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Picking a 4000 watt generator to suit your needs can be a daunting task with so many on the market. There are different factors you should before you buy one such as the price, safety features, run time, noise level and fuel choice.
We have taken all these criteria into consideration and compiled a list of the 10 best 4000 watt generators in the US.
Most of these generators are inverter types and are a good match for an RV. Some units reviewed are also good for home backup.
Make sure to read the review of each 4000-watt generator to get a better idea of which model is the best fit for you.
✅ Best 4000 Watt Generator ✅
4500 starting watts / 3700 running watts
Long Run Time – up to 18 hours
Inverter Technology
Very Quiet
4000 starting / 3500 running watts
Inverter – Quiet and Suitable for Sensitive Electronics
RV Ready
Champion 4000 Watt RV Ready Open Frame Inverter
4000 starting / 3500 running watts
RV Ready
Low Noise level
Affordable Price Tag
Up to 18 hours run time
Suitable for portable electronics
CARB Compliant – Good for California
Quiet
Our Selection of the Best 4000 Watt Generator
Westinghouse iGen4500
The Westinghouse iGen4500 makes our list for several reasons.
One of them is how quiet yet powerful it is. If you are looking for a generator that can power an RV but produce little sound, then this is the one to take a closer look at.
The iGen 4500 is a gas-powered portable inverter generator.
It runs at 3,700 watts but can reach up to 4,500 starting watts.
If you need a generator to run your RV air conditioner – the iGen4500 is the optimal choice.
It has enough power to run the entire large travel trailer.
The gas tank holds up to 3.4 gallons and has a run time of up to 18 hours depending on the load.
The generator has a full LCD data display that you can use at the start of the electric push-button or the remote control.
It will tell you the current power output, run time, voltage, and fuel levels.
This portable generator has a telescoping handle with an additional top handle for easy portability.
When it comes to noise level, the iGen4500 operates at a volume level as low as 53 dBA.
That makes it perfect if you are using it for outdoor activities or RV parks.
Total harmonic distortion (THD) is used to measure the “purity” of the sinusoidal electric wave produced by a portable generator. The conventional portable generator usually produces THD of higher than 5%. This can potentially damage sensitive electronics like laptops or phones.
However, The Westinghouse iGen 4500 is an inverter generator that produces clean power at less than 3% THD. You can use this inverter generator safely for electronics like cell phones, TVs, and computers.
The TT-30R 30 Amp RV outlet makes the portable generator easy to directly connect to a typical RV without having to buy any additional adapters.
In addition to the RV outlet, this excellent inverter generator includes 2 USB outlets and a 5-20R 120VR Duplex outlet. Westinghouse offers a 3-year warranty along with technical support for life.
The only real disadvantage of this inverter is that it can be quite on the heavy side, which is to be expected given the power it does emit.
Pulsar 4000W Remote Start Generator
The Pulsar 4000W Remote Start Generator is a very good inverter generator boasting a lot of advantages.
It is good for people who need the power for RVs, tailgating, or even just as a backup for power outages.
This inverter has a single-cylinder, 4-stroke, OHV engine that produces 3,500 watts up to 4000 watts.
It produces around 63 dBA of sound at lower loads, making it fairly quiet when measured from several feet away.
If you are looking for a quiet 4000-watt generator for RV camping, this one is one of your best options.
It has enough power to run the most demanding electric equipment including a 13,500 BTU air conditioner.
The portable generator has a remote-control start, recoil, and electric start so you don’t even have to get up from your seat to turn it on.
The Pulsar has a 3.4-gallon tank and will run up to 12 hours. However, with the economy switch on you would get up to 15 hours.
It comes with a telescoping handle for portability which is ideal when camping or tailgating.
This inverter has 5 outlets with different voltage – two AC 120V outlets, one 30A RV outlet, one 12V DC 8A outlet, and a 5V DC USB charging point. You can safely use it to power your sensitive electronics like cell phones and computers.
The only disadvantage this inverter suffers from is the lack of an LCD letting you know the current status of the generator. You also need to remember that the sound levels can be a little loud at higher wattages, which is a perfectly normal thing for portable generators.
Champion 4000-Watt RV Ready Open Frame Inverter
The Champion 4000 watts is in our opinion the 3rd best 4000 watt generator.
It is a great and powerful generator for those wanting to power up their RV or need an inexpensive 4000 watt inverter generator to run their household appliances and sensitive electronic equipment.
The generator has a surge wattage of 4000 and running wattage of 3500.
The gas tank can hold up to 2.9 gallons and will run up to 17 hours when the economy switch is activated.
It has a sensor for low oil that will turn off the portable generator when the oil levels drop to prevent the damage to the engine.
This inverter produces a sound up to 64 dBA from 23 feet away which is slightly louder than a group of people chatting.
When the economy mode is activated, the sound will be lower because the electrical load is reduced and idles the engine.
