During the past three years, we have tested over 30 of the quietest generators for RV. This year, we rounded up the six most highly rated options and compiled an extensive review for each, showing you how we picked them, their strengths, and who suits them the most. Read on.
Here are the quietest generators for rv you can buy in 2024:
- Easy To Start: Generac 7127 iQ3500-3500
- Fuel-Efficient: Westinghouse iGen4500
- Powerful: WEN GN875i
- Parallel Ready: Champion Power Equipment 200953
- Dual Fuel: A-iPower SUA4000Ied
- Compact & Lightweight Design: Briggs & Stratton Q6500
| 6 Quietest Generators for RV | ||
|---|---|---|
Easy To Start | Generac 7127 iQ3500-3500 | |
Fuel-Efficient | Westinghouse iGen4500 | |
Powerful | WEN GN875i | |
Parallel Ready | Champion Power Equipment 200953 | |
Dual Fuel | A-iPower SUA4000Ied | |
Compact & Lightweight Design | Briggs & Stratton Q6500 | |
Easy To Start: Generac 7127 iQ3500-3500
- Easy to start & versatile – a dial electric start with three operation settings
- Simple to use and control - fuel level, hour meter, generator status, runtime display, digital wattage meter, and USB ports
- 40% quieter than Honda’s Advanced Inverter Technology generators - power-rush advanced technology
- Wish it had two wheels and a telescoping handle
When it comes to easy-to-start generators, most people would think about those models with electric start – a push-button switch for turning on or off the machine.
But the Generac 7127 iQ3500-3500’s electric start is a bit different; it has three operation settings – start, run, and stop, and all of them are adjusted by dial action. Therefore, this option is not only easy to start but also versatile.
The Generac 7127 also stands out for the exclusive power-rush advanced technology, setting its own standards in quietness and power and considered to be 40% quieter than Honda’s Advanced Inverter Technology generators especially.
Not saying that this one is a lot cheaper despite still featuring many useful additions, such as fuel level, hour meter, generator status, runtime display, digital wattage meter, and USB ports, bringing your optimal experience.
| Generac 7127 iQ3500-3500 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Peak Watts/Running Watts | 3500W/3000W |
Noise Level | 64db – 68db |
Run Time | 5.5 hrs. – 10 hrs. |
Highlight Features | a dial electric start with three operation settings fuel level, hour meter, generator status, runtime display, digital wattage meter, and USB ports power-rush advanced technology |
Highlighting a power-dial three-setting electric start, the Generac 7127 iQ3500-3500 is the best of those easy-to-start RV generators we’ve tried over 3 years of testing.
Fuel-Efficient: Westinghouse iGen4500
- Fuel-efficient & long-lasting – the latest inverter technology
- Offer multiple operating ways for decent flexibility – feature a recoil start, an electric start, and a remote start with an included key fob
- Safe and dependable – CARB compliant
- Helpless instructions
We really like the Westinghouse iGen4500 because it strikes the perfect balance of ultra-quiet operation, high power output, practicality, and especially, fuel efficiency.
Unlike traditional RV generators that run at the same speed at all the time, this one only consumes the amount of power the load demands at the given time.
Therefore, its overall runtime is significantly extended, up to 18 hours, despite featuring a modest fuel tank size at 3.4 gallons.
We also like the added remote start with the included key fob so that you don’t have to go outside to turn the generator on during cold or rainy days.
| Westinghouse iGen4500 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Peak Watts/Running Watts | 4500W/3700W |
Noise Level | 52 dBA |
Run Time | 18 hours |
Highlight Features | the latest inverter technology feature a recoil start, an electric start, and a remote start with an included key fob CARB compliant |
If you’re finding the quietest and most fuel-efficient RV generator at the 4500W range, we highly recommend trying the Westinghouse iGen4500
Powerful: WEN GN875i
- The most powerful in this list - a 420cc 4-stroke OHV engine and a large 4.2-gallon fuel tank
- Lightweight – feature many plastic components
- Easy to store or maneuver – include a wheel and handle kit
- Poor plastic welds
- Bulky
The WEN GN875i is the most powerful RV-ready generator we tested.
