Firman Generator Reviews: Top 5 Picks Compared

Firman Power Equipment is one of the best brands in the power generation industry. It belongs to Sumec Group that is one of the members of Sinomach, a well-known Chinese National Machinery Industry Corporation.

Firman generators are reliable and affordable. These include portable conventional and inverter generators. Also, Firman is now manufacturing tri-fuel generators. So, you have a wide variety of generator models to choose from.

Their Hybrid Series includes both dual-fuel and tri-fuel generators. The Performance Series includes portable conventional generators. And the Whisper Series has one of the quietest inverter generators.

So, if you are looking for a Firman generator, here we are reviewing some of the best generators manufactured by Firman.

Best Firman Generator Reviews

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Product Name

Features

Ratings

Reviews

Check Price

Firman lightweight power station with 80cc engine

Firman W01781 Portable Generator

  • 45.9 pounds weight

  • A wheel kit

  • 80cc OHV engine

Firman lightweight fuel efficient power station

Firman W03083 Portable Generator

  • 90 pounds weight

  • Fuel-efficient engine

  • 3 years warranty

Firman lightweight power station with 10,000 watts output

Firman H08051 Dual Fuel Portable Generator

  • 212 pounds weight

  • Dual fuel tank

  • 10,000 - 9050 peak watts

Firman lightweight power station with 439cc engine

Firman P08003 Portable Generator

  • 221 pounds weight

  • RV-ready generator

  • 439cc engine

Firman propane and gasoline power station

Firman H05751 Dual Fuel Generator

  • 196 pounds weight

  • 439cc OHV engine

  • Dual fuel system

1. Firman W01781 Portable Generator – Overall Best

  • Engine: 80cc OHV
  • Warranty: 3 years
  • Weight: 45.9 pounds

More Features: Users can ship and use this generator in all the 50 states of the U.S.

Firman recoil start portable generator

Type of Generator: Firman W01781 is a portable inverter generator from the Whisper Series. It is best for camping and tailgating.

Warranty and Weight: It is backed by a 3-year residential warranty and weighs 45.9 pounds with a wheel kit.

Regulations: The generator is both EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CARB (California Air Resources Board) approved. Also, it is a cETL (Canada) certified product. Users can ship and use this generator in all the 50 states of the U.S. Also, Canadians can buy this generator without any trouble.

Starting Option: Its reliable recoil start system makes starting simple and easy.

Engine and Power Wattage: It has an 80cc Firman 4-stroke OHV engine, which delivers 2,100 watts starting power and 1,700 watts running power.

The engine is equipped with a low-oil shutoff sensor and a cast-iron sleeve.

The cast-iron sleeve is for the protection of the engine. And low-oil shutoff sensor turns off the engine when it detects a decrement in the oil level.

Phoenix Fat Head Block: The function of the Phoenix Fat Head Block is to increase the engine’s efficiency and keeps it cool during operation.

Power Stream Alternator: It is equipped with a brushless alternator. It uses two sets of rotors. When these rotors spin simultaneously, the electric current is generated and transferred.

The alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy (AC). It has a rotating magnetic field and gives higher output to give extra power to its users.

THD Rating: THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) determines how much-distorted voltage or current is available in an electric signal.

The THD rating of Firman W01781 is less than 3% at full load, which makes it quite suitable for powering sensitive electronics.

Tank Size and Runtime: Firman W01781 has a smaller plastic fuel tank of 0.9 gallons. At 25% load, it operates up to 9 hours.

Economy Mode: For maximum fuel efficiency, use this eco-mode. When turned on, it changes the engine’s RPM (Revolutions per Minute) to meet the load requirement.

Parallel Capability: With a parallel capability feature, you can easily connect another inverter generator of the same model or series. This helps users to draw more power from the two units.

Outlets: A 12 Volt 5 Ampere DC outlet is for charging batteries. A 5 Volt USB port is used to charge phones and tablets. And the two 120 Volt 20 Ampere (5-20R) outlets are for powering small AC appliances.

Noise: The Whisper Series muffler helps the generator to operate at only 54dB, hence it will make less noise.

Safety: Its safety features include a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) certified spark arrestor, low-oil shutoff with indicator, and an overload indicator.

