Firman vs Predator Generator: Which Generator Should You Go For?

A good portable generator should have the following qualities: reasonable price, better warranty, and efficiency. But, not every manufacturer offers what you need. Finding the ideal product is therefore essential, which is where Firman and Predator generators come into play.

Many modern generators also offer dual fuel capabilities, allowing them to run on both gasoline and propane, which adds versatility and convenience. Additionally, the electric start feature in these generators enhances user convenience, especially during extended power outages.

So, Firman vs Predator Generator, which one should you choose? 

Among the two, Firman generator offers customers with higher running watts, low noise output, better fuel tank capacity,  better engine capacity, and extended warranty periods. On the other hand, Predator generators give extra run time with load, low price range and lighter weight.

We wrote this content to summarize these two generators’ major features. And at the end of the article, you get an overview and comparison of different Firman and Predator models.

Do you want to know more? Keep reading!

firman vs predator generator: A Detail Insight of The Key Features

You can choose which of these generators best fits you by evaluating Firman and Predator side by side. A detailed insight of the key features is given below in a table to easily understand their comparison. The price difference between Firman and Predator generators can help you decide based on your budget and needs.

Key Features	Firman	Predator
Starting Watts	1000 -15000	1400-9500
Noise Output (dB)	58-81	60-76
Engine (cc)	80-760	54-459
Fuel Tank Capacity (gallon)	0.9-13.3	0.75-8
Run Time With Load	12-9 hours at 25-50% load	18.5-7.3 hours at 25-50% load
weight (lb)	45.9-390	33-257
Price	380-2899	380-2400
Warranty (years) and Customer service	3	2

Firman vs Predator: In Depth Comparison

Firman generators have three different series. They are hybrid series, performance series and whisper series. On the other hand, Predator also provides three different versions. They are Super quiet inverter generator, inverter generator and standard gas powered generator.

Using ethanol free fuel can significantly improve engine performance and reliability, especially for small engines. Additionally, having a high altitude jet is crucial for generators used in higher altitudes to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.

That said, let’s get into the details! The following contains detailed explanations of each essential aspect.

Wattage And Power Output:

When using generators, the output power of the generator should be your first consideration. The problem starts at this point. You will often find two power ratings for generators. They are starting watts and running watts. 

The other name of running watts is rated watts or continuous watts but the other name of starting watts is surge watts or peak watts or beginning watts.

The Rated Watts is the first term. This is the generator’s power output, measured in watts, that it generates to support the regular running of all the appliances. It is sometimes referred to as Running Watts or Continuous Watts.

If the item doesn’t include the operating watt rating, multiply the amps by the volts (W=A x V). You can check the tool or appliance operation handbook or label to get the amps and volts it requires.

Surge Watts, commonly referred to as Peak Watts or Beginning Watts, is a different rating. The generator may start motor-based appliances with a brief burst of high power.

The Beginning Watts or Peak Watts rating of a generator will often be higher than its Running Watts.

The most crucial thing to determine is whether or not the generator can supply the required surge power before adding any motor-based appliances to it.

For instance, you estimated that around 5,000 watts of electricity would be needed to run all of the gadgets you want to use. There are also a few motor-powered devices here (a refrigerator and a water pump).

You calculated the combined power consumption of these two devices at 5,000 Watts without taking into account their Beginning Watts. You are in danger if you make a 6,000-Watt generator purchase using this computation.

You risk damaging the appliance, the generator, or worse, starting a fire if you don’t take surge power or the starting watts of a gadget into account.

So, while determining the size of the generator, always use the Beginning Watts (peak or surge power) of the device or appliance. You can check the wattage reference guide to calculate the watts required to start your motor.

If you want a generator for a smaller scale work to be done, then the Firman whisper series provides 1000 watts of electric power but if more work is to be done, then Firman’s performance series will give you a maximum electric power output of 15000 watts. Using a parallel kit can help increase the power output of inverter generators, allowing them to run larger appliances.

On the other hand, the Super quiet inverter Predator generator provides 1400 watts for a smaller work environment and up to 9500 watts of electric power for a larger workspace. 

Winner: Firman generator

Noise Output:

Normally, a generator produces 50 dB to 90 dB of noise levels. 

So, the lower the noise level, the better for the user’s health and environment.

Firman’s hybrid series produces the lowest noise levels of 58 dB for 7500 watts. But performance series produce a maximum of up to 81 dB for 11400 watts.

On the flip side,  Predator’s super quiet inverter generator produces a 60 dB noise level for 1400 watts which is the lowest, and a standard gas-powered generator produces the highest noise level up to 76 dB for 9000 watts.

