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Best Overall
Westinghouse 12500 Dual Fuel Generator
Best for Home
Generac 6998 7.5kW Home Standby Generator
Best Quiet
Champion Open Frame Inverter Generator
Best Overall
Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Generator
Best for Home
Generac PowerPact 7.5kW Home Backup Generator
Best Quiet
Champion Open Frame Inverter Generator
If you need backup power for your home, RV, campsite, or job site, a dual fuel generator is a wise investment. These versatile units are designed to run off two different fuel sources—like propane, gasoline, or diesel—often with a simple flip of a switch. Imagine being in a power blackout situation due to weather. Your gasoline might run low, but if you still have propane, you can still have power.
While your fuel options vary depending upon the manufacturer, it gives you the freedom of choosing how to run your generator based on what is available or what is the most economical option in your area. Below, we’ve reviewed the best dual fuel generators that offer a mix of power output and wattage, fuel compatibility, and economy, from top brands like Champion. Westinghouse, and Generac.
Best Overall: Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Generator
Best for Home: Generac PowerPact 7.5kW Home Backup Generator
Best Quiet: Champion Open Frame Inverter Generator
Best for RV: Cabela’s Outdoorsman Series RV-Ready Dual-Fuel Portable Generator
Best Lightweight: Pulsar 4000W Super Quiet Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
How We Picked the Best Dual Fuel Generators
To curate this list of best dual fuel generators, we relied on our own experiences with these products and got as much hands-on knowledge of as many products as we could. We also interviewed experts and people who use these units on a regular basis.
We picked generators that met several criteria:
Price
Power levels
Sound output
Reputation
Ease of use/mobility
Best Dual Fuel Generators: Reviews and Recommendations
Best Overall: Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Generator
Best Overall
Specs
Wattage: 9500 watts
Weight: 211 pounds
Pros
Gas and propane power
Remote starter
Enough power to power the house
Low cost
Cons
Would require special wiring to hook into your home’s circuit box
This Westinghouse generator meets all of our criteria. It pumps out impressive power, runs on gas or propane, and has a very reasonable price for what you get. It produces 9,500 running watts and 12,500 peak watts on gasoline, and 8,500 running watts or 11,200 peak on propane. That’s more than enough to operate as a full-house backup for many homes, cabins, and RVs. It has a remote electric starter system with a fob-style starter, so you don’t have to even go outside to kick it on. It even boasts a recoil back-up starter.
This Westinghouse generator is powerful enough to use for your entire house. Westinghouse
The 6.6-gallon fuel tank offers up to 12 hours of run time so you can keep it powered up all day or night. The unit itself also features an automatic low oil shutdown and an easy-to-read digital display that gives you real-time updates on voltage, hours of run time, and more. All that for under $1,000—it’s an incredible value. Bonus: The sturdy wheels on the frame make it easier to transport, which is good because it weighs over 200 pounds.
Best for Home: Generac PowerPact 7.5kW Home Backup Generator
Best for Home
Specs
Wattage: 7500 watts
Weight: 280 pounds
Pros
Instant power in the event of an outage
Quiet and long-lasting with minimal maintenance required
Backed by excellent customer service
Cons
Not portable
Cost
Needs professional installation
While not a traditional dual fuel generator, this Generac home generator can run on either propane or natural gas, giving you options for how you want to power it. It’s easily one of the best backup generators for your home—there are few others that can match the reputation and quality you will get with a Generac. This one is built for long-term use. It produces 7,500 watts of power that kicks in when you need it. It comes with an 8-circuit 50 Amp, NEMA 1 lightweight transfer switch for seamless power transfer during outages.
The aluminum housing is partially removable for easy maintenance and protects the generator from the elements. If you live in an area that has a lot of outages, and you need to have power all the time, this is a great choice. It also works well for cabins that aren’t used all the time and are remote enough that power lines are not a viable option.
Best for RV: Cabela’s Outdoorsman Series RV-Ready Dual-Fuel Portable Generator
Best for RV
Specs
Wattage: 5000 watts
Weight: 121 pounds
Pros
Sufficient power to start and run a 15,000-BTU RV air conditioner
Electric start
Easy-to-use fuel selector switch
Portable—weighs less than other generators on our list
Built-in surge protector
Cons
Not powerful enough for your whole house
Maybe you’re looking for a dual fuel generator to run your RV or campsite. Or maybe you want a home backup for essential appliances but don’t need all the power of a full backup generator. Regardless, this new unit from Cabela’s is a solid pick. It is a versatile 5,000-watt generator that’s as powerful as it is portable. It runs on either gas or propane—you can easily switch between fuel sources with the patented fuel selector dial system. The 224cc Champion single-cylinder OHV engine runs for up to 14 hours at a 50-percent load using the onboard 4.7-gal gasoline tank, or it runs at 4,500 watts for up to 10.5 hours at a 50-percent load using a 20-pound propane tank (not included).
The quiet operation and portability make this Cabela’s generator one of our favorites. Cabela’s
Like any reputable generator, the Cabela’s Outdoorsman Series has a built-in carbon monoxide detector, although you should never operate it inside an enclosed space. It also features a low oil shutoff and a surge protector. When in use, the Cabela’s generator runs quietly—about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. It is the perfect size for most RVs and camp sites but can be used for home appliances in a pinch.
