
- Price
- OHV engine
- Reasonably quiet
- 3,000 watts for basic household backup
- Quality control issues
- Needs frequent refueling
- Not CARB compliant
- Wheel kit costs extra
The Blue Max 4,000-watt portable generator is positioned as a budget model for basic household backup, with about 3,000 watts of continuous power and 4,000 surge watts for starting a motor. This should be enough to run a refrigerator, lights and TV during a power outage. Though the majority of owners say they're satisfied with this Blue Max generator, there are also quite a few reports of breakdowns and quality-control problems. This raises a question about the generator's reliability for emergency use. The Chinese-made OHV engine is relatively quiet, but pollutes too much to meet California's stricter emissions limits, and owners say the optional wheel kit (*Est. $27) is a must for this 110-pound generator.
We found nearly 100 owner-written reviews and ratings of the Blue Max JD4000 portable generator at Amazon.com. Owners provide detailed comments, and Amazon.com makes it easy to read the most negative reviews so you get fair warning about quality-control issues to watch for.
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Our Sources
1. Amazon.com
Almost 100 owners review and rate the Blue Max 4,000-watt portable generator here, giving it an above average rating. Owners say starting it takes some finesse and letting the recoil rope snap back too hard can break a plastic part that can't be replaced. Owners also recommend checking out the whole generator quite thoroughly as soon as it's delivered, since quality control is uneven.
Review: Blue Max GEN 4,000 Watt 6.5 HP OHV Gas Powered Generator, Contributors to Amazon.com
This blog review is enthusiastic about the Blue Max generator's features, but doesn't document any testing or even use. It reads more like an ad than a real review.
Review: Blue Max 4,000-Watt Generator, Editor of Review Product
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