The main differences between the Generac IQ3500 and Westinghouse iGen4500 are that the Generac IQ3500 comes with a twist lock outlet, slightly more efficient fuel usage, a longer warranty, and a construction that makes changing oil easier.
That being said, besides these few small plus points, the Westinghouse iGen4500 is better in basically all of the important details. Including price.
So in something like a commercial situation where you don’t want to take any risks, you could choose the Generac IQ3500.
However, most people will prefer the Westinghouse iGen4500 and its power, more budget-friendly price, and RV-friendly Tt-30R 30 Amp Outlet.
Important differences Generac IQ3500 vs Westinghouse iGen4500
There are a good amount of differences between the Generac IQ3500 and the Westinghouse iGen4500.
At the same time, you don’t need to know about every single one of these to be able to make a decision.
In this first section, you can find some of the biggest and most important differences between these two generators.
| Feature | Generac IQ3500 | Westinghouse iGen4500 |
|---|---|---|
| Running Watts | 3000 Running Watts | 3700 Running Watts |
| Starting Watts | 3500 Starting Watts | 4500 Starting Watts |
| Run Time @25% Load | 14.1 Hours (Eco Mode) | 18 Hours |
| Outlets | (2) 120V 20A 5-20R Duplex, (1) 120V 30A L5-30R Twist Lock, (2) USB | (2) 120V 20A 5-20R With Cover, (1) Tt-30R 30 Amp Outlet, (2) USB |
| Wheels | No | Yes |
| Fuel Efficiency (kWh Per Gallon) | 5.135 | 4.897 |
| Outlet Covers | No | Yes |
| Remote Start | No | Optional |
| Warranties* | 3 Years Limited Residential And Commercial | 3 Years Limited Residential And 1 Year Limited Commercial |
| Price Category** | $$$ | $$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
**Price category at the time of writing
Other features Generac IQ3500 vs Westinghouse iGen4500
While the differences above and a quick price check are likely enough to choose between the Generac IQ3500 and the Westinghouse iGen4500, you may want to look at a few other details too.
In the table below, you can find some of the common features and smaller differences.
| Feature | Generac IQ3500 | Westinghouse iGen4500 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Voltage | 120 Volts | 120 Volts |
| Decibels | Reviews Mention Around 50 To 88 dB Depending On Distance | As Low As 52 dBA |
| Portable | Yes | Yes |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 2.6 Gallons | 3.4 Gallons |
| Recoil Pull Start | Yes | Yes |
| Electric Start | Yes | Yes |
| Low Oil Shutdown | Yes | Yes |
| Fully Enclosed Design | Yes | Yes |
| AC Frequency | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Engine Displacement | 212cc | 224cc |
| Built-In Digital Smart LCD | Yes | Yes |
| Hour Meter | Yes | Yes |
| Fuel Gauge | Yes | Yes |
| Wattage Meter | Yes | Yes |
| Run Time Remaining | Yes | Yes |
| Engine Type | 4 Stroke | 4 Stroke |
| Low THD | Less Than 3% | Less Than 3% |
| Remote Generator Operation | No | No |
| CO-Minder | No | Optional |
| USB Ports | 2 USB ports | 2 USB ports |
| Parallel Ready | Yes | Yes |
| Run Time @50% Load | 8.9 Hours (Eco Mode) | Not Specified |
| Weight | 109.1 lbs (49.5 kg) | 104.7 lbs (47.5 kg) |
| Dimensions | 23.7″ L x 18″ W x 21.7″ H | 24.5″ L x 17.5″ W x 20″ H |
| Country Of Origin | China | China |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
Differences Generac IQ3500 vs Westinghouse iGen4500 explained
If you are somewhat newer to generators, it is also possible that some differences between the Generac IQ3500 and Westinghouse iGen4500 are not entirely clear yet.
In that case, the sections below could make you more certain about which of these two generators the best choice is for your situation.
Starting and running watts
Generators like the Generac IQ3500 and Westinghouse iGen4500 are not (just) for making your garage or camping setup look better.
The main goal of these machines is to provide you with enough power to make your electrical devices work.
This means starting and running watt capacities of the Generac IQ3500 and Westinghouse iGen4500 are two of the most important details.
