One of the questions that I kept asking myself when I researched about a dozen or so Duromax Generators was “Duromax EH vs HX portable generators, what’s the difference?”
Well, it turns out that the answer depends on which Duromax HX portable generator with dual fuel technology you are comparing.
[wptb id=2042]That’s because Duromax doesn’t have a “standard” set of features for the EH series or the HX series other than the fact the HX series typically has a few additional features and costs more than the EH series.
However, one thing that I’ve learned is that when it comes to duromax hx series vs eh… it’s not always worth paying the extra money for the HX portable generators with dual fuel technology.
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Duromax XP12000EH vs XP12000HX
Let’s take a quick look at the main differences between the Duromax 12000hx vs 12000eh 12000 watt dual fuel generators (a.k.a. XP12000HX vs XP12000EH) and then I’ll tell you whether I think the additional HX features are worth the extra money.
CO Alert and Shut Off Sensor
The XP12000HX dual fuel generator has a featured called CO Alert, which is a built-in Carbon Monoxide detector that automatically shut down the generator when it detects unsafe levels of carbon monoxide.
However, the XP12000EH portable generator does NOT have the CO Alert feature.
When it comes to additional safety features to protect you and your family, the XP12000HX wins.
Push Button Start
The XP12000HX has a very convenient push button start feature. Simply push the start button on the HX and the generator will make several attempts to fire-up the engine.
If the HX fails to start after several attempts, the generator shuts down to preserve battery life and to give you time to figure out why it didn’t start (e.g., low oil, out of gas or propane, closed gas valve, etc.).
The XP12000EH does NOT have push button start. Instead, it has a key, which is just another thing to keep track of, that needs to be held in the start position until the engine starts.
The push button start feature of the 12000HX makes it easier to start than the 12000EH model.
Battery Shut Off Switch
It may not seem like a big deal, but having a battery shut off switch helps prevent the battery from draining while the generator isn’t in use. And for most people, the generator sits without being used for months, even years at a time.
The XP12000HX has a very conveniently located battery shut off switch on the front panel.
When you’re done running the generator you simply “flip the switch” and the battery is automatically disconnected from the rest of the system, which greatly increases the odds that the battery won’t be dead the next time you go to use your generator.
The XP12000EH does not have a battery shut off switch.
So, if you want to disconnect the battery when the XP12000EH isn’t in use (and you should) …
You have to use tools to remove the metal panel that protects the battery, and then you have to use tools to disconnect the battery cables, and then you have to use tools to reinstall the metal panel, and then the next time you want to use the generator you have to repeat the entire process in reverse.
When it comes to prepping your generator for storage, the XP12000HX wins by a landslide.
Multimeter With Digital Display
The XP12000HX has a digital display that makes it easy to check useful information like voltage, frequency, current operating hours, and total runtime hours (very helpful when it comes to following the recommended generator maintenance schedule).
On the other hand, the XP12000EH only has an analog Volt Meter, which only allows you to check your output voltage.
GFCI Outlets
The XP12000HX has two 120v 20-amp GFCI protected outlets that are perfect for connecting most household products as well as power tools on the jobsite.
The XP12000EH has a single 120v GFCI protect outlet. However, it’s a 30-amp outlet which allows you to connect more demanding household products and jobsite tools (e.g., a circular saw or table saw).
So, both generators provide plenty of portable ac power when you need it.
Automatic Choke
The XP12000HX has an automatic choke, which makes it much easier to start in cold weather.
The XP12000EH has a manual choke, which isn’t nearly as convenient as an automatic choke.
Price
The XP12000HX sells for approximately $200 more than the XP12000EH.
You can check out the best prices currently available on Amazon and eBay.
How To Save Two Hundred Dollars
Honestly, you could save yourself two hundred dollars is you can live without the extra GFCI protected outlet that the HX offers because all you’d have to do is plug a $15.00 heavy-duty power strip into one of the outlets on the EH and you’d be all set.
However, the XP12000HX gives you several extremely useful operational features that make using your generator easier that the XP12000EH just doesn’t have (you may also want to check out the XP12000DX as well).
The additional ease-of-use features that the XP12000HX offers include push button start, a battery shut off switch, a multimeter digital display with all kinds of additional information, and an automatic choke.
Plus, the XP12000HX gives you the CO Alert feature, which is an additional safety feature that some people may find useful.
The XP12000EH just doesn’t have any of those things.
Personally speaking, I’d say the exclusive features offered with the HX model (XP12000HX) are worth spending the extra two hundred dollars on.
However, that’s not always the case…
Sometimes, when it comes to duromax EH vs HX… I feel that the EH models offer a much better value.
Check out this Duromax XP13000EH vs XP13000HX blog post to learn why I chose to buy the EH model to power my entire house instead of the HX model… and how I saved three hundred dollars in the process.
XP12000HX Specs vs XP12000EH Specs
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