Best Inverter Generators 2023 for Home and RV

When the power goes out, or you find yourself a few miles from the nearest outlet, you’ll either need to have your own source of electricity or do without it. If you’re not a fan of roughing it, getting an inverter generator is probably your best option. They have some significant advantages over conventional generators and are especially good for use in homes and RVs, as well as being a much better choice for camping trips and other outdoor events.

When it comes to electricity, especially when it’s necessary for an emergency situation or as a longer-term solution, you want to make sure you have something reliable. Finding out that your generator is out of commission in the middle of winter is no fun at all. Choosing a high-quality generator that fits your individual needs will pay off in the long run by delivering power when and where you need it.

Reviews of the Best Inverter Generator 2023

Below you'll find reviews of ten of some of the best inverter generator for home and RV currently on the market.

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See Also

• Best 3000 Watt Inverter Generators
• Best Inverter Generators with Electric Start
• TOP Quiet Inverter Generators
• Best Inverter Generators with Remote Start
• Best 1000 Watt Inverter Generators
• Best 2000 Watt Inverter Generators

#1. WEN 56380i Gasoline Inverter Generator with Electric Start

The WEN 56380i is made with an extremely reliable four-stroke 212cc engine. This engine is an OHV with a single cylinder that is air-cooled. You can expect 3,800 watts of surge power and 3,400 watts of continuous rated power. This kind of power allows you to run your power tools, microwave oven, air conditioner, heater, and full-size refrigerator (not at the same time). This is perfect for RV enthusiasts and sailors of the deep blue.

It weighs 99-pounds wet making it on the heavy side. It has two handles on either side for two people to carry it. And it also comes with a nice handle so you could wheel it around with a couple of small plastic wheels, better than some that I've seen on the market.

The easy-to-understand control panel has a low-oil lamp and an overload alarm. This is an electric start model, so you don't have to worry about cranking it.

The ECO-MODE technology helps it conserve energy while keeping the noise level to about 57 dBA. That is pretty good for such a powerful machine. It is EPA and CARB compliant as well.

One cool feature of this generator is that you can connect two of them together to double your wattage. This is a 3,800-watt generator. So, by connecting two of them, you should be able to get 7,600 Watts.

Other features:

• Its 2.2-gallon gas tank is capable of running the generator for about 8.5 hours at half load.
• The generator is equipped with two USB ports (1-amp and 2.1-amp).

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#2. Champion 200988 - Quiet 4,500-Watt Portable Inverter Generator

Introducing the New Champion Dual Fuel Generator, model 200988. This one's an enclosed inverter generator with an electric start. It's 4,500 watts starting (up to 37.5 Amps) and then 3,500 running watts (up to 26.3 Amps). It's got the Champion branded engine (model R210N-VP, four-stroke, 212cc). Run-on regular unleaded gasoline (I always run 91 non-oxy) or propane.

Note that when operating on propane, the running power is 3,150 watts.

Of course, for camping, portability is a big issue. And I'm already a little bit concerned at the 103-pound weight of this thing. But I don't think you can get a 4,500 watt or 3,500-watt generator that weighs much less than 100 pounds. So I'm going to have to just deal with it, and I'm sure that that won't be a problem.

Also, at the front of the generator, you have this flip-up carry handle. It's got an aluminum handle, not just plastic. This thing wheels around very easily, and it's super easy to do one-handed. There are all also two handles on the top here. These are powder coated. They just feel super robust.

It comes with:

• Two NEMA 5-20R Duplex Outlets
• One NEMA TT-30R RV Outlet
• One 12-volt DC Outlet
• One Parallel Port

Verified Customer Review

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#3. Honda EU2200i Gasoline Generator - Customer Choice

The Honda EU2200i inverter generator has a Honda GXR120 gasoline engine (3.1 HP, 121 cc) that uses a pull coil for starting. It provides 2200 watts of pulse power, 1800 watts of operating power. At 47.4 pounds, this super quiet generator operates with a noise level of only 57 decibels at full speed and 48 decibels at quarter speed.