It has a Quick Touch Panel to give you the ease of access to the controls.
The Champion has 4 outlets with 120V 30A RV, two 120V 20A household outlets with less than 3% THD for sensitive electronics, and a 12V DC outlet with a dual USB adapter.
You can increase your power by connecting it to another inverter via a parallel kit. This solution would give you a whopping 8000 starting watts at your disposal.
Champion includes a 3-year warranty and lifetime technical support.
The only minor issue with this inverter is that even though it is reasonably quiet for its size, it can be teetering on the noise ordinances that some campgrounds may have (usually 65 dB is the max threshold). The noise level won’t be a big problem at all for home backup or outdoor events though.
Overall it is one of the best 4000-watt generators money can buy. Just like with other inverter generators manufactured by Champion Power Equipment – you can’t go wrong with this unit.
Westinghouse iGen4200
The Westinghouse iGen4200 is the perfect inverter for those that need or want a versatile use.
We recommend it to those who need a generator for recreational outdoor use, RVs, and even as a home backup.
This inverter peaks at 4,200 watts and runs at 3,500 watts.
It has a very convenient push-button electric start.
The LCD shows your current status on run time, power output, fuel level, voltage, and low oil indicator. This inverter can run up to 18 hours on 2.6 gallons of gas with the eco mode on.
The sound levels at lower loads stay underneath 69 dBA.
The portable generator comes with a telescopic handle and wheels for easy transport.
It comes with a 5-20R 120V duplex household outlet, an RV ready TT-30R outlet, and two USB outlets.
The iGen4200 is EPA and CARB compliant which is ideal for those living in California.
It also comes with a 3-year warranty and lifetime technical support with various accessories such as a tool kit, oil funnel, and oil.
WEN GN400i
The WEN GN400i makes our list for being lightweight yet powerful. Many small generators are great for when you need to run your sensitive electronics with the combination of being quiet and lightweight.
Compared to the typical open frame generators, this generator weighs about 30% less than the standard units at 70.5lbs.
It peaks at 4000 watts and runs at 3500 watts. You can double your total power output if you connect it to another generator via a Parallel Connection Kit. The 1.85 -gallon tank allows for the inverter to run a total of 7 hours of run time.
The indicator lights let you know when you need more fuel or where there’s an issue with charging. The noise level for the Wen GN400i stays around 57 dBA which is much quieter and ideal for camping since many campgrounds have strict noise regulations.
This inverter produces less than 3% THD. You can safely use it to run your sensitive electronics.
The control panel comes with two 120V NEMA 5-20R outlets, two 5V USB ports, and one 120V transfer switch ready NEMA L5-30R twist-lock outlet. The WEN GN400i offers a 2-year manufacturer warranty and technical support.
One of the downsides to this inverter is the short run time compared to other models with similar wattage. This is understandable given its smaller size. Another thing we miss is the lack of remote start, but this is just more of an issue of convenience than anything serious.
Price is a big selling point of this unit. In our opinion, it is the best 4000-watt generator in its low price range.
DuroStar DS4000S
The DuroStar DS4000S packs a lot of punch that will let you use it for various functions. If you are looking for a generator to be your home’s backup in the case of a power outage or for your construction worksite, then this is one you might want to take a closer look at.
This generator has a 3.96-gallon tank with a gauge on it, so you’ll never run empty. When running at 50% capacity you can get 8 hours of continuous use.
It has an indicator light when oil is running low and will shut off automatically to protect your engine from damage.
The DuroStar DS4000S has got 4000 starting watts and 3300 running watts.
It weighs in at 94lbs, making it a bit heavier compared to other generations.
When it comes to the noise level, it has sound levels of 69 dBA from 23 feet, this can be a problem for those who need a quiet generator for RV since this is already quite loud compared to inverter generators.
The DuroStar comes with two 120V household outlets and one 120V 30A with a twist-lock outlet for RVs.
One strong selling point of this portable generator is its low price.
If you’re looking for an affordable 4000 watt generator for construction or home backup – you should consider Durostar DS4000S.
If you’re more interested in a quiet generator for camping, you should rather look at inverter generators like Westinghouse iGen4500.
Duromax XP4400E
The Duromax XP4400E has a powerful engine that makes it great for emergencies like a power outage but it’s also useful for outdoor activities like camping.
This generator is gas-powered and has a tank that holds up to 3.96 gallons of fuel. Fuel efficiency is a big selling point for this generator. You can expect the total run time of around 12 hours at 50% capacity.
The Duromax XP4400E is both EPA and CARB compliant meaning you can use this generator in the state of California and national parks.
It weighs in at 120lbs but does come with wheels and a handle for easy portability. This generator peaks at 4,400 watts and runs at 3,500 watts.
It starts by using a turnkey for an electric start which is a little different than many models that use recoil starters.