The spark arrestor allows users to use the generator in forested areas. The low-oil shutoff sensor detects low oil level and shuts down the engine to prevent damages. And the overload indicator turns on when the generator comes under the additional load.

My Opinion:

Pros: Firman W01781 is an inexpensive generator. It has a fuel-efficient engine that produces clean and stable power. You can also draw more power with the help of its parallel capability feature. Also, its operational sound is low.

Cons: No electric start mechanism is available.

2. Firman W03083 Portable Generator – RV-ready Inverter Generator

Firman portable inverter generator

Type of Generator: Firman W03083 is an RV-ready portable inverter generator from the Whisper Series. Users can use it to power campsites, tailgates, RVs, and homes.

Warranty and Weight: It offers a 3-year limited residential warranty. And its weight is 90 pounds that make it slightly heavier than Firman W03081.

Regulations: Both EPA and CARB approved and cETL certified

Starting Option: The best thing about this generator is its electric start system. Also, users can remotely start this generator from up to 55 yards away. The availability of electric and remote start systems makes it a better option than Firman W03081.

Engine and Power Wattage: The generator is powered by a 171cc Max-Pro Series 4-stroke OHV engine featuring low-oil shutoff and cast-iron sleeve. It gives 3,300 watts surge power and 3,000 watts rated power.

With this output, you can power one big appliance and two small appliances at home simultaneously.

Phoenix Fat Head Block: Thanks to the Phoenix Fat Head Block that ensures the engine’s fuel efficiency.

Power Stream Alternator: It also has a brushless alternator. These brushless alternators are more efficient as compared to brushed alternators.

THD Rating: Users can power their delicate electronic items without any worries because of its less than 3% THD rating at full load.

Tank Size and Runtime: Firman W03083 gives up to a 9-hour runtime at a 25% load on a full 1.8-gallon tank.

Economy Mode: The eco-mode helps save fuel. It reduces the engine’s speed to meet the load applied.

Parallel Capability: If needed more power to run additional appliances, use the parallel operation outlets. Buy a parallel kit separately to connect another Firman inverter generator with W03083.

Outlets: The power panel of the Firman W03083 has a 5V USB port and a 12 Volt 8 Ampere DC outlet. Also, there is two 120 Volt 20 Ampere (5-20R) outlets and one 120 Volt 30 Ampere (TT-30R) outlet.

Charge your electronics and batteries through a USB port and a 12 Volt DC outlet, respectively.

With 5-20R outlets, you can power AC appliances and tools. And the TT-30R outlet is for connecting your generator to an RV.

Date Center: Firman W03083 also has a digital hour meter. It displays the voltage, operating hours of the generator, and frequency.

Noise: It operates slightly louder (58dB) than the Firman W01781 model.

Safety: A USDA approved spark arrestor, automatic low-oil warning system, and an overload indicator

My Opinion:

Pros: Firman W03083 is an RV-ready generator. It is parallel capable and offers a remote start option. It also produces clean AC power and operates silently from 7 meters away.

Cons: Its runtime is relatively lower.

3. Firman H08051 Dual Fuel Portable Generator – Best Dual Fuel Generator

Firman dual fuel portable generator

Type of Generator: Firman H08051 is a dual-fuel portable conventional generator from the Hybrid Series. It runs on gas as well as propane. It is designed to use at homes or construction sites.

Warranty and Weight: The weight of this machine is 212 pounds. It has a 3-year residential and a 90-day commercial warranty.

Regulations: It is not a cETL certified product but meets the standards set by CARB and EPA.

Starting Option: For the convenience of the users, it offers an electric start system along with a recoil backup.

Engine and Power Wattage: Firman H08051 has a powerful 439cc Max-Pro Series 4-stroke OHV engine. When running on gasoline, it gives 10,000 peak watts and 8,000 rated watts. But on propane, it produces 9,050 watts of peak power and 7,250 watts of running power.

With this output power, you can easily power a central air conditioner of 12,000 BTU, a refrigerator, microwave oven, and fans and lights.

At a job site, you can run a hammer drill, a circular saw, and a belt sander with ease.

Phoenix Fat Head Block: It also carries a Phoenix Fat Head Block for the efficiency of the engine.

Power Stream Alternator: There is a brushed alternator that uses carbon brushes to produce electricity.

