WEN Vs Honda Inverter Generator [Ultimate Battle]

Electricity has been such a big part of our lives, so much so that we tend to overlook it.

From the moment we wake up, whether the first thing we do is check our phone, adjust the temperature, turn the alarm off, whatever it is, we use electricity.

It’s always there for you, all you have to do is plug your appliances and there you have it. It’s always there, which is the reason why we get so flustered when it suddenly isn’t there.

Suddenly, we don’t know what to do with our lives anymore. All the things we use to live our lives, our computers, phones, televisions, ovens, and microwaves, are left useless without electricity.

But, do you know who knows what to do with their lives when there’s no electricity? It’s people who own a generator.

Now, you’re here because you want to be one of those people, right? But, is it as simple as just going to the hardware store and buying whichever catches your eye? 

No, it isn’t. There are many factors to consider, and we’ll guide you through the process with this comparison of the WEN GN4500 and Honda EU3000iS, two very good generators.

What to Consider

Wattage and Capacity

When you look at generators, you need to look at the rated wattage and peak wattage very carefully. These two values will show you how much electricity you can supply.

Simply put, rated wattage is the number of watts that your portable can comfortably supply without risking generator wear and damage, as well as safety issues.

On the other hand, peak wattage is the number of watts that the generator supplies during startup and is the highest number of watts it can supply at one time. 

The peak wattage is very useful when you need that extra power, but should always be avoided because you’ll run the risk of overloading, damage, wear, and safety issues.

Other than the wattage, you should also look at the gas tank capacity. Even if a generator has good wattage, it will not be that effective when coupled with a small gas tank.

If you’re going to use your generator for long periods, look for one with at least 3 gallons of fuel tank capacity.

Fuel efficiency

Your portable generator can have the biggest wattage and gas tank in the world, but you still wouldn’t love it if it isn’t fuel-efficient.

Generators run on gasoline, which isn’t exactly very affordable. Due to this, you need to look for a generator with good fuel efficiency. You won’t notice it at first, but so much money can be lost over time if a generator consumes too much gasoline.

If you want to maximize your generator’s performance and runtime, make fuel efficiency one of your top priorities when buying generators. It will also help you save money on gas and have extra cash when you go out on a camping trip.

Safety

While everyone wants higher power, it’s useless if the generator will blow all out in your RV or garden, or if it fries all your precious appliances, or even you.

You wouldn’t want that, right? That’s why you want a generator that has enough safety procedures that will keep you, your household, your RV, and your generator safe.

Here are some safety features that you need to look for:

• Low-oil shutdown – You can cause serious damage and strain on your generator if you let it run without sufficient oil, which is why you need to monitor the oil levels carefully. However, the low-oil shutdown feature will do it for you and shut the engine down if the engine oil reaches insufficient levels, avoiding damage and excessive wear.
• Automatic Voltage Regulator(AVR) – An automatic voltage regulator keeps your devices safe from electrical fluctuations and saves them from being fried. Short circuits may also lead to electrocution and fires. If you want to save your valuable appliances from short-circuiting, get a generator with AVR.
• Spark arrestor – Spark arrestors prevent hot particles released from your exhaust from causing fires.

Safety is always important, especially when you’re dealing with electricity. There are many risks with electricity such as short circuits, electrocution, and fire, but all are preventable if you have a generator with high safety standards.

Let’s Compare

WEN GN4500

The WEN GN4500 is a portable generator model produced by WEN, a power tools distribution company founded in 1951.

WEN prides itself on its research and development program having important roles in the development of various everyday tools such as the chainsaw and electric engraver.

Excellent capacity and long-lasting

The WEN GN4500 has excellent usage capacity with 3600 running wattage, 4500 peak wattage, and a 4-gallon gas tank. According to the product’s specifications, it can power your devices for up to 13 hours on 50% of the power load.

With the 3600 running wattage, you won’t have to worry about overloading the generator as it offers more than enough power to power your necessary devices simultaneously.

Even with that, there should still be more capacity left if you need to plug in more appliances.

If your needs require more, this model has a high 4500 peak wattage that you can use if you need it. However, keep in mind that when you’re risking overloading and excessive wear on your generator when you reach peak wattage.

The 4-gallon gas tank is also a good thing, as it can assure you that you can use the generator for long periods.

A variety of outlets for flexibility

You won’t experience any shortage of outlets with this generator as it comes with four 120V 20A household duplex outlets (5-20R), a 120V 30A RV outlet (TT-30R), and a 120V three-prong transfer-switch-ready 30A outlet (L5-30R).

The WEN GN4500 will be very useful for emergencies and power outages because it has many outlets that you can use. It gives you many options depending on your needs.

This model is also RV-ready with the 120V 30A RV outlet, making it ideal for trips, especially to areas that don’t have electricity lines.

Whatever you need it for, the WEN GN4500 will most likely be able to do it as it has multiple outlets for different needs, should you need it outside, for your home appliances, or for leisure trips.

Equipped with many helpful features

This model has many extra features that make it easier to use, including a digital data meter that will let you know about the generator’s voltage, frequency, session runtime, and total runtime.

With this, you’ll know what’s happening with your generator and use that information to plan how you’re going to use it.

The GN4500 is also very safe, as it comes with an automatic voltage regulator(AVR), a spark arrestor, and a low-oil shutdown feature.

The AVR is a very helpful feature that regulates the voltage level and avoids fluctuations, ensuring that your appliances won’t be damaged when plugged into the generator.

Next, the spark arrestor is necessary because it prevents hot exhaust particles from causing fires, while the low-oil shutdown feature ensures that your generator will shut down when the oil levels reach insufficient levels, preventing excessive wear caused by inadequate oil levels.

