Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by kiezelamquiz
What Customers Say About The Honda EU2200I Overall!
Based on the reviews for the Honda EU2200i, people seem to love the Honda generator for its reliability, easy maintenance, and performance. Customers have reported that it is easy to start and runs flawlessly, even after years of use.
Many have also praised the generator’s ability to run quietly and efficiently, with some even using it to power their air conditioners. The remote shut off and Bluetooth app have also been mentioned as great features.
However, a few customers have expressed concern about the high price tag and the noise level when running. One customer also noted that it can be a bit difficult to change the oil, but overall, customers have been extremely satisfied with their purchase and would recommend it to others.
Watch this!
The beauty of a portable generator is that you can take it just about anywhere to power just about anything (that it’s rated for).
This is great for places with limited access to power such as a campsite, job site, or event. Not to mention, they are probably the best tool to have when you experience a power outage.
For most consumers, a 2,000-watt generator will allow for adequate power to get them through the day.
In this post, I am going to review the Honda EU2200i, an update on the EU2000i, a very popular portable inverter generator that is loaded with useful features. I test the EU2220i outdoors at 23 feet with a decibel (dB) meter with no load, on and off eco mode, and with a full load as well as a 200w. Then I compare that 200-watt load to a more budget 2,000-watt quiet generator, the WEN 2000w.
I recently used the EU2200i on a two-week teardrop camping adventure through Oregon. I mostly used it to power my bank of battery generators. I’ll throw in tips I learned from that trip with the Honda EU2200i into this post.
Functions and Ease of Use
Using the Honda EU2200i is about as easy as it gets with a portable generator.
A single control knob and recoil pull cable allow for this generator to be started by even the most novice generator user.
The controls are bundled together on the side of the generator for easy access.
On the front of the generator, you will see an all-in-one, user-friendly control panel with many features.
To power your appliances, this generator offers two 120V AC out 15 amp receptacles that work for just about any corded tool, charger, boilers, or smaller appliance.
A battery-charging DC 12V outlet is also included to charge your batteries on the fly.
Control Panel
An LED light tree is built into this control panel as an indicator system to easily detect any problems your generator may be facing.
- The top LED, when illuminated, notifies you of a low oil level to allow you to refill your oil. Running a generator with low oil can damage the internals.
- The middle LED will only illuminate when there is an overload on your generator. An alarm will also sound so that you can adjust the wattage demands to meet the generator’s specifications.
- The last LED is a green output indicator that will stay illuminated when your generator is properly supplying power.
Parallel Operation
You will also notice two connectors that allow for parallel operations.
This allows you to connect another Honda EU2200i to your generator to get double the wattage power for powering larger appliances or multiple smaller appliances.
Extra Features
There will also be an Eco-Throttle toggle switch that allows you to switch over to fuel-efficiency mode for overnight or longer applications.
The last features you will see on your control panel are circuit protectors.
Once overloaded, the protectors will trip to keep your generator from being damaged.
These will need to be reset after you have corrected your overload problem.
Noise Level – Is It Quiet?
It’s no secret that one of a generator’s least attractive features is how noisy it is.
Luckily, many manufacturers are taking this into consideration and developing quieter generators.
As an industry-standard, generator noise levels are measured in decibels. Noise readings are usually taken at 23 feet away from the generator.
Using this method, many generators operate at around 70-80 decibels, which is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner.
At 23 feet, this generator produces about 48-57 dBa, depending on the load level.
For comparison, this is a little less than a normal conversation.
Unless you are at a job site, noise levels are usually a big deciding factor as louder generators can disturb neighbors, especially at night.
You will not have this problem with this generator; it is one of the quietest generators around the 2,000W mark.
I published a quietness comparison of the most popular inverters in this power range here.
Gas Consumption & Capacity
- Rated amps: 18.3 Amps @ 120 volts
- AC maximum output starting Watts: 2200W
- AC rated output running Watts: 1800W
- Rated AC voltage: 120 VAC
- Frequency: 60 Hz
The EU2200i generator features a smaller fuel tank, measuring just under 1 gallon, but it still performs as well as generators with larger tanks.
At 100% power, you can expect about 3 hours on a full tank, whereas a 25% load will allow for about an 8-hour run time.
At 1,800 running watts, you can easily power the small appliances at your campsite or power through your blackout.
The Honda EU2200i Is an Inverter
A digital inverter module converts the raw power that is generated from DC to AC power. The inverter function means that you can use it to power sensitive appliances and electronics.
Service, Manual, & Warranty
Honda is well-known within many industries for providing quality products with customer service to match.
Their generators are no different, and the customer reviews prove it.
