A portable inverter generator is chosen on figures that manufacturers do not publish on a common basis: running watts for each fuel, a short-term starting figure, run time, sound level and the receptacles on the panel. Work out the load first, then read every run time and noise figure with the load and distance attached, and confirm the exact US SKU, because carbon monoxide shutoff, dual-fuel and California versions are often separate model codes.
Add up running watts on the fuel you will use
Every generator here publishes two output figures. The running or rated figure is the continuous output; the larger figure covers a brief motor start and carries the maker's own name. Honda calls it maximum: the EU2200ITAN is 1800 W rated and 2200 W max. WEN calls it surge (starting) for the 56235iX at 1900 W rated and 2350 W. Generac lists 2500 running and 3300 starting watts for the GP3300i, Champion 3650 running and 4500 starting watts on gasoline for the 201321, and Westinghouse 3900 running and 5000 peak watts on gasoline for the iGen5000DFc.
List what will run at the same time, add the running watts, and leave a margin rather than sizing to the starting figure. The manuals add their own conditions: engine power and output drop at high altitude, with high-altitude carburetor kits or modifications described by the makers, and Champion and Westinghouse rate continuous operation for ambient temperatures up to 104 degrees F.
Decide between gasoline only and dual fuel
A dual-fuel unit runs on gasoline or propane, and its propane rating is lower. Champion rates the 201321 at 3285 W running on propane against 3650 W on gasoline, and Westinghouse rates the iGen5000DFc at 3500 W against 3900 W. Both packages include a propane hose with a regulator; the cylinder is a separate purchase. The Honda, WEN and Generac models recorded here document gasoline only, so their propane fields are marked not applicable, and conversion kits are outside this catalogue.
Read run time with its load and tank
Run time is a manufacturer estimate per tankful at a stated load, and makers choose different loads. At 25 percent or one-quarter load, Champion states 22 h on 4.02 gal, Westinghouse 18 h on 3.4 gal, Honda 8.1 h on 0.95 gal and Generac 7 h on 1.06 gal. WEN publishes only a half-load figure, 5.7 h on 1.06 gal, so the catalogue leaves its quarter-load field unknown instead of converting it. Honda also states 3.2 h at rated load and Generac 4.5 h at 50 percent load. Propane run times depend on the cylinder: Champion quotes 21 h on a 20 lb tank, while Westinghouse quotes 22 h without naming the cylinder size.
Treat sound levels as claims with a basis
A decibel figure means little without the load and the measuring distance. Honda states 48 dB(A) at 1/4 load and 57 dB(A) at rated load for the EU2200ITAN, and WEN 51 decibels at quarter load for the 56235iX; neither page states the distance. Champion lists 64 dB(A) and Westinghouse 52 dBA, described as as low as 52 dBA, with no load or distance. Generac publishes no sound level for the GP3300i. Honda's 2017 launch release for the earlier EU2200i gave 62 and 53 dB at the same two loads, a reminder that figures change between versions. Compare only figures on the same stated basis; a figure with no basis is neither quieter nor louder than one that has one.
Match the receptacles to what you plug in
Read the NEMA types rather than counting outlets. All five models have a 120 V 20 A duplex receptacle. The Champion 201321 and Westinghouse iGen5000DFc add a 30 A TT-30R RV receptacle. The Generac GP3300i has a 30 A L5-30 twist-lock instead, which is a different receptacle, and Honda reserves its 30 A twist-lock for the separate EU2200i Companion. DC and USB outputs vary: Champion has a 12 V outlet and a supplied USB adapter, WEN a 12 V outlet and USB ports, Generac and Westinghouse USB ports, and Honda lists DC output as NA. Connecting a generator to a building's wiring is outside this guide; the Honda, WEN and Westinghouse manuals direct any such connection to a qualified electrician and require it to comply with applicable electrical codes.
Know what the carbon monoxide shutoff does and does not do
Each model documents a branded system that stops the engine when carbon monoxide builds up around the generator: Honda CO-MINDER, Champion CO Shield, Generac COsense, the Westinghouse CO Sensor and the WEN Watchdog CO Shutdown Sensor. None of the reviewed sources publishes a shutoff threshold, and in the Generac documents reviewed the wording does not go beyond STOPS. ALERTS. SAVES. and the indicator labels. The manufacturers state the limits plainly: Honda says CO-MINDER cannot prevent all danger associated with carbon monoxide, Champion that CO Shield is not a substitute for an indoor carbon monoxide alarm, and Westinghouse that its CO Sensor does not replace carbon monoxide alarms. The Honda, Champion, Westinghouse and WEN manuals require operation outdoors, away from occupied buildings, windows, doors and vents, and call for battery-powered or battery-backup CO alarms indoors; Generac's owner's manual was not among the documents reviewed.
Confirm the exact package and its emissions variant
Family names cover several SKUs. Honda's EU2200ITAN is stated as not for sale in California and is not the Companion; WEN sells the 56235iX with the CO sensor separately from the 56235i without one; Westinghouse lists the iGen5000DFc separately from the EFI, DF and DFcv versions and states CARB Compliant: No; Generac names its selected variant G0071533 49ST/CSA, while a 2023 brochure on the same page lists other variant numbers as 50ST/CSA; Champion states EPA certified and makes no CARB statement. Confirm the California status with the seller when it matters.
Box contents differ too. Champion and Generac list engine oil in the package, Westinghouse lists an oil bottle while its manual warns the unit ships without oil in the engine, Honda's manual says the generator is shipped without oil and no box list is published, and WEN's packing list names a funnel and tools but no oil. Parallel kits are sold separately for every model here, Champion's manual asks for a trickle charger or battery maintainer during storage, and Westinghouse includes a battery float charger. Weights are published on different bases, from Honda's 47.4 lb dry weight to Westinghouse's 105.8 lb dry unit weight, and Champion and WEN do not state the basis of theirs.
Common questions
Is the starting or peak watts figure what the generator can run continuously?
No. Starting, peak, surge and maximum are the makers' names for a short-term figure used for motor starts. Size the load on the running or rated watts for the fuel you will use.
Can a 48 dB(A) figure be compared with a 64 dB(A) figure?
Only when both state the same load and measuring distance. Honda's 48 dB(A) is at 1/4 load with no distance stated, and Champion's 64 dB(A) has no load or distance, so this catalogue does not rank them.
Does a carbon monoxide shutoff mean the generator can run in a garage or near the house?
No. The Honda, Champion, Westinghouse and WEN manuals require outdoor operation away from occupied buildings, windows, doors and vents, and Honda, Champion and Westinghouse state that their shutoff systems do not replace carbon monoxide alarms or safe placement.
Sources & further reading
- EU2200i Super Quiet inverter generator product page (EU2200ITAN)Checked 2026-10-21
Honda US product page naming the full model EU2200ITAN. Read for output, receptacles, run time, sound levels, dry weight, CO-MINDER, Bluetooth stop, parallel capability and the statement CA Compliant: Not for sale in California. Purchases are routed to authorized dealers; price and stock were not recorded. The powerequipment.honda.com address of the same page returned HTTP 403 on the check date.
- EU2200i and EU2200i Companion owner's manual (EAMT 2904669 and later)Checked 2026-10-21
Manual linked from the product page for AG, AG3, AN and AN3 types made on or after 4/1/23. Used for carbon monoxide warnings, CO-MINDER operation, the 20 A receptacles, the Companion's separate 30 A twist-lock, the optional parallel cable kit, specifications and the statement that the generator is shipped without oil. It publishes no sound level and no box list.
- 201321 4500W Dual Fuel Open Frame Inverter product pageChecked 2026-10-21
Manufacturer page with the specification table, CO Shield description, what's included list, PGMA G300-2023 and EPA certified statements. The noise figure has no stated load or distance, and no CARB or California statement appears. The site returned Cloudflare 521 and 522 errors on the first attempts and was read after a retry.
- 201321 operator's manualChecked 2026-10-21
Manual linked from the product page. Used for the gasoline and LPG ratings, electric and manual start, the 9 Ah starting battery, weight, engine model, parts included list, CO Shield operation and the outdoor-only and clearance warnings. It publishes no sound level.
- GP3300i specification sheet, part A0001004680 Rev. E (08/30/2024)Checked 2026-10-21
Document served from the product page's downloads link. It lists Model 7153-2 (49ST) and 7153-3 (49ST/CSA) with UPC 696471104011, one 20 A 5-20R duplex, one 30 A L5-30 twist-lock, USB outlets, 7 h at 25% and 4.5 h at 50% load, 61 lb unit weight and the included items. The tank is printed as 106 (4.0), read as 1.06 gal with the page. No sound level.
- iGen5000DFc Inverter Generator Dual Fuel with CO Sensor product pageChecked 2026-10-21
Manufacturer page with the specification table: gasoline and propane ratings, 25% load run times, 52 dBA without load or distance, dry unit weight, CARB Compliant: No, included accessories and starter types. The store showed the item as not available to buy directly and links to retailers. Separate iGen5000DFc EFI, iGen5000DF and iGen5000DFcv listings exist.
- iGen5000DFc user manualChecked 2026-10-21
Manual linked from the product page. Used for the gasoline and propane ratings, tank, CO Sensor operation and warnings, remote start range, included list and the shipped-without-oil notice. It publishes no sound level or weight.
- 56235iX Super Quiet 2350-Watt inverter generator with fuel shut off and CO sensor store pageChecked 2026-10-21
Manufacturer store page offering the individual unit, SKU 56235iX with UPC 044459562313, and a separate 28-piece bulk listing. Read for surge and rated watts, the quarter-load sound figure without distance, half-load run time, receptacles, the WEN Watchdog CO Shutdown Sensor, parallel kit and the two-year warranty. Price was not recorded.
See our methodology for source labels and limitations. Product evidence dates are shown beside the corresponding specifications.
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