Predator 3500 Watt vs. Honda EU3000iS 3000 Watts Generator

The Predator 3500-watt generator is often regarded as a bargain generator for those who want more power for less money. 

Just because it is affordable, it does not mean that the generator would not work great. More features show that the generator is still a worthy choice for many people.

To compete with the Predator 3500-watt generator is the Honda EU3000iS generator. This Honda generator has almost the same power output as the Predator model, however, you get to enjoy the Honda reliability and a lot more.

If you want to learn more about these two generators, keep reading the guide. It will provide you with all the important information you need before making up your mind.

What to Look For

The Noise Level

You can never underestimate the noise rating of a generator when choosing one for your home or RV application.

Manufacturers are often proud of their generators, so you can be sure to see this type of information in the product description.

So, what is the magical number you are looking for? If you intend to use this generator more often, consider one that keeps the noise to a minimum.

If the noise level is below 65 dBA, then it should be perfect for all situations.

Ease of Use

Not everyone has used a generator before, so you need a model that would be generally easy to use. No one needs to keep referring to the generator manual all the time just to make a setting.

Look at the control panel pictures so see if it is good to use the generator or not.

Sometimes the customer feedback can give you more information about the usability of the generator.

If you can get an easy-to-use generator, then you will always have an easier time working with it even while outdoors in your RV.

Power Output

For most people, the power output is going to be a nice choice for them. This is because it will always give you the power that you need if you get the right generator.

We recommend that you take the time to understand the amount of power the generator makes. Focus more on the rated power or running watts of the generator.

The running watts is the power the generator provides continuously. Do not be confused by the peak power. That is only available for a short time.

Still on power, you might want to consider the safety of such power too. If you have to power the sensitive electronics, then make sure the generator provides you with clean stable power.

Brand

The brand that you choose can also determine what kind of generator you end up with in the end.

We recommend that you get yourself the generator from a top brand. The last thing you want is to end up with a generator from a lowly rated brand.

Some of the top brands include Honda, Yamaha, Westinghouse, Predator, WEN, and more.

If you get a generator from these brands, you are sure that they will remain reliable and perform better than some cheap brands.

Just because they are top brands, it does not mean they will be expensive. A good example is Predator and WEN generators. They provide you with the best power while at the same time remain affordable.

Starting Mechanism

Electric or manual? That will be the most question that people would ask when buying a generator.

New generator models are known to have the electric starting mechanism. The manufacturer also includes the battery in the generator to make it easier to run the generator easily.

This does not mean the generator would not work great if the start is manual. The recoil mechanisms are now improved better than before. It is now possible to start the generator even with one or two pulls.

So, even when the generator has a recoil mechanism, do not dismiss it thinking that it will not work great.

Outlets

The number of outlets often determine how easy it will be to connect to the generator. Because you will be connecting different types of devices to the generator, look at the types of outlets available.

The most common types are AC outlets, DC outlets, and sometimes USB ports.

Fuel Use and Type

The fuel use and type can determine how often you need to refuel the generator to keep it running.

It is why you always have to consider the run time of the generator and its fuel tank capacity. Depending on a model, there are some that have a one-gallon tank.

Such might not give you the best run time for those who want overnight use of the generator.

The manufacturers will always include this information in the product description. What is important is that you pick the right generator based on your needs and its run time.

Let’s Compare

Predator 3500-Watt Generator

The Predator 3500-Watt generator is all about giving you the best power at an affordable price. You might not have to spend as much, but you are assured of clean stable power all the time. It might be the reason RV travelers and homeowners alike enjoy using it more often.

If it seems like something interesting, then consider checking out more about this generator below.

The Power

At the core of this generator, you will find it has a 212cc 4-stroke engine. This engine runs on gasoline which is all about efficiency.

The engine delivers an impressive output of 120V with a running power of 3000W and starting power of 3500W.

Having such a power output is something you will like using more often. It does not matter if you have more electronics to run as the generator will handle a lot more.

As much as it powers more electronics, we recommend that you do not overload the generator. It could damage the inverter.

This generator is still parallel capable. This is another important feature you will enjoy about the generator. The feature allows for you to connect two similar generators together to double the power.

Fuel Use And Noise

You can never go wrong with the fuel use when the generator is fuel efficient.

This model can run for up to 11 hours on a single gas tank. There is no doubt that there is so much you can do in 11 hours.

The generator fuel capacity is 2.6 gallons. This should be enough to keep the generator running for longer, unlike those models that often have a 1-gallon fuel tank.

As for the noise rating, the manufacturer claims it is 57 dBA. With this kind of noise rating, it is easily regarded as a super quiet generator.

Compared to other types of common noises, you would say that this generator makes the same noise as a normal conversation in your home.

Since the noise level is low, the generator can run throughout the night without it being a bother to your neighbors. If the neighbors are not sleeping, then you would also have a lot more complaints.

