Top 10 Best Portable Quiet Camping Generators in  2023

A Guide To Purchasing The Best Camping Generator

When you are shopping for the best generator for your RV, camping, or other outdoor activities, the following factors need to be considered:

Power

A good camping generator should power up easily and be able to charge cellphones and laptops, run your microwave oven, refrigerator, and air conditioner, as well as allow you to watch all of your favorite programs while you are away from home. In these situations, a portable generator that has a 3,000-watt power output or higher should be enough. However, if you are not running an A/C unit a 2,000-watt smaller portable generator can be used. Keep in mind that as a generator’s power rating goes up the noise levels and size do as well.

Quiet Operation

As the saying goes, silence is golden. This is especially true at a campsite. The last thing you want is for your power source to disturb you as well as the other campers. A good portable camping generator should hum at a gentle-sounding 45dB to 60dB. As a point of reference, a vacuum cleaner is measured at 70dB and a regular human conversation at 60dB. The noise levels of a generator are a function of the load and size of the engine. Noise-reducing features might be built into the design of the generator casing and exhaust mufflers.

Another thing to keep in mind is noise levels depend as well on the distance between where the generator is located and where you are sleeping or sitting. Noise levels can be reduced by increasing the distance between the generator and you. For example, a generator with a 60 dB rating will produce around an 85 dB noise level when it is just 5 feet away. However, you can reduce the noise level to about 75 dB just moving the generator to 10 feet away. You can typically reduce noise levels by around 6 dB by relocating the generator to double the distance away from you. 

Another thing to remember is a person can sustain a hearing loss when they are subjected to sustained noise levels of over 90 dB. Fortunately, there are a number of different noise dampening tools that are available. They include enclosures and other types of silencer devices that help to reduce a generator’s noise level. 

Portability

It should be possible for you to load a portable generator by yourself into the back a truck, without becoming injured. A great portable generator that has a lightweight and compact design will also probably run quietly and be fuel-efficient. These features are all ideal for camping. Although most bigger portable generators are equipped with handles and wheel kits to enhance maneuverability, a great portable generator that weighs 50 to 70 pounds can be moved into and out of your truck easily.

Availability of Fuel

Another important thing that needs to be considered is fuel available on the way and at your campsite. Because gasoline is readily available, a majority of people prefer to use a generator that runs on gas. However, it isn’t that efficient. For example, about 18 gallons of gas will be needed to operate a 5,000-watt generator for 24 hours. By contrast, generators that run on diesel are a lot more efficient. However, it is hard to purchase one portable enough for camping use. A 20 Kw diesel generator typically used around 1.6 gallons of fuel on a full load per hour.

Another good option for camping is a propane generator since they provide clean power and are portable. In terms of fuel consumption, a 2 kW unit can be run for about 6 hours with 1.18 gallons of propane at a 50% load.

Another important thing that needs to be considered is the generator’s fuel consumption on a 100% load. It is important to be aware that not all manufacturers report fuel consumption on a full load. Fuel consumption levels tend to be listed at a load of only 50% or 25%. However, the consumption of fuel does not increase on a linear basis. Therefore, you cannot assume that a generator that has a fuel consumption rating of 1 gallon an hour at a 50% load is going to burn just two gallons an hour at a 100% load. It might burn 3 to 4 gallons of fuel at a 100% load.

Do You Need a Solar, Inverter or a Conventional Generator?

Inverter generators use advanced electronics effectively to offer all of the major characteristics that we are searching for – portability, quiet operation, and relatively sufficient power in a way that conventional generators cannot match. They are more environmentally friendly and more fuel-efficient as well. All of this makes them a really attractive option for camping. Also, for the power addicts out there, they can purchase 2 “parallel-ready” model type units and connect them together to double their power. However, for most users, one unit is normally enough. You can also choose to have appliances run at a specific time so that the rated output is not exceeded.  

Other Available Options

Another very good power generation option for camping is to buy a solar power generator. They allow you to charge the inside battery with help from a household power outlet or solar panels. The only drawback to a solar power generator is that its power is limited. At best, a solar power generator may be used for an add-on. They are environmentally friendly and also very portable and quiet. They may be used indoors as well, which is another useful advantage.