A generator gives you an extra cover in the event of any surprise. Depending on your peculiar situation, whether you need emergency power after a brownout, power for your camping, or you probably need an alternative power source for household needs, having a generator can save the day.
In a market with a good number of quality generators, paying close attention to distinguishing features and qualities that suit your specific needs is key. This article reviews two of the best generator models—Firman vs Predator generator—in the market to identify their unique qualities and compare them on their differences.
Firman Power Equipment has been in the market for 21 years since its commissioning in 2001. SUMEC Group, the manufacturer of the Firman generator brand, has been manufacturing and trading professional engineering products since 1978. Though its parent company is in China, Firman Power Equipment is headquartered in Arizona, USA, with a reach across over 92 countries.
The Firman generator brand has enjoyed widespread popularity in many regions of the world for its high-quality operation, portability, and competitive pricing. In 2013, the Firman generator brand set a Guinness record in the Indonesia Museum of Records. Trusted Source FIRMAN FDG25YDS/FDG25FS Diesel Generating Set runs uninterruptedly for 1513 hours, which overwrites the latest record (1086 hours) in Indonesian Museum of Records (Muri). en.sumecfirman.com
Harbor Freight, the producer of the Predator generator brand, has been in the market since 1977. They have gained consumer acceptance for manufacturing quiet, low-priced inverter generators that serve various needs.
These two generator brands, Firman vs. Predator generators, are recreational inverter-powered generators. For this reason, the two generators are built with portability in mind and are best suited to provide power on campsites or while RVing on the plains.
In 2013, SUMEC machinery announced its partnership with KOHLER Engines. Kohler has built a reputation as a producer of durable engines, and Firman has been a producer and distributor of hundreds of millions of high-quality portable generators. This partnership, therefore, blends portability with durability, which are essential qualities of quality generators. Firman generators come with a 3-year warranty, and refurbished machines are backed with a limited 90-day warranty. After reviewing the Firman power equipment catalog, we compiled this list of the best Firman generators.
Predator generators have carved a niche in the market with competitive pricing. They offer portable, quiet generators. Their products often enjoy a two-year warranty and come with inverter technology that helps to provide more in runtime. You can check our list of the best Predator generators. In case you want to know more about other generator brands, you can read our review of Predator vs. Honda generators.
| Firman W02981 | Predator 3500 | ||
| Type | inverter | inverter | |
| Peak watts | 3200W | 3000W | |
| Rated watts | 2900W | 2500W | |
| Fuel consumption | up to 10 hours with a 1.8-gallon gas tank | up to 11 hours at 25% load per fill-up | |
| Engine | 4-Stroke OHV | PREDATOR engine | |
| Displacement | 171cc | 212cc | |
| Dimensions | 24.2 x 18.5 x 19.7 in. | 22.75 x 17.3 x 20 in. | |
| Weight | 94.8 lbs. | 102 lbs. | |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years | |
| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON HARBORFREIGHT |
The Firman W02981 model comes with a 171cc OHV 4-stroke OHV engine, while the Predator 3500 model comes with a 212cc PREDATOR engine. The Firman power equipment has a fuel capacity of 1.8-gallon. With the Firman W02981, you have 9 hours of runtime with a power of 2900W running wattage and a surge wattage of 3200W.
On the other hand, the Predator 3500, with its 2.3-gallon fuel tank, provides up to 11 hours of runtime, with a power output of 3500W maximum starting watt and a running wattage of 3000W. You can power your AC with 1600W, your TV with an average watt load of 150W, and your grill and fridge. Since most of these and other home appliances are lower than the generators’ running wattage, they both tick off the power option requirement.
On runtime, the Predator generator edges its counterpart as it offers three more hours of runtime with its larger fuel capacity. In terms of power output, the Firman model edges its counterpart with more running wattage of about 400W.
Both generators, however, come in handy for powering your home appliances and your camping or tailgating needs, and they have RV adapters.
Noise is an important consideration when contemplating what generator product to buy. You don’t want to cause a nuisance with a generator that not only works but makes noise about its work rate.
It should be noted, however, that the noise from your generator may vary depending on the load level at a given time.
The Firman model comes with a Whisper Series muffler which works to reduce the noise produced by the W02981 engine to a low 58 decibels. Although there are no specific standards for portable generators under the Acts, the National Park Service frowns at generators louder than 60 dB(A). Trusted Source Policies and Authorities - Natural Sounds (U.S. National Park Service) Preservation of acoustical environments and noise reduction in parks are guided by several important laws, regulations, and policies. www.nps.gov
Like the Firman counterpart, the gas-powered Predator 3500 generator produces about 57 decibels of noise at 25% of its load, making it an ideal option for RVs and campsites. This keeps them mostly compliant.
The Firman and Predator generators were designed with aesthetics in mind. They are both portable, convenient to use, and easy to carry. The Firman and the Predator models have all of their major touch points on one side of the machine for start and use.
The Firman W02981 weighs less at 94.8 lbs. The Predator 3500 weighs 99.2 lbs. Regarding size, the Predator 3500 has a dimension of 22.75 x 17.3 x 20 inches, while the Firman W02981 has a dimension of 24.8 x 18.5 x 19.7 inches.
