Generators At Campsites – Honda vs Predator

a 70-year-old veteran's journey to the ultimate campsite.
Reggie

Comparing 2 campsite tough generators - Honda EU2200i to the Predator 2000

Honda EU2200i (The Industry Gold Standard) - Predator 2000 / 2200 (Harbor Freight’s Budget Option)

When comparing the prices of the Honda EU2200i (which effectively replaced the older 2000-watt Honda models) and the Predator 2000 from Harbor Freight), there’s a significant price difference. At Arizona campsites, generators are golden. Here’s the current general pricing breakdown.

1. Honda EU2200i (The Industry Gold Standard)
Average Price: $999 – $1,200 (depending on the retailer and whether it has Bluetooth or a CO detector). Honda generators rarely go on major sale. You’re paying for legendary reliability, extreme fuel efficiency, very quiet operation, and extremely high resale value. The Honda comes with a 3 year residential warranty. 

2. Predator 2000 (Harbor Freight’s Option)
Average Price: $500 – $600 (often drops to around $450 – $499 during Harbor Freight sales or with Inside Track Club memberships). This is roughly half the price of the Honda. It’s designed (in my opinion) for casual campers, tailgaters and emergency backup situations. Predator has a  90 day warranty standard, but you can purchase an affordable 1 or 2 year extended warranty.

Summary Comparison
Featured Honda EU2200i vs Predator 2000
Approximate Honda Price: $1,000 – $1,200 vs Approximate Predator Price: $500 – $600
Honda Value Retention:  Extremely high vs Predator Value Retention:  Low to moderate.
The Bottom Line:
You can buy 2 to 3 Predator generators for the price of one Honda. If you only need a generator a few times a year, the Predator offers much better upfront value. If you need something that will last thousands of hours with minimal maintenance or for professional use, you might consider Honda. I got my Predator 2000, 4 or 5 years ago. I got the Predator 5000, 5 months ago. So far, no issues with either generator.