Is Ryobi Still the Right Generator for Us?

Eight seasons ago @sowewentuncle and @sowewentdad quickly decided on Ryobi generators for our boondocking adventures. Since we travel together most of the time, we each bought one generator at @sowewentdad purchased the parallel kit. @sowewentuncle’s truck camper load is light enough that we just hook the generators up the trailer and then run a 20 A power cord over to @sowewentuncle’s truck camper. It has worked out very well.

Comparison

While the Ryobi generators are still working great for us. @sowewentdad wanted to take a look at what is currently out there and repeat our quick comparison. With so many generators out there, this comparison is being kept simple with the generator we chose (Ryobi), the industry standard (Honda), and a powerful generator @sowewentdad sees at Cabela’s (Champion).

	Ryobi 2300 W	Honda EU2200i	Champion 4000 W RV Ready
Running Power	1,800 W	2,200 W1	3,500 W
Max Power	2,300 W	2,200 W	4000 W
Outlet Type	120 V 20A	120 V 20A	120 V 20A, 120 V 30 A
Parallel Capable	Yes	Yes2	Yes
Noise Level	57 dB	57 dB	64 dB
Weight	52 lbs	47 lbs	82 lbs
Dimensions	22 x 19 x 12.5 inches	20 x 16 x 11 inches	20.5 x 17.9 x 17.7 inches
Fuel Capacity	1.2 gal	0.95 gal	2.9 gal
Run Time	8 hours at 1/2 load	3.2 hours at rated load, 8.1 hours at 1/4 load	Up to 17 hours

Champion vs Ryobi:

Since a single Ryobi generator doesn’t run the microwave or air conditioner; @sowewentdad has wondered whether it would be better to get a single Champion generator. Physically, the generator is not much larger that a single Ryobi and is much smaller than two Ryobis needed to equal the output power. Also, the Champion is only 1.5 times the cost of a single Ryobi and just a hundred dollars or so more than a single Honda. That is a significant cost savings over buying two smaller generators. Third, the Champion oil drain/fill is on the outside versus inside like the Ryobi and Honda making oil changes much less messy. However, there are two big drawbacks with the Champion generator.

The first is weight. The Champion starts out 30 pounds heavier than the Ryobi without fuel. With fuel the Champion is 46 pounds heavier coming in around 100 pounds. Even if @sowewentdad was in peak condition; that much weight requires two people to lift it in and out of the truck or move it anywhere the wheels do not work well. Whereas at 60 pounds fully fueled, the two Ryobi generators can be handled one at a time by a single person; albeit they are still heavy.

The second is noise level. To generate more power, it takes a larger engine. While 7 dB difference doesn’t seem that much on paper; that means the Champion generator is four times louder than the Ryobi or Honda. (The sound level doubles every three dB). That means the Champion is significantly louder than the Ryobi. For our own peace and to be a better neighbor at the campground, we prefer having a quieter generator; especially one that is 4 times quieter.

So, while having only one, much less expensive and more powerful generator is appealing. The weight and noise level of the Champion generator are major detractors. For now, we plan on sticking with the smaller generators. For us, the Ryobi wins.

Honda vs Ryobi:

This is a much closer match up. The Ryobi is about three-quarters the cost of the Honda which makes the Ryobi much more attractive, especially when they look so similar on paper. There are four things that make @sowewentdad question the choice of Ryobi over Honda:

First, Honda engines have a great reputation for running well for a long time. Will the Ryobi be as reliable? We are not sure. At the lower cost, @sowewentuncle and @sowewentdad concluded we could take the chance of having to replace them sooner, but still come out ahead in the long run.

Second, does the Honda have better output power. The Ryobi has a running power of 1800 W with a max, startup power of 2300 W. The Honda states it is 2200 W. At home, @sowewentdad‘s 120 V, 15 A house circuit can run the trailer air conditioner while we load (if the batteries are charged). However, the Ryobi cannot start the air conditioner. This is most likely due to the surge required at startup that the generator just can’t support. What we have not been able to explain is why the Ryobi generator cannot operate a 700 W microwave in the trailer or the truck camper; something an 1800 W generator should be able to do. @sowewentdad has wondered if the Honda generator would have better power to support at least the microwave.

Third, is the Honda generator quieter? In 2016, when we bought our generators, the Honda was 3-4 dB lower than the Ryobi or about half as loud. Based on reviews at the time, we decided the Ryobi was quiet enough (as far as noisy motors go at the campground). Today they are similar in noise levels when running at full power, making it a tie between the Ryobi and Honda, with Honda probably being slightly better.

Fourth, would the Companion Model work for us? The new model of Honda generators require a companion model (EU2200IC) generator to support parallel operation and run a 30 A receptacle. This makes the parallel connection simpler and makes sense for a single owner that buys the set together. In this configuration, the Honda parallel cables are more streamlined than the Ryobi parallel cables. However, in our case, we purchased the generators separately to reduce cost and only combine them when needed (Hot boondocking trips or when we want to use the microwave). While not the end of the world, in our use case, one person would have the companion model that does not have the DC output or a second 120 V, 20 A receptacle. This puts the Ryobi slightly ahead of the Honda for us.

So, while the Honda generator has a great reputation, in our case the Honda only has a slight advantage over the Ryobi in quietness. In cost, performance, and practicality; the Ryobi is still better for us.

Conclusion

Very early on @sowewentuncle found the Ryobi generator able to support our needs. Over the last eight seasons, our generators have served us well. If we needed to replace them today, we still prefer the newest model Ryobi generator based on cost and weight.

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