The Best Dual-Fuel Generators of 2023

Best Overall

Westinghouse 12500 Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator

4.8

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The Westinghouse 12500 Watt Dual Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator is our top pick for any emergency. This generator is easy to use and quick to set up, which is ideal for a dual-fuel generator. When you’re faced with a crisis, all you have to do is wheel this home generator into place and use the Quick Connect ends to hook up the battery. It runs on gasoline or propane and can operate for up to 12 hours on a single tank. The digital VFT display allows you to check the output and lifetime hours constantly.

The exact power output does vary based on the fuel source, which is typical of most generators. It can generate up to 12,500 peak watts with gasoline and 11,200 peak watts with propane. You can switch between fuel sources using a clearly labeled switch on the side of the unit.

The control panel is very user-friendly, one of the features that set this generator apart from others out there. It has a push-button start, just like most cars. It also has a remote start from an included key fob. There are two GFCI outlets, one L14-30R outlet and one 14-50R outlet. They all have rubber covers to protect against wear, weather, and moisture. This added safety feature is helpful if you need to use your generator in different environments.

Price at time of publish: $1,000

_{Run Time: 12 hours | Fuel Tank Capacity: 6.6 gallons | Wattage: 12,500 Watts}

Best Budget

WEN DF475T 4750-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator

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This reliable generator is almost half the cost of some larger models but comes with many of the same features that make using it very easy. It has a large selection dial on the side of the control panel that clearly shows whether you have selected gasoline or propane. The four-gallon fuel tank provides for up to 11 hours of operation. You can use it in an emergency, but because it has a lower overall power output, it's best for smaller tasks, like charging electronics while camping or using power tools in the yard.

It does have a key that you have to turn to get it to work. Make sure that you keep this key in a safe place since the generator will not run without it. It has a 12V DC outlet, two standard 120V GFCI AC outlets that most household tools and items can plug into, and an L14-30R outlet. A cover for this generator is recommended to shield the outlets and other exposed parts from dust and debris when it is not in use. Fortunately, WEN makes an affordable cover that fits this model perfectly.

Price at time of publish: $721

_{Run Time: 11 hours | Fuel Tank Capacity: 4 gallons | Wattage: 4,750 Watts}

Best Quiet

Champion Power Equipment 2500-Watt Gasoline/Propane Portable Inverter Generator

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Even the quietest generators are pretty loud, but the Champion dual-fuel generator stands out for its low decibel level and its portability. It only generates 53 dB. The trade-off is that this generator is smaller and designed for small-scale use. It includes two 120V household outlets, a 12V cigarette lighter outlet, and an adapter with two USB ports to power your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

It does have a long run time, up to 11.5 hours on gasoline and 34 hours on propane. If you do need extra power, you can run two units in parallel to double the output power. However, this adds to the overall cost.

Price at time of publish: $545

_{Run Time: 34 hours | Fuel Tank Capacity: 1.1 gallons | Wattage: 2500 Watts}

Best Heavy-Duty

DuroMax XP1300EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator

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This large Duromax generator can provide backup power for your entire home, including your HVAC system and appliances, so you can stay comfortable no matter what. It generates 13,000 peak watts when using gasoline and 12,350 peak watts on propane. There are plenty of outlets, including four GFCI outlets, one 120 V-30 Amp outlet, one 120/240 V-30 Amp twist-lock outlet, and one 120/240 V-50 Amp outlet for heavy-duty use.

There are also a lot of safety features included. The unit is made entirely of metal, so you don’t need to worry about parts breaking, even in rough conditions. A CO monitor also shuts the generator down if it detects unsafe levels of dangerous carbon monoxide. Within the engine, all windings are made of copper, which resists damage from weather and moisture. The generator will alert you if you need to add oil and perform maintenance. It is important to keep this generator in great shape to make it last for years since it is quite expensive.

Price at time of publish: $1,149

_{Run Time: 8.5 hours | Fuel Tank Capacity: 8.3 gallons | Wattage: 13,000 Watts}

Best Portable

Pulsar Portable Dual-Fuel Quiet Inverter Generator

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This dual-fuel generator only weighs 44 pounds and has a top handle that makes it ideal for portable use. You can run it on gasoline or propane, switching back and forth between the two fuel options with just a switch. The fuel tank is on the smaller side at just 1.8 gallons, a trade-off for the smaller and lighter generator. Even with the smaller tank, it can run for up to 8 hours with just one gas tank.

It has two standard 120V outlets as well as a 15A AC outlet. You can also set up two of these generators in parallel to get more overall power output. Of course, special cables are needed for that. Fortunately, this is one of the more budget-friendly options.

Price at time of publish: $421

_{Run Time: 8 hours | Fuel Tank Capacity: 1.8 gallons | Wattage: 2200 Watts}

Best for RVs

Champion Power Equipment 4550 Watt Recoil Start Dual-Fuel Powered Portable Generator

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The Champion Power Equipment 4550 Watt dual-fuel generator balances size and power output, making it our top choice for RV use. You will want something that has enough power to work for a variety of uses without being so bulky that it’s hard to take it anywhere. This generator puts out up to 4550 Watts and can run for up to 14 hours on a full tank. All the outlets are covered to protect from rain and wind, including the outlet specifically designed to power an RV air conditioning system.

This generator is a bit expensive but still a good value. It has a metal frame you can connect to your RV, although it isn’t the easiest to cart. The unit has dimensions of 19.8 x 19.7 x 23.4 inches, so it's best to find a permanent home for it there. Luckily, it can withstand cold temperatures and has a cold weather start feature. Like our heavy-duty pick, this generator also has a built-in CO detector. In terms of decibels, the noise level is roughly equivalent to that of a vacuum cleaner when heard from 23 feet away (68 dBA).

Price at time of publish: $600

_{Run Time: 14 hours | Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.7 gallons | Wattage: 4550 Watts}