It’s constructed of a 420cc 4-stroke OHV engine and a large 4.2-gallon fuel tank, delivering 8750 peak watts and 7000 surge watts, along with the max runtime at 6.7 hours, measured at ½ load.
Regardless, it weighs just around 147 pounds, which, compared to traditional 8750W models, is 20%-30% lighter. It also comes with a wheel and handles kit so, maneuvering or storing this generator isn’t a big matter.
Featuring an open-frame design, the WEN GN875i’s noise level is obviously not as low as the closed generators. But among 8750-watt open-frame ones, it is the quietest.
Topping things off, its price point is highly competitive.
| WEN GN875i Specifications | |
|---|---|
Peak Watts/Running Watts | 8750W/7000W |
Noise Level | 77 to 87 decibels |
Run Time | Up to 6.7 hours at 50% |
Highlight Features | a 420cc 4-stroke OHV engine and a large 4.2-gallon fuel tank feature many plastic components include a wheel and handle kit |
Giving 8750 starting watts and featuring an ultra-large fuel tank, the WEN GN875i is an ideal choice for those RV-ers with high power needs.
Parallel Ready: Champion Power Equipment 200953
- Able to meet different power needs – parallel capability
- Safe and eco-friendly – CARB compliant
- Easy to use – fully pre-assembled
- Heavy to lift
The Champion Power Equipment 200953 distinguishes itself by offering parallel capability – a feature that allows it to pair with the manufacturer’s other version at equal or higher than 2800W of power output.
It is certified by CARB – one of the strictest California agencies in examining the safety and current emission of fuel-powered tools. It’s also built with a low oil shut-off sensor for extra safety.
The perfect conjunction of Intelligauge controls and Quick Touch Panel is our most favorite since they deliver quick and easy access to control the unit’s indicators.
Last but not least, it is fully pre-assembled so that you can use it right out of the box.
| Champion Power Equipment 200953 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Peak Watts/Running Watts | 4250W/3500W |
Noise Level | 64 dBA |
Run Time | up to 14 hours on gasoline |
Highlight Features | parallel capability CARB compliant fully pre-assembled |
With its parallel capability, the Champion Power Equipment 200953 will flexibly satisfy the power needs of many people.
Dual Fuel: A-iPower SUA4000Ied
- Flexible in fuel choices & offer optimal runtime – dual-fuel design
- Quiet and safe for electronics – the closed frame & A-iPower’s inverter technology
- Extended runtime - A-iPower’s “Low idle” technology
- Long-lasting & overheat prevention - low oil automatic shutdown and low oil indicator
- Heavy to lift
For flexibility in fuel choices, just in case that you can’t find a gas station along with the go, we highly recommend the A-iPower SUA4000Ied.
It can be run by either gasoline or propane (LPG), adjusted by the press of a switch. At whichever fuel it is powered, the noise levels are consistently under 60 decibels and the power output is always clean for vulnerable electronic devices.
Despite featuring a tiny fuel tank (at just 1.2 gallons), it can offer up to 7 hours of constant runtime at 25% load, which is a big thank you to the exclusive A-iPower’s “Low idle” technology.
We also appreciate the added low oil automatic shutdown and low oil indicator which help the generator itself last much longer.
| A-iPower SUA4000Ied Specifications | |
|---|---|
Peak Watts/Running Watts | 3500W/3200W on propane 4000W/3500W on gasoline |
Noise Level | 58 decibels |
Run Time | 7 hours at 50% load 5 hours at 100% load |
Highlight Features | dual-fuel design the closed frame & A-iPower’s inverter technology A-iPower’s “Low idle” technology low oil automatic shutdown and low oil indicator |
The A-iPower SUA4000Ied is always our very first pick in terms of ultra-quiet dual-fuel generators for RV
Compact & Lightweight Design: Briggs & Stratton Q6500
- The most compact and lightweight out of the 6500W RV generators – dimensions of 25.5 x 21.1 x 21.4 inches & weight of 144.7 pounds
- Safe and dependable - CO Guard
- 60% quieter than standard 6500W generators - QuietPower™ Series inverter engine & enclosed frame
- No fuel meter
- Wish the included funnel was sturdier
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 gives you the best compromise of compact size, lightness, and power – something that hardly finds on other generators at the same power range out there.
