Head-to-head · Best Portable Generators

DuroMax XP12000EH 9500W Dual-Fuel Generator vs Westinghouse iGen2800 2200W Inverter Generator

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Westinghouse iGen2800 2200W Inverter Generator comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about Campers, tailgaters, and storm-prep households who want clean inverter power without the Honda premium and don't need the generator to last 15 years. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Portable Generators

DuroMax XP12000EH 9500W Dual-Fuel Generator

4.3

$1,399

The DuroMax XP12000EH is the heavy-duty conventional generator that won Bob Vila's whole-home backup recommendation. Its 9,500 running watts handle a central AC, refrigerator, well pump, and lighting simultaneously, and the dual-fuel design lets you switch to propane when gas stations run out during a storm. Loud and not safe for sensitive electronics without a surge protector, but a strong value at $1,399.

Strengths

— 9,500 running watts and 12,000 peak watts handles whole-home backup including a central AC unit
— Dual-fuel design runs on gasoline or propane — propane stores indefinitely versus 6-month gas shelf life
— Electric key start with included battery makes cold-morning starting effortless versus heavy recoil pull

Watch-outs

— Heavy 224 lb dry weight — Bob Vila measured 90 dBA close-up and 74 dBA at 23 feet, much louder than inverter units
— Total Harmonic Distortion exceeds 12% — not safe for sensitive electronics like CPAP machines or laptops without surge protection
— Only one 120V duplex outlet limits direct extension-cord use for contractors needing multiple circuits

$1,399 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Portable Generators

Westinghouse iGen2800 2200W Inverter Generator

4.4

$529

The Westinghouse iGen2800 is the value-buyer's answer to the Honda EU2200i. You get the same 52 dBA noise floor, the same clean inverter sine-wave power, and an extra 600 watts of peak headroom for roughly a third of Honda's asking price. Reviewers agree the engine won't last as long as Honda's commercial-series unit, but for buyers who use a generator a handful of times a year, the value math is decisive.

Strengths

— Roughly one-third the cost of the Honda EU2200i with similar 52 dBA noise and clean sine-wave power
— 12-hour runtime at 25% load on a 1-gallon tank — beats Honda's 8.1 hours despite the smaller capacity
— 98cc Westinghouse OHV engine paired with under 3% THD makes it safe for laptops and CPAP machines

Watch-outs

— Engine longevity is consumer-grade — expect 1,500-3,000 hours versus Honda's 5,000+ hour service life
— Recoil pull-start only, no electric start option even on the higher-trim iGen2800c variant
— Only one duplex 120V outlet plus two USB-A ports — no TT-30R RV outlet without stepping up to the iGen2800c

$529 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

DuroMax XP12000EH 9500W Dual-Fuel Generator

Completely different product class from the Honda EU2200i, Westinghouse iGen2800, and WEN 56235i — those are quiet portable inverters, this is a brute-force whole-home backup unit. The EcoFlow Delta 2 Max is the quiet indoor-safe alternative for shorter outages, but cannot match the multi-day gasoline runtime.

Westinghouse iGen2800 2200W Inverter Generator

Costs roughly one-third of the Honda EU2200i with very similar noise and power-quality specs — the difference is engine longevity and resale value. Slightly more powerful than the WEN 56235i at 2,200W versus 1,900W running. The DuroMax XP12000EH is in a completely different power class for whole-home use, and the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max is the indoor-safe battery alternative.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	DuroMax XP12000EH 9500W Dual-Fuel Generator	Westinghouse iGen2800 2200W Inverter Generator
Running Watts (gas)	9,500W	—
Peak Watts (gas)	12,000W	—
Running Watts (propane)	8,075W	—
Fuel Type	Dual-fuel (gas/propane)	Gasoline
Tank Size	8.3 gal	1.0 gal
Runtime (50% load)	8 hours	—
Noise (23 ft)	74 dBA	52 dBA
Outlets	1x 120V duplex, 1x L5-30R, 1x L14-30R, 1x 14-50R, 1x 12V DC	1x duplex 120V 20A, 2x USB-A
Weight	224 lbs	46.3 lbs
Engine	457cc OHV 4-stroke	98cc OHV 4-stroke
Start Type	Electric key + recoil	Recoil
Warranty	3-year limited	3-year residential
Running Watts	—	2,200W
Peak Watts	—	2,800W
Runtime (25% load)	—	12 hours
Parallel Capable	—	Yes

← See the full ranking of best portable generators