Verdict
All guidesResearchOpen dataMethodologyAboutContact
Head-to-head · Best Portable Generators

WEN 56235i 2350W Portable Inverter Generator vs Yamaha EF2200iS 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.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
The short answer

Yamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.4). Yamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator is best for: campers, caravanners and tailgaters who want quiet, clean power in a carry-by-hand unit. Read the strengths below before deciding.

WEN 56235i 2350W Portable Inverter Generator
Ranked #4 in Best Portable Generators
WEN 56235i 2350W Portable Inverter Generator
1 source$510as of Oct 19

At 39 lbs, 51 dBA at quarter load and roughly $429 street price, the WEN 56235i is the ultra-portable budget pick. Its sine-wave power is cleaner than even the Honda EU2200i's (under 1.2% THD vs under 3%), and it runs 10.5 hours at 25% load on a single tank. A 2-year warranty and a lighter-duty engine are what you accept for paying a third of Honda's price.

Strengths
  • — Under 1.2% Total Harmonic Distortion is cleaner than the under-3% THD of competing budget inverters
  • — Generator Bible notes a fuel shut-off feature that runs the carburetor dry to prevent stale-gas gumming during long storage
  • — Two USB-A ports and a 12V DC outlet provide direct phone, tablet, and 12V camping-gear charging, per Generator Bible
Watch-outs
  • — Recoil start can be stiff on cold mornings — some users complain about hard starts after long storage
$510 · Buy at wenproducts.comFull review →
Yamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Portable Generators
Yamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator
3 sourcesall derived$1,284.96as of Oct 19

The Yamaha EF2200iS is a 79cc gasoline inverter generator rated at 2,200 peak and 1,800 running watts, weighing 55.2 pounds. Bob Vila named it its best inverter pick, measuring 71 dB at 5 feet and praising its tri-handle carry and fuel economy; Field & Stream, whose writer has used one for years, picked it as its best portable model; and RV Daily ran a caravan air-conditioner from it without trouble. Its limits are output and the RV outlet, which only gives full 30-amp service when two units are paralleled. It suits campers, caravanners and tailgaters who want quiet, clean power; anyone needing to back up major home circuits should look at a larger generator.

Strengths
  • — Quiet running: Bob Vila measured 71 dB at 5 feet, and Field & Stream likens low load to a fan
  • — Ran a caravan air-conditioner plus device charging in RV Daily's test without overloading
  • — Three-handle frame makes it easy to carry with one or two hands
Watch-outs
  • — The 30A RV outlet only delivers full output when two units run in parallel
  • — Rated at 1,800 running watts, so it is sized for camps and RVs, not a whole house
$1,284.96 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

WEN 56235i 2350W Portable Inverter Generator

The lightest unit in this guide at 39 lbs versus the Honda EU2200i's 47.4 lbs. Cleaner THD spec than the Honda (under 1.2% against under 3%) but with a 2-year warranty versus its 3-year coverage. Different product class entirely from the DuroMax XP12000EH and the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max: the DuroMax is a 224 lb whole-home unit and the EcoFlow a 50 lb battery station, while this is a camping and tailgating featherweight.

Yamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator

In Bob Vila's comparison table the EF2200iS matches the Honda EU2200i at 1,800 running and 2,200 peak watts, but weighs 55.2 pounds against the Honda's 47.4 and adds a 30A RV outlet and a 12V DC socket. Unlike the battery-based EcoFlow Delta 2 Max, it runs on gasoline and needs refuelling rather than recharging.

Specs side-by-side

SpecWEN 56235i 2350W Portable Inverter GeneratorYamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator
Running Watts1,900W—
Peak Watts2,350W—
Fuel TypeGasoline—
Tank Size1.06 gal—
Runtime (25% load)10.5 hours—
Noise (23 ft)51 dBA—
Outlets1x duplex 120V 20A, 1x 12V DC, 2x USB-ATwo 120V-20A, one 120V-30A, one 12V DC
Weight39 lbs55.2 lb
Engine79cc OHV 4-stroke79cc
Start TypeRecoil—
Parallel CapableYes—
Warranty2-year limited—
Wattage2350 watts2200 watts
Voltage120 volts120 volts
Peak Output—2,200 W
Running Output—1,800 W
Fuel—Gasoline
Fuel Tank—4.7 L
Dimensions—555 x 300 x 470 mm
← See the full ranking of best portable generators