Top 10 Best Dual Fuel Generators: Reviews & Buyers Guide

As a household or business owner, you sometimes have to use appliances in off-grid settings or during power outages. In your home, for example, you want to cook food, light your rooms, and heat your house, which can be a challenge if the grid is down. There are many situations that will have you looking for the best dual fuel generator you can buy.

A generator is a highly technical product, and each model has unique features and specifications. As a result, choosing one that is suitable for your needs can be a challenge.

I’ve put 10 of the best dual fuel generators through their paces. I’ve considered how well they run on both gasoline and propane, starting method, advantages, and features. I'll also discuss the total harmonic disruption, weight, AC and DC outlets, and noise ratings.

Keep reading my best dual fuel generator reviews for your specific application.

Best Dual Fuel Generators: Our Top Picks

Check out my dual fuel generator reviews below. I've done all the hard work for you and tested each one so you can make an informed decision. All the dual-fuel generators I recommend are from respected manufacturers and boast great features for their price point.

1. Champion 3400-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator

 

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The Champion 3400-watt dual fuel inverter generator is a high-performing, versatile, and convenient option for homes, RVs, or construction projects away from the power grid.

I was pleased to find that I could operate this dual-fuel inverter generator straight out of the box and quickly switch fuels with the fuel selector dial. On gasoline, the 192cc engine has an output of 3,400 starting watts and 3,100 running watts. The engine will also run for 7.5 hours at a 25% load.

Using a 20-pound propane and gas tank, the engine produced 3,060 starting watts and 3,100 running watts. On a 25% load, the engine runs for 14.5 hours.

Because the inverter produces clean power with a total harmonic distortion (THD) of less than 3%, it allowed me to power my sensitive electronics without fear of damage. The generator’s outlets include a 120-volt 30A RV outlet, two 120-volt 20A household outlets, and a 12-volt DC automotive outlet with a dual USB adapter.

Like many of the other portable dual fuel generators that I tested, this unit features a recoil starter that works with a pull cable. The Champion 3400-Watt generator also features an electric start system with a battery and Cold Start Technology, and this ensured that I could start it effortlessly even in cold weather conditions.

 I was pleasantly surprised by the generator's noise level; this made it perfect for me since I frequently camp in National Parks where quiet generators are a must. At only 59 dBA at a distance of 23 feet, it’s the same level of background music or a normal conversation. The quiet operation also makes this generator ideal for household use in sensitive neighborhoods.

The noise level depends on the load that the generator is running — the higher the charge, the louder the engine. I found that the noise level is at its lowest when you run a quarter load while using Economy Mode—all in all, this has got to be the best dual fuel generator currently, in my opinion.

Pros And Cons

Conclusion

After testing the Champion 3400-Watt duel fuel generator, I can testify that despite its impressive power it runs quietly. This model is user-friendly, reliable, and provides you with all the features you need for private power generation - certainly one of the best inverter generators on the market.

 

<Click Here For A More In-Depth Champion 3400 Review>

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2. Duromax XP4850EH 3850 Dual Fuel Electric Start Portable Generator

 

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The DuroMax XP4850EH is a portable dual fuel generator for households, RV travelers, and business owners who want to keep delivering during power cuts.

The first feature I noticed was that it offers a conventional pull-start recoil system as well as an electric start button. This is great since it gives you the option to start the generator manually if the battery is dead.

I was also impressed by the generator's overall design. It is a compact and portable unit, yet it still offers plenty of power with a max output of 3850 watts and a peak wattage of 4,850 watts on gasoline. On propane, the rated watts and peak watts are 3,658 watts and 4,608 watts, respectively.

This model has a 4-gallon fuel tank, and the engine will run on gasoline for 10.42 hours and 8.92 hours on propane. These running times are at a 50% load.

I counted a total of three AC outlets, including one duplex 120V 20A 5-20R GFCO outlet and one 120/240V 30A L14-30R receptacle. The DC outlet is a 12V 8A output that you can use to charge batteries. The generator has a THD of <12%, which is relatively high and can damage sensitive electronics.

You can use this dual fuel generator in camping and RV settings and close to residential buildings.

The DuroMax XP4850EH features a 7 Horsepower, Air Cooled Engine and has an open frame with dimensions of L24” x W17” x H17.” The generator is portable and comes with a wheel kit and foldable handle; at 125 lbs, I found it a little on the heavy side.

I found the control center to be very user-friendly, allowing me to monitor the unit’s performance and status at all times. The control panel gauges include a voltmeter that shows the generator’s power output and a fuel gauge. The control panel also features a light indicator that lets me know when the oil levels are too low.

Pros And Cons

Conclusion

The DuroMax XP4850EH is one of the most affordable dual fuel generators in its power category. Despite the low price tag, I found this unit as reliable and durable as its higher-priced counterparts.

 

< Click Here For A More In-Depth DuroMax XP4850EH Review >

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3. Sportsman GEN4000DF, Dual Fuel Powered Portable Generator

 

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I was interested to see what the Sportsman GEN4000DF could do, Sportsman isn't as well-known a brand as Champion or DuroMax, but I was impressed with this unit.

The Sportsman GEN4000DF is a compact generator that is a low-priced option for home- and RV owners who need a backup power supply for essential devices. This model features dual-fuel technology and delivers an output of 120V.

If you are using gasoline, the generator will deliver 3,500 rated watts and 4,000 starting watts. When using propane, the 212cc, 4-stroke OHV engine gives 3,100 rated watts and 3,600 starting watts. The running time at a 50% load is 10 hours on gasoline and 12 hours on a propane tank.

