Best Generator For Camping

Are you a camping geek or a venturous person who likes to frequently go off-grid? If that is the case then you are presumably at the right spot as we are going to dig deep into the best generator for camping.

We have selected the best available generators for camping after carefully testing them against various situations and requirements.

Camping generators are available in various categories and you need to determine your purpose and requirements for having a camping generator.

 You should decide if you want to have a traditional generator for powering your camping tent or for running your electronic appliances inside the recreational vehicles and camping trailers.

You would also have to mind the camping requirements to determine which features and specs are your absolute necessity and how much power you require from your camping generator. 

You don’t have to feel overwhelmed by this task of choosing the best generator as we are here to help you sort out ambiguities and have the right product selected.

In a rush? Stay here for a while and have a take on our best pick.

Read our review on the best generator for camping and get your hands on an all-rounder generator that has all the perks of being the best pick. 

Given below is the comparison table showing the 10 best generators for camping selected for our today’s review.

Comparison Table Of The 10 Best Generators For Camping

Image	Product	Features	Price
Best Low Power Output	ROCKPALS 300W Portable Power Station 7.7 Lbs. Weight  6 Outlets  3 Ways Of Charging	10	Check Price
Best Battery Endurance	LiFePO4 Portable Power Station 9 Lbs. Weight  8 Outlets  4 Ways Of Charging	10	Check Price
Best Outdoor	Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500 518 Wh Batter Capacity 8 Outlets  3 Ways Of Charging	10	Check Price
Top Pick	Honda Power Equipment EU1000I 29 Lbs. Weight  42-50 dBA Noise Level CO Shutdown	10	Check Price
Best For RVs	WEN 56203i 39 Lbs. Weight  5 Outlets  Low Fuel Shutdown	9.5	Check Price
Best Budget	PowerSmart PS5025 42.5 Lbs. Weight  58 dBA Noise Level 10.5 Hrs. Runtime At 1/3 Load	9.5	Check Price
Best Runtime	TogoPower GG8000 195.8 lbs. Weight  5 Outlets   420 CC OHV Engine	9.5	Check Price
Best Open Frame	Champion Power Equipment 76533 122 lbs. Weight  7 Outlets  224 CC OHV Engine	9	Check Price
Best Heavy-Duty	DuroStar DS4000S 94 lbs. Weight  5 Outlets  208 CC OHV Engine	9	Check Price
Best Eco-Friendly	Goal Zero Yeti 500X 12.9 lbs. Weight  8 Outlets  3 Ways Of Charging	9	Check Price

Given below are the 10 best generators for camping that have been selected after careful review of their product description, performance, fuel efficiency, and testing their runtime and noise levels.

Let’s review them in detail to see if they are worth being called the best generator for camping or not. 

ROCKPALs generators are conventional-looking portable power stations that are great for masses tight on budget.

This ROCKPALs generator is a hyped product and has a plethora of great features to attract interested consumers all over the globe.

Let’s dig into its features to decide if it is a worthy choice for you or not. 

Features:

This is a battery-powered power station that is driven by a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 298 watts per hour.

These 280 watts per hour make up 78,000 mAh which is a good battery capacity for powering most road essentials and keeping you updated by not depriving you of connectivity in the wild. 

The power output of this ROCKPALS 300W Portable Power Station generator is a mid-range value of only 300 watts which is considered sufficient for mild camping trips with only a few roads essential appliances to be recharged like your smartphones, laptop, TV, and a few other mini gadgets.

You can also power your fans and lights in the camping tent but can’t use the microwave or electric kettle for making your breakfast. 

For recharging your road essentials like iPhone, you can drive enough power from this Li-ion battery to have 28 to 29 charges and for the iPad Mini, you can charge it 14 times.

You can also power your car refrigerator for 5 to 6 hours but the surge wattage of the car refrigerator needs to be under 40 watts.

You can charge other small appliances like lights, android phones, and similar tools for about 40 charges. 

Verdict:

LiFe PO4 is an aesthetically appealing and well-thought-out portable power station that has an exotic design with a retractable carrying handle and a square-shaped box with a smart monitoring panel.

