Consider this smart choice from Rainier — A well-priced 2200W inverter generator.
The Rainier R2200i (seen above) is an excellent — and very affordable — 2000W generator, highly regarded by customers; lightweight at only 44 lbs., Quiet, running at around 52dB from 7m away — overall, a good value. Not the absolute best, but do you require the absolute best? What’s your budget and intended usage? Those are the two most important questions you need to answer. Don’t worry, we cover a wide range of, what “I” consider to be, the best 2000W generators on the market. There are many options for you to consider
Table of Contents...
- 1 Editors’ Picks — Best 2000W Inverter Generators : 2019/20
- 2 2019 — Best 2000 Watt Generator
- 3 Best 2000W Generators
- 3.1 A Huge Reduction In Noise
- 3.2 They’re A Lot More Portable
- 3.3 Quality Of The Power Produced
- 3.4 The Fuel Efficiency And Running Time
- 3.5 Do You Need An Inverter Generator?
- 3.6 Choosing the Right 2000W Generator
- 3.7 Overview | WEN 56200i
- 3.8 What’s the Best 2000 Watt Generator?
- 3.9 Carbon Monoxide | Please Be Safe!
Let’s get started and compare two of the top rated 2000W generators on the market. Both are worth buying, but you can only buy one, so how do you choose? More on that later — the art of choice. One of these generators is cheap (inexpensive) and the other costs more and is a professional-grade generator. The choice is easy if you know what your needs are (and budget). Let’s take a closer look.
WEN 56225i — 2250w / 1800w
- EPA III / CARB Compliant
- 79.7cc 4-Stroke OHV engine
- 2250w start / 1800w run
- 53 dB at 25% load
- Harmonic distortion = under 0.3%
- Runs for 6 hours at 50% load
- Parallel ready using (WEN 56421)
- Weight : 48.5 lbs.
- Eco-mode / USB Ports
- 2 year warranty
WEN 56200i : Cheaper / less power
Yamaha EF2200iS — 2200w / 1800w
- Quiet : 57 – 65dB (25% load)
- Standard 30A RV Outlet
- Engine : 79cc OHV
- Tri-Handle – Easy to move
- Runs for 10.5 hrs. at 25% load
- Smart Throttle – Auto load sensing
- Illuminated LED control panel
- DC Outlet / USB Ports
- Overload Reset Button
- Easy to drain Carburetor
- Fuel Gauge
- Twin Tech parallel function
- 3 year warranty
Because this EF2200iS is fairly expensive, the biggest complaint is the overall noise level, which is higher than you would expect. This can be attributed to the under-powered 79cc engine used. The Yamaha engineers should have gone with a bigger engine to enable the generator to always run far below the maximum capacity of the engine, like the exceptional Honda EU2200i (121cc) / (48db (25%) to 57dB (100% load).
Buy peace of mind, long before the power goes out —
What’s the best 2000 Watt Generator in 2023? As I said, which one suits your taste and needs? It seems that somewhere around 2000 watts is the perfect size for many homeowners. In case of a power outage, all of these generators have enough power to safely run your fridge.
Westinghouse iGen2200 Camo
Did you know that it only takes about 4 hours with the power off to spoil your food. It’s wise to have portable backup power for that reason alone.
We’ve all experienced discomfort in the past due to a lack of power, and although it doesn’t happen often it’s going to happen again. Most people can’t even go a few hours without looking at their smartphone, so, can you imagine what would happen if the power to their home was wiped out unexpectedly? In the past, before our portable gadgets, it was annoying but not devastating when there was a power outage. Our reliance on technology has made us more vulnerable. We’ve created a culture that requires a power source 24/7. We depend on it. Expect it. And when we lose our electrical power, we lose our ability to function, making it essential to always be connected to a power source.
Basically, our reliance on electricity has made us somewhat incompetent in the absence of power. No Google to look things up. No gadget to escape to. The mechanics of our world become inescapable when we are left in the dark, exposing our true vulnerabilities that are always hidden beneath the surface of our things. This is my poetic way to motivate you to seriously consider buying a generator — because when the lights go out, you’ll be happy for all the pennies you spent. I promise you that.
