We all feel the call of the wild from time to time, but that doesn't mean you have to forgo a few creature comforts while enjoying the great outdoors.
Using a quiet generator while camping is a great way to keep in touch with the outside world and keep all your essential devices topped up, without scaring away the wildlife or ruining the tranquil atmosphere.
Finding a quiet generator can be a little confusing though, and with so many options available to us it can be difficult to determine what separates the quiet ones from the noisier models.
To help make thins easier, we have scoured the internet to find the best quiet generators from across the market to help you create the perfect home away from home while you get back to nature.
We have also put together a complete buyer’s guide and frequently asked questions section to help familiarise yourself with what makes a great quiet generator, why we think these are some of the best, and so you can make the most informed decision possible for your needs.
Are you ready? Let’s begin!
Are you going on a camping trip soon and need a powerful generator that won’t make a lot of noise when in use? Our top pick below could be the perfect choice for you.
Top 5 Best Quiet Generators
OUR TOP PICK
The top of our list is the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240. The Jackery range of portable battery generators provide green power for an aspiring explorer, and this model provides the best mix of features and portability, with a tiny form factor weighing under 7 lbs.
The compact, eco-friendly, generator is ideal for a weekend in the wild and can provide 24 charges for your mobile phone, or keep your mini cooler running for 18 hours while making almost no noise at all thanks to its 240 watts-per-hour (16.8Ah, 14.4V) lithium-ion battery.
The generator also creates pure sine wave energy allowing any electronic device to be plugged in without any danger of it being damaged and features a myriad of outputs including an AC outlet, two USB A ports, and a carport allowing you to charge all your devices with ease.
It can be recharged by simply plugging it into your car’s power port or the mains using the included AC and car adapters. The only thing to be aware of is that the battery cannot be used with appliances over 200 watts.
Pros
- Compact and eco-friendly
- Lightweight at just under 7lbs so perfect for taking on camping trips
- The rechargeable lithium-ion battery takes away the need for gas or other fuel
- The optional solar panel allows for green energy generation and charging on the go.
- Pure sine wave electrical output protects delicate electronic devices from harm.
Cons
- Cannot be used with appliances over 200 watts so you will have to leave the margarita maker and hairdryer at home.
EDITORS CHOICE
The next generator on our list is the Honda EU2200i. The latest in Honda's popular line of inverter generators, the EU2200i can reliably be called on to power a wide variety of appliances and is just as useful during a power cut at home as well as during your next camping trip.
The gas-powered generator is also very quiet operating at 48 to 57 dBA while operating in Eco Mode, which is less noise than a normal conversation. When Honda says its whisper-quiet, they mean it! This makes it ideal for camping, especially as some sites may have noise restrictions in place.
The generator also offers great fuel efficiency and can run up to nine and a half hours on a single tank of gas, depending on the load. This means it can help keep your campsite lit all night long.
If you need more power, two EU 2200is can be linked together with an optional cable for up to 4400 watts of power. The included inverter also produces stable clean sine energy, so you’ll be able to use it to charge delicate electronics such as laptops and mobile phones without worrying about power surges.
Pros
- Reliable enough to use in a variety of situations both at home and when camping
- Can run for ten hours on a single tank of gas
- Quiet in Eco mode and produces a quieter noise level than a normal conversation
- Variety of outputs including 2 AC outlets, and USB A sockets.
- Can be linked with a second generator for more power.
Cons
- Some people the previously purchase this generator noted that changing the oil can be difficult at first, but once mastered it’s fairly easy
BEST VALUE
The third generator on our list is the A-iPower SUA2000iv Portable Inverter Generator. Part of the Amazon Choice range, the SUA2000iV is a reliable, economical, and compact generator, which is capable of running multiple devices with little trouble at all.
Weighing in at just 46lbs, this lightweight, portable generator is capable of running for around eight hours on a single tank of gas. It’s even powerful enough to run a 50 inch LCD television, mini-fridge for several hours, as well as charge phones with its included USB output.
Its also quiet as well and runs at an average of 58 dB. In fact, it’s so quiet that you’d be forgiven for believing it wasn’t running at all! As such it’s perfect for peaceful camping trips, and for use at sites that may have noise restrictions.
The included inverter also produces pure sine wave power, meaning it is safe to use with electronics such as televisions, tablets, laptops, and other sensitive electrical equipment.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight at only 46lbs so it’s ideal for taking out on the road
- Super economical can run for up to eight hours on an average load
- Quiet running at 58 dB in almost total-silence
- Includes an inverter that produces sine wave power and keeps delicate electronics protected whilst charging
Cons
- Struggles to run high draw items like air conditioning units
RUNNER UP
The next generator on our list is the WEN 56203i Inverter Generator. As the name suggests this gas-powered generator is super quiet running and produces just 51db of sound at a quarter load.
It is also lightweight, weighing in at just 39 pounds, making it easy to carry from your car to the campsite. The built-in Eco mode also allows the generator to adjust its output, meaning it can run for longer with lower loads, resulting in it being able to run for up to 11 hours on a single tank of gas.
This compact generator is also really economical and features an automatic shut off that uses the last of the gas in the carburetor before shutting down, ensuring you get as much value for money as possible.
WEN has also addressed the problems which can occur when using generators at high altitudes and has created two kits (sold separately) which will ensure the generator can run up to heights of up to 8,000 feet without issue, making it ideal for your next mountain getaway.
Pros
- The lightweight and compact design makes it easy to transport
- Can run for 11 hours on a single tank of gas
- Automatic shut off makes sure every drop of fuel is used
- Includes 2 AC outputs and USB ports
Cons
- Doesn’t have a fuel gauge which can make checking your remaining fuel levels a little more difficult
RUNNER UP
The final generator we have chosen is the Rockpals 250-watt Portable Generator. The second battery-powered generator on our list, this generator features dual AC outputs, as well as two built-in USB-A outputs and four 12 volt DC ports.
