Champion 2500W Ultralight Inverter
#4 in SmallFull review
A light, quiet gas inverter for camping, tailgating and running a fridge and lights in an outage. Pick the dual-fuel 2500W instead if you want propane.
Amazon $518.25$518.25
The Champion 2500W Ultralight Inverter is the better inverter generator overall, rated 3.7 to 3.3. The Champion 2500W Ultralight Inverter leads on CO safety, run time and warranty. The WEN 56235i wins on value. The WEN 56235i costs $89.25 less ($429 vs $518.25).
WEN 56235i
#8 in SmallFull review
A cheap, light inverter for camping and charging electronics. Pay more for a model with CO shutoff if it will run near a house.
Amazon $429$429
Prices were last checked October 22, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Champion 2500W Ultralight Inverter for CO safety (shuts off when carbon monoxide builds up vs no CO shutoff), run time (11.5 hours on a tank at 25% load vs 7.5 hours on a tank at 25% load (scaled from 50%)) and warranty (3-year warranty vs 2-year warranty).
- Choose the WEN 56235i for value ($0.23 per running watt vs $0.28 per running watt).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every small inverter generator; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Champion 2500W Ultralight Inverter | WEN 56235i |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.7/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Value 30% | 80 $0.28 per running watt | 94 $0.23 per running watt |
| Quiet 20% | 64 53 dBA at light load, maker rating | 79 51 dBA at light load, maker rating |
| Run time 15% | 75 11.5 hours on a tank at 25% load | 35 7.5 hours on a tank at 25% load (scaled from 50%) |
| Fuel options 10% | 0 gasoline only | 0 gasoline only |
| CO safety 10% | 100 shuts off when carbon monoxide builds up | 0 no CO shutoff |
| Warranty 10% | 50 3-year warranty | 25 2-year warranty |
| Starting 5% | 0 pull start only | 0 pull start only |
Specifications
| Champion 2500W Ultralight Inverter | WEN 56235i | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | ||
| Gasoline | 1,850 W running, 2,500 W starting | 1,900 W running, 2,350 W starting |
| Outlets | 2 × 120 V | 2 × 120 V, USB |
| Parallel capable | Yes | Yes |
| Total harmonic distortion | under 3% | under 1.2% |
| Price per watt | $0.28 | $0.23 |
| Fuel and run time | ||
| Fuel | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Tank | 1.1 gal | 1.1 gal |
| Run time (gasoline) | 11.5 hr at 25% load | 5.7 hr at 50% load |
| Engine | 80 cc | 79 cc |
| Noise and safety | ||
| Rated noise (light load) | 53 dBA | 51 dBA |
| CO shutoff | Yes | No |
| Build | ||
| Starting | Recoil (pull) | Recoil (pull) |
| App | No | No |
| Wheels | No | No |
| Dimensions | 17.6 x 12.6 x 18.1 in | 17.3 x 11.5 x 17.7 in |
| Weight | 39.7 lb | 39 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |