Champion 100519
Champion 100519:
The Best Value
Inverter Generator
2,500W peak output (1,850W continuous), 53dB noise level, 1.6-gallon fuel tank, and inverter-clean power at a fraction of Honda's price.
product photo
First Impressions
The Champion 100519 is the budget-friendly alternative to the Honda EU2200i. At a fraction of the price, you get inverter-clean power (<3% THD), quiet operation (53dB), and enough output to run a fridge, CPAP, TV, and lights during an outage. It's not as refined as a Honda, and it won't last 20 years — but for most people, it's more than enough generator at a price that won't break the bank.
⚡ 2,500W Peak
1,850W continuous — runs fridge + CPAP + lights
🔇 53dB Quiet
Quiet enough for campgrounds
🔌 Inverter Technology
<3% THD — safe for laptops, phones, TVs
💰 Best Value
Costs 1/3 of a comparable Honda
🪶 39 lbs
Light enough for one person to carry
⛽ 1.6 Gallons
10.5 hours runtime at 25% load
What We Love
- Inverter technology — <3% THD, safe for sensitive electronics
- Quiet — 53dB at 25% load (quieter than conversation)
- Lightweight — 39 lbs, easy to carry
- Fuel-efficient — 10.5 hours on 1.6 gallons at 25% load
- Parallel-ready — run two units for 5,000W peak
- Economy mode — adjusts engine speed to load
- CO sensor — automatic shutdown for safety
- Great value — 1/3 the price of Honda
- Champion support — better than most budget brands
- 3-year warranty
The Trade-offs
- Not Honda reliability — good for the price, but not legendary
- No electric start — pull cord only
- No fuel gauge — have to check tank manually
- Plasticky build quality — feels cheaper than Honda
- Loud at full load — 61dB at 100% (still reasonable)
- Oil changes required every 50 hours
- Ethanol fuel causes carburetor issues if not stored properly
Real-World Usage Notes
The 100519 is quiet — at 53dB at quarter load, you can have a normal conversation next to it. In a campsite, it's acceptable. At home, your neighbors might not even notice it.
The inverter technology is the key differentiator from cheap non-inverter generators. With <3% THD, you can safely plug in laptops, phones, TVs, CPAP machines, and other sensitive electronics without worrying about damage.
The 39 lb weight is a huge advantage. One person can easily carry it to the car, out of the garage, or around the campsite. The Honda EU2200i is 47 lbs — still manageable, but the Champion is noticeably lighter.
🆚 Champion vs Honda — The Honest Comparison
The Champion 100519 costs about $400. The Honda EU2200i costs about $1,200. Is the Honda 3x better? No. The Honda is more refined, quieter (48dB vs 53dB), and will last longer. But for most people — weekend campers, occasional home backup — the Champion is more than enough. If you run a generator daily for work, buy the Honda. If you use it a few times a year, save your money and buy the Champion.
Where to Buy
Best Budget Inverter| Specification | Champion 100519 |
|---|---|
| Peak Output | 2,500W (surge) – momentary |
| Continuous Output | 1,850W (15.4A @ 120V) |
| Engine | Champion 79cc OHV, 4-stroke |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 1.6 gallons (6L) |
| Runtime @ 25% Load | 10.5 hours |
| Runtime @ 100% Load | 4.5 hours |
| Noise Level @ 25% Load | 53 dB(A) |
| Noise Level @ 100% Load | 61 dB(A) |
| THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) | <3% — safe for sensitive electronics |
| Outlets | 2x 120V NEMA 5-20, 1x 12V DC, 1x 5V USB |
| Parallel Capable | Yes (with optional cable) |
| Starting Method | Recoil pull start |
| CO Sensor | Yes (automatic shutdown) |
| Low Oil Shutdown | Yes |
| Weight | 39 lbs (17.7 kg) |
| Dimensions | 18.9 x 11.4 x 17.3 inches |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Parallel Capability
Use the optional parallel kit to connect two 100519 units for 5,000W peak (3,700W continuous) — enough to run a small RV or larger home loads.
