ConsFirst / Portable generators / Compare
Honda EU7000iS vs Westinghouse iGen5000DFc
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we report. Learn more
The short answer
Honda EU7000iS ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on power for your needs, quietness, co safety features, reliability. Westinghouse iGen5000DFc wins on easy start & fuel.
The biggest complaint about the Honda EU7000iS is very expensive; for the Westinghouse iGen5000DFc it's not sold in california. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Honda EU7000iS | Westinghouse iGen5000DFc | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in portable generators | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Inverter | Dual-fuel inverter |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 6% | 5% |
| Overall score | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| Power for your needs | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Quietness | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Easy start & fuel | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| CO safety features | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Reliability | 5.0 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $700 · $$ $700–1,500 · $$$ over $1,500. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Honda EU7000iS
- Very expensive
Popular Mechanics calls it very expensive at more than $4,000. Wirecutter says Honda's similar U7000iS costs two to three times as much as competitors' similarly sized generators.
- Gasoline only
Popular Mechanics' main con: Honda doesn't make dual- or tri-fuel generators. Wirecutter notes the same for its Honda pick.
- Very heavy
263 lb. It took three people to guide it down a ramp, though it rolls easily on its 10-inch wheels (Popular Mechanics).
Westinghouse iGen5000DFc
- Not sold in California
Wirecutter's one major drawback: it isn't CARB-compliant, and there's no California version.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - Hits its limit with several big loads
Wirecutter says it reaches its limit running larger items like a fridge, freezer and space heater all at once, and probably can't handle central AC or a clothes dryer.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - Heavy
A little over 100 lb without gas, about average for its size, though it has two top handles and a telescoping handle (Wirecutter).
Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
Who should pick which
Pick the Honda EU7000iS if
Quiet home backup through a transfer switch
Buyers who want Honda reliability
Monitoring power use from your phone
Skip it if: You want propane or natural gas; You're on a budget; You need to lift it
Pick the Westinghouse iGen5000DFc if
Home backup for a fridge, freezer and lights
Starting from indoors on bad-weather days
Long runs on one tank
Skip it if: You live in California; You want to run a fridge, freezer and space heater at once; You need to lift it into a car often
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.