When Tropical Storm Isaias swept the East Coast in 2020, over two million people were left without power. In some parts of the country, power outages lasted over a week after the storm.
The struggle with a power outage is real, especially now that most of us work or study from home. Good thing, we have reliable emergency generators that help us get through the “dark days.”
Speaking of generators, two of the most reliable products are Predator 3500 and Honda EU3000is. They are both classified as “inverter” types and perform well in many aspects.
But which one should you buy? Predator 3500 Inverter Generator vs Honda? The answer is more complicated than you think.
That’s why we made this detailed comparison for you. We spent hours analyzing their similarities and differences and what makes each generator unique from the other.
Let’s take a closer look at their specs and features and decide which one does things better.
Direct Comparison
Table could not be displayed.Breaking It Down
Whether you’re preparing for a power outage or using it on a job site, there are several factors you should consider when choosing a portable generator set. For this comparison, we’ll focus on the key features that you must look for when it’s time for you to buy.
These include the following:
- Power Factor and Wattage: This will determine how much power these generators are capable of producing.
- Portability: The item weight matters so much, especially when you need to move the generator from one area to another or use it for onsite projects.
- Fuel Tank: The tank size determines how much fuel you can store in your generator.
- Noise Level: Whether or not you have a baby or toddler at home, it still pays to have a quiet machine that gives you peace.
- Total Harmonic Distortion: If you expect to run electronics like laptops, the waveform is significant. We’ll talk about this in detail later.
Power and Wattage
The amount of power a generator can produce is measured in watts. Generators vary in size, starting from 1800-watt units. Higher wattage means you can operate more appliances, but it also means more fuel and expenses.
Predator 3500 Inverter
This generator has running watts of 3,000 and surges watts of 3,500. It’s pretty powerful for home use. If you have a huge household and runs many appliances, a 3000 watts generator nicely works.
Honda EU3000is
This Honda generator can deliver 2,800 watts of running power and 3,100 watts of surges or starting power. This is more than enough to cover major home appliances, including refrigerators, air conditioners, and furnaces. If you use it on a job site, it can power most tools you need, except for welding machines.
Winner: Predator 3500 Inverter
In terms of power and size, we’re giving it to Predator. A 200-watt difference may not be that much, but it’s still significant.
However, we’re impressed by how little the difference is between the starting power and the continuous power of the Honda generator. This makes it easy to estimate which appliances the generator can cover.
Tank Size
Like most emergency generators, both the Predator 3500 and Honda EU3000is make use of gasoline. This type of fuel is easy to come by, except, of course, in times when there’s a storm approaching and people panic-buy.
Predator 3500 Inverter
This model can store up to 2.6 gallons of gasoline. This gives you a run time of 11 hours, considering that you only use 25% of the generator’s power capacity.
Honda EU3000is
The Honda EU3000is has a fuel tank capacity of 3.4 gallons. It can supply power continuously for 20 hours at 25% load and seven hours at full load.
Winner: Honda EU3000is
Undoubtedly, Honda takes the lead in this aspect. That’s a whopping nine-hour difference. Having a large tank for fuel is a huge plus for a home generator because it usually means longer run time and efficiency.
In addition, a large tank allows you to store more fuel. This makes buying gasoline less of a hassle, especially before and after a storm.
Noise Level
Traditional generators tend to be super noisy. Thankfully, modern models are way quieter, but not ultra-quiet, of course. After all, it’s still a machine.
In general, portable generators with a decibel rating ranging from 50 to 65 are acceptable. The lower the rating, the quieter the unit is.
Predator 3500 Inverter
This model has a rating of 57db at the minimum power consumption of 25%. As expected from an inverter generator, the Predator 3500 is incredibly quiet.
Honda EU3000is
Like the Predator model, this generator is also an inverter type. It has a noise rating of 49dB at 25% load. This level is less loud than a normal human conversation, so it’s pretty quiet.
If used in 100% capacity, the noise level goes up to 58dB.
Winner: Honda EU3000is
Applause to Honda for creating an extremely quiet generator that’s perfect not just for home use but also for camping. Even if you stretch the power capacity to 100%, you still get a pretty decent noise level.
When both models are allowed to run at 25% load, you will notice a significant difference.
Portability
While generators are typically heavy, as they can weigh up to 250lbs, great models have features that make them easier to transport, move, or store. You’re not going to use your generator too often, so it must be portable enough to stack away when not needed.