Honda offers a 3-year residential and commercial warranty on their generators.
This is an industry-leading warranty as many do not offer a 3-year residential warranty, let alone a 3-year commercial warranty.
When choosing a generator, familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual not only before you use it, but before you even purchase it.
This will give you a better idea of what you are investing your money in and how it will perform for your needs.
Honda EU2200i vs. the Competition
EU2200I vs.Westinghouse Igen2200
Knowing that the Westinghouse iGen2200 is a consumer favorite, it was only right to see how this new Honda EU2200i stacks up to the toughest of competition.
Power Ratings
The playing field is pretty level when it comes to power levels as both of these generators produce the same amount of power.
The advantage that the EU2200i has here is the parallel capabilities, allowing you to connect another generator to it for twice the power.
Noise Levels
The noise levels for these generators are just about the same when considering the load levels.
The Honda does have the upper hand as it is advertised to run as low as 48 dBa.
To me, this is a huge advantage for those using it in a public area.
Power Outlets
When comparing the two generators’ power outlets, you will notice that they both sport two 120V outlets for easy connection of most appliances, TVs, or power tools.
The big difference here is that the Westinghouse utilizes two USB ports and the Honda utilizes a DC battery charging port.
The winner here will depend on the end user’s power needs and device ports.
EU2200I VS Briggs & Stratton P2200 30651
Usually competing in different industries, the battle between Briggs & Stratton and Honda spills over into the generator industry as well.
Power Ratings
The EU2200i and P2200 (full review here) both have a starting power of 2,200 watts, but the Honda edges out the Briggs & Stratton slightly when it comes to running watts.
The 30651 can handle 1,700 running watts while the EU2200i can handle 100 more watts at 1,800 total watts.
Noise Levels
The EU2200i is the clear winner here as it operates from 48-57 dBa and the 30651 operates at 59 dBa.
While it isn’t a huge difference for most, it could be the difference between a peaceful night of sleep and an annoyed neighbor knocking on your door.
Power Outlets
When it comes to power supplies, these generators both supply the exact same setup–even down to parallel capabilities.
Online Reviews and Scores
With nearly 100 reviews on Amazon, this generator is quickly rising to the top of the consumer’s choice list.
Out of these reviews, an astounding 98% are 4-5 star reviews.
So far, the EU2200i is one of the best-rated portable generators.
Potential Problems / Known Issues
At this time, there are no known problems with this generator which would suggest to us that it is a great buy. And the 3-year warranty is an added bonus!
If you own it, and want to share something bad about it (other than the higher price tag), please do leave a comment at the bottom of this page. 🙂
In My Opinion: Should You Buy It?
If you are looking for a generator that will last you for years to come and can power smaller appliances, this generator is one of our top picks.
With nearly 100 reviews at the time of this article and 98% of them being 4-5 stars, this generator is soon to become a top contender.
Operating at only 48-57 dBa makes this portable generator neighborhood friendly, as it is quieter than a normal conversation.
Starting your EU2200i for the first time
Watch this video of my very own EU2220i getting started for the very first time:
The generator tech gives a great overview of the eco mode of the Honda EU2200i, and you can really hear the difference in sound intensity between when eco mode is on and off. He also shows me how to start and stop the Honda EU2200i correctly.
The Honda EU2200i is more than able to provide you with enough power to get through a blackout, especially with the capabilities of running two in parallel for 4400 watts of power.
Running up to 9.6 hours on a single tank of gas allows uninterrupted overnight usage, helping you (literally) sleep better at night.
How to safely stop the EU2200i generator
I made a quick video while out in my teardrop camper with my EU2220i on how to safely stop the generator. Follow these steps:
1. Make sure the fuel vent at the top is set to OFF
2. Turn OFF eco mode
3. Turn the fuel dial down to “FUEL OFF”
4. Burn off fuel for 15-20 seconds
5. Turn the fuel dial down to “OFF”
That’s it! Here’s the video of this process:
Pros
- Excellent Honda Engine
- Very Easy To use
- One Of The Quietest On The Market
- 3 years Warranty
Cons
- No Fuel Gauge
Scott Krager purchased generatorgrid.com in the summer of 2020 and quickly began to buy every generator under the sun! He currently has over a dozen generators and the number is growing quickly. He lives in Portland, OR near his family and friends.
GeneratorGrid.com is an independent review business. I am not affiliated with any manufacturers and do not accept paid reviews. When you buy through my links, I may earn a commission which helps me purchase more generators for testing. - Scott Krager
igenn2200 is parallel capable but will use one on the existing 120v plugs to do it on each machine.
That’s completely wrong. There are dedicated plugs for parallel kit.
