One of the most inconvenient things in a home is a power outage. It entails not just being without electricity but also being without heat, light, and, in some cases, running water.
Luckily, this can be easily solved with a quality propane generator. Yet the issue is the market is filled with low-quality and expensive options.
So, what is the best propane generator for home use, then?
Well, that’s what we will tell you in this article. So let’s get right into it.
Best Propane Generators for Home Use
This is the list of the best propane generators for home use I arrived at after extensive research:
- DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Gas or Propane Generator for Home Use
- Westinghouse WGen3600DFv Dual Fuel Gas or Propane Generator for Home Use
- DuroMax XP4850EH Generator-4850 Watt Gas or Propane Generator for Home Use
- Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment WGen9500DF Propane Generator for Home Use
- DuroMax XP5500HX Dual Fuel Portable Propane Generator for Home Use
- WEN DF1100T 11,000-Watt 120V/240V Dual Fuel Propane Generator for Home Use
- A-iPower SUA12000ED 12000 Watt Portable Propane Generator for Home Use
- Duro Max Duro Star DS4850EH Dual Fuel Portable Propane Generator for Home Use
- All Power America APGG12000GL 12000 Watt Propane Generator for Home Use
- Westinghouse iGen4500DF Dual Fuel Portable Propane Generator for Home Use
1. DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Gas or Propane Generator for Home Use
Features
- Wattage: 13,000 starting watts and 10,500 running watts
- Runtime: 8 hours at hours of run time 50% load and 17 hours at 25% load
- Fuel Type: Propane or gasoline
This DuroMax XP13000EH dual fuel portable generator can be a great addition to your home, providing a backup power source in case of an outage.
For once, it has a powerful engine that outputs 13,000 starting watts and 10,500 running watts, allowing you to power all kinds of domestic devices (i.e., an air conditioner).
Moreover, it can run for 8 hours at a 50% load and for 17 hours at a 27% with a fuel tank that’s only 8.3 gallons, which is very hard to find in other propane generators.
It’s EPA and CARB approved, making it environmentally friendly, and it has a variety of convenient outlets, which are depicted in the “Pros” section below.
Pros
- Dual fuel capability – choose between propane or gasoline
- Powerful engine – outputs 13,000 starting watts and 10,500 running watts to handle heavy loads
- Long runtime – 8 hours at 50% and 17 hours at 25% on a single 8.3-gallon tank
- EPA and CARB approved – for environmental friendliness
- Multiple outlets – 1 120/240V 50A heavy duty outlet, 1 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet, 1 120V 30A twist lock outlet, and 2 120V 20A household outlets
Cons
- It can be loud when at full load
2. Westinghouse WGen3600DFv Dual Fuel Gas or Propane Generator for Home Use
Features
- Wattage: 4650 peak watts & 3240 rated watts
- Runtime: 16.5 hours on a 20 lb. propane tank
- Fuel Type: Gasoline or propane
When the power goes out, propane generators can keep your home warm, cook your food, and power your most essential appliances. The thing is, they must be powerful and reliable. Otherwise, you’re just wasting your money.
Well, that’s exactly what this Westinghouse WGen3600DFv dual fuel portable generator brings to the table with its strong motor that outputs 4650 peak watts & 3240 rated watts, which can power all your domestic devices.
Moreover, its 4 gallon fuel tank is enough to keep this generator running for up to 16.5 hours on a 20-pound propane tank.
Even though it’s heavy, it has multiple outlets, which are perfect for plugging all your electronics for home use.
Pros
- Dual fuel – can run on gasoline or propane
- Strong motor – outputs 4650 peak watts & 3240 rated watts when running on propane
- 4 gal. gas tank – built-in fuel gauge allows the generator to run for up to 16.5 hours on a 20 lb. propane tank
- Multiple outlets – one 5-20R 120V household duplex receptacle, one RV-ready TT-30R 30 amp receptacle, and one L5-30R 30 amp receptacle; all outlets have rubber covers for added safety
- EPA and CARB compliant
Cons
- Bit heavy
3. DuroMax XP4850EH Generator-4850 Watt Gas or Propane Generator for Home Use
Features
- Wattage: 4,850 starting watts and 3,850 running watts
- Runtime: 18 hours at 25% load and 9 hours on 50% load
- Fuel Type: Gas or propane
DuroMax has been making reliable generators for years, and this XP4850EH dual fuel portable generator is no exception.
