Portable Propane Generator

E lectricity has become an integrated part of our daily routines, fueling all those different devices and appliances we use to make life easier. However, there are those cases when power cuts might last long, or you are unable to access your electricity source. This is where a portable generator shines because you can easily take it out from storage, as soon as the need for it appears. With the right fuel, it can provide you with enough backup power to overpass the crisis, and propane is one of the best choices. So, to help you decide on which generator to pick for your home, we offer you our best recommendations.

Top 9 Portable Propane Generators Comparison

Photo	Product Name	Weight	Wheels	Power	Decibels	Autonomy	Warranty	Price
Best Overall	1. Champion Power Equipment 100263	95.7 pounds		3060W 3400W	59	14.5 hours 7.5 hours	3 years	Check Price
Our Choice	2. All Power America APG3590CN	208 pounds		10.000W	75	8.5 hours	2 years
Best for Dual Fuel	3. Westinghouse WGen3600DF	109 pounds		4180W 4650W	61	20 hours 12 hours	3 years	Check Price
	4. DuroMax XP4850EH	127 pounds		4608W 4850W	69	8.92 hours 10.42 hours	1 year	Check Price
	5. Champion Power Equipment 76533	119 pounds		4275W 4750W	68	10.5 hours 9 hours	3 years	Check Price
	6. WEN DF475T	105.8 pounds		4350W 4750W	60-68	7 hours 11 hours	2 years	Check Price
	7. Pulsar Products PG5250B	115 pounds		4750W 5250W	78	9 hours 5 hours	1 year	Check Price
Best Budget-friendly	8. Sportsman GEN4000LP	102 pounds		4000W	68	10 hours	1 year	Check Price
	9. Firman H03652	112 pounds		4100W 4550W	68	10 hours 14 hours	1 year	Check Price

1. Champion Power Equipment 100263

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With a variety of uses, providing you with versatility, it can be used for outdoor activities, camping, with RVs and at home. It measures 25.1 inches in length, 17.3 inches in width and 18.3 inches in height and it weighs 95.7 pounds. It has a silent operation, 59 dB., and it has an iron cast sleeve for increased durability, while its 2 never-flat tires and built-in handles will help you move it around easier. It is EPA certified and CARB compliant, and it comes with a limited 3-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

Operation and Ignition

It features a dual fuel system, which allows you to use it with either propane or gasoline, right out of the box. It can hold 0.6-quarts of oil, while its low oil shut-off sensor will alert you when the fuel is running out, so you can replace it. Additionally, it creates clean power (<3% THD), thus you can safely connect sensitive gadgets to it – laptops, computers or phones – without worry.

It has a quick and convenient push-button electric start, with recoil backup, a 3-position ignition switch, and a Smart Charger, with the battery, included. Its 192cc engine will produce a 3400W starting power on gasoline, with 3100W while running. Moreover, by using a 20-pound propane tank, it will have 3060W starting power, with 2790W when running. It has an autonomy of 7.5 hours on gasoline and 14.5 hours on propane. Additionally, it comes with a propane hose with a built-in regulator.

Outlets and Control Panel

It comes with several RV outlets to offer you room and versatility – a single 120V, 30A plug, two 120V 20A plugs, and a 12V DC outlet with dual USB adapter. It has a quick touch panel, with all the controls placed conveniently, for easy access. Additionally, it comes with a parallel kit for a quick, clip-on connection to increase output by connecting two 2800W, or any other higher inverters.

Additional Features

• Cold Start Technology – it will ensure a quick start even in cold weather.
• Smart Economy Mode – will reduce the electrical load and will extend the engine life, and fuel economy.

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2. All Power America APG3590CN

Measuring 29 ½ ” in length, 23” in width and 22” in height, it is compact and easy to store as it won’t take too much space, but it will be a bit difficult to move it around as it weighs 208 pounds. It features a fuel capacity of 5 gallons which enables it to work up to 8.5 hours with only 50% load. Even more, it comes with a powerful 15 HP, 420cc 4-stroke OHV air-cooled engine, which can provide you with 10.000W at peak and 7500 running watts.

Featuring a silent operation, 75 dB, it is also C.A.R.B compliant as well as EPA and CETL certified which means the fuel will burn clean without any smoke or smell. It features a low-oil shutdown function which will prevent the oil from flowing through the engine if the motor is not running, while the hour meter and voltmeter it comes with will help you set up a maintenance schedule.

It comes with an electric start button as well as a backup recoil start, and it comes with several outlets to let you connect several appliances at once. It has 4 AC 120W outlets, one 120V twist-lock outlet, one 120/240V twist-lock outlet and one 12V DC outlet. It also has slip-free, tight-grip handles which will help you move it around, while its never-flat wheels will make maneuverability easier. It has a limited 2-year residential warranty form the moment of your acquisition.

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3. Westinghouse WGen3600DF

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It measures 28.5 inches in height, 25 inches in length and 24.5 inches in width and it weighs 109 pounds. It comes with 2, 2.5-inches wide wheels, and two handles designed into a loop bar, with comfortable gripping, to allow you easy maneuvering and storage. Even more, thanks to its rubber feet, with its 4-point mounting system, it will not only be more durable in time, but it will fewer vibrations, as well.

It does not only support dual fuel, but it features a one-touch push button to start, and a remote-start key fob, as well, to allow you to start it up even from a distance. Its 212cc OHV engine has a constant running power of 3600W, with a peak of 4650W, when using a 4-gallon gas tank, while with a tank of 20-pound propane it has 3240 running watts and peak power of 4180W.

Additionally, it can run 12 hours with only 50% load on a full gas tank, while with propane, it can function around 20 hours with 50% load. It has a 4-stroke engine, with overhead valves and iron cast sleeves, making it sturdy and resistant. It has a low oil shut-off protection which will alert you when it runs out, so you don’t have to worry. It is EPA, CARB and CSA certified, and it features an electric and recoil starter, so you can easily use one of them to start it up.

It features one 5-20R 120V duplex household power outlet, with 2 outlets and an extension cord. Furthermore, it is RV-ready, with a TT-30 30A outlet and an L5-30R 30A outlet. It features a conveniently-placed control panel, with self-explanatory easy-to-touch buttons, allowing you to quickly change its settings whenever you need. It works relatively silent, with only 61 dB, and it has a limited warranty of 3 years from the moment of your purchase.

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4. DuroMax XP4850EH

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It is capable of holding dual fuel so it will be able to run whether you choose to use propane or gasoline. It has a heavy-duty frame, and it measures 24 inches in length – without wheels, 17 inches in width and 17 inches in height. It has a weight of 127 pounds, and a capacity of 20 gallons for a propane tank, and a 3.96-gallon tank for gasoline.

Additionally, it has an electric and recoil start, allowing you versatility and it can run at a ½ load approximately 10.42 hours on gasoline and 8.92 hours on propane. It has a 7HP, 208cc OHV engine, with 4-point, fully isolated, motor mounts for a smooth and quiet, 69 dB, operation. It provides you with 4850 starting watts and 3850 running watts on gasoline, while with propane it has 4608 peak watts and 3658 running watts.

It has 2 120V 20A 3 prong standard household plugs, a DC 12V plug, one AC 120/204V 30A plug, one AC 120V 20A GFCI plug, and it comes with a voltmeter to allows you quick and easy reading. Additionally, its control panel has an advanced oil warning light, which will tell you when the oil is low and needs replacing, and a key start switch for easy powering on and off. It is EPA and CARB approved, and it has a 30-day replacement warranty, and a 1-year warranty for parts, from the moment of your purchase.

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5. Champion Power Equipment 76533

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It measures 26.3 inches in length, 24.8 inches in width and 22.9 inches in height, and it weighs 119 pounds. It comes with Cold Start Technology, which allows you to start it up even in cold weather, while it comes with relatively quiet operation, 68 dB from 23 feet. It comes with a volt guard, which will protect your unit from sudden power spikes, while the Intelligauge will keep track of your voltage, hertz and working hours, to allow you to easily plan, the maintenance schedule. Additionally, it comes with a low-oil automatic shut-off sensor, which will completely turn the unit off when there’s no more oil to prevent any motor damage, and it has a fuel tank capacity of 3.4 gallons of gasoline.

It has a powerful, single-phase, 4-stroke, 224cc OHV engine, which comes with both electric and recoil start, while its air cleaner will make sure to protect the engine from debris and dust. On propane, it has 4275 starting watts, and 3420 running watts, while on gasoline it reaches 4750 starting watts and 3800 running watts. It is capable of running 10.5 hours at half load on propane and 9 hours at ½ load on gasoline. The control panel is easily accessible, and thanks to its several outlets, you can plug multiple appliances at the same time, making it great for emergencies. It comes with a 120V 30A RV NEMA TT-30R, a 120V 30A NEMA L5-30R locking outlet and two 120V20A NEMA 5-20R household outlets, and 2 circuit breakers.

It comes with a folding handle, to increase your storage space, while its never-flat 8-inch tires will not only help you easily move it around, but they don’t require any type of maintenance. Thanks to its cast-iron sleeve, it is sturdy and time resistant, and it comes with a 3.3ft. long LPG hose with a regulator, to provide you with a quick set up. It is EPA certified and CARB compliant, and it comes with a limited 3-year warranty, and free lifetime technical support, from the moment of your purchase.

