Honda EM6500SX - 5500/6500W Portable Generator With Remote Start
The Honda EM6500SX is a portable open frame generator with a rated wattage of 5,500 W and a starting wattage of 6,500 W. (Read full specs)
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Zoro | Price history for the Honda EM6500SX |
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| Highest Price $3,788.99 Lowest Price $3,199.00 Current Price $3,199.00 |
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Description
Zoom on the Honda EM6500SX
In a few words, the Honda EM6500SX is a portable generator perfectly suited for:
- RV travellers who wish to upgrade their experience to another level
- Occasional participants of outdoor events, competitions, concerts and festivals
- Food van owners who know that just a short power outage could lose them hundreds of dollars
- Homeowners who want to be sure of their ability to power their fridges, cooking tools, heating and lighting equipment during power failures
- Professionals in need of safely powering high-intensity work or lighting equipment
Over the following sections, you'll uncover its power characteristics, the selection of outlets it offers, its overall portability, and the supplementary features it includes.
Power & Run Time
The Honda EM6500SX
The Honda EM6500SX's design includes a gasoline-fueled 389 cc Honda iGX390 OHV 4-stroke engine with cast iron sleeve. With a 120/240V output, it gives a running wattage of 5,500W and also a peak wattage of 6,500W (and even up to 7,000 W thanks to the iAVR technology).
Enjoying a noise rating of 64 dBA (just slightly more noisy than an office), this generator can be started thanks to a simple traditional pull-start mechanism, but also to a hassle-free and practical electric starter (battery included). The EM6500SX can also be remotely started, offering further convenience (via the My Generator App).
The EM6500SX's fuel tank, with a capacity of 6.2 gallons, supports uninterrupted operation for around 9.8 hours at 50% load when fully fueled (fuel consumption at an estimated 0.63 gallons per hour).
As the EM6500SX has a relatively high THD (<10%), it is not recommended to use it to power sensitive electronic devices.
Outlets
The control panel features 6 AC outlets as follows:
Additionally, it offers 1 DC outlet: there's a 12V 8A output with which charging your batteries is made easy.
This Honda generator isn't quite RV Ready, but it features an L5-30R receptacle, allowing a simple RV connection through an L5-30P to TT-30R adaptor. Besides, since it boasts a twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, the EM6500SX is engineered to be transfer switch ready, ensuring easy integration with your breaker box to provide backup power to your home during outages.
Portability
With a size of L41.4 x W27.8 x H28.3 in, the Honda EM6500SX features an open frame design, providing stability and simplified maintenance access to components, enhancing air circulation. The device has been designed for tough environments and demanding outdoor use.
Despite its weight of 231.7 lbs, the generator is still considered 'portable,' meaning it is movable, although its heftiness may restrict portability in certain environments or require additional considerations for transportation and setup. Nevertheless, thanks to its wheel kit and its folding handle (a decent solution to its lack of maneuverability), the generator can be easily moved, once placed the ground.
Features
The EM6500SX's control panel
With its built-in fuel gauge, the generator provides quick and convenient gas level checks.
Considering security aspects, the generator boasts an automatic low oil shut-off (Oil Alert®) and an overload protection (circuit breaker), offering peace of mind throughout operation.
As for its accessories, apart from the previously mentioned features, the Honda EM6500SX also comes with the basic documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab), allowing you to start it right away. An official storage cover is available, as a separate purchase.
CO Minder
CO Minder monitors the ambient CO concentration
Honda's CO Minder is a system that monitors the ambient carbon monoxide concentration, and automatically stops the engine if the sensor detects a CO level of or exceeding 800 parts per million (ppm) at a given time, or an average of 400 ppm for 10 minutes.
A CO alarm indicator will flash for about five minutes, during which it will be impossible to restart the engine.
Honda My Generator App
Honda My Generator helps you monitor your unit
The Honda My Generator App (available on iOS and Android) makes owning the EM6500SX even more flexible and convenient, whether you are depending on it at home during a power outage, or enjoying an adventure at a remote campsite.
The app connects your unit and your phone via Bluetooth, across a 75-foot line of sight, giving you valuable information about your generator's operation and many additional features in the palm of your hands.
With it, you can easily monitor a range of information such as output power, lifetime run hours, oil life, or estimated remaining runtime. You’ll also receive warnings and notifications to remind you of routine maintenance.
Even better, the app allows you to control multiple, compatible Honda generators from a single mobile device, and to remotely start and stop the EM6500SX without a key fob.
iAVR Technology
Honda’s iAVR (opens in a new tab) (Intelligent Automatic Voltage Regulation) reduces voltage fluctuation by up to 50% over current AVR systems.
In conventional generators, when a load is applied, the engine’s rpm drops, which causes the voltage and frequency to drop as well, until the rpm recovers.
iAVR is a combination of the DAVR (opens in a new tab) technology and the iGX (opens in a new tab) engine technology, which serves to provide advanced and instantaneous engine rpm control when a load is applied.
As a result, voltage and frequency are precisely regulated and the EM6500SX is able to produce a starting wattage above the maximum rating, for up to 10 seconds. Therefore, thanks to iAVR, the EM6500SX is able to “overclock” itself above its 6500 starting watts and provide up to 7000 W.
Product Video
The Honda EM6500SX versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Honda EM6500SX compare to generators of similar power (between 5000 and 6000 W).
- As its dry weight is 231.7 pounds, the Honda EM6500SX is one of the heavier of the products which can generate 5000 to 6000 running watts. If weight is a key factor for your needs, the Pulsar PGX60BiSRCO is noteworthy for being one of the top contenders in this power range, with a dry weight of 93.5 pounds.
