This post includes our review of the 10 Best Portable Generator options for 2023. Stay safe and connected with a small gas-powered generator that will keep all the essentials of your House or RV powered at full operation.
At the same time, you’ll be glad to know each of these portable generator selections is quiet enough Not to keep you (or your neighbors) up all night.
In most places in the U.S., you’re bound to experience a power outage or two every year, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop life in its tracks until the power is back up and running.
Most portable generators run on one gas tank for 8-10 hours. That’s usually enough power to get you through most electrical outages.
If you’re looking for the best portable inverter generator you can buy, let’s check out our recommendation for the six best portable generators on the market.
The Best Portable Generator In 2023
Editor’s Pick: Champion – 2500 Watt Generator
Inverter generators are fantastic because they provide a ton of power but do it in such a small package; you could argue that Champion has constructed the best inverter generator for the price – that we’ve ever seen.
In addition to being highly portable, it also has an excellent runtime and even an option to connect two generators for double the power.
Specs:
- Its Maximum output is 2500 Watts – with 1,850 running watts
- Ultra-Quiet 53 Decibels – There’s a lot to like about this generator.
- 79CC hp engine with 1.1 gal fuel tank
- Up to 11.5-hour runtime (Gas). Up to 34-hour runtime (Propane)
- EZ Start Dial – Economy Mode Option
- Parallel Generator Option: This allows you to connect two generators and double the power output
- Ultralight Generator: This thing only weighs 39 pounds, yet can power an entire RV
- Very quiet: 53-decibel rating at 25% load
- Dual 120 Volt Covered Outlets – Run Two Extension Cords Simultaneously
Our Take Away
I haven’t seen a portable generator that I like better for the money because of the price difference and because of this article’s focus on “The Quietest Generators”. The Champion model is, for us, and maybe for you, the best value for the full list of features it offers.
In addition, with a shallow harmonic power generation, it is considered safe to power your electronic devices. It includes a DC adapter with DUAL USB ports to charge your mobile electronics.
The Champion has superb power on its own, and you can connect (parallel) two of them together for double the administration – is super convenient. I would recommend this generator to anyone looking for a very quiet, lightweight, and dependable 2500 Watt portable generator.
Champion 2500 Watt – Model 200961 – Portable Generator Video:
Champion – Editor’s Choice
Runner-Up: Power Smart – 2500 Watt – Gas Fuel Portable Generator
If you need a lightweight ((40 LB.) yet powerful Portable Inverter Generator with all the bells and whistles and fuel economy in one beautiful package, then look at this 2500 Watt Generator from Power Smart.
It can power your RV furnace, AC, microwave, and, best of all, your big-screen TV! Convenient, lightweight, and super quiet power (52 Decibels) is yours with this 2500-watt inverter generator.
Specs:
There are almost unlimited good things about the Champion generator, so we’ll go over the most critical aspects.
- 2500 Watt Inverter for 79cc AMPS of Power
- Manual start with Cold-Start Technology
- Optional Parallel Kit – To connect two Inverters
- Clean electricity for sensitive electronics – RV Ready with two 120V 20A household outlets and a clean power (less than 3% THD) 12V DC outlet with dual USB adapter to charge mobile devices
- Ultra-quiet operation – 52 dBA is perfect for RVs, tailgating, your next project, or backup power for your home, featuring 2500 starting watts and 1850 running watts with up to 11.5 hours of run time at a 50% load
- 1.1 Gal. tank allows up to 7.5 hours of Run Time at 25% Load
Our Take Away
Essentially, this portable generator from Power Smart offers every feature that the Champion Portable generator in our Editors Choice selection Above – Except – It runs exclusively on Gasoline vs. the Champion which can run on Gas or Propane fuel.
As the Champion, Power Smart technology offers less than 1.2 % Harmonic Distortion – Lending it safe to power even the most sensitive electronics.
Bottom line, if you’re ok with a slightly heavier portable generator with a smaller gas tank and one that you intend to fuel with Gasoline only, you can save money and consider this may be the one.
POWER SMART – Runner Up
Best Value: WEN56200i – 2000 Watt
You don’t often see a generator several hundred dollars below the $1000 mark, and you’re still impressed with it. But the WEN56200i has managed to do just that. With the consumer-friendly price and the incredible power it pushes out, this generator is one to take notice of.
Specs:
Inexpensive: we all love a great deal, and this unit is the poster child for the best value.
Quiet Operation: Much like the other two generators we’ve seen, this one runs a very low 45 to 50 decibels.
For that reason, this generator is perfect for RVs and campgrounds; being so light and quiet, I can’t see a better use for this generator.
Two 3-prong outlets. A parallel connection cable allows you to connect two portable generators with a Very quiet – 51-decibel rating at 1/4 load.
