Honda EG2800i Review 2800 Watt Portable Generator of 2021

Updated On: May 25, 2021
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In the market for a great quality portable generator?

Look no further, because today we are here with the Honda Power Equipment EG2800i which has made its name in the market for good reason.

We have all heard of the brand Honda, it is a common household car brand, and it’s obviously because their products usually never fail to deliver. Portable generators can be essential to some people out there, who put it to good use from their homes to job sites.

Honda EG2800i Review

Much like the product in this review, lightweight generators with a boost of power can be very helpful.

Without any further blabbering, let’s delve into the details and help you all out!

Honda EG2800i Review – Portable Inverter Generator

FeaturesValue
Output PowerStarting: 2800 Watt / Running: 2500 Watt
AC Voltage120VAC
AC Frequency60Hz
AC Outlet20A 120V Duplex
30A 120V Locking Plug
Noise Level67dB @ Rated load(23 feet)
Operating Time5.1 hours / Rated Load
Fuel Tank Size2.1 Gallon
Engine BrandHonda GC190LA
Engine Size186cc
Engine Type4-Stroke
Engine Speed3600RPM
Recommended Oil10W-30
Starting MethodRecoil
WheelsNo
EPA CertifiedYes
CARB CompliantYes
Weight66.6lbs
DatasheetManual

The Honda Power Equipment EG2800i is manufactured to work in harmony with small appliances such as TVs, lights, fans, 800BTU air conditioners, etc. You will be pleasantly surprised to see all the amazing features that this generator packs in, let’s start off with its impressively quiet operation.

Safety is one of the most important factors when it comes to dealing with flammable substances such as gasoline, but you do not need to stress much because of the featured choke valve.

It provides an appropriate initiation mixture when the temperature drops and helps prevent flammable vapor from getting in the atmosphere.

With this machine, you will have facilities you never thought you would have when going camping. It is also perfectly suited for small home power or job site, and you can surely rely on it without any hesitation.

Coming in with a weight of almost 67lbs, it is quite lightweight, and hence transporting this item will not break your back. It also has full-frame sturdy protection to save the generator from knocks and bumps.

Moreover, the advanced inverter technology has to be one of the best features in this generator. This new technology ensures a reliable and smooth power output in a compact and convenient size. You do not need to worry about overpowering small appliances, which would otherwise result in causing some costly damage.


We have all heard of that annoying buzzing sound of generators, and it truly makes your brain explode, but not with the Honda EG2800i, though. It is impressively quiet and will not make the neighbors shout at you, so that’s a plus for all of you out there.

Another positive is that the run time is sufficient and then some more, so you can keep things running for quite a while. This generator also has a 30A outlet for you to connect it to your home with the flick of a transfer switch.

Pros
  • Starting it up is very easy
  • Extremely portable and lightweight
  • Sturdy full-frame protection to prevent any damages by bumps and knocks
  • Operating noise is impressively low
  • It will last you a long time
Cons
  • The price might be a bit high for some customers

Key Features

The key features of the Honda EG2800i are as follows;

Weight

Portibility

If you are looking at this product, the chances are high that you are interested in something that is portable and lightweight. Well good for you then because, as mentioned before, this generator is not all that heavy with a dry weight of 66.6 lbs.

After you top up the 2.1 gallons tank, the weight will come to somewhere around 80 lbs, which can be a bit heavy. Although the product is grippy, the cube shape makes for an uncomfortable lift.

Power

Power Output

As the name suggests, this item has a max power of 2800 watts, and it is rated with 2500 running watts. This model has two 20a outlets as well as a 30A outlet, but the downside is that none of these are GFCI protected.

With modern tools and small appliances, this generator will do more than just fine. In fact, it will perform well in any scenario.

Neutral

A floating neutral has been added to this model, and you will have to bond it with the ground in the panel if an inline switch is something you want to use it with.

Quiet Operation and Running Time

Runtime

The running time has to be one of the strengths of the EG2800I, with a full 5 hours at the rated load and is astounding 12 hours at the quarter load. You will get around 6-10 hours of running time in echo mode, which basically keeps the load at quarter unless more power is required.

A huge plus point with this echo mode is that it reduces the sound to 62dB, which is some amazing quiet operation. If you boost up the power to the full throttle, the sound will go up to 67dB making it slightly noisy.

Maintenance

It’s recommended that you should change the oil every 25 hours, which varies depending on the temperature outside and how much stress you put on the generator.

This is not a good feature though since most generators manufactured by Honda run almost up to 100 hours without any oil change no matter what you put them through.

Extra Tweaks

Something very minor but helpful is a fuel gauge in the EG2800i and the output indicator, which also works as a blink hour meter. A low fuel sensor is also present so that your device is shut off when the fuel is almost drained out.

Alternative of Honda EG2800i Generator

Briggs & Stratton
More Popular
  • 3000 Surge Watts
  • 2600 Rated Watts
  • 1.5-Gallon Tank
  • 10 Hours @ 25% Load
  • EPA and CARB Compliant
Generac
Overall Best
  • 3000 Surge Watts
  • 2300 Rated Watts
  • 1.06 Gallon Tank
  • 4.5 Hours @ 50% Load
  • EPA and CARB Compliant
WEN
Budget
  • 3100 Surge Watts
  • 2800 Rated Watts
  • 1.85-Gallon Tank
  • 7.5 Hours @ 50% Load
  • EPA and CARB Compliant

Frequently Asked Questions

Here we have some of the most commonly asked queries regarding the product.

Q: Can this generator run in the snow?

A: Yes, it can, and it can also run in the snow.

Q: What fuel does this model use?

A: It uses gasoline as its fuel.

Q: What is the starting wattage of this product?

A: The starting watts is 2800, and the running watts is 2500.

Q: Although it is easy to start, is this an electric start?

A: Yes, it is, and the battery will be fully charged when you receive it.

Final Words

After going through this article, we hope that you have come to a decision about whether this generator is for you or not. If not Find another top Honda generator.

We believe that with its fuel-efficiency, portability, and low noise amongst numerous great features, the EG2800i is an amazing package.

Before purchasing anything, you should take everything into consideration and then make a valid decision. We would recommend you this generator without a drop of hesitation.

About Steven Smith

For the last 20 years, I have been working as a professional contractor in many construction projects. From my childhood, I love to work with different kinds of power tools. In my spare time, I love to do a different kind of DIY project. It gives me a kind of inner satisfaction.

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