Firman Generator Reviews: Should You Buy Them?

Last Updated on December 3, 2024

These days, so much of our world is powered by electricity that going without power is not really viable. For that reason, a lot of people turn to generators. 

Whether it’s for a short camping trip, a tailgating session with your buddies, or making sure you have a back-up power supply in case of emergencies, a generator is a great way to always have power.

And there’s no doubt about it, if you’re looking for a generator then you’ll be considering buying a Firman generator.

Firman have produced over 10 million portable generators over the last 17 years for the global market, and they prove themselves to be a popular, low-cost alternative to a lot of the more expensive brands.

But how do you know which is the right generator for you? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. If you need your generator to be the most portable option, or the most powerful, fuel-efficient or have a hybrid dual fuel option, quiet and discreet or painted in stars and stripes (for real, keep your eye out for this one), we’ve got all the information you need when it comes to Firman generators. So take a look at the generators below and find the right one for you.

10 Best Firman Generators Reviews (2022 Update)

1. Firman P03601

Our first Firman generator on the list is one of the most popular options, and for good reason. If you’re looking for a generator with a mid-range price then you can’t get much better than the Firman P03601.

It has a 5 gallon tank, with an integrated fuel gauge, and it can run for 14 hours from one tank of gas, although if you run it at full power then it will last for less time.

This generator has a great 4-in-1 data minder, which measures volts, Hertz, hours and low oil, so you can easily keep track of where you are up to and how much power you have left.

Plus it has automatic low oil shutdown protection, which will prevent accidental damage. Although it isn’t really suited for powering a house as a back-up generator, there are several reports of people using it for their essentials, like the fridge and freezer, when there has been a power outage following a storm.

It is also pretty quiet, which makes it a good choice for camping, although it is fairly heavy so you would probably need to purchase the additional wheels to cart it around.

Key Features:

• 4550 W start
• 3650 W running
• Recoil start
• Gas
• cETL certified
• 101.5 lbs
• 14 hours run time
• 5 gallon tank
• 67 dB
• 60 Hz

Pros:

• 4-in-1 data minder
• Reliable
• 14 hours run time

Cons:

• No wheels included
• Quite heavy

2. Firman W03083

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In contrast with the last generator, this one is a fair bit smaller, and also more expensive. The fuel tank only holds 1.8 gallons, but that’s enough for it to last for 9 hours, so it’s a pretty efficient little generator.

Plus it has built-in wheels, and a “tuff-stuff” handle, to make sure that it is durable as well as portable. The W03083 is pretty intuitive to use, and it even has a remote start option, which is pretty rare for generators, but super useful.

In fact, it can be started by recoil or electric start as well as remotely from up to 168 feet, so it is really catering to a variety of needs. It’s also quieter than a lot of options, running at 58 dB, which is far quieter than the limits set by the National Parks Service.

While it won’t run endlessly, it is a great portable option for camping, and although it’s more expensive than most of the generators on this list, it is also better suited as a portable generator than most of them.

Key Features:

• 3300 W start
• 3000 W running
• Remote start
• Gas
• cETL and CARB certified
• 90 lbs
• 9 hours run time
• 1.8 gallon tank
• 58 dB
• Inverter
• 60 Hz

Pros:

• In-built handle and wheels
• 3-in-1 data minder
• Intuitive design
• Remote start
• Energy efficient

Cons:

• More expensive than most

3. Firman P03603

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Whether you’re looking for a generator to take to a work-site, to keep as emergency power, or to take for a heavy-duty camping weekend, the P03603 is an excellent choice. At 125 lbs it’s one of the heavier generators on this list, but it’s still portable because it has in-built 8” ‘never-flat’ wheels and a high-leverage, single folding handle.

There’s also a key fob to enable remote starting, which could be ideal if you are camping and want to start the AC while you’re still cooking outside. Equally, if you are suffering a disaster such as a flood, and relying on this generator for emergency power, you don’t need to worry about finding the fob as it also has a starter button and a pull-string, which can be great in case of a dead battery. So it has you covered from all sides.

Key Features:

• 4550 W start
• 3650 W running
• Remote start
• Gas
• cETL certified
• 125 lbs
• 14 hours run time
• 5 gallon tank

Pros:

• Remote start
• 14 hours run time
• Built-in wheels

Cons:

• Heavy
• Not quiet

See Also: Generac Reviews

4. Firman W01781

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The Firman W01781 is a light-weight, portable generator, weighing 51.6 lbs. It is also an inverter generator, which tends to make generators more efficient as it provides AC power directly, instead of wasting excess fuel.

