DuroMax XP13000HXBest overall- Power
- 13,000 watts
- Fuel
- Gasoline or propane
- Engine
- 500cc OHV, all copper windings
- Start
- Push button electric start
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonThe Best Generators
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When the lights go out, you find out fast how much you rely on the fridge, the sump pump and a working phone charger. A generator is the thing that keeps those running, and the right one depends on whether you want to power a whole house, a camper or just a few essentials.
Our top pick is the DuroMax XP13000HX: 13,000 watts, gas or propane, a built-in carbon monoxide alert and a 50-amp outlet ready for a transfer switch. Below it you will find a cheaper whole-home option, a quieter inverter for sensitive gear and a tri-fuel unit that can run off your home's natural gas line.
The rundown
1 DuroMax XP13000HX | 2 DuroMax XP13000EH | 3 Pulsar Dual Fuel Inverter | 4 Westinghouse Tri-Fuel 14500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best overall | Best value for whole-home power | Best quiet inverter | Best tri-fuel |
| Power | 13,000 watts | 13,000 watts | 7,250 peak / 6,000 running watts | 14,500 peak / 11,500 running watts |
| Fuel | Gasoline or propane | Gasoline or propane | Not listed | Gasoline, propane or natural gas |
| Engine | 500cc OHV, all copper windings | Not listed | 312cc OHV, enclosed frame | 550cc with pressure lubrication |
| Start | Push button electric start | Push button electric start | Not listed | Not listed |
| Outlets | Four 120V GFCI, 30A, 120/240V 30A twist-lock, 120/240V 50A | Transfer switch ready 50A outlet | USB A and C, two GFCI 120V, L14-30R 120/240V, TT-30 RV | Not listed |
| Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon |
DuroMax XP13000HXBest overall
DuroMax XP13000EHBest value for whole-home power- Power
- 13,000 watts
- Fuel
- Gasoline or propane
- Start
- Push button electric start
- Build
- All metal frame and power panel
Pulsar Dual Fuel InverterBest quiet inverter- Power (gas)
- 7,250 peak / 6,000 running watts
- Power (propane)
- 6,500 peak / 5,500 running watts
- Engine
- 312cc OHV, enclosed frame
- Outlets
- USB A and C, two GFCI 120V, L14-30R 120/240V, TT-30 RV
Westinghouse Tri-Fuel 14500Best tri-fuel- Power (gas)
- 14,500 peak / 11,500 running watts
- Fuel
- Gasoline, propane or natural gas
- Engine
- 550cc with pressure lubrication
- Run time
- Up to 19 hours at 25% load
1Best overall
DuroMax XP13000HX
A 13,000-watt dual fuel generator with a carbon monoxide alert, built to back up a whole home.
- Power
- 13,000 watts
- Fuel
- Gasoline or propane
- Engine
- 500cc OHV, all copper windings
- Start
- Push button electric start
- Outlets
- Four 120V GFCI, 30A, 120/240V 30A twist-lock, 120/240V 50A
- Safety
- CO Alert
Most recommended by reviewers
Check price at AmazonPrices and availability on Amazon change often.
Why we picked the DuroMax XP13000HX
The DuroMax XP13000HX is the Home Depot generator we'd pick for most people who want whole-home backup without paying for a more complicated machine.
What we like
It puts out 13,000 watts and has a transfer switch ready 50-amp outlet, so it can run a whole home when paired with a transfer switch. It also has four 120V GFCI outlets and a 30-amp twist-lock, so household needs are covered. Dual fuel runs on gasoline or propane from the front panel, and the built-in CO Alert shuts the unit down when needed, a safety feature the XP13000EH doesn't list.
Worth knowing
This is a large, heavy open-frame unit, so expect it to be loud and hard to move far. Plan on a permanent spot for it, with room to keep it well clear of the house.
If it's not for you, the DuroMax XP13000EH matches its 13,000 watts and suits shoppers who want an all-metal build, while the Westinghouse Tri-Fuel suits anyone who wants a natural gas option for long outages.
2Best value for whole-home power
DuroMax XP13000EH
- Power
- 13,000 watts
- Fuel
- Gasoline or propane
- Start
- Push button electric start
- Build
- All metal frame and power panel
- Outlets
- Transfer switch ready 50A outlet
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Same 13,000-watt output as our top pick
- Dual fuel, switched from a front-facing panel
- All metal frame and power panel, no plastic parts
Cons
- No CO Alert listed, unlike the XP13000HX
- Heavy and loud, as with any generator this size
Read our full take
Why we like it
The XP13000EH is the older sibling of our top pick, and on paper it offers the same big output and the same fuel choice. The difference that matters is safety: the XP13000HX adds a carbon monoxide alert, which this model does not list.
