Inverter generators
The short answer
Need an RV outlet? Westinghouse
Want a CO shutoff? Honda
Running watts are close: 1,900W vs Honda's rated 1,800W. On paper the Westinghouse does more. What it lacks is a CO shutoff.
Best for run time and RV hookups
Best if you want a CO shutoff
Before you buy: Westinghouse sells the CO-shutoff version as a separate model, the iGen2550c. This isn't it. And Honda says the EU2200i isn't sold in California.
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Counted from the chart below: rows where one is clearly better. It's a tally, not an overall rating.
Bold means one number is clearly better. Blank means it's a tie, it's close, the makers measured it differently, or the sources disagree. I only compare run times at the same load when it's fair, since 1/4 load on a bigger generator is more watts.
| iGen2550 | EU2200i | Clearer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting watts (gasoline) | 2,550W | 2,200W (Honda "max") | iGen2550 |
| Running watts (gasoline) | 1,900W | 1,800W (Honda "rated") | |
| Fuel | Gasoline | Gasoline | |
| Gas tank | 1.1 gal | 0.95 gal | |
| Run time at 1/4 load (gasoline) | 11 hr at 1/4 load | 8.1 hr at 1/4 load | iGen2550 |
| Run time at 1/2 load (gasoline) | 7 hr at 1/2 load | Not published at this load | |
| Run time at full rated load | Not published at this load | 3.2 hr at rated load | |
| Noise (maker figure) | 52 dBA ("as low as"; load not stated) | 48 dB(A) at 1/4 load; 57 dB(A) at rated load | |
| Weight | 43.2 lb (spec table); 42.4 lb (description) | 47.4 lb (dry) | |
| Starting method | Recoil | Recoil | |
| Outlets | One 120V 20A duplex (5-20R), one TT-30R RV outlet, two USB | One 20A 125V duplex | |
| CO shutoff | No (Westinghouse spec table) | Yes (CO-MINDER) | EU2200i |
| Parallel capable | Yes | Yes, with an optional cable (up to 4,400W with a second EU2200i) | |
| Phone app | Not listed | Yes (Honda My Generator, Bluetooth) | |
| Total harmonic distortion (maker) | 3% or less | Not published | |
| Warranty | 3 years residential; 1 year commercial | 3 years residential; 12 months commercial | |
| Engine | 80cc | Honda GXR120, 121cc | |
| Note | Not for sale in California (49-state model) |
Common things people plug in during an outage or at camp, checked against each generator's own gasoline ratings from the chart above: iGen2550 1,900W running and 2,550W starting, EU2200i 1,800W running and 2,200W starting. I used the top of each range, so a smaller appliance may do better.
| Load | Running watts | Starting watts | iGen2550 | EU2200i |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-size refrigerator | 150–400W | 800–1,200W | Yes | Yes |
| Freezer (chest or upright) | 100–500W | 500–1,000W | Yes | Yes |
| Sump pump, 1/3 HP | 500–800W | 1,000–1,600W | Yes | Yes |
| Sump pump, 1/2 HP | 800–1,050W | 1,300–2,150W | One at a time | Tight |
| Gas furnace blower (1/2 HP fan) | 300–800W | 800–1,600W | Yes | Yes |
| Window AC, 5,000 BTU | 450–600W | 900–1,200W | Yes | Yes |
| Window AC, 10,000 BTU | 900–1,200W | 1,800–2,400W | Tight | Tight |
| RV rooftop AC, 13,500 BTU | 1,500–2,000W | 2,800–3,500W | No | No |
| CPAP (with heated humidifier) | 60–120W | No extra | Yes | Yes |
| Microwave | 600–1,200W | No extra | One at a time | One at a time |
| Coffee maker† | 600–1,200W | No extra | One at a time | One at a time |
| Space heater (1,500W setting) | 750–1,500W | No extra | One at a time | One at a time |
| Well pump, 1 HP | 1,000–2,000W | 2,000–4,000W | No | No |
| Circular saw, 7-1/4 in. | 1,200–1,800W | 2,400–3,600W | No | No |
| TV (32-55 in.) + router/modem | 90–420W | No extra | Yes | Yes |
| Phone/laptop charging | 20–100W | No extra | Yes | Yes |
| Electric water heater | 3,000–4,500W | No extra | No | No |
Add up the running watts. Then take the one item with the biggest starting surge and add its starting watts to everything else's running watts. Both totals have to fit.
Running: 400 + 800 + 75 + 20 = 1,295W (iGen2550 68% of 1,900W · EU2200i 72% of 1,800W)
Biggest start: furnace blower starting 1,600 + everything else running 400 + 75 + 20 = 2,095W (iGen2550 82% of 2,550W · EU2200i 95% of 2,200W)
iGen2550 YesEU2200i Tight
Running: 400 + 1,200 = 1,600W (iGen2550 84% of 1,900W · EU2200i 89% of 1,800W)
Biggest start: fridge starting 1,200 + everything else running 1,200 = 2,400W (iGen2550 94% of 2,550W · EU2200i 109% of 2,200W)
iGen2550 TightEU2200i Tight
Running: 600 + 120 + 200 + 100 = 1,020W (iGen2550 54% of 1,900W · EU2200i 57% of 1,800W)
Biggest start: 5,000 BTU AC starting 1,200 + everything else running 120 + 200 + 100 = 1,620W (iGen2550 64% of 2,550W · EU2200i 74% of 2,200W)
iGen2550 YesEU2200i Yes
These are typical figures. Check the label on your own appliance. It lists watts, or amps you can multiply by 120 to get watts.
Motors need starting watts. Fridges, freezers, pumps, furnace blowers and air conditioners pull a short surge each time they kick on, well above their running watts (see the Starting column). Heaters, coffee makers and chargers don't.
Running several loads adds up. If two motors start in the same second, both surges stack. Honda's own advice is to start the big ones one at a time.
RV air conditioners: a 13,500 BTU unit needs more starting watts than either generator has. A soft starter added to the AC is often what decides it. Micro-Air, which makes the EasyStart, says it cuts startup current by up to 75%. Even then, leave the fridge and other big loads off.
Outlets: Neither generator lists a 240V outlet in the chart above, so anything that needs 240V is out. Check your appliance's label. The iGen2550 has a 30A RV outlet (TT-30R). Running watts still cap the total, whichever outlet you use.
Water heaters: If your water heater runs on 240V, neither unit can power it, since neither lists a 240V outlet. On watts alone it would be "No" on both.
Load watts: Champion Power Equipment, Generator Wattage Chart. It covers appliances, not generators. †Coffee maker: 600W for a 4-cup maker from Honda's wattage guide, and 1,200W from Generac's wattage worksheet. Microwave: the wattage on the box is usually cooking power. Honda's guide lists a 1,000W microwave at 1,500W from the outlet, which is "One at a time" on both. None of these charts list an 8,000 BTU window AC, so it falls between the 5,000 and 10,000 BTU rows. Start-up advice: Honda. Soft starter: Micro-Air.
One thing before the details: both burn gasoline, so both put out carbon monoxide. Keep them outside, well away from doors, windows and vents, with the exhaust pointed away from the house. Only the Honda has a CO shutoff, so give the iGen2550 extra distance. Never in a garage, shed or on a porch.
The names make the gap look bigger than it is. Peak watts differ by 350. Running watts differ by 100.
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if you want a CO shutoff. Westinghouse sells that as a separate model, the iGen2550c.
if you need an RV outlet or more than one duplex. You also can't buy it new in California, since Honda says this model isn't sold there.
These points come from owners posting on Reddit, owner forums and retailer reviews, not from my own testing. A point is listed only when at least three separate owners of this exact model said it. Individual units vary.
Sources: Amazon reviews, Reddit
Sources: Reddit 1, Reddit 2, Reddit 3, Reddit 4, GeneratorBible user reviews, Reddit 5, Forest River Forums, Reddit 6, Amazon reviews
Slightly, the Westinghouse: 1,900W running and 2,550W peak. Honda rates the EU2200i at 1,800W running and 2,200W max.
I can't call it. Westinghouse says "as low as 52 dBA" with no load stated, and Honda says 48 dB(A) at 1/4 load. Those aren't the same test.
No, not across brands. The EU2200i pairs with another EU2200i or the EU2200i Companion. Westinghouse says the iGen2550 pairs with another compatible Westinghouse inverter.
Both makers list home backup. The Honda adds a CO shutoff, and the Westinghouse runs longer per tank on paper. If it's going to run near the house overnight, the CO shutoff counts for more.
Where the sources disagree on a spec:
Specs are from Westinghouse and Honda, checked October 8, 2026. Any line marked "Amazon listing" is not a maker figure.
By Mike E. · Last checked October 8, 2026 · Based on manufacturer specs. Lines marked "Amazon listing" are from Amazon, not the maker.