It’s also built with two transporting wheels and a telescoping handle for extra maneuverability.
The 306cc engine is integrated with advanced inverter technology, making its runtime a lot longer, up to 14 hours at 25% runtime (while most of its competitors are averagely around 7-8.5 hours).
It doesn’t produce much noise during operation, thanks to the all-steel frame enclosed frame.
But what we appreciate the most is the added CO Guard – a special sensor used for detecting levels of carbon monoxide, and once the levels are under the safety standard, it will automatically shut the generator off for safety.
| Briggs & Stratton Q6500 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Peak Watts/Running Watts | 6500W/5000W |
Noise Level | 59 dB |
Run Time | up to 14 hours |
Highlight Features | dimensions of 25.5 x 21.1 x 21.4 inches & weight of 144.7 pounds CO Guard QuietPower™ Series inverter engine & enclosed frame |
If a powerful, long-lasting yet quiet RV-ready generator is what you’re after, don’t hesitate to pick the Briggs & Stratton Q6500
How To Choose The Quietest Generator for RV?
Engine Types
Inverter engines
One of the most effective ways to lower the operation noise of RV generators is to go for ones with an inverter engine.
Unlike the regular generators, this new engine type uses advanced technology in producing power, which leads to a huge reduction in operation noise.
Its smaller engine size as well as the capability of adjusting the energy output to the load at different times also make it work more smoothly and quietly.
Not to say that inverter engines produce cleaner power to run more vulnerable electronics, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. They’re very lightweight as well.
Conventional engines
As stated above, conventional engines work more loudly and they only work at the same speed, meaning that it is noisy all the time.
In turn, this generator engine type is very budget-friendly.
If you want to buy a conventional engine generator and want it to be quieter during operation, consider these additional features:
- Muffler
- Baffle box
- Acoustic enclosure
- Any kind of sound defectors
- Rubber feet
Choose The Right Generator Size
Talking about the correlation between generators’ power and noise, a fact is that the higher the power output, the more noisily the machine works.
Therefore, it’s important to choose the right generator size for your power needs. Don’t go for a too big one because it’s also wasteful in power use.
To choose the right generator size, you should determine the number of RV essentials needed charging/running at the same time, then, calculate the total amount of wattage required.
Which Brands Make The Quietest Generator for RV?
Generac
Generac is one of the biggest and longest-standing manufacturers of power generation products in the USA. They have over 6,500 employees and four huge facilities in Wisconsin.
More importantly, they were given the Natural Gas Generator Company of the Year Award in 2014 by Frost & Sullivan. Some of their portable generators have also earned the Good Housekeeping Seal.
Westinghouse
Started in 1886 in the US, Westinghouse is the leading company in the fields of high-voltage alternating-current transmission, power transmission. They own over 28,000 U.S. government patents during the 20th century.
Briggs & Stratton
Founded in 1908 by Harold M. Stratton and Stephen Foster Briggs, it is one of the three biggest US manufacturers dedicated to power generation equipment and is the leader in gasoline engine production. They are honored to be on the American Fortune 1000 list.
FAQs
How loud can a generator be in a campground?
A generator’s noise level should not exceed 60dB if used in a campground.
What size generator do I need for RVs?
For RV use, we highly recommend using a 2000W-4000W generator.
Is it OK to run an RV generator all night?
Yes, it is. Make sure that your RV generator is built with all required safety features.
What does 52 dB sound like?
52dB sounds like a running refrigerator, hairdryer, electric fan, or a quiet street.
Can an RV generator run while driving?
Yes, it can. All the RV generators are designed to stay in place and be connected directly to the RV, therefore, while you’re driving, it is still able to work.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, we hope that our hard work benefits you in determining the quietest generator for RV for your needs, budget, and preference. If you have any questions relating to this topic, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’ll respond to you as soon as possible. Finally, thanks for reading!
