this model might be a good buy for you:
What is in the Package?
Included: engine oil, oil funnel, spark plug wrench, battery charging cables, manual, and warranty card. The generator is shipped without gasoline.
Operation & Ease of Use
You’ll use a standard recoil pull-starter cord to start the engine of this inverter generator. It has no electric start; there’s no space to strap an internal battery in its compact design. Instead, the manufacturer found it necessary to combine the choke, run, and stop switches into a single handy knob to make the starting process simple.
As for this generator’s outlets, they’re somewhat sparse. What you’ll get is a 120V, 20A duplex outlet, 12VDC outlet, and a 5VDC, 1.5A USB outlet. All of these outlets are covered for protection against dust. Sadly, there’s no interlocking outlet to power the more energy-intensive appliances.
The GP2200i has no fuel gauge on the front panel. All it has are indicator lights to let you know when you’re overloading it or when it’s running low on oil. It weighs in at 46.6lbs and has a convenient handle that makes it easier to carry around. Plus, its compact aspect makes it great for storage after use.
Noise Level & Power
The tradeoff for this invertible generator’s convenience is power; the GP2200i is fitted with an 80cc, gas-powered, 4-stroke engine and a 1.2-gallon fuel tank. It only presents you with about 1,700 running watts and about 2,200 surge watts; capable of powering small appliances but don’t expect it to be a sufficient backup power for your home or RV.
You can expect this Generac to run for about 5hrs when on full-tank. Even if this is quite impressive, you might want to carry sufficient refueling gas with you whenever you’re taking a weekend camping expedition. The upside to this model’s innovation is that it comes with a parallel kit – you can pair two of these models for twice the power yield.
Generac seemingly doesn’t publish the decibel levels for their generators. Why? They believe that there’s no industry standard for the portable generators. All the same, the noise level of the GP2200i has to be certainly lower in comparison to that of a, say, 2000W open-frame portable generator.
Noise Test
Load level | Distance | Noise level |
---|---|---|
Idle speed + ECO mode on | 1 ft. | 83 dBA |
15 ft. | 66 dBA | |
23 ft. | 59 dBA | |
750-watt load | 1 ft. | 88 dBA |
15 ft. | 68 dBA | |
25 ft. | 66 dBA | |
1,500-watt load | 1 ft. | 95 dBA |
15 ft. | 72 dBA | |
25 ft. | 70 dBA |
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
Is the Generac GP2200i the best portable inverter generator under $1000? All things considered, the answer is yes. Not only is it a reliable generator with a relative quiet functionality, it supersedes most of the other competitive brands in terms of affordability.
That said – if you have more than $1000 to spend on a portable inverter generator, you might wish to have look at the Honda EU2200i. But, if you have less than $1000 on hand, you might want to purchase the Generac GP2200i portable inverter generator.
Do you have experience with this generator? What are your thoughts or tips? Please take a moment to let us know in the comments!
Specifications
- Starting Wattage: 2200
- Running Wattage: 1700
- Inverter: yes
- Start Type:  Recoil Start
- Fuel Type:  Gasoline
- CARB Compliant: CARB Compliant
Our grades
Pros
- Economy Mode
- Parallel-set with an add-on kit
- Portability
- Covered Outlets
- USB-port
- CARB-Compliant
Cons
- Expensive
- The major concern that customers express is that this generator has only two 120V outlets meaning that it may not be able to power all of a household’s appliances
#5. Generac XD5000E 5,000 Watt - Portable Diesel Generator
Modern diesel generators are known for being more efficient and providing a long life while requiring less maintenance. The Generac XD5000E is one perfect example of these diesel generators.
It's a mid-range model of high-quality standards and offers great power and reliability, factors which have made it stand out against the best diesel generators that the market has to offer.
Under the hood of the unit is an air-cooled 435cc Yanmar LW Series engine which is capable of producing around 5, 000 watts of continuous power and 5,500 watts of surge power.
That's sufficient output to keep almost everything in a house running in case of an extended outage. Beyond power, this Generac model guarantees balance and smooth operation with minimal vibrations.
It utilizes a direct fuel injection engine which delivers 9.3HP at a consistent speed of 3,600 RPMs plus it's counterbalanced to facilitate smooth operation even at such high speeds.
Therefore, vibrations which used to be a major issue with older diesel engines won't be a point of concern with this model.
Like many other diesel generators, the XD5000E is not an inverter but it does feature a true power technology which allows it to provide cleaner power compared to a lot of other diesel generators.
Despite the enormous output, this technology is able to deliver power with a total harmonic distortion of less than 5% which makes it safe enough to distribute clean and smooth electricity.
That means you can use it to power even the most sensitive electronics like your smartphone and computer without having to worry about them getting fried by surges.
Another thing that stands out in this Generac XD5000E model is its incredible runtime. It has a 12-gallon fuel tank which is really generous and ensures continuous power supply for a long time during an outage.
Operating at 50% load, the unit can run for up to 32 hours straight which means you can use it for a whole day from morning to morning before you have to refill it. At full load, it can go for up to 16 hours which is still a decent runtime compared to that of similar models.
It's one of the best fuel-efficient diesel generators available in the market and it comes with an automatic shutdown feature, so in case the oil level gets too low, it will immediately shutdown.
Operating this generator is also no hassle at all. You can use either a push-button electric start or a recoil pull start to start it both which are straightforward. The unit also features a compression release lever which makes it easier to start it in cold weather.
However, the battery for the electric start is not included which is unfortunate plus there's no remote start option. Another notable downside is weight. At 254 pounds, it's quite a heavy unit which considerably limits its portability.
The good news though is that it features a dual grip handle and 2 never-flat wheels to make it a bit easy to move. Further to this, it's equipped with an integrated lifting eye to allow you to bring it anywhere you want.
Noise will neither be an issue as the unit utilizes a set of high-quality mufflers which help make it quite and suitable to use in most neighborhoods.
Overall, considering the powerful engine that produces clean power and the longer runtime, the Generac XF5000E indeed represents excellent value for money. It's a solid, reliable diesel generator that's efficient, quiet and durable.
It's good enough for not just home use but also for most outdoor applications like powering electric power equipment and tools if you have a small garage or workshop.
Specifications
- Starting Wattage: 5500
- Running Wattage: 5000
- Inverter: no
- Start Type:  Recoil Start
- Fuel Type:  Diesel
- CARB Compliant: CARB Compliant
Our grades
Pros
- Sturdy and very durable steel frame
- Powerful engine capable of producing up to 5,000 running watts
- Delivers cleaner power with less than 5% harmonic disruption
- A large fuel tank that offers longer runtime at both 50% and full load
- Easy to start and operate
- CARB/EPA compliant
- Excellent fuel efficiency
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- Diesel Power requires less maintenance
Cons
- Heavy and somewhat hard to transport
- Battery and remote control option not included
- Have to buy wheel kit separately
- Expensive
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