Camping is the best way to get in tune with the great outdoors. But camping often places you in distant destinations without standard comforts like electricity. And that can make a simple camping trip more challenging, especially if you need power for items like cell phones, medical equipment, or just lanterns and lights. That’s where a camping generator comes in handy.
A camping generator can help you power different devices and items, giving you increased flexibility and allowing you to live a little easier. You can use a camping generator to power a trailer or RV, charge phones, laptops, and tablets, and use it as a source of backup power in any scenario.
Lightweight, portable, and easy to use on the go, a camping generator is a great tool to have on any outdoor excursion whether you’re in a tent or trailer. Check out some of the best options for camping generators below.
Best Overall
WEN 2000-Watt Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator
Best Value
Jackery Portable Power Station
Honorable Mention
DuroStar 4000 Watt Portable Recoil Start Gas Fuel Generator
Benefits of Camping Generators
- Enhances your camping experience. A camping generator can open up a host of options when camping that you might not otherwise have, like music for an ambient experience, a portable heater, or air conditioning unit for your RV on hot days.
- Provides emergency power. Most camping generators will also work well as emergency power generators for your home in case of unplanned power failures or storms, hurricanes, blizzards, etc. They can give you the peace of mind of being able to power or charge mobile phones and laptops so you can stay in touch and up to date.
- Portable Power. These generators are compact and lightweight enough to go almost anywhere, and can be used not just for camping but also for tailgating, outdoor barbecues, picnics, powering tools in a shed or workshop, and more.
Types of Camping Generators
Gas & Diesel Powered
Gas or diesel powered generators are the most common type and can range from providing enough power to run just basic electronics, lanterns, and fans, to being able to provide enough power to run a whole house full of appliances, making them a perfect option for RV enthusiasts who want some luxuries of home. They are the most versatile generators available, with many options available for capacity and size.
Electricity Powered
Electric generators are another option that can power small appliances and electronics. They’re typically less powerful than gas powered generators, but they’re also typically quieter and use a much cleaner power source than gasoline or diesel, making them a more environmentally friendly option. Because they don’t run on gasoline, they’re also usually more lightweight than other generators.
Solar Powered
These generators are really just beginning to make an impact on the market. They offer the least amount of power to run appliances and electronics, but their big selling point is that you don’t need to rely on electricity or fuel to power them. This makes them an excellent option in a true emergency when fuel is scarce and electrical lines are down. It’s also the perfect option for the truly environmentally conscious.
Top Brands
Generac
Founded in Wisconsin in 1959, Generac is a well-known name in the power industry, serving industrial, commercial, and residential markets with a wide variety of reliable and powerful products, including their home backup power systems, like the Guardian 16kW home backup generator that can power a large portion of your home during power outages.
Wen
Headquartered in Elgin, Ill., Wen has been designing and distributing high-quality and reliable power tools since 1951. Aside from their popular line of portable RV generators, they’ve also played a vital role in developing common household power tools, like the Wen lithium-ion 16-inch brushless chainsaw. They were also instrumental in pioneering random orbital technology.
DuroMax
DuroMax is an industry powerhouse that is known for providing reliable and durable power sources to the commercial, residential, and recreational markets. Their commitment to providing high-quality products backed by outstanding customer service is what makes them great. Their line of generators, like the DuroMax XP8500E-Watt 16-HP Gas Generator, is known to provide exceptional power.
Camping Generator Pricing
- Under $200: Generators in this price range are typically portable, and able to power small appliances such as laptops, lanterns, and coffee makers using 1000 watts of power or less.
- $200-$500: Generators in this range are more powerful and able to run larger appliances, such as cooktops and blenders. This is the most popular range of camping generators, offering lots of versatility and plenty of power.
- $500 and up: Now we’re starting to get into some serious power. This is more common for RV’s and larger power needs. Often also used as backup emergency home power.
Key Features
Portability
This is often the most important feature in a camping generator. If you’re a die-hard tent camper and need something compact and lightweight enough to take to multiple campsites, you want to be sure to pay attention to this. If you plan to use it for a more stationary site, like an RV, portability is less of a consideration.
Power Source
Do you want a generator that’s powered by gasoline or diesel fuel, which is the most common and largest range of power delivery options in generators? Or are you looking for something less expensive and environmentally friendly, such as electrically-powered or solar-powered models that may provide less power and be more portable than the gas-powered models.
Power Capability
The power output of your generator is often the most important key feature when selecting a camping generator. What do you want to run or charge with it? Are you planning to use it for small appliances and electronics, or do you need it to power cooking appliances, televisions, air conditioners, etc? This will often dictate the size and cost of your choice.
Other Considerations
- Power output modes: The amount of options for powering devices is key. Do you want multiple AC outlets to power 120-volt appliances? How about USB ports? The ability to charge more than one mobile device at a time might be important to you. Or do you need a 30-amp plug to provide conversion from marina or campsite power pedestals?
- Noise output: How loud will your camping generator be during operation? Will it disturb others if you run it early in the morning to make coffee or breakfast? Is it quiet enough that you can stand close to it and carry on a conversation unimpeded? Typically, the larger the generator, the louder it is to run it.
- Safety features: All generators come with proper grounding to avoid accidental electrocution, but how is the venting system? Is there surge protection, overheat, over-voltage, under-voltage, and short-circuit protection? Make sure that your generator choice meets or exceeds federally-regulated safety-standards in order to minimize your risk of injury or damage to personal property.
The Best Camping Generators Reviews & Recommendations 2021
Best Overall
WEN 2000-Watt Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator
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Best Value
Jackery Portable Power Station
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Best Heavy Duty
DuroStar 4000 Watt Portable Recoil Start Gas Fuel Generator
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Best Quiet
Generac 2200 Watt Portable Inverter Generator
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Best Solar
Rockpals 250-Watt Portable Generator
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Honorable Mention
FF FlashFish 200W Portable Power Station
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Honorable Mention
A-iPower SUA2000iV 2000 Watt Portable Inverter Generator
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Honorable Mention
Champion Power Equipment 42436 1500/1200-Watt Portable Generator
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Tips
- Be sure to measure the space you plan to house your generator during use to ensure you have not only enough room for the generator itself, but for ventilation.
- Check the power requirements of the appliances that you plan to power with the generator to be sure that you don’t fall short and can’t run what you want.
- Buy a protective waterproof cover for your generator to help prolong its lifespan and ensure reliable use.
- Fill out the included warranty information and register your generator to protect you from the occasional faulty product or unforeseen failure.
FAQs
What is the best generator to buy for camping?
A: The best generator to buy for camping is one that is both portable and powerful enough to suit your needs. It should be backed by a solid warranty and be a well-reviewed and trusted make and model.
What is the most reliable portable generator?
A: The most reliable portable generators tend to be the ones that meet or exceed federal safety standards, have rugged and waterproof construction, and have been around for years, providing a solid track record for delivering high-quality products and customer service.
What is the quietest generator for camping?
A: The quietest gasoline or diesel-powered camping generators put out a noise level of 60dB or less, allowing you to easily carry on a conversation while it’s operating. That being said, even quieter than that is a solar-powered generator that makes virtually no noise at all.
What size generator do I need for camping?
A: The size of the generator you need depends on what you want to power. If you’re looking to power laptops or small appliances, a power output of fewer than 1000 watts should be sufficient. If you’re running something larger, like an AC unit, you’ll need in the 3000-4000 watt range.
Final Thoughts
Camping generators can really improve your overall camping experience, whether it’s just having the ability to play music or watch movies, or you want to be able to have a more luxurious experience and power appliances or an A/C unit. Whatever your power needs, a portable camping generator can meet them easily.