Discontinued

Honda EU2000i Portable Generator 2020 Review

9.5 Total Score

For many decades, the celebrated Honda Motor Corporation consistently maintained its worldwide dominance in powerful generator production. And the flagship product was none other than the famous Honda EU2000i inverter generator.

It first came into the market some two decades ago and, for years, remained high on top. The game, however, changed drastically in 2018 when production of the EU2000i generator was finally discontinued. An exciting new model was introduced. It was named the EU2200i. Right from inception, the new EU2200i engine took the market by a major storm.

Do not forget that the ultimate aim of anyone wishing to purchase a new generator is to get top quality. After all, it certainly costs money. Happily, the choice is huge. To be sure, the veteran Honda EU2000i is a good fit. It’s portable, performs optimally and has unquestionable reliability packed in great design.

Reliability
10
Ease of Maintenance
8
Safety
10
Noise Level
10
Warranty
10
Price
9.5
PROS
  • Very Quiet – only 59dB
  • High fuel efficiency – 1 gallon for 8 hours
  • Reliable brand backed by good warranty
CONS
  • A tad pricier than other models
  • 2000W might not be enough for some
  • Honda replaced it with a new model.
User Rating: 4.67 (3 votes)

Do not forget that the ultimate aim of anyone wishing to purchase a new generator is to get top quality. After all, it certainly costs money. Happily, the choice is huge. To be sure, the veteran Honda EU2000i is a good fit. It’s portable, performs optimally and has unquestionable reliability packed in great design.

Honda EU2000i Discontinued | Why the Change to EU2200i?

With this portable generator, you can perform every task as planned. It doesn’t matter if it is a camping expedition or field trip. This machine can be counted on to keep all home gadgets running. What’s more, the Honda EU2000i guarantees you wonderful performance powered by its unique engine; the GX100 98.5 cc type. At its peak, it gives you a good 2,000 watt operation. Further, it is super quiet, compact, fuel efficient and quite light.

But the big question comes: What caused this unexpected change? After all, the EU2000i generator had achieved high sales consistently. Well, after several decades, it became apparent that the industry could not just rely on one successful product. For greater customer satisfaction, it was time to better the product. In line with this, the new Honda EU2200i was introduced. And it has not disappointed.

What Makes the New EU2200i Better?

The EU 2200 generator can do amazing things. Depending on the work, the engine can run for between 8.1 to 3.2 hours on just a single tank. The generator lasts longer due to a newly introduced coil that rebuffs damage to body. It has improved ventilation space resulting in better cooling. It has enhanced openings for filling and exchanging oil. It is more power-packed and remarkably comes low cost. With it you get 10% more power to run all the larger appliances or those requiring more power. Without doubt, this new model is the best portable generator for new shoppers.

Don’t forget that the former EU2000i is now out of production. It is effectively replaced by the new EU2200. It’s important to remember that the amount of power produced by any engine has a lot to do with the size of the generator. The EU2000i can always be relied on to produce the exact amount of power required for any operation.

Super-Quiet Beast

Interestingly, when the engine was first invented, it was meant to drive heavy duty machines in construction industries. And its 121cc capacity in GXR120 package is no accident. It’s meant to deliver adequate power for such duties. Then there is the crucial element of quiet. The EU2000i inverter engine is a virtual whisper-quiet portable generator. It runs at a high of 57 and a low of 48 dBA. This is actually quieter than normal human conversation!

the eu2000i noise level compared to other sounds

Why would you need this super-quiet beast? You certainly need it in situations that call for special quiet, including camping expeditions. Believe it or not, this engine is almost feather-light. The manufacturers employed a new inverter technology that makes it quite portable, easy to store and generally convenient. It also has the invaluable ‘fuel off’ option. With this, the engine can continue running until most fuel is used up before it switches off.  As a result, you will not have issues with stale fuel and its storage is easier.

