--- Best Choice ---
Champion 200988 - Best-Rated
Comparsion Table
| Model | Start/Run Wattage | Noise Level | RV Ready Outlet | Editor’s Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion 200988 Check Price |
4500/3500 | 61 dBA | 8.9 | |
| WEN 56380i Check Price |
3800/3400 | 57 dBA | 9.0 | |
| Westinghouse iGen4500 Check Price |
4500/3700 | 52 dBA | 8.7 | |
| Champion 100573 Check Price |
4000/3500 | 64 dBA | 8.4 | |
| Champion 100520 Check Price |
8750/7000 | 72 dBA | 8.3 |
#1. 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.
What is in the Package?
Included: engine oil, USB adapter, spark plug wrench, propane (LPG) hose (8 ft.), oil funnel, screwdriver, combination wrench, wheel kit, manual, warranty card. The generator is shipped without gasoline and propane.
This inverter generator can run up to 14 hours on a full tank of gas (2.3 gal.) and up to 21 hours on a 20-pound propane tank at 1/4 load. The noise level is 61 decibels, which is quite a bit quieter than open frame models. My primary use for this one is for camping. So even the difference of about five or six decibels can be pretty significant, especially when you're out in the woods or you're somewhere where you might have some neighbors camping not too far from you.
My Noise Test
- Idle speed, 23 ft., eco mode on: 59 dBA
- Idle speed, 23 ft., eco mode off: 62.5 dBA
- Full load, 23 ft., eco mode off: 72 dBA
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.
This unit is great for RV, events, camping, tailgate, construction site, power outage, food truck, and home backup. I used the Champion 200988 to power the Refrigerator (700 watts), Space Heater (1,500 watts), Pressure Cooker (800 watts), Home Security System (15 watts), TV (150 watts), Set Top Box (20 watts), laptop charger (70 watts) and Wi-Fi router (15 watts), all at the same time.
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
I bought this portable generator specifically to use with the camper. And I went with the dual fuel because I liked the idea of not hauling around raw gas. If we take a long trip, I don't want to have a container with gasoline sloshing around in the back of the truck. So I think that if I throw a couple of bottles of propane in the back, it'll transport easily. I like the idea of running it on propane because it doesn't spoil. So that's why I bought this model.
Specifications
- Starting Wattage: 4500
- Running Wattage: 3500
- RV Ready Outlet: Yes
- Noise Level from 23 ft.: 61 dBA
- Inverter: yes
- Start Type: Electric Start, Recoil Start
- Fuel Type: Gasoline, Propane
- CARB Compliant: yes
Our grades
Pros
- Dual fuel (gasoline & propane)
- Fuel efficient engine
- Electric start
- Small size for a 4500 Watt generator
- Parallel Ready
- Very simple and easy to prep for use
- Wheel kit
- RV ready outlet
- AC and DC outlets
- Included: oil, USB adapter, funnel, spark plug wrench, propane hose, screwdriver
- Very quiet for its size
Cons
- Decent weight (103 lbs)
- Small plastic wheels
- Poor quality control
#2. 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.
This generator is great for RV, construction sites, power outages, home backup, camping, food truck, boat, fishing, and hunting. I used the WEN 56380i to power the air conditioner 15,000 BTU (2000 watts), lighting (150 watts), refrigerator (600 watts), TV (150 watts), and phone charger, all at the same time.
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.
What is in the Package?
Included: small tool kit (screwdriver, spark plug wrench, and 2 combination wrenches) funnel cup, funnel tube, manual, warranty card. The generator is shipped without oil and gasoline.
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 56380i, like most inverter generators, comes with the standard 12V DC output with an independent circuit protector. It also provides two 20-amp 120V AC outlets and a 3-prong RV Ready TT-30R outlet. There is a circuit breaker that will shut the power off in the event of an overload. This is good for saving your appliances and electronics.
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.
