Why A Quiet Inverter Generator Might Be The Best For You
After our post on the best camping generators (click to view article), we’ve had a couple of requests for a comparison of the best inverter generators that are quiet and portable.
Inverter generators are just like regular generators. They produce electricity with a fuel powered engine.
Related Product: Safely bring fuel for your generator with a Eagle Galvanized Steel Type I Gasoline Safety Can (click to view on Amazon)
However, they do have a couple of different features in comparison that makes them better for most campers and RVers.
They’re lighter, not as noisy, and are often more fuel-efficient. This makes them perfect for camping, RV living, food trucks, and home emergency preparedness.
After going through as many RV inverter generators as possible, we have found what we believe are the best RV inverter generators on the market today.
We picked portable inverter generators at several price points to find one for every budget. We’re also taking a look at one very powerful model that has a remote start.
With more portability, less noise, and a gas tank that lasts longer, it can keep your RV powered for longer while not disturbing people around you and nature as much as cheaper electric generators.
See Also: Best Remote Start Generators – Portable & Inverter
The fact that they’re lighter is one of the biggest pros. Most of the generators in this review weigh less than half of the conventional generators found in our other posts.
Now, let’s review the best inverter generator brands, products, and how they compare to each other.
Great Value
Quietest Generator
Most Feature Packed
Last update on 2023-05-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Quiet RV Inverter Generators Reviews & Info
1. WEN 56200i Super Quiet 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator
Overview
WEN makes the 56200i along with other models of generators, both smaller and bigger.
The 56200i is a 2000-watt portable inverter generator that will run everything in your RV camper except for the air conditioner.
It has a 79.7 cc 4-stroke OHV engine that produces 2000 surge watts and 1600 rated watts.
Since a 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner requires about 2800 watts to start-up and around 1300 watts on average to run, it’s not powerful enough to run it on its own, but could work with a Microair Easy Start (click to view on Amazon).
WEN also allows two 56200i to be connected with a parallel connection kit (click to view on Amazon) you can purchase separately. Two of these connected in parallel would run a 13,500 BTU ac without issues.
The gas fuel tank on the WEN 56200i holds 1 gallon and will let you run the generator at 50% load for 6 hours. 50% load would be around 800 watts, which in terms of electronics would be two TVs (100W each), three laptops (150W each), and two tower fans (50W each) running all at the same time.
In other words, you will probably sit at 10-20% load most of the time, doubling the running time. It will run an RV microwave and an RV furnace.
See Also: The Best Camping Gas Generators That Will Run Your RV AC
Weighing 48 pounds, it’s pretty heavy for an RV inverter generator, but still portable since it’s half the weight of the conventional generators that often reach 100 pounds on the spec sheet.
A built-in handle makes it easy to move and transport. Compared to a traditional generator, it’s also much quieter at 52 dBA at 25% load.
The outlets and ports found on the 56200in RV generator are two 20A 120V receptacles, one 12V DC receptacle, and one 5V USB port.
Since it’s an inverter generator producing a pure sine wave, you can safely plug your sensitive electronics into it without risking damaging them.
There is no electric start, but a pull cord to get the engine going.
It also has a low-oil shutdown, overload protection, low-fuel automatic shutdown, and an eco-mode that lets the generator run quieter during low loads.
It’s a CARB compliant inverter generator.
There’s a two-year warranty is included with the WEN 56200i which tells you that WEN stands behind its products and will help you with any issues you may run into.
Conclusion
WEN is a reputable company that started way back in 1951. It’s a company that knows what it’s doing and the 56200i is an excellent choice when shopping for a camping inverter generator.
It doesn’t have a 30 or 50 amp RV plug and won’t run an RV AC on its own, but at this price point, it’s a very powerful choice that produces a lot of electricity that will run your whole camper for hours on end.
Like I mentioned earlier, there are smaller options, and bigger options available, some even with RV plugs that will run an AC.
If you want to run a 13,500 or 15,000 BTU AC, I recommend the WEN 3800 Watt Inverter Generator (click to view on Amazon).
