Last Updated on December 3, 2024
Next time the power goes out, you will kick yourself if you’re not prepared. Having a night out under the stars? Not so fun when you need to charge up your electricals. There are many reasons why having a portable generator can be a good idea. But regardless of whether it is for parties or tailgating, it can be difficult to know which inverter generator to choose.
Generac is the number one selling brand of backup generators and they have been in the business since 1959. Therefore you can’t go too wrong choosing a model from Generac, but boy is there a lot of choices. You might have spotted that the Generac IX2000 and the Generac IQ2000 have similar core features, but is one better than the other and what are the real differences? We review the two portable generators side by side to see which one comes out on top. Let’s dig in.
Generac IX2000 Vs Generac IQ2000 at a Glance
Let’s look at the two generators and their pros and cons at a glance. Make sure to read the full article for an in-depth review of all the features.
Generac IX2000 Advantages:
- More powerful
- Shorter run time at 25% load
- Generac IX2000 Disadvantages:
- Not as quiet
Generac IQ2000 Advantages:
- More user friendly
- Generac IQ2000 is much Quieter
- Parallel kit ready
- Longer run time at 25% load
Generac IQ2000 Disadvantages:
- Lower power
Winner: Don’t want to read the full article? The editor’s choice is the Generac IQ2000. The IX2000 is the more powerful inverter generator so in that way it should come out ahead.
However, the Generac IQ2000 has sufficient power for most standard needs and runs for longer than the IX2000 when it is loaded to just 25%. It has a smarter, easier-to-use interface as well as being quieter to run. So for us, it comes out on top, but this really depends on your needs and priorities.
What’s the Difference Between Them?
Features
Let’s quickly go over the main features of each generator.
The IX2000 is a portable inverter generator that has 2,200 watt maximum starting power. It has two modes of operation, both high power and economy, and a fuel tank size of 1 gallon. If the device reaches low oil, it will shut down automatically for safety. The IX2000 also has a 12V DC outlet to charge batteries.
The IQ2000 is also an inverter generator that is portable and easy to move around. It has a max starting power of 2000 watts but it actually has three modes of operation, Turbo, Standard, and Economy mode, and a fulll tank size of 1.06 gallons
It has a smart digital display to keep an eye on the power and fuel levels as well as other LED indicator lights. The IQ2000 is parallel ready, so you can connect two generators together for double power without a special kit.
Verdict: The IQ2000 has a wider range of smart features that make it easier to use and all-round better value.
Performance
So how is the performance of each model?
Well, as mentioned, the starting power of the IX2000 is 2,200 watts with a 126 CC engine. But if you are using it for continuous use the watt power output is around 2000 watts. This leaves it with an extra allowance of 200 watts for surge.
This high power level means it can handle most indoor or outdoor appliances as well as bigger appliances including air conditioners or even fridges. It is a great choice if you are looking for something with the maximum power possible.
The IQ2000 on the other hand, has a lower maximum starting power of 2000 watts. When running, this goes down to a continuous output of around 1600. Although not as powerful and with lower fuel-efficiency than the IX2000, most people will find that this wattage is plenty for medium appliances and charging and won’t need more power than this.
If you don’t need the excess power, having the IX2000 will not be an advantage and you might prefer the other benefits and usability of the IQ2000.
Verdict: The IX2000 certainly wins on this one as it comes with 400 running watts and 200 more maximum starting power.
Run Time
Now let’s take a look at how long each portable generator can run for. Bear in mind as people are unlikely to use their generators at full capacity at any one time, the run times are usually calculated at 25% and 50% usage.
The IX2000 has a run time at 25% capacity of 7.7 hours. Although there are longer run times on the market, this gives you a decent run of power that should be able to cover most needs. When the inverter generator is running at 50% load however, the run time does jump down to just 4.7 hours.
The iQ2000 generator has the same 7.7 hour run time at 25% capacity as the IX2000 which again is usually more than enough for standard or light use. But this portable generator comes out on top when running at 50% as it maintains an extra hour of runtime, at 5.7 hours.
Verdict: When running at 50% the IQ2000 wins with an extra hour of run time.
Design and Usability
So how are the two generators designed and is one of them easier to use?
The IX2000 is portable although with slightly bulkier size than the IQ2000 due to its larger motor. It is 22 inches long, 12 inches wide and 18 inches high and weighs 49.6 pounds. It has a handle on top and it is fairly easy to move around.
This generator is straightforward to use, it has two modes of use including an economy mode to reduce fuel consumption. All the buttons and controls are manual and located on the control panel on the side. There is a low oil alert too to let you know when you are running low. The generator is orange so you will always be able to spot it, even in the dead of night.
The IQ2000 on the other hand is a little lighter and more compact with a size of 20 inches in length, 12.6 inches in width and 16.6 inches in height. This makes it even more ‘portable’ than the IX2000 and this means it is easier to carry around.
It also has an inbuilt handle on top. The generator has three different power modes, Turbo, Standard and Economy which is great for adapting to your needs and saving fuel and reducing noise. However where this model really shines is in usability. It has a smart control panel with a mix of manual buttons and a digital display that makes running and monitoring the device so much easier.
The digital fuel gage and power bar mean you will always know how much time you have left. No more opening the tank to manually see what’s left. There are also other useful LED indicator lights like Low Oil, Ready to Load, Overload and Overheat so you will know everything you need to at a glance. Like most Generac generators this model is also bright orange.
Verdict: The IQ2000 definitely wins on this one with a more compact size, a smarter interface and digital display that make it easier to use.
Noise Levels
The IX2000 is fairly quiet for portable generators on the market of the same capacity. Generac tends to focus on making their products quiet so that whether you are having a party or using your laptop you should not be disturbed and can carry on with what you are doing. However there are definitely quieter models out there, so if quiet is high on your list you may prefer the IQ2000.
The IQ2000 was built to match Honda competitors and so was more focused on usability and noise. This means that it is considered one of the quietest portable generators out there and claims that it has been 3rd party tested to be even quieter than similar Honda models. Therefore if you are looking for a particularly quiet generator, we highly recommend trying the IQ2000.
Verdict: The IQ2000 comes out on top again for noise levels as it has an ultra-quiet design built to be quieter than rival Honda.
Conclusion
So there you have the rundown and review of the Generac IX2000 vs Generac IQ2000. Bottom line? Although the IX2000 is more powerful, for us the IQ2000 is the winner hands down with better usability and smarter controls. The power of the IQ2000 is generally enough for most people that will use it for standard use.
And what we really love about the IQ2000 is how quiet it is to run and how easy it is to use. It has a digital display easily letting you monitor fuel and power levels with other useful indicator lights. AND it has a better run time at 50% capacity. So, for standard use of a generator we would recommend the IQ2000, but if you need that extra power the IX2000 may be a better choice for you.
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