There is very little that’s more wonderful than the deep quiet and the remarkable sounds of nature we hear when we’re camping, and nothing can take us away from that more quickly and effectively than a noisy generator outside our RV, puttering and grinding away all night long.
But there are some remarkably quiet generators you can get for camping – or for any purpose – which are essentially inaudible when you are inside your RV, and that you’d really have to strain to hear even if you are standing next to them.
So let’s look at the 6 best generators on the market today that are really, really quiet, and perfect for any trip to the great outdoors.
If you’re in a hurry to pack up and hit the road, and don’t want to read the whole article, here are my picks:
- Best Quiet Generator for RVs – Budget, 30 Amp: WEN 56380i Super Quiet 3800-Watt RV-Ready Portable Inverter Generator
- Best Quiet Generator for RVs – Mid-Priced, 30 Amp: Westinghouse 3700 Watt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator
- Best Quiet Generator for RVs – Premium, 30 Amp: Honda EU3200i 3200 Watt Super-Quiet Generator with CO-Minder
- Best Quiet Generator for RVs – Budget, 50 Amp: WEN DF1100T 11,000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Wheel Kit and Electric Start
- Best Quiet Generator for RVs – Mid-Priced, 50 Amp: Champion 100485 PRO Portable Generator Electronic Fuel Injection & CO Shield
- Best Quiet Generator for RVs – Premium, 50 Amp: Westinghouse WGen12000DF 15000 Watt Electric Start Generator, CARB Compliant
What to Look For in a Quiet Generator for RV and Camping
Table could not be displayed.Well, obviously the main thing is the noise level, and while there is no such thing as a silent gas-powered generator you can get one that is so quiet it won’t intrude on your peace or call attention to itself.
All the choices in the first section of this buyer’s guide for quiet generators – for the normal and most common 30 amp choices – will all be well below 60 decibels when running, and can be counted on for maintaining that very low noise level the entire time they are working – this last bit is important, because we want a generator that doesn’t just have a low measured noise level, but one that runs smoothly and doesn’t make any jarring or even noticeable extraneous noises.
In the second section we will look at larger generators, for RVs with 50 amp electrical systems, and of course these higher power generators will be a bit louder. But they too can be super quiet, and essentially unnoticeable when running – in fact, the loudest generator I recommend here is measured at a still very low 74 decibels.
My top choices are not just based on noise level, though – I also want you to get a generator that is easy to start and easy to use, easy to move and maneuver, a generator that is really reliable over the long term, has a long running time and is as energy efficient as possible. And, speaking of the environment, all of my choices fully meet both EPA and CARB (California Air Resources Board) standards, and are thus ok to use in all fifty US states.
Again, the first section of this guide to the best quiet power generator for RV use covers the most common choices, generators for 30 amp RV connections, and the second section will look at the best generators made for 50 amp connectors. And in each case I will offer my top pick for a budget choice, a mid-range model and a more premium option. I should also say that I am only considering generators that definitely have enough power to run all of your appliances, including heaters, microwaves and air conditioning units.
This last point means that my choices are all at least 3,000 watts, but if you have a 30 amp electrical system, and are absolutely sure you will never have or use air conditioning, you can save a bit of money by looking at lower power – around 2,000-2,500 watt – generators, and in that range my top choices, for budget and premium units respectively, are the WEN 56235i and the Honda EU2200i. These can be even a bit quieter, but be clear that they don’t have enough power for aircon, and may not even be up to the challenge of larger RVs and fairly heavy use.
So, all this in place, let’s look more closely at the 6 best ultra-quiet generators on the market today!
The 6 Quietest Generators for Camping and RV Use in 2024
Quietest Generators for 30 Amp RV Use
Quietest Generator for RVs – Budget
WEN 56380i Super Quiet 3800-Watt RV-Ready Portable Inverter Generator
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Key Features:
- Noise Level: 57 DBa
- Power Output: 3.400 Watts
- Startup Power: 3,800 Watts
- Plug: 30 Amp
- Weight: 99 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 8.5 Hours, Half Load
If you’ve been shopping for generators, you might be surprised that my top pick for the budget category is not the super-popular WEN 56235i, but this slightly more expensive 56380i has some serious advantages.
This 56380i has more than twice the running and surge power as its little brother, meaning it will be fine for pretty much any appliances, including air conditioners, and can even handle their start-up surges with no problem, and for all that it is only slightly louder, and still one of the quietest you can get.
The WEN 56380i also has a 30 amp plug, making it ideal out of the box for any 30 amp recreational vehicle – the 235 has a far less usable 20 amp plug, and would need an adaptor for most RVs.
