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Although the idea of going camping is to get away from being connected to the outside world and soak up as much nature as you can, there are times where you will need to have a way to still be connected to the outside world. Instead of relying solely on the battery life of your phone or laptop, and hoping you have enough for the weekend, you can ensure you have enough juice for the weekend by ensuring you have the best inverter generator for camping available within the marketplace.
Not only will the inverter generator help keep your electronics going while you out camping, but you can also then bring other appliances with you to make your camping trip just a little bit more comfortable. Although there is nothing wrong with starting a campfire and holding the skillet out to help cook some eggs or sausage or bacon, it’s easier if you can use a griddle that is plugged into your inverter generator. Or, rather than attempting to blow up an air mattress by just using your mouth, you can plug the inflator into the generator, and let it do the work for you.
Within this article, we’re going to review three different inverter generators which are great for camping. We’ll give you the best attributes of each generator, so you can decide what characteristics are most important to you. After we review each of the three generators, we’ll then have a table which shows you a comparison of the most important aspect of each generator, all in an effort to ensure you find the best inverter generator for your camping needs.
Best Inverter Generators for Camping
Yamaha EF2400iSHC Gas Power Portable Inverter
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This portable inverter generator from Yamaha comes with a USFS approved muffler, allowing this generator to run quieter than most on the market, as it comes in at 53 dBA at 1/4 load which is comparable to the sound of a fridge. At a full load the noise reaches 60 dBa. This generator also comes with a Throttle which is adjustable, allowing you to determine the engine speed you desire based upon how much load is on the generator, allowing you to save fuel. This generator has the capability of recharging batteries, which means not only is good for camping, but it can also be good for your Boat, Automobile, and RV.
- 2,400 Watt Starting Output, 2,000 Watt Running Output
- Can run up to 8.6 hours on 25% power level
- With the Smart Throttle feature, you can adjust the engine speed based upon needs to help conserve fuel when needed
- The inverter generator weighs 75 pounds and has a dual-handle along the top for easy carrying
- You have the ability to hook two Yamaha generators together to increase power output
- Has an 8 amp / 12 Volt DC Outlet
- Comes with a limited two-year warranty
Pros
- EPA-approved
- CARB-compliant which means its allowed in all 50 states including California
- Spark arrestor which is great for use in the woods
- Circuit breaker with overload protection
- Oil watch system to automatically turn off when the oil is low
- Overload light indicator
Cons
- Heavier than previous models that weighed around 50 pounds, but this has more power and efficiency
- Slightly higher dBa noise of 2 decibels, but not a noticeable difference
- No electric start
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Honda EU2200 2200 Watt Super Quiet Inverter Generator with Co-Minder
- MORE POWER. SAME LEGENDARY QUALITY. - The EU2200i delivers 10% more power than the previous EU2000i - enabling you to power more of what you need, in the same lightweight, compact package. The EU2200i...
- CO-MINDER - Advanced Carbon Monoxide Detection System. CO-MINDER continuously monitors carbon monoxide (CO) levels. It automatically shuts down the generator before detected CO levels near the...
- HONDA MY GENERATOR APP + BLUETOOTH CAPABILITY - Honda's exclusive My Generator smartphone app offers remote generator operation and monitoring with impressive performance. The app includes wireless...
Honda has this powerful, yet quiet portable inverter generator which is great for any camping needs. The starting system is a recoil system, so it will not start randomly on you. This compact inverter generator comes with a powerful GX100 Honda engine, which has a fuel tank capacity of .95 gallons. This capacity allows this generator to run for just over eight hours when operating at 25%. The generator will automatically turn off when the oil level is running low, ensuring you do not burn up the engine unknowingly.
