Review of the Honda EU2200i Portable Inverter Generator

Honda's reputation for durability and reliability are legend. This is one of the main reasons why customers choose this brand, even though it comes at significantly more expense. Many owners say "you get what you pay for" both at the upper end of the market and lower down. In many ways this is true for the Honda.

It's a pity there still isn't a fuel gauge or other useful and essential digital or analog indicators to keep the user informed on what is, after all, a premium model. Some buyers think this is a sign of a lack of innovation. On the other hand, why fix it if it's not broken!

But this doesn't detract from Honda's allure. In fact, it may be more sensible to stretch your budget at the outset so as not to regret purchasing a cheaper alternative. That's a decision you must make. One owner's view really sums it up: "Is it cheap? No. Is it worth it? Yes, if you need a generator that's going to last for many years of heavy use".

The bottom line is this inverter is one of the best you can buy. If its power output meets your needs, and you are someone who is prepared to pay the premium, then this could very well be the one to buy.

The Honda EU2200i is a premium portable inverter generator renowned for its durability and reliability. It's both quiet and relatively light and is an excellent solution for recreational activities and for powering your RV essentials or tools. It can also be used to provide you with some limited but reliable power in the home for short periods, for example, during outages.

Despite its technical sophistication the unit is simple to operate. Although it doesn't have an electric start, its recoil pull mechanism uses an automatic decompression system that makes starting the generator a lot easier. 

The unit has neither an hour meter nor a fuel gauge. 

Like most portable generators, this Honda includes a system which shuts the engine down automatically when the oil falls below a safe level and will stop you from restarting it until you've added more oil.

There is a minimum of receptacles with just a duplex 20A 120v and a 12v DC outlet for charging batteries. There are no USB ports.

An Eco-Throttle automatically adjusts the engine speed to match the load. This allows it to run for over 8 hours on less than a gallon of fuel at 25% load, and for over 3 hours at the rated continuous load.

Unlike its predecessor, this unit has a fuel shutoff, which runs the carburetor dry without having to empty the float bowl manually after turning it off. The absence of this feature in the past often led to the carburetor gumming up during storage. And a gummed-up carburetor makes starting the generator harder, if not impossible, requiring you to at a minimum to dismantle it for cleaning, and in a worst-case scenario to have some major maintenance carried out. The use of a fuel stabilizer is recommended by many owners of portable generators to prevent the breakdown of gasoline. We explain some more about these stabilizers.

The EU2200i is CARB Compliant, which means you can operate it in all 50 US states. And it has a USDA-qualified spark arrestor/muffler qualifying it as safe for use where spark arrestors are mandatory, such as National Parks and campsites.

Honda give you a 3-year warranty on this model.

More detailed and operational information is contained in the Honda EU2200i manual.

Some models of the EU2200i are equipped with CO-MINDER, an Advanced Carbon Monoxide Detection System, which automatically shuts down the generator before CO levels near the generator become dangerously high. This one is not so equipped and, anyway, should always be used in the open air 20 feet or more from your home for safety reasons, and at least 5 feet away from any combustible material such as a tree or bush.

At the heart of the unit is a fuel-efficient commercial grade 121cc GRX120 engine used originally in construction equipment. 

The generator's model designation, EU2200i, reflects the starting power of 2200 watts. For running power output, the unit delivers 1800 watts. These outputs are enough to power a refrigerator, a small air conditioner and other basic essential equipment (but not all at the same time).

Like all inverters, it produces clean and steady power, free from spikes that are more associated with generators using conventional technology. So you can safely connect your sensitive electronics.

This unit is parallel-capable, meaning you can connect it to an identical model to increase the power outputs.

If you haven't already seen it, it might be worth having a look at our article about the impact of altitude on the power outputs of portable generators (and any combustion engines for that matter) as this may very well affect your decision to purchase.

At 46.5lbs the Honda is light enough for one person to move around and store without too much trouble.

At just 48dB at 25% load, this is the quietest of the generators we look at here, particularly when set to ECO mode. Honda say it's quieter than the sound of a normal conversation. That claim is backed up by many owners who say its silence won't disturb neighbors either next door or at the campsite.

Considered by many to be the gold standard in this segment of the portable generator market, the EU2200i inverter consistently receives 5-star reviews and comes out at or very near the top in its class wherever you look. And there's good reason. Although it's not cheap, owners have been more than willing to pay extra for its durability, reliability, build quality and fuel efficiency. 

Many buyers sing this generator's praise, and it's just about the most powerful generator you'll find under 50lb. Like any device, it needs good maintenance.

There are a very few instances where buyers who received dud machines complain about the cost of returning the item.

Other complaints stem from owners leaving fuel in the carburetor for an extended period. This could relate to earlier models. But it is never advisable to leave gasoline in for a long time as it naturally deteriorates to the point where it will gum up the fuel system. Some buyers recommend buying the (Propane, Natural Gas, Gasoline) conversion kit to prevent this problem, in addition to having a more versatile unit. But the alternative is to use a fuel stabilizer which will help extend the gasoline's life for about a year (some claim for up to two years).