If we’re going to be honest, there’s no better way to take a break from our monotonous everyday lives than packing our bags up and going camping. However, if you go out unprepared into the wilderness, your trip can turn into a disaster.
To make sure you enjoy a pleasant environment when you go camping, you’ll need the best generator for camping. While it may sound unnecessary for some people, if you’re planning to camp out in the winter, or high up in the mountains, a generator is essential. The ideal generator for camping should be portable, compact, easy to use.
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Best Generator for Camping: Our Top Picks
With the wide range of portable generators available from different brands, it’s quite common to get confused when choosing one for yourself. Here are our reviews for the three generators we think will work wonders for your next camping trip.
1. DuroStar DS4000S Gas-Powered 4000-Watt Portable Generator
Durostar is a well-known generator brand owned by Duropower. This California-based company has been producing high-powered generators since 1992 and is a reliable option in today’s market.
- Power
This Durostar model is a gas-powered generator with a 7.0-horsepower engine. It uses a whopping 400 watts to start up and delivers 3,300 running watts of power to cover all of your electricity needs.
You can run basic appliances and a few high-powered appliances with this generator. Besides that, the engine is protected with a high-powered air cooler that keeps the engine running smoothly for as long as eight hours at a stretch.
- Accessibility
This generator is highly accessible. It is easy to use with any electrical outlet available, including 120V and 30A twist lock outlets.
Apart from that, it has a heavy-duty metal housing combined with isolated motor mounts that ensure the generator does not make any additional noise while in operation.
Similarly, this generator comes with a durable wheeling kit. This comes in handy when you want to carry the machine along with you on outdoor trips. Just fit the wheeling kit on and roll it along with you wherever you go.
- Additional Features
Besides all the main features, this generator has a few advanced features that make it a good choice. Firstly, it has a high-capacity fuel tank that sports a readable fuel gauge. This helps you keep an eye on the fuel level so that you can make necessary preparations for your trip.
Secondly, the smart shut-off system turns the generator off automatically when the fuel is low, avoiding engine damage. Also, the generator has a recoil start system combined with a quiet muffler that ensures smooth operation at all times.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Can power high-powered appliances
- Efficient fuel usage
- Noiseless operation
- Reasonably priced
- Comes with a three-year warranty
Cons:
- Oil drips out from the air filter
- The wrenches that come with the generator are cheap and low-quality
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2. SereneLife Portable Generator
SereneLife is a Brooklyn-based company that aims to make life easier for their customers through their high-quality gadgets and home appliances. Their products are constructed in New York and shipped all over the US.
- Power
This high-powered generator can be used to recharge all of your devices, such as laptops, cameras, lights, and phones, while you’re on the go. Additionally, you can also use it to run small home appliances.
It can be recharged with three different modes so that you can use it according to your current situation. Simply enough, you can charge it by plugging it into a wall socket or even your car battery.
What’s more, the generator can also be charged through solar panels, which makes it a great choice to take along on outdoor trips.
- Accessibility
This generator is durably designed for rugged, outdoor use. It is also lightweight and has an ergonomically designed handle that gives you a firm grip to carry it around on high altitudes.
Along with that, to ensure hassle-free operation, the generator has a front flashlight to guide you along the way. The light indicators also show its current running status and details to help you turn it on or recharge it easily in the dark.
- Additional Features
This highly-productive generator comes with a set of additional features, as well. First of all, it is fuel-free, which means that you can be concern-free about leakage and fuel shortage while you’re on the go.
Similarly, it has a noise-free design so you can enjoy the peaceful outdoors while camping even when the generator is running.
This generator has great safety features, such as emergency lights, battery indicators, and voltage control, to avoid unpleasant accidents. With this back-up device, you can stop worrying about short circuits and overpower mishaps.
Pros:
- Easy operation
- Flexible charging modes
- High-powered
- Great compatibility
- Good safety features
- Portable
- Affordably priced
- Comes with a one-year warranty
Cons:
- Solar charging panel not provided
- Long battery charging time
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3. Westinghouse iGen1200 Portable Generator
Westinghouse is a well-known name in the power-generator market. Founded in Pittsburgh, this company has been providing reliable power sources for more than 130 years.
- Power
This gas-powered generator is your go-to power source for outdoor camping trips or during power outages. It gives about 100 watts of energy, which can power almost all essential home appliances.
With a 0.8-gallon fuel capacity, this generator can run for more than 10 hours non-stop if used for basic appliances around the house.
- Accessibility
This generator weighs only 35 pounds. This lightweight design makes it easy to carry around for picnics and camping trips to cover your power needs effectively.
Additionally, this generator is constructed out of durable materials and built with a suitcase-like design to lower user fatigue. Besides that, it has an efficient energy usage option, which puts the fuel to optimum use when you’re running low on supply.
- Additional Features
The best part about this iGen model is that it operates in complete silence. It produces less than 52 dBA, which makes it great to use on recreational trips.
Similarly, the generator is compatible with your phone and other gadgets, so you can charge them directly. Also, you don’t need to worry about your device safety. The generator has an integrated inverter system that makes it suitable for sensitive electronics.
Pros:
- Nine-hour runtime
- Fuel-efficient operation
- Parallel compatible
- Safe for sensitive devices
- Can run high-powered home appliances
- Comes with a three-year warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
- Inverter parallel cord is not provided
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Final Verdict
Summing all these reviews up, all three of them have a good set of features that are essential for your outdoor trips. However, after analyzing all three products closely, we think that the Westinghouse iGen1200 is the best generator for camping.
Although it is quite expensive, the iGen 1200 is a great high-powered option for both indoor and outdoor use. If you want to go for a more low-end option, the SereneLife generator is the one for you.