Powerhorse 4500 Inverter Generator Review

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Find out in this review whether the Powerhorse 4500 inverter generator or the alternatives are the right choice for you.

Powerhorse 4500 inverter review in short

Powerhorse 4500 inverter generator

The Powerhorse 4500 inverter generator is a good generator for a variety of purposes ranging from tailgating to a decent amount of backup power.

At the same time, there are generators in this power category that many people will like even more.

The main example is the Westinghouse iGen4500 which has more running watts, quieter operation, better fuel efficiency, and more customers.

You can also check out the other best 4500 watt generators if you have specific needs or preferences.

Pros

  • Relatively quiet operation
  • Good value for the price
  • Relatively positive customer reviews

Cons

  • Relatively short run time
  • Bad fuel efficiency
  • Relatively short commercial warranty
  • The occasional issue with the electric start battery

Some of the best uses for the Powerhorse 4500 inverter include:

  • RV or regular camping
  • Tailgating
  • Small businesses like food trucks
  • Running certain power tools
  • Construction sites if you don’t mind the 90 days commercial warranty
  • Home backup power for a few small to medium essentials

Powerhorse 4500 inverter performance in important categories

Besides the more general mini review, pros, cons, and uses, you may also want to see how the Powerhorse 4500 inverter performs in certain categories.

Performance CategoryPowerhorse 4500
Inverter Score*
Performance CategoryPowerhorse 4500
Inverter Score*
Power Capacity7Fuel Efficiency4
Run Time7Ease Of Use8.5
Quiet Operation9Portability7
THD<2%Price Category$$
Reliability Reputation8.5Overall Expert Rating8.5
Current PriceCheck Price
Powerhorse 4500 inverter performance on a score of 10 compared to other generators*

Individual reviews compare the specific model to portable generators in general and sometimes scores are based on customer input

Powerhorse 4500 inverter key features

Before digging through every single detail, you will be glad to hear that a few key features can give a good idea of what you can expect from the Powerhorse 4500 inverter generator.

FeaturePowerhorse 4500
Inverter Detail
Fuel Type Gasoline
Starting Watts4500 Starting Watts
Running Watts3500 Running Watts
Run Time @25% Load10 Hours
Noise Levels57 dBA
Outlets(1) 120V 30A TT-30R Twist-Lock Outlet,
(1) Duplex Of 120V 20A 5-20R
Outlets, (2) USB Ports
THDLess Than 2%
Warranty*2 Years Limited Residential And
90 Days Limited Commercial Warranties
Price Category**$$
Check Current Price
Powerhorse 4500 inverter key features

*Warranties can vary from seller to seller

**Price category at the time of writing

What will the Powerhorse 4500 inverter run?

What you can run with this 4500 watt inverter generator from Powerhorse is one of the most important details.

The most accurate way to figure this out would be to calculate the power needs of your devices and see whether the Powerhorse 4500 inverter capacity can deal with this.

However, there are also a few general statements I can make so you can quickly get some idea of what you can expect.

First of all, the Powerhorse LC4500i should be able to run a nice amount of small to medium appliances and tools.

One example of a combination that should be possible is an electric grill, a coffee maker, a laptop, and a TV.

Besides that, some of the bigger machines the Powerhorse 4500 inverter should be able to run separately include a window air conditioner (15,000 BTU), a 1 HP air compressor, and a table saw.

Powerhorse 4500 inverter customer reviews insights

Even though the Powerhorse 4500 inverter looks good in terms of features, you want to know that generator brands do not always deliver.

Going over the experiences of the customers before you with the help of their reviews is typically a good way to uncover unexpected downsides.

That being said, customers tend to be relatively positive about the Powerhorse 4500 inverter generator in their reviews.

Something you do want to keep in mind is that there are a few cases of issues with the electric start battery (but there is also the recoil start).

Additionally, there are a few cases where customers initially got a Powerhorse LC4500i that did not function as desired.

These two things need to be noted but again, the customer reviews of the Powerhorse 4500 inverter are relatively positive overall.

Powerhorse 4500 inverter alternatives

The Powerhorse 4500 inverter is a relatively good generator but there are alternatives too.

And because the category of 4500 watt generators is such a popular one, there are even alternatives that you will likely prefer over the Powerhorse LC4500i.

More specifically, the Westinghouse iGen4500 is similar to the Powerhorse LC4500i but with 200 more running watts, quieter operation, better fuel efficiency, and more customers.

You can also consider something like the WEN 56455i if you are on a tight budget and don’t mind the smaller number of customer reviews.

Is the Powerhorse 4500 inverter worth it?

The Powerhorse 4500 inverter is not perfect but it is a relatively good generator that can be worth the money in terms of the benefits it offers.

At the same time, you do want to know that there are 4500 watt generators that offer these benefits with longer run times, quieter operation, and/or a lower price.

In simpler words, the Powerhorse 4500 inverter can be a good choice if you stumble upon any really good deals but you will likely prefer the alternatives I mentioned above.

Powerhorse 4500 inverter generator

Other Powerhorse 4500 inverter specs

There are also other Powerhorse 4500 inverter specs I did not mention yet in the review.

These are not always relevant but could be in your situation so I put them in the table below.

You can also look at the Powerhorse 4500 inverter generator manual for even more details about this machine.

SpecificationPowerhorse 4500
Inverter Detail
Voltage120 Volts
PortableYes
Fuel Tank Capacity2.6 Gallons
Fuel Efficiency
(kWh Per Gallon)
3.365
Outlet CoversNo
Generator Oil Type10W-30 (API Service
SE type or higher)
Engine Displacement212cc
Recoil Pull StartYes
Electric StartYes
Low Oil ShutdownYes
Fully Enclosed DesignYes
AC Frequency60 Hz
Remote StartNo
Built-In
Digital Smart LCD
Yes
Hour MeterYes
Fuel GaugeYes
Wattage MeterYes
Run Time RemainingNo
Engine Type4 Stroke
Remote
Generator Operation
No
Parallel ReadyYes
WheelsYes
CO-MinderNo
Country Of Origin‎Vietnam
Dimensions22.8″ L x 17.3″ W x 20″ H
Weight99.2 lbs (45 kg)
Check Current Price
Other Powerhorse 4500 inverter specs

Powerhorse 4500 inverter FAQ

How long will a Powerhorse 4500 inverter run?

A Powerhorse 4500 inverter generator will run for about 10 hours at 25% load on a full tank.

How much oil does a Powerhorse 4500 inverter take?

The Powerhorse 4500 inverter has an oil capacity of 20.3 fluid ounces which is about 0.6 liters.

How many decibels is a Powerhorse 4500 inverter?

A Powerhorse 4500 inverter is about 57 A-weighted decibels (dBA) at 25% load and a distance of 23 feet (7 meters).

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Author:

Mats is the founder and head editor of Generator Decision. With a combination of critical thinking, tireless research, and a healthy interest in electronics he helps people find the right generators and how to use these. At this point in the journey, Mats has done research on hundreds of portable generators.