This WAATFUN generator isn’t just an ordinary power station but has advanced techs and added features for giving you the best bang for your buck. 

Features:

This exotic generator has 9 pounds weight which is the lowest weight you can ask for a generator to have (although few ultralight power stations with 3 or lower pounds are also available.

A 9 pounds generator is good for various purposes for which ease of carrying and portability is utmost.

This ultralight and compact design are complemented by the retractable carrying handle as the cherry on top. 

This retractable handle can be folded to have a clean outlook without the handle but whenever the need to carry it comes along you can pull through the handle and get it to the desired location.

This generator gives you the CPAP support that allows you 4 restful nights on the road with this lightweight and compact power station.

You can power your lights and fans inside the camp overnight for 4 nights to have a good night’s sleep while away from the grid power. 

The surge wattage of the LiFePO4 Portable Power Station is 320 watts and it is running on 110V voltage.

With its AC, DC, and USB receptacles, you can power all types of devices and also get to use a DC converter for making your DC port into an additional AC one.  

Verdict:

If you are a camper and on the lookout for portable generators for camping then there is no chance that you don’t have heard of the Jackery Explorer series.

The most commonly accompanied power station of campers, Jackery Explorer are deemed trusted and credible over the decades by campers, tailgaters, and off-road ventures’ and this is partly due to their efficient performance and partly due to the dependence on Jackery flagship products. 

Features:

The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500 is featuring a surge wattage of 500 with 110V voltage and has a massive battery capacity of 518 watts per hour.

This 518 watts per hour battery is almost twice the battery capacity of our aforementioned ROCKPALs power station.

Jackery Explorer is not all about its massive battery capacity as you got to have a whole lot of exciting features of which pass-through charging support is one. 

The pass-through support allows multiple devices to be charged at once together with the power station on charging.

The battery management system will pass the current through all ports at once and you can enjoy both recharging and charging at the same time. 

As far as the number of ports is concerned, Jackery allows you to connect 8 devices at once using its:

• 1 X AC port (500W/ 1000W, 110V)
• 2 X DC Ports
• 1 X Car Port (12V/ 16V)
• 2 X USB Type C ports
• 1 X Quick Charge Port 

Verdict:

Honda portable inverters are the quietest generators in any category and there is no doubt of them being the best.

Just like Honda vehicles and power products lineup, these inverters are also the cream of the market, and users won’t be dissatisfied with their efficient performance. 

Features:

Honda generator is an aesthetically appealing portable inverter power station that is coming in a red body with a touch of black at its control panel that gives it a heavy-duty look and exude an intimidating image for its competitors. 

This generator is the quietest pick in our selection of the best generator for camping and is also our overall recommended pick. 

The 2200 peak watts of this generator are being driven by an average fuel capacity that is quite larger for a compact and ultralight inverter generator.

With its 0.55 gallons of fuel tank, you can enjoy a long runtime but don’t worry about the engine noise as this Honda generator will be within 42 to 50 dBA noise level depending upon the economy mode or default mode as well as engine speed, and fuel consumption. 

This Honda Power Equipment EU1000I inverter has a parallel capability that allows you to increase the wattage from 220 peak watts to your desired value by connecting multiple generators or power stations to have a battery ecosystem. 

Verdict:

If you are on the lookout for a dependable camping buddy from a reputed brand with a wallet-friendly price tag then WEN might be your ideal stop.

This WEN 562031i is a powerful and versatile generator that is offering you a super-quiet inverter generator with plenty of receptacles and optimized fuel consumption for fuel-efficient performance. 

Features: 

This is another 2000 watts inverter generator in our listing and has a slightly larger size than the aforementioned Honda generator (the Honda generator has 2200 peak watts in comparison to the 2000 watts of this larger-sized generator). 

The running watts of this amazing product is 1700 watts which is more than enough for an average camping generator particularly one selected for tailgates, excursion trips, and picnics. 

This WEN 56203i portable power station is nothing less than the best and you can have all the required features of the best generator for camping in this reliable and efficient performing generator.

This generator has only 39 pounds which are nowhere near the lowest weight portable power stations but with this, under 40 pounds weight, you don’t have to actually mind its carrying and handling.