Our Take Away:
As you can see, there isn’t much “not to like” about the WEN56400i, and because it is lightweight and super quiet, we’d also consider the WEN as the best generator for camping.
If you are looking for an affordable, quiet inverter generator packed with features, and want to get one at the best-priced portable generator, then the WEN is hands down the generator you want.
WEN – Best Value
Longest Operating Generator: Generac 7117 GP2200i 2200 Watt
Whether you’re tailgating for the big game or want to enhance your campsite experience without disrupting the environment around you, Generac’s GP2200i inverter generator is a fantastic choice. It is very budget-friendly, and like premium units, you can Parallel two units together for double the power.
Specs
- Quiet, Compact, and Easy to use.
- AC rated output running Watts: 1700, AC maximum output starting Watts: 2200
- Truepower technology for clean, stable power is ideal for sensitive electronics, tools, or appliances.
- 1.2-gallon fuel tank allows for 10.75 hours of run time and at 1/4 load
- Built-in hand-hold for easy transport
- Integrated off/run/choke knob simplifies starting
- LED lighted alert for low-oil, overload
- PowerParallel is ready to connect two inverters together to double the output.
Our Take Away
The Generac brand is probably the longest-running-respected name in Commercial generators, and it’s obvious they intend to maintain that reputation as witnessed by this portable inverter generator.
GENERAC – Longest Operation Generator
Westinghouse iGen2200 – Lightweight 2200 Watt Generator
The iGen2200 by Westinghouse is much more potent than you would expect a portable generator in this price range to be. It’s rated at 1800 watts with 2200 peak watts output, and it still Only weighs 46 pounds, making it perfect for almost any situation.
Specs
- 2200 watts packed into one of the lightest converters on this list
- 46 lbs and lightweight
- Two 120v outlets and two USB outlets provide plenty of space to charge devices, plug-in speakers, or anything else you need.
- 10 hours of runtime at full power
- Economy mode extends the runtime
- Parallel connectivity
- 3-year warranty
- 52 Decibel rating
Our Take Away
Overall, this is an excellent product. It’s compact, powerful, and unbelievably quiet. So if you want the most powerful, lightest weight inverter generator, this is the way to go.
Westinghouse – Light Weight Generator
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Best Upgrade: Honda EU2200i – 2200 Watt Generator
If you’re looking for the Best overall generator and have the budget to match, then the Honda EU2200i – 120 Volt generator is worthwhile. A powerful Portable Inverter Generator with all the bells, whistles, and fuel economy in one beautiful package.
Honda once again offers another great premium product.
The Honda generator can power your RV’s furnace, AC, or microwave, and best of all, your big-screen TV! Convenient, lightweight, and super quiet power (52 Decibels) is yours with this 2200-watt inverter generator.
Specs:
There are almost unlimited good things about the Champion generator, so we’ll review the most critical aspects.
- 2200 Watt Inverter for 79cc AMPS of Power
- Commercial Grade Engine Components, and only 47 Lbs.
- Bluetooth Technology from Honda Mobile App
- Optional Parallel Kit – To connect two Inverters
- Clean electricity for sensitive electronics – RV Ready with two 120V 20A household outlets and a clean power (less than 3% THD) 12V DC outlet with a dual USB adapter to charge mobile devices
- Ultra-quiet operation – 48 dBA is perfect for RVs, tailgating, your next project, or backup power for your home, featuring 2200 starting watts of power.
- 1.0 Gal. tank allows up to 8.0 hours of Run Time at 25% Load
Our Take Away
Essentially, this portable generator from Honda offers every feature that the Champion Portable generator in our Editors Choice selection Above – Except – Runs exclusively on Gasoline vs. the Champion which can run on Gas or Propane fuel.
As the Champion, Honda technology offers less than 1.2 % Harmonic Distortion – Lending it safe to power even the most sensitive electronics.
Honda goes a few steps further with the ultra-safe feature “Co-minder detection system,” which shuts down the generator before it senses dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. The importance of this safety feature cannot be overstated.
Honda – Best Upgrade Generator
Buyers Guide: Portable Generators
We all understand that a generator gives you electricity on demand, even when everyone else has to sit in the darkness. But there are plenty of other reasons to get them too.
First and foremost, portable generators are far less expensive than their standby counterparts, meaning electricity at your fingertips is far more accessible.
Want to find out what size generator you need? Check out Honda’s Wattage calculator here!
Benefits of Owning a Portable Generator:
Climate
If you’ve small children or the elderly living with you, you can’t afford to allow your home to get to extreme temperatures. Use a generator during power outages to run space heaters or fans to help control temperatures.
Security
Your home is more susceptible to security breaches during power outages. The lights are out, tending to put your home at a higher risk of being broken into. Running floodlights through your generator can help cut down on those risks.
