This is our WEN 1800-watt generator review (WEN 56225i).
With my experience, I have done an unbiased review of this WEN 1800-watt portable generator. So, you can decide whether this is the one for you.
WEN 56225i is a quiet portable inverter generator that produces clean power. This inverter generator is a great choice for home backup and your travel trailer.
It also features economy mode, fuel shutoff, and parallel capability. This generator is lightweight and can be easily carried from one spot to another.
This WEN generator has a low noise rating of 53 DB which sounds like a normal conversation.
But, this generator has a 2-year warranty while other generators in this power range have a 3-year warranty.
Don’t bother about the fancy terms and features as we have explained them in detail down further.
So,
Is 1800 watt generator good?
How long will a Wen generator last?
What will an 1800-watt generator run in a house?
I have added a brief review of features and must-haves. I have also included alternatives for WEN 56225i and our verdict in this WEN 1800-watt portable generator review.
Let’s check it out together…
WEN 1800 Watt Generator Overview
WEN Products have a reliable and affordable product line. WEN 1800-watt generator i.e. WEN 56225i. This WEN generator comes with a 79.7cc 4-Stroke OHV engine.
This new WEN 1800-watt generator has added features, more starting power, and many advanced enhancements.
This generator comes with inverter technology to produce clean power. Its power output, designed to mirror pure sine wave has low THD (Total Harmonic Distortion).
This portable inverter generator has THD as low as 0.3% at no load and 1.2% at full load. Clean power is essential for sensitive electronic equipment such as computers, laptops, etc.
This super quiet portable inverter generator is portable and can be easily carried between job sites. It can also power up all your home essentials & campsite experience.
Power Output and Tank Size
Everybody’s need for a portable generator is different. Knowing your power output need will filter the long list of generators to an easy number.
Tech guys that visit your house to calculate your power need often calculate lavishly. So, carefully assess your power needs and then set out to find the best portable generator.
I recommend you buy a portable generator with 20% more power than you need. This extra power will prevent the generator from overloading and increase the engine’s life.
A portable generator has two power ratings. One is a surge or peak power and the other is running or rated power. Surge power is power generated at starting and rated power is power output while running.
WEN 56225i generator produces 2250 surge watts and running wattage of 1800 watts on gasoline.
This power is good to run your essential home appliances. It can run a fridge, tv, laptop, small air conditioner unit, etc. You can also run a few power tools with this inverter generator.
I also noticed that power specs are not updated for this generator on Amazon’s “About this item” section.
Normally, bigger would be better. But, a bigger fuel tank size increases the overall weight and size of the portable generator.
So, tank size should be optimum. WEN 56225i generator has an ultra-efficient one-gallon tank.
Efficiency and Fuel Type
The efficiency of a portable generator is a very broad term. In simple terms, an efficient generator has higher power output, more runtime hours, and lower fuel consumption.
An efficient generator is high-performing and fuel-efficient. It will save you more bucks in the long run.
This WEN 1800-watt generator can run up to 9.4 hours at a quarter load on a single tank of gasoline. This 1800-watt generator provides more than 6 hours of half-load runtime.
This generator uses gasoline as fuel. It does not support an alternate fuel option.
Portable generators with dual-fuel technology support two fuel opinions i.e. gasoline and propane. Propane is cheaper and burns cleaner.
Alternate fuel option comes in handy in situations such as a power outage, or natural disasters. If any of the fuel options are inaccessible, then the alternate fuel option ensures continuous power.
Safety Features
Proper safety measures should be in place when operating all kinds of portable generators. This generator might be small compared to any other power generator you know.
But, you need to take equal measures. Apart from power, these portable generators emit harmful gases and particles.
When the air supply is scarce, generators start producing CO (Carbon Monoxide). CO is also known as a silent killer 🔪. It alone accounts for hundreds of death every year.
EPA and CARB are emission regulatory bodies. A generator has to be EPA and CARB-compliant to sell in all 50 states.
EPA is Environmental Protection Agency and CARB is California Air Resource Board.