If you are on a tighter budget and will run the generator well outdoors with a working CO detector in the house, it is a solid way to get whole-home capacity for less. The heavy-duty metal frame is built for years of rough use.
3Best quiet inverter
Pulsar Dual Fuel Inverter
Clean, steady power with remote start and 240V output, in a quieter inverter design.
- Power (gas)
- 7,250 peak / 6,000 running watts
- Power (propane)
- 6,500 peak / 5,500 running watts
- Engine
- 312cc OHV, enclosed frame
- Outlets
- USB A and C, two GFCI 120V, L14-30R 120/240V, TT-30 RV
- Extras
- Remote start, parallel capable
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Inverter design gives cleaner power for electronics
- Provides 240V output for high-voltage appliances
- Very stable frequency in expert testing
- Can be paired with a second unit to double output
Cons
- A little louder than expected for an inverter
- Over 100 pounds, so it is not truly portable
Read our full take
Why we like it
Inverter generators produce smoother power than a standard open-frame unit, which matters for TVs, computers and phones. The Pulsar 7,250 pairs that with enough output to run a furnace fan, a fridge and some lights, plus a 240V outlet.
Expert testing found its frequency stayed very steady, and the enclosed frame keeps noise down. Parallel capability means you can add a second one later if your needs grow.
4Best tri-fuel
Westinghouse Tri-Fuel 14500
Runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas, with remote start and up to 19 hours per fill.
- Power (gas)
- 14,500 peak / 11,500 running watts
- Fuel
- Gasoline, propane or natural gas
- Engine
- 550cc with pressure lubrication
- Run time
- Up to 19 hours at 25% load
- Warranty
- 3-year limited residential
Prices and availability on Amazon change often.
Pros
- Natural gas option means no refueling during long outages
- Low-oil shutdown and CO sensor shut it off when needed
- Cleaner power with under 5% THD
- Push-button and remote key fob start
Cons
- Costs more than the dual fuel DuroMax units
- Heavy at over 200 pounds
Read our full take
Why we like it
If you have a natural gas line, a tri-fuel generator removes the biggest headache of a long outage: running out of fuel. The Westinghouse 14,500 can hook into your home's gas supply, or fall back on propane or gasoline.
It also pairs with Westinghouse's automatic transfer switch, sold separately, to behave more like a standby unit. A CO sensor, copper windings and a 3-year warranty round it out.
FAQ
Which generator suits you?
For whole-home backup, look at the 11,000-watt-plus dual fuel and tri-fuel models. For camping or an RV, a smaller inverter keeps weight and noise down. If you only want to keep a few essentials running, 4,000 to 7,000 watts is usually enough.
What to look for?
- Running watts, not just peak watts
- A CO sensor and low-oil shutdown
- A 30A or 50A outlet if you plan to use a transfer switch
- Dual or tri-fuel if you want fuel flexibility
Which is the best generator brand?
Champion, Westinghouse, WEN and DuroMax are widely seen as comparable in quality and better value, with Champion often praised for customer service.
What is the best generator for home backup power?
For whole-home backup, a dual fuel or tri-fuel unit with at least 11,000 watts and a 50-amp outlet is the usual choice. The DuroMax XP13000HX is our pick, and you should have an electrician install a transfer switch rather than running extension cords.
What is the best generator for camping?
A small, light inverter in the 2,000 to 4,000 watt range is usually enough. It is quiet, sips fuel and is easy to lift. The Oxseryn 4,400-watt is a low-cost starting point.
Which is better, a generator or an inverter?
An inverter is a type of generator that produces cleaner, steadier power, which is safer for electronics, and it runs quieter and uses less fuel. A conventional open-frame generator usually offers more power for the money.
How do I decide what generator to buy?
List what you need to run and add up the running watts, then add 10 to 20 percent. Match that to the fuel you want to use, the outlets you need and how much weight you can handle.
Why trust BullseyeBuy
How we made this guide
- 5 expert reviews and guides read
- 9 generators compared
- 9 listings checked in stock
This shortlist is built from nine in-stock generator listings, compared on wattage, fuel options, outlets, run time and warranty. We weighed them against what editorial reviews and owner threads say matters most: matching size to your needs, safe hookup and ease of use.
Our expert team tests products when it is needed and researches online and in interviews. Every guide is fact-checked and edited by a real person.
The BullseyeBuy editorial team · Updated Oct 23, 2026
Checking our work: 6 sources
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