In fact, it comes with an efficient motor capable of providing 4,850 starting watts and 3,850 running watts, which is surprising for a generator at this price point.
Additionally, it has a 3.9-gallon tank that allows the generator to provide continuous power for 18 hours at 25% load and 9 hours at 50% load, which is good for a propane-powered generator.
Lastly, it has two very convenient features: its wide variety of outlets and 120V/240V compatibility, which is very sought after for a propane generator destined to power a whole house.
Pros
- Power – outputs 4,850 starting watts and 3,850 running watts
- Dual voltage – choose between 120V and 240V power compatibility
- Convenient outlets – wide selection of outlets to choose from
- Long runtime – 3.9-gallon tank runs for 18 hours at 25% load and 9 hours on 50% load (both on propane)
Cons
- Poor manual
4. Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Propane Generator for Home Use
Features
- Wattage: 8500 Running Watts, and 11200 Peak Watts
- Runtime: Run time of up to 12 hours
- Fuel Type: Propane or gas
Thanks to its strong 4-stroke OHV engine, this Westinghouse WGen9500DF generator outputs 8500 running watts and 11200 peak watts, which is sufficient to run all your domestic devices.
Moreover, it can run for up to 12 hours on a single 6.6-gallon propane tank, which I believe is enough to juice all your home-use electronics for a whole day during a power outage.
Although some people like to complain about its fuel tank not being big enough, I believe that features such as its remote start and automatic shutdown when it senses its running low on oil compensate for this.
Lastly, it’s CARB compliant, which is a massive advantage if you’re looking for an environmentally friendly generator.
Pros
- On propane, the Westinghouse 4-Stroke OHV engine produces 8500 running watts and 11200 peak watts
- Remote start with key fob Included
- Run time of up to 12 hours on a 6.6-gallon fuel tank
- Automatic shutdown at low oil levels
- VFT display updates voltage output, frequency, and lifetime hours in real time.
- Compliant with CARB regulations
Cons
- Fuel tank could be bigger
5. DuroMax XP5500HX Dual Fuel Portable Propane Generator for Home Use
Features
- Wattage: 5225 peak watts and 4275 running watts
- Runtime: 9 hours of run time at 50% load
- Fuel Type: Gasoline or propane
Most propane generators are expensive, loud, and not that powerful.
Not this DuroMax XP5500HX dual fuel portable generator, as it comes with excellent attributes that will make your life much easier during a power outage, such as its high wattage level (5225 peak watts and 4275 running watts) and a digital multimeter that allows you to monitor voltage, frequency, and runtime.
Its “CO Alert Technology” allows you to monitor CO levels and avoid carbon oxide poisoning, which is very frequent when it comes to running generators for home use.
Lastly, even though its instructions manual is not the best, it does have two 120V GFCI household outlets and one 120/240V 30AMP twist-lock outlet, which is very convenient for plugging various domestic devices.
Pros
- 5225 peak watts and 4275 running watts are provided by the DuroMax 210 OHV-V engine
- A digital multimeter displays voltage, frequency, and the number of hours it has been in use
- This generator can be run on gasoline or propane
- It has “CO Alert Technology” that will shut the generator off if it detects too much carbon monoxide
- Outlets: two 120V GFCI household outlets, one 120/240V 30AMP twist-lock outlet
Cons
- It is not as easy as the instructions show
6. WEN DF1100T 11,000-Watt 120V/240V Dual Fuel Propane Generator for Home Use
Features
- Wattage: 9,500 surge watts and 7,500 running watts
- Runtime: Up to 8 hours of run time at half load
- Fuel Type: Propane or gasoline (dual fuel technology)
Although it’s not the most powerful among other propane generators reviewed in this article, this WEN DF1100T generator has some really nice features that set it apart.
For instance, its 457cc OHV engine produces 9,500 surge watts and 7,500 running watts which is enough wattage to power devices that are regularly used in a household.
Moreover, it has a 6.6-gallon propane tank that allows the generator to run for 8 hours at a half load, which is very good for a generator of this size.
Last but not least, its variety of outlets (depicted down below) and the fact that it can run on both 120V and 240V make this WEN generator one of the best equipped in this article.