Editors’ Picks — Best 2000W Inverter Generators : 2019/20
Whisper-Quiet, clean power, efficient engines — all in a compact form. Best in class small inverter generators.
Best Value
A-iPower / 2000W
A-iPower has managed to create an affordable 2000W generator that anyone can afford. 79cc engine.
Well-made. All the features you need, including a 30A RV outlet. Quiet at 58dB. CARB compliant. I don’t know what it’s missing. The value is exceptional. (Read full review)
Best Mid-Grade
Generac / 2200W
What makes this Generac special? Well, it has an Eco-mode, making it more fuel efficient & quieter. More power overall, w/ USB port, but no 30A outlet. 80cc engine.
Can run for 10.25 hrs. at 25% load. Plus, it’s a Generac, a proven brand. Reputation matters. Weighs 46.6 lbs. CARB compliant
Best Quality
Honda / 2200W
Well, it’s a Honda. That’s all you need to know. Everything is better. Has a 121cc Honda engine, delivering constant clean power.
Ultra quiet at 48 to 57 dB. Runs for 8.1 hrs. at 25% load. Efficient cooling. Blah, blah…honestly — Honda makes the best generators. Read our full review.
Dual-Fuel 2000W Inverter
Note : Propane is underrated when compared to gas. Sure, it has less energy density but it can be stored indefinitely if stored properly which makes for a far more valuable fuel source. And, honestly, the difference in power is quite small, considering what you gain in versatility. The combo (gas & propane) is a life-saver.
New Model : Champion 100402
VIDEO — 
Champion 100402 / 2 Fuels = Flexibility during emergency
2019 — Best 2000 Watt Generator
The landscape for generators has been rapidly changing over the past year. More competition has lowered prices dramatically. Inverter generators are now in reach for most consumers, which wasn’t the case a few years. If you’re new to the world of generators then it will be helpful to read this : Inverter vs Traditional Generators : What’s the difference?
But for now, here’s a quick overview as to why you’d choose one type over the other.
Inverter vs Traditional Generator
Inverter Generator
| The generator’s alternator creates multiphase AC power, which is then converted to DC, then back to 60-hertz AC, via the inverter, smoothing out the power (via microprocessor), creating a clean sine wave — allowing you to safely run sensitive electronics. |
| Connect two inverters (same brand) together & double your power. Easily scale your power needs. |
| Engine capable of lower RPMs to match the load of the device(s). |
Traditional Gas Generator
| Will damage sensitive devices such as laptops and microwaves. |
| 3600 rpm is the minimum they can run at to produce 60-hertz electricity. |
| Ideal for heavy-duty power demands, like jobsites or powering your entire home via a transfer switch. |
Hint : If you haven’t decided yet, inverter generators are superior in ‘almost’ every way — but they cost more, and have a limited power output. As of 2019, the biggest inverter generator is the Honda EU7000iS — it’s an impressive piece of technology, stunning in every way, but expensive, yet still worth the price, if you need reliable industrial-grade (clean) power.
Recommended! ►Briggs & Stratton P2200
Reliable 2200W : Great Value!
This little generator has proven itself to be a very reliable workhouse for homeowners. Will easily keep your fridge running during a power outage, and more. A good friend to have by your side.
- 2200W / 1700W (111cc)
- Runs up to 8 hrs. at 25% Load
- Outlets :
(2x) 120V Household Outlets
12V-5A, (1x) DC Outlet with USB Adapter - Parallel Port : Connect to either P2200 or P3000 model.
- 2 year Warranty
- Automatically adjusts engine speed
- 59dB at 25% load
- Unique handle design makes it easy for two people to move.
When connected to the P3000 model, you get a maximum of 4800W of clean power. The price of these models have been consistently dropping making them an excellent buy for 2019.
Best 2000W Generators
The best generator for you depends on your budget. When writing this article it was important to find the best 2000 watt generators that enabled a wide variety of people to afford one. If you want the absolute best then I recommend the Yamaha EF2000iSv2 or the Honda EU2200i, but if you’re on a budget, there’s something for you as well : WEN 56200i and the Champion 73536i. Either way, we give you the full details in this article, so continue reading.
