The Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Carrying it alone | Honda EU2200i |
| Plugging into a 30 amp RV | Yamaha EF2200iS |
| Quiet at a quarter load | Tie, about 48 to 50 dBA |
| Tone under heavy load | Yamaha: lower pitched |
| Runtime per tank | Yamaha: 10 hr on 1.24 gal |
| Two-person lifts | Yamaha: three handles |
Best for Solo Campers
Honda EU2200i
- Starting / running watts: 2,200 / 1,800 W
- Weight (our notes): 47.4 lb
- RV outlet: None: adapter or Companion model
- Noise at 25% load: about 48 to 50 dBA
Bottom Line : Our pick if you carry it alone, run it near other campers, or want it to last for years.
Pros
- About 48 dBA at a quarter load
- Smoother and quieter under heavy load
- Starts first pull after months in storage
- Two in parallel ran a 30 amp RV panel
Cons
- No RV outlet: needs an adapter
- Premium price
At 47.4 lb with one central handle, the Honda is the one a single person can carry from the truck to the campsite without thinking about it. It is the generator Ryan and John tell their friends to buy.
Read our full Honda EU2200i review →
Best for RV Plug-In
Yamaha EF2200iS
- Starting / running watts: 2,200 / 1,800 W
- Weight (our notes): 55 lb
- RV outlet: TT-30R built in
- Noise at 25% load: about 48 to 50 dBA
Bottom Line : Our pick if you plug a 30 amp RV straight in.
Pros
- TT-30R RV outlet built in
- 10 hours at a quarter load
- Fuel-drain carburetor valve
- Low-pitched under heavy load
Cons
- 55 lb: heavier to lift solo
The Yamaha has a TT-30R outlet on its panel, so a 30 amp RV cord plugs straight in. Owners on r/RVLiving call that a major real-world win, and Ryan and John agree.
Read our full Yamaha EF2200iS review →
Side by Side
| Honda EU2200i | Yamaha EF2200iS | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting / running watts | 2,200 / 1,800 W | 2,200 / 1,800 W |
| Weight (our notes) | 47.4 lb | 55 lb |
| RV outlet | None: adapter or Companion model | TT-30R built in |
| Noise at 25% load | about 48 to 50 dBA | about 48 to 50 dBA |
| Runtime at 25% load | 8.5 hr on 0.95 gal | 10 hr on 1.24 gal |
| Handles | One central handle | Three-handle frame |
Head-to-Head Results
Scores out of 10 are from our best inverter generators guide, where both rank in the top ten.
Portability & Weight
Where we tested it. Carried from the truck to the site and back, solo and with two people.
What separated them. The Honda is lighter, at 47.4 lb against the Yamaha's 55, and its single central handle makes it the easier solo carry. The Yamaha's three-handle frame is the better design when two people lift together.
What it felt like. Alone, you notice the Yamaha's extra 8 lb every time it comes out of the truck bed.
Quietness
Where we tested it. Side by side at the campsite, at a quarter load and then around 1,500 W.
What separated them. At a quarter load they were almost identical, about 48 to 50 dBA. Under a heavy 1,500 W load the Yamaha had a slightly lower-pitched tone, while the Honda sounded crisp and tight.
What it felt like. Neither will bother the next site. Under load, the Yamaha's deeper note is a touch easier to ignore.
Runtime & Efficiency
Where we tested it. Hours per tank at a quarter load.
What separated them. The Yamaha ran 10 hours on its 1.24 gallon tank, the Honda 8.5 hours on 0.95 gallons. The Honda does more per gallon; the Yamaha simply carries more fuel.
What it felt like. For an overnight run, the Yamaha is the one less likely to need topping up before morning.
Power & Capability
Where we tested it. RV and camp loads, including air conditioning.
What separated them. Both make 1,800 running watts. Two Hondas in parallel ran a 30 amp RV panel with a 15,000 BTU AC and a microwave; the Yamaha ran a 13,500 BTU AC, a microwave and an induction hotplate at about 8,000 ft in the Rockies.
What it felt like. On power alone it is a draw; what differs is how each one connects to your RV.
Which Should You Buy?
| If you… | Buy |
|---|---|
| Camp alone and carry the generator yourself | Honda EU2200i |
| Plug a 30 amp RV straight in | Yamaha EF2200iS |
| Lift with a partner | Yamaha EF2200iS |
| Want the most refined engine and resale | Honda EU2200i |
Honda EU2200i vs Yamaha EF2200iS FAQ
Is the Honda EU2200i quieter than the Yamaha EF2200iS?
At a quarter load, no: they were almost identical in our side-by-side test, at about 48 to 50 dBA. Under a heavy 1,500 W load the Yamaha's tone was lower pitched and the Honda's crisper.
Does the Honda EU2200i have an RV outlet?
The standard EU2200i does not; you need an adapter, or Honda's Companion model. The Yamaha EF2200iS has a TT-30R 30 amp outlet built in.
Which runs longer, the Honda or the Yamaha?
The Yamaha, on a full tank: 10 hours at a quarter load on 1.24 gallons, against the Honda's 8.5 hours on 0.95 gallons.
See how both compare with eight more in our best inverter generators guide, or start at our best generators guide.
Our Testers
This head-to-head was edited by Sean Williams and tested side by side by our lead tester, Ryan Williams, and John Pulham.
- Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief. Sean built the team of researchers and testers behind our reviews and edits every guide. His rule: we say what we actually found.
- Ryan Williams, Lead Tester. Ryan leads our field tests and our generator and solar testing.
- John Pulham, Tester. John tests our generators alongside Ryan; his own Honda EU2000i is on year 8.
