Champion Power Equipment 2500-Watt Ultralight Portable Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology and Free 3-Year Warranty

We used this generator when the power company proactively cut our power for 26 hours, and then again for 30 hours, during high winds when there was fire risk. We kept our house refrigerator, a chest freezer, and some floor lamps running with no problem. The unit is light enough for one person to carry, it started and ran first time, and it was much quieter than other generators our neighbors had.

Living off the grid in California, I've gone through my fair share of suitcase generators, but this one stands out for its quiet performance. Despite the challenge of sourcing generators from out of state, this one has proven to be a keeper. With over 20,000 hours of use annually, the generator's quieter operation is a welcomed change. However, I did notice a slight increase in exhaust smell compared to previous models. I usually house my generators in a small doghouse-like cover for protection from the elements. One issue I encountered was the carbon monoxide sensor triggering frequent shutdowns, posing a concern for winter use. Despite this setback, the generator has been reliable, allowing me to power through snow and rain without a hitch. Overall, apart from the minor exhaust smell and sensor issue, I've been impressed with its performance.

My wife uses this generator for an ice cream cart that she displays at outdoor events. It powered the large cart, a slushie machine and some electronics for almost eight hours. It's also relatively quiet especially when compared to a normal generator. It's not light but not too heavy for my petite wife to maneuver. It also starts easily which is a big plus.

This generator was purchased when hurricane Helene rolled through. It got delivered just a few hours before power got restored. I'm crediting this generator with that. LOL. Anyway... It hasn't been cranked since Helene, around 9 months ago, but I had done a "long term storage procedure" on it, which is supposed to be good for years. After fueling, it fired right up. 1st or 2nd pull. I used it to power a fridge, internet equipment, two laptops, a desktop PC, an iPad, some LED lights, and a fan. It ran most of the time at under 50%. I topped off the fuel right before bedtime, and it ran for 7.5 hrs before running out. I was able to get pretty much a whole night of sleep uninterrupted. It does just what I wanted it for... enough power for essentials, with the ability to use fuel efficiently in case of extended outages.

One Year Review -Champion 2500 Watt Gas This is my second Champion generator. Initially during the break in period, oil was dripping out of the exhaust and smoking slightly. I brought it into the repair shop under warranty and was told that the issue would clear up eventually, which it did. Some brief blue smoke is visible during start up however it doesn’t really burn a measurable amount of oil. The machine could use better quality piston rings but not a deal breaker. There is no smoke once the engine is running. I use synthetic motor oil and I upgraded the spark plug to an NGK brand. I have about 35 hours on the machine and it works well as it sees regular tailgating use. It is important to remember that this is a light duty machine. If you are using it for tailgating; it is great for lights and fans. The machine is maxed out when using a single appliance such as a coffee maker or toaster or blender. You may wish to get something larger if you are planning on running multiple appliances at once. I can run lighting along with the appliances but It doesn’t make enough power to run multiple appliances at one time. Pros: -Quiet operation. -Starts easily (I use non-ethanol fuel) -Compact design -Budget friendly -Replacement parts are available on the Champion’s website. -12Volt cigarette style outlet which is handy for a 12Volt cooler or USB car adapter. Cons: -Heavy -Not made in USA -Wish it produced more power for its physical size. -Cheap plastic clips on the side panel used for checking and replacing oil. Overall I feel it was a pretty good purchase. I didn’t want to spend $1000 on a Honda just for recreational use. If you need something more robust then I would invest in a Honda. The compromises for a $400 or so machine seem to be worth it so far.

UPDATE to review: since Champion contacted us back, they've given us a refund after we shipped it back to them. I think we just got a lemon, because we ended up buying another Champion that we like better than the first kind described here. Our contact was most pleasant and we've come out ahead in the long run. I recommend Champion, but not going through Amazon. Amazon was no help at all when the original didn't work. this product does not work. we received it on 10/1. husband got it started. it ran about 10 minutes, quit and will not start. we've contacted champion (after waiting for 45 minutes) and they gave us two places to get it repaired. neither place will work on said product because of issues with parts and can't get call backs from champion (this after a 40 mile round trip to take it to repair). one of the repairmen looked our machine up and said it had been sold before, returned, and placed back for sale. we understood it was new. i've tried to contact them by "contact seller" last week and get no response. we didn't see the "non-returnable" (my fault) til after we received it so getting no satisfaction from them or amazon. to be on the safe side, i would not order this if i had known how i'd be treated. Please "Buyer Beware"!

DO NOT BUY. I have down rated this from my initial review. I read the CO complaints and thought I would just run it outside. My MISTAKE! Do not discount the CO sensor complaints as I did. CHAMPION - FIX THIS ! The thing is not usable from any practical perspective. I would return it if I could. It is outside and stops itself after about 15 minutes b/c of the CO sensor. Ridiculous! The CO sensor is nothing short of a serious pain in the rear. Champion should have a switch or menu option to disable this sensor. I have seen videos that explain how to disable the sensor on other models. The sensor issue is a common complaint of this brand generator and its greatest negative. When it runs, it is efficient and produces power as expected.

This Champion 2500W inverter generator is truly a game-changer! It impresses with its lightweight design and powerful performance, running quietly while ensuring safety with CO Shield. Ideal for camping or emergencies, it is easy to use, highly efficient, and consistently exceeds expectations. A must-have for anyone in need of reliable portable power.