Don’t get me wrong – the less expensive WEN 56235i is an amazing value, and an amazing little generator for the money, but for the best ultra-quiet generator for RV and camping use the WEN 56380i is the perfect choice – it is very quiet, well made and super-dependable, has a big tank and a long running time, and is ready to go for any 30 amp RV.
Quietest Generator for RVs – Mid-Priced
Westinghouse 3700 Watt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator
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Key Features:
- Noise Level: 58 DBa
- Power Output: 3.000 Watts
- Startup Power: 3,700 Watts
- Plug: 30 Amp
- Weight: 70 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 8 Hours
I call the Westinghouse 3700 ‘mid-priced,’ but in fact it is only a little more than the WEN above, and is in some ways a better choice.
For one thing, for this ideal 3-4 thousand watt power range the Westinghouse is a very lightweight unit – actually 30 pounds lighter than the WEN – and is much easier to take with and move around.
The Westinghouse 3700 is also one of the most energy efficient units you can get, and offers an overnight running time of up to 8 hours with only 1.3 gallons of gas – remarkable, especially at this price level, and apparently a factor in it being so darned quiet.
But for me the main draw of this marvelous Westinghouse generator is the overall quality. Westinghouse is a fantastic company, that individually tests all of their generators before letting them out of the factory, and the build quality and reliability are incredible – the less expensive WEN is as reliable as it gets at the lowest price level, and I’ve never known anybody to have any problems with one, but his 3700 is definitely a next-level product.
So yeah, I do love the WEN generator, and all of their products, but I personally would, for a little more money, very strongly consider this Westinghouse 3700 super-quiet generator – the noise level is low enough that you will forget it is running, it is brilliantly designed and incredibly easy to use, and includes everything you need to get up and running, and it is almost certainly the best built and most reliable generator at this level – very highly recommended!
Quietest Generator for RVs – Premium
Honda EU3200i 3200 Watt Super-Quiet Inverter Generator with CO-Minder
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Key Features:
- Noise Level: 54-58 DBa
- Power Output: 3,200 Watts max, 2,800 Watts nominal
- Plug: 30 Amp
- Weight: 59 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 8 Hours
One question I get asked a lot is if Honda generators are worth the money, and yes, absolutely, there is no question in my mind that they are, and that they are the best consumer-market generators you can buy.
The Honda EU3200i, for example, is a beautifully made and beautifully designed generator. It has Honda fuel injection, making it incredibly easy to start, perfectly smooth running and very dependable. And in fact, given the super-high standards, the material and build construction and the engineering on all levels, this is easily the most reliable generator for camping and RV use – or for any consumer use – I know.
Extremely fuel efficient, the 3200i will run for 8.6 hours on only 1.2 gallons of gas. It is also among the most environmentally friendly generators for other reasons, with very low exhaust output, and – one of my favorite features – the Honda EU3200i also has the brilliant Co-Minder feature, which continuously monitors carbon monoxide and will shut down if it detects unsafe levels.
The Honda 3200 is the lightest generator on this list – under 60 pounds! – and is very easy to move around and set up. Add to this the intelligent design and the high quality outlets and switches, and this generator is a joy to use.
But yeah, back to my original question, Honda generators are pricey! If you want a premium quality generator for about half the price, I can’t recommend the Generac 7129 GP3000i 3,000 watt generator strongly enough – it is a pretty amazing value, and an excellent unit on all counts.
But if you really want the best – absolutely the smoothest and quietest running, the best built and most dependable, the safest, the lightest, the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, the best designed and the easiest to use, the Honda EU3200i super-quiet generator is the clear choice, and one of the finest products I know.
Quietest Generators for 50 Amp RV Use
Quietest Generator for RVs – Budget
WEN DF1100T 11,000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Wheel Kit and Electric Start
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Key Features:
- Noise Level: 72 DBa
- Power Output: 8,300 Watts (gasoline)
- Startup Power: 11,000 Watts (gasoline)
- Plug: 50 Amp & 30 Amp
- Weight: 214 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 8.5 Hours, Half Load (gasoline)
We go right back to WEN for our top choice for best 50 amp portable generator in the budget category, with the excellent WEN DF 1100T.
The 1100 is a high power unit, with 8,300 running watts of output and a surge capacity of 11,000 watts, meaning that it can handle a full complement of appliances even in larger recreational vehicles, including multiple air conditioners, microwaves and lots more.