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6. WEN DF475T

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It measures 23.2 inches in length, 18.5 inches in width and 17.5 inches in height, and it has a weight of 105.8 pounds. It is capable of using dual fuel, both propane and gasoline, thus it allows you to use the one you prefer. It comes with a 224cc OHV engine, with 4-stroke air-cooled, which is capable of running up to 3600 rpm, in order to supply you with power for all your needs. It has 4350 peak watts and 3500 running watts when using propane, and 4750 peak watts with 3800 running watts when used with gasoline.

It comes with never-flat tires, and folding handles to allow you to simply move and maneuver it around, and also providing you with increased storage space. It comes with two 120V GFCI outlets, 5-20R, one NEMA 30A L14-30R twist lock, a 12 V DC cigarette-lighter-style plug and a voltage selector that offers you the possibility of choosing between 120V and 240V according to your needs. It has an electric start, with a turn of a key, and it comes with a backup recoil start, as well.

Additionally, it has a fuel tank capacity of 4 gallons, and a half-load run time of 7 hours when used with a 20-gallon propane tank, and 11 hours when used with a 4-gallon gasoline tank. Moreover, it comes with a propane 47-inch long hose, and it comes with a limited 2-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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7. Pulsar Products PG5250B

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You can easily choose to use either gasoline or propane, as it is able to hold dual fuel, thanks to its Switch & Go selector, even when it is running. It is powered by a 224cc, 4-stroke OHV, air cooled engine, with vibration absorption features, which allows it to run quietly, with only 78dB. Moreover, it has a power of 5250W at peak and 4250W when running on gasoline, and 4750W peak and 3850W when running on propane.

It has a sturdy and durable high gloss coat, tubular steel frame, for increased durability, with no-flat tires and a fold-down locking handle for better maneuverability and mobility. It measures 24 inches in length, 19.9 inches in width and 18.1 inches in length and it weighs 115 pounds. Additionally, it has a large, 6.6-gallon fuel tank which allows 9 hours of autonomy when using a 20-pound propane tank and around 5 hours with a gas tank.

RV-ready, it comes with a propane hose included, and it features an hour-meter to help you keep it in top shape. Additionally, it comes with 2 AC 120V plugs, one 30A RV port and one 120/240V twist-lock outlet to allow you versatility and freedom when it comes to what devices and gadgets you want to use it with. It also comes with a limited 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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8. Sportsman GEN4000LP

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Lightweight, it is extremely portable, as it weighs only 102 pounds and it measures 23 inches in width, 17.5 inches in height and 17 inches in length. It features a single type of fuel, as it will only work with liquid propane gas, and it has a surge output of 4000W and a running power of 3250W. It produces 120V, and it comes with a strong, 7 HP engine, and it features a 4-stroke OHV recoil ignition. While it comes with a metal frame and handles, to allow you to move it around, it doesn’t come with wheels.

It comes with an automatic voltage regulation, thus you can be sure it will be resistant to sudden power surges, while thanks to its overload protected outlets, you can rest assured that you’re safe using it. It comes with 1-12C DC outlet, 2-120V outlets, and 1-120V RV outlet, thus it allows you to connect multiple devices at once, and it is capable of working silently, as it produces less than 68 dB.

Additionally, it can run for 10 hours at 50% load per 20 pounds of propane, while thanks to its low oil shut off you can be sure it will turn itself off, it if happens to run out of oil. Even more, it comes with a 5-foot propane fuel hose, with regulator included, to provide you with more comfortable use. It has a limited 1-year warranty for parts and labor, and a 2-year warranty for emissions, from the moment of your purchase.

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9. Firman H03652

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It measures 28.5 inches in length, 21.1 inches in width and 20.7 inches in height, and it weighs 112 pounds. You don’t have to worry about moving it around, as it comes with a U-shaped padded handle, to provide you with a strong yet comfortable grip, as well as transportation wheels. The wheels measure 8.0 inches and are made from plastic, thus you don’t have to worry about flat tires. Even more, it comes with a foot bracket shaped like a hat, with 2 rubber isolator, to increase its stability.

It is EPA, CARB, and cETL compliant, and it can use dual-fuel, therefore allowing you to use it with gas or propane. It is able to provide up to 4550 starting watts and 3650 running watts when used with gas, while with propane it can produce up to 4100 starting watts and 3300 running watts. It features a 208cc 4-stroke engine, which features a low oil shut-off function, thus it will automatically turn itself off when there’s no more oil left. It has a 5-gallon tank, which, when used with gas it can provide up to 14 hours of runtime, while with propane it can be used for 10 hours.