The generator also offers an ECO Throttle switch that allows the generator to run slower and save gas when it's not pulling a substantial load. The oil reservoir allows for approximately 0.42 quarts or 14 ounces, and it's easy to change as required.

Two 125-volt 20-amp receptacles (NEMA 5-20R) are also available with a handy rubber magnetic cover to help keep them dry.

The generator will automatically shut off if it's not in a well-ventilated area, and the CO2 concentration may be dangerous. An advanced carbon monoxide detection system, CO-MINDER, is responsible for this.

We found the Honda EU 2200i generator to be very reliable and extremely useful. Providing the necessary maintenance, I know will be a valuable tool for you for many years to come.

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#4. Westinghouse iGen2200 Gasoline Generator with CARB

Westinghouse generators are a reliable brand renowned for their contribution towards the improvement of people’s lives with efficient power supply and Westinghouse iGen 2200 is not an exception. This thing has 1800 running watts, 2200 peak. It runs very quietly. They advertise 52 decibels. 60 decibels is a conversation at three feet. You should be able to talk to somebody else, standing a few feet from this thing, and not have to raise your voice.

It's lightweight. It only weighs about 46 pounds, so I can throw it on a shelf or even drag it up into the attic if I want to get it out of the way.

Now, this generator doesn't have any of the fancy features. You'll find generators in this segment that have app control, that has remote start, that has fuel gauges, that kind of thing. It is somewhat of a bare-bones model. But at that price, it's hard to beat. Most generators in this segment are in like the $450 to $500 range, sometimes stretching up to $600, $700. Finding this guy for $380 is kind of a steal.

The generator is a bold blue color with a removable panel on the right side for maintenance access. There's a small exhaust hole on the back and a pull starter on the left side. On the top, you'll find the fuel fill nozzle and cap that is surrounded by a rubberized drip catcher. Further back, there's an access panel for maintaining the spark plug. The control panel has three status LEDs in the top left for oil level, overload, and ready light.

Near the bottom, you have a switch for efficiency mode, which will use less fuel and create less noise when power requirements are low. There's a breaker switch to protect against faults in the line, as well as a reset button to re-enable power output after an overload. Finally, there's the ground lug to provide a path to ground for three-prong plugs.

This portable device delivers outstanding performances in emergencies like harsh weather, power outage, etc., and you can reliably operate it overnight without any fear of a power surge.

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#5. Westinghouse iGen4500 3,700 Rated Watts with Remote Start

Are you looking for a super quiet generator? Look no more Westinghouse iGen4500 is a noise-free solution to your power needs in emergencies as well as outdoor activities. You can take it along anywhere you may require additional power. It can generate 4500 peak watts and 3700 running watts, which is a considerable amount to fulfill all kinds of power requirements, making it the perfect solution for backup power in case of power outages.

The Westinghouse Inverter Generator comes with an enclosed motor, which produces only 52-55 decibels (according to the manufacturer) of sound. It enables it to power your home without creating a lot of noise.

The Westinghouse iGen4500 is portable. It has two lifting handles, and it also has this one that comes out the front and two wheels, so this generator is easily carried and moved around once I take it off of the rack.

Best features of the Westinghouse iGen4500

Remote Start: this unit can be operated by a key fob, adding to the convenience of starting this generator from some distance away. It's very nice to be able to lay in bed in a campground where you have to shut your generators off at night to be able in the morning when quiet hours are over to start this generator without even getting up.

Clean power: our home electronic safety is paramount; this generator produces clean power with less than 3% distortion.

The item weighs 98 pounds fresh from the box, making it one of the most lightweight generators going for its output capacity.

Durable engine: it designed to shut down when the level of oil is too low and when there is overload this prevents the generator from damage which eventually increases longevity.

It's easy to combine a generator like this with another generator to get even more power and more output.

One of the nicest features of this generator is that it has a meter that tells me how much power I'm using, how much fuel is on board, what my output voltage is and how many hours I have remaining based on the current load of this generator. So how long it will run on the fuel that's in it.