Volt Lock AVR: Firman H08051 consists of a Volt Lock Automatic Voltage Regulator. It makes sure you get consistent and clean power from the Power Stream Alternator.

Tank Size and Runtime: Power your appliances and tools up to 12 hours at 50% load on an 8-gallon gasoline tank.

Outlets: It has a total of five AC outlets.

Two of them are the 120 Volt 20 Ampere (5-20R) outlets, and one is the 120 Volt 30 Ampere (L5-30R) outlet. The remaining two outlets include a 120/240 Volt 30 Ampere (L14-30R) outlet and one 120/240 Volt 50 Ampere (14-50R) outlet.

To power your whole house, you can connect your generator to a manual transfer switch through an L14-30R outlet. For construction sites, 14-50R will be very much useful. Also, RV owners can power their RVs through an L5-30R outlet.

Data Center: If you need to track voltage, runtime, and the operating frequency of the generator, make use of the data center.

Noise: It is a noisy generator with a 74dB noise rating. But according to the power output it generates, this noise rating is on the lower side.

Safety: Firman H08051 is low-oil shutoff and overload protected. Also, it has a USDA approved spark arrestor.

My Opinion:

Pros: Firman H08051 has GFCI protected outlets for the safety of the users. It is a dual fuel unit that is fuel-efficient. Also, it gives higher runtime and features an electric start mechanism.

Cons: Remote start option must be available.

4. Firman P08003 Portable Generator – RV-ready Conventional Generator

Firman portable gas-powered generator

Type of Generator: Firman P08003 is an RV-ready portable conventional generator from the Performance Series. It only runs on gas and best suited for large RVs, homes, and construction sites.

Warranty and Weight: It comes with a 3-year residential and a 90-day commercial warranty. It has a dry weight of 221 pounds, which makes it slightly heavier than Firman H08051.

Regulations: You can use this generator in any state of the United States. It is both EPA and CARB approved.

Starting Option: It includes all the three starting mechanisms: Recoil, Electric, and Remote.

Engine and Power Wattage: Its 439cc Firman 4-stroke OHV engine creates 10,000 peaks and 8,000 watts of rated power.

Phoenix Fat Head Block: The same Phoenix Fat Head Block is part of Firman P08003.

Power Stream Alternator: It also has a brushed power stream alternator like the Firman H08051.

Volt Lock AVR: Get clean and dependable power with the help of a Volt Lock Automatic Voltage Regulator.

Tank Size and Runtime: It offers 12 hours of runtime at 50% load on an 8-gallon gasoline tank

Outlets: Make use of the 120 Volt 30 Ampere (TT-30R) outlet for RV connection. The 120/240 Volt 30 Ampere (L14-30R) is a transfer switch ready outlet. Along with these outlets, there are two 120 Volt 20 Ampere (5-20R) outlets, one 120 Volt 30 Ampere (L5-30R) outlet, and one 120/240 Volt 50 Ampere (14-50R) outlet.

Data Center: It assists users in tracking their generator status. It shows frequency, voltage, operational hours, and low oil.

Noise: 74dB sound rating

Safety: Firman P08003 features a spark arrestor, low-oil shutoff, and overload protection.

My Opinion:

Pros: Firman P08003 is an RV-ready generator that features GFCI outlets. It is user-friendly, fuel-efficient features a remote start system, and offers higher runtime.

Cons: Its remote start system sometimes fails to work.

5. Firman H05751 Dual Fuel Generator – Best under $1000

Firman Carb Compliant Dual fuel generator

Type of Generator: Firman H05751 is a hybrid dual fuel portable conventional generator. It is ideal worksites, emergencies, and recreational activities.

Warranty and Weight: 196 pounds weight with a 3-year residential and a 90-day commercial warranty.

Regulations: It is not only approved by EPA but also meets the CARB set standards.

Starting Option: Electric start method with a recoil backup.

Engine and Power Wattage: Firman H05751 has the same 439cc Max-Pro Series 4-stroke OHV engine, but it is less powerful.

It produces the same power wattage (7125 peaks and 5700 rated) on both gasoline and propane.

Phoenix Fat Head Block: It is also featured with a Phoenix Fat Head Block.