The control panel, which includes five AC outlets, impressed me; this is a lot for a generator of this size. These outlets include duplex 120V 20A 5-20A outlets and one 120V 30A TT-30R receptacle. The DC outlet is a 12V 8A receptacle that I found useful for charging my phone. Because the panel features a TT-30R receptacle, it has an RV-ready classification.

At only 90lbs in weight, I found the GEN4000DF super easy to move around and transport. It has to be the best dual fuel generator for portability.

Other features that stood out for me were the voltmeter so that I could monitor the generator’s power output at all times. This model also features an automatic low-oil shutoff as well as a circuit breaker to prevent damage.

With a noise level of 69 dBA, I found this generator quite loud, but I could still be able to use it for camping and household power applications. Another drawback of I noticed with this dual-fuel generator is that it only features a recoil start and no electric start. An electric start would have been a nice feature, but it's no deal-breaker, seeing as this dual fuel generator has many other great features.

Pros And Cons

Conclusion

I'd conclude that the  Sportsman GEN4000DF is a reliable, albeit basic, generator for camping, home use, and basic commercial applications. My concluding thoughts would be that this dual-fuel model is ideal for someone who has a limited budget but doesn’t want to forgo quality and durability.

 

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4. Champion 8000 Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator

 

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I've had my eye on the Champion 8000-watt dual fuel generator for a while now, and I finally got my hands on one. It's a little large for my own personal use but would be a robust power source for large households and businesses like food trucks, event service providers, and construction companies.

The Champion 8000-Watt delivers a voltage output of 120/240V. The 8,000 watts in the name refers to watts of running power it produces on gasoline. The starting wattage on gas is 10,000 watts. If you use propane, you can expect a rated- and starting wattage of 7,290 watts and 9,025 watts, respectively.

This dual fuel generator has a 6-gallon fuel tank and can run for up to 8 hours at 50% load on gasoline. If you use propane, the unit has a running time of up to 5 hours at 50% load when using a 20-pound propane fuel tank.

Operating at a noise rating of 74 DBA, which is slightly higher than the noise level of a vacuum cleaner, I found this unit to be on the louder side, but that was to be expected with a generator of this size and power. 

It was good to see both a conventional recoil pull-start as well as an electric start making it easier for me to use. I only tested this generator in the summer months but am reliably informed that the Cold Start technology allows you to effortlessly start the 459cc Champion engine, even in freezing temperatures.

Another notable feature of this generator is its THD rating between 12% and 20%, depending on the load. This rating allows you to safely power devices like TVs, computers, and kitchen appliances. If you want to power sensitive devices like a UPS-style battery backup, high-efficiency furnace control board, or pellet stove, however, you need a generator with a THD lower than 5%.

The control panel features a total of 6 AC outlets, namely two duplex 120V 20A (5-20R) GFCI, one 120/240V 30A (L14-30R) receptacle, and one 120V 30A (L5-30R) receptacle. I did note that these outlets are not RV-ready, but the L5-30P is compatible with a TT-30R adaptor.

This generator’s dimensions are L27.8” x W28.7” x H26.” Because the generator weighs a hefty 209.4 lbs, I certainly can't say it was the most portable of the generators I've tested. However, it does come with wheels and a fold-up/flat-free never-go-flat tire kit making it easier to move around than some of the other generators in its class.

Pros And Cons

Conclusion

For my needs, The Champion 8000-Watt Dual Fuel Generator would be overkill, but if you require a powerhouse that can keep your business or large household running in a power outage, this is the generator for you. It's also a great choice for those who need a reliable backup power source for their business.

 

 

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5. DuroMax XP12000EH Dual Fuel Electric Start Portable Generator

 

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The DuroMax XP12000EH is a dual fuel generator for large households and businesses. I took the opportunity to test this powerful generator out see what it could do.

This generator has an output of 120/240V. The generator produces 9,500 running watts and 12,000 peak watts if you use gas. On propane, this model produces 8,075 rated watts and 10,200 starting watts. I found that the XP12000EH had no problem running my central air conditioner, fridge, and several other appliances simultaneously.

At a 50% load, the 457cc DuroMax 4-stroke OHV air-cooled engine has a long run time of 9 hours on gas and 4 hours on propane. The unit features a traditional recoil pull-start as well as a convenient electric start. When it is running, the generator has a rated noise of 72 dBA, so I probably would avoid camping with this beast!

The XP12000EH has a relatively high THD of <12% and may not be suitable for power-sensitive electronics like pellet stoves. I used it to power a computer, television, and other kitchen appliances with no issues.

There are five AC outlets on the XP12000EH’s control panel, including a Duplex 120V 20A (5-20R) GFCI, a 120/240V 50A (14-50R) receptacle, a 120V 30A (L5-30R) receptacle, and a 120/240V 30A (L14-30R) receptacle. The control panel also has one 12V 8A DC outlet that you can use to charge your batteries.

The XP12000EH's dimensions are L40" x W29" x H27.5", and it has a portable design with an open-frame design, a wheel kit, and a folding handle.

This is a behemoth of a generator weighing 260 lbs, and when I attempted to move it alone, I struggled. I would not recommend this generator for anyone who needs to move it regularly as it is simply too heavy and cumbersome.

The control panel had all the features I like to see in a generator, including a voltmeter for power output monitoring, a low oil level light indicator, and a built-in fuel gauge. The dual fuel generator also has an overload circuit breaker and automatic low oil shutoff sensor to protect it against friction damage.

Pros And Cons

Conclusion

I found the DuroMax XP12000EH a powerful dual fuel generator. If you are looking for a dual fuel generator that can be used for business or household or to provide your RV with power, I can safely say the XP12000EH is a safe bet.

 

< Click Here For A More In-Depth DuroMax XP12000EH Review >

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6. Westinghouse WGen3600DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator