Best Quiet/Silent 10000 Watt Portable Generator Reviews

Generators are relatively large purchases and they last for quite a long time, so it is a good idea to do some research before buying one. The good news is that we have looked at quite a few generators and have come up with our list of the best 10000 watt portable generators based on a variety of factors. The factors include quietness, value for the price, fuel efficiency, and more. So without further ado, let’s dive into what you should look for in a good generator for your RV, boat, or anything else.

What to Consider When Buying a 10000 Watt Portable Generator

Fuel Source

The two main types of fuel for a 10k watt generator are gasoline and propane. Dual fuel generators can be powered with either gasoline or propane, and most of them can change between the two fuel sources even if the engine is running. While propane generators are usually more expensive than gas generators, propane is generally cheaper than gas, so they can save you money in the long term. Also, unlike gas, propane can be safely stored for months and even years. This makes it easier to keep in stock and makes for a good standby generator. That being said, keep in mind that there is a slight performance hit when powering a generator with propane over gas, but it is not very noticeable.

Amps, Voltage and Watts

Generators get scored based on their ability to produce electrical power in watts, voltage, and amps. All of these metrics are used to gauge overall power, but they mean different things. Below, we will explain what each one means:

Amps

Amperes (amps), is a metric used to describe the amount of electrons that are flowing through a conductor. In other words, it measures the electric current.

Voltage

Voltage is used to measure the amount of pressure that is applied to electrons in a conductor. The more pressure present, the more work the electrons can do.

Automatic Voltage Regulation

Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs) regulate the output voltage of the generator to make it more steady, regardless of load. This prevents the generator from spiking or browning out.

Watts/Kilowatts

Watts can be calculated as a function of amps and volts, and they give you a general idea of the overall power capacity of a device. If you have amps and volts, the formula to calculate watts is as follows:

(Amps) (Voltage) = Watts

Operating Noise

Operating noise, measured in decibels for generators, is one of the main metrics you should be looking at if you are looking for the quietest 10000 watt portable generator. Anything below 74 dBA is relatively quiet for a generator of this size.

Choke Type

A choke is used to regulate the air flow going into the engine. This is so more fuel and less air goes into the cylinders while the engine gets up to its ideal running temperature. After your engine reaches its optimal temperature, the choke should be turned off to lean out the air ratio to an optimal level and prevent the engine from running rough. A choke can be operated either manually or automatically, and we generally recommend getting a generator with an automatic choke, mainly for convenience purposes.

Transfer Switch Ready

If you want to be able to safely power hardwired devices on your circuit breaker panel with a generator, a transfer switch will help you do that. It functions by providing a specific set of switches for each of the circuits you are looking to power.

Engine Starting

We recommend that you look for a generator that can be started in various ways (electric, remote, recoil) for both convenience and because it is useful to have backup options in case one or more of the starting methods break. That is why when considering which one is the best generator to buy, this is one of the main factors we looked for.

Engine Displacement

This is a measure of the swept volume of the pistons inside the cylinders of a piston engine, excluding the volume of the combustion chambers. In more layman’s terms, it is typically used to measure the size of an engine. The common metric used to represent this value for generators is centimeters (CC).

Fuel Tank Size/Run Time

We understand that it can be annoying to have to constantly turn off and refuel your generator, so getting one with a relatively large tank and good fuel efficiency can be helpful. That being said, if you get a generator that is dual-fueled and takes propane, you can lengthen your runtime by hooking up two propane tanks to a single gas line using a stopcock valve or changeover regulator. This method allows you to change out the empty propane tank with a new one, preventing you from running out of fuel.

In this scenario, the only factors limiting your run time are standard generator maintenances, which are suggested after every 100 hours or so, and the engine oil, which runs out after around 150–200 hours in most generators.

Built-in Fuel Gage and Hour Meter

It is convenient to know when you are running low on fuel or when your oil is running low, and most, but not all, generators have these features built into them.

Automatic Idle Control

This feature regulates the engine speed to improve fuel efficiency and run time. While this is typically a good thing, it can have some downsides because there may be delays in load demand response time, which could cause quicker motor failure.

Oil Capacity

As we mentioned in the previous section, if you have enough propane, you can run your generator continuously until you run out of oil. When buying a 10K watt generator, you should look for one that has an oil capacity of at least 1 qt.

Weight and Portability

There is only so much portability you can get with a 10k watt generator as it needs to be relatively large to deliver that much power. That being said, some are larger or heavier than others, so this is something to consider when comparing different generators.

Eco friendly/CARB Compliance/EPA Certified

Because generators combust fuel, they produce air emissions that are dangerous and that should be limited. CARB is an acronym for the California Air Resources Board which sets emissions standards for certain products, like generators, in California. The EPA also has their emissions standards, but they are less strict than the CARB standards, so in our opinion, their certification does not carry as much weight.