Power Stream Alternator: Brushed power stream alternator

Volt Lock AVR: It gives stable power to run electronics and appliances.

Tank Size and Runtime: Its gasoline runtime is higher (13 hours) than Firman H08051 at 50% load.

Outlets: Firman H05751 includes four 120 Volt 20 Ampere (5-20R) outlets, one 120 Volt 30 Ampere (L5-30R) outlet, and one 120/240 Volt 30 Ampere (L14-30R) outlet.

Data Center: During operation, always check the data center to know the generator status.

Noise: It is also loud with a 74dB noise level.

Safety: Spark arrestor along with low-oil and overload protection

My Opinion:

Pros: Firman H05751 has a decent weight and fuel efficiency. It runs on both gasoline and propane. Also, it features an electric start and GFCI outlets.

Cons: No remote start option is available. Also, it is expensive for its features.

Buyer’s Guide

What type of generator do you want?

First, decide what type of generator you need for your personal usage.

Firman Power Equipment manufactures both inverter and conventional generators. Both of these types are different in many ways.

Conventional generators are designed to power RVs and bigger appliances and tools. In contrast, inverter generators are best for outdoor activities (camping and tailgating), or to run small home appliances and electronics.

Firman conventional generators are fuel-efficient. Also, they provide stable power with the help of a Volt Lock AVR (Automatic Voltage regulator). Moreover, conventional units are bigger in size and heavier.

But, inverter generators are small in size and lightweight. Their lower THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) rating makes them ideal for delicate electronics. Also, their parallel capability feature allows them to give more output power.

So, if you need a quiet Firman inverter generator, select any unit from the Whisper Series. On the other side, Firman Performance Series consists of both small and big portable conventional generators.

Fuel Option:

It is up to you to either select a single fuel generator or a dual fuel generator.

Firman single fuel generators run on natural gas, diesel, or gasoline. But we suggest you select a dual fuel generator from the Hybrid Series to have two fuel options (propane and gasoline). Also, you can buy a Firman tri-fuel generator that runs on natural gas, liquid propane, and gasoline.

If you have easy access to natural gas, you can go for a Firman natural gas generator as natural gas is cheaper. Diesel generators are mostly used on construction sites. Also, they promote air pollution. So, it is suggested to avoid using a diesel generator if you need one for home-usage.

On the other hand, propane is more eco-friendly and less flammable than gasoline. It is also non-toxic as compared to diesel and gasoline.

Power Wattage

If you need to run big appliances and tools, you must go for a powerful generator that can generate higher output power. Or if you need a unit to power small appliances at home or camping, a small-sized generator will be enough.

Always try to choose a generator that can generate more starting and running watts than what you need.

Start Option

Recoil start system is not bad at all, but some users don’t find it reliable and easy to use. So, it is better to go for a unit that offers both electric and recoil start mechanisms. Also, a remote start option makes life much easier as you can turn on and off your generator from a distance.

Tank Size

For higher runtime, make sure your Firman conventional generator has a big-sized fuel tank. But you can also get higher runtime with an inverter generator because of its eco-mode.

Power Outlets:

Also, ensure the outlets available on your generator are according to your needs. For example, if you are purchasing a generator for your RV, it must have a TT-30R outlet. To power household appliances, your generator has at least two 5-20R outlets. To run a whole house, buy a transfer switch ready generator, which has an L14-30R outlet. And to power heavy-duty tools and machines, make sure your unit has a 14-50R outlet.

What type of oil is ideal to use in Firman generators?

If you live in an area where most of the months are hot and humid, use 20w-50 oil. But for colder areas, it is recommended to use the 10w-30 motor oil.

How frequently should I do routine maintenance of my generator?

  • You have to check the electrical safety and fittings daily. Also, the oil level, air cleaner, and the fuel line are required to check every day before the operation.
  • Never forget to replace the engine oil after the initial 20 hours of operation. And then replace the oil every 50 or 100 hours of operation.
  • If we talk about the fuel filter, then it must be checked and cleaned every 100 hours.
  • Also, replace the fuel line every 500 hours or 2 years.
  • Moreover, make sure you are checking and cleaning the spark plug every 100 hours of operation.

Do electric start Firman generators include a battery?

Yes. All the Firman generators that come with electric start systems include a battery.

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