Head to head
Honda EU7000iS vs Predator 9500 Inverter
Honda · Inverter Generator
Honda EU7000iS
~$4,999
5,500 W / 7,000 W surge · up to furnace blower, sump pump or a window AC
Predator (Harbor Freight) · Inverter Generator
Predator 9500 Inverter
~$1,999
7,600 W / 9,500 W surge · up to well pump or a small central AC
Quick takeThe Predator 9500 Inverter lists about $3,000 lower; the Predator 9500 Inverter puts out more sustained power (7,600 W); the Honda EU7000iS is quieter at 58 dB.
| Spec | Honda EU7000iS | Predator 9500 Inverter |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$4,999 | ~$1,999 |
| Type | Inverter Generator | Inverter Generator |
| Fuel | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Running / output watts | 5,500 W | 7,600 W |
| Starting / surge watts | 7,000 W | 9,500 W |
| Battery capacity | — | — |
| Expandable to | — | — |
| Noise | 58 dB | 67 dB |
| Runtime | 6.4–16 hrs on 5.1 gal (16 hrs @ 1/4 load) | up to 18.5 hrs @ 25% load (6.6 gal) |
| Outlets | 2x 120V 20A GFCI duplex, 1x 120V 30A (L5-30R), 1x 120/240V 30A (L14-30R) | 4x 120V 20A GFCI duplex, 1x 120/240V 30A twist-lock (L14-30R), 1x 120V 30A twist-lock, 12V DC, 2x USB-A |
| Fuel tank | 5.1 gal | 6.6 gal |
| Weight | 263 lbs | 257 lbs |
| Transfer-switch ready | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 3-year residential | 90-day (extended plans available) |
Highlighted cell is the better figure for that row.
Owner pros and cons
Honda EU7000iS
- +Quietest generator in the 5,500W class by a wide margin
- +Fuel injection means reliable cold starts and no carb service
- +16-hour quarter-load runtime covers a full night and day
- +240V L14-30R feeds a manual transfer switch properly
- +Long service lives in owner reports, with food-truck units passing 2,700 and 5,000 hours
- −$5,000 — cross-shops against installed home standby units
- −263 lbs; moving it up steps takes two people
- −Gasoline-only without aftermarket tri-fuel conversion
- −Honda parts and dealer service are expensive
- −No 50A outlet for larger transfer switch setups
Predator 9500 Inverter
- +Honda-class inverter output at a fraction of the price
- +67 dBA is remarkably quiet for 7,600 running watts
- +Clean sine-wave power safe for electronics and HVAC boards
- +Electric start plus ESC mode stretches fuel to 18.5 hours
- +L14-30R 240V feeds a transfer switch or interlock
- −90-day factory warranty — extended plan is effectively required
- −Warranty service means hauling 257 lbs back to a store
- −Carbureted; storage with untreated fuel causes the usual gumming
- −Heaviest unit in its class by 30+ lbs
- −No propane/NG option