Generators are used to make power and electricity. Some are really big and can’t be moved, but some are small, quiet generators that run on either gasoline or propane.
What is interesting is that some of them even run on biomass fuel. They are portable and easy to use. There are many versions of these generators, some of them are 2000 Watts and some are well above 7000 Watts.
These small generators are mostly used in emergency cases when there is no power or supplying equipment with power. Efficiency and reliability are the main strong points of these kinds of generators as they can run for hours with a single fuel tank.
Best Quiet Generators
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1
Best For Higher Budgets
1Honda EU3000iS Quiet Generator
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4
Best Overall
4Durostar DS4000S Quiet Generator
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6
Best For Low Budgets
6Westinghouse iGen1200 Quiet Generator
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1. Honda EU3000iS Quiet Generator
- Easy to use
- Portable
- A good backup incase something disrupts the power grid
- Low running cost
Honda produces reliable and high quality generators as this one. It has a compact design and it is super quiet, even quieter than a normal conversation between two people.
Because of its size you can fit it in your car trunk with ease, and carry it anywhere you want. It is really fuel efficient and it can run up to 20 hours. It also features many safety mechanisms such as low oil sensor, which after it detects low oil, it shuts the engine off so it doesn’t damage itself. It often comes with a multi year warranty.
This generator is fitted with a Honda’s advanced inverter technology which means it is safe to power computers and equipment that is sensitive.
After using this generator for a couple of hours, make sure to turn it off so it can cool down. Refuelling should be done with care and in the outdoors. Make sure to not overfill the fuel tank.
Specifications
Pros
- Extremely quiet and good for camping
- A large enough gas tank so it can run for 20+ hours
- Safety features to prevent injuries
- Reliable
Cons
- Despite being really compact, the main problem with this generator is its weight which is 131 lbs
- Does not have an hour meter
2. WEN 56200i Quiet Generator
- Produces 1600 rated watts (2000 surge watts).
- Eco-mode feature to adjust fuel consumption.
- Long runtime (9.4 hours at quarter load).
- Limits harmonic distortion so can safely run laptops, tablets and phones.
This is a great option if you’re looking for a generator for camping trips, as this model is portable, compact, and quiet, running at 51dB at quarter load.
Weighing 48 pounds it’s easier to move this inverter generator around as needed, and although the fuel tank holds only 1 gallon, it will run for over 6 hours at half-load. Harmonic distortion is limited to less than 1.2%, so it’s safe to run more sensitive electronics such as laptops and tablets, and there’s even a USB port. Alongside this are two three-prong 120V and one 12V DC ports.
We like the Eco-Mode, which adjusts the generator’s motor and therefore the fuel consumption when items are plugged and unplugged. The output is limited to 1600 rated watts, but if you need more power you can link up a second generator using a connection kit (not included). The two-year warranty gives you added peace of mind.
Specifications
Pros
- Compact and portable design, ideal for camping or worksites.
- Extremely quiet operation at 53dB at quarter load.
- Four outlets including a USB port.
- 2 year warranty.
Cons
- Relatively low output, so can only handle a few devices simultaneously.
- Oil needs to be changed after the first 20 hours of use.
3. Briggs & Stratton P2200 Quiet Generator
- You can always rely on it if you have fuel
- It is constructed with quality parts
- Safe to use
- Can be converted to propane if needed
If you are looking for a generator that is small enough so you can carry it anywhere, but at the same time it can get the job done, then this Briggs & Stratton generator is a perfect choice for you.
This generator is fitted with a 111cc engine. It is ultra quiet and perfect for outdoors use or a project you are working on.
It has many features such as usb ports to power your phone, it has a 1 gallon fuel tank capacity. Briggs & Stratton have fitted this generator with an advanced inverter so it won’t damage TVs, PCs or other appliances.
It has parallel compatibility so you can combine two of these generators to work as one and have more power. Having many different ports allows you to do lots of things with this generator.
The efficiency of this generator will make you really happy if you opt for buying it. It can run up to 10 hours non stop. Be sure not to mix the gasoline with oil as that can damage the engine.
Specifications
Pros
- Light and portable
- Fuel efficient
- Smooth running
- Cheap and affordable
Cons
- The biggest con is that it doesn’t have an electric start.
- Cannot be shipped to the state of California.
4. Durostar DS4000S Quiet Generator
- It comes with wheels so you can move it easily whilst doing something
- It is affordable and cheap
- It can power a lot of things because of it’s big engine size
This generator is unique as it does not have a plastic engine cover as a lot of modern generators have. It is fitted with a powerful 208cc engine that puts out about 7 horsepower which is enough to power heavy grade equipment.
Because of the big engine, there is a 4 gallon fuel tank that can run this generator for more than 12 hours. It is fitted with an hour meter. Wheels don’t come standard with this generator but can be bought after.
The generator features many safety restrictions like low oil shut off, a muffler that makes it as quiet as it can but it is still louder than some generators.
Whilst buying this generator, you will also get a 3 year warranty on every part of it. It will help you out during power outages and you won’t have to worry about not having electricity. Two 120V and one 120v 30A outlets are a standard on this model.
Specifications
Pros
- Has a big fuel tank that can power it for lots of hours
- Reliable and simple to use
- Comes with a manual which explains everything in detail
- Can power heavy duty equipment
Cons
- It is really heavy and needs to be transported by a vehicle
- It also doesn’t have a start button but a pull bar that can rip off easily
5. Yamaha EF2000iSv2 Quiet Generator
- Generates up to 2000W of clean AC power.