This is exactly what we find with this inverter generator, as its 0.9 gallon tank provides over 9 hours of run time. Not only is this generator more gas efficient, but it is also quiet, running at just 54 dB, which is far below National Park standards, plus it is California and Canada emissions certified.

Furthermore, it has an ECO mode, so you can vary the power load as needed. It even has a USB port, as well as its 1 x 5-20R Duplex 120V 20A outlet, and its 1 x 12 V outlet. Needless to say, all of these features make it an excellent choice for camping trips and tailgating.

Key Features:

• 2100 W start
• 1700 W running
• Recoil start
• Gas
• cETL and CARB certified
• 51.6 lbs
• 9 hours run time
• 0.9 gallon tank
• Inverter
• 54 dB

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Quiet
• Efficient
• Eco mode

Cons:

• 9 hours run time
• No remote start

5. Firman H03651

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Weighing in at 199.5 lbs, this generator is the second-heaviest option on our list, which makes it a bit less suitable for portable activities, like camping or tailgating.

Having said that, it does have in-built 8” ‘never-flat’ wheels, plus the high-leverage, u-shape, folding handle, so you can still take it with you easily enough if you want.

The main advantage that this generator has over others is that it can be fired by gas or propane, so it has a dual fuel carburetor. This makes it really well suited to being a back-up generator in case of emergencies, as it can run equally well off either.

It’s got both an electric start and a recoil start option, so you shouldn’t have any problems if it is an emergency. The only issue is that it can take a few minutes to get started up. Plus, you need to be careful to not leave it out in the sun, as it can overheat.

Key Features:

• 4550 W start
• 3650 W running
• Electric start
• Gas or Propane dual fuel
• CeTL and CARB certified
• 119.5 lbs
• 14 hours run time
• 5 gallon tank

Pros:

• In-built wheels and handle
• 14 hours run time
• Electric and recoil start

Cons:

• Heavy
• Can overheat

6. Firman P01201

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The Firman P01201 is the cheapest generator option on our list, and the second lightest too. It weighs just 54 lbs, so although it doesn’t come with wheels, it is still pretty easily portable. The generator is one of the most efficient too, as it has a 1.7 gallon tank that lasts for around a 12 hour run time.

This makes it a great generator option for camping or tailgating. Not only is it quieter than the standards set by the national parks service, but its spark arrester has also been approved by the USDA forest service.

Of course, for all of these benefits, it should be noted that its output of power is considerably less than any of the other options on this list. At 1200 W it should be enough to power a fan or two and some lights, or even perhaps an energy star refrigerator, but this is definitely not the best option for an emergency back-up generator.

Key Features:

• 1500 W start
• 1200 W running
• Recoil start
• Gas
• cETL and CARB certified
• 54 lbs
• 12 hours run time
• 1.7 gallon tank
• 63 dB
• 60 Hz

Pros:

• Cheapest option
• Energy efficient

Cons:

• No wheels
• Less powerful than most

7. Firman H08051

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In contrast to the last generator we showed you, the Firman H08051 is the most expensive generator on our list, but it is also a real powerhouse. Weighing in at 221 lbs, this generator is certainly not designed for taking out to your backyard workstation, or for a camping weekend. It does come on wheels, but that is really to make it easier to drag to where you need it.

Without a doubt, the best feature of this generator is that it can pump out a mega 8,000 W of power. That makes it twice as powerful as any other generator on this list. It holds up to 8 gallons in the tank, and can run for around 12 hours.

It delivers both 30A and 50A power, and best of all, it has a hybrid carburetor, so it can run on gas or propane. If you are looking for an emergency generator, or perhaps one for a farm or ranch, or a large RV or bus, then this is an excellent generator that will easily run to cover all of your needs.

Key Features:

• 10,000 W start
• 8,000 W running
• Electric start
• Gas or Propane dual fuel
• CARB certified
• 221 lbs
• 12 hours run time
• 8 gallons

Pros:

• Mega powerful at 8,000 W
• Hybrid dual fuel
• Comes on wheels

Cons:

• Most expensive option
• Heaviest option

8. Firman H03652

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Here we’ve got another hybrid dual fuel generator, but it is more easily portable and falls within the mid-range price bracket. Weighing 127.7 lbs, it is still heavier than most of the other generators on this list, but it does come with the 8” heavy-duty, ‘never-flat’ wheels plus the high-leverage, u-shape, folding handle to help you maneuver it.