Honda EU3000iS

The Honda EU3000iS is manufactured by Honda Motor Company, Ltd., a Japanese conglomerate known for producing vehicles and power equipment.

Decent power capacity

The Honda EU3000iS has a rated wattage of 2800 watts and 3000 peak wattage. It doesn’t have high-end wattage, but it will still be enough for your basic electricity needs, and the potential for more power if you use it efficiently.

It won’t blow your mind off, but it still does the job well.

Also, in case you need more power, you can connect it to another EU3000iS for increased power using the parallel operation with an optional cord.

Astonishing fuel efficiency with inverter technology

This model’s main highlight is its very impressive fuel efficiency helped by its advanced inverter technology that optimizes the engine’s running speeds depending on the current power loads.

According to Honda, this model can power devices from 7.2 hours to 20 hours depending on the power load, making it a very reliable option when used for leisure and in bad situations such as power outages and natural disasters.

Furthermore, inverter technology also makes your generator more compatible with sensitive equipment such as computers, mobile phones, and televisions because it ensures you have stable and clean electricity.

With this, you can maximize the generator’s 3.4-gallon gas tank by carefully planning how you’ll use the generator.

If you want a generator that you can always rely on for long periods, the Honda EU3000iS is one of the best that you can find.

Very quiet

You won’t have to worry about not being able to sleep or disturbing your neighbors when you use this generator. According to Honda, it’s volume levels only range from 50 to 57 dbA, which is quieter than a normal conversation.

Due to this, you can bring it to just about anywhere and not worry about creating a fuss that will trouble others.

RV-ready

The Honda EU3000iS is an RV-ready portable generator, making it very useful during camping and traveling trips.

With the model being super quiet, the only noise you’ll bring as you travel is the vehicle’s noise.

You don’t have to worry about disturbing people as you go, and you can sleep soundly inside your RV with the generator powering your appliances without getting disturbed by the noise.

Additional features

This model comes with many features that enhance usability, one of them being the electric start feature that makes the startup easier.

In any case, if the electric start feature doesn’t work, Honda also equipped this model with a recoil start.

It also comes with several features for safety precautions. Many generators get damaged and cause danger to people when used without minding their wattage limitations, leading to overloading and short-circuiting. To prevent this, the EU3000iS is circuit-protected and has a spark arrestor to prevent fires.

FAQs

Are portable generators worth it?

Yes. Portable generators cost hundreds to thousands of dollars upfront, with other maintenance and progressive costs coming up over time.

While this may make you hesitate, you should still seriously consider buying a portable generator.

It may not seem worth it when you consider the costs, but you will realize and appreciate its cost when you use it on a trip or it saves your life during dire circumstances.

Can I use my portable generator indoors?

No, and you shouldn’t even try. Portable generators release exhaust with carbon monoxide, which can kill you.

If you want to use it to power your household appliances, you can do it, but put the generator outside for your safety.

Should I ground my portable generator?

Yes, all generators should be properly grounded to prevent the risk of electrocution. If your generator isn’t grounded yet, you should contact a professional electrician to get it fixed. You should also make sure that you comply with federal, state, and local grounding regulations.

Conclusion

The WEN GN4500 and the Honda EU3000iS are both good, reliable, and long-lasting products manufactured by very good companies in WEN and Honda. They are both good all-around, with one slightly edging the other in some areas.

When it comes to power and fuel capacity, both models are good options, but the WEN GN4500 has the edge because it has higher wattage and fuel capacity with 3600 running watts and a 4-gallon gas tank.

It’s a more reliable generator because you can power more devices for as long as 13 hours on 50% loads. This edge is also amplified during power outages and natural disasters, as it can deliver under high demands.

The Honda EU3000iS is also good in those aspects and can deliver your electricity needs. With 2800 running watts, it’s no slouch. It’s just that the WEN GN4500 has higher performance limits.

While the WEN GN4500 has higher limits, the Honda EU3000iS edges it out in fuel efficiency. Because of inverter technology, the EU3000iS can optimize engine performance according to the power loads which aids fuel efficiency.

With a smaller 3.4-gallon gas tank, it can power your devices for as long as 20 hours at 1/4 load while the WEN GN4500 can only go up to 13 hours at 1/2 load with a 4-gallon gas tank.

It may not look like much of an advantage, but it can save you money over time and it also helps the environment.

The WEN GN4500 is also pretty efficient, but it can’t come close to the efficiency of a generator with inverter technology.

When it comes to additional features, both models have good ones. However, the Honda EU3000iS also has the edge with a few more useful features optimized for ease of use.

It has an electric start feature, which makes startup as easy as clicking on the remote. Compared to other generators with recoil start, this is so much better, and it also has a recoil start. It also has parallel capability when you need more power.

The Honda EU3000iS is also the better option when it comes to safety features because it comes with good circuit protection and low-oil shutdown.

While the WEN GN4500 also comes with the low-oil shutdown feature and has AVR, the EU3000iS doesn’t need AVR because the inverter technology already ensures that it supplies reliable and stable electricity.

The WEN GN4500 comes up short in additional features and fuel efficiency, but it also has a big advantage when it comes to power and fuel capacity. It’s down on efficiency, but it’s far from being inefficient.

Due to this, it’s fair to say that the Honda EU3000iS and the WEN GN4500 are even. It’s all down to your needs and wants as a buyer.

If you want a generator with high potential for performance and reliability and you don’t mind fewer features, you should be happy buying the WEN GN4500.

If you’re not going to power many demanding devices and appliances with your generator and you want extra features that will make your life easier, you should also be happy with the Honda EU3000iS.

Remember, whichever you decide on, make sure that you have considered your needs and wants on a generator.

It’s easy to get confused with all the different specs and features, but you’ll be able to make the right decision if you keep your priorities, needs, and wants in mind.