The best dual-fuel generators in 2024

Most people probably look for a gas generator as the easiest way to get backup power in a pinch, but a dual-fuel generator—which can run on gas or propane—provides a more flexible alternative. With two ways to power your generator, you have more options when fuel is in short supply (in conditions like a hurricane). Dual-fuel generators also give you more control over secondary factors like noise and emissions: Gas is easy to get at any station, but propane burns cleaner and quieter. The best dual-fuel generators not only offer the best of both worlds but also come equipped with slew of slick features to make your user experience easy and safe.

• Best overall: DuroMax XP12000EH
• Best portable: Westinghouse iGen4500DF
• Best electric start: Wen DF1100X
• Best budget: DuroMax Duro Star DS5500EH
• Also worth considering: Champion Power Equipment 7,500-watt dual fuel generator

How we chose the best dual-fuel generators

As a tech enthusiast and camping addict, I’ve looked at a wide range of portable power stations and related accessories—such as the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core portable generator and the best home wind turbines—for the likes of Popular Science, Scientific American, The Daily Beast, and more. (And if you’re looking for things to do with all that power, consider charging one of the best ebikes I’ve written about.) I’ve researched each of these dual-fuel generators extensively via a combination of first-hand trials, input from experts, and reviews from real-world consumers.

The best dual-fuel generators: Reviews & Recommendations

Our favorite dual-fuel inverter generators span a range of purposes. Some are designed as reliable backup power sources for an entire home. Others are small and portable, giving you just enough juice for a camping trip or short blackout. Our list features generators of all shapes and sizes, so you can find something that suits your needs and budget.

Best overall: DuroMax XP12000EH

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: With its high output and heavy-duty build quality, the DuroMax XP12000EH will keep the lights on and more.

Specs

• Rated output: 9,500W
• Peak output: 12,000W
• Gas tank capacity: 8.3 gallons
• Weight: 238 lbs
• Volume: 74 dB
• Starter: Electric and pull

Pros

• Solid output
• Outstanding build quality
• Power Boost for bigger appliances and RVs
• Wheel kit included

Cons

• Very heavy
• Expensive
• Some owners report limited customer service support

The DuroMax XP12000EH is a true workhorse of a dual-fuel generator. With a steady output of 9,500W, it’s more than powerful enough to provide electricity to an entire home, and its 12,000W peak output allows it to provide extra power if there’s suddenly a much larger need. It also has a large 8.3-gallon gas tank so that it can run for a long time on petrol alone.

What’s more, XP12000EH has a reputation for providing outstanding reliability. It was built for rugged uses, like on a work site, and its all-metal construction ensures that it can handle a bit of roughhousing. All that metal and gas capacity means it’s very heavy, though. At 238 pounds, you won’t be moving this around a lot, and forget about taking it camping. But it comes with a wheel kit, which may help ease the load over short distances. 

truction quality is clearly solid. Again, the gas tank is pretty small, but that’s actually an advantage in this case.

Best portable: Westinghouse iGen4500DF

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: If you need to take plenty of power camping or to the job site, the Westinghouse iGen4500DF is a great choice.

Specs

• Rated output: 3,700W
• Peak output: 4,500W
• Gas tank capacity: 3.4 gallons
• Weight: 104.7 lbs
• Volume: 52 dB
• Starter: Electric

Pros

• Highly portable
• Plenty of power output
• Quiet
• Solid construction

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy for a “portable” generator

If you need lots of power and the ability to move your generator around, the Westinghouse iGen4500DF is the best semi-portable option we know of. It’s slightly larger than our “best small” pick and almost twice as heavy. Still, it’s significantly more compact and portable than most dual-fuel generators, with a similar 3,700-4,500W output. That’s plenty of power for a large camping expedition, an RV, or a work site. 

Best electric start: Wen DF1100X

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Why it made the cut: For an easy startup and lots of safety features, check out the Wen DF1100X.