This makes it perfect for charging your devices or running low watt devices such as LED lights or mini coolers for several hours. The high capacity lithium power pack weighs just 5.5 pounds and is powerful enough to charge smartphones 25 times, a laptop up to 5 times, or run a 32" TV for up to 3 hours.
The solar generator can also be recharged using a compatible 60 or 100-watt solar panel (sold separately), with the included car charger, or by plugging it into a wall outlet, with a full charge taking just under eight hours. So you can plug it in overnight and wake up to fully charged battery in the morning.
The battery also produces pure sine power to the same standard as a domestic electricity supply. It’s also fume-free, as it does not run on gas, and runs incredibly quietly with only the cooling fan on the side of the generator making a whirring noise while it is operational, ideal for quiet campsites.
Pros
- Very lightweight and weighs only five and a half pounds
- Really quiet with only the cooling fan making a small amount of noise
- Features dual AC outputs, two USB-A outputs, and four 12V DC ports
- No need for fuel and can be recharged with a car charger, wall outlet, or with a solar panel
- Produces pure sine wave power to help keep your devices protected as they charge
Cons
- The compatible solar panel that can be used for charging the battery is sold separately
Best Quiet Generators Buying Guide
Choosing the right generator for your camping needs can be a daunting task especially if you are new to camping or have never had the need to consider generating your own power before.
Below we have included the following guide and FAQ to help you choose the right generator for your needs.
Power
The first thing to consider is what items you want to power with the generator. Think about the devices you are likely to need to charge or take with you on your trip. If you are going to use the generator with several appliances at once, combine their wattage to determine the maximum load of the generator you need to buy.
Its also worth noting that appliances like freezers and some power tools such as drills need a lot of power to start up, while sensitive electrical equipment such as computers and mobile phones require pure sine wave power. As such its best to use an inverter generator as standard generators often have an uneven power output which can damage these devices, and not provide enough stable power over time.
Portability
For camping, at least, portability is key, so we would recommend using a portable inverter generator with wheels, and a carry handle. Its also best to go for the lightest and quietest option available, solar generators and power packs are ideal in this regard, but gas-powered generators do tend to be able to provide power for longer periods, however, they are also a lot noisier and heavier.
Wattage
A generator's power output is measured in watts. In order to choose the right generator for your needs, you need to calculate the wattage requirements of your caravan and electrical equipment and look at a generator’s watt power output.
If you plan to power all your electrical equipment once, you can add the total wattage amount by multiplying the amp and voltage of each device.
Most electrical equipment has a voltage of 120, while more heavy-duty appliances like ovens and clothes dryers run off 240 volts. Inverter generators generally have a power output of 0.9-5.5kVA, with a maximum output of 1-6.3kVA. while standard generators have a power output of 4.5-5kVA, with a maximum output of 5.2-5.5kVA.
In short, the higher a generator's kVA output the more types of equipment it can power. When choosing a generator, pick one that has enough wattage to power your electrical equipment and not shutdown. It is also important to consider the surge or peak power requirements when powering more than one device at once.
Size & Weight
The size and weight of most gas-powered generators will be relative to its power output, generators with 1-2kW output weigh about 22-44lbs and have a fuel tank that will hold about a gallon of gas.
Ideal for taking on a camping trip as they are relatively light.
The positioning of your generator is also important as you will need to place it away from where you are camping and use an extension lead to minimize your exposure to exhaust fumes. This is where solar-powered or ion battery generators have an advantage because they do not need to use any fuel and do not produce any fumes and can therefore keep them inside your tent if needs be.
It's also important to make sure the supply of power doesn't get interrupted, so an inverter generator is also recommended as they create a more stable supply than standard generators which have a fluctuating supply.
Another benefit of inverter style gasoline-powered generators is that they have increased fuel efficiency and can run for upwards of eight hours on just one tank of fuel. If you have electrical equipment that needs a continuous supply of power its important to consider a generator’s run time and tank size.
Run Time
A generator’s run time is measured at 25-50 percent loads. If it has a long run time, then you can use it overnight.
Just remember the more appliances a generator is supplying power to at once, the shorter its run time will be, and you will need to refuel or charge it sooner.
Noise
When camping at a designated campground, noisy generators are generally not allowed as they can disturb other campers. Therefore a quieter generator with a lower decibel rating is a must, when using a gas-powered generator look for one with a decibel output of around 50 to 70 decibels, or consider using a battery-powered generator as they are even quieter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an inverter generator and a regular generator?
In addition to producing cleaner, better quality power with less electrical noise and fluctuations in output, inverter generators are often more fuel-efficient because they do not run at a fixed speed.
Regular generators run at 3,600RPM to provide 60Hz of power, while an inverter generator can run at lower speeds when demand is low making them more fuel-efficient and quieter as a result.
For powering basic appliances like lights, and most power tools or battery chargers it does not make much difference if you use a standard or inverter generator.
However, if you are planning to use a generator to power or charge more complex electrical devices such as televisions, laptops, games consoles, or mobile phones, you will need to use an inverter generator as the fluctuating and surging output of standard generators can damage these devices.
What is the difference between pure sine and modified sine wave inverters?
Both types of inverter provide power to AC appliances, however, Pure Sinewave power is of a higher quality, equal to the quality of power supplied to your home. While modified sine wave power is a simpler form of power. This is adequate for powering less sensitive electronic devices like phone chargers, heaters, and air conditioners, but may damage more complex appliances like computers, televisions, and fridges. Therefore it is recommended to use a pure sine wave inverter as they can provide power to all AC devices without any risk of damage.
