Honda EU3000iS Generator Review (Pros & Cons)

Last Updated on October 16, 2022 by Manager Access

Portable generators are one of the most useful pieces of equipment in your garage or shop.

Not only are they essential for powering up appliances during a blackout, but they also allow you to use tools away from electricity, power appliances during a camping trip, or keep your TV going at a tailgate party.

One of the most popular names in the generator industry is Honda. This is the same Honda that produces vehicles and other small engine items.

Their highly reliable and high-quality engines play a huge role in their reputation as top-tier manufacturer.

Today, I am going to go over the specs, features, and accessories of the Honda EU3000is generator.

I will also put it up against a few of its competitors to see how it ranks in three different categories.

Let’s take a closer look at the Honda EU3000iS’ features and see how it can be a great generator for your needs.

Functions and Ease of Use

When taking a first look at the Honda EU3000iS, you will notice that it has quite a bulky build. That is due in part to the 196cc Honda engine encased in the generator.

It has handles on each side to help lift up the generator and move it to where you need it.

One feature that you will notice is missing is a set of wheels which would really help make this generator easier to move.

However, Honda offers a 2-wheel and 4-wheel kit that you can purchase separately.

The EU3000iS is going to offer 3000 starting watts and 2800 running watts to keep a wide range of appliances running throughout the day.

This is going to be enough to power items as small as a hair dryer up to larger items such as an RV air conditioner.

Let’s take a look at the outlet selection to see what type of appliances you can plug into this generator.

The Honda EU3000iS is going to offer a pair of 20A 125V household outlets and a 30A 125V locking plug for larger appliances. You will also get parallel capabilities to add another EU3000iS generator to this one for twice the power.

Weighing in at 131lbs without fuel, it is certainly not the lightest generator in its class. That is where the optional wheel kit will come in handy. Personally, I would have loved to see it be a feature that was built in, especially for the price of this generator.

Noise Level – Is It Quiet?

With a generator of this size, noise levels are always a concern as using them in a residential setting can cause disturbances if they are too loud.

As an industry standard, generator noise levels are measured in decibels and noise readings are usually taken at 23 feet away from the generator.

Most larger generators are going to operate in the 70-80 decibel range which is comparable to the loudness of a vacuum cleaner.

Honda has taken this into consideration and gone above and beyond in making this generator as quiet as can be.

This Honda generator is going to come in at a noise level of 57 dBa at a rated load and a very impressive 50 dBa at ¼ load.

I would not hesitate to use this generator in any close-quarters application as it is quieter than most generators of its size.

Specs, Gas Consumption & Capacity

The Honda EU3000iS generator is going to come with a 3.4-gallon fuel tank which is going to help you get 7.1 hours of use from a rated load and a 20-hour run time at ¼ load.
This is going to be perfect for those who are using this generator for RV or home backup power as you will spend less time filling it up between uses.

Included Accessories

The Honda EU3000iS generator is going to come with a 12V – 12.0 DC output which utilized an optional charging cord to power up 12V automotive batteries.

You can also purchase a parallel harness to get another EU3000is generator hooked up to your original.

As previously stated, you can choose from a 2 or 4-wheel kit to help make this generator more movable.

Lastly, a Honda storage cover is available to keep your generator covered when storing it.

Service, Manual & Warranty

As an industry leader in many different industries, Honda is well known for its high-quality products and great warranties.

Honda stands behind their craftsmanship on their generators and it really shows with their 3-year warranty.

To make things even better, this 3-year warranty covers both residential and commercial uses, something that is not seen with many generators.

In order to keep your generator running its best and to ensure you are covered with your warranty, it is imperative to keep up with the maintenance schedule outlined in your manual.

This can be found both with the generator or online on Honda’s website.

EU3000iS Portable Generator VS the Competition

With all of the great features that I have covered on the EU3000iS, this generator is definitely a great buy, but let’s see how it stacks up against the competition.

I am going to hand-pick two other generators in their power class and see how it ranks when it comes to power, noise, and outlet selection.

Honda EU3000iS VS Champion 100477

Power Ratings

With the EU3000iS generator putting out 3000 starting watts and 2800 running watts, it falls just shy of the 100477.

The Champion generator is going to produce 3150 starting watts and 2850 running watts.

Noise Levels

With a rating of 50 dBa at its quietest, the Honda generator is going to be quite hard to beat.

Champion comes pretty close as their 100477 generator produces only 58 dBa, a very quiet rating for a generator of its size.

Power Outlets

The Honda EU3000iS is not the most impressively equipped outlet generator with its 3 outlet set-up so it’s not too hard to beat by its competitors.

While the Champion generator has the same household outlets and RV outlet as the Honda, you are going to get an additional 12V DC automotive-style outlet which makes the Champion generator a little more attractive if you need this type of outlet.

Honda EU3000iS VS Generac GP3000i

The next competitor for the EU3000iS is the Generac GP3000i. Generac is another well-known generator manufacturer that offers both residential and commercial generators in all shapes and sizes.

Let’s see how it stacks up against the Honda EU3000iS.

Power Ratings

The EU3000iS and GP3000i generators are dead even when it comes to comparing starting watts, but the running watts are what is going to set the two apart.

The Generac is going to fall a little short at 2300 running watts whereas the Honda generator is going to offer 2800 running watts.

Noise Levels

Generac does not supply noise ratings on their generators, but it is pretty safe to say that it is going to be louder than the Honda.

With such a low noise level rating, Honda simply can’t be beaten. If I had to guess, I would say the Generac generator falls in the 65 dBa range.

Power Outlets

Much like the Champion generator, the Generac generator is going to feature the same 3 outlets found on the Honda.

The only addition you will get on the GP3000i is going to be two USB outlets.

This is a great modern addition to cell phones, portable cameras, and other small appliances.

Online Reviews/Potential Problems

At the time of this article, the Honda EU3000iS has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon buyer reviews.

This is an average of the 35 current ratings that it has. Looking at the lowest ranking stars for any potential problems suggests that the generator arrived damaged, which would be covered in Amazon’s return policy or with Honda’s warranty.

In My Opinion: Should You Buy It?

After looking at all of the features, pros, and cons of this generator, the big question still remains – should you buy it?

In my opinion, this generator is going to be best suited for those who are looking for a more permanent solution.

What I mean by that is that since it does not come with wheels, this generator can be easily mounted on an RV, trailer, or food truck for easier transportation.

Unless you get the optional wheel kit, this generator is not going to be as residential friendly as many other generators on the market.

Of course, if you opt for the wheel kit, you can use this generator for just about anything.

I hope that this article has helped you get to know the Honda EU3000iS a little more and gave you the information needed to make an informed purchasing decision.