Price is the biggest differentiator you'll find between these types of models. Since the tech on a traditional generator is much more simple and they lack a lot of advanced features, they will often be cheaper than their inverter counterparts. But, "you get what you pay for," as they say. What you save up front will be paid later through fuel inefficiency, engine degradation, and inferior features.
The biggest drawback of a traditional generator is something you won’t see but it’s something you will definitely hear. Due to the dated tech, these generators operate at a much higher noise level than inverter generators. They might be fine in a construction zone or work site, but they are not ideal for places like residential areas or campsites.
For reference, many traditional generators will operate at 75-85 decibels (dB), louder than an old janky vacuum cleaner. Small inverter generators like the Flex Power® 3300i on the other hand clock in at around 53 dB - the same volume as a typical indoor conversation.
But noise isn’t the only downside of the old generators. Their engines lack the ability to regulate their power load so they will be constantly running at full capacity. This leads to higher fuel consumption, shorter run time and quicker engine degradation.
Inverter generators on the other hand don’t need to operate at full load all the time. The engine only produces as much energy as you need, which means longer run times and less wasted fuel, especially when operating below full load.
The inverter technology that makes these generators so special also creates a clean and efficient flow of power. That’s especially important for powering sensitive electronics like laptops, phones, or TVs, since “dirty” energy with higher distortion can damage those devices over time.