Great generator,used it in Puerto Rico during hurricane Maria .For six months everyday and it worked perfect.I just changed oil regularly to maintain it..Highly reccomend this life saving generator…
Honda just raised the price on these again!
Thanks to tariffs.
When considering which gen to purchase keep in mind that you get what you pay for.
I have run my eu2000 for 21 days straight. It was only shuy off twice to change the oil after the first and second week of use. Aside from those two brief shitoffs it ran continually.
This same generator is approaching 1000 hours of use. To date it has been a trou le free purchase.
Not sure of the other ywo brands mentioned here buy I can assure you many less exspensivr generators would have failed long before the 1000 hour mark.
My eu2000i has been gagging on the bad fuel.
I would have no problem buying the new EU2200.
But my pair of EU2000’s refuse to die, or create any drama at all.
Matt, thanks for the quality info and review. Would be interested in a review or owners’ reports about using a gravity-flow auxillary tank for the 2200. Have just bought a new 2200 for keeping my aged parents’ fridge running during the recent CA blackouts.
I too thought that the Honda 2200 was going to be even better than the 2000. When they came out, they were the same price as the previous 2000. They promised the same reliability plus some good sounding improvements.
I bought one in the fall of 2018, and treated it exactly like I would my 2000 Honda’s. Within days, literally two days it ran so bad, it were as if I’d ran it a month strait with no maintenance. And that’s not a real good comparison because any eu 2000I would do that as long as the oil level was maintained. Within three days, I couldn’t start it. I took it back to the source, and they couldn’t start it. Now, thinking that everything made pops out a dud once in a while, I went ahead and agreed to an exchange for a brand new one. The second one lasted only a day and a half and came down With The same issue. The store ended up calling Honda tech support or something like that. Because they were told that I’m the only one in the entire country that is having a problem. I find that impossible to believe.
My neighbor finally bought the 2200. He uses Honda inverters as his only source of power. His lasted 12 days and died as if it had run out of fuel. Finding it wasn’t, he refilled it anyway but hasn’t been able to start it since. I personally won’t buy another one, and I’m surprised to see all the rave about them online. I ended up buying a 4200 generator for half the price, and with proper maintenance have had no issues. I also resurrected two of my old 2000 Honda’s. Took apart and cleaned them carbs and all. Had to replace choke lever and pull ropes. One has pretty low compression, but it starts every time. The other runs like new. For what its worth, that’s my review. I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed when they really need their new generator to be just as reliable as the old one was. Like when the power goes out three years later and they’re not worried because they have the new top of the line Honda eu2200i that works great for a few uses. Maybe the power comes back on quickly and it’s another year or two befor its needed again. Way past warranty and useless.
Interesting, I am not surprised but really sad to hear of your experience. It seems the 2200 has since had a recall from fuel leaks, and again since January 31, 2020 has a stop sale for another suspicious problem something to do with Saltwater, crimeny I live in Ohio! I have really wanted one of these and found about the stop on sales at two dealers who had them stacked in boxes but wouldn’t sell me one per Honda. This kills me as I have been a long Honda fan, mowers, snow throwers etc, all good experiences. Sadly though it seems they are way dropping the ball on this model. I have to buy soon Yamaha or pray for me Generac.
Stock
I never owned a 2000i model, but I do have two EB2200i (neutral and ground bonded to generator frame) and two EU2200i (floating neutral not bonded to frame) units that have never failed me. These 2200 units use a vacuum to pull gas into the combustion chamber (it’s not gravity fed like most of Honda’s other units like their 3000, 5000, 10,000 etc units. The gas cap on the 2200’s has an “on” and “off” position on the plastic gas cap. The cap must be in the “on” (i.e. “open” position) to allow the gas tank to “breath” as gasoline is “vacuumed” into the cylinder. I have occasionally forgotten to turn the gas cap “on” and the unit runs fine for 15-30mins, maybe more, but as the vacuum system begins to have trouble pulling gasoline from the tank, it will run rough and eventually die. The extended run tanks offered for the 2200 units take advantage of this vacuuming principle so you don’t have to find the perfect height of the extended run tank relative to the height of 2200 onboard tank so the gravity feed fills but doesn’t overfill the 2200 tank. With that said, is it possible the gas cap was in the off position when the “new” defective 2200 units failed to start and/or run properly?
Sorry to hear about Tom Peterson’s experience above. But his is the only negative review I have ever found about the EU2200i. We have had ours for 2 years and it has been completely problem free. Neighbors at campsites don’t even notice that we have a generator running. I tell my mechanic friends what I have and without exception they tell me I bought the right generator. Not one issue here.