If you’re fine with a relatively quiet generator that will run everything but your AC for hours on a single gallon of gasoline, the WEN 56200i Quiet Inverter Generator is a great choice that I recommend.
This is actually the generator we have been using while living full-time in our travel trailer. And while we mostly use solar power we have needed to use the RV generator more than we thought.
Even after not being used for a month it started right up and has worked perfectly.
A wheel kit would’ve been nice for easier transport of the almost 50-pound unit, but at least it has a great handle built-in. For most campers and travelers, this is a fantastic option for a great camping inverter generator.
PROS
- 2000 Surge Watts
- 1600 Running Watts
- Two 20A 120V Outlets
- 12V DC Receptacle
- One 5V USB port
- Two Year Warranty
- Averages 6 Hours Per Gallon
- 79.7 cc 4-Stroke OHV Engine
- Eco-Mode
- Low-Oil, Overload, & Low-fuel protection
- Can Connect Two
CONS
- No 30A RV Plug
- No Electric Start
- No Wheels
2. Westinghouse iGen2200 Portable Inverter Generator
Overview
Westinghouse makes the iGen2200, which is another portable inverter RV generator with some serious power.
It’s rated at 2200 surge watts and 1800 running watts. This makes it about 200W more powerful than the WEN quiet inverter generator reviewed above.
It’s run by a 79 cc Westinghouse OHV engine. It’s not powerful enough to run a 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner unless paired with a Microair Easy Start (click to view on Amazon).
You can parallel connect two of these to double the power, which would then let you run a 13,500 BTU, even a 15,000 BTU air conditioner. Connecting two iGen2200’s is done with a Westinghouse Parallel Cord (click to view on Amazon).
A 1.2 gallon fuel tank will let the generator run up to 12 hours at 25% load. 25% of 1800 watts is 450 watts, which would be like charging two laptops (150W each), watching a large TV (150W), and running two tower fans on high (50W each).
A quarter load might not sound like a lot, but when you think about it in terms of how many electronics and gadgets you could be running and charging with that power, it becomes quite a lot, especially for camping.
I believe it’s more realistic that you’ll be sitting at around 5-15% load most of the time, which would increase the run time significantly.
See Also: Best Indoor & Outdoor Weather Stations For Home and RV
You also have the option to turn on an Efficiency Mode that works as an Eco mode, letting the generator save fuel by automatically adjusting the engine speed only to produce the power required at the moment with what’s connected to the outlets.
When it comes to outlets, Westinghouse has put two 120V 20A outlets, and two 5V USB ports on the unit.
Plugging the inverter generator into an RV can be done with a 20A to 30A (click to view on Amazon) or a 20A to 50A adapter (click to view on Amazon) depending on what amperage your RV is.
iGen2200 has overload protection, low-oil shutoff, and is EPA, CARB compliant.
What most people want from a camping inverter generator is a quiet engine. The Westinghouse iGen2200 operates as low as 52 dBA.
Although not the quietest generator in this review, it’s average and quieter than a conventional electric generator.
The Westinghouse iGen2200 weighs 46 pounds and has a built-in handle to move and transport the compact generator. Not the lightest option, but again, much more portable than a conventional RV generator.
When comparing it to the WEN reviewed above, the most significant difference is the watts, where the iGen2200 can output 200 more running and surge watts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Westinghouse iGen2200 Quiet Inverter Generator is a popular option among campers because it’s a very powerful, yet affordable choice when it comes to inverter generators.
It’s powerful enough to run your whole camper, even your air conditioner if paired with a Microair Easy Start, and will run for hours on end.
With a three year warranty, Westinghouse stands behind its products and is there with any support needs you might have. The power output, noise level, and outlets make it a robust quiet portable inverter generator that won’t disappoint.
Note that there are larger models available if you want to be able to run a 13,500/15,000 BTU air conditioner.
For that, I recommend going with the RV ready iGen4500 (click to view on Amazon), which has a 30A RV outlet.
PROS
- 2200 Surge Watts
- 1800 Running Watts
- Two 20A 120V Outlets
- Two 5V USB Ports
- Low Oil, Overload, & Output Ready LED Lights
- Three-Year Warranty
- 12 Hour Run Time On 1.2 Gallons
- 79 cc Westinghouse OHV Engine
- Efficiency Mode
- Can Connect Two
CONS
- No 30A RV Outlet
- No Electric Start
- No Wheels
3. Honda EU1000i Inverter Generator
Overview
If you’re looking for the quietest RV generator on the market, the EU1000i is it. Honda generators are often seen as the benchmark when it comes to quiet inverter generators.
It’s advertised as operating at 42 to 50 dBA and being less noisy than a normal conversation. The 42 dBA noise level is during 25% load.
The EU1000i is an extremely lightweight and portable option, weighing only 29 pounds, and measuring 17.7 by 9.4 by 15 inches. A built-in handle on top makes it easy to move and transport.
When it comes to power output, the EU1000i is not disappointing in any way, with 1000 surge watts, and 900 running watts.
That’s enough power to run everything in your RV or trailer except the air conditioner and microwave (unless it’s a small microwave or you use low power mode).
It will allow you to run the furnace while watching tv, charging several laptops and other devices, and charge your 12V RV battery all at the same time.
If you feel the need for more power, you can connect two of these to double the output capacity. I recommend using this parallel kit (click to view on Amazon).
Honda also makes bigger RV inverter generators like the Honda EU2200iTAG (click to view on Amazon), the Honda EU3000iS (click to view on Amazon), and Honda EU7000IS (click to view on Amazon) .
They all can run 13,500 BTU RV air conditioners, while the 3000 and 7000 watt ones can run a 15,000 BTU air conditioner RV and more with no issues.
The 49.4 cc Honda GXH50 engine is started with a pull start and will with a 0.6-gallon fuel tank run for about 7 hours at 25% load. 25% load would be about 225 watts, which would be like watching TV while charging a laptop.
See Also: Best RV Steps & Stairs For Campers & Trailers Reviews
To protect the engine, a safety feature will turn it off if it detects low oil pressure.
Honda has put two 125V 15A outlets and one 12V DC output on the unit. If you wish to plug it into an RV, you’ll need a 15A to 30A adapter like the Camco Heavy Duty RV Dogbone Electrical Adapter (click to view on Amazon), or a Camco 15A to 50A (click to view on Amazon) if you have a 50A RV.
Like found on most other quiet inverter generators, there is an eco mode that will let the engine adjust its speed only to deliver the power required at the moment, resulting in less noise and better fuel efficiency.
Conclusion
The Honda EU1000i Super Quiet Inverter Generator and its big brothers are all great choices if you mostly care about noise levels and engine quality.
They won’t be the most powerful at their price point, but they will generate a lot of power with great fuel efficiency and some of the lowest noise levels on the market.
If you spend a lot of time at campgrounds without hookups and want to be as kind as possible to your neighbors, the Honda generators will do the job.
The bigger models are also perfect for food trucks that require a lot of electricity but don’t want tons of noise. Honda is also known for its high-quality engines that last longer than most and its one pull engine start.
PROS
- Extremely Quiet (42 to 50 dBA)
- Lightweight (28.7 lbs)
- 1000 Surge Watts
- 900 Running Watts
- Two 15A 125V Outlets
- One 12V DC Output
- Two-Year Warranty
- Runs 7.1 hours With 0.6 Gallon Gas
- 49.4 cc Honda GXH50 Engine
- Eco Mode
- Low-Oil Pressure Protection
- Can Connect Two
CONS
- No 30A RV Outlet
- No Electric Start
- No Wheels
- Low Watt Output
4. Yamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator
Overview
Yamaha is another very well-known company that makes all kinds of generators. This is their EF2200iS model.
As the name implies, it’s a 2200 watt generator with 2200 surge watts, and 1800 running watts.
That’s not enough power to run an RV air conditioner without a Microair Easy Start (click to view on Amazon), but it can run pretty much everything else in a camper, including smaller microwaves.