Winner:  Firman generator

Engine:

Cubic centimeters (cc) is the ideal unit to measure the size of the generator engine. It is the amount of fuel and air that can be pushed through the cylinders in the engine per unit of time. Generally, the rule of thumb is that the bigger the engine, the more powerful the generator. A larger engine can consume more gasoline per unit of power. Hence, we will get a larger electrical output.

Depending on the generator type, the engines of Firman and predator generators have varying fuel capacities because of the variety in watts.

Firman’s performance series of 7500 watts and whisper series of 1000 watts provide the lowest engine capacity of 80cc. They are good for small appliances in your home. You may also use them for recreational uses like camping or tailgating.

Among the three other series of Firman, the performance series gives the maximum engine capacity of 760cc for 15000 watts. This generator is ideal for powering your next-door event, your work site, and your home in the event of any natural disaster like a storm.

Predator’s super quiet inverter generator provides the lowest and highest engine capacity of 54cc for 1400 watts and 459cc for 9500 watts. Predator’s super quiet inverter generators are often used for powering food trucks due to their reliable engine capacity.

Super quiet inverter generators are used for emergency home backup. Sometimes it is used for powering mobile businesses such as food trucks. You can also use them for  camping, tailgating, and outdoor recreation.

So in terms of better electrical power output, Firman is one step ahead of Predator. But they have quite similar types of applications.

Winner: Firman generator

Fuel Tank Capacity And Dual Fuel Capability

The fuel tank is the storage of generator fuel that helps to run the engine. The higher the fuel tank capacity, the longer the run times and the less often you have to fill it again.

Firman’s performance series provides the best fuel tank capacity of 13.3 gallons for 15000 watts. In case you face any natural disaster, this generator will be a big asset due to its longer running time.

The Whisper series has a fuel tank capacity of about .9 gallons for 1000 watts which is the lowest. This lowest capacity fuel tank is suitable for the backup power of smaller home appliances during load shedding or even you can also use them for outdoor recreation.

On the other hand, Predators super quiet inverter generators have a capacity of about 0.75 gallons for 1400 watts, and standard gas-powered generators have a maximum of 8 gallons for 9000 watts. You can both use them for camping, tailgating, and outdoor recreation as well as for emergency home backup.

To conclude, firman triumphs over predators due to better fuel tank capacity and longer run time.

Winner: Firman generator

Run Time With Load:

The amount of power that is being taken by the appliances in your house while the generator is being used is called the load of the generator. Reliable run time during power outages is crucial to ensure continuous power supply.

Fuel is consumed by an engine-powered generator even when there is no electrical load, just like a vehicle does when it is running but not moving. 

According to basic logic, fuel consumption will rise as the electrical load does, and the same is true for a vehicle’s fuel consumption as speed rises. 

All of the electrical energy generated by an engine-powered generator comes from fuel (more energy generated = more fuel consumed). It will use a lot less gasoline to run a few LED lights (maybe 100W) than, say, an electric clothes dryer (5000W.). 

The majority of generator manufacturers provide fuel consumption information for each of their unique models at a percentage of rated power output.

Firman hybrid series run time is about 12-9 hours at 25% load (9400-7500 watts), 11-10 hours at 50% load (11400-7500 watts) for performance series, and 22-9 hours at 25% load capacity (4500-1000 watts) for whisper series.

For Predator’s super quiet inverter generator run time is about 18.5-7.3 hours at 25% load (9500-1400 watts) , more than 15 hours at 25% load for inverter generator (8750-4400 watts), and 13-9.5 hours at 50% load capacity for standard gas-powered generators (9000-1800 watts).

So, a decision can be made that the Predator has more running time than Firman.

Winner: Predator generator

Weight:

Another important factor of a generator is its weight. The lighter that product, the easier to carry at any place. Some generators come with an ‘eco mode’ feature, which helps reduce fuel consumption and noise, making them more portable and efficient.

Firman’s hybrid series weight is about 212-90 lb (9400-7500 watts), 390-46 lb for performance series (15000-1300 watts),and 220-45.9 lb for whisper series (4500-1000 watts).

For Predator’s super quiet inverter generator, weight is about 257-33 lb (9500-1400 watts), 151-77 lb for inverter generator (8750-4400 watts), and 195-60 lb for standard gas-powered generators (9000-1800 watts).

As a result, the Predator is much lighter than the Firman. That means it’s easy to carry.

Winner: Predator generator

Price:

The price is one of the most crucial variables in your decision. Generator price varies for several factors. All the points mentioned above are some of the key variables for generator pricing.The best value for your money should always be chosen. When comparing pricing, the Firman triumphs over the Predator.

The cost of the Firman generator is quite reasonable. Its starting pricing is in the $380-$2899 range. The Predator generator is marginally pricier, though. But when the running wattage goes higher, the price also goes higher than Firman. To obtain it, you must pay up to $380-2400!