And yet somehow this big unit costs less than a lot of lower power generators I’ve used, and compromised nothing in terms of quality and reliability. It is also much quieter than many at this level, or most portable high-power generators, with a running noise level of about 72 decibels. This is about 15 decibels louder than my choices for 30 amp generators, but still only about as loud as a dishwasher, and when the generator is set up outside of the RV the noise level is negligible.
With electric start, full CARB certification for use in all 50 states, excellent material and build quality and a surprisingly portable and easy to maneuver design, the WEN DF1100T is a fantastic choice – a great generator that, for all its power, is almost startlingly quiet.
Quietest Generator for RVs – Mid-Priced
Champion 100485 PRO Portable Generator Electronic Fuel Injection & CO Shield
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Key Features:
- Noise Level: 74 DBa
- Power Output: 9,200 Watts
- Startup Power: 11,500 Watts
- Plug: 50 Amp & 30 Amp
- Weight: 219 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 11.5 Hours Max
A superb piece of equipment for a surprisingly affordable price, the Champion 100485 Pro is a high power fuel injected electric-start portable generator with both 30 amp and 50 amp RV ready outlets.
Essentially a fully commercial grade generator, the 100485 is super-tough and has amazing long term reliability, and yet with all of its over-built quality, its big (459cc) engine and big gas tank, this Champion is still remarkably light and agile – ok, maybe not “light,” but its design makes for relatively easy moving and setup.
Also remarkable – again, especially for its size and power – is the low noise level generated by the Champion 100485 portable generator – just 74 decibels, and so smooth running that it really does disappear into the background, and if you’re in the RV probably won’t even be audible.
The WEN above is maybe a better value for casual usage, and people who don’t really use their RV that often – or won’t be using the generator that much for other things – would find it to be all they ever need. But this Champion is a more substantial unit, with a bit more running power and, again, commercial level construction, and can handle even heavy use and hold up for years and years.
A beautifully built and ultra-reliable portable generator at a great price, the Champion 100485 Pro is an easy choice, and one of the best generators for RVs, or for any use, I have found.
Quietest Generator for RVs – Premium
Westinghouse WGen12000DF 15000 Watt Electric Start Generator, CARB Compliant
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Key Features:
- Noise Level: 74 DBa
- Power Output: 12,000 Watts (gasoline)
- Startup Power: 15,000 Watts (gasoline)
- Plug: 50 Amp & 30 Amp
- Weight: 352 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 11 Hours (gasoline)
I should be totally clear here – this Westinghouse WGen12000DF portable generator is my own personal generator of choice – not only do I have one, but I am absolutely in love with it.
The WGen12000DF is not a cheap product – it is, in fact, a fairly substantial investment, but just in terms of material quality and reliability it is well worth the money, and in fact (though it was a good chunk of change for me) I consider it to be one of the best investments I’ve ever made.
With plenty of power to run everything all at once, even in the largest RVs and even with simultaneous startup, the Westinghouse WGen12000DF is a large, extremely substantial unit – 350+ pounds – but it is still reasonably easy to maneuver and position. If you want a much lighter unit, the slightly less powerful Champion just above might be a better choice, but you won’t find a more solid and dependable generator than this Westinghouse – if you can handle the size and weight, and if you use your generator a lot, both for camping and for other purposes, I wouldn’t consider anything but the WGen12000DF.
And yes, it is almost unbelievably quiet, not just considering its size and power, but by any standard. At about 74 decibels, the Westinghouse 15000 watt is rated about the same as the other two 50 amp units I recommend for quietest portable generator, but in actual practice its solid frame and construction, its brilliant design and its ultra-smooth running engine make the WGen12000DF seem a lot less obtrusive, and even when I’m close to mind I don’t really notice the noise.
The Westinghouse WGen12000DF generator is also far more advanced than any other generators at this level, with dual fuel capability, the best electric start I’ve ever used, a brilliant user interface and a perfectly designed outlet panel – including not just a 50 amp connector, but 2 30 amp outlets, 2 20 amp outlets, a car battery charging outlet and 2 USB charging ports. Especially notable is its compatibility with the exclusive Westinghouse ST Switch, which turns your 12000DF into a fully functional auto-switching DIY standby generator for your home – ok, not really related to RV use, but you may have an idea of just how expensive a true standby generator can be…
Always hand tested before they leave the factory, Westinghouse generators are top-tier products in every way, and the WGen12000DF is a perfect example – big and powerful, and yet incredibly quiet and easy to use, it has plenty of power for any RV, or for any other use, and is – in my book, at least – essentially the perfect large portable power generator – my highest recommendation!