Before trying to figure out what you would do without your smartphone or television should the power in your home disappear, you should know there is a solution staring you in the face. Just like fancy gadgets keep on improving, so do the generators that will keep them running when the ‘lights go out.’ They have so many uses everyone could benefit from, so we’re going to delve into the world of generators by explaining the ins and outs of what you need, plus we’ll look at a few of the favorites available.
Best Value : Cheap Inverter : A-iPower SUA2000iV (read full review)
It’s amazing how many features A-iPower has put into this generator for very little money. It’s hard to ignore the overall value the company has provided for consumers. Time will tell how it holds up. Early reviews are quiet good so the future is promising. Consider it!
Inverter Generators Vs Conventional Generators
Conventional generators have been used for many years, and the technology behind them is rather simple. To begin with you need a fuel source to run it, which might be gasoline you would fill up your car with at the pump. The gas is used to fuel a motor attached to an alternator with electricity coming out of the other side. The motor in these basic generators runs at a consistent speed to produce a current suitable to power your equipment, and in the US it would normally be 120 V/60 Hz.
Inverter generators are a much more modern invention, so although they’re better it means they are also more complicated. The most common type you’ll find are 3-phase generators providing you with an AC current. Unlike conventional generators, this will be converted into a DC current and finally inverted back into AC again. It’s where the ‘inverter’ in the name comes from, and by going through this process the AC current is a single phase wave capable of changing voltage and frequency depending on the appliances you’re powering. Let’s look in detail at the benefits of the inverter generator.
Conventional Generators are Bulkier — Example : CRAFTSMAN 8000W
A Huge Reduction In Noise
Conventional generators have to keep running consistently at around 3600 revolutions per minute (RPM) in most models, and if they can’t maintain the same speed the quality of the power will fluctuate. In order to keep going at the same speed non-stop, you’re left with a motor that has to keep running at maximum power. This results in a great deal of noise, which will only ever go away once the generator has been switched off.
Inverter generators are completely different and sometimes they’ll produce very little sound. They only need to produce enough output to power the appliances they’re hooked up to, and as well as being able to scale back on speed the modern equipment built into them includes sound-dampening technology and special mufflers. Conventional generators might run at 65-75 decibels, the range a jet engine will fall into. A great inverter generator running at full speed could hit 60 decibels, which is 8 decibels quieter than an electric razor.
They’re A Lot More Portable
A conventional generator will be easy to spot on a building site even when switched off, because they’ll be enclosed inside a chunky metal frame as they’re so heavy. The good ones will come with wheels attached and they’ll still be a hassle to move around, or if they don’t have wheels you’ll need multiple people to move them depending on how big they are. It is still possible to take them on camping trips, but lifting them in and out of your car won’t be easy.
3000W inverter generator : Briggs and Stratton P3000
Nothing could be more portable than an inverter generator, and even though the best 2000 watt generator might weigh up to 50 pounds they are still portable enough for one person to carry. Their design also adds to their portability, because they could be a couple of cubic feet in size with a big handle on the top to grab onto. When you’re not carrying your generator around you’ll be able to store it in your garage without wasting valuable storage space.
Quality Of The Power Produced
Nobody can deny the fact conventional generators are extremely powerful, but the quality of the power produced is terrible. If the motor is unable to keep running at the same speed and the frequency starts to fluctuate, it could cause problems for delicate appliances hooked up to it. You wouldn’t think twice about using them for old power tools, but using one to power your TV or charge up your smartphone is asking for trouble.
Earlier on we talked about the inverter producing a single phase wave, and this is better known as a pure sine wave. To give you an idea of the quality it’s basically as good as the power coming from the plug sockets inside your home. The output is so smooth and stable you can run anything off your inverter generator without having to cross your fingers and hope nothing goes wrong. Owning a generator during a power outage is pointless if you’re afraid to use it.
The Fuel Efficiency And Running Time
The basic technology inside a conventional generator means it’s easy to explain the fuel efficiency and running time. There is no fuel efficiency because the generator has to run at full speed all the time. The running time will depend on the size of the fuel tank and whether or not it’s full, but it will keep guzzling the same amount of gas until it runs out. Any size of fuel tank can be used and the run-time will improve as the tank gets bigger.
The fuel efficiency of an inverter generator revolves around its ability to alter the amount of power it needs to operate. If it only needs to work at 50% of its maximum load the running time could work out to be twice as long if we wanted to oversimplify things. They can save up to around 40% in fuel and the best 2000 watt generator today could last for up to 10 hours, which is longer than you’d usually need to use it for.
Do You Need An Inverter Generator?
I think the most important question is whether or not you need any kind of generator. If the answer is yes, the inverter generator is the obvious choice and you shouldn’t go near a conventional one. We’ve just talked about all the benefits they provide, so if you need something to store in your garage in case your home loses power they’re perfect. You wouldn’t want to run delicate electronic devices with anything else.
They are also perfect for anyone who loves to spend time outdoors without giving up their creature comforts. This includes campers, hunters, fishermen, and anyone else who needs power to function normally where no plug sockets exist. So if you have decided you need to buy an inverter generator, the only thing to decide now is which one to get.
Choosing the Right 2000W Generator
There are a lot of amazing 2000 watt inverter generators on the market, but they’re all different and come at various price points. That means choosing one can be tough, so to help make your decision a little easier we’re going to look at the top 4 options on the market right now. We will look at some of the best features you can expect to find in each of them to help you differentiate between each model, because they all come with the standard ‘inverter’ benefits and need some way to stand out among the crowd.
WEN 56200i | Best 2000 Watt Generator
Features:
- Extremely quiet operation is comparable to the sound of a normal conversation according to the US Department of Health and Human Services
- EPA III and CARB Compliant 79.7 cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces 2000 surge watts and 1600 rated watts
- Great for campgrounds, construction sites, tailgates and power outages
- Produces clean power to safely operate and prevent damage to sensitive electronics such as smart phones, tablets, televisions and computers
- Includes two three-prong 120V receptacles, one 12V DC receptacle and one 5V USB port
- View or download the MANUAL for the WEN 56200i.
Overview | WEN 56200i
The US Department of Health and Human Services said the WEN 56200i is as loud as a regular human conversation, and although some make similar claims this one is backed up by an outside source. I know aesthetics comes down to personal opinions at the end of the day but the 56200i looks stylish, and the interface is set up so it’s easy to use including the indication lights telling you what is going on while it’s running.
An excellent 2000 watt generator if you’re on a budget.
Something we didn’t mention earlier was the fact that you can run this generator in parallel to double your power. That’s true for almost all inverter generators these days, so it’s not special, but unique to inverter generators specifically.
The advantage is that you can easily scale up your on-demand power when you need it. Yes, you do have to buy a second unit. Sadly, that isn’t free. But, if you ever run into a situation where you need additional power, you can quickly connect two together.
Another advantage of running in parallel is that you then have access to a 30A outlet, which is perfect for your RV. For this WEN, this is the parallel cable : WEN 56421 30-Amp.
Includes: Spark Plug Wrench, Flathead Screwdriver, Instruction Manual.
Yamaha EF2000iSV2 | Best 2000 Watt Generator
As you will read below, this inverter generator is packed with features that will make your head spin. It’s not the cheapest 2000 watt generator available but it’s one of the best your money can buy, on par with Honda.
Read our full dedicated review on the Yamaha EF2000iSV2.
Features :
- New controller with advanced programming allows the EF2000iSv2 the ability to power a much wider range of applications than the older EF2000iS.
- Parallel Ready : Connect two generators and get 25 AMPs of rated power.
- Weighs 44 pounds, making it easy to move around.
- Designed with Yamaha’s most technologically advanced muffler.
- Quiet : 51.5 dBA to 61 dBA – ¼ rated to rated load).
- Smart Throttle, a load sensing rpm control that allows greater fuel efficiency and noise reduction by automatically adjusting engine speed to match the load.
- runs up to 10.5 hours at ¼ rated load on a full tank of gas.
- Gasoline petcock lets you shut off the gas to run the carburetor dry before storing.
- Fuel gauge = convenience. Saves time.