- This generator weighs 54 pounds, making it very easy and convenient to carry around
- The sound level of this generator ranges from 53 to 59 decibels
- The starting wattage of this generator is 2,200 Watts
- The running wattage of this generator is 1,800 Watts
- Co-Minder monitors carbon monoxide levels and automatically turns off if they get too high
- The generator comes with a circuit protection, to ensure you do not overload the generator
- Comes with a 120 volt AC outlet with two separate household outlets
- 12 volt DC output
- Powered by gas
- Commercial Series Honda GXR120 engine
- Comes with a limited two-year warranty
Pros
- Advanced carbon monoxide detection system
- At 47 pounds it’s about 30 pounds lighter than the previous EU2000i model
- Quietest portable inverter generator on the market
- 48-57 dBA is lower than the 53-59 dBA of the previous EU2000i model
- Can be paired with same model to get up to 4400 watts
- 8.1 hour run time at 1/4 load
- Single load run time from 3.2 to 8.1 hours
Cons
- Smaller .95 gallon fuel tank
- Shorter load run time than EU2200i model which runs 4 to 9.6 hours
Champion Power Equipment 100263 3400 Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter
- Dual Fuel – Operate your 3400-watt portable generator right out of the box on either gasoline or propane, plus the unit holds 0.6-quarts of oil (recommended 10W-30) and has a low oil shut-off sensor
- Convenient Electric Start with 3-Position Ignition Switch – Battery included, plus Quick Touch Panel allows you to access all your controls in one spot.Noise Level :59 dBA at 23 feet. Frequency 60...
- Ultra-Quiet Operation – 59 dBA is perfect for RVs, tailgating, your next project or backup power for your home, featuring 3400 starting watts and 3100 running watts with up to 7.5 hours run time on...
This inverter generator from Champion comes with a 192cc Champion Engine, meaning it is durable and long-lasting. Has built-in wheels, so you can easily transport the generator to anywhere you need on the campground. The generator does weigh 95 pounds, so having the wheels and handle are vital towards the portability of this unit. This unit is powered by gas or propane and is CARB compliant in all 50 states.
- Has a starting watt output of 3,400 watts
- Has a 3,100 watt running capability
- Has a 120 Volt 30 amp outlet and 2 120V 20 amp household outlets
- Standard 50 Amp RV outlet
- Runs at a sound level of 59 dBA at 23 feet
- Has a 1.6-gallon fuel tank, and can run for 7.5 hours on gas at a 25% capacity load
- Runs up to 14.5 hours on a 20 pound propane tank (propane hose included)
- Has an automatic shut-off when the oil level becomes low enough where it would damage the engine
- Has a three-year limited warranty with free technical support for life
- Parallel capacity to connect with a second Champion inverter using parallel kit
Pros
- Highest propane run time compared to even higher and more expensive Champion models
- Electric and recoil start
- Fuel with gasoline or propane
- Longer run time with propane gas
- Low noise level
- RV ready
- Free tech support for life
- Easily switch fuels by turning the fuel dial
- Clean electric power for sensitive devices
- Economy mode for efficient fuel use and less noise
Cons
- Heavy at 95 pounds but wheels make it easy to transport
- No remote start
If you want to run 2 Champion inverter generators then you’ll need this parallel kit from Champion.
- RV Ready – Equipped with a standard 50A RV outlet
- Toolless Installation – Seamlessly integrates two 2800-watt or higher inverters with a quick clip-on connection
- Increased Output – Connecting two generators gives you enough power to start and run two 15,000 BTU RV air conditioners
Inverter Generators Comparison Table
| Attribute | Yamaha EF2400iSHC | Honda EU2200 | Champion 100263 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Wattage | 2,400 Watts | 2,200 Watts | 3,400 Watts |
| Running Wattage | 2,000 Watts | 1,800 Watts | 3,100 Watts |
| Weight of Generator | 75 Pounds | 54 Pounds | 95 Pounds |
| Run Time at 25% Capacity Load | 8.6 Hours | 8.1 Hours | 7.5 Hours |
Conclusion
When it comes to finding the right portable inverter generator for camping, these three options will give you a wide variety of options to choose from. No matter if you are on a budget, or need a generator which can power an RV, these generators will give you the desired performance you need. You only want to purchase an inverted generator once, so make sure you find the one that is right for you and your camping needs. Good luck, and hope you have fun on your next camping trip while using your new portable inverter generator!
