Why Quiet Inverter Generator Are Fantastic For RV Use
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.
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Compared to standard open generators, 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.
For this review, we’ve picked portable inverter generators at several price points to find one for every budget.
We’re focusing on portability. Most of the inverter generators are around 2,500 watts, but almost every option has a larger model available if you need more power.
Lets take a look at the best RV inverter generators!
See Also: Best Remote Start Generators – Portable & Inverter
Summary (Links to Amazon)
- Best Value – WEN 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator
- Quietest Generator – Honda EU2200i Inverter Generator
- Has 30 Amp RV Outlet – Yamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator
Best Value
Quietest Generator
RV Ready
Last update on 2024-04-24 / 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
WEN makes the 56200i along with other models of portable 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.
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 can 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.
The WEN 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator is actually the generator we have been using while living full-time in our travel trailer.
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 every time.
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
- Parallel Compatible
CONS
- No 30A RV Plug
- No Electric Start
- No Wheels
2. Westinghouse iGen2200 Portable Inverter Generator
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.
You can parallel connect two of these to double the power with this cord (click to view on Amazon). Which will let you run a 13,500 BTU, even a 15,000 BTU air conditioner.
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.
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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.
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 Quiet Inverter Generator 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.
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.
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
- Parallel Compatible
CONS
- No 30A RV Outlet
- No Electric Start
- No Wheels
3. Honda EU2200i Inverter Generator
If you’re looking for the quietest RV generator on the market, the EU2200i is it. Honda generators are often seen as the benchmark when it comes to quiet inverter generators.
It’s advertised as operating at 48 – 57 dBA and being less noisy than a normal conversation. The 48 dBA noise level is during 25% load.
The EU2200i is an extremely lightweight and portable option, weighing only 48 pounds.
When it comes to power output, the EU2200i is not disappointing in any way, with 2,2000 surge watts, and 1,800 running watts.
The 121 cc Honda GXR120 engine is started with a pull start and will with a 0.95-gallon fuel tank run for about 8 hours at 25% load. 25% load would be about 450 watts, which is usually more than enough power to run the basics in an RV.
It has 2 15 amp AC outlets and can connect to your phone via Bluetooth.
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To protect the engine, a safety feature will turn it off if it detects low oil pressure.
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.
The Honda EU2200i 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.
PROS
- Extremely Quiet
- Lightweight
- 2,200 Surge Watts
- 1,800 Running Watts
- Two 15A 125V Outlets
- Two-Year Warranty
- Runs 8.1 hours With 1 Gallon Gas
- 121 cc Engine
- Eco Mode
- Low-Oil Pressure Protection
- Parallel Compatible
CONS
- No 30A RV Outlet
- No Electric Start
- Not Budget Friendly
4. Yamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator
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 2,200 surge watts, and 1,800 running watts.
If you wish to double the power, you can connect two with a Yamaha TwinTech cable.
At 25% load, the Yamaha EF2000iSv2 will sit at 57 dBA which makes it louder than the Honda reviewed above.
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.
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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.
The Yamaha EF2200iS quiet inverter generator is a fantastic camping inverter generator that combines quality, performance, and RV specific features.
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
- Parallel Compatible
- High Watt Output For Size
CONS
- No Electric Start
- No Wheels
5. Champion 2500 Inverter Generator
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 in today’s review is the 2500-Watt inverter generator.
With 2,500 surge watts and 1,850 continuous running watts, it’s actually the most powerful option in this review.
The noise levels aren’t bad either, just 53 dBA at 25% load. It weighs around 40 lbs.
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There are two covered 120V 15A outlets and a 12V DC outlet. There are also parallel ports for connecting two generators to double the power.
A 80 cc air-cooled, 4-stroke, the single-cylinder engine will run for 11 hours at 25% load. The tank can hold 1 gallon of gasoline.
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.
The Champion 2500 Inverter Generator is another fantastic option for a medium sized portable RV inverter generator.
It has everything you need to stay powered when camping and the dependability of Champion to be there in emergencies.
PROS
- 2,500 Surge Watts
- 1,850 Running Watts
- Two 15A 120V Outlets
- One 8A 12V DC Output
- Runs 11 hours on 1 gallon
- Three-Year Warranty
- 80 cc Air Cooled, 4-Stroke Engine
- Eco-Mode
- Low-Oil Pressure & Overload Protection
- Parallel Compatible
CONS
- No Electric Start
- No Wheels
6. Generac Gp2200i Inverter Generator
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.
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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).
The Generac Gp2200i Inverter Generator is a great choice for your average RVer who wants a dependable inverter generator that is also quiet.
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 Electric Start
- No Wheels
Things to Consider
When looking for an RV inverter generator, there are a few things you should consider before getting one.
Power Output
The most important factor is power output. How much power do you usually use when camping? Do you need to run the RV AC?
Smaller inverter generators are more portable, but they output less power. None of the generators in this review can fully power an RV AC without using a Microair Easy Start (click to view on Amazon).
Usually, a 2,000 to 2,500 watt inverter generator is going to offer plenty of power for everything else in an RV. Even the microwave.
If you’re not worried about the AC, any of the options in this review should be perfect for RV use.
See Also: Should I Run My RV AC With A Regular Wall Outlet?
Fuel Efficiency and Run Time
Look for a generator that offers good fuel efficiency and a long run time on a single tank of fuel.
Inverter generators are generally more fuel-efficient than traditional generators, but there can still be significant variation between models.
Once again the higher the power output, the more fuel the generator will need.
If you are planning a long camping trip with no ability to refuel, a smaller, more fuel efficient inverter generator like the ones in this review is going to be better than a larger model.
Noise Level
Since one of the main advantages of inverter generators is their reduced noise levels, check the decibel rating.
A quieter generator is especially important in campgrounds where you don’t want to disturb fellow campers.
All the options in this review are quiet and perfect for campground or group camping settings.
Portability
Weight and dimensions are important to consider as well, especially if you plan to move it a lot.
Some models come with handles and wheels for easier transportation.
Because 2,000 to 2,500 watt inverter generators don’t weigh a ton, they don’t usually come with wheels. It would be amazing if they did though.
Parallel Capability
If you think you might need more power in the future, look for a generator that can be connected in parallel with another unit to increase the total power output without having to invest in a much larger, more expensive generator.
It’s way easier to transport two small inverter generators than one giant one. Parallel kits are usually very affordable and often have a 30 amp RV outlet installed.
Fuel Type
Most inverter generators run on gasoline, but some models can use propane or even dual-fuel technology, allowing you to choose between gasoline and propane.
Smaller inverter generators are usually gas fueled only, but you can sometimes find propane options.
If you don’t want to use fuel at all another options is a battery powered generator (check out this review for more info on those).
Brand and Reviews
Whenever there is an engine involved, brand name can matter a lot.
Bigger companies like Honda and Yamaha are still by far the most reliable manufactures today, but the competition is growing as companies like Wen and Champion develop and perfect their generators.
We’ve been happy with our Wen inverter generator, but I’ve seen some very old Honda generators powering RVs.
Honda is still the easiest to start with their one pull to start guarantee.
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.