This generator isn’t the quietest compared to others we have reviewed with its sound levels at 69 dBs. This is more like the sound of a car on a highway or a vacuum cleaner. This can present some issues depending on where you intend to use it.
It comes with 3 outlets, one 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet for RVs and two 120V 20A household outlets. It also includes a sparkplug wrench, toolset, DC cables, and an oil funnel.
Some of the downfalls to this generator is not being able to charge sensitive electronics (you need an inverter type for these) and the large weight resulting from the size of its engine.
Briggs & Stratton 30676
The Briggs & Stratton 30676 is ideal for those who love traveling in their RVs because of its portability and power.
It’s also good for those who want to keep a backup generator in the event of a power outage.
It’s powerful enough to run an air conditioner and other major appliances.
The Briggs & Stratton is powered by an OHV 4-strong engine. It peaks at 4,375 watts and runs at 3,500 watts.
It has a power surge alternator that produces up to 25% more wattage to start large appliances and tools simultaneously.
It starts by using a recoil start which is comparable to many models of a similar nature. This generator has a 5-gallon tank and can run up to 14 hours at 50% capacity.
While the Briggs & Stratton weighs in at 114lbs and can be difficult to carry around, it does come with 7in wheels for easy transporting. It comes with 3 outlets altogether, two 120V household outlets and one 120V-20/30A RV outlet.
This generator isn’t EPA or CARB-compliant, but it does have a spark arrestor that helps prevent forest fires.
It does come with a 2-year limited warranty.
This generator overall is worth it if you are an avid traveler in your RV.
Some limitations it has is the lack of a low oil indicator, so you’ll have to take extra caution to avoid damage to the engine and you will not be able to power any sensitive electronics like cell phones or computers.
Firman P03601
The Firman P03601 is a portable generator that is ideal for job sites and RV camping.
It will help power your electrical tools and if you need to use it in the event of an emergency for a power blackout, it will power some appliances like a refrigerator.
This generator peaks at 4,550 watts and runs at 3.650 watts. It comes with a Firman Volt Lock which is an automatic voltage regulator that makes sure the power output is always consistent.
The gas tank holds 5 gallons of gas and has a run time of up to 14 hours with a 50% capacity.
It weighs 110lbs and doesn’t come with wheels. The dedicated kit is available for purchase separately.
It comes with a 4-In-1 Data Minder which measures your current volts, hertz, hours, and a low oil indicator so you can always check your levels.
It also has an electric start button for convenience.
The sound levels are muffled by the Whisper Series muffler that runs at a 68 dBA which is quieter than a vacuum, but it may be worth it to check any campgrounds you visit to see if this meets their noise ordinance.
The generator has got 4 outlets altogether – two 5-20R 20A-120V, one TT-30R 30A-120V RV ready, and one L5-30R 30A-120V twist lock. It also comes with oil, a funnel, and a spark plug wrench.
The drawbacks of this generator are that you will have to carry it around unless you purchase a wheel kit and it can be a little noisy compared to others.
Sportsman GEN4000DF
The Sportsman GEN4000DF is perfect for those that want a generator that will be there for them in the event of an emergency blackout and those that want the flexibility to use multiple methods to power the generator.
It can even be used for some outdoor activities too. This generator can be run on either gas (tank is 3.6 gallons) and propane.
It has a run time of up to 10 hours with 50% capacity. It has a 212cc OHV engine that is EPA approved and has a peak of 4000 watts with a rated power output of 3500 watts.
It weighs 90lbs which is much lighter than the others on the market.
The startup is done by recoil start which is common among most generators. The sound levels are less than 69 dBA so it’s about average for sound with other models.
It comes with 6 outlets altogether. These are four 120V outlets, one 120V RV outlet, and one 12V DC outlet. This generator does have some safety features as well as a low oil indicator that will automatically shut off to protect the engine and a circuit breaker that will protect appliances in the event of an overload.
The Sportsman even comes with a regulator hose kit for the propane hookup. The only real major drawback to this generator is the lack of wheels. Since the generator is quite heavy, you should purchase a wheel kit too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can a 4000 watt generator power?
A 4000 watt generator can power all major appliances in an RV. Some of these include a 13,500 BTU air conditioner, refrigerator, TV and lighting circuits.
You can also use a 4000-watt generator as a home backup power supply during emergencies like hurricanes.
What will a 4000 watt generator run in a house?
In the event of a storm or other disaster causing a major power blackout – a 4000 watt generator will help you run the most important items in your home.
A 4000 watt generator provides enough power to run a home refrigerator, freezer and a few other selected items in your household.
While you can’t expect such a generator to power your entire house, it’s big enough to power the essentials.
4000 watt generator – how many amps is that?
4000 watts equals roughly 33.3 amps at 120 volts. Some 4000 watt generators also offer 240V outputs in which case you would get around 16.6 amps.