The Good
The 100519 is remarkably quiet for a budget generator. At 53dB at quarter load, it's quieter than a normal conversation. You can run it at a campground without annoying neighbors (though check campground rules).
Economy mode adjusts engine speed to match your load, saving fuel and reducing noise. For light loads like charging batteries or running a fridge, the engine barely idles.
The 39 lb weight makes it easy to move around. One person can lift it into a car trunk or truck bed without help.
The Annoying
The pull cord takes some effort, though not as much as larger engines. If you have shoulder problems or arthritis, you might struggle. There's no electric start option even on the higher-end Champion models in this size class.
No fuel gauge means you have to unscrew the cap and look inside to check fuel level. Annoying, but you get used to it.
You need to store fuel. Gasoline degrades after 3-6 months, so you'll need to rotate your fuel supply or use stabilizer.
⚠️ Carbon Monoxide Warning
The 100519 has a built-in CO sensor that shuts down the generator if CO levels get dangerous. This is a genuine safety feature that many budget generators lack. Still, NEVER run it indoors, in a garage, or near open windows.
What's an Inverter Generator?
A conventional generator produces AC power at a fixed engine speed (3,600 RPM). That power isn't perfectly clean — THD is often 12-25%, which can damage sensitive electronics.
An inverter generator produces AC power, converts it to DC, then converts it back to a very clean AC sine wave (<3% THD). It also allows the engine to slow down when load is low, saving fuel and reducing noise.
What Can You Run?
With <3% THD, you can safely run:
- Laptops, phones, tablets
- TVs, gaming consoles
- CPAP and BiPAP machines
- Medical equipment
- Modern refrigerators and freezers (with electronic controls)
- Microwaves
- Power tool battery chargers
What You Still Can't Run
The 1,850W continuous output means you can't run everything at once. A typical load might be:
- Refrigerator: 150W running
- CPAP: 50W
- TV: 80W
- LED lights: 30W
- Phone/laptop chargers: 40W
- Total: ~350W — well within capacity
Economy Mode
Always use Economy Mode when running light loads. The engine will slow down to match your power draw, saving fuel and making the generator much quieter. For heavy loads (microwave, space heater), turn Economy Mode off for full power.
🏠 Budget Home Backup
Runs a fridge, CPAP, TV, lights, and chargers for 10+ hours. Inverter power means safe for electronics.
🏕️ Campers & RVers
Quiet enough for most campgrounds. Light enough to carry. Runs RV AC (check startup surge).
🛏️ CPAP Users
Clean power means you can run your CPAP directly. Quieter than most CPAP machines themselves.
🎪 Tailgaters
Powers a TV, speakers, phone chargers, and a small fridge. Quiet enough not to annoy other fans.
🔧 Occasional Job Sites
Runs power tools and chargers. Lighter than most job-site generators.
💰 Budget-Conscious Buyers
If you want inverter power but can't afford a Honda, this is your generator.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you need electric start, look at larger Champion models. If you need more power (2,000W+ continuous), consider the WEN DF475X (3,750W, but conventional/non-inverter) or a larger inverter generator. If you run a generator daily for work, buy the Honda EU2200i for long-term reliability.
What Champion Got Right
The 100519 is the best budget inverter generator on the market. Clean <3% THD power, 53dB quiet operation, 39 lbs lightweight, and a price that's 1/3 of a comparable Honda.
What Still Needs Work
No electric start. No fuel gauge. Build quality feels cheap compared to Honda. And while Champion reliability is good for the price, it's not Honda-level.
The Verdict
If you need inverter-clean power for sensitive electronics but can't afford a Honda, buy the Champion 100519. It's quiet, light, and powerful enough for most home backup and camping needs. It won't last 20 years, and the pull cord gets old, but for $400, it's an incredible value.