Communication
Sometimes blackouts can be fun, especially when you have something to keep a little power running. If you have a generator, you’ll still be able to charge your phones, listen to music, or watch a movie!
Camping
Many people like to go camping and get away from all the creature comforts of home, like electricity. But if you want to have at least some of the modern amenities while camping, then a top-rated portable RV generator for your campsite is the best way to accomplish that goal.
Charge your phones, laptops, and tablets, and even turn the lights on when you want to keep the party going after dark.
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Work
Do you own a food truck? Or maybe you’re a contractor who does a lot of work at sites without electricity hooked up yet. If so, a portable generator is a perfect fit for you. Their lightweight and cordless and provide plenty of portable power to charge or run your power tools.
The Inverter difference over Conventional Generators
Westinghouse offers a simple illustration to show you the difference and help us compare fuel consumption and power outage here between traditional (non-portable) and Inverter (portable and quiet) Generators:
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
While it’s true that generators offer a ton of advantages, there are still a few things that people can find frustrating about these helpful machines. Fortunately, the frustrations can be overcome with a few considerations first.
Sound
You may know those big gas-horsepower generators can carry an alarming decibel rating of between 77 & 90 decibels…… But inside our list of the best portable generators in 2020 – you’ll find most generators with a quiet – 48 – decibel rating or less!
To help dispel the myth that all generators are LOUD – Normal speech is between 50-60 decibels. The quietest generators we review above run between 48-53 decibels at 25% load operation, so you can see that these models genuinely are considered Quiet operators.
Decibel Ratings for Generators – Comparison Chart
Price
You’ll commonly hear that the generator is costly. And they are pretty expensive, but that is to be expected with a technology that offers so much utility. Furthermore, if you know what you’re looking for, you can significantly reduce the amount of money you spend.
For instance, if you’re only getting a camping generator, you might not need to purchase the best generator on the market.
If the prices of generators are getting you down, I can best advise you to look at this purchase as an investment. It’s something that will last you for years to come whether it’s keeping you warm during blackouts caused by winter storms or powering your tools on the job site.
Power
Another issue I see people have with generators is that they aren’t powerful enough. Again, this is primarily due to not understanding what product your product you have and what its limitations are.
Small Portable generators aren’t going to be able to power your entire house; some can’t even power “multiple” large appliances at the same time. You should opt for a stand-alone generator if that is what you want. Most portable generators are meant for small to medium appliances and electronic items.
Fuel
This is a big one for many people, for an understandable reason too. These generators need a lot of fuel to run. If you’ve got a portable unit, you’ll need to carry 10 to 25 gallons of gas in your garage. And that’s only giving you between 1 to 2 days of run-time.
Power
If you want to use a portable generator to power refrigerators and lights (not the entire house), it is recommended that you get a generator with 5,000 watts or higher. But if you only need it for job sites, then a 3,000-watt generator will work fine.
Weight
How often are you going to be moving your generator? Is it going from job site to job site with you? If so, you might want to find something that doesn’t risk damaging your back whenever you pick it up and take it with you. The right size to get in these cases is a 3,000 Watt generator.
Fuel Economy
One of the most critical factors is fuel economy; the last thing you want to do is have to refill the generator every couple of hours. Try and get a generator with a generously sized tank and, of course, one that consumes fuel at a reasonable rate.
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Our Selection Process
We’ve listed why you might consider a portable generator and even discussed some things to look out for before buying one.
We scoured over 20 manufacturers’ specifications and consumer reports and read in-depth buyer reviews to find the six best, quietest generators you can buy in today’s market.
*Note: It’s important to note that we only looked at portable generators. If you need something that can power an entire house, you’ll need to look at large stationary generators.
Conclusion
Portable Generators are a fantastic tool; they don’t surge but keep the power on in your house during outages consistently running, make camping a lot easier, and allow you to have access to electricity just about anywhere you can go.
And now, with many of today’s innovations in Portable generators, the issue of ear-shattering sound is a thing of the past.
Now that you’ve seen the top-rated quietest generator on the market, there’s only one thing left for you to do – select the one that’s right for you!
Thanks for visiting BestHomeGear.Com, and don’t forget to leave us a quick comment or suggestion below!
References & Additional Resources
- How Much “Power” Do I Need in A Generator? HondaPowerequipment.com
- How Does A Generator Work? – Howstuffworks.com
- The Best Cordless String Trimmer You Can Buy – Besthomegear.com
- How to Prep Generators and other Small Engines for Storage – Mechanics.StackExchange.com
- Who Makes The Best Pressure Washer Under $300? – Besthomegear.com
- The Best Battery-Powered Outdoor Equipment Brands – Besthomegear.com
