One thing is quite clear: you being here means you’re searching for the best 5000-watt generator to purchase. Right? Well, before getting to that, you must get to know what a 5000-watt generator can run. The list is quite long, but at your home, the model is enough to keep your fridge running for some hours, power your microwave, keep you AC on, and also provide you with light. It’s also powerful enough to power two or three power tools at a time, depending on their electrical rating.
Now, with a portable model, you can have the power you need wherever you need it. When it comes to purchasing the best 5000-watt portable generator, things start to taste bitter. But I have a solution for you. Using the experience I have in this industry, I was able to prepare this article, which has a top-performing product and a buying guide. It will help you select and buy the best 5000-watt portable generator for your needs.
Contents
Top Best 5000 Watt Portable Generator in 2021
1. Westinghouse WGen5500 Generator
When talking about the best 5000-watt generator, you cannot leave out this mighty beast, Westinghouse WGen5500. As a portable generator with never-flat wheels and a foldaway handle, this generator is something you might want to make your companion while RVing, going camping, or tailgating. It’s also a model you can trust to keep your home alive and your Jobsite power tools running.
Best of all, the generator comes Transfer Switch Ready allowing you to connect it to your home 30A inlet box directly for a reliable emergency backup. For a durable and long-lasting power supply, the generator features a hardened-steel frame and some durable rubber feet and outlet covers. An automatic low-oil shutoff feature is fitted on these generators to give you easier maintenance.
Pros:
- Robust OHV Westinghouse engine
- Automatic Low Oil Shutoff
- EPA and CARB Compliant
- Rubber Covered Outlets
- Transfer Switch Ready
- Built-in fuel gauge
Cons:
- Quite Heavy
- Requires minimal assembly
2. WEN 56500 Portable Generator w/Wheel Kit
WEN 56500, another high-quality portable generator with a lot to offer. If you need a reliable power ideal for emergency backup, recreational purposes, or even industrial applications, this model can give you that and more. It’s an RV-ready model with multiple of standard outlets. With the high-end features, the generator has, you can expect it to exceed your expectations.
The generator is run by a mighty 272cc OHV engine powerful enough to produce reliable and continuous 4500 running watts and 5000 starting watts of power. There is also a digital readout designed to give you real-time readings on the frequency, runtime while also making it much easier to schedule generator routine maintenance.
Pros:
- Powerful 4-stroke OHV engine
- Compact, portable design
- Transfer-Switch Ready
- Digital readout display
- Wheel and handle kit
Cons:
- Complains of customer support
3. Pulsar PG5250B Dual-Fuel Generator
If you want to enjoy the convenience of portable power without sacrificing electrical output, then you might want to check out this dual-fuel portable generator, the Pulsar PG5250B. It comes as a high-quality model designed to offer reliable power when needed most. Best of all, the dual-fuel technology featured here is a big plus.
The dual-fuel allows the generator to run on either propane or gasoline. On top of that, the generator has a Switch and Go technology ideal for making it possible to switch between the fuels safely, and while the generator is still running, it’s quite impressive. Its reliability is provided by a high-power 8HP engine, protected with a hardened-steel frame for durability.
Pros:
- Low Oil Shutdown and Indicator
- Durable and Rugged Design
- Powder-coated steel frame
- Switch and Go Technology
- Fold-down handle
- RV-Ready outlet
- No-flat tires
Cons:
- Oil leak
4. Generac 5939 GP5500 Generator
Next is the Generac GP5500, a high-performance portable generator ideal for emergency home backup, camping, and power tool application thanks to its affordable reliability and features. The generator is designed to give you mobile and low-noise power output. That’s why it has a compact, portable design, and a low-tone muffler.
Additionally, this model comes with a hardened steel tube cradle designed to give it extra durability and overall strength. Besides that, the generator allows extreme portability thanks to its fold-down handle and the never-flat tires. With its 7.2-gallon fuel tank full, this model is cable of providing you with up to 10-hours run time at half load.