Predator is unquestionably the less inexpensive choice if cost is a major consideration.

Winner: Predator generator

Warranty:

It’s a type of customer service that the generator company issues regarding the overall condition of the products. 

Customers who use Firman have access to a solid network of customer care personnel who are available to assist them with any problems or inquiries they might have.

The business offers a thorough guarantee, and clients can find a plethora of information and tools on their website, such as user manuals, frequently asked questions, and troubleshooting instructions. 

Predator has a reputation for offering good customer service. All Predator goods come with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, and their website has a wealth of customer support materials and information, such as product manuals, FAQs, and user testimonials.

Firman Generator’s 3-year warranty service earns a good review from the customer in different online forums than the Predator’s 2-year warranty.

Winner: Firman generator

a comparison of firman and predator models, overview

Brand	Model	Running Watts	Starting Watts	Fuel Type	Fuel Tank Capacity	Runtime (50% Load)	Noise Level (dB)	Weight (lbs)	Price Range	Warranty
Predator	1400W Super Quiet Inverter Generator	1100W	1400W	Gasoline	0.75 gal	7.3 hours	60	33	$400 – $600	2 years
Predator	2000W Super Quiet Inverter Generator	1600W	2000W	Gasoline	1.0 gal	6.5 hours	61	47	$450 – $650	2 years
Predator	3500W Super Quiet Inverter Generator	3000W	3500W	Gasoline	2.6 gal	11 hours	57	99	$700 – $900	2 years
Predator	9500W Super Quiet Inverter Generator	7600W	9500W	Gasoline	6.8 gal	18.5 hours	67	257	$2,000 – $2,500	2 years
Predator	2000W Gas-Powered Generator	1600W	2000W	Gasoline	1.18 gal	9 hours	65	46	$450 – $650	2 years
Predator	4375W Gas-Powered Generator	3500W	4375W	Gasoline	4.0 gal	16 hours	72	100	$500 – $700	2 years
Predator	6500W Gas-Powered Generator	5500W	6500W	Gasoline	6.6 gal	14.5 hours	74	132	$750 – $950	2 years
Predator	8750W Gas-Powered Generator	7000W	8750W	Gasoline	8.0 gal	12 hours	76	183	$900 – $1,200	2 years
Predator	9000W Gas-Powered Generator	7250W	9000W	Gasoline	8.0 gal	13 hours	76	194	$950 – $1,250	2 years
Predator	13000W Gas-Powered Generator	12000W	13000W	Gasoline	8.0 gal	7.5 hours	78	220	$1,500 – $2,000	2 years
Firman	P03601 Performance Generator	3650W	4550W	Gasoline	5.0 gal	14 hours	72	119	$400 – $600	3 years
Firman	P08003 Performance Generator	8000W	10000W	Dual Fuel	8.0 gal (Gas)	12 hours (Gas)	74	221	$1,000 – $1,300	3 years
Firman	W01781 Whisper Inverter Generator	1700W	2100W	Gasoline	0.9 gal	10 hours	54	45	$350 – $500	3 years
Firman	W03081 Whisper Inverter Generator	3300W	4000W	Gasoline	1.8 gal	10 hours	58	97	$700 – $900	3 years
Firman	W02981 Whisper Inverter Generator	2900W	3200W	Dual Fuel	1.8 gal (Gas)	9 hours (Gas)	58	94	$600 – $800	3 years
Firman	H03651 Hybrid Generator	3650W	4550W	Dual Fuel	5.0 gal (Gas)	14 hours (Gas)	68	119	$500 – $700	3 years
Firman	H07552 Hybrid Generator	7500W	9400W	Dual Fuel	8.0 gal (Gas)	12 hours (Gas)	74	194	$900 – $1,200	3 years
Firman	H08051 Dual Fuel Generator	8000W	10000W	Dual Fuel	8.0 gal (Gas)	12 hours (Gas)	76	221	$1,000 – $1,300	3 years

Summary:

Let’s finally settle the issue now! Which generator should you choose: the Firman or the Predator? Both generators have distinctive traits of their own and do the job extremely well.

The Firman generator is the best option if you want a low noise output, a larger fuel tank, a low price range, and longer warranty terms. We advise the Predator generator, nevertheless, if you’re seeking for more running watts, a superior engine, longer runtime under load, and smaller weight.

Hence, before choosing a product, you must decide what features you need.

Conclusion

We hope this content could solve your problems regarding firman vs predator generator.

Here are some extra tips for your generator. Regularly check the oil level, keep the generator clean and free of dirt and debris, check the air filter regularly, monitor the air filter regularly, and obviously run your generator once a week.

That’s the end of this article. Let us know what generator topic you want to hear from us in the future.

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