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#6. WEN 56235i 1900 Rated Watts Lightweight & Portable Generator

So, this is the WEN 56235i. The “i” stands for the inverter. It produces 2,350 starting watts and 1,900 running watts. This gasoline generator is easy to carry and very compact. If weight or space is an issue, then a generator like this one is for you.

The best features of this generator are its 39-pound weight and operating noise. The noise level is rated at 51 dB at 23 feet away. My noise test: idle speed, 23 ft., eco mode on - 52.5 dBA.

The WEN 56235i has two 120V/20-amp (NEMA 5-20R) outlets that are capable of powering single-phase 60 Hz loads. It also includes one 12V/8.3-amp DC outlet for charging batteries. Its USB ports allow you to charge many of the popular devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

The only thing I can't run with this generator is my air conditioner, which starts at about 3,000 Watts and runs at about 2000 Watts. For most of the time, this generator is going to cover my camping needs.

Now let's say I went camping someplace hotter. We have deserts in the Southern part of our state, and I very much might want to run my air conditioner in those where it can get up to 115 degrees. If you get a generator like this, it's relatively inexpensive to scale up. So what you do is you pick up the second one of these, and at the cost of being $400 per generator for this jet, it's very affordable. You get a second one, now you're up to $800 and what they call a parallel connection kit.

Expert Advice

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#7. Champion Power Equipment 100900 - Best Dual Fuel Inverter Generator

The Champion Power Equipment 100900 is an inverter generator that kicks out 1,700-watt continual power and 2,000 watts of surge power. It's a dual fuel, which means you can run it with both propane and gasoline, and it's touted to be one of the quietest generators on the market and making this perfect if you're either camping or a tailgating party or if you just don't want to disturb your neighbors.

This generator is still good for a small home backup, as long as you don't want to be backing up the entire house, of course.

The 79cc Champion uses a pull coil to start the engine. It has two 5-20R (120V/20A) outlets and one 12V DC outlet with clean power for powering or charging sensitive electronics. A USB adapter for the 12V DC outlet is included as well.

What's nice, it's not only a dual fuel generator. It's also parallel ready. If you choose to buy the optional parallel kit, the space-saving design is parallel-ready and can connect with another 2000-watt inverter to double your output power.

They say that it will put out 53 decibels from 23 feet away, and I'll find out if this is true with my sound meter.

If there's no load, the generator is running a little bit louder on propane. However, when the generator is running on the load, its sound output is the same, whether it's on gasoline or running off propane, which is the most important part because why would you have your generator just running if there's no load?

Verdict

Would I recommend this generator? Well, the answer is absolute. When you're looking for a generator, of course, you have to look at how much it costs, value for money. Let's say if you buy a generator that's twice or even three times the price of this one, while you have to ask yourself, is it twice to three times better than this one? My answer would be definitely not. That's an important factor to look at.

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#8. WEN GN625i Inverter Generator with Open Frame - 5,000 Rated Watts

The WEN GN625i is touted to be one of the most powerful inverter generators on the market. This gasoline generator pushes out an amazing 6,250-watts surge power and an average of 5,000-watts of continuous running power. With 6,000-watts of the surge, you can bet your bottom dollar that you can power nearly any large appliance or power tool you want. With all that power, it can run for 8.1 hours at half capacity on 4.2 gallons of gas (that being a full tank).

It weighs 120-pounds wet making it on the heavy side. It has two handles on either side for two people to carry it. Plastic wheels come standard.

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#9. Champion Power Equipment 100520 - Open Frame Inverter with Electric Start

This 8,750-watt inverter generator is powered by a 15 HP (420cc), 4-stroke OHV engine. It provides you with 7,000 continual running watts and produces 8,750-watts surge watts. This amount of surge power is good for running power equipment or as a home backup generator. This thing can power everything from sump pumps, water pumps, TVs, air conditioning units, and furnaces only to name a few.

If you’re too busy and forget about the oil, the Champion 100520 has an automatic low oil shutdown. It has both recoil and electric start mechanisms (battery for electric start included). It is EPA and CARB approved.