Is CARB Compliance mandatory?

CARB compliance is a requirement in California and more states may adopt similar policies in the future. That being said, it is generally a good idea to make sure that your generator meets certain emissions standards for environmental and health purposes, even if you live outside of California. For these reasons, all of the generators that we mention in this article are CARB compliant.

Outlets

Types of Outlets

While pretty much all generators come with the primary types of outlets used in the USA, if you want to plug in devices that require less common types of outlets, this is something to consider. That being said, you can always just use an adapter instead.

GFCI Outlets

GFCI is a safety technology that was developed and widely adopted to prevent deaths or injuries from electrical shock. This technology is particularly useful in areas where water is present, like in bathrooms. It works by monitoring and controlling the amount of power going to a particular device. For example, if you drop your hair dryer in the sink and it comes into contact with water, GFCI senses the drop in current and stops the power.

Automatic Low Oil Shutoff

Some generators have safety protection features like automatic shut off for when the oil is low so that the generator does not break.

Overload Protection

Is a safety feature that keeps the generator from overheating.

Manufacturer Warranty

While most generators come with a similar warranty, some have slightly better coverage than others, and this should be something that you consider when buying one.

Best Quiet/Silent 10000 Watt Portable Generator Reviews

Now that we have mentioned all of the factors that we look at when deciding on a good generator, here is the product that best meets these standards and is a good buy at its particular price.

Best Overall: Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator

Specs:

Gas Watts: 9500–12500

Propane Watts: 8500–11200

Gas Amps: 79.2/39.6 amps — 104.2/52.1 amps

Propane Amps: 70.8/35.4 amps — 93.3/46.7 amps

AC Voltage: 120/240 Volts

Automatic Voltage Regulation: Yes

Dry Unit Weight: 220 lb. (98 kg)

Fuel source: Dual Fuel (Gasoline/Propane)

Dimensions: 27 x 24 x 35 in

Fuel Tank Capacity: 6.6 gal (25 L)

Run Time @ 25%: 17.5 hrs.

Hour Meter: Yes

CARB and EPA Compliance: Yes

Transfer Switch Ready: Yes

Choke type: Automatic

Fuel Gage: Yes

Engine: 457 cc Westinghouse OHV 4-stroke

Outlets: (2) Duplex 120V 20A (5–20R), (1) 120/240V 30A (L14–30R), (1) 120/240V 50A (14–50R) (2) 5V USB Ports

RV Ready: Yes

Automatic idle control: Yes

GFCI Outlets: Yes

Oil Capacity: 1.1 qt. (37.2 oz.)

Starter: Electric, Remote, Recoil

Automatic Low Oil Shutoff: Yes

Overload Protection: Yes

Manufacturer Warranty: 3 Year Limited residential and 1 Year commercial

Our Review

This generator meets pretty much all of our standards for a good 1000 watt generator and it comes in at a fair price point. When compared to other generators at a similar price point and wattage, the main downside we noticed to this generator is that the fuel tank can only hold 6.6 gallons of fuel. That being said, this model is dual fuel and like we mentioned earlier, if you have enough propane stored away you can replace the tanks while it is running.

Best Additional Generator Accessories

A Generator Cover

In our opinion, these are a must buy to keep your generator safe from rain, snow, UV rays, and more.

Generator Exhaust System

This is a great item to divert the fumes of your generator and reduce its noise, particularly if you are using this for your RV.

A Mat

Putting the generator on a heavy duty mat like this one can help reduce the noise your generator makes.

Power Inlet Box and Temp Power Cord

Power inlet boxes send power to important electrical systems while keeping the hazardous exhaust fumes that a generator gives off at bay. All you need to do is put the box on the outside of a building and run the wiring to a transfer switch/box installation. When emergency power is required, hook up a generator cord to the inlet box and flip the switch for the transfer unit.

Fuel Stabilizer

These products help prevent fuel from going bad after storage. It takes away the moisture to prevent corrosion, and cleanses carburetors and fuel injectors. This item also protects the engine from gum, varnish, rust and corrosion, and prolongs the life of any engine. Using a fuel stabilizer will allow you to skip the process of draining the fuel out of your generator’s engine.

Conclusion

There is a lot to consider when comparing generators, and it is a relatively large purchase so you want to make sure that you choose the best one. We recommend going with the Westinghouse WGen9500DF because it has the best specifications for the price compared to other competing generators. We also suggest that you get some of the accessories mentioned above because for a relatively small price they can help increase the performance, functionality, and life of your generator. Not to mention, they can help reduce the noise of your generator as well!

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