Predator 3500 Inverter
This generator weighs roughly 99 lbs, which is pretty lightweight. It also comes with a basic handle on each end which helps spread the weight between two persons carrying it. The unit also comes with smooth-rolling casters so you can move it around your home without having to carry it.
Honda EU3000is
With a large fuel tank and steel frame, the Honda EU3000is is heavier. It weighs 134 lbs, which is substantially higher than the Predator model.
It’s also frustrating that this model doesn’t come with rolling casters or wheels. If you want one, and surely, you need one, you have to purchase it separately.
Winner: Predator 3500 Inverter
In terms of portability, the throne goes to Predator 3500. Aside from being significantly lighter, we like that it comes with rolling casters and handles.
All these make moving the generator from one area to another a breeze. It also means you can conveniently take it to your outdoor adventures.
Total Harmonic Distortion
The Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) refers to the quality of electricity that a generator produces. The amount of THD greatly impacts how your appliances respond to the generator.
You may have heard about “clean electricity” when browsing different models of generators. What this refers to is a lower THD of the electrical AC wave and the generator’s power to produce a phase that is smoother and less square, a.k.a “cleaner.“
Inverter generators like the models we’re comparing tend to have lower THD, which is a good thing. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Predator 3500 Inverter
This model has a THD of <5%, which is pretty good for an inverter generator. It produces a clean sine wave, which means you can safely plug sensitive electronics into its AC outlets.
Honda EU3000is
Honda has a lower THD rating at <3%. A 3% THD is the maximum threshold for the power to be classified as “clean.” Compared to most inverter generators with THD between 5% and 6%, the Honda EU3000is truly stands out.
Winner: Honda EU3000is
The cleaner the electricity, the safer it is for your electronics. Therefore, we’re giving the floor to Honda EU3000is. Although the difference isn’t much, it’s again significant.
Reliability
Certain things make a home generator reliable. When shopping around for a generator, you should focus on quality, durability, ease of use, and longevity. Some additional features are nice to have, especially if they make your life easier.
Predator 3500 Inverter
The “heart” of the generator is enclosed in a high-impact enclosure. The robust outer shell offers a decent amount of protection against the elements.
One notable feature is the digital control panel with oil, overload, and output light indicators for easy monitoring of the power generation.
Honda EU3000is
Honda is one of the biggest and oldest brands of generators and has built a solid reputation in the business. Like all the other generators released by the brand, this current model has a heavy-duty steel frame.
The unit comes with a fitted fuel gauge, so you know when you’re running out of gas. It also features a CO Minder technology that monitors carbon dioxide and automatically shuts the unit off if the CO levels become unsafe.
Winner: Honda EU3000is
Both these generators are truly impressive, but we’re giving more points to Honda. The brand has a reputation for manufacturing high-end generators.
If you closely examine the build, you’ll get convinced that it will last for years. Plus, the CO Minder feature is incredibly nice to have since it directly affects your safety.
Final Recount
Before we tackle the pros and cons of Predator 3500 Inverter Generator vs Honda, let’s see which one is leading based on the criteria that I discussed above.
- Power Factor and Wattage Winner: Predator 3500 Inverter
- Tank Size or Fuel Efficiency Winner: Honda
- Noise Level Winner: Honda
- Portability Winner: Predator 3500 Inverter
- Electricity Quality Winner: Honda
- Reliability Winner: Honda
The Honda EU3000is leads the race at 4/6. But before we make the final verdict, we’ve listed down the pros and cons of each model:
Pros and Cons
Predator 3500 Inverter
Pros:
- Higher running and starting watts
- Sleek and lightweight
- Easy to move around
Cons:
- Relatively low running time
- Small fuel tank
Honda EU3000is
Pros:
- Sturdy build
- High fuel efficiency
- Super quiet
- Fuel gauge
- CO Minder Technology
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy
- Doesn’t come with wheels
Predator 3500 Inverter Generator vs Honda: The Verdict
Clearly, the Honda EU3000is is the winner as it has nearly everything you need from an emergency or backup generator. While it comes at a higher price, the fact that it’s fuel-efficient means you can save more cash in the long run.
Reliability is superb, which is a significant factor when buying a generator. This model uses the original Honda engine enclosed in a heavy-duty steel frame, so it’s ideal for both indoor and outdoor locations.
If only it’s a little more lightweight and comes with rolling casters, we would have regarded it as an epic generator. The added features are impressive, too, particularly the CO detector.
Overall, both the Predator 3500 and Honda portable generators are good options, but the Honda EU3000is deserves a spot in your home if you have extra cash.