If you wish to double the power, you can connect two with a parallel cable (click to view on Amazon).
At 25% load, the Yamaha EF2000iSv2 will sit at 57 dBA which makes it louder than the Honda reviewed above, but you have to take into consideration that the Yamaha EF2200iS is capable of much higher power output than the Honda EU1000i.
A smart throttle, generally known as eco mode, will adjust the engine speed depending on how much power you need. This will reduce noise levels and improve fuel economy.
See Also: Best Deep Cycle RV Batteries (AGM, SLA, 12V, 6V)
The 79 cc OHV, air-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine is started with a pull start and will run for up to 10.5 hours at 25% load. The fuel tank is a 1.24-gallon tank.
25% load would be like using 550 watts, which would be like having a TV, lights, and furnace on while charging a laptop. With run time that high, it will run an RV camper all day on a full tank.
Yamaha has put in two 120V 20A AC outlets, and one 12V 8A DC outlet for charging batteries.
It also has a 30A outlet which means it’s an RV ready inverter generator for 30 amp RVs, 5th-wheels, or travel trailers which is fairly uncommon for this size of generator but it’s a great bonus.
Conclusion
Comparing it to the Honda EU1000i (click to view on Amazon), the Yamaha EF2200iS quiet inverter generator is heavier at 55.2 lbs vs. 28.7 lbs and slightly louder, but it’s capable of outputting 60% more watts continuously.
Yamaha has made a great camping inverter generator if you want a mix of power and low noise.
Are there more powerful options for less?
Sure, but when you buy a “brand” generator, you also pay for reliability, which is what you’ll get with a Honda or Yamaha engines.
PROS
- 2000 Surge Watts
- 1600 Running Watts
- Two 20A 120V Outlets
- One 8A 12V DC Output
- 30A Outlet (RV Ready)
- Three-Year Warranty
- Can Run 10.5 hours On 1.1 Gallons
- 79 cc OHV 4 Stroke Yamaha Engine
- Eco Mode
- Low-Oil Shut Off
- Can Connect Two
- High Watt Output For Size
CONS
- No Electric Start
- No Wheels
5. Champion 4500-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Inverter Generator
Overview
Champion Power Equipment is a fast growing company making lots of outdoor power equipment.
As seen in our post about affordable conventional generators, they also make some of the better affordable RV generators on the market.
But it doesn’t end there. They also make powerful inverter generators perfect for RV, camping, homeowners, food trucks, and tailgaters.
While they’re not as well known as Honda or Yamaha, they focus on power and features which have made them extremely popular in the past couple of years.
The model we decided to put on today’s list is their 4500-Watt RV ready generator. It’s the only generator in this review that has built-in wheels and a remote start, but at 97 pounds, we’re glad Champion put them on.
With 4500 surge watts and 3150 continuous running watts, it’s the most powerful option in this review.
It will run most 13,500 BTU air conditioners and even 15,000 BTU models since they need approximately 3500W to start, and 1300-1800 to run.
The wireless remote start lets you start and turn off the generator from up to 80 feet away with an included key fob.
It’s a feature for convenience many RVers find useful since they will be able to have their RV plugged into the generator standing outside up to 80 feet away, and start the engine from inside the RV.
See Also: How To Easily Replace An RV AC With A Fan, Vent, or Skylight
It’s possible with the help of the electric start that has a small 12V battery on the generator. There is still a pull start just in case the electric start battery goes dead.
When it comes to outlets, Champion has done an excellent job of selecting what outlets to put on this. An RV ready 30A outlet, two 120V 20A outlets, and a 12V DC outlet can all be found on the 4500W model.
A 212 cc air-cooled, 4-stroke, the single-cylinder engine will run for 14 hours at 25% load. The tank can hold 1.6 gallons of gasoline or be run with propane.
To use propane just connect the regulated hose to the propane inlet and it will start right up. It’s simple and a great way to make sure you always have fuel for your RV generator.
