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.
Full review
Quiet enough for a campsite, strong enough for caravan air-con
Bob Vila measured 71 dB at 5 feet and concluded the sound level would not bother the neighbours, giving it top marks for noise. Field & Stream says that on a low power load it makes about as much noise as an electric fan, and RV Daily calls it pretty quiet as generators go. On output, RV Daily ran a Dometic FJ2200 air-conditioner on a caravan while charging camera batteries and a laptop, and reports it handled everything without drama, never showing more than three lights on its load indicator. Bob Vila adds that its outlets could run a fridge while charging batteries during an outage.
Easy to carry, start and store
Bob Vila especially liked the three-handle layout, which allows one- or two-handed carrying, and found startup easy, with side panels giving reasonably quick access to check the oil or change the spark plug. RV Daily describes it starting reliably with a quick pull after setting the dial and choke, and notes an easy-to-read LED indicator. At 555 x 300 x 470 mm, RV Daily says it fits most caravan front storage bins. Its fuel drain switch means it can be stored without leaking or leaving stale fuel inside, RV Daily says, and Field & Stream notes that the engine stops with a warning light if oil runs low.
Small-generator limits
The EF2200iS is rated at 1,800 running watts, and Field & Stream is clear that its 79cc engine is not meant to power a home, recommending it for a small campsite or RV. Bob Vila flags that full 30-amp output through the RV outlet needs two of these generators linked in parallel, and gave it a lower mark for power than for noise or portability. Runtime is reported at up to about 10 hours on a full tank at low load by Field & Stream, with RV Daily quoting Yamaha's 10.5-hour claim for the 4.7-litre tank; heavier loads will shorten that.
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
- +Runs up to about 10 hours on a tank at low load, per Field & Stream
- +Fuel drain switch avoids stale fuel or leaks when stored
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
How it compares
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.
Rating sources
Our 4.5 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
