Sportsman brand of generators has quickly made its name in this highly competitive industry for reliable and affordable portable generators. The company is known for high quality and powerful portable generators at an affordable price which is usually a fraction of the price of some of the more well-known brands. However, lower price does not mean you have to compromise on quality and performance as all the generators made by this company are known for their durability, reliability as well as long service life. The portable generators made by the company are not only ideal for emergency backup but also for construction sites and other outdoor uses.
In this article, we are going to review the top 3 Sportsman generators available in the market. We have chosen these 3 generators for their excellent performance, reliable operation and variety of features. In this Sportsman generator reviews, we will discuss their specifications as well as features of these powerful generators and help you determine which Sportsman generator is the right choice for a particular use.
Sportsman Generator Reviews
1. Sportsman GEN4000DF
As the name suggests, it is a powerful 4000 W generator. You get 4000 W of peak power and 3500 W of running power with this generator. We are biased towards dual fuel generators as it allows you to use multiple fuels to keep your generator running. This is a dual fuel generator which means you can run it on LPG as well as gasoline.
One of the reasons we recommend buying dual fuel generators is that these offer flexibility and also, allow you to save quite a bit of money in the long run. As you are aware, propane is a cheaper and cleaner fuel.
The transition from gasoline to propane or vice versa is extremely easy and happens at the push of a button. This powerful portable generator is powered by a 212 cc, OHV engine. It is also EPA approved. As far as running time is concerned, you can expect to get 10 hours of operation on a full tank of gas which is 3.6 gallons. A propane tank will also last you around 10 hours at 50% load.
One of the most common problems people face with generators is their noise levels. This particular generator is relatively quiet as the maximum noise level produced is less than 69 dB. It comes with recoil start.
As far as its weight is concerned, it weighs in at 90 pounds and you shouldn't find it too difficult to move it from one place to another though no tires are included in the enclosure. It is relatively compact with length of 24.5 inches, width of 17 inches and height of 16.5 inches. Also, it comes with one year of limited warranty.
In terms of outlets, you get a total of 4 standard outlets of 120 V. You can also use it in your RV as it comes with one RV Outlet of 120 V. There is also a 12 V DC outlet that can be used for charging batteries. With so many features, it is a perfect portable generator for tailgating, camping as well as emergency power backup. You also get a 5 foot long propane fuel hose combined with the regulator. It also has plenty of safety features. It includes a low oil shut-off feature. It shuts down the generator when it detects low fuel level.
Pros
- It is a dual fuel generator that runs on both propane and gasoline.
- You get excellent runtime with this generator as it can last up to 10 hours on one tank of fuel.
- It is relatively inexpensive when compared in the context of power output and features you get for the price.
- Setting it up is extremely easy and it has plenty of outlets.a
Cons
- Some people might not find it quite as it produces top noise levels of up to 69 dB.
2. Sportsman GEN2000
This is another reliable generator from this brand. It is relatively small in size as compared to the Sportsman GEN4000DF model. This particular generator is designed to provide enough backup power to operate a major electric tool. Due to its compact size, it is a favorite of buyers who like to lug it with them to a construction site for powering their tools.
In terms of power output, you get 2000 W of peak power and 1400 W of running power with this generator. It provides enough power output to operate various tools such as a chainsaw, a rotary hammer, a breaker hammer or a portable heater, refrigerator or your air conditioner in the RV.
It runs only on gasoline and it is powered by a 2.6 HP, OHV, 4 stroke engine which means it will keep performing for a long time. The 87 cc engine is also EPA approved. You get two standard outlets of 120 V AC and one outlet of 12 V DC.
In terms of runtime, you can expect to get up to 9 hours of operation on a full gas tank at half load. The fuel tank size is 1.2 gallons. In terms of noise levels, it produces peak noise levels of up to 65 dB.
It weighs just 53 pounds which means you won't have any difficulty in moving it from one place to another. In terms of dimensions, it is 18.5 inches long, 14.75 inches wide and 16 inches high. It comes with recoil start. Like the other models made by the company, you also get one year of limited warranty with this model.
It is an ideal companion for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hunting, tailgating and other such things. You can also use it to power your tools a construction site. It also acts as a decent power backup solution. The best thing about this generator is its price as you will struggle to find another reliable generator that offers this kind of power output at this price.
Pros
- One of its biggest advantages is its affordable price.
- It has a solid build which means you can lug it around anywhere and it will just keep running.
- You get a decent operational time with this powerful generator.
- It comes with recoil start which makes it easy to start.
Cons
- In terms of cons, you could say that there are quieter generators out there but not at this price.
3. Sportsman 1000W Inverter Generator
This 1000 W generator is an inverter generator. An inverter generator is different as it produces relatively cleaner power with low total harmonic distortion. Total harmonic distortion is a measure of disturbance level in the electricity generated through a generator and inverter generators have a low THD as compared to traditional generators. Simply put, you can use it to power sensitive electronics without worrying about their safety.
As far as power output is concerned, you get 1000 W of peak power and 800 W of running power. It comes with a 0.55 gallon fuel tank which offers 6.3 hours of run time at 50% load. While some might find this a runtime to be on the lower end of the spectrum but when you take into consideration its price and size, you get a great value for your money.
In terms of outlets, you get one outlet of 120 V AC as well as an outlet of 12 V DC. In terms of safety features, it comes equipped with a low oil shutdown feature which means the generator will shut down automatically if there is low fuel. This feature helps in prolonging the life of the generator.
It is powered by a 40 mL, 4 stroke, 1.3 HP engine that produces maximum noise levels of 56 dB. To put things in perspective, a common refrigerator produces noise levels of around 50 dB. The engine is CARB and EPA approved. Like all the other generators made by the company, this model also comes with one year of limited warranty. In terms of dimensions, it is 18 inches long, 15.75 inches wide and 9 inches high. In terms of weight, it weighs only 19 pounds and the body is made from plastic. It is so light that anyone can easily move it from one place to another.
It is a small but powerful generator that can be used for running your TV or your computer or other sensitive electronics as well as some tools. In fact, many people like to take this generator while camping and scouting as well as at football games.
Pros
- It is extremely affordable.
- It packs in a lot of power in a small and compact design.
- It offers excellent runtime for its size.
- It is an inverter generator that produces clean power to run sensitive electronics.
Cons
- You might find it difficult to get the peak power output of 1000 W with this generator.
In this section, we will cover some of the common questions people ask about this particular brand.
Sportsman generators are sold in the US by Buffalo Tools. Buffalo Tools is an international brand that specializes in high quality but affordable goods for industrial as well as home use.
Even though Sportsman generators are affordable, it does not mean that you have to compromise on quality. These are no-frills generators that do their job a fraction of the price you have to pay for other brands in the market. The technology used in these generators is not the most advanced but you get excellent value for your money.
If you are looking for the quietest Sportsman generator, the one you want is the 1000 W inverter generator made by the company. Keep in mind that inverter generators tend to be less noisy as compared to the conventional generators. Also, portable generators are quieter as compared to the bigger models.
As far as the engine used in these generators is concerned, the engines are made in China as is the case with most of the portable generators. Buffalo Tools, which is based in St Louis, Missouri, imports these to the US.