For outlets, it features 1 TT-30R (RV ready) 120V-30A, two 5-20R 120V-20A, and one L5-30R 120V-30A. Additionally, it comes with an extended propane hose measuring 5 feet to allow you to connect it to a larger propane tank. It has a relatively silent operation as it has 63 dB on 25% and 68 dB at full load. It comes with a limited 90-day return period as well as a limited 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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Maintenance and Safety Tips

Keeping your generator in top shape is crucial, because you never know when a power strike might happen, and you wouldn’t want to be caught unprepared. Thus, no matter how often you’re using your generator, you have to make sure it is ready to be turned on at any given time. While it is always best to consult the manual your unit comes with, as there are some tricks specific to a brand or another, there are, however, some steps which can be followed regardless of the brand you own.

Maintenance

1. Change the oil – Don’t assume that by not using your unit, the oil can remain the same. It is best to keep a close eye on it and change it often. The majority require an oil-change after the first 30 hours of use. Afterward, it is best to change it seasonally, or, after every 100 hours of use. Also, make sure you do a thorough and complete cleaning of it, at least once per year.
2. Clean the plugs and filters – It is best to change the spark plug when a new season starts, or after your unit has accumulated 200 hours of use. Moreover, make sure to change the air filters, as well, as they will allow you to ignite it faster, as well as helping the engine increase its efficiency.
3. Keep it cool – It doesn’t need to be able to start, but also to cool itself during its performance. Check the cooling system, and maintain the coolant level between the optimum parameters. Make sure to change it only when you don’t need to use the unit.
4. Storage conditions – Make sure to empty all the fuel that was left inside, before you decide to place it into storage. To do so, use it for short amounts of time until the entire fuel is completely gone.
5. Test it out – Even if you’re not using it regularly, it is advised to start it up every now and then. It will help pass the oil through the entire system, keeping the components lubricated.

Safety Tips

Never use it while indoors.
If you need to use your generator, place it at least 20 feet away from your home, with its exhaust away from the house. Additionally, don’t use it in a garage, or enclosed spaces, as it will produce CO, which can lead to serious injuries and even death.

Keep it away from water.
Don’t leave the generator in the open, at the mercy of the elements. Not only will the weather damage the unit, but it will put you in danger when you operate. Make sure to build a special shelter for it, and don’t leave it in the rain.

Wait for it to cool down.
No matter what type of fuel you use to support your generator, wait until it cools down before you refuel it. Even a tiny drop spilled on a hot engine can produce a flame.

Don’t try to use it for back-feeding.
No matter what type of generator you decide to use, never plug it into a wall outlet. Not only can it result in serious injuries, like electrocution, but it can also lead to an electric fire, as well as damaging other houses from your neighborhood.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Verdict

You never know when having your own electricity source might be useful. As there are several situations when generators might come in handy, the type you pick is highly dependent on what you’re going to use it for. While all of the above-mentioned units will provide you with a powerful back-up source, in case you’re still not sure which to pick, let’s review the top options:

Best Overall : Champion Power Equipment 100263
If you prefer a unit that is compact, and easy to move around, with a relatively silent operation, then Champion Power Equipment 100263 might be exactly what you’re looking for. It provides you with several working hours, while its safety features will make sure nothing can go wrong. Plus, thanks to its cold start technology you won’t have to worry about the weather or season, as it can easily be used in winter, as well as in summer.

Our Choice : All Power America APG3590CN
With a powerful engine, that can provide you with 10.000 peak watts and 7500 running watts, All Power America APG3590CN is another great unit you should consider. C.A.R.B compliant, as well as EPA and CETL, certified, the fuel will burn clean, without an odor or smoke, while its relatively silent operation 75 decibels, won’t bother you. It comes with a low-oil shutdown function, to provide you with safety, while the hour meter and voltmeter will help you set a maintenance schedule. It also comes with several outlets so you’ll be able to connect plenty of appliances at the same time.

Best Portable Generator for Dual Fuel : Westinghouse WGen3600DF
If you need a more powerful unit, then Westinghouse WGen3600DF is a perfect choice. It supports dual fuel, therefore it allows you a backup option if you ever run out of propane, and it can work up to 20 hours. A bit louder than the Champion 100263, it comes with a remote-start key fob, which allows you to start it up from a distance. It also provides you with a dual starting method, electric and recoil, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to start it up. However, no matter which of the recommended products you decide to try, they will surely come in handy no matter what situation arises.

Best Budget-friendly Portable Propane Generator : Sportsman GEN4000LP
If you’re on a budget, then you should consider Sportsman GEN4000LP. Its asking price won’t force you to make financial efforts to acquire it, and it provides you with a large autonomy of 10 hours. Additionally, it comes with a powerful engine, and it features automatic voltage regulation which will keep all your electric equipment safe in case a sudden power surge appears. Furthermore, it comes with quiet operation, so it won’t bother you as it works.