For convenience, this generator has small wheels that make it easier to transport to places. 

The power outlets of this power station are a distinction as not all power stations feature 3 prong receptacles and this one has 2 Three-Prong receptacles with one DC (12V) and one USB Type C (5V). 

Verdict:

This is another CARB-compliant inverter generator that has all the essential features and specs of a camping generator and is nothing short of the best generator for camping.

Despite its feature-rich package, it doesn’t have a skyrocketed price tag and this is the reason behind its massive sales and overjoyed customer reviews that exclaim its dependence, reliability, and technical support. 

Features:

PowerSmart portable power station is a 2200 watts unit (peak) with a powerful 4-Stroke OHV engine having 79 CC engine displacement.

The rated or running watts of this quality engine generator are 1900 which are maximum running watts with 3% lesser THD. 

This single-cylinder engine also makes use of the forced air cooling system that enhances the overall performance of the generator engine by preventing overheating and providing better cooling technology.

The fuel capacity of the tank is 1.05 gallons which is the reason for its large size (relative to the smallest power stations only and not bare-bone designs). 

This PowerSmart PS5025 inverter power station has sufficient power to provide backup power at home and for this purpose, there is a dedicated AC wall socket power plug that is also for charging the battery.

You can make use of the 2 USB Type a ports (5V), 1 X DC car outlet (12V), and the 2 X 120V AC outlets.

The runtime of this good-quality portable power station is 10.5 Hrs. on 1/3 load carrying capacity. 

Verdict:

Togo power is a relatively less established brand but has a good range of open-frame generators that are their latest variant of conventional generators.

These generators have retained the bare-bone look of regular residential generators but are laced with all the latest and advanced technologies to not be short of being the best market for camping. 

Features:

Togo Power generator may not be very familiar to the masses due to the well-established brand that is hyped in the market with its appealing and enticing appearances.

This generator is not a portable power station like all of our previously mentioned camping generators. 

We have added open frame and bare bone designs along with power stations as well as an inverter and conventional technologies to ensure you get the right product suitable for your requirements in most settings. 

The best thing about these open-frame generators is that they are multipurpose and can be used anywhere for any function.

Take for example this TogoPower generator which is a heavy-duty 8000 watts generator good for home backup power.

This heavy-duty unit is best for powering a medium-sized home including some of the 12,000 or higher BTU AC units along with refrigerator, TV, and all other essential electronic appliances in a standard home.

 This TogoPower GG8000 generator has a long runtime that is 8.6 hours at ½ load and 17.2 hours at the 25% load.

You can use petrol for its fuel which is a great initiative to make fuel consumption easier for home standby generators.

Verdict:

If you a fan of open-frame generators and are not very pleased or satisfied with portable power stations then champions are the most honored flagship for having bare generators.

The champion power equipment series is a great and hyped lineup for RV read open-frame generators that are multipurpose and can be used for both residential and outdoor purposes. 

Features:

Champions’ power equipment are conventional generators without inverter technology but have all the latest techs added to give you unrivaled performance and this is the reason why these generators are so extensively in use.

You can easily locate a champion’s power equipment generator no matter whether you are at home, office, or in an outdoor area. 

These generators are open-frame units that have the intimidating outlook of heavy-duty residential units but with their highly mobile carrying carts, wheel kits, and carrying handles, the generators become easily portable and can be considered suitable for camping and best for RVs. 

The RV generators are usually 4KW or higher power output units to make do with several electronic appliances inside the recreational vehicle.

You don’t have to invest in buying two portable power stations to parallel combine them for running your RV.

You would rather have this one 3800-rated watts dual-fuel generator that gives you the best bang for your buck. 

The fuel tank of the Champion Power Equipment 76533 champion generator is large enough to accommodate fuel for a large runtime.

You can use either gasoline or propane to power your generator with the powerful 224 CC 4-Stroke OHV single-cylinder engine. 

Click here for a full review.

Verdict:

For all those users who like to have a variety of open frame designs or change from the champions power equipment series to something more sturdy and with all-metal construction then DuroStar is your best bet.

