If you are in the need of a realiable source of electricity in the event of emergency blackout, during a camping trip or for an outdoor fair – you should invest in a good quality portable generator from a reliable manufacturer. Westinghouse is one such company. This American manufacturer is currently one of the best on the market, and nearly every single generator released by them is a good machine.
Westinghouse iGen2200 belongs to the series of very succesful compact inverter generators designed especially for various outdoor use. It was made to compete with the “grandfather” of all inverters – the much more expensive Honda EU2200i.
How does iGen2200 perform when compared with Honda and other competitors? It is good value for money? We will look for the answer in the following Westinghouse iGen2200 review.
Westinghouse iGen2200 – first impressions
The moment you turn on the Westinghouse iGen2200 you will probably quickly discover one of the best things about this generator: it is a very quiet one.
At quarter load it produces only approx. 52 decibels of noise (when measured from around 20 feet away).
This is the kind of sound level which is often compared to a typical conversation between two people.
It basically sounds like a small car engine humming gently from the little distance.
The generator is very compact and lighweight. It weighs only a little bit more than 46 lbs. This is certainly light enough for an average person to carry in one hand for short distances.
You won’t find any problems eg. unloading it from your car and setting it up at a campsite.
It is by far one of the quietest and most portable 2000 watt inverter generators I’ve come across so far.
Technical Specs of Westinghouse iGen2200
Wattage: 2200 Starting / 1800 Running Watts | Outlets: 2 x 120V Outlets, 2 x USB Ports | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Noise Level 52 dB @ 25% load | Weight: 46.3 lbs | ||
Fuel Type: Gasoline | Dimensions: 19.69 x 11.22 x 17.91" | ||
Fuel Tank Capacity: 1.0 gal | Engine: 79cc | ||
Run Time: 12h @ 50% load | Starting Method: Manual |
Features of Westinghouse iGen2200
The generator’s control panel has got a standard set of outlets: 2 x multi-purpose 120V outlets and 2 USB ports specifically designed for charging small electronic equipment.
Since this inverter generator operates under the 3% THD threshold, it is perfectly fine to use with sensitive electronics like laptops or phones.
The panel has got a few other interesting features including the 20A circuit breaker, overload reset button and the Efficiency Mode button.
Turning the Efficiency Mode on helps minimize the generator’s fuel consumption and allow it to run for a bit longer on single refuelling. Note that this setting should only be used at lower loads.
Another unique feature of iGen2200 is the Engine/Fuel control switch. The knob gives you a little bit more control over the start up of the generator.
The generator engine is capable of delivering 2200 starting watts and 1800 running watts.
Just to give you the rough idea of what you can run with it – this would be more than enough to power eg. an 11,000 BTU RV air conditioner in conjuction with a RV refrigerator.
You could also use it to run several portable electronics and small home appliances like computers, fans, coffee makers, grills etc.
For those looking for a generator for work – if you’ve ever come across Honda EU2200i then you’ll be pleased to hear that iGen2200 can power the exact same tools as Honda. These include things like a breaker hammer, air compressor, hand drill, portable heater etc.
If you already own a 2200W inverter generator (remember, we’re talking here about the starting watts) like EU2200i then you can use it in parallel with Westinghouse iGen2200 using the special parallel kit.
What I like about Westinghouse iGen2200
Quiet Operation
As I’ve mentioned before, one of the most striking features of Westinghouse iGen2200 is its low noise level.
It’s simply amazing how quiet it is even in comparison to some other inverter generators, not to mention the open frame gas generators.
It produces nearly the same little amount of noise as its smaller cousin – iGen1200 which I’ve featured on the list of the quietest generators (check it out here).
A lot of people reported using it at campsites and RV parks without causing any disturbance to their neighbors.
Long run time
Another fantastic thing about this generator is its run time.
You can get as much as 12 hours constant running time at quarter load.
This is mainly thanks to the Fuel Efficiency mode which you can easily switch on and off depending on your actual power needs.
However, even at higher loads you can expect this generator to last for hours without interruptions.
Price
The price tag of Westinghouse iGen2200 can be a real game-changer for those who are hesitating whether they should buy this generator or perhaps a Yamaha or Honda.
You can often find it online selling for even less than $500 which is half of the price of Honda.
Quite a lot of customers have reported that this generator delivers pretty much the same results as the Honda EU2200i while costing significantly less.
If you need an affordable generator for ocassional use, there is no reason why you should spend twice as much on an expensive model designed for long-term continuous professional use.
Westinghouse iGen2200 comes with a 3-year warranty. The customer service provided by Westinghouse is often reported as really helpful and efficient in dealing with any problems which may arise.
What I don’t like so much
To be perfectly honest, I cannot find anything I particularly dislike about this generator.
Perhaps the only thing I missed a bit is the fuel gauge. It would be a nice addition to the list of the features of this inverter generator.
What’s more, the cooling vents are located at the bottom of the generator which makes it slightly inconvenient to set up on rough surfaces. However, this is a rather minor design flaw and doesn’t change the overall positive image of this generator.
Conclusion – is Westinghouse iGen2200 worth it?
If you are searching for a solid portable 2000 watt inverter generator for camping or RV than you can’t really go wrong with iGen2200. It is a very solid generator which offers the same functionalities as some more expensive generators while costing only the fraction of their price.
Westinghouse is a very trusted American manufacturer and this inverter generator is easily one of their best portable generators.
Wattage: 2000 Starting / 1600 Running Watts | |
|---|---|
Noise Level: 53 dB @ 25% load, 59 dB @ 100% load | |
Fuel Type: Gasoline | |
Fuel Tank Capacity: 0.95 gal | |
Run Time: 8h @ 25% load, 3.4h @ 100% load | |
Outlet: 1x 120V 2000W max. (16.7A) 1600W rated (13.3A) | |
Weight: 45 lbs | |
Dimensions: 20.2″ x 11.4″ x 16.7″ | |
Engine: Honda GX100 98.5 cc | |
Starting Method: Manual Recoil |