Specs

• Rated output: 8,300W
• Peak output: 11,000W
• Gas tank capacity: 6.6 gallons
• Weight: 213.8 lbs
• Volume: 72 dB
• Starter: Electric

Pros

• Plenty of power output
• CO2 shutdown safety sensor
• Relatively quiet

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy

It isn’t all that uncommon for a dual-fuel generator to have an electric start switch—all of the recommendations on this list have them, either solely or alongside a pull cord. The Wen DF1100X sets itself apart with an automatic stop mechanism that can cut power in an emergency.

The Wen DF1100X comes in several packages. However, we specifically recommend the model with a built-in CO2 shutdown sensor, which is important if you run the generator in a garage or otherwise poorly ventilated space.

With a hefty 8,300-11,000W output, above-average gas capacity, and a relatively low operating volume, the Wen DF1100X is a generator powerhouse. It’s both expensive and heavy, but if you’re looking for an easy-on, safety-off option, it’s a solid investment.

Best budget: DuroMax Duro Star DS5500EH

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Why it made the cut: With its relatively high output, relatively low price, and solid construction, the Duro Star DS5500EH is a solid budget-conscious pick.

Specs

• Rated output: 4,500W
• Peak output: 5,500W
• Gas tank capacity: 3.9 gallons
• Weight: 124 lbs
• Volume: 69 dB
• Starter: Electric and pull

Pros

• Solid output for price
• Outstanding build quality
• Relatively portable

Cons

• Not powerful enough for an entire home
• Some owners report limited customer service support

The DuroMax Duro Star DS5500EH is effectively a smaller, more affordable version of our best overall pick. At just under half the price of the DuroMax XP12000EH, the Duro Star DS5500EH delivers about half the power. A 4,500W generator gives you plenty of power if you’re charging up an RV, topping off power tools at a work site, or keeping key appliances on during a power outage.

At just over 100 pounds, it’s not exactly light, but it’s also not so heavy that you can’t get it around. It wouldn’t take too much wrangling to bring it camping, especially thanks to the inclusion of wheels.

Also worth considering: Champion Power Equipment 7,500-watt dual fuel generator

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Why it made the cut: You can often find this powerful dual-fuel generator at a deep discount—it’s regularly sub-$1,000 but sometimes dips far below that mark.

Specs

• Rated output: 7,500W
• Peak output: 9,375W
• Gas tank capacity: 7.7 gallons
• Weight: 205 lbs
• Volume: 74 dB
• Starter: Electric and pull

Pros

• Plenty of power for big jobs or long run times
• Up to 10 hours runtime on gas or 5.5 on propane
• Lots of connectivity: 120V 30A RV Locking Outlet (L5-30R), 120/240V 30A RV Locking Outlet (L14-30R), (2) Two GFCI 120V 20A Household Outlets 
• Sturdy wheels

Cons

• Big and heavy
• Loud

When it comes to pure power-to-price ratio, this Champion offering makes a solid showing. It weighs just over 200 pounds and contains a 439cc 4-stroke engine. When running on gasoline, it produces 9,375 starting watts and 7,500 running watts. On propane, it churns 8,400 starting watts and 6,750 running watts. That’s plenty of power for even large jobs or whole-home backup in an emergency. Despite its size and weight, it’s relatively easy to move around thanks to sturdy integrated wheels. It starts easily with an electric system, but it also has a recoil option for use in a pinch.

What to consider when buying a dual-fuel generator

While there are plenty of dual-fuel generators on the market, they aren’t cheap, and many of them simply aren’t worth the investment. Some are poorly made and don’t last long. Others don’t deliver reliable performance, so they may not work when the lights go out. To make a wise purchase, you should keep a few things in mind to judge whether a generator is worth the cost. When it comes to connectivity, it offers ample ports. They include a 120V 30A RV Locking Outlet (L5-30R), 120/240V 30A RV Locking Outlet (L14-30R), and a pair of Two GFCI 120V 20A household outlets.