Champion advertises a 61 dBA noise level which is relatively quiet for a generator of this size.
A low oil shut-off and overload feature protect the engine from damage in case of either occurring.
There is also an eco mode that lets the generator adjust the engine speed to only what’s needed to power what is plugged in at the moment.
As mentioned earlier, Champion sells lots of different models. Another popular option is the Champion 2000W 73536i stackable inverter RV generator (click to view on Amazon) that supports parallel connections.
When compared to the second most powerful generator in this review, the Westinghouse iGen2200 (click to view on Amazon), the Champion has more power output (1,300W more) which lets it run 13,500 BTU air conditioners, remote start, wheels, and a 30A RV plug. The downside is the additional 48.6 pounds to move and transport.
Conclusion
Although the Champion 4500-Watt RV Ready Inverter Generator is the heaviest RV generator in this review, its power output and features make it worth it.
If you are looking for a quiet inverter generator that can run a 13,500 BTU air conditioner, this is the one.
With a wireless remote start, an RV ready 30A plug, up to 14 hours of run time at 25% load (which is around 775 watts), and a three-year warranty, Champion has made a beast that is perfect for boondockers, food trucks, and campers that need lots of power but prefer a quiet option instead of a cheaper noisy one.
PROS
- Wireless Remote Start
- Electric start
- 3100 Surge Watts
- 2800 Running Watts
- One 30A RV Outlet
- Two 20A 120V Outlets
- One 8A 12V DC Output
- Runs 8 hours On 1.6 gallons
- Dual Fuel
- Three-Year Warranty
- 171 cc Air Cooled, 4-Stroke Engine
- Eco-Mode
- Low-Oil Pressure & Overload Protection
CONS
- Heavy
6. Generac Gp2200i Inverter Generator
Overview
Generac makes a lot of fantastic inverter generators. They have a few different size options but in this review, I’m going to focus on the most usable for RVs and campers.
The Generac Gp2200i is rated to handle up to 2200 surge watts and run at 1700 watts. It’s the perfect amount of power to run everything in an RV (except the air conditioner) while still being under 50 lbs.
It weighs 46 lbs in total and measures 19 inches long, 11 inches tall, and 17 inches deep.
While the dB rating isn’t stated by Generac it seems to be around 50 dB which follows the standard for this size of an inverter generator.
The gas fuel tank is 1.2 gallons and it can run for 10.75 hours at a 25% load.
There is an economy mode that helps save fuel and makes the generator quieter when it’s not outputting as much power.
Like many inverter generators, there are LED lights that indicate when it’s ready to output power, if it’s overloaded, or if the oil levels are low.
See Also: Best Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) For RVs & Trailers
The Generac uses Truepower technology to output clean power that is ok for sensitive electronics.
There is a 12V outlet, a USB outlet, and two standard 120V outlets. Each one has a rubber dust cover which is a nice addition, especially for RVers and campers.
The Generac Gp2200i inverter generators can be connected in parallel to double the wattage using this kit (click to view on Amazon).
Conclusion
The Generac Gp2200i Inverter Generator is a great choice for your average RVer who wants a dependable inverter generator that is also quiet.
A 13,500 btu RV AC could be run by the 2200 watt Generac with a Microair Easy Start (click to view on Amazon).
There are a few larger Generac inverter generators available they range from 2500 watts to 3500 watts.
PROS
- 2200 Surge Watts
- 1700 Running Watts
- Two 20A 120V Outlets
- 12V DC Receptacle
- One 5V USB port
- Two Year Warranty
- Averages 10.75 Hours Per 1.2 Gallon
- Eco-Mode
- Low-Oil, Overload, & Low-fuel protection
- Can Connect Two
CONS
- No 30A RV Plug
- No Electric Start
- No Wheels
Conclusion & My Quiet Inverter Generator Recommendations
After comparing and reviewing the most popular inverter RV generators on the market, we have a clear view of what makes each unit stick out in the big market that it is.
Some are more quiet and lightweight than others, but not as powerful.
When picking a generator for your purposes, you must consider which you prefer and need: low weight and noise level, or more power.