My Noise Test
- Idle speed, 23 ft., eco mode off: 71 dBA
- Idle speed, 23 ft., eco mode on: 59 dBA
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).
Specifications
- Starting Wattage: 3800
- Running Wattage: 3400
- RV Ready Outlet: Yes
- Noise Level from 23 ft.: 57 dBA
- Inverter: yes
- Start Type: Electric Start, Recoil Start
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- CARB Compliant: yes
Our grades
Pros
- Electric start
- RV ready
- Feature two USB outlets
- Digital Display (comsumption, output, voltage, frequency, runtime)
- Very quiet
- Fuel-efficient engine
- Easy to maintain
- Wheel kit
- Good design
- Parallel Compatibility
- ECO mode - maximizes fuel ecomomy
Cons
- Relatively heavy
- Small plastic wheels
- Customer service complaints
- Flimsy build spark plug to
#3. 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.
What Appliances Can Be Connected?
This generator can power the following common applications (not all applications can be powered simultaneously):
- Incandescent Lights
- Refrigerator/Freezer (900 watts)
- Electric kettle (2,000 watts)
- Coffee Maker (1,200 watts)
- Toaster (1,000 watts)
- Induction Hob (2,000 watts)
- Microwave Oven (1,200 watts)
- Air Conditioner (2,500 watts)
- Space Heater (2,000 watts)
- Sump Pump or Water Pump (1,000 watts)
- TV, Laptop, Game Console, Desktop Computer, Home Sound System, Projector
- Tablets and Mobile Devices
- and more…
This generator has two 20-amp regular house receptacles (NEMA 5-20R). It has a 30-amp RV plug (NEMA TT-30R) already installed, as well as a handy USB socket for charging portable electronics such as cell phones and laptops.
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.
Noise test
| Load | Distance | ECO MODE | Noise level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idle speed | 23 ft. | off | 58 dBA |
| 1 ft. | on | 79.5 dBA | |
| 23 ft. | on | 56 dBA | |
| 1/5 load (750 watts) | 23 ft. | on | 60 dBA |
| 1/2 load (1750 watts) | 23 ft. | on | 61 dBA |
| Full load | 23 ft. | off | 72 dBA |
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.
What is in the Package?
Included: engine oil, oil funnel, spark plug wrench, battery float charger, remote control, wheel kit, manual and warranty card. The generator is shipped without gasoline.
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.
Another feature of this inverter generator is the «EFFICIENCY-MODE» mechanism that enables it to have a super-efficient operation (18 hours of run time on 3.4 gallons worth of fuel at 1/4-load and 15 hours at 1/2 load).
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.
Specifications
- Starting Wattage: 4500
- Running Wattage: 3700
- RV Ready Outlet: Yes
- Noise Level from 23 ft.: 52 dBA
- Inverter: yes
- Start Type: Electric Start, Recoil Start, Remote Start
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- CARB Compliant: yes
Our grades
Pros
- High level of output
- Has the facility to control with remote control and button
- It is quieter when compared to many generators of this class
- Good fuel efficiency
- RV Ready
- Feature two USB outlets
- Parallel Compatibility
- Comes with a digital display
- Lightweight for its kind (98 pounds)
- Circuit breaker protection & Low Oil Shutdown
- Having Wheels to Move
Cons
- The material used to build this generator is not of high quality, therefore breaks easily
- The included spark plug is not very good
- Westinghouse customer service leaves a lot to be desired
- Some generators have choke problems
#4. Champion 100573 - Open Frame Inverter Generator with Remote Start
This gasoline inverter generator has one of the best run times for the load. It can run for 17 hours at 25% load capacity. That beats a lot of the generators on this list. The only problem is that not everyone is looking for 3,500 continuous watts. Furthermore, since it weighs well over 96-pounds, it isn't the most portable either, even though it comes with plastic wheels.
What is in the Package?
Included: remote key fob, USB adapter, oil funnel, wheel kit, battery charging cables, manual, and warranty card. The generator is shipped without gasoline and oil.