Power output

Simply put, if a generator can’t give you enough power to meet your needs, it isn’t worth buying. Manufacturers usually provide two numbers, both measured in watts (W), which will help you understand how much power a generator produces. First, a generator’s “Rated” output tells you how much power it produces at any given moment. Second, many generators also have a “peak” output spec, which refers to the maximum amount of power that a particular unit can handle blasting out in a short burst. This comes in handy if you plan to turn appliances on and off, which can cause sudden surges of electrical draw.

Ideally, you want a generator with a rated output equal to your typical power needs. If you’re simply looking to power and recharge a handful of devices alongside a simple appliance or two, 1,500W-2,000W might be all you need. If you are turning a lot of random power tools on and off, or powering an RV, look for something around 4,000W. However, if you’re looking to power a house, you’ll likely need at least 8,000W or more.

Fuel capacity

With petrol and propane, dual-fuel generators can keep the power going longer than most single-fuel power solutions. Of course, that depends on how much fuel you have in your tanks. Most dual-fuel generator gas tanks run between 2 and 10 gallons, which is pretty typical of single-fuel generators that run solely on gas. Propane is almost always stored in separate pressurized gas canisters that are attached via a hose, exactly like you would a propane grill. So the propane capacity depends on the size of your canister rather than the generator itself.

In both cases, though, you should keep in mind that more storage means more weight. If you’re looking for a portable generator, you’ll want to balance those two factors. If you’re buying a generator to back up your home’s power and plan to leave the generator in one place, weigh it down as much as you like.

Starting type

Dual-fuel generators use one of two starting mechanisms: either a recoil cord or an electric starter. With a cord, you pull the handle hard and fast to produce the rotation necessary to fire the generator. It requires more physical effort but tends to be more reliable. An electric starter is a push-button solution—no exertion is required, but it only works when its internal battery is charged.

Operating noise

Generators are pretty loud, which can be a nuisance if you keep one (or more) in or near your home. Generators tend to get louder as they generate more power. (There are exceptions, though.) If you’re going to keep your generator around your house or run it while camping in a quiet spot, you will want to keep the noise to a minimum. 

Typically speaking (but not always), higher-quality generators manage to turn the volume down thanks to the use of thick shielding and other design elements. If your priority is pure power, though, you may simply have to put up with the noise or find another way to minimize it.

Dual-fuel generators give you the advantage of running propane, which generators process more quietly than gas. Most dual-fuel generators produce between 50 dB (roughly the same as a refrigerator) and 90 dB (about the same as a small-engine motorcycle).

Size, weight, and features

There may be other logistical considerations you’ll want to keep in mind based on your specific needs and setup, such as the specific dimensions of the generator and how much it weighs. If your generator sits at home for backup power, size, and weight might not be much of an issue. For mobile uses like camping or worksites, however, you will want something you can move without too much strain.

There are also several physical features for transportation that are common but not universal, like wheels or a lift hook bar to hook onto a crane. You may also find special safety features, such as CO2 safety shutoffs, over-speed shutoffs, or high-temperature alarms. For better or worse, none of these features are ubiquitous enough to be “must-have” features across the board, but you should absolutely look for generators with specific features that feel important to you.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best dual-fuel generators

• Best overall: DuroMax XP12000EH
• Best portable: Westinghouse iGen4500DF
• Best electric start: Wen DF1100X
• Best budget: DuroMax Duro Star DS5500EH
• Worth considering: Champion Power Equipment 7,500-watt dual fuel generator

A dual-fuel generator can really be an asset when you’re camping or when prepping for an emergency. That said, it is a major investment, so make sure you’re buying the right size generator for whatever you’re doing. To power a whole house, bigger is obviously better. But you might be better off with something more portable for powering an RV or a casual blackout backup. Also, consider the possibility that a more environmentally friendly power solution, like a solar generator, might be able to give you the power you need with a smaller carbon footprint.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.