Best Quiet: Champion Open Frame Inverter Generator
Best Quiet
Specs
Wattage: 4250 watts
Weight: 92 pounds
Pros
Very quiet
Long run time on a tank of gas
Versatile and safe for electronics
One of the lightest of all the dual fuel generators on this list
Cons
Less powerful than other generators we reviewed
Champion has been in the generator game for a long time so they know a thing or two about inverter generators
—and, in this case, dual fuel generators—for outdoor enthusiasts. This 4,250-watt inverter generator unit is proof. It’s roughly 50 percent quieter than a standard 4,250W/3,500W generator. It has an electric start and Champion’s Quiet Technology for stable, easy-to-use portable power with the versatility of running on gas or propane. It pumps out 4,250 starting watts and 3,500 running watts of power using gasoline, and 4,250 starting watts and 3,150 running watts when using propane. It will run at 25 percent load for 22 hours on gas and 21 hours on a 20-pound propane tank (not included).
The big news is how quiet the generator runs. Utilizing Champion’s Quiet Technology digital components, this inverter generator produces just 64 dBA, making it very quiet to operate and great for the campsite. It also features an economy mode, which idles the engine when you reduce the electrical load, making it even quieter. And at 92 pounds, it’s easy to transport.
Best Lightweight: Pulsar 4000W Super Quiet Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
Best Lightweight
Specs
Wattage: 4000 watts
Weight: 47.3 pounds
Pros
Incredibly lightweight and portable
Built-in surge protector
Versatile
Cons
Shorter run time due to size
When you need power but size and weight are a concern, the Pulsar dual fuel generator is easily one of the best portable generators
. It produces 4,000 peak watts, and 3,200 running watts on gas and it will pump out 3,700 peak watts or 3,000 running watts on propane. It will run continuously for up to 4.5 hours at half load from the 1.1-gallon gas tank. You can also use it with propane cylinders, making it very versatile. The Pulsar is ultra lightweight coming in at just 47.3 pounds, so it’s perfect for outdoor activities like camping, fishing, or hunting.
At under 50 pounds, this Pulsar dual fuel generator is easy to take anywhere. Pulsar
At the heart of the Pulsar GD400BN is a 5.5hp, 145cc engine. It is extremely quiet, producing only around 59db at half-load. It’s shielded with a built-in surge protector, so you can use it for sensitive electronics such as cell phones, laptops, and more without worry. In terms of safety, it also features a low oil shutoff function and an overload indicator.
What to Consider When Choosing a Dual Fuel Generator
Power Output and Wattage
When you’re picking out a dual fuel generator, you need to know one important thing above all else: how much power you need and the corresponding wattage. Here is something to keep in mind, however. In dual fuel generators, the wattage output changes depending on whether you’re running on propane or gasoline. You’ll notice that each dual fuel model has two wattage ratings, a higher one for gasoline and a lower one for propane. For the most part, you’re looking at around a 10-percent drop in efficiency with propane.
For example, if you need 10,000 watts, and you buy a generator that produces 10,000 on gas, you will only get around 9,500 on propane. From experience, we can suggest that it is always better to have more generator than you need. As is often the case, the load on the generator is lower, so the engine runs at a lower RPM and will conserve fuel, while also running cooler, and therefore last longer.
No reputable generator will overload your appliances, either. Feel reassured knowing that even though you’ve picked a bigger generator than you need, you’re not going to damage anything by using it.
Portability
The size and output of these generators relate directly to how portable they are. Home backup systems are not portable at all, and some are very heavy, requiring several people to move. Most of the larger generators are built within exposed frames, with attached wheels and a pull handle, making them fairly portable. Keep in mind the weight, as the wheels can help you move the generator, but if the ground is soft, you’re not going to have a good time relocating it.
Safety and Surge Protection
One thing to keep in mind when you look at a dual-fuel generator is whether or not it will have a built-in load buffer to protect your electronics. Every unit on the list does, and we cannot recommend you buy one without internal surge protection. Look for other features like a low oil shutoff or carbon monoxide alert.
FAQs
Q: Does a generator switch automatically from one fuel to the other?
No, almost every dual fuel generator requires you to switch the fuel source. Most of the best generators have a simple easy-to-use switch that allow you to switch it quickly.
Q: Can I install a home backup generator myself?
Any time you mess with your home electrical system, it is best to leave it to experienced professionals for safety reasons. Most home backup generators require professional installation to complete the warranty. Check with your local requirements and with your insurance provider, as there can be a discount for some areas.
Q: How long can a dual fuel generator run?
As long as you have a fuel supply, most dual fuel generators will keep running. It is always a good idea to shut them down daily to check oil levels and to ensure the air filter is clean. Routine maintenance is required for anything with a motor, so keep that in mind.
Best Dual Fuel Generators: Final Thoughts
Best Overall: Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Generator
Best for Home: Generac PowerPact 7.5kW Home Backup Generator
Best Quiet: Champion Open Frame Inverter Generator
Best for RV: Cabela’s Outdoorsman Series RV-Ready Dual-Fuel Portable Generator
Best Lightweight: Pulsar Products GD400BN
Owning a generator is very smart, especially in times like these where power outages can last for extended periods of time and we all have a lot of electronic devices and appliances to keep charged and running. A dual fuel generator can come in handy when fuel sources are scarce. Imagine if the gas station was without power, or ran out of gas. The best dual fuel generators are often a little more expensive than standard gas-powered units of similar size and output, but the versatility and being able to run it on a different fuel source makes it well worth it.
Why Trust Us
For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
