9 Best Inverter Generators: Quiet Efficiency

Inverter generators were Honda’s brainchild. After having introduced the innovation into the market over a decade ago, Honda created brand new demand. Naturally, the brand took it upon themselves to further their idea, pushing them to create some of the most impressive releases in the niche.

Their EU7000iat1 comes in at the top of our list for several good reasons. For starters, the engine was designed for supreme power and efficiency. Fuel injection technology prevents choking problems and lets your engine run smooth from the moment it’s ignited.

Delivering sustained power over hours at a time, the Honda EU7000iat1 uses state-of-the-art Eco-Throttle technology that reduces fuel consumption by optimizing the air-to-fuel ratio in the cylinders. Not only does this extend your fuel, but it also allows a cleaner burn, reducing carbon emissions compared to other traditional generators.

Once she’s all fired up, the EU7000iat1 will produce anywhere from 52 to 60 dB of noise. At around 10 feet away, the unit will be absolutely silent, which is perfect for operating your generator in residential areas. It also boasts an intuitive air-cooled system that keeps the machine safe to touch no matter how long you keep it running.

On top of all these selling points, the EU7000iat1 makes it incredibly easy to get things going. An easy to use control panel houses everything you need to operate the machine, including a clever iMonitor that tells you all the dirty details on your machine, including hours, RPM, wattage, and battery volts.

The downside? Well, there isn’t really anything to nitpick about in terms of the EU7000iat1’s performance. But the biggest clincher is its price. At such a price, these premium inverter generators can be well out of most of our budgets. And if you’re interested in portability, it’s worth knowing that the EU7000iat weighs in at a hefty 262 pounds.

The Champion 75537i is our winner when it comes to smart functionality. This machine comes with a wireless remote that lets you start up the engine from up to 80 feet away. For more advanced controls, the machine features a quick-touch panel with an intuitive layout so you can fine-tune your settings with relative ease.

Power-wise, the 75537i runs a modest 2800 watts. That’s because the machine was designed to juice up sensitive electronics that might not be able to take the surging power of more aggressive units. Of course, that might not seem too impressive compared to the Honda EU7000iat1’s 5,500 running watt rating, but it is enough to power up hand-held electronics, low-power appliances, and a few power tools.

The 755371i’s design is also pretty impressive. The entire machine uses a cast iron casing that is especially resistant to corrosion, wear, and tear. On its side, a foldaway handle lets you haul the thing around on its never-flat tires. The machine’s rear showcases grilles that help to cool the internal workings, keeping the unit safe to touch after hours of operation.
If you’re looking for an inverter generator for light usage on electronics and low-demand appliances, then the 755371i from Champion might make a sound purchase. But if you were interested in a machine that can fire up bigger energy hogs, then this model might fall short of expectations.

Perhaps a few flaws that we found with the machine is that it has a pretty limited gas tank capacity. Maybe that was something the brand had to sacrifice to keep the thing compact, but 1.6 gallons can be frustratingly insufficient for longer periods of use.

It’s also unfortunate how the stickers on the surfaces can be pretty pale especially when exposed to moisture and sunlight. They can fade and peel beyond recognition after just a few weeks under the sun, so unless you can memorize what each element on the board is for, it would pay to cover the machine up when outdoors.

Meet the Champion 100263 – the only inverter generator on our list that runs on both propane and gasoline. Giving you the option to use whatever source is available to you, the 100263 makes a versatile, flexible choice for a variety of purposes.

Aside from that, there are a few other features that can make the 100263 a sound investment. Its intuitive control panel makes it easy to get things going, even without a user manual. The touch start feature fires your engine up effortlessly, and seamlessly laid out controls let you take control of the system without the guesswork.

Boasting an economy mode feature, the Champion 100263 can be programmed to run on even less fuel, depending on your needs. It also comes ready with a Parallel connect feature that lets you hook up to another Champion generator to max out your power.