Starting watts are an initial burst of power that is needed to get certain machines started. Running watts is how much continuous power the generators offer.
The Generac IQ3500 offers 3000 running watts and 3500 starting watts.
On the other hand, the Westinghouse iGen4500 comes with 4500 starting watts and 3700 running watts.
The Generac IQ3500 should provide enough power for a somewhat more basic setup but also more medium devices like a small electric grill if you only run this machine and potentially a few small devices.
That being said, if you are starting to think about running these multiple devices, it can be smarter to play it safe and go for the 3700 running watts of the Westinghouse iGen4500.
Winner: Westinghouse iGen4500
Outlets Generac IQ3500 vs Westinghouse iGen4500
To connect your electrical devices to the generator you still need to have the right outlets and enough of them.
The Generac IQ3500 and Westinghouse iGen4500 are similar in this area but it is worth mentioning the differences.
Both generators have two 120V 20A 5-20R outlets and two USB ports.
However, the first difference is that the Westinghouse iGen4500 comes with outlet covers. These can be helpful in the sense that they protect free outlets from moisture and debris.
Besides that, the Generac IQ3500 and Westinghouse iGen4500 also vary in the fifth outlet they offer.
The Generac IQ3500 comes with a 120V 30A L5-30R Twist Lock which can be helpful if you have devices that absolutely have to stay connected.
On the other hand, the Westinghouse iGen4500 has a Tt-30R 30 Amp Outlet as the fifth option.
RV’s tend to use this type of outlet which can be a nice benefit of the Westinghouse iGen4500 for the right people.
Winner: Generac IQ3500 if you want a twist lock outlet
Winner: Westinghouse iGen4500 if you want a Tt-30R 30 Amp Outlet
Warranties
Since generators do require a decent investment, these machines typically come with some type of warranty.
If something goes wrong with your generator in this time frame (under normal use), you can contact the brand to get your issues fixed.
These warranties are also some form of indication of how much brands stand behind the quality of their products.
Now for the details, both the Generac IQ3500 and Westinghouse iGen4500 come with a 3-year limited warranty for residential use.
However, these generators do vary in terms of their commercial warranties.
In this environment, the Generac IQ3500 still offers the 3 years of limited warranty whereas the Westinghouse iGen4500 only comes with 1 year of commercial warranty.
Depending on details like your risk tolerance and cash flow, the extra commercial warranty of the Generac IQ3500 could be the right choice for commercial purposes.
Winner: Generac IQ3500 (only in commercial situations)
Price
After seeing all of the positive points of the Westinghouse iGen4500 over the Generac IQ3500 you may start to get a feeling that this generator will be a lot pricier.
However, surprisingly, the Westinghouse iGen4500 tends to be more budget-friendly than the Generac IQ3500.
You do want to double-check this detail since temporary deals can make a difference.
At the same time, this makes the Westinghouse iGen4500 sound like an even better idea.
Winner: Westinghouse iGen4500
User reviews Generac IQ3500 vs Westinghouse iGen4500
One of the last things that could be stopping you from choosing the Westinghouse iGen4500 over the Generac IQ3500 is the question of whether this generator is legit.
For this, looking at the experiences of thousands of customers to see trends tends to be useful.
The overall positivity of the customer reviews of the Westinghouse iGen4500 and Generac IQ3500 is similar but the details of the few issues that show up are different.
A few customers mention that the electric start of the Generac IQ3500 is not always perfect, that the generator is relatively bulky, and that this machine is not always ideal for running air conditioners.
On the other hand, one of the main things people don’t like about the Westinghouse iGen4500 is that the construction makes changing the oil challenging.
That being said, customers are very happy with these generators overall.
Is the Westinghouse iGen4500 better than the Generac IQ3500?
In short, the only advantages the Generac IQ3500 has over the Westinghouse iGen4500 are the twist lock outlet, slightly better fuel efficiency, the longer commercial warranty, and a more convenient oil change.
On the other hand, the Westinghouse iGen4500 offers more power, a longer runtime, wheels, outlet covers, and many more benefits. Often at a lower investment price.
So unless you are in a situation where you absolutely need the few unique aspects of the Generac IQ3500, you will likely find the Westinghouse iGen4500 the better choice.
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