(checked 2026-10-10)Sample under 1,500 ratings (1,350) for the Companion listing. The standard EU2200i listing (B079YF1HF6, 3,232 ratings) also shows 3%.
Popular Mechanics' best overall portable generator and Bob Vila's camping pick: light (about 47 lb), very quiet, clean power and Honda's CO-MINDER shutoff. At 1,800 running watts with a tank under a gallon, it isn't a home-backup machine, and it costs about $1,199.
Recalls (CPSC): CPSC recalls of earlier units: 2019-03-20 (CPSC 19-088), about 200,000 EU2200iTA/iTA1/iTA2 and EB2200iTA generators because fuel could leak from the fuel valve (fire and burn hazard), and 2020-03-17 (CPSC 20-090), about 340,000 EU2200i, EU2200i Companion, EU2200i Camo and EB2200i generators (serials EAMT-1000001 to EAMT-2098790) because saltwater could short-circuit the inverter (10 fires reported, no injuries). Remedy in both: free repair at a Honda service dealer.
Power (gasoline): 1,800 running / 2,200 starting watts
CO shutoff: Yes: CO-MINDER monitors CO and shuts the generator down before detected levels near it become dangerously high (Honda)
Top complaints
- Too small for home backup
Popular Mechanics' first con is that it isn't powerful enough for home backup. Wirecutter, which once picked it, now says Honda's smaller models cost three to four times as much as comparable generators from other respected brands, which is hard to justify.
- Tiny fuel tank
The tank holds 0.95 gallon (Popular Mechanics). Bob Vila lists the limited fuel capacity as a con: up to 8.1 hours at 25% load but 3.2 hours at full output.
- Pricey, gas-only and no USB
Amazon owners are mixed on value for money, with some calling it expensive. Bob Vila notes there are no USB outlets, and Honda generators run on gasoline only (Wirecutter).
What owners love
- Very quiet
Honda rates it 48 dB(A) at 1/4 load and 57 dB(A) at rated load. Popular Mechanics calls it remarkably quiet even under heavy loads, and Amazon owners praise its quiet operation.
- Light and easy to carry
About 47.4 lb with a well-designed top handle (Bob Vila). Popular Mechanics says it's half the size and weight of comparable generators.
- Clean power and a reliable engine
Popular Mechanics' oscilloscope showed a smooth, symmetrical sine wave even with a table saw or air conditioner. Bob Vila ran a fridge for 4 hours on about half a gallon in eco mode. Amazon owners say it starts on the first or second pull.
- You want to back up a fridge, freezer and more at once
- You want propane as a backup fuel
- You want long runs without refueling
- Camping, tailgating and RVs with small loads
- Quiet power for laptops and sensitive electronics
- Pairing two units in parallel
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Popular Mechanics (best portable generators): Best overall (updated 2026-10-06): small, quiet and clean, but not powerful enough for home backup and a tank under 1 gallon.
- Bob Vila (best portable generators): Best for camping (updated 2024-04-13): rated 5/5 for ease of use and power, 4/5 for noise, portability and value.
- Wirecutter (NYT): A former pick, now in 'The competition' (updated 2025-07-30): highly regarded but three to four times the cost of comparable models.