Pros
- On propane, the 457cc OHV engine produces 9,500 surge watts and 7,500 running watts
- For optimal convenience, it may run on either propane or gas
- To change from 120V to 240V, it’s just a matter of turning the switch
- Fuel tank capacity of 6.6 gal. is enough for up to 8 hours of half-load operation
- Outlets: four 120V GFCI outlets (5-20R), a 120V 30A twist lock outlet (L5-30R), a 120V/240V 50A outlet (NEMA 14-50R), a 12V DC cigarette-lighter-style plug
Cons
- No watt or amp meter built in
7. A-iPower SUA12000ED 12000 Watt Portable Propane Generator for Home Use
Features
- Wattage: 10,800 watts of starting power and 8,100 running watts
- Runtime: 7 hours at full load and 9 hours at half load
- Fuel Type: Propane or gas
A-iPower propane generators are known for being reliable and heavy duty, and this SUA12000ED dual fuel portable generator is no exception.
I mean, it comes with 459 cc OHV 4 stroke engine that is capable of outputting 10,800 watts of starting power and 8,100 running watts, which is more than enough to power all your electronics at home.
Moreover, it has a 7 gallon propane tank that allows for up to 9 hours of runtime at a half load.
Even though this propane generator is not the easiest to move around, it does come with some valuable attributes to compensate this such as its electric start and low oil automatic shutdown, which are both two very convenient features.
Pros
- Dual fuel can run on gasoline and propane
- With propane, its 459 cc OHV 4 stroke engine provides 10,800 watts of starting power and 8,100 running watts
- Low oil warning light and low oil automated shutdown
- Fuel tank capacity of 7 gallons allows for a runtime of 7 hours at full load and 9 hours at half load
- Fast, simple, and convenient starting with an electric starter
- Outlets: 4 x GFCI 120V 20A NEMA5-20R, 1 x 120V 30A NEMAL 5-30R, 1 x 120/240V 30A NEMA L-14-30R, 1 x 12V83A Multifunction Port USB Read
Cons
- It’s heavy
8. Duro Max Duro Star DS4850EH Dual Fuel Portable Propane Generator for Home Use
Features
- Wattage: 4,850 starting watts and 3,850 running watts
- Runtime: 9 hours is the maximum run time when using propane
- Fuel Type: Either gasoline or propane
This propane-powered Duro Star DS4850EH dual fuel portable generator does an exceptional job in keeping your most used home devices running when the power is gone.
With its 210cc OHV engine, this generator outputs 4,850 starting watts and 3,850 running watts, which is sufficient to keep running your most essential home devices during a power outage.
And, it does this by making only 69 decibels of noise, which is almost silent from 10 feet away. How crazy is that?!
Although I have to agree it’s heavy, features such as its 9 hours of runtime or its variety of power outlets make this propane generator one of the best available.
Pros
- The starting and running wattages provided by the DuroStar 210cc OHV engine are 4,850 and 3,850, respectively
- It can run on either gasoline or propane
- Rated at 69 decibels, which is a low noise level for a generator of this power
- 9 hours is the maximum run time when using propane
- Outlets: 2 120V household GFCI outlets and 1 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet. The panel also includes a voltmeter and 12V DC charging posts for charging external batteries
Cons
- It’s a bit heavy
9. All Power America APGG12000GL 12000 Watt Propane Generator for Home Use
Features
- Wattage: 9500 watt peak power and 7250 watt rated power
- Runtime: Runs for 10 hours at half load
- Fuel Type: Propane
If you’re looking for a reliable generator that provides a strong level of wattage then you might be looking at your best option.
This All Power America APGG12000GL propane generator comes with an 18HP 459cc OHV air cooled engine that can run for 10 hours straight at a half load.
It has a wattage level of 9500 peak watts and 7250 running watts, which is enough to power your everyday domestic devices.
Lastly, it has a wide variety of power outlets that make it very convenient such as 2x 120V AC 20A outlets, 1x 120V twist-lock AC 30A outlet, 1x 120/240V twist-lock AC 30A outlet, and 1x AC 120V/240V AC 50A outlet.
