Yamaha EF2200is vs Honda EU2200i: Best Portable Generator?
Today we are going to take a look at the Honda EU2200i vs Yamaha EF2200iS inverter generator. The Yamaha was clearly made to compete with the Honda and targeted some features that the Honda doesn’t have, so let’s put it to the test.
First, I’m glad to see that Yamaha finally woke up because years ago Yamaha made some of the best generators around and were neck and neck with Honda. However, something changed and they slipped and just did not release the same type of models that Honda had. So let’s take a look now!
Gas Gauge
First, we’ll need to get them prepped and add gas to the tank so so we can try them out. This is normally not that exciting. However, the first thing you’ll notice is that the Yamaha has a gas gauge now. For years I’ve wanted to see this in the Honda line and I don’t know why they’ve never had it. The Yamaha fuel gauge seems to work great though and I love that they put it on a generator of this size.
Easy Service Cover
Next, you’ll need to add oil to it before you start it up. What’s also new to this model are thumb screws to open the service panel. This is the only generator of this size that features these. It’s a brand new feature and I’m pleased to see that they included it. With a couple quick turns of those screws you can pull the cover right off and get at your engine.
Once you’ve opened up the service panel and can see the oil filler cap, I’ll take it off and fill it with 10W-30 oil until the oil comes to the bottom of the threads. Once you’ve filled it with oil, replace the panel and we’re ready to go.
Outlets and Features
Another welcome change is that Yamaha finally did away with putting outlets on the sides. They are now on the end which is a lot more convenient if you’re going to run this from the back of a truck. You’ll also notice the RV outlet, this is another great new feature. This is a 120 volt 30 amp, so this will really be handy for a camper or RV. And of course you have your standard 120 volt 15 amps as well. Additionally, like the Honda, Yamaha includes a parallel operation set of outlets. Using some special cables you can link two of these units together to increase the capacity.
Another brand new feature I notice is the 12 volt cigarette style lighter that allows you to run all those things you would normally run in your car.
However, best feature I love is the little meter that lets you know how much power you’re using so you can tell if you’re overloading the unit.
This thing is also backlit using an LED. If you’re running this thing at night you can finally see what’s going on!
Noise Level
Now we’re ready to start this thing, and it works exactly like the Honda. It’s got a vent on the gas cap that you’ve got to switch. Then, using the side switch you switch it from ‘Stop’ to ‘Run’, pull out the manual choke, and you’re ready to start it.
Just like the Honda, the Yamaha starts very easily. And remember to push in the choke once the unit is running.
Once the generator’s warmed up, I’m going to flip the ‘Economy’ switch. All this does is let the generator throttle down so that it’s only running with as much power as we need it to.
Now, to see how loud it is I used a simple app to measure the decibel level. The Yamaha clocked in at about 65 decibels from about 25′ away on the quietest mode. At the maximum speed, it came in at about 70 to 71 decibels at the same distance.
Carburetor Tool
Winter storage with generators is always a problem. However, Yamaha did something completely new with this generator. There’s a built-in tool that allows you to drain the gas out of the carburetor really easily. You don’t need any tools, just turn the valve and the remaining gas will come right out. This great little feature will make sure you never end up with bad gas in the carburetor.
Side by Side Comparison
Now this generator is really cool but is it better than the Honda EU2200i? Well, we have to dig a littler further to find out the answer. Take a look at the specs below:
Yamaha EF2200i
- 65db noise
- 2200 watts
- 1.24 gallons fuel
- 10.1 hours runtime
- 57db noise
- 2200 wats
- .95 gallons fuel
- 8.1 hours runtime
And the winner is...
As you can see, the Yamaha is louder than the Honda though still not a loud generator. They also both put out the same wattage maximum. They key difference here is the amount of fuel they hold and the run-time. Therefore, if the runtime is important to you, the Yamaha has considerably longer runtime.
Another key difference though is that when you look at the two side-by-side, the Yamaha is a bit larger than the Honda. The Yamaha is taller, wider, and also a bit heavier. The Honda weights 47lbs while the Yamaha weighs 55.2 pounds.
So what we’re really seeing here, is both of these generators really are winners but they each have advantages of their own. If maximum portability is your thing, you’ll want to go with the Honda. Meanwhile, if you love those Yamaha features, or want that RV outlet or gas gauge, the Yamaha is going to win out and that extra run-time could really make a difference for you.
It’s not always an easy decision as to which winning generator you’ll want to buy. However, you probably will not go wrong with either one of these models. Hopefully you now you have a little bit more information to help you with your decisions.
This concludes our guide on the Honda EU2200i vs Yamaha EF2200iS inverter generator. We hope we gave you a helpful overview in making your purchase. While we still have your attention though, if you’re also considering something that would not require fuel, you may also want to check out our guide on the best portable inverter generator for the money by clicking this link. And feel free to drop us line below if you have any questions or comments for us. Thanks guys!