It comes with:

• Four 120-volt AC outlets (NEMA 5-20R)
• One 120/240-volt outlet (NEMA L14-30R)
• One 12-volt DC outlet (Automotive)

So total on the 120-volt side, you can do up to 72.9 peak amps and up to 58.3 running amps. And then on the 240-volt side, you can get up to 36.5 amps. And then, of course, 12 volts is at eight amps.

This Champion generator only weighs in at a little over 155 pounds, which is not bad for the size of its engine. It's pretty rare to see an inverter generator with is an open frame and this high power.

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#10. Generac 76711 GP1200i - Portable Inverter Generator

Generac GP1200i is one of the best compact and lightweight (33 lbs.) inverter generators for the price. Its 54cc Generac 4-stroke recoil start engine produces 1,000 watts of continuous power and a maximum surge power of 1,200 watts.

The generator is equipped with two power outlets that are 120 volts at 8.3 amps max. Also has 2 USB ports (1 amp and 2.1 amp) for easy charging of your gargets.

If you are looking to buy a generator for camping and recreational purposes, Generac 5971 would be ideal. However, if you intend to use it to power high-power consuming appliances such as fridges, air conditioners, microwaves, Generac 5971 is not the best option.

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Best Inverter Generator - Buyer’s Guide

When most people think of a generator, the first thing that comes to mind is the loud and bulky “conventional generator” often found on construction sites and fairgrounds. Inverter generators are still relatively new, but they’re better in almost every way: they are more portable, more fuel-efficient, and much quieter. As an added bonus, they produce power that is safe to use with delicate electronics—like smartphones and laptops—while conventional generators give out uneven current that can damage these devices. Inverter generators are more expensive, but given the more advanced technology that goes into them, they are usually worth it.

You can find the right generator for your needs by answering a few questions:

- How much power do I need?

Inverter generators are usually somewhere between 300W and 7000W. You can check how many watts your appliances use by finding their information stickers, or you can estimate your needs using this tool from the U.S Department of Energy. As a general rule for inverter generators, 1000W and under is for light use, 1000-2000W will run most basic things, 2000-3000W is the lowest you want for a house, 3000-4000W works well as a backup for most houses, and anything above 4000W is if you have higher-than-average power needs.

Inverter generators have a “starting power” that they can generate for a short period of time to supply short power needs, like starting an air conditioner. However, the lower number is what they can actually supply continuously for their entire runtime—their running power. For example, a 2000W/1600W generator can generate 2000W for a few minutes at a time, but only 1600W for several hours straight.

- How much noise do I want?

All inverter generators are quiet compared to the conventional type, but they still have a range in their volumes. You can get models that you can barely hear from ten feet away if you need, but they may be more expensive. The quietest models usually start around 52 decibels, with the loudest models hitting up to 65 decibels. Anything 60 decibels or under can be thought of as fairly quiet.

- How reliable does it need to be?

If you are buying a generator to tailgate, do some light camping, or just make your coffee when the power goes out, you probably won’t need the best engine in the world. However, if power is a necessity, such as in extreme cold or for medical reasons, you may want to invest in a Honda or some other brand that you can be sure will always start.

- How much can I pay?

If price is not a factor, you’re free to pick anything that meets your needs. Otherwise, be aware that there may be a tradeoff between quality and price. Paying less money for a less reliable generator may cost more in the long run. Nonetheless, with more competition appearing in this market, you may be able to find a durable generator that does everything you need for less than the premium models.

Conclusion

All of the above generators have strengths and weaknesses that will make them more or less suited to your specific needs. Honda is always a good choice for simplicity and reliability. For portability, the EasyFocus and the Dirty Hand models pack a good punch for their size. Westinghouse may not have the best reputation for durability and quality control, but their generators offer a lot of power and features at a very good price. The Pulsar, Briggs and Stratton, and Generac models are all fairly similar in price, with some differences in weight and features; any of them are good choices to balance power and portability. The Champion has enough power to do most jobs, and the remote start and high reliability ratings make it a worthy all-around choice.

Inverter generators are the future of portable power, and they are likely to get cheaper and better as the market develops. More generators are starting to incorporate things like digital displays and remote start, and in the future, some may even be controllable with your smartphone. For now, though, this list represents some of the better brands and models on the market.