Stepping up a bit in wattage, Generac offers the inverter GP3000i and Honda offers the inverter EU3000iS. Both generators offer 3,000 watts of surge power, but there’s a pretty big difference in running power – the Generac unit can produce just 2,300 watts, while the Honda model produces 2,800 watts.
In many ways, Generac built a slightly larger version of the GP2200i, while Honda went out and built a dedicated 3,000-watt generator. The fuel tank on the GP3000i is actually smaller than the tank on the GP2200i, at just over one gallon. While that means that the overall size of the generator hasn’t increased much, your runtime is extremely limited. The generator can only run at full power for about one hour, which is very restrictive. The Honda generator, on the other hand, is outfitted with a large 3.4-gallon fuel tank that allows it to run at full power for nearly five hours, or for 20 hours at a 25% load.
Once again, the two generators are pretty well-matched when it comes to outlets. Both offer a 30-amp twist-lock outlet, which is great if you need a generator to power an RV or heavier power tools. The Generac model comes with a USB charging port, which the Honda generator lacks.
Importantly, though, the Honda generator comes with an electric starter in addition to the recoil starter. That’s a huge plus for ease of use. You can always fall back on the recoil starter in case the onboard battery runs down.
Once again, Honda beats Generac on noise. The Honda generator produces just 50 dB at 25% power, which is hard to believe for a generator of this size. Users note that the Generac GP3000i is significantly louder than the GP2200i, estimating that it produces around 55 dB of noise at a 25% load.
Ultimately, a lot of the decision between these two generators is likely to come down to portability. Since the GP3000i is essentially a beefier version of the GP2200i, it weighs less than 60 pounds and is pretty easy for one person to carry short distances. The Honda generator, however, weighs 130 pounds and is clearly designed to require a minimum of two people to carry it. It’s not mounted on wheels, and the cube shape makes it very difficult for one person to grab both handles.
Of course, price matters, too. The Honda generator costs a whopping $2,000 or more, so it’s a big investment. The Generac GP3000i is more modestly priced at $900. Commercial users will want to keep in mind that the Generac unit only comes with a one-year warranty, though, so the extra money for the Honda may be worth it.