Generator dB rating

swimmer_spe wrote:
Is there anywhere that shows a comparison of the quietest generators and their dB rating? I want Honda quiet, but not with Honda money.

Harbour Freight Predator inverter generator with electric start.

Champion inverter generator with remote electric start.

Champion is comparable to Honda.

Westinghouse igen2500

bgum wrote:
Westinghouse igen2500

I want 3500 or higher.

Be very careful with those db ratings, 54db at 25 feet is much quieter than 54 db at 50 feet. I don't believe there is any standard for the db rating at X number of feet.

I find the dB ratings to be misleading, not useless. Some sounds within a rating can be more annoying. Then "quiet" generator is relative, A quiet Honda generator is quiet compared to an open frame construction generator. But hardly quiet.

Westinghouse igen4500
$699 now on sale at Home depot. Electric start

One other thing is to consider how hard the generator is working. A 2000w Honda maxed out putting out 1600w may be louder than an off brand 4500 idling along putting out the same wattage.

I just heard my brothers 3500 Harbor Freight Predator just the other day and I was really impressed with how quiet it was. I have 2 Honda 2000's and I swear it was possibly a little quieter then my 1 Honda alone. I wish they would come out with a dual fuel as I want to dump the Hondas so I do not have to carry fuel. I always have 2 extra propane tanks with me and don't have to worry about gas.

Another thing to consider is the "relative quiet" of your generator. For example, if you measure the relative ambient background dB before you start your generator and it's quite high, for example, you are at the beach, an airshow, a NASCAR event infield, or near a major highway, your generator may seem very quiet. But if you are at a place like Chaco Canyon where at night you can hear rabbits scampering about 100' away, (read: dead quiet) even the quietest generator can seem obnoxious.

Chum lee