Honda EU2000i Features

The Honda EU2000i generator boasts several features that have proved to be popular for decades. These include:

  • It is very light, weighing less than 46 pounds. This makes it easy to carry wherever you go.
  • Has a powerful engine developed by top engineers. The Honda GX100 is a truly powerful fuel-efficient generator that has been used successfully for decades. It is air-cooled and has a four-stroke overhead valve.
  • It gives stable, highly reliable power that works well with sensitive household gadgets including refrigerators, TV and computers.
  • It affords enough power to last 3.4 hours when the engine operates at full-load and up to 8 hours at quarter load. Even better, all this gets done with less than a gallon of fuel. If you need power throughout the night then this is the one-stop shop. The EU2000i engine generally starts at 2000w and goes stable at 1600w continuous.
  • The EU2000i is a peaceful, super-quiet portable generator. It’s made with special materials that work to dampen sound. The effect is that this is one of the quietest portable generators that you can wish for. At a quarter-load the sound level is just 53 decibels while at full-load it’s 59. You can enjoy this great quiet during camping or when operating in noise-restricted environments.
  • It has pure sine wave inverter features that enables you to enjoy clean power.
  • It’s ideal for charging batteries using the 125v duplex AC and 12v DC outlets.
  • It has the oil alert protection feature. This automatically switches off the engine on sensing that the oil levels are low. This protects the engine.
  • The EU2000i engine is equipped with 3 years warranty covering all top to bottom components.
  • It enables you enjoy expandable power by linking up two identical models. Overall, this gives you 4,000w at a go.
  • EPA and CARB Compliant: Meets US Federal and the stricter California emission regulations
  • USDA-Qualified Spark Arrester: it prevents starting fires by accident.

Honda EU2000i Technical Specifications

Engine Honda GX100
Displacement 98.5cc
AC Output 120V 2000W max. (16.7A) 1600W rated (13.3A)
Receptacles 20A 125V Duplex
DC Output 12V, 96W (8A)
Starting System Recoil
Fuel Tank Capacity .95 gal
Run Time per Tankful 3.4hr @ rated load 8.1 hrs @ 1/4 load
Dimensions (L x W x H) 20.2″ x 11.4″ x 16.7″
Noise Level 59 dB(A) @ rated load 53dB(A) @ 1/4 load
Dry Weight 45.6 lb.
Residential Warranty 3 Years
Commercial Warranty 3 Years

Power Output

Nothing can be as annoying as having the power go off suddenly at the time you most need it. What precautions can you take, then, in order to care for such situations? Remember that while the EU2000i isn’t all-powerful, it has the ability to help you run day-to-day activities as well as equip you for emergencies. Remarkably, this engine can run on high-rated load of 2000w for a good four hours. If the load is a quarter, you can expect the portable generator to run non-stop for an incredible 9 hours! What is more, the EU2000i generator is pretty reliable and highly flexible because it operates on the dual 2AC and 1 DC outlets. For a generator of its mode and size the EU2000i is certainly a very powerful portable generator with remarkable capacity. Admittedly, its fuel tank is relatively smaller than that of its peers. This notwithstanding, you can count on the EU2000i to pack up enough power to light your home during emergency and run a variety of household accessories. If need be, you can add an extra tank to augment fuel capacity.

Do you, however, need to calculate your power wattage once a while? No issue. Our website takes care of that. We here feature a wattage calculator that enables you keep up to date with that. You are, therefore, well catered for in our website.

Maintenance

With the EU2000i engine, it is quite easy to change the oil, pretty hassle-free. What makes this easy is the fact that the engine switches itself off automatically as soon as it senses that the oil levels have dropped drastically. This eases friction and protects the engine and gears. Moreover, the generator does not keep breaking down. Certainly, the EU2000i engine is very easy to maintain, service and keep in optimal condition. You can easily care for the plugs, filters and other components. The main reason for this is that you can reach virtually any part of the generator for cleaning or replacing. Moreover, anyone can do this without the need to hire a mechanic.

Durability

It’s notable that in our Honda EU2000i inverter generator review, it quickly becomes evident that this generator is a great achiever with very few peers. We cannot say that it’s perfect and flawless in comparison with competitors. Overall, however, the pros of buying and using this product far outweighs the cons. You can be sure that the EU2000i generator is a durable machine that will last quite long with proper care.

Whether you need a good insurance against the ravages of sudden power outages or you have a major camping expedition that needs a great air of quietness, you need not struggle choosing. Should you go fishing, hunting or tailgating and you need your lighting taken care of or equipment kept running the answer is simple: Get the Honda EU2000i.

Warranty

Do you get a warranty on purchasing a EU2000i generator? The answer is a resounding yes! If you purchased it from a Honda authorized dealer beginning 2010, be sure you have a three-year warranty. All details can be found here.

Without doubt, no one can offer such long-term guarantee without being sure that the product is completely reliable and durable. No wonder, many users of the EU2000i have returned very positive verdict which proves that, in this portable generator, you have a champion.

Cover and Accessories

You can get various accessories that work well with the EU2000i inverter engine. It’s possible to obtain a water-resistant, custom-fitted, cover. This is sold in various colors and personalized to your style. You can also get various-sized transfer switches for your needs. Other accessories include charging cables for DC and EU series parallel kits.

Common Problems

You are likely to encounter a few challenges operating the Honda EU2000i generator. This is despite the fact that the generator is designed to be durable and generally resistant to varied issues.  Four of the commonest issues noted are listed below:

  • Worn out seals and gaskets. This may also be accompanied by fuel hose wear and tear. Others include issues with the carburetor and unexplained smoke coming out of the engine. In order to deal with this, always ensure you use the right kind of fuel and oil for the engine. Additionally, check the oil levels and ensure it’s not too high.
  • Broken recoil and engine seizure: This usually results from using wrong fuel types and the solution is self-explanatory.
  • Failure to start: When the generator does not start, the problem is usually simple: The oil levels may be too low. Or there might be a fault with the engine due to seizure. It could also be that unused oil was left to stay too long in the tank. Alternately, the wrong type of fuel was used.
  • Fuel leakage: When you find that the fuel is leaking from the generator, it could be a symptom of various causes. It might just be that the seals on the valve guide are worn and need replacing.

Honda Power Equipment Company Overview

The Honda Motor Company indeed has a checkered history. Remarkably, the corporation has produced more than 100 million special power products beginning its inception in1948. Many still remember the icon E300 that was Honda’s first ever portable generator. This model fast became a bestseller. Later still, in 1958, the company made great strides to produce an even lighter inverter generator, which quickly became a game-changer. How could it be said so?

The new engine achieved a major first by producing a super-quiet generator which also used very little fuel. This came about because of the unparalleled engineering feat that minimized machine vibration and idling. This was coupled with better overall functionality and enhanced efficiency.

What Makes it so Good?

The EU2000i has some great features that make it soar above the competition in many aspects. One of these is the Eco-throttle function. This is a system that enables the engine to run at its very best, efficiently and speedily, while carrying the necessary load. Its size is just right, helping it to attain superior fuel usage combined with a whisper-quiet operation. And the newly incorporated inverter system is nothing ordinary. It enables the generator power all kinds of electronic gadgets, even those sensitive to voltage fluctuations. It’s not surprising that, within just a few years, worldwide sales of this generator quickly soared to millions.

Conclusion

From this discussion of the Honda U2000i review, it’s clear that this award-winning celebrated generator is the perfect choice for all your domestic and general needs. Its qualities are unmatched and hordes of competitors are left behind. It is relatively low-priced and can run a variety of equipment without hassle. Remember, the generator is capable of starting at 2000w and running consistently at 1600w. Be sure that this will effectively power your fridge, oven, blender, computer and a vast number of other household appliances.

It weighs less than 46 pounds and is, therefore, easy to carry wherever you go. Whenever there is power outage, you can rely on this machine to bail you out. Other features simply contribute to make the generator superb. The clean output signal and the Eco-Throttle, for instance, will enable you to safely use such sensitive gadgets like smartphones and laptops.

Doubtless, the Honda EU2000i has been tried and tested for decades and its competence proven. Of course, talking about costs, you will easily get cheaper generators that claim to offer same qualities as the Honda  EU2000i. You will, however, be disappointed to discover that the great qualities sold to you by advertisement aren’t nearly as great. They are, probably, mere claims. Most likely, they will be far less powerful than the celebrated legend, the Honda EU2000i.

The overall verdict is that the Honda EU2000i is one of the most powerful camping generators of its kind that you can find today. Certainly, the millions of users all over the world who have tried this machine will confess that they are fully satisfied with the performance of the Honda EU2000i and will go for it readily if given the chance. Truly, the Honda EU2000i inverter generator has now been replaced by the EU2200i inverter generator. The EU2200i is even better and more efficient and is today the first choice for millions of Honda enthusiasts globally. Probably, you are among these.

OWNER’S MANUAL

Here you can download the official Honda eu2000i Owner’s Manual free of charge.

 

 

Alexey P. , Qualified Electrician and Website Founder
Alexey P. , Qualified Electrician and Website Founder

My name is Alexey P. I was born in Poland but later moved to the USA in 1998. As a well-qualified and fairly experienced electrician, I love working with DIY projects. As a result of my professional training in the field of electrical engineering, I am well versed with the key elements of the trade. I am generally knowledgeable with all inspecting codes and important regulations governing electrical components and repair. I presently live in Dover, Delaware, USA. Want to know a little about my life outside work? It is no wonder. If you encounter any challenges with your portable generator while on that camping expedition, you can count on me to help deal with that decisively. I love life. I love people. And yes, I love generators, of course!

24 Comments
  1. Great review, I finally know this is the right generator for me!

  2. I’m not sure if I need 1 or 2 of these babies for my RV… what do you say?

  3. I agree with what you say, it’s the best portable gen around.

  4. My brother has one and paid more than $1,200. Glad to have found this offer!

  5. Informative review, thank you. Do you know if this comes with a power adapter or if it’s not needed at all?

  6. Is there a cammo version? I read somewhere about it but maybe was a custom job.

  7. There is a camo version; I’ve seen it for sale in a local farm supply store in Iowa. It was about $100 more than the standard red…

  8. Great review, very thorough and informative. Thanks for sharing the info. I own 2 Honda eu2000i generators, one is a companion and have been very satisfied with them. I may be wrong but I think that it’s rated operating load is 1600 watts and can maintain it’s peak 2000 watt load for 30 min. I have only used ethanol free gasoline in them and follow the maintenance schedule and they have served me very well.

  9. The last power outage lasted around 6 hours and it sucked. No TV, no Internet, the kids were scared, and worst of all, no one was able to tell us when will they be able to fix it. This baby here was an impulse buy, I didn’t look it up online but it was so good I bought two, one for us and one for my father.

  10. A bit pricey but when you list down all its benefits and the fact that it comes with a 3-year warranty it was a no-brainer for me. It’s portable and easy to use, even my wife can hook it up and she’s not the handy type.

  11. We bought ours for camping and it didn’t disappoint. I was expecting it to be quite noisy but luckily this wasn’t the case. One thing bugs me though, I have to be super careful with it, it scratches like crazy…

  12. Not the cheapest buy but definitely a wise investment! We bought ours from Home Depot after seeing it in action last summer when we went camping, it works like a charm.

  13. I might be biased since this is my first generator but it works like crazy. We have serious electrical issues here – the power goes off several times a month, sometimes for more than 4 hours and it can power the fridge easily.

  14. The 3 year warranty is what made me decide to get it. I want to be sure that I’m investing in something that will keep working well for a good chunk of time. 2 years is just not worth it for me. Plus it’s pretty powerful considering it’s size.

  15. Compared to so many other models, the Honda is quiet at just 59 decibels at full load. Many other models don’t even come close to this. Also it can run upwards of 9 hours on a smaller workload (25%) or at least a few hours at full load.

  16. The eu2000i was great. I have good memories with it and I also like the 2200i. It probably is better than my old one, it’s just that I’m nostalgic about the 2000i. Honda’s are usually more expensive but the money you pay translates into better products so just go with Honda and you won’t regret it.

  17. My EU2000i has gotten us through two hurricanes (Florence and Dorian) and has pretty much paid for itself by keeping the food in our freezers from spoiling.

    The sound of the TV at normal volume makes it hard to hear the generator from 10 feet away,and I’m getting around 11 hours per full tank of gas.

    I’m in the process of getting all the hardware to convert it to run from portable tanks so it can run for days at a time without having to refuel.

  18. Will the Honda generator operate at an elevation of 10,000 feet?

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