WEN 56225i is EPA and CARB compliant generator. It also has a spark arrestor which makes it safe to operate in a park or a forest area.
Quiet Operation
A loud portable generator can be invasive and disturbing. You won’t love to be Mr. Noisy just because of your portable generator.
Noisy generators are not neighbor-friendly and you might receive a few uninvited guests with complaints. Imagine having the loudest generator on the camping trip.
This super quiet portable generator produces just 53 DB of the noise level. This level of operation noise is like a normal conversation.
Other Key Features
There are many other features in WEN 56225i that will add to your convenience or ease of generator operation.
Fuel Shutoff
This feature ensures that the carburetor has no stagnant fuel before shutting down.
This minimizes the possibility of build-up or blockages due to stagnant fuel inside the carburetor. This saves the engine from damage and increases engine life.
This comes in handy when you use a portable generator occasionally or plan on storing it for a period of time.
Economy Mode
Economy Mode (or Eco Mode) allows the generator to adjust its fuel consumption depending on the load.
This maximizes fuel economy by preventing the unnecessary usage of gasoline.
Intuitive Control Panel
This generator features a power panel with indicator lights, a fuel shutoff dial. Eco-mode switch. It also has power outlets and a grounding nut.
Indicator lights are for fuel level, overload, and power output.
This generator comes with two three-prong 120V 15A NEMA 5-20R receptacles and two 5V USB ports.
Parallel Compatibility
You can connect two WEN 56225i portable generators using a parallel connection kit. You will get double the power i.e. 4500 peak power and 3600 rated power.
You will need a parallel connection kit i.e. WEN parallel kit. It is not included in the box so you have to buy it separately when you plan to use it.
Durability and Portability
The durability of a portable generator is its ability to sustain tough conditions and the environment.
This generator features fuel shutoff, economy mode, and inverter technology. These add to generator’s lifespan.
The WEN 56225i is a lightweight and compact generator. You can easily carry it from one location to another when needed.
Weight: 48.5 lbs
Dimensions: 19” x 11.5” x 18.2” (L X W X H)
This WEN 1800-watt generator comes with a 2-year warranty and technical assistance.
Alternatives
WEN 56225i is an excellent portable power generator. But, your use case might be completely different from anyone else.
So, if you haven’t decided on this WEN generator, then you might want to have a look at the alternatives.
I have selected alternatives with added features and specs. You can also check our Best 2000-watt generator review for more options.
Honda EU2200i – Quietest Inverter Generator
Honda Power Equipment is one of the most reliable and trusted brands out there. Honda EU2200i is a feature-packed generator with a Honda GXR120 commercial series engine.
This generator is super quiet as it produces just 48 DB of noise at a quarter load. This is the lowest noise rating of all generators on this list.
This generator produces 2200 watts of peak power and 1800 watts of surge power. This gas-powered generator has a fuel tank with 0.95 gallons of gasoline capacity.
It has 8.1 quarter load run-time hours on a single tank of gasoline.
This generator comes with CO Minder technology. It detects the excess levels of Carbon Monoxide and shuts down the generator.
It features a fuel shutoff, an electronic circuit breaker, Honda’s automatic mechanical decompression system, etc.
Oil Alert® protects the engine and increases overall durability. The low oil shutdown feature shuts down the engine when the oil level gets low protecting the engine from damage.
It also features the Honda My Generator app with Bluetooth® capability. This enables remote monitoring and eases generator operation.
Weight: 47.4 lbs
Dimensions: 20” x 11.4” x 16.7” (L X W X H)
This generator is lightweight and compact size. It can be easily carried from one place to another.
It also has a 3-year commercial and residential warranty which covers the generator from top to bottom.
You might want to check our WEN 56200i vs Honda eu2000i comparison for an in-depth comparison to a similar WEN generator.
This Honda inverter generator is ideal for powering your home essentials. You can run a fridge, coffee pot, TV, satellite, small air conditioner units, and more.
