Best RV Generators of 2022 | Reviews & Buying Guide

The RV generator is the best portable power source that you can get these days, and they are best for a reason. Inverter RV generators have a lot of advantages over conventional generators. These are more fuel-efficient, have a very low THD, which means they supply clean electricity, and are easy on the ears.

They are known for their efficiency, quiet operation for a long period and for providing reliable power and at the same time being portable.

Choosing the right generator for your RV is essential because if you were to buy a low-power output generator, then you may not be able to run crucial appliances like AC and refrigerator in your RV that uses the high power than any other machine.

Well, to help you solve this problem, we have tested many RV generators according to their power output, noise, and fuel capacity. And after testing them for days, we came up with the Reviews of the Best Generator for your RV.

Best RV Generators 2022

1. Westinghouse iGen4500 Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator

This portable inverter generator from the Westinghouse tops our best RV generator list. This inverter works flawlessly and with extreme soundlessness and produces enough power to charge all your digital devices. At the power it is capable of supplying, it is exceptionally small in size.

This RV generator will run for almost 18 hours with a full 3.4 gallons fuel tank. This unit can supply 3700 rated watts and 4500 peak watts, and the voltage it will supply will be very clean in nature, so no voltage-sensitive device will get damaged.

The most highlighted feature of any Westinghouse generator is its noise level, and the same tradition is followed here. It is almost impossible for any generator to work quietly. Nonetheless, it is extremely quiet; specifically, it makes a noise of 52 dB, which for reference you can compare with the running refrigerator.

The design is user-friendly; you don’t need much knowledge to operate this generator if you still can’t seem to get your way around it. Moreover, there is a detailed user manual, which you can navigate if you feel the need; just follow the indicators on display, and that’s all.

The display indicates the voltage, level of the fuel, the remaining runtime, the output power, and running hours that this tool has already performed. If you simply keep up with the display, you will avoid any mishappening with the generator.

What is crucial for this RV generator is its efficiency, and in the long run, it is going to save you lots of money. What I really liked about this RV generator is its vast set of outlets.

It features a 5–20R 120V Duplex Household Outlet, an RV-Ready Tt-30R 30 Amp Outlet, and Two USB Outlets. That should be enough for travel or home use.

Westinghouse is known for offering its quality product at reasonable rates, and this inverter generator comes with a reasonable price tag too. If you take a look at what it has to offer, believe me, this is the best RV generator out there with strong pricing and remarkably good features.

Also, this generator is EPA and CARB Compliant. Plus, to sweeten the deal, it comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

2. Champion 6250-Watt Open Frame Inverter Generator

This RV inverter generator combines the best of both worlds while still being affordable. So, let’s have a look at what it has to offer.

What makes this generator so unique is its quiet operation; it is 50% quieter than traditional 5000-watt portable generators. Besides, it is 20% lighter, thanks to its innovative technology and compact design. This is achieved by using quiet technology and digital inverter components.

It features a 301cc engine, which is capable of generating 6250 starting watts and 5000 running watts. With its 4.2 gallons tank, which accepts gasoline only, it runs for 12.5 hours on a 25% load. Plus, the engine is EPA-certified and CARB-compliant.

For power output, it has a 120/240 V 30A locking outlet, four 120V 20A protected household outlets, and a 12V dc automotive-style outlet, which has a dual USB adapter.

If you want to get an idea about its loudness, stand 23 feet away from the generator, and you will hear a noise of around 69 dB; this loudness is the same as that of a vacuum cleaner.

Going Ahead, You can connect your sensitive equipment without any hesitation since it produces clean power with a THD of less than 3%. I really liked the controls. They are as easy as they can get; the quick touch panel provides you the interface for fast access to controls.

It also comes with an economy mode, which has the function of monitoring power consumption in real-time to reduce the electrical load and provides quiet operation, and also extends the life of the engine while maintaining fuel economy.

Other than that, it comes with a Cold Start Technology, which makes sure that the generator will start in cold weather too. On a control panel, it shows the voltage, frequency, and operating hours too.

With all these features, it comes with the backing of a Champion’s 3-years limited warranty and free lifetime technical support from the manufacturer. This portable RV generator is a quiet, lightweight, and cost-effective choice. It provides you with the best value for money.

3. WEN 56225i Gas Powered Portable Inverter RV Generator

WEN makes some really cool products and this portable RV generator is one of them.

The engine it comes with is EPA III and CARB-Compliant 4-stroke OHV, which produces 1800 rated watts and 2250 peak watts.

With a noise level of 53 dB, you can say that this engine is designed to be quiet. What’s more, well, it comes with a fuel shut-off technology to increase the life span of the engine.

When you want to store it and want all the gasoline to be used, you can just simply shut off the fuel supply. You will be able to supply sensitive electronic equipment with it because it supplies very clean power.

It really takes the cake in terms of its build quality; it has a strong build quality, it is lightweight and portable with a weight of just a few less than 50 pounds, and compact in design. For convenient transportation, the handle is sturdy and has a rubberized grip.

The 4-stroke OHV engine it comes with is fuel-efficient. The tank capacity is 6 gallons, which will run for 6 hours in the half-load operation. Other than that, the harmonic distortion is extremely low, about 1.2%, which makes it really suitable for electronics like mobile, laptop, desktop PC, etc.

Apart from that, the control panel is pretty simple. On the left, to start the generator, you get the 3-in-1 switch. You will have a reset button, 2 USB ports, two power outlets, and a manual shut-off switch as well on the control panel.

For maximum power output, there is an eco-mode switch as well. Besides, there are indicator lights for low level, output, and overload conditions.

One of the most highlighted features is its parallel connection port for sharing wattage between generators. And then we got a grounding nut for grounding purposes.

4. Champion 3400-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator for RV Use

Inverter generators from the Champion are known for having the most unique features, making them the best choice in the market. It puts forward convenience and power.

It has enough power to power all the appliances in a home during outbreaks or to supply the electrical needs during camping adventures in your recreational vehicle.

The starting watts for this generator is 3400 watts while it has 3100 running watts. For easy recoil starting, it also features a cold start technology. Besides having a recoil starter, for user convenience, it also has an electric start.

Going on a trip, this will be a lightweight and quiet addition to your trip or an RV, because it comes with a general 30A RV-ready outlet that can supply enough power to operate a 15,000 BTU RV air conditioner.

During an outbreak, it can also power up the essential items you might need. With a THD rating of just 3%, it is quite capable of powering up your sensitive electronic equipment like a laptop, tablet, mobile, etc., without damaging it.

This dual-fuel RV generator is quieter, and with a distance of 23 feet, you can hear 59 dB of noise. It works on gasoline as well as on propane.

Same as other inverter generators from the Champion, it also has a quick touch panel for easy access to controls.

The powerful 192cc engine produces 3400 starting watts and 3100 running watts when the tank is filled with gasoline; while working on the propane, it produces 3060 starting watts and 2790 running watts. On the 25% loading, it can supply power for more than 7.5 hours.

Speaking of power, you can get power for home appliances from two 120V 20A plugs on the back panel and it also has a single 120V and 30A outlet. This generator comes with one RV-ready outlet as well so that you can connect it directly to your recreational vehicle.

Let’s not forget the parallel kit, which comes with a quick clip-on connection so you can increase the power by connecting other inverters in parallel.

This RV generator is a good option if you are in search of a good amount of power as well as a generator, which is quiet. Moreover, the 3 years limited warranty is too good to be ignored because the Champion is also known for its excellent customer service.

5. Honda EU2200i 2200-Watt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator

Honda is known for producing high-quality and reliable products when it comes to power equipment. That is so true for this Honda EU2200i portable inverter generator as well; let’s see what makes this RV generator so unique.

First things first, let’s talk about its power capabilities. This RV inverter generator features a powerful but quiet 4-stroke engine and it runs on regular gasoline.

Besides, it produces a really clean sine wave that has a total harmonic distortion of less than 3%, making it safe for sensitive electronic devices to be powered directly from the generator’s outlet.

It comes with a relatively compact fuel tank that has a capacity to store 0.95 gallons of fuel. With the full gas tank, you can get a runtime of 3.2 hours at full load and 8.1 hours at quarter load, so that’s good for overnight power.

Moving on, In terms of the outer exterior, it is pretty similar to its predecessor. It is lightweight and portable with 47 pounds of weight.

That being said, For power output, the control panel contains 3 outlets, from which two are standard 120V 15 A ac outlets, and those are also protected with a circuit breaker if the equipment starts drawing more than 20A current. And, one is a 12 V 8.3A DC outlet to power the 12 V automotive-type batteries.

For the convenience of the user, it has 3 LED light indicators on the control panel Oil alert, Overload alert, and Output indicator.

• Oil Alert – It will switch on when you are running low on oil.
• Overload Alarm – If too much power is drawn from the generator, then this alarm will go off.
• Output Indicator – The output indicator shines with green light if the outlets are putting in the right amount of power.

The newest addition to this control panel is the fuel ON/OFF switch, which controls the supply of fuel from the tank to the engine. It is advantageous when you want to store the generator and want the generator to use all of the gas before automatically shutting down.

One generator is not enough to supply the power for your needs; no worries, it comes with parallel operation support, which means you can connect two or more generators in parallel if needs be.

Where this generator stands out from others is in its extremely quiet operation; it operates with a noise level of 47 decibels at quarter load, and at full load, it produces 57 dBA.

The starting system for this RV generator is a manual recoil starter, but with its generous improvements in the field, it is relatively less effortless to start.

Honda is admired for its products in the portable generator industry, and they did it once again with this generator. The performance is top-notch, and one of its kind, and its ability to generate power closer to line power is truly rare. Plus, don’t forget the 3 years of residential and commercial warranty.

6. Generac 7129 GP3000i Inverter Generator for RV

Generac is a very good choice if you are looking for a 3000-watt portable inverter generator because very few generators in its range were able to compete with it on that front. This RV generator starts at 3000 watts and slides down to 2300 watts.

One of the most highlighted points of this generator is its Power Rush technology, enabling you to do more while drawing less power or utilizing less fuel, which makes it very fuel-efficient.

Now, what is this PowerRush technology? It is the technology that will help the generator to jump-start and will provide power to the important appliances without any time delay. The motor can deliver 50% more power at starting due to this PowerRush technology.

I must admire the motor, which gives a runtime of 5.8 hours with a full tank at 25% load. Also, you can run appliances that couldn’t have been powered up by a regular inverter generator.

If that one technology isn’t enough for you, it presents you with another TruePower technology; that’s the name they have given to it. It is the reason behind the very clean sine wave it can supply without any bumps or spikes, which makes this little thing ideal for powering up TVs, and PCs, and charging adapters through a USB adapter.

The control panel gives a sophisticated look to this machine. It has an AC outlet and two DC outlets on the back. Two USB ports are also there to directly connect your small sensitive devices.

There are LED indicators for the oil and fuel as well, and two indicators are assigned only to the oil level; one flashes when the oil is full and the other when the oil is almost used up. No mess while staring in cold weather because there is a choke to kick-start the machine.

The insides of this machine are very well insulated. The motor is also kept inside the insulated chamber, which makes it very quiet while operating. If we talk about this generator’s weight, then it is lightweight and weighs just around 55 pounds.

I believe it to be lightweight and won’t give a backache while moving from one place to another.

All these features are good, but what if it stops working after a few months, don’t worry; the manufacturer backs it up with a strong 2-year warranty and 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

7. Westinghouse WGen7500DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator

As we have just gone through our first generator from the Westinghouse, which was an almost impeccable choice, then this generator comes and stands one step ahead of it.

This powerful dual-fuel generator is aimed towards food truck owners and homeowners for use in emergencies and those hard-working professionals who won’t let anything stop them from working.

It stands out in terms of its power output. It offers solid power and versatility and delivers 120/240 V, thanks to its dual-fuel technology. When you pour gasoline, it supplies a running wattage of 7500 W and a peak wattage of 9500 W, whereas if you use propane as a fuel, it will have 6750 rated watts and 8550 peak watts.

What I really liked about this RV generator is its massive power output. Non-inverter RV generators, in general, provide high power. Also, it makes a noise of just 74 dB, which is a little more than that of a shower.

Moreover, it features 3 starting mechanisms, the conventional pull-start, and an elegant electric starter, and if that’s not enough, it can be started remotely as well.

The fuel tank it has can store 6.6 gallons of fuel. If we consider the run time, with gasoline as a fuel, it gives a runtime of 16 hours, while on propane, the generator gives a runtime of almost 11 hours, which is quite good from my point of view.

For supplying power to the outer world, it has two 5 V USB ports for small electronic device charging. Moreover, it features a twist-lock L14-30 receptacle, which is transfer switch ready, and you will always be able to connect it to power your home through a breaker box if there are power outage conditions.

That was good, but what I really find amusing about this device is its Smart Switch Ready feature, which will automatically supply power to the home as soon as the power goes out.

For the user’s convenience, it comes with a meter that shows the voltage, frequency, and lifetime hours for easy monitoring. Besides, it has a fuel gauge to get a quick and easy idea about the fuel level.

You can use it without being worried about safety because it has a circuit breaker for overload protection and an automatic low oil shut-off. What’s more, it also has a spark arrestor to use in a forested area.

In addition to all the goodies, it comes with a 3-years warranty from the manufacturer. Westinghouse WGen7500DF will be the best choice if you are looking for a high-powered RV generator with all the essentials and come with decent safety features.

What is an RV Inverter Generator?

The standard generator and inverter generator both supply AC power and may power the same device, but they have different operating mechanisms. The generator that converts the voltage with the help of a microprocessor from AC to DC and again inverts back to AC is known as the inverter generator.

The inverter generator is capable of throttling its engine up and down. So that will produce as much energy as needed, and this will reduce fuel consumption, which in turn will decrease the sound produced by it.

The benefit of an inverter generator is that in the end, both the generators supply the same power but power from the inverter generator is cleaner, has a low THD, and is free of fluctuations and surges. The inverter generator creates an almost clean sine wave that is suitable for delicate appliances as well.

In essence, the inverter generator is a device that is capable of providing clean power while being fuel-efficient, lightweight, and producing low noise, which is why we have selected inverter generators as our top pick for the best RV generators.

How Does an Inverter RV Generator Work?

All generators produce power with the help of an alternator, and to turn that alternator, the engine is there, which may run on gasoline or propane. The shaft of the alternator is rotated by the engine, which in turn induces the voltage in the stator of the alternator. This voltage is generated in the stator, and it is ready to be supplied to the load.

In a conventional generator, this power is directly fed to the control panel or almost directly with some protective devices and voltage regulators; from there, this power is taken out without being ”cleaned up.” So the power of the conventional generator has more THD than the inverter generator, as much as 25% in some cases.

In an inverter generator, the power is produced the same way as a conventional generator, but before supplying it to the control panel, it is cleaned up; how? The generated power is converted to DC, and with the help of a microprocessor or microcontroller, this DC power is inverted back to the AC, which has very little THD in some cases as little as 1%. From that inversion stage, it gets its name.

So now this clean power is well suited to be supplied to the delicate electronics as well, supplying them with the conventional generators there are high chances of them being burned to ashes.

Inverter Vs. Generator: What is the difference?

You can say the inverter is a load-sensitive device when it runs. It adjusts the power based on the load it senses from the outlet, so if the power output changes, the fuel consumption, and the speed will also change. It continuously adapts its speed based on the load, which makes it more fuel-efficient.

While this is not the case with conventional generators, they need a constant speed to deliver 12o V at 60 Hz and keep the current stable. If here the speed of the engine changes, you will notice it in terms of fluctuations.

This was the main difference; the other could be portability. The inverter generators are compact and light in weight to carry it wherever you want it.

How to Connect a Portable Generator to Your RV?

Connecting the portable generator to your RV is quite a straightforward process, as today’s RVs are designed for conveniently installing portable RV generators. To properly connect the portable generator to your RV, these are a few steps you need to follow carefully.

The first and foremost thing you need to do is to figure out if your recreational vehicle has an RV-ready port or not; for that, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or ask your dealer.

Next, determine which type of fuel you would like to use for the regular working of your generator.

Now you need to calculate your daily power consumption on that RV. This is to be done to make sure that you purchase the generator, which has sufficient output power and that too according to your needs. Don’t just buy any generator.

For supplying fuel to the generator from the fuel tank, you will need a fuel pump, so make sure you have one. For the quiet operation of the generator, you can search different materials to muffle the sound of the unit. The selection of material depends on the generators’ dimensions and their location in the RV.

There is one more important thing to note down, while you connect the generator to your RV, make sure to install a transfer switch. It will safely let you change the power source when you want to use the shore power and that too automatically.

Another plus point of installing a transfer switch is that it will prevent electrical issues i.e. in the case of lightning or fire.

Safety first, drive the grounding rod into the ground from the place of your portable generator. Now connect this grounding rod to the unit with the help of a copper wire provided.

After this process is done, safely connect the TravelTrailer’s generator cable between RV and the generator, and you are done. The instant flow of power will flow through the veins of the RV as soon as you start the generator.

What to look for when choosing the Best RV Generator?

Output

This is the most significant factor to consider when buying a new RV generator.

First, you need to have a good idea of how much wattage you really need. Most people far fetch these needs; they may not require as much power as they think they do. That being said, it will be a good choice if you purchase one that is capable of generating enough power than the one which creates too little.

Before making a choice, keep in mind where you want your generator to be used. If you are going to generally use this generator for the camping site, then you may not need much wattage, but if you are planning to use it for powering onboard devices of RV, then get a powerful one. The choice of use will play a major role in the type of generator you should buy.

Portability

If you generally carry around your generator by yourself or with some little help, you may need to keep in mind the weight of the generator. While almost all RV inverter generators are portable, but some are more portable than others.

Before making a purchase, don’t forget to inspect if it has carry handles or wheels to move around. If you are going to choose the most portable generator, there are high chances of it being small in size.

This means that you are not going to get much power with small RV generators. There will always be a trade-off between power and portability.

So choose accordingly how much power you are getting while the generator is portable.

Noise

The inverter generators are generally quieter than the conventional generators, even though you may discover that some inverter generators produce more noise than others.

The loudness of the machine is going to matter much; if you are going to use it where there are neighbors close by or at the campfire, you may really not want to upset fellow campers or make everyone annoyed around the campfire.

Whatever the reason may be, there isn’t a direct relationship between the power output capability and the noise of the generator. Some significantly powerful RV generators are pretty quiet than some less powerful ones.
So choose the one with minimal noise.

Parallel Capability

This is the capability of the inverter generators to be connected in parallel and to generate more wattage to supply the extra power requirements. In simple words, they can be wired together to get more power. If one goes out, the other one can still work; that’s a reliable arrangement.

This will cost you much more if you are going to buy two generators together to connect them and get more power.

Of course, You don’t need to buy both together. But there will always be an option, if in the future you may need more power.

This parallel connection may be the less expensive way if you want to power the whole house.

Clean Energy

Cleanliness can be referred to in two ways for the inverter RV generators. One is the cleanliness of the fuel; the inverter generator may use either gasoline, propane, or any other fuel, from which certain types of fuel will burn cleaner, so you won’t need to clean it frequently.

It is proven that propane generators are somewhat cheaper to operate and produce less harmful gases than gasoline-powered generators.

The second cleanliness is the generated output voltage wave. This cleanliness affects the operation of sensitive electronic devices like mobile, TVs, PCs, etc.

Generally, the inverter generator produces more clean energy than the conventional generators but still choose the one with the minimum THD (Total Harmonics Distortion) percentage for satisfactory performance of those electronic devices.

Remote Start

This is the most convenient feature an inverter RV generator can have. You can start it from anywhere without going near it.

Just press the button on the remote, and it will start supplying power. It is particularly helpful when you are at a camping site and don’t want to leave the conversation in the middle.

It is good to buy an RV generator that features a remote start.

FAQs

Q. What is the difference between running watts and starting watts?

The starting watts are the power that the generator produces for a few seconds, like when starting or supplying power to just newly connected equipment, etc. While the running power is the power that a generator is capable of and produces continuously.

Q. Which is the best generator or an inverter?

It will mostly depend on the nature of your requirement or the feature you want in your next portable power source.

If you want clean power to supply the electronics, then the inverter generator is best for you. It is also the best choice if you want it to be portable or quiet. The generators are generally not quiet in operation and supply the voltages, which have surges and spikes in its waveform. But they are cheaper than Inverters.
For me, I will go with inverter generators.

Q. What can you run on a 2000-watt generator?

A 2000-watt generator is capable of powering a 500-watt deep freezer and one electric stove, or you can run the freeze cook with a microwave and run a few lights on your RV. Moreover, it can run almost any appliance in the house, just not simultaneously.

It can also run one of the most common appliances in-home or RV. The average refrigerator provided it needs no more than 1200 watts for starting.

Q. Why are inverters so quiet?

Inverter generators are enclosed, so much noise doesn’t come out, it fades. Besides, The engines of inverter generators are smaller compared to their counterparts and run depending on the load at the terminal, which means they don’t run at the same rate which makes it even quieter.

Q. Can you use an RV generator indoors?

A straight NO!, never use an inverter generator or any kind of RV generator indoors because the exhaust from the generator can be dangerous in enclosed places. Always keep the generator in an open place where the fumes can properly vent out.

Q. What size generator do I need to power a Recreation Vehicle?

The figure is 5000 watts, that’s the need of most RVs, and it doesn’t mean that with this wattage you can run all your appliances at once. If by any chance, you want your onboard RV appliances to run all at once, you may need around 8000 watts. Generally, a generator with about 5000 watts is a good choice for powering any recreational vehicle.