Inverter generators have gained in popularity over the past few years as prices have come down considerably with increased competition from major brand. There was a time when inverter generators were rare and expensive but now everything has changed and that’s a good thing because they are considerably better than standard gas generators, which I’ll discuss later. In this Briggs & Stratton P2400 review I’ll point out what makes this generator stand-out from the crowd as well as compare it other brands to see if it’s worth your money.
Why Buy An Inverter Generator?
If you’re considering the P2400 you must have a good idea about what your power needs are. It won’t power your home so let’s get that out the way, but it will keep your fridge running during a power outage, as well as power a few other things, like a light, your TV, your smartphone and a laptop — as an example. Inverter generators have many advantages over traditional gas models.
Inverter generators are smaller and lightweight in comparison to gas models. They are much quieter, usually they make as much noise as a normal conversation, which will help you maintain your sanity when you’re running it. Inverters are more fuel efficient and produce clean energy, which means you can safely run any sensitive electronics. And lastly, with inverter generators you can connect them and double your power, allowing you to scale your power needs as your require it. This one feature allows inverter models to scale up to the most powerful gas generators and event surpass them when connecting larger models, as the two I mentioned earlier from Honda and DuroMax.
Sine Wave / Quality of Power Produced : Conventional vs Inverter Generator
If you don’t know much about electricity, you should at least know that running sensitive electronics, like a laptop might get damaged if you plug it into a traditional gas generator because of the difference in the quality of the electricity. Yes, there’s such a thing and it’s known as total harmonic distortion (THD). Since we live in a world where we constantly need to keep our portable gadgets charged, which are also sensitive to electrical spikes — an inverter generator is ideal for homeowners looking for backup power.
All is not perfect though when it comes to inverters because they do have a couple of drawbacks. First, they are more expensive if compare cost per watt over traditional generators. But as I said earlier, they are much cheaper than they used to be. Second, inverter generators are not made as powerful as gas generators, and by that I mean, most inverter generators produce under 4500W of starting power. They are just less powerful, on average — BUT —
I’m happy to tell you that this is changing rapidly as powerful inverter generators are now being made by major brands because consumers are beginning to value the benefits of inverter generators and they’re willing to spend more money for the advantages they get over traditional gas. This shift in manufacturing has only taken place over the past two years, so I can’t wait to see the innovative products that brands will be coming up with.
► Example of a larger inverter generator, still affordable : Westinghouse iGen4500
A few examples of large inverter generators are the DuroMax XP9000iH which produces 9000W (start) and 7650W (running). This is exceptional power for an inverter type. Read our review to learn more about it.
Another example is the Honda EU7000is which produces 7000W (starting) and 5000W (running). This is probably the best generator on the market today because it’s perfectly engineered and produces only 60 decibels of sound. That’s phenomenal and says a lot about the engineers at Honda. But, guess what, it costs around $4700. Most people can’t afford that, but if you work in construction or you run a large food truck or you’re putting on an outdoor event then this Honda model is a great investment.
In comparison, the Duromax XP9000iH is about half the price of the Honda at around $2500, which is a far better value and worth the money if you’re in the market for a heavy-duty model, which I suspect your are NOT since you’re looking at the P2400. Sorry for digressing but I think it’s useful to have an idea of the market before you start spending your money.
Briggs & Stratton P2400 Review
Features :
- Safe for Sensitive Electronics : The inverter technology produces smoother power. Safely recharge and power your sensitive electronics such as laptops, smartphones and gaming systems.
- Designed for Camping : Quiet and lightweight makes it suitable for camping or other outdoor leisure activities.
- Efficient : Automatically adjusts engine speed based on the load you put on it. Runs optimally, reduces noise, fuel consumption and emissions.
- Quiet : At 58dB operating volume, this portable generator is quieter than a normal conversation.
- OUTLETS : 2x 230V household sockets, 1x 12V DC charging outlet, and 2x 5V USB ports
- Easy Mobility : H-handle design lets one person easily carry the light generator while also enabling two people to conveniently share the load.
- Dedicated parallel outlet : Connect two units together for even more power. Ideal for RVs with air conditioning units. Parallel connector kit is sold separately : Briggs & Stratton 6278
- CO Guard Carbon Monoxide Shutdown : Advanced Detection. Added Protection. Shuts down generator when dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are present in your operating area.
OVERVIEW —
The one feature that sets the P2400 from most inverter generators is CO Guard, a proprietary system that constantly monitors the carbon monoxide (CO) levels around the generator and if the CO levels reach dangerous levels, CO Guard will automatically shut down the generator, potentially saving lives. This feature should be on every generator sold, by law and I don’t understand why it isn’t mandatory.
Briggs and Stratton was one of the first manufacturers to add this feature to their generators a couple years ago and I applaud for it. This is a sign of a company that cares about what’s best for their customers and I have a lot of respect for their decision to evolve the generator market. It’s funny because shortly after this generator was released it seemed as if all other major brands began to add CO monitoring to their generators. It’s far more common today than it was two years ago and I suspect it will be commonplace very soon.
| Tech Specs | Briggs & Stratton P2400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Watts : 2400 | Run time : 8h | Starter : Recoil |
| Running Watts : 1800 | Outlets : 2x 230V / 16 Amp, 1x 12V / 5 Amp DC Charging outlet, 2x USB | Engine Configuration : 4-stroke OHV |
| Voltage : 230V | Displacement : 79cc | Fuel Tank Capacity : 3.8L |
| Frequency : 50 Hz | Automatic Low Oil Shut Down : Yes | Transport Handle : Twin carry handle |
| Noise Level 58 dB | Circuit Breaker : Yes | Weight : 22.7kg / 59.5 lbs. |
| Length (cm) 51 x Width (cm) 31 x Height (cm) 44 | Consumer Warranty : 3 Years Limited | CE Compliant |
The P2400 can run for 8 hours continuously at 25% of the maximum load, which means that it will get you through the night during an power outage on a single tank of gas. Obviously, if you run it at 50% capacity then expect to only get about 4 hours of running time. It’s always good to have extra gas on hand.
You might want to consider buying a battery-based generator if you’re looking at a generator the size of the P2400, which provides you with 2400W of starting power and 1800W of running power. I’m not trying to sway you out of purchasing this model but I find that a lot of people aren’t aware of portable power stations that can match or exceed this range of power capacity. For example, I recently looked at the EcoFlow Delta Pro, which I absolutely love, and it gives you 7200W of starting power and 3600W of running power, which is considerably more power than the Briggs and Stratton P2400. And yes, it is more expensive, but power stations are far superior to gas generators, even more than the degree that inverter generators are superior to traditional gas generators.
For example, with battery power stations, you can use them indoor as they produce zero emissions — Completely clean power. They can be charged with solar panels. They are virtually silent, lightweight, no fumes and no maintenance. I just have to mention it. Ultimately, it depends on what you can afford, but in the example of the Delta Pro it can scale up to be able to power your entire home due to its modular design. Inverter generators can only be doubled in power by combining two units. Think about your future needs.
Consider a Battery Generator : EcoFlow Delta Pro / Highly Scalable
The Briggs and Stratton P2400 is well engineered, feel solid and durable. The control panel is nicely laid out with bold buttons and outlets, making it easy to use. The outlets are covered to protect them from dust and rain.
This is a relatively quiet unit but it’s not silent. You will hear it. You will notice it’s running. One of the key differences in inverter generators and the reason why pricing can vary so much is dependent on how quiet the generator is. Honda makes the quietest generators and that’s why they cost about twice as much as other brands. The degree of noise given off by an inverter generator is really important because when it’s running all day and night, if it’s loud, it’ll drive you nuts over time. Generators are quite annoying because of the noise and also the fumes.
The Honda EU2200ITAG is the equivalent to the P2400 and it costs a lot more, mainly because of the brand but also because of advanced engineering allowing it to be only 47dB to 58 dB (100% load). You need to figure out what features matter to you most and then choose the product that suits your needs. Again, portable power stations are silent and can be run indoors. Nowadays I find myself biased towards battery generators so keep that in mind. I consider the flexibility they provide to be worth the extra money, but if you want inexpensive power then the P2400 is an excellent choice that you should feel good about purchasing. We live in a world with too many choices and it can be maddening trying to decide on what to buy. Find the first product that meets your needs and buy that. There’s always something better.
Overall the P2400 is an excellent inverter generator that you can rely on to work when you need it most. It’s well engineered and has enough ports for moderate use. When the power goes out, it can run your fridge and more, which to me is the most important thing if you’re buying this for power outages. It doesn’t take long for your food to begin to spoil. The beauty of generators is how flexible they are in providing power wherever and whenever you need it.
The only caveat I have for the P2400 is that it’s not as quiet as you probably hope, especially if you’re running it a full power. The less you run the quieter it will be. It’s not a Honda and that’s why people spend the money on a Honda, but there are other inverter generators that are quieter than the P2400, such as the : Generac iQ3500 or the Westinghouse iGen2200.