Recommend a mid size *quiet* portable generator that is reasonably priced ?

Honda's are just too expensive. I wish I could afford one.

I'm looking to find a 3500w continues (minimum) generator that not only is quiet, but has good fuel efficiency at least (3 hours/gal at 50%), and is considered reliable.

Price range of 300-600.

What would you recommend?

 

Quiet, 3500 watts, fuel efficient and reliable for under $600....... a used Honda or Yamaha would be the only thing I could recomend. Pretty much anything new at that price level is true entry level stuff with low quality components in my opinion. Unless you can catch a sale at Sears, or a coupon deal at Home Depot or Lowe's I'm not seeing any name brand stuff below $600.

 

I have a colman. Have not had any issues in the 5+ yrs I have owned it. Only use it for power failures. Once a yr for a few hours or so.

I stopped running it monthly and drain it and run it dry. Sat 2 yrs once. Added gas and started right up.

Although I have an older model with 3250/4050 watts. They dont make anymore. Cant hear it really past my yard.

I would buy again if I was in the market. Its not too big that its hard to lug around. I can lift it to get it in the back of my pick-up.

3000 Watt Portable Vx Generator MANUAL START

Cheapest I found $339.

Amazon.com: Powermate PM0103007 Vx Power Series 3,750 Watt 212cc Gas Powered Portable Generator: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Oh wait... Thats 3000 watt run. Do you need 3500 watts???? Prices go up fast. Like a dollar a watt. See the big difference below links. If you can do 3000 watts you get better value.

5000 Watt Portable Vx Generator MANUAL START

Amazon.com: Powermate PM0105007 Vx Power Series 6,250 Watt 389cc Gas Powered Portable Generator: Home & Garden



Mike NJ

 

What made you pick those? seems random. no specs on sound.

I would probablly consider only champion, brigs, generac and Duromax

 

I picked the colman for price and that it had a briggs motor. The one I have was a close out and was on sale for $229 or something like that. It was the last one in the store.

As far as noise level..... They are all loud IMO. It depends on what you define loud. I believe they are all around the 65/75 db range? I belive mine states in the maunual. The manuals dont list the db online. I think they used to.

But the bigger the motor the louder. Mine is 6 hp and half the noise of my 6 hp lawn mower. Its all in the muffler.

I have the briggs motor. Thats all I buy in small engines. I think briggs makes them for colman but cant be sure. I know those motors from china are not too good from what I read online.

Im just baseing the info on what I have and its longevity, reliability so far for what I use it for. Not really random. Its what I have.

Mike NJ

 

Why only consider these and not others? I don't see any quality here, they are mostly chinese junk with knockoff honda clone engines. You aren't going to find reliability, quiet, and a price under $600 unless you go find a used honda or yamaha as bontai Joe mentioned. In your price range, the very best you could do is go to the pawn shop or craigs list and pick up a good used honda generator. A half worn out one would likely be 5 times better, longer lasting, and more reliable than a brand new one off the list you are considering. At my shop, we don't even take the chinese generators to work on. They aren't worth the trouble. Just my opinion, and hoping to save you some grief.

 

you may look at Inverters
Honda's

 

The Honda inverters are fantastic. Yeah, they are expensive but they thow very clean power & you can't hardly hear them run. There may be a quieter ride out there but I haven't heard it. We have several at work, I didn't have to buy them but I think they are great! I've seen them used for a reasonable pice....

TexasFire