Honda generators are expensive compared to other portable generators. But, it is completely worth it with all the features and reliability.
Westinghouse iGen2200 – Most Efficient
Westinghouse Power Equipment is one of the oldest generator manufacturers. Their generators are reliable and affordable.
Westinghouse iGen2200 portable inverter generator comes with a 79cc 4-Stroke OHV Westinghouse engine.
This Westinghouse generator features an efficiency mode switch for active throttle. This feature ensures maximum fuel efficiency and quiet operation.
This generator produces starting wattage of 2200 watts and running wattage of 1800 watts. You can run all your home essentials with this generator.
It has a 52 DB operation noise level and 12-hour run-time on its 1.14-gallon fuel tank capacity. This is the best fuel efficiency of all generators on this list.
If you need this generator with CO detection technology, you might want to check Westinghouse iGen2200c. It has the same specs and added a CO Sensor feature.
Check the Current Price of the Westinghouse iGen2200c generator with CO sensor
Weight: 46 lbs
Dimensions: 19.8” x 11.4” x 17.9” (L X W X H)
Westinghouse iGen2200 comes with a 3-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support.
This generator is lightweight and easy to carry with the handle. This generator is a great choice for home emergency backup in a power outage.
Champion 200951 – Lightweight & Powerful
Champion Power Equipment has been around for 2 decades. They have a reliable and versatile product line.
Champion 200951 is the most powerful generator on this list. It features a 79cc 4-stroke Champion CARB-compliant engine.
This generator produces 2500 watts of starting power and 1850 watts of power when running on gasoline. It has a 1.1-gallon tank capacity.
It can run for up to 11.5 hours at a quarter load on a single tank of gasoline i.e. 1.1 gallons. It produces a 53 DB noise level.
This generator features an EZ start dial, covered outlets, RV-ready outlets, and many other features.
It also comes with a Cold Start technology which ensures an easy start even in cold weather conditions.
Weight: 39 lbs
Dimensions: 17.3” x 12” x 17.7” (L X W X H)
This generator is the lightest and most compact of all. It also has the highest power supply rating compared to all generators on this list.
This generator comes with a 3-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support. It boasts its Champion Support and a nationwide network of service centers.
This generator does not have dual-fuel capability. But, if you need an inverter generator with dual fuel features then Champion 200961 is the one for you.
It has similar specs and added dual-fuel capability. It will also cost you a bit extra.
Check the Current Price of Champion 200961 2500/1850 dual fuel generator.
This generator is ideal for home backup and other job site tasks. Extra starting power can come in handy to run power tools that require a bit more surge power.
Conclusion – Should you buy it or not
WEN Products have affordable and reliable power product lines. Their generators are durable and worth every buck.
WEN 56225i is a great choice for a home backup power source. It can provide power in times of a power outage, emergency cuts, outdoor recreational activities, etc.
It can also run power tools and equipment on the go. You can also use this portable generator on your camping trips, outdoor cookouts, etc.
This WEN generator produces clean power. Clean energy is ideal for vulnerable electronics such as computers, laptops, etc.
You can use the 5V USB port to charge devices such as mobiles, cameras, etc. This generator is lightweight and easy to carry.
All generators on this WEN 1800-watt portable generator review are from reliable and trusted brands. You can select any portable generator that suits your backup power requirements perfectly.
For example, Honda EU2200i is the quietest inverter generator and is feature-packed. So, if you are ready to pay extra for the exclusive features then go for this.
Check the Current Price of the Honda EU2200i super quiet portable inverter generator
And, if you need more power or a dual fuel feature then the Champion 200951 2500/1850 inverter generator can be the one for you.
Check the Current Price of Champion 200951 2500/1850 gas-powered generator.
Check the Current Price of Champion 200961 2500/1850 dual fuel generator.
If you still need more power, you might want to check our best 3500-watt generator review.
Also, I have experienced, a few portable generators take more time to get shipped. So, if you are planning to use your generator on a coming date, don’t forget to check the delivery date.