The DuroStar generator is a portable RV- a ready unit that can be used best for a camping van, travel trailer, RV, on a construction site, or even at your home providing your power backup in a power outage. 

Features:

This is a 4,000 watts bare bone generator that has a traditional framed body with carrying handles built-in on both sides of the frame.

The DuroStar generator has a powerful engine with 208 CC engine displaces which makes it more powerful and enduring than most portable power stations. 

The reason for using these heavy-duty and overweight generator units in comparison to the ultralight portable power stations is their engine strength, large power outputs, and high-quality performance that is almost impossible by the power stations at the moment due to small power engines. 

You can use the DuroStar DS4000S generator as a home backup power tool and when you plan to go camping once in a while, you simply have to put the unit in your vehicle using its framed body and carrying cart.

Without any doubt, transporting an open-frame generator like the Champion power equipment or the DuroStar is not an easy job and this makes campers more inclined towards portable power stations despite their limited wattage and performance efficiencies. 

Verdict:

If you are adventurers who love to venture off-grid and keep a power station for charging your off-road essentials like smartphones, laptops, cameras, and so on, then this Goal zero may end your search.

This is a cost-effective generator that is capable of solar charge and has a long-lasting battery-driven power output that can keep your smart tools and devices charged to the fullest while being away from your home. 

Features:

This is another portable power station and is capable of being charged by solar power.

This lightweight and compact generator has a traditional or retro look with its foldable carrying handle taking all of its top surface and a rectangular boxed body with a power panel at the front.

This generator is battery-powered like all other power stations and has a massive capacity of 505 watts per hour which makes this Goal Zero the most pocket-friendly generator with such a large battery capacity. 

With this much power, you can enjoy long-lasting power while on the road or at a campsite.

This is a very simple-to-use power station with a simple power panel where two power plugs are located in addition to the multiple receptacles for charging multiple devices at a time.

The charging of this power station is similar to any other standard portable unit.

 This Goal Zero Yeti 500X can be charged in 3 ways using the AC, DC, and solar charging support. You can use the 60W USB Type C PD outlet for quick recharging of your smartphones and laptop.

Even portable refrigerators and car fridges can be charged through this 60W PD port.  There is also a 12V DC outlet to charge your power station with your vehicle.

Lastly, solar panels can give you an unlimited power supply outdoors but you would have to buy the solar panels as an accessory. 

Verdict:

Best Generator For Camping: A Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide

What is the best generator? Certainly, not everyone can have the same answer as there is no perfect generator that can fit all situations and get you the most out of the box.

The generators are classified into various categories according to their purposes, built, design, and above all suitability.

The best generator is not a fancy product laden with all the latest and trendy features and specs but rather a suitable product that can give you the desired performance and fulfill your necessary and justified requirements. 

Now the question may pop up in your mind what are the requirements for the best or most suitable generator? Do all generators have the same requirements? 

The straightforward answer to this is yes all generators have the basic requirement of fulfilling your bare minimum needs by powering the required electronic appliances. But the bare minimum differs for different persons and different categories. 

For instance, if you want to have a residential or home standby generator the minimum requirement for it will be to power essential household appliances under power failures and outages.

But if you are talking about a camping generator the need may not be to have the best power output for running your household appliances but rather a portable unit that can be easily carried to the camping site and have sufficient load-carrying capacity to power low voltage appliances at the campsite.

 

How To Determine Which Portable Power Station Is Best For You? 

Without any further Ado, let us know what features and specs will make a considerable difference in a camping generator and how can you have a great camping generator without breaking the bank. 

Below given are the essential features that one must pay attention to before buying any generator for any purpose.


Note that you need to review the product description of each potential purchase and find out our specified features to have a view of the efficiency and performance of the generator to make an educated and wise decision.

Power Output/ Usage/ Size Of Generator:

The foremost thing that a camper needs to lay head to is the power output requirement and then consequently decide the required size of the generator.

For that purpose, you need to thoroughly plant out your camping trip in your mind and determine what are you going to do there at the campsite and what appliances you would have to power.

This will be done by calculating the minimum wattage of each tool and gadget you are going to use at your campsite.

Then determine the total wattage or usage and then decide to buy a generator that has 100 or more running watts to power all required electronic appliances at the campsite.  

You can decide on the power output according to your requirement and then choose a generator size accordingly.

Typically a normal camper wouldn’t have to use most heavy-duty appliances and can make do with a 300 watts generator or a portable power station.

But 300 watts or lower power stations won’t be able to power your microwave, electric kettle, stove toaster, or drill machines along with many other high voltage appliances.

 So, if you are planning a camping trip with your friend and want to have a BBQ party there, you would have to buy a generator that can power your electric grill.

The typical generator size for normal campers is a 1000 watts portable power station that can run your microwave, TV, camping lights, fan, and even a mini cooler along with a refrigerator for a while.

But if you want to power your AC or heating systems, electric grill, and other high voltage appliances then a 4000 or more power output may become a necessity. 

Portability:

One sideline while deciding on the generator size and power output for camping is to ensure portability.

Since the camping generators are not meant to be caged in your patios, law, or outdoor settings, the camping generators need to have sufficient mobility to take them to places.

You wouldn’t want to exert much physical force or call for manpower to pick up your huge residential open-frame generators for camping.

This doesn’t sound like a practical approach and therefore having carrying carts, mobility kits and wheels for an open-frame generator is a necessity. 

Since camping generators are more abundant than residential units, one can easily find a suitable power station where you don’t have to mind mobility kits as you can easily carry them in your hands with carrying handles.

In the case of a portable power station, you would have to consider the lightweight and compact body that can be conveniently stored without taking up much space. 

Fuel Efficiency:

Fuel efficiency is also a significant factor to decide the worth of a generator be it a residential home standby generator or a portable power station dedicated to campsites and off-grid adventures.

The fuel efficiency will determine the runtime, and noise level of your generator.

It is not a wise approach to buy a cheap product to save a few bucks only to end up with a product that sips a whopping amount of fuel and adds thousands to utility bills and fuel expenditures. 

You should rather spend some extra bucks to have a fuel-efficient engine with added economy mode and optimized performance features for reducing fuel consumption and increasing fuel efficiency. 

Engine Noise:

Most camping generators are coming into the market as portable power stations although many are still being used as open-frame bodies.

These portable power stations are mostly inverters that have the latest techs and features to have an upper hand over regular generators in the market.

The best perk of inverter generators is that they have limited engine noise.

Most inverters with a loud and inefficient engine will have a decibel range lower than the most efficient conventional generator engines.

For instance, the Honda EU inverter generator has only 42 to 50 dBA noise production but for a typical conventional generator 68 and above the dBA range will be a standard in the market and you can’t have another way around. 

Therefore, you should decide if you want to have inverter generators for your camping or conventional ones.

You can also have efficient standard generators with bearable engine noise levels like Champion Power Equipment.

But these efficient generators are offered by a few brands and specific lineups that are few in the market and you would have to pay due attention to having them under your hands. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What Size Of Generator Do I Need For Camping?

If you are looking for running your bare minimum appliances at the campsite a 1000 watts generator will be sufficient for you.

On average 2000 watts is the most popular size for running most of your camping appliances including a mini cooler, TV, microwave, etc. but if want to power your RV or other vehicles with some medium-size appliances then a 3500 watts generator will be your requirement. 

What Generator Is Good For Camping?

Portable generators are essential for camping as you have to transport them in your vehicles and move around a lot.

These portable generators are not only helpful for mobility but are also budget-friendly and self-reliant which makes them a priority for campers and tailgaters. 

What Is The Best Silent Generator For Camping?

Honda EU1000I is the best silent generator with the lowest noise level and is best for camping.

This amazing Honda portable inverter is well-versed in all of your camping requirements with 2200 surge watts and a fuel-efficient OHV engine. 

Do You Need An Inverter Generator For Camping? 

Inverter generators are not a must for camping but are more than just a luxury.

This is because inverter generators have many privileges over conventional generators like lower noise levels, enhanced portability, and low fuel consumption.

All of these features add together to make inverters a need for camping. 

Conclusion:

 

See More:

Best Portable Generator For Construction
Best 9000-Watt Generator

Video Help:

If you want to know more then watch this video.