- Clean, high quality power. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). Voltage stability is within ± 1%, and frequency stability is ± 0.1 HZ. Its pure sine wave is as clean as or cleaner than your household power.
- Compliant : Environmental Protection Agency / California Air Resources Board.
Overview | Yamaha EF2000iSV2
The Yamaha EF2000iSv2 could easily be considered the best 2000 watt generator because even though it’s extremely powerful, they’ve used a new and improved inverter system which produces cleaner (or equal) power than what comes out of your plug sockets at home. They’re coming out with new ‘smart’ appliances every day and they’re very expensive as you can imagine, but you’ll have the confidence to connect anything to this.
Video | A Closer Look at the Yamaha EF2000iSV2
It will run reliably for up to 10.5 hours (at 25% load) if it’s in economy mode, which gives it a long running time. This particular model also has its own unique sound-blocking design, so when running the generator on full load it’s still going to be almost silent. The EF2000iSV2 can also recharge batteries, so would turn into a valuable safety device to store in your car or boat in case you ever broke down in the middle of nowhere.
Compare : Yamaha EF2200iS (New) vs EF2000iSV2
📄 Read our full review on the new — Yamaha EF2200iS
If you want to run two of these generators in parallel you’ll need the cable (sold separately): Yamaha ACC-0SS55-70-01 — Sidewinder Parallel Cable.
Protective cover is also available for this model.
View or download the MANUAL for the Yamaha EF2000iS.
Champion 73536i | Best 2000 Watt Generator
Features:
- True sine wave inverter technology.
- Economy mode to save fuel.
- Overload protection.
- 120V AC Load.
- 12V DC outlet.
- Up to 9.5 hours run time at 25% load.
- 53 dBA at 23 ft.
- Only 49 lbs..
- Easy pull recoil start.
- Low oil shut-off sensor.
- USDA approved spark arrestor.
- Stackable design.
- Parallel capability.
- Built in carrying handle.
Overview | 2000 Watt Generator — Champion 73536i
The Champion 73536i is powered by their extremely reliable 80cc OHV engine, and when the tank is full and it’s running at 25% of its maximum load it will keep pumping out power for around 9 hours. While 25% might sound like a low amount of power, it’s still more than enough to keep the majority of appliances running in your RV, cabin, or favorite fishing spot. It gets even better as the price is a lot cheaper than other models, so it might not have the best features on this list but it sure makes up for it in price.
It’s also capable of being thrown together with an extra generator to produce a larger amount of power, and it can be set up within minutes as soon as you get the parallel kit. As you’ll see from an image of the Champion 73536i, it looks extremely durable even though it’s very light. When you spend a lot of money on something you tend to be over cautious, but once you hold the 73536i you’ll realize it’s not going to fall apart if it bangs into something.
For connecting two of these generators in parallel you’ll need: Champion Power Equipment 73500i — Parallel Power Kit.
View or download the MANUAL for the Champion 73536i.
You can also purchase a Protective cover for this generator to keep the elements at bay.
What’s the Best 2000 Watt Generator?
I don’t know what else you could ask for if you pick up one of these 2000 watt inverter generators. You can take it everywhere with you easily due to their portability, so you’ll always have access to power no matter where you are. Even if it’s stored away in your garage you’ll never have to worry about a disaster wiping out the electricity in your home. It would be pointless getting one if they couldn’t be used for modern appliances, but because they can it would be crazy not to keep one around if you can afford it.
Carbon Monoxide | Please Be Safe!
Using a portable generator indoors CAN KILL YOU IN MINUTES. Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO). This is a poison gas you cannot see or smell. If you can smell the generator exhaust, you are breathing CO. But even if you cannot smell the exhaust, you could be breathing CO.
NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, or other partly enclosed areas. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can build up in these areas. Using a fan or opening windows and doors does NOT supply enough fresh air. ONLY use a generator outside and far away from windows, doors, and vents. These openings can pull in generator exhaust.
Even if you use a generator correctly, CO may leak into the home. ALWAYS use a battery-powered or battery backup CO alarm in the home. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak after the generator has been running, move to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. See a doctor. You may have carbon monoxide poisoning.