Providing 3650 W of power when it is running, this generator is better suited for camping and worksites than the last option, especially as it runs for 14 hours from a 5 gallon tank. The ‘whisper-series’ muffler keeps the generator relatively quiet, so that it falls below the standards set by the National Parks Services, making it suitable for camping.

It also has a multi-feature, 4-in-1 data minder, control panel, which measures Volts, Hertz, Hours and a low oil indicator, so you can keep an eye on how much power you are using and how much time you have left.

Key Features:

• 4550 W start
• 3650 W running
• Recoil start
• Gas or Propane dual fuel
• cETL and CARB certified
• 127.7 lbs
• 14 hours run time
• 5 gallon tank
• 60 Hz

Pros:

• Hybrid dual fuel
• Comes on wheels
• 14 hours run time

Cons:

• Heavy

9. Firman 03611

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No products found.

So far you might be thinking that all the generators seem great, but they kind of look the same. Well, if you want to stand out from the crowd then there is no doubt that you need to choose this generator.

It has all the features that we have come to expect from the Firman generator range. It provides 3650 W of power when running, it weighs 110 lbs, and it runs for 14 hours.

In fact, it might seem a little more basic than some of the other options, as it only has a recoil start, runs off gas alone, and has noise levels of 68 dB, a bit louder than a lot of the other options.

So what makes this generator so special? The colors. The generators that we have looked at so far tend to come in Firman’s standard black and yellow colors, but not this one.

The Firman 03611 stands out from the crowd because it is decorated in stars and stripes. That’s right. This is the ultimate American generator, so you can rep the flag on any camping or tailgating outing.

Key Features:

• 4550 W start
• 3650 W running
• Recoil start
• Gas
• 110 lbs
• 14 hours run time
• 68 dB – whisper series muffler
• Stars and stripes pattern
• Pros:
• Stars and Stripes pattern
• 14 hours run time

Cons:

• Only has a recoil start
• Quite loud

10. Firman W03081

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We are going to finish our list of Firman generators with another generator that is a bit more expensive than most. It has a recoil start and runs off gas, but what makes this generator different is that it is very efficient.

It has a tank of just 1.8 gallons, and from that you can get 3000 W of power when it is running, for around 9 hours. Weighing at 94 lbs, this generator sits between the two lighter generators and the rest that we have looked at, but its power output is double what the lighter ones can generate. At 3000 W it is similar to the heavier generators, but a fair bit lighter, plus it comes on wheels so it is easily portable for camping, tailgating, or other outdoor activities.

Key Features:

• 3300 W start
• 3000 W running
• Recoil start
• Gas
• cETL and CARB certified
• 94 lbs
• 9 hours run time
• 1.8 gallon tank
• Inverter

Pros:

• Efficient
• Powerful for its size
• On wheels

Cons:

• Quite expensive

What to Consider When Buying

Now that you’ve taken a look at our favourite Firman generators, let’s take you through a couple of things that you need to consider before you decide which one to purchase.

What will you be using your generator for?

Is it just for some simple camping trips where you’ll need a fan to cool you down a bit? Or to run a few tools for your workstation? Or will this be your main source of power if there is an emergency? You need to make sure that your generator is up to the task- whether that’s in terms of the power it can put out, or how portable it is.

How often will you need to refill the tank?

Will you be using this generator for prolonged periods of time, or just for an hour or two here and there? Will you be setting the generator through the night, or will it be easy enough to fill up during the day?

Have a think about how important the run-time is, how efficient it is, and how often you would need to refill the tank.

Price

There have been three generators for which we indicated that they were a bit more expensive than the other options. Those generators were the W03083, H08051, and W03081, and they were $800-$1200.

Then there was one option which we highlighted was the cheapest, which was the P01201 at around $320. The rest of the generators in this list fall in the $500-$600 price bracket.

Conclusion

So there you have our review of the Firman generators. You can see that there is quite a variety which should cater for your different needs. Some are more powerful than others, but they are usually heavier. Others are more efficient, or quieter.

You can also choose between a remote start, electric start, or recoil start, depending on your needs. Whatever it is that you are looking for, you should now be ready to make the best purchasing decision for your needs.

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• DuroMax Portable Generator Reviews & Buying Guide