As you might expect, the unit boasts that quintessential Champion build, featuring a durable exterior fitted with never-flat tires and an easy foldable grip for effortless transport. Sure, it’s not the lightest generator on the list, but at 95 pounds, it shouldn’t be too difficult to tow.

The downsides? Well, just like the 75537i from the same brand, the tank capacity could use a bump. It’s also worth noting that this model pushes a $1,000 price tag which, considering its power, might seem a little too much.

Of course, all inverter generators emit less carbon gas than traditional models. But there are some that go the extra mile to help you minimize your carbon footprint even further. The Brigs & Stratton P4500 is the perfect example of an eco-friendly generator, boasting a unique feature that shuts off the unit when it reaches dangerous carbon monoxide levels.

Build-wise, the P4500 is also pretty impressive. Its heavy-duty shell contains all working parts, preventing damage to the interior mechanisms and extending the life of your generator. On its rear, two never-flat tires let you keep the machine in tow over virtually any kind of terrain, easing the process of transportation.

Clocking in at 3,700 running watts, the P4500 is a pretty formidable opponent if we’re talking power. The system can run a couple of energy hogs without tripping, enabling you to operate more intensive appliances like refrigerators and air conditioning units without killing off other smaller items.

Ease of use is yet another strong suit for the P4500. It takes no more than 4 steps to get the engine running, and choking becomes effortless with the automatic choke feature that frees your hands after ignition. On the side panel, you’ll find all of the controls bunched together in a quick-access area for seamless operation. All sockets and indicator lights can be found on the other side of the generator, keeping everything nice and organized for better visual appreciation of the status monitor.

Eco-friendly, efficient, and intuitive, it seems the P4500 has everything going for it. But its bulky body weighing 115 pounds and its difficult-to-reach oil compartment can make it a bit of hassle to move around and manage. If you can forgive those issues though, then the P4500 might make a suitable choice.

With all of its working parts encased in an impact resistant shell, the Pulsar PG4000iSR pushes the limits of heavy-duty. This burly design was made to stand the test of time, wear, tear, and weather, giving you an investment that was built to last. Its rugged construction was made to tread even the most dangerous of terrain, coming equipped with never-flat tires that make it effortless to pull around on uneven paths.

Rated at 3,500 running watts, the Pulsar PG4000iSR also makes a great companion for more demanding households. The machine delivers consistent power for delicate electronics, but is also capable of firing up more intensive appliances like air conditioning units and refrigerators. It’s also worth mentioning that the machine can run a whopping 15 hours on half load – more than double that of other choices.

On its control panel, you’ll find a range of different elements including outlets, light indicators, its one-touch on switch, and its dedicated economy mode button. Its oil compartment can be found off to one of its side panels, making it a breeze to change and replenish oil. From a distance, the PF4000iSR can be fired up with its remote control that works from several feet away.

Of course, there’s no such thing as the perfect inverter generator. While the PF4000iSR tries to be a worthy unit – which in a lot of ways, it actually is – there are some downsides to the design. For starters, it makes quite a lot of noise at 63 dB. Aside from that, this is one of the few generators that will call for a break-in period. So, make sure you don’t load it up to its max capacity right out of the box.

Designed for silence, the WEN 56225i runs a maximum of 53 dB when running at full capacity. But dial down the load, and you can reduce noise even further, pushing the lower limit to 49 dB for supreme silence. That makes the WEB 56225i perfect for use in residential areas, or for indoor spaces where noise tends to magnify.

The machine features an easy quick-access panel that fits all the outlets, controls, and indicators you need for smooth operation. At the bottom right of the panel is a universal parallel connection feature that lets you link with any other compatible generator – regardless of brand – to bump up power.

The WEN 56225i uses a lightweight 48.5 lbs body contained in a heavy-duty reinforced plastic casing. Along the top of the device is a built-in thick grip handle that lets you carry the thing around like a bulky suitcase. Rubber feet at the bottom of the machine keep it steady in place when set-up on an inclined surface.

On the initial surge, you’ll get around 2,500 watts of power, which tapers down to just 1,800 watts as the machine stabilizes. That lets you power up a range of lightweight devices like laptops, smart phones, and tablets with sustained, gentle power that doesn’t burn their internal workings.

The WEB 56225i can be great for camping trips and short power outages when you want to fire up just the bare necessities. But its small capacity might make it inconvenient for situations that call for a sustained temporary power source. Other than that, it also takes a little extra muscle to get started, calling for three to four pulls to get the engine revved up.

Sleek and slim, the Atima AY2000i is one of Yamaha’s best, featuring a well-thought-out design that makes it easy for you to get the power you need. With all of its controls and indicators located on a single panel, the device lets you read its status at a glance, doing away with the guesswork that comes with more complicated models.

Aside from that, the machine itself is pretty intuitively designed. With sleek outlines and a compact silhouette, this lightweight piece comes in at just 50.7 pounds, making it especially easy to carry around. Its slim body also makes it far more ergonomic to hold at your sides, eliminating the need to bring your shoulder out to clear your thigh as you transport the generator to a new location.

Designed with that initial starting load in mind, the Atima AY2000i comes ready to power up the most intensive of devices and appliances with its high starting load. The feature bumps up the initial surge to 2.5 times the actual current flow, providing your appliances and devices that starting kick they need before easing them into a more sustained power flow.

So, why not rank it any higher? Well, issues with noise can be pretty glaring. Sometimes, the machine will roar to over 60 dB, making it a little less than discreet. What’s more, they are a bit heavy on oil use, so expect to make changes on a regular basis.

Now, if you were looking for compact, it doesn’t get any more compact than this. The Yamaha EF1000iS weighs just 27.9 pounds, making it the ideal companion for hiking, camping, or for those emergencies when a secondary energy source might be needed for a short period of time. Its quaint little body is especially easy to carry around, letting you pack it along with relative ease.

But of course, with such a small body, the design also comes with minimized functionality. Its 2/3-gallon tank might be a whole lot smaller compared to some of the other choices on the list, but it pays to keep things in perspective. Essentially, the EF1000iS was designed for short-term use and emergency situations. So naturally, it won’t work for those extended periods of power shortage.

As a pretty small contender, it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the purpose that it serves. The tiny device features an intuitive control panel, a sturdy body, and impressive noise reduction tech that keeps it fairly quiet even at full capacity.

What we really love about it though is its smart throttle function that adjust the energy surge to meet your electronics and small appliances’ needs. The intelligent feature can save your most prized devices from damage, and promises sustained energy to maintain hitch-free functionality.

On the downside, the EF1000iS does take a while to start especially in colder environments. Also expect to spend some time watching over the choke since the device doesn’t come with an automatic choke feature to manage air-to-fuel ratio.

At just a little over $200, this budget-friendly choice doesn’t lag behind when it comes to performance. The nifty Dirty Hand Tools 104609 is tiny at 19 pounds, and features a running wattage rating of just 800W. So, while it’s not necessarily the most powerful, it can be just right for bare minimum.

Many of those who own it use it for charging devices during camping trips, or for keeping their router and other personal gadgets alive and kicking during a power shortage. So, if you’re looking for something for those unforeseen electricity hiccups, the Dirty Hand Tools 104609 can be a suitable investment.

Other than that, it’s all industry standard. A control panel, USB outlets, and a few other electrical outlets line the control pane. An accessible fuel and oil compartment can be found on top of the build. Rubber feet keep it in place, and a fixed carrying handle allows easy transportation.

For those bare minimum moments, this model from Dirty Hand Tools can be just what you need. But keep in mind that it isn’t fault free. Issues with build quality can dampen the user experience. And because the device is pretty compact, figuring out where it stands during operation can take a load of guesswork.