The Best Portable Generators (2024) for camping and RVing

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Best Portable Generators have seen a surge in popularity due to the escalating severity and frequency of severe storms. In suburban areas where power outages are a common occurrence during inclement weather, the constant hum of multiple generators has become a familiar backdrop. However, these remarkable devices serve a dual purpose, not only acting as reliable emergency power backups but also offering versatility beyond such situations.

Portable generators can be used in a variety of settings, including construction sites, when tailgating or camping, during barbecues, and at events such as 5K runs, parades, and fairs. Basically, portable generators can be used anyplace an extension cord cannot reach. Because of recent price reductions, portable generators are now within reach of a larger population of people who have expressed an interest in acquiring one for emergency purposes.

Best Portable Generators Comparison Table

Have a look down below for some brief information on the portable generators that performed the best in our tests, and then continue reading for some purchasing advice as well as in-depth reviews of these and other models.

Generator Model	Honda EU2200i Companion	Predator 9500-Watt Inverter	Champion 5500-Watt Dual-Fuel	DuroStar DS4000S	Westinghouse WGen7500
Power Output (watts)	2200	9500	5500 (gasoline) / 4950 (propane)	3300	7500
Fuel Type	Gasoline	Gasoline	Gasoline or propane	Gasoline	Gasoline
Run Time	Up to 8.1 hours	Up to 6.5 hours	Up to 9 hours (gasoline) / 10.5 hours (propane)	Up to 8 hours	Up to 11 hours
Noise Level (dB)	57	74	74	69	73
Weight (pounds)	47	165	124.6	90	192
Starting Mechanism	Manual	Electric Start	Electric Start	Manual	Electric Start
Dual-Fuel Capability	No	No	Yes	No	No
Parallel Capability	Yes	No	No	No	No
RV-Ready Design	No	No	Yes	No	Yes
Price	Higher	Lower	Mid-range	Lower	Mid-range

Honda EU2200i Companion Portable Generator

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Specification	Value
Power Output	2200 watts
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Run Time	Up to 8.1 hours on a single tank (at 25% load)
Noise Level	57 dB at rated load
Weight	47 pounds

The Honda EU2200i inverter generator is the most portable of the ones we tried because it is half as big and weighs less than half as much as the other models. It’s easy to pick up, move around, or pack into a vehicle, and since the generator is completely enclosed, it can fit into tight areas without getting stuck on anything. This case is an important part of the inverter because it covers the electronics and helps keep noise down.

When we put it in “eco” mode, which slows down the engine when power isn’t needed, the noise level dropped to 76 dB. When we looked at the current’s sine wave with an oscilloscope, the curves were smooth and uniform, which is a sign of “clean” power that sensitive electronics need. When we started and stopped bigger motors, like an air conditioner and a table saw, the sine wave didn’t change. At the generator, the EU2200i made the most noise when it was running with these higher loads, at 81.2 decibels.

Predator 9500-Watt Inverter Portable Generator

Specification	Value
Power Output	9500 watts
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Run Time	Up to 6.5 hours on a single tank (at 50% load)
Noise Level	74 dB at rated load
Weight	165 pounds

The Harbor Freight Predator 9500 is a very large inverter that can power all the important lines in a small home. We can’t say enough about how important it is that this size of generator has four wheels and a strong, fold-out handle that makes it easy to move. We could move it around with one person pretty easy, but lifting it was definitely a team effort. We ran two air conditioners, a portable heater, a table saw, and a planer to get up to the working capacity.

Even though it can power a lot of things, the generator is so quiet that we could easily talk around it. Lastly, the Predator comes with two plug ends for 120-volt, 20-amp outlets and one 240-volt, 30-amp twist lock, in case your cords don’t match up or need to be changed. This is helpful if you buy the 9500 in an emergency and get home to find that your plugs don’t match. Even though $2,000 is a lot of money, it’s worth it for a generator with so many features.

Champion 5500-Watt Dual-Fuel Portable Generator

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Specification	Value
Power Output	5500 watts (gasoline) / 4950 watts (propane)
Fuel Type	Gasoline or propane
Run Time	Up to 9 hours on gasoline / 10.5 hours on propane
Noise Level	74 dB at rated load
Weight	124.6 pounds

The Champion 5,500 Dual-Fuel Portable Generator is a flexible choice that can run on either gasoline or propane. It has a switch that lets you switch between the two fuels. When using gasoline, the 389cc engine has a starting power of 6,875 watts and a running power of 5,500 watts. This means that you can connect anything from a portable heater to a refrigerator to it. The 6-gallon gas tank is enough to run the generator for 10 hours at 50% load.

A 20-pound propane tank can make 6,250 starting watts and 5,000 running watts and run for 6.5 hours at 50% load. We like this generator for a lot of reasons, not just because it can run for a long time. It has cold start technology that makes sure the generator starts even when it’s cold outside. It also has a built-in surge breaker to protect your devices from voltage spikes and a feature that turns off the generator if it senses a buildup of carbon monoxide.

DuroStar DS4000S Portable Generator

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Specification	Value
Power Output	3300 watts
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Run Time	Up to 8 hours on a single tank (at 50% load)
Noise Level	69 dB at rated load
Weight	90 pounds

The features on the DuroMax DuroStar DS4000S are a good deal for what you get. The generator is powered by gasoline and has a high power of 4,000 watts and a running power of 3,300 watts. This is enough power to run appliances or tools on a job site. It comes in a metal box with two handles on top so that you can move it around. It doesn’t come with wheels, but you can buy an extra wheel kit for about $50. Otherwise, it may take two people to move and set it up because it weighs 102 pounds with gasoline.

The DS4000S has a switch that you can click to turn it on. Once it is working, the volt meter will show you the output voltage. There is also a low oil light and an automatic shutoff when the oil level gets too low. At 25% load, the 4-gallon tank can run for up to 26 hours. At 50% load, it can run for 12 hours. The DuroStar DS4000S is a great compact generator for the price. It’s durable and reliable, whether you’re at home or at work.

Westinghouse WGen7500 Portable Generator

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Specification	Value
Power Output	7500 watts
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Run Time	Up to 11 hours on a single tank (at 50% load)
Noise Level	73 dB at rated load
Weight	192 pounds

This portable generator has an electric start, which many five-star users liked. For example, one reviewer said, “The electric start and remote worked perfectly. Everything was included (battery, oil, scoop, spark plug socket, etc.) and the battery was already charged and ready to go, which was a nice touch. Another person says, “I’ve had this generator for a year, and I just turned it on again in preparation for Hurricane Florence. It’s well-designed and well-built, and it starts on the first try.” The electric start is a nice feature, but there is also a pull start in case the battery dies.”

One person says, “Westinghouse is great for a portable generator.” He says, “You have to have an electrician install a transfer switch, but the electric start button makes it very easy to turn on.” It can carry a lot of gas and needs to be filled up twice a day, based on how much you use it. One reviewer said that the battery really keeps a charge, even after five years: “I took it out of storage yesterday, put in fresh gas, and it started and ran great right away. I couldn’t believe the battery still had power and that I didn’t need a jump start.”

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