- As its lowest possible noise is rated at 64 dBA, this generator qualifies as one of the more quiet of the products of similar power. If you wish to prioritize minimal noise, the Honda EU7000iS stands out as one of the quietest options among generators of similar power, with a rating of 52 dBA.
- The EM6500SX, offering a run time of around 9.8 hours with a full tank at a 50% load, falls within the average autonomy range when compared to its peers. If you wish to prioritize autonomy, the Dewalt DXGN6000 shines as one of the top contenders, offering one of the highest run times among generators with similar power output, totaling around 14 hours.
- The run time is important, but also hugely depends on the capacity of the fuel tank and doesn't mean much if we don't talk about fuel consumption as well. In terms of fuel efficiency within its wattage range, this generator falls short: it consumes approximately 0.63 GPH at a 50% load. If you wish to acquire one of the most gasoline efficient products of this power range, the DuroMax XP7000iHT, with a fuel consumption of 0.38 GPH could be in your good books.
Here's a list of the most popular specific comparisons:
Price comparison
As you can see from these interactive charts, when compared to other 5000-6000W generators, the Honda EM6500SX is on the expensive side of the price range.
While certainly not the cheapest of its kind, purchasing it would most likely also mean enjoying the reliability of a high-end product.
The bottom line
- GFCI Outlets
- Remote start
- CO Minder
- Mobile app
- iAVR technology pushes starting watts up to 7,000
- Quiet for its power (64 dBA)
- Decent run time
- On the expensive side
- On the heavy side (231.7 lbs)
- Low fuel efficiency
Do you own the Honda EM6500SX and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?
Let us know and write your own review.
Features and Specifications
| Inverter | No |
|---|---|
| Parallel capable | No |
| RV ready | No |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Engine | 389 cc Honda iGX390 OHV 4-stroke, cast iron sleeve |
| Starting system | Recoil, Electric, Remote |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Voltage | AC: 120/240V 60 Hz, DC: 12V |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 5,500 W |
| Starting watts | 6,500 W |
| Running amps (@120/240V) | 45.8/22.9 amps |
| Peak amps (@120/240V) | 54.2/27.1 amps |
| Run time @50% load | 9.8 h |
| Run time @25% load | Unknown |
| GFCI outlets | Yes |
|---|---|
| Covered outlets | Yes |
| Automatic Voltage Regulation | iAVR |
| AC outlets |
|
| DC outlets | 1x 12V 8A output |
| Data center | My Generator App |
| Indicators | No |
| Fuel tank | 6.2 gal |
| Fuel gauge | Yes |
| Weight | 231.7 lbs |
|---|---|
| Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 41.4 x 27.8 x 28.3 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 64 dBA |
| THD | < 10% |
| Compliance | EPA, ANSI/PGMA G300-2023 |
| Security | Low oil and overload protection, CO monitoring |
| Spark arrestor | Yes |
| Neutral | Floating |
| Accessories included | Battery and wheel kit |
| Country of origin | China |
| Series | Deluxe |
| Other model numbers | EM6500SXK2AN |
| UPC | 786102007429 |
We've taken extra care to research and verify each of the specifications above. That said, occasional mistakes or omissions are still possible. If you spot any missing or inaccurate information, feel free to suggest a correction so we can address it.
About Honda
Founded in 1948, the Japanese Honda Motor Company has gained notoriety for consistently producing top quality engines, motor-powered vehicles and devices. Over the years, the company has gained a strong reputation in the motorcycle, automobile, but also power tool industry. Honda’s power tool division has been producing power tools since 1953, including tillers, mowers, blowers, sprayers and of course, power generators. While the company has expanded globally and moved a majority of its production out of Japan into other Asian countries, Honda is to this day known as a legend among the generator manufacturers.
Warranty Information
The Honda EM6500SX is covered under a warranty for up to 3 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Honda generators, please consult Honda's warranty policies (opens in a new tab). Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-770-497-6400.
Questions & Answers
What can it power?
| Item | Running Watts | Starting Watts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home | Sump pump (1/2 hp) | 1050 | 2150 |
| Furnace fan (1/2 hp) | 875 | 2350 | |
| Refrigerator (energy star) | 192 | 1192 | |
| Electric range | 2100 | 2100 | |
| Security system | 180 | 180 | |
| Total | 4397 W | 5872 W | |
| For camping | Radiant heater | 1300 | 1300 |
| RV refrigerator | 180 | 600 | |
| Hair dryer | 1800 | 1900 | |
| RV AC (11,000 BTU) | 1010 | 1600 | |
| Radio | 100 | 100 | |
| Total | 4390 W | 4980 W | |
| For work | Table saw | 1800 | 4500 |
| Grinder | 1400 | 2500 | |
| Drain cleaner | 250 | 250 | |
| Electric fence (25 miles) | 250 | 250 | |
| Bug zapper | 80 | 80 | |
| Total | 3780 W | 6480 W |
What is the difference between the EM6500S, the EM6500SX and the EM6500SXK2AN?
These model numbers refer to the same unit, but simply include more or less information regarding its specs, production batch, etc. Read how Honda name their generators.
Your review states the em6500sx neutral is bonded to the frame. Page 61 of the owners’ manual says the system ground is not connected to the AC neutral wire. Which is it? (Asked March 18, 2021)
Does the Honda em6500SX generator have a tracking device on it GPS (Asked July 15, 2021)
The unit does not feature a GPS tracker.
does it charge onboard battery while running (Asked October 30, 2021)
The generator charges the battery while the engine is running.
Where is the Honda EM6500SX manufactured? (Asked February 01, 2023)
The EM6500SX is manufactured in China.
Couldn't find the right answer for you? Ask your own question.