For a home backup or project site generator, the Champion 100573 is a great generator for those heavier applications in mind. It might even work well for larger RVs or boats that need some good power output.
What Appliances Can Be Connected?
This generator is great for RV, events, food truck, home backup, power outage, and DIY projects. The Champion 100573 powered the travel trailer with the microwave, onboard battery charger, the TV, the central air conditioner, and all the interior lights.
The unit is reliable, and the electric start function comes in handy. Hand starting the generator with a pull cord is easy and typically starts on the first attempt. Runs nice and quiet. It has an optional wireless remote control, which enables you to operate it from 80 feet away.
The noise level is rated at 64 dB at 23 feet away. Since it is a 224cc open-frame model, you can expect it to be a tad louder than the other inverter generators. Champion 100573 has a solid tank that holds up to 2.9 gallons of fuel. The exhaust is fitted with a USFS approved spark arrestor.
This EPA-approved inverter generator has two 120V AC outlets (NEMA 5-20R), one 120V 30A RV ready outlet (NEMA TT-30R), and one 12V DC outlet for charging batteries. It is CARB compliant, so it can be applied and sold in California.
Specifications
- Starting Wattage: 4000
- Running Wattage: 3500
- RV Ready Outlet: Yes
- Noise Level from 23 ft.: 64 dBA
- Inverter: yes
- Start Type: Electric Start, Recoil Start, Remote Start
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- CARB Compliant: yes
Our grades
Pros
- Powerful 224cc engine
- Fuel efficient – with economy mode switch
- Recoil Start/Electric Start/Remote Start
- RV Ready
- Parallel compatibility
- Wheel kit
- Easy to install and operate
- ECO mode
- EPA certified and CARB compliant in 50 states
Cons
- Noise level is a bit more than its competitor models
- Open Frame
- Quite expensive
- No fuel gauge
- Short handle
#5. 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.
What Appliances Can Be Connected?
Great for Construction Site, Food Truck, Power Outage, Recreation, Home Backup, Emergency, and Whole House. I used the Champion 100520 to power air conditioner 15,000 BTU (2000 watts), water pump (900 watts), refrigerator (600 watts), microwave oven (900 watts), pressure cooker (1200 watts), lighting (150 watts), TV (150 watts), Wi-Fi router (10 watts), and a laptop (100 watts), all at the same time.
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.
What is in the Package?
Included: USB adapter, flexible oil funnel, battery charging cables, wheel kit, manual, and warranty card. The generator is shipped without oil, gasoline, wrenches, and screwdrivers.
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.
The Champion 100520 can provide 10.5 hours of power at 50 percent load capacity. It has a solid tank that holds up to 4.2 gallons of fuel. But this is one of the loudest inverter generators on the market at 72Db.
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.
I've also read that Champion has impeccable customer service and support. I will say that customer service was really good when I had to deal with the broken seat for the handle (this part started pulling away from its welds – I did make a mistake installing the bar, which I caught later). So, I did call Champion customer service, but it took a long time to get through. I was on hold for an hour and 20 minutes. But the guy who answered was very nice, apologized two or three times, said he'd send the new part out right away.
Specifications
- Starting Wattage: 8750
- Running Wattage: 7000
- RV Ready Outlet: Yes
- Noise Level from 23 ft.: 72 dBA
- Inverter: yes
- Start Type: Electric Start, Recoil Start
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- CARB Compliant: yes
Our grades
Pros
- Powerful engine capable of producing up to 7,000 running watts
- Electric Start
- AC/DC outlet
- Wheel Kit
- Circuit breaker protection & Low Oil Shutdown
- Great for Whole House Emergency Backup
- Comparatively light for its power
- Eco mode
- 240 volt outlet (NEMA L14-30R)
- Easy to maintain
Cons
- Open frame
- Plastic wheels
- It does not have parallel capability
- Compared to a closed frame it’s noisy
- No RV outlet
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