Based on the reviews, here are our recommendations today:
Great Value – WEN 56200i Super Quiet 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator
The WEN 56200i offers great value. It has a lot of features an RV camper is looking for in a generator. It won’t run your air conditioner, but it will do everything else while being very quiet and fuel-efficient.
1600W is more than enough for most, and if you take care of the WEN and change the oil, and use premium fuel, this is a generator that will last a long time.
Quietest Generator – Honda EU1000i Super Quiet Inveter Generator
The premium choice of this review is the Honda EU1000i.
This thing is quiet! It’s not only quiet but lightweight as well at 28.7 pounds.
It’s also the smallest generator in this review when it comes to the overall size. With 900 watts continuously you won’t be able to run an air conditioner or most microwaves, but it will power everything else.
Keep your 12V batteries charged up, watch TV, run your furnace, or use your outlets for whatever you might want, the Honda EU1000i is the most portable, high-quality inverter generator, but it comes at a premium price.
Most Feature Packed – Champion 4500-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Inverter Generator
It’s not often I put the largest, most feature-packed product as the great value choice, but the Champion 4500 watt inverter generator is my great value choice today.
It weighs a lot at 97 pounds, but it has tons of features that make it a great RV-friendly product.
It’s the only generator in the review with a 30A RV outlet, remote start, dual fuel, and wheels.
I see it as great value due to the power output it’s capable of, 4500 surge watts and 3150 running watts. There aren’t a lot of inverter generators with this kind of power at this price point.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quiet Inverter Generators
What is Eco Mode on an RV inverter generator?
Eco-mode allows the generator to adjust the engine speed to produce only the electricity required by what’s plugged into it.
Not only is this a smart feature that will save fuel, but it will make the generator run quieter when the power load is low.
How many watts will I need to run an RV AC (air conditioner)?
RV air conditioners are very power-hungry. When first starting, they require much more wattage than when they’re running.
A 13,500 BTU air conditioner requires about 2750 watts to start up, and 1250 once running. A 15,000 BTU ac requires about 3500 watts to start up, and about 1500 watts once running.
One way to get around the surge watts required to start your RV ac is to install a Microair Easy Start (click to view on Amazon) that lowers the initial surge and lets inverter generators as small as 2200W models run a 15,000 BTU RV Air Conditioner.
What’s good about inverter generators compared to conventional/regular generators?
Inverter generators are usually quieter, more fuel-efficient (20-25%), and lighter than conventional generators.
The downside to them is they often come at a higher price point and they are much more compact inside which can make them a little more difficult to fix.
Can I run my RV AC on battery if I have charged it with a generator?
Not with your standard 12V RV batteries. If you have high-quality lithium batteries like the Battle Born 12V lithium batteries (click to view on Amazon), paired with a powerful inverter and an Microair Easy Start, it’s possible.
How do I connect an electric inverter generator to my RV/fifth-wheel/travel trailer?
To read more about how to connect an RV to a generator check out this article here.
Are inverter generators waterproof?
No, I haven’t seen any inverter generators that are waterproof and safe to be left out in the rain.
How can a generator be started with a remote?
Generators that have a remote start feature also have the electric start feature.
This lets you start the engine by turning a key instead of the standard pull start.
A small 12V battery makes electric and remote start possible. There is always a pull start for backup as well.
What does dBA stand for?
dBA stands for Decibel A-weighting and is the unit used to measure sound level.
What kind of gas do I put in a generator?
Most of the time generators call for premium gas. If you aren’t sure it usually will tell you in the manual.
If you can’t find it use premium because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
How do I keep my RV inverter generator in good condition?
Maintenance is the key to keeping engines running for years and years.
Changing the oil regularly, using the proper fuel, and much more are all part of what it takes to keep your generator in perfect running condition.
The manual that came with your generator will have some key information and schedules for keeping your generator running like new.
Honda has made a great video on maintaining an inverter generator that gives some fantastic detailed instructions.
Have any more questions about inverter generators? Leave a comment below.
