Why are the Honda generators quieter?
Most portable generators use an air cooled engine operating at 3600 RPM with little or no noise attenuation features. Engines of the same horsepower will produce roughly the same noise level. Onan portable generators use a larger engine for a given wattage than most other generator manufacturers. This increases the life of the product, but does produce slightly more noise. Normally this noise difference is negligible, and the increased product life is worth the trade-off. There are portable generators with sound attenuation features that are quieter than their non-attenuated counterparts. These units are usually more expensive and may trade-off a lower noise level for other important features.
Most portable generators use and air cooled engine operating at 3600 RPM with little or no noise attenuation features. Engines of the same horsepower will produce roughly the same noise level. Onan portable generators use a larger engine for a given wattage than most other generator manufacturers. This increases the life of the product, but does produce slightly more noise. Normally this noise difference is negligible and the increased product life is worth the trade off. There are portable generators with sound attenuation features that are quieter than their non-attenuated counterparts. These units are usually more expensive and may tradeoff a lower noise level for other important features.