- Auto-decompression system for easier starting.
- Fuel gauge allows fuel level to be seen at a glance.
- Durable, high quality components.
Weighing in at just over 44 pounds, this compact inverter generator is extremely portable. It has an impressive runtime of up to 10.5 hours at quarter load, meaning a full tank of gas goes a long way.
It produces 2000W peak watts / 1600W running watts of clean power, with voltage stability within a 1% range. This means it will safely run more delicate electronics such as laptops and tablets, though we’d have liked to see a USB port to easily charge these items.
There are lots of handy features, such as an oil watch warning system and a fuel gauge for easy monitoring of your fuel level. The Smart Throttle feature varies engine speed according to load, and auto warm-up increases the speed during cold starts so there’s no delay in handling appliances with a high power demand straight away. The quiet operation – up to 61dB at rated load – is another attractive benefit of this Yamaha model.
Specifications
Pros
- Portable, lightweight and compact model.
- Can run for up to 10.5 hours without refueling.
- Smart Throttle feature varies the engine speed depending on the load.
- Quiet operation, between 51.5dB and 61dB.
Cons
- Although this generator is suitable for vulnerable electronics such as laptops, it doesn’t have a USB port.
- Some users comment on the high oil consumption of this model.
6. Westinghouse iGen1200 Quiet Generator
- The building quality is great
- It is simple to use
- You can carry it anywhere
This portable generator is amazing for powering your garden equipment or for camping.
It has low level noise so it won’t disturb your peace and quiet, because you can barely hear it running. It has the capability to work with another Westinghouse generator so you can double their power.
It is one of the most compact generators on the market at this time. The safety features do a lot of things, they can adjust the engine speed to whatever you need it to, or it can lower or raise its fuel efficiency. When buying this generator you get lifetime support and 3 year warranty.
Specifications
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and portable
- The price is acceptable and low
- One of the most quietest generators on the market
- Being able to pair it with other generators
Cons
- Small fuel tank
- Short running hours
Quiet Generator Buying Guide
Conventional VS Inverter
A conventional generator is normally a generator that runs on a type of fuel with an alternator that has an electrical output.
The 3 most common fuels are petrol, diesel and propane.
They are simpler than inverter generators. Inverter generators can convert AC into DC electricity and the other way round.
This is the most important difference between the two. Conventionals are capable of producing more power than inverter generators. Inverter generators are more portable.
Portable or Standby Generators
Portable generators can be moved to any location we want, for example the woods, or backyard.
They just need fuel to be working from that location. They don’t have the power of the standby generators but are more useful for small purposes.
Standby generators are mostly found on top of buildings or houses. They start working when there is a power outage and can run for long hours, sometimes even for a couple of days.
You can’t move them because of their size. They also require a lot of fuel to run.
Low Noise Level
One of the best benefits of portable generators is that most of them are really quiet. They produce less than 60 dB of noise. You can go camping with them and not disturb the animals or anybody in the close vicinity.
Applications
Quiet Generator For RV and Camping
The best generators for camping and RV camping are the ones that are the smallest and most simple to use. They have to have a good enough fuel tank so it can last a certain amount of time. The best one is the Westinghouse iGen1200. For more Westinghouse generators, read our Westinghouse generator reviews.
For Home Use
For your personal use you can use any generator you find good enough or just like it for its features. That can be a portable one, but you can also buy yourself a whole house generator to put in your backyard. The best portable one for home use is the Honda EU3000iS.
Power Source
Quiet Propane Generator
Propane generators are the most low cost generators to run because propane does not cost that much. They are the most quiet generators on the market.
Quiet Gas Generator
Gas generators use gasoline to run. Most of them have a gallon or two fuel tank that can last them 10+ hours of running. They are a little bit louder than the propane generators and cost more to operate.
Quiet Dual Fuel Generator
Dual fuel generators use two types of fuel, mostly propane and gasoline but sometimes diesel can be also mixed with one or the other. Once they run out of one fuel they convert to the other fuel type to continue supplying the power.
Wattage
2000 Watt Quiet Generator
Generators that put out 2000 Watts normally power small appliances for a short period of time. They can power TV’s, lights, refrigerators and more.
3000 Watt Quiet Generator
3000 Watt generators are more powerful than the previous ones. They can power all the things the 2000 Watt can and more(heating systems, equipment..)
7000 Watt Quiet Generator
These generators are one of the most powerful on the market. They can produce a lot of voltage and they are normally used in construction sites to power heavy duty lights or machinery.
Outlets
30amp Quiet Generator
These kinds of generators power smaller equipment, devices and TVs. They are not recommended for heavy duty usage.
50amp Quiet Generator
50 amp generators are used for heavy machinery or to power something for more than 24 hours straight.
Pricing Range
There are some cheap generators on the market, the prices can go from as low as $200 for a generator up to more than $5,000 for one. Most of the cheap and quiet generators are sold for about $500.
Size
Generator sizes can be very different today. Some of them can be carried by one person and used anywhere and others are so big they need wheels and a vehicle to tow them to a location.
Our Verdict
Today, on the market there are hundreds if not thousands of generators for every purpose you need.
One of the best generators for all-around use is the Honda EU3000iS.
It has enough power to supply lots of devices, lights or equipment. Even though it has more than 100 lbs, it is light enough to be carried by two people or you can drag it because it has wheels on it that come with the product.
It is built out of reliable parts. Its price is really affordable for a high-quality product that is easy and simple to use for everybody.