On portability, Predator 3500 edges Firman by a slight margin because while the Firman weighs less, the Predator is more compact.
They both have wheels for convenience. The Firman comes with two wheels, while the Predator model has four wheels.
The two generators have an electric start and a pull start.
They both have D.C. voltage outlets for charging batteries. While the Firman model has only one power outlet, the Predator 3500 has four power outlets.
The Firman vs. Predator generators have batteries that can be charged for the engine ignition.
Both generator models have low-fuel and low-oil shutoff features, which turn off the engine when the gas or oil is low to avoid engine wear. In addition, the Predator 3500 comes with CO Secure technology which turns off the engine when harmful levels of carbon monoxide are detected.
Firman W02981 comes with a Phoenix FatHead Block that keeps the engine cool to avoid overheating.
Also, the two generators are well insulated to prevent electrical shock, making them great options in harsh weather.
Regarding customer assurance, while the Firman W02981 comes with a warranty of up to 3 years, the Predator 3500 has a warranty of up to 2 years.
Predator 3500- pricing is a winner in this category, costing $900 on the manufacturer’s site.
Firman W02981 is more expensive, costing about $1,200 on the manufacturer’s site.
| Firman P08003 | Predator 63968 | ||
| Type | inverter | inverter | |
| Peak watts | 10000W | 9000W | |
| Rated watts | 8000W | 7250W | |
| Fuel consumption | 12-hour runtime | up to 13-hour runtime at 50% | |
| Engine | Firman 4 Stroke | PREDATOR engine | |
| Displacement | 439cc | 420cc | |
| Dimensions | 45.10 x 27.90 x 26.80 in. | 30 x 24 x 26 in. | |
| Weight | 210.3 lbs. | 194.01 lbs. | |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years | |
| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON HARBORFREIGHT |
The Firman P08003 generator is powered by a 439cc Firman 4-stroke engine, while the Predator 63968 generator comes with a 420cc PREDATOR engine.
The Firman P08003 has a fuel capacity of 8 gallons, giving it a runtime of 12 hours with a running power output of 8000W. On the other hand, the Predator 63968, with a runtime of 13 hours at 50% load per fill-up and a running power output of 7250W.
On runtime, the Firman P08003 edges the Predator 63968 as it offers more running output. But the Predator generator edges the Firman with an hour in runtime.
Both are heavy-duty generators and are capable of powering several home appliances and energy needs.
The Firman product has a Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) rate of 2.5% at full load.
Due to their open-frame design and heavy-duty function, the two generators make some noise.
Firman P08003 generates up to 74 decibels at 50% of its load while the Predator 63968 generates 78 decibels which means that the Firman product edges its counterpart on the noise comparison.
Unless you intend to use these generators in industrial areas which have decibels of up to 75-85db(A) Trusted Source Noise and dB(A) in Diesel Generators - Diesel Generators | New and Used Generators | FW Power How Noisy is a Diesel Generator? This is unsuprisingly a very common question we get asked and understandably so. Depending upon your needs noise can be a very important factor when looking to buy a generator. fwpower.co.uk , you might want to check the noise limit of your location in order to be compliant.
Though open-frame, both generators are relatively portable, convenient to use, and easy to move about.
The Firman P08003 has a dimension of 45.10 x 27.90 x 26.80 in., while the Predator 63938 has a dimension of 30 x 24 x 26 in. On weight, the Firman weighs 210 lbs. Its counterpart weighs 194 lbs. If the relative size is a big factor for you, the Predator 63968 is relatively smaller.
They both have two wheels for easy movement.
The two generators have an electric and recoil start.
They both have D.C. voltage outlets. The Firman P08003 has 6 outlets, edging the Predator, which has 4 power outlets. The Firman vs. Predator generators both have batteries that can be charged for the engine ignition.
Both generator models have low-fuel and low-oil indicators and shut-off features that turn off the engine when the gas or oil is low to avoid engine wear. They are also both CARB-compliant Trusted Source CARB Regulations Allow for the Use of Back-Up Generators during a Public Safety Power Shutoff | California Air Resources Board Your electric utility may shut your power off to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire during high fire risk weather conditions. During these Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), you may want to meet your electricity needs by using a back-up generator. However, back-up generator exhaust contributes to air pollution. ww2.arb.ca.gov .
The PREDATOR engine comes with a 13 HP air cooler, which helps to make the engine cool during operation. The two generators are sleeved with cast iron steel.
With regards to warranty, while the Firman P08003 comes with a warranty of up to 3 years, the Predator 63968 has a warranty of up to 2 years.
Predator 63968 is the winner with regards as it goes for less than $1,000 on the manufacturer’s website.
Firman P08003 costs about $1,350 on the manufacturer’s website.
Choosing the right generator depends on your energy needs and preferences. After reading this article comparing the Firman vs Predator generators brand, you are better positioned to make your choice.
In terms of runtime and pricing, Predator has a slight edge over the Firman generators, while Firman generators promise more engine performance and running wattage. In the end, the key factors are your budget and energy needs.