Portability

Since we categorize this generator as being portable, it would be best to learn more about its portability features.

The generator comes with an encased design that is all about making it look good and modern. No one wants to use a generator with aged looks at this point.

It is not all about looks, but also the functionality. With dimensions 22.8 x 17.3 x 20 inches, it is easily one of the best generators to own in terms of compactness.

As for the weight, the generator weighs 110.2 lbs. For this kind of weight some might be worried about its portability, but that should not be an issue. This is because the generator has a wheel kit and double handle design for moving it around.

Additional Features

The additional features make this a nice choice to get right now for the money. One thing that stands out should be the ease of use of the generator.

The control panel should be one of the easiest to use compared to what you get with other generators in the market.

The generator can automatically shut down when it senses there is low oil in the engine. The last thing you want is for the generator lacking lubrication.

The generator still has a circuit breaker for protecting it from an overload. This generator cuts power to the electrical load when it senses there is an overload.

The aim is to prevent the generator from damaging its internals when trying to power a huge load.

Its manual is comprehensive so that you can have a clear idea on how to operate the generator. Even if you are new to using the generator, you will find it easy to use generally.

Honda EU3000iS Portable Generator

The Honda’s name is synonymous with reliability and performance. It is why the Honda EU3000iS generator should give you the best performance in a small package. It might not be the cheapest in the market, but it sure lives up to your needs. Let us see more below.

Power Generation and Fuel Efficiency

Compared to the Predator model above, this Honda EU3000iS generator comes with a smaller 196cc engine. Even if it is smaller, the generator is good at the power generation you need for various applications.

The generator delivers peak power of 3000 watts and running wattage of 2800 watts. There is no doubt you will have a great generator to handle multiple appliances and electronics.

Before you can use it to power the electronics, just make sure the electrical load will not overload the generator.

With all this power, many people would want to know what about its fuel efficiency.

The good news is that this is a highly fuel-efficient generator to own right now. This is because it delivers up to 20 hours of run time from a 3.4-gallon engine.

For 20 hours, the user does not have to worry about refueling the generator.

With its clean sine wave power, this generator is seen as an ideal option for powering even the sensitive electronics. The THD rating is lower than 3% making it possible to provide clean stable power to the user.

Usability

The generator comes with an electric starter. This will make the usability even better as you simply press a button and the generator turns on with ease.

The manufacturer includes a battery too. As such, you can start using the generator right out of the box. There is no need to get a new battery.

Still, as part of the usability, we must point out its control panel. It is simple and neatly laid out. As such, you will end up with a generator that is easy to operate on overall.

Having three AC outlets and one DC outlet should make it even better. There is no doubt you will like connecting different devices to it as there is space for them.

The Noise

The generator is worth buying considering its noise rating. It is rated at 50 dBA, making it one of the best to use in quiet environments.

You can compare this noise level to what a refrigerator makes while it is running. That is a noise level that you can easily sleep without it being an issue.

Thanks to such a low noise level, the generator makes it a perfect choice for campers, RV travelers, and even home users for power backups.

Portability

It is quite a compact generator considering its dimensions are 25.9 x 17.6 x 22 inches. If you want to carry it in the RV, then it will easily fit in the RV without taking up too much space. It must be the reason you get a lot more people going for it.

As for the weight, it might be challenging for some people because it weighs 131 lbs. To make it worse, it does not have a wheel kit. You will need an additional person to lift it into your RV or move it around.

FAQs

Can the Predator 3500-watt generator charge a battery?

Since the generator comes with a DC outlet, it makes it easy to charge the DC batteries with ease. The generator also charges its own battery to ensure that the next time you need to use it, the generator fires up right away.

Is the Predator 3500-watt generator compact?

Looking at this generator’s dimensions, we find that it is a compact generator for the power that it makes. Since it weighs 110 pounds with a wheel kit and handle, the generator is quite the portable one to own.

Does the Honda EU3000iS generator provide clean power?

Yes. Looking at the generator THD rating, we find it is below 3%, making it a safe generator for the various sensitive electronics. It will be easy using this type of generator to power the sensitive electronics all the time.

Is the Honda EU3000iS portable?

For many people, this is going to be debatable. This is because the generator weighs 131 lbs., making it a bit heavy.

Since it lacks wheels, you will need someone additional to lift it into your transporter or RV. However, it has a compact design that should make it fit in tight spaces. It is more reason more people are likely to get it.

Conclusion

These two generators deliver almost similar power that can appeal to many people at this point. However, if you want more power, then the Predator 3500-watt generator is your top choice. To make it better, it is the cheaper option between the two generators.

The Honda generator might be expensive, but its smooth and clean power makes it a good value for the money.

You can be sure that the generator will give you the power that you have always wanted. It is also easy to use even for new users.

As for portability, the Predator 3500-watt generator stands out as the better option. It has a wheel kit, a double-handle design, and it is still lightweight. The same cannot be said for the Honda EU3000iS model.