Camping trips can be a real pain if you don’t have proper back-up power. If you’ve ever been camping, and ran out of power in the middle of the night, you’d understand just how essential a proper camping generator is.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
The 5 Best Small Generators for Camping
So, what are the best camping generators for your trip? We’ll take a look at some of the best small generators for camping.
1. WEN 56200i Super Quiet
Wen has been producing quality generators for a long time now. The 56200i is one of the safest camping generators you can find in the market.
It is resistance to voltage drops and fluctuations and delivers 2000 watts of power, all the while making the least amount of noise as it can. Essentially, it can run all sorts of important gadgets you’re carrying on your trip.
At 51 decibels of sound, it is one of the quietest generators out there. This feature is particularly helpful since you don’t want to be disturbed or disturb anyone around you while camping.
The 56200 is a good option for those on a budget, and is also easy to use. It can run multiple appliances at one time – so you don’t have to worry about unplugging your phone while the lights are on.
The only slight drawback of the generator is that it requires frequent oil change. You need to replace the oil every 25 hours. Durability is also a problem for some users.
2. Honda EU2200i
No campsite is too big or too small for this generator. It can put out 2200 watts of power as soon as it starts, and can power up a wide range of appliances. You can use this generator for work, or for home, or in this case, your campsite.
The Eco-throttle system makes it very fuel efficient, so it has a great runtime. It can run for up to 9.6 hours on a single tank of fuel.
It’s a very low maintenance option, so you can focus on your trip and have fun without letting your mind worry about running out of power.
It also operates on a 48-57 decibel range, making it one of the quietest camping generators out there. Stable, lightweight and portable, it is a great option for your camping trip.
The only con with this generator is that it does not have a gas switch, and that it needs an adapter to work with the RV shoreline cable.
3. Yamaha EF2400iSHC
The Yamaha EF2400iSHC is very similar to the Wen 56200i. It starts with 2000 watts and runs at 1600, all while being as quiet as 51 decibels while functioning on only 25% capacity.
It is, however, lighter than the Wen, weighing only about 44lb and has a larger fuel capacity. The electricity it produces is clean, with minimum variation, so it’s safe for you to run your important gadgets on it as well.
Some downsides to this generator include increased oil consumption after usage of a few hundred hours. When this happens, oil change becomes a necessity every time you refill the gas tank.
Arranging services is also difficult since there aren’t many auto repair shops that accept the warranty. But because of it being Yamaha, you will be able to find local repairmen to fix it for. In that case, the warranty may become null and void.
The brand label also means that the generator itself is a bit on the pricier side, so it may not suit everyone.
4. Champion Generator
Champion is one the bigger names in the generator industry, so it’s no surprise that they are also on this list. Not just because of the popularity but also because of the quality and features.
Although it may look like a small generator because of its size and 48lb weight, this generator packs a punch.
Starting at 2000 watts and running at 1700, it produces enough electricity for you to run all sorts of small to mid-sized appliances you would need around a campsite.
One special thing about this generator is that the design allows you to stack another Champion 73536i generator on top of it, so you can get up to 4000 watts of continuous power from two generators. That’s handier and less expensive than one large, heavy generator!
It is also very quiet, running at 53 decibels, so you don’t have to worry about waking up your neighbors – or yourself.
The runtime is a decent 9.5 hours, and you don’t have to worry about filling up your tank often. There is also an economy mode feature that you can switch to and save fuel.
The concerns with this generator is that getting a replacement generator if yours starts acting up is a challenge, and sometimes this model tends to switch to economy mode on its own and never comes back.
5. Westinghouse iGen2200
Westinghouse is a name you’re probably not surprised to see on this list. They’ve been in the industry for a while, making high quality generators of all power levels, and as many features as you could ever need.
The iGen2200 is a compact, affordable inverter generator that puts out 1800 watts continuously, and can go up to 2200 when the situation calls for it. It’s not as quiet as the other generators on this list, but still operates at a low level of 59 decibels, so you can rest assured you are not causing a disturbance.
One of the biggest benefits of this model is the low price – a brand new model costs less than $600, and you can be sure of the quality too.
The generator can also be connected to any other WH series generators to produce power by attaching a cable.
The large fuel capacity means that the generator has a good runtime of up to 13 hours while operating on 25% load. There is also an efficiency mode feature to maximize fuel efficiency.
It is also lightweight, at only 43lb and therefore portability is made easier.
Some of their units have been reported to have carburetor issues, but those are on a case-to-case basis and there have been no major cons of the generator so far.
Why Do You Need A Generator While Camping?
With a generator, you don’t have to worry about being in an area where you can’t find electricity. If you ever need to charge your phone, or even your bike or car, a camping generator can do all of those. Yes, even your car.
You will also need light in your campsite – to look around, for one, but also to keep you safe from any wild animals. Torch lights and bonfires aren’t quite enough, especially if you are camping alone.
And of course, who doesn’t want to make their camping experience a comfortable one? Even if you’re camping in a remote location and want to be one with nature, taking a little bit of civilization with you won’t hurt you.
Our Final Thoughts
So if you’re ever heading out for a fun night or two in the woods, make sure to have one of these with you! A generator can make your camping trip a whole lot better and safer.