Pros
- The 18HP 459cc OHV air cooled engine produces 9500 peak watts and 7250 running watts
- It can run for 10 hours at half load taking advantage of its 8 gallon fuel tank
- EPA-approved
- Outlet: 2x 120V AC 20A outlets, 1x 120V twist-lock AC 30A outlet, 1x 120/240V twist-lock AC 30A outlet, 1x AC 120V/240V AC 50A Outlet
Cons
- Not the best electric start
10. Westinghouse iGen4500DF Dual Fuel Portable Propane Generator for Home Use
Features
- Wattage: 4500 peak watts and 3700 runnings watts
- Runtime: Max runtime of 18 Hours
- Fuel Type: Propane or gas (dual fuel technology)
Of course, there are powerful propane generators on the market, yet none of them operate at such low noise levels as this Westinghouse iGen4500DF generator does.
I mean, thanks to its efficient motor it outputs a respectable level of wattage (4500 peak watts and 3700 runnings watts) which is sufficient to power very demanding home devices (i.e. air conditioner).
The thing is that it does this only at 52 decibels which is surprising for a propane generator of this wattage level.
Moreover, it has a rotating digital display that makes it very easy to monitor fuel level, power output, runtime, and voltage.
Last but not least, it runs for up to 18 hours, which is a key feature for a propane generator that will be used to power your most essential home devices when the power is gone.
Pros
- 4500 peak watts and 3700 runnings watts
- Propane or Gas powered
- An adjustable handle for simple transportation
- Electric and recoil start
- Fuel level, power output, remaining run time, voltage output, and lifetime hours are shown on a rotating digital display
- It barely produces a noise level of 52 dBA
- Maximum runtime of 18 Hours
- Outlets: 5–20R 120V Duplex Household Outlet, an RV-Ready Tt-30R 30 Amp Outlet and Two USB Outles
Cons
- Based on my experience, I have no cons to speak of!
What Is The Best Propane Generator for Home Use Overall?
Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Propane Generator
When the power goes out, a heavy duty propane generator can keep your home running.
In that context, I believe this Westinghouse WGen9500DF is the best value for money choice over most of the other propane generators due to features such as:
- Powerful 459cc OHV 4 stroke engine – which outputs a wattage level of 10,800 starting watts and 8,100 running watts
- Dual fuel technology – which allows you to either run it on gasoline or propane
- 7-gallon fuel tank – which provides for a runtime of 7 hours at full load and 9 hours at half load.
Click the button down below to read the complete review!
What Is The Most Efficient Propane Generator for Home Use?
A-iPower SUA12000ED 12000 Watt Portable Propane Generator for Home Use Outdoor Power Equipment WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Propane Generator
This A-iPower SUA12000ED portable generator has a number of advantages over other types of generators, making it the most efficient propane generator for home use.
Let’s talk about them:
- Westinghouse 4-Stroke OHV engine that produces 8500 running watts, and 11200 peak watts
- Up to 12 hours of runtime with only 6.6 gallons in its fuel tank
- Automatic shutdown when running on low oil to maximize the generator’s lifespan
Anyways, if you want to read its full review you can do so by clicking the button down below.
Comparison Table
| Name | Wattage | Runtime | Fuel |
| 1. DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Gas or Propane Generator for Home Use Review | 13,000 starting watts and 10,500 running watts | 8 hours at 50% and 17 hours at 25% | Propane or gasoline |
| 2. Westinghouse WGen3600DFv Dual Fuel Gas or Propane Generator for Home Use Review | 4650 peak watts & 3240 rated watts | 16.5 hours on a 20 lb. propane tank | Gasoline or propane |
| 3. DuroMax XP4850EH Generator-4850 Watt Gas or Propane Generator for Home Use Review | 4,850 starting watts and 3,850 running watts | 18 hours at 25% load and 9 hours on 50% load | Gas or propane |
| 4. Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Propane Generator for Home Use Review | 8500 Running Watts, and 11200 Peak Watts | Run time of up to 12 hours | Propane or gas |
| 5. DuroMax XP5500HX Dual Fuel Portable Propane Generator for Home Use Review | 5225 peak watts and 4275 running watts | 9 hours at 50% load | Gasoline or propane |
| 6. WEN DF1100T 11,000-Watt 120V/240V Dual Fuel Propane Generator for Home Use Review | 9,500 surge watts and 7,500 running watts | Up to 8 hours of half-load operation | Propane or gasoline |
| 7. A-iPower SUA12000ED 12000 Watt Portable Propane Generator for Home Use Review | 10,800 watts of starting power and 8,100 running watts | 7 hours at full load and 9 hours at half load | Propane or gas |
| 8. Duro Max Duro Star DS4850EH Dual Fuel Portable Propane Generator for Home Use Review | 4,850 starting watts and 3,850 running watts | 9 hours of runtime | Gasoline or propane |
| 9. All Power America APGG12000GL 12000 Watt Propane Generator for Home Use Review | 9500 watt peak power and 7250 watt rated power | Runs for 10 hours at half load | Propane |
| 10. Westinghouse iGen4500DF Dual Fuel Portable Propane Generator for Home Use Review | 4500 peak watts and 3700 runnings watts | Max runtime of 18 Hours | Propane or gas |
Must Have Features of The Best Propane Generator for Home Use
There are certain features propane generators must have in order to be perfect for powering a home when the power is out.