Pros:
- High-power Generac OHV engine
- Covered, circuit breaker outlets
- Heavy-duty, never-flat wheels
- Hardened steel tube cradle
- Fold-down, locking handle
- Low-oil level shutdown
Cons:
- Not CARB and CSA compliant
5. Duromax XP5500E Portable Generator
DuroMax’s XP5500E is a powerful, user-friendly power unit designed to supply you with whopping 4, 500 running watts, and 5, 500 starting watts. It’s a highly-reliable workhorse perfect for running your home appliances, keep you connected to the world while camping and power your Jobsite power tools. It does also give safe and reliable power whenever and wherever needed, thanks to its portability.
Still, on portability, the generator has never-flat semi-solid tires to ensure you get smooth and easy maneuverability. Another best thing about this model is, it’s capable of giving you low-noise power thanks to a super quiet muffler, cushioned 4-point engine mounts, and idle control. The three works exceptionally in cutting the engine noise, reducing vibration, and automatically lowering the engine RPM.
Pros:
- Voltmeter and low oil indicator
- Powerful DuroMax Engine
- DuroMax MX2 technology
- EPA and CARB approved
- Automatic Idle control
- Super quiet muffler
Cons:
- Quite Heavy
- High noise level
6. Champion 100496 Portable Generator w/Wheel Kit
Lastly, we have another portable generator, this time from a reputable power tool brand, Champion Power Equipment. The Champion 100496 generator is a perfect combination of convenience and versatility. It’s here to provide you with plenty of electrical output to use for home backup, camping, tailgating, RVing, and even job site applications. It’s a well-built machine able to handle light and heavy-duty power needs.
Another thing, the generator is equipped with a reliable, high-power single-cylinder engine that ensures you get reliable, continuous 5000 running watts and6250 starting watts of power. Starting the generator is quite a breeze thanks to its steady low-effort recoil start and the Cold Start Technology, ensuring the unit starts quickly in cold weather.
Pros:
- Reliable and Powerful Champion Engine
- EPA certified and CARB compliant
- Built-in surge protector
- Low-oil shut-off sensor
- Cold Start Technology
- Covered GFCI outlets
Cons:
- Difficulties changing the oil
Best 5000 Watt Portable Generator Buying Guide:
Now that you know the top best 5000-watt portable generator you can buy today, how do you pick the best for your needs? Acquiring the right generator will depend on certain aspects that you have to evaluate and consider before you can say –this is it. They include:
1) Power Rating
Yes, you need a 5000-watt portable generator, but you need to know this rating might be the starting or the running watts of this generator. And as you well know, the starting watt is a bit higher than the running watt, and it’s provided in a spilled second to start motor-driven appliances. So, do your electrical load estimation and use it to pick a model with the right power rating.
2) Run time
Since you’re searching for the best 5000-watt portable generator, that means you need a model you can use in remote areas or places with no electric supply. That means you will have to take into consideration the amount of time the generator can run on a single fuel-full tank. It will help you plan on the amount of fuel to carry with you. The same applies when getting ready for a natural disaster or standard blackout.
3) Generator type
The best 5000-watt portable generator can be either a conventional or an inverter model. The portability is more on inverter generators and less on traditional models. Another thing, inverter generators are designed to provide clean and stable power ideal for direct usage. Convectional models, on the other hand, offer reliable heavy-duty power ideal for industrial applications.
4) Fuel type
Most 5000-watt portable generators are gas-powered, but as you might have noticed, there are also dual-fuel generators that can be powered by either propane or gasoline. Yes, they are limited, but they do offer fuel flexibility giving you the chance to select the most available fuel for you.
5) Extras
a) low-oil shut-off feature
The low-oil shutdown feature is equipped to protect the engine when the engine oil decreases below a certain level.
b) Overload Protection
The overload protection is put in place to prevent the generator from overstraining and to shut it down when the engines get too hot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does the RV-Ready generator mean?
It means the generator comes with a 30Amp RV Port where you can connect your RV directly to the generator safely.
Can I parallel connect two different inverter generators?
Theoretically, you can parallel two distinctive inverter models, but that will comes with certain risks since the two have different specs. For the best result, parallel two inverter generators of some kind.
Conclusion
The purpose of preparing this article was to give you a better way of finding the best 5000-watt portable generator. I hope I’ve given you that. Each model here is high-quality and can be a good investment so long as it meets power requirements and portability. Now, it’s up to you to find the right generator that meets your needs. Good Luck!
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