Let’s discuss them.
Reliable Wattage
This is, by far, the most important feature of a propane generator, and it’s twofold.
Not only your next propane generator must have at least 4500 starting watts and 3500 running watts to power your most used electronics (i..e high amperage power tools) during a power outage, but it also must have some kind of protection against power surges.
Power surges are very common when using propane generators. Thus, you must make an extra effort and get a propane generator with some kind of power overload/surge protection to make sure your expensive gadgets don’t get wrecked.
Efficient Motor = More Runtime
I can only name a few things more annoying than being at home when the power is out. I mean, what do you do?
Well, after reading this article, we all know that getting a reliable propane generator to power your most essential domestic devices is a great option to solve this problem, right?
The thing is, most propane generators out there have fuel-hungry motors that can’t run for more than a few hours.
That’s why I believe you must look for a propane generator that can provide your home with continuous power for at least 8 hours, and there is no way this can be possible if the generator doesn’t have an efficient motor.
Portability
What good does a propane generator do if you can’t move it around your home? Nothing.
This is why you must look for one with at least one of the following features:
- Never-flat tires
- Telescoping handle
as these will allow you to easily move the generator around your house.
Tank Size
Another way to make sure your propane generator will run for a longer time, is getting one with a bigger fuel tank size.
I mean, it’s simple math: the more propane you can put in your generator’s fuel tank, the more it will run.
The only downside of this is bulkiness, as with a bigger fuel tank size, the generator will be substantially hard to move around.
Regarding tank size, my sweet spot is between 6 to 10 gallons, as it will provide a runtime of at least 8 hours at a half load, which is the bare minimum when powering your home electronics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here I will try to answer the most frequent questions related to the best propane generators for home use.
Is a propane generator better than gas?
There are certain advantages that, I believe, make propane generators better than gas powered generators:
- Environmental friendly – A propane generator burns cleaner and creates less emissions. Unlike natural gas, propane doesn’t leak or spill, making it less likely to pollute the environment or water supplies
- No expiration date – Due to the short shelf life of gasoline, it’s possible that the gas in your generator will deteriorate and cause engine damage if it isn’t used regularly. However, propane can be stored indefinitely, which is very convenient for people than only get power outages at home a few times a year
- Quieter – Propane does not emit the same hazardous exhaust fumes as gasoline. Furthermore, because it uses a higher pressure storage mechanism, no complex injection devices are needed. As a result, propane generators are more silent than gasoline generators.
Are propane powered generators any good?
A generator can keep your home running smoothly when the power goes out.
But, is a propane generator good for doing this.
I believe so, I mean, for once, they provide a high wattage level, making them excellent for powering large appliances at home, like an air conditioner (you must take necessary safety precautions, though).
They are also quieter than gasoline generators, so they will not disturb at home.
Furthermore, propane is a clean-burning fuel that is less toxic to the environment than gasoline, making it the perfect choice for environmental-conscious homeowners.
So yeah, I’d say propane generators are a pretty good choice.
How long will a 100 lb propane tank last for generator?
In my experience, a 100 lb propane tank can run a generator for 24 to 36 hours.
It will highly depend on the number of devices you plug into the generator at the same time.
Meaning, it’ll not be the same plugging two or three high amperage power tools simultaneously, as using the generator to charge your phone, get it?
