Best Generator Under $500 – Generators Master

generator under $500

Wide range of generators available in the market in different price brackets depending on output power, fuel capability, build quality, and more. 

Generators are expensive machines, but are great for power outages at home or on the go, such as camping, RVing, remote work, etc. 

There are two types of generators available in the market: conventional and inverter generators, and you can read here the difference between them. 

We are looking at generators with a price tag below or equal to $500 or in the $400-$500 range in this article. 

In the price bracket of $500 dollars, conventional generators have output power of ~5000 watts, and inverter generators with ~2500 watts maximum. 

According to expert reviews, user reviews, our own research, and other specifications, we list the best conventional, and inverter generators under $500 in this article. 

List Of Best Generators Under $500 — Editor’s Top Choices

Image
Product
Features
Price

1

DuroMax XP5500EH
Watts: 5500/4500
Weight: 142 lb
Tank Size: 3.9 gal
Noise: 69 dB
Runtime: 9Hrs
Starting: Electric/Recoil

2

WEN 56475 Portable Generator
Watts: 4750/3650
Weight: 112.5 lb
Tank Size: 4.5 gal
Noise: 70 dB
Runtime: 10 Hrs
Starting: Electric/Recoil

3

Westinghouse WGen3600DFv
Watts: 4650/3600
Weight: 104 lb
Tank Size: 4 gal
Noise: 68dB
Runtime: 9 Hrs
Starting: Electric/Recoil

4

Westinghouse iGen2200
Watts: 2200/1800
Weight: 46 lb
Tank Size: 1.2 gal
Noise: 52 dB
Runtime: 12Hrs
Starting: Recoil

5

WEN 56235i
WEN 56235i Super Quiet
Watts: 2350/1900
Weight: 39 lb
Tank Size: 1 gal
Noise: 51 dB
Runtime: 7 Hrs
Starting: Recoil

6

Champion Power Equipment 100692
Watts: 2000/1700
Weight: 39.5 lb
Tank Size: 1.1 gal
Noise: 53 dB
Runtime: 7 Hrs
Starting: Recoil

Conventional Generators

1-DuroMax XP5500EH Dual Fuel

Fuel Type : gasoline / propane
Engine Size : 224cc
Start Method : Electric / Recoil
Sound : 69 dB
Weight : 142lbs
Gasoline Tank : 4 gal
Dimension : 25″ L x 22″ W x 22″ H
Watts : 5500/4500 (gas), 5225/4275 (propane)
Runtime : 9hrs @ 50% load
Transportation : Wheels, Foldable Handles
Certification : CARB, EPA

Why DuroMax XP5500EH

DuroMax XP5500EH is the best generator under $500 due to high peak and rated watts, dual fuel capability, strong build quality, wheel kit, and many more which other brands don’t provide in this price. 

Wattage: It is equipped with a 224cc engine, which provides 5500 surge watts and 4500 rated watts on gasoline, while 5225 surge watt and 4275 rated watts on propane. 

Devices: This generator can be used to power the air conditioner, refrigerator, television, coffee pot, and many other essential items. 

Noise: This generator produces 69 dB of sound. 

Runtime: On full tank, it can be operated for 9 hours at half load, and on 20 pounds propane it provides 8 hours of runtime at half load. 

Weight/Size: The weight of this unit is 142 pounds, metal frame, carrying handles, and wheel kit make it easy to carry it along with you easily. 

Fuel/Tank Size: It is a dual fuel generator that can be operated either on gasoline or on propane. It can store 4 gallon of gasoline in its tank and it has a fuel gauge. 

Starting Method: It has two starting methods: electric start, and manual recoil pull start methods. 

Outlets: It has dual 120V 20A GFCI outlets, one 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet, and it has 12V dc ports for battery charging. 

Meter/Indicators: It has a simple analogue voltage meter on its panel. 

Safety and Certification: This generator has a voltage regulator, and low oil auto shut down safety features. It is approved by both CARB, and EPA.

Pros
  • Dual Fuel
  • Solid Body
  • Wheel Kit and Handles
  • Output Power
Cons
  • Only Voltmeter
  • No Remote Start

2-WEN 56475 Portable Generator

Fuel Type >> gasoline
Engine Size >> 223cc
Start Method >> Electric / Recoil
Sound >> 70 dB
Weight >> 112.5 pounds
Gasoline Tank >> 4.5 gal
Dimension >> 26.6 x 17.1 x 17.3 inches
Watts>> 4750/3750
Runtime>> 10hrs @ 50% load
Transportation>> Solid Handle, Wheel Kit
Certification>> CARB, EPA

Why WEN 56475

WEN 56475 Portable Generator is also another best generator under $500 due to its output power, build quality, wheel kit, and positive feedback. 

Wattage: This generator has a 223cc engine, which produces 4750 surge watts and 3750 rated watts on gasoline. 

Devices: This generator can also be used to run television, refrigerator, air conditioner, and many essential items.

Noise: The noise produced by this generator is 70 decibels at half load. 

Runtime: If half load is drawn from this generator, then this unit can run upto 10 hrs on full tank.

Weight/Size: Weight of this generator is 112.5 pounds, and it has a metal frame, carrying handles, and a wheel kit which makes transportation easy. 

Fuel/Tank Size: This generator is operated on single gasoline fuel, and it can store 4.5 gallon of fuel in its tank. 

Starting Method: This generator can be started either by electrically or manually pulling the recoil. 

Outlets: This generator has dual 120V 20A house outlets, one 120V 30V twist lock outlet, and one 120V 30A RV outlet.

Meter/Indicators: It has an hour meter which is used for maintenance of the generator, plus it has a green light indicator which turns green when output is ready.

Safety and Certification: It has overload protection, and low oil shut down technology which turns off the generator automatically when oil level is low. It is approved by both EPA and CARB.

Pros
  • Steel Frame and Solid Handle
  • Wheel Kit
  • Output Power
  • Hour Counter
Cons
  • No parallel Ports
  • Single Fuel
  • No Remote Start

3-Westinghouse WGen3600DFv

Fuel Type >> gasoline / propane
Engine Size >> 212cc
Start Method >> Recoil / Electric
Sound >> 68 dB
Weight >> 104 pounds
Gasoline Tank >> 4 gal
Dimension >> 23.3L x 17.5W x 18.7H in
Watts>> 4650/3600 (gas), 4180/3240 (propane)
Runtime>> 8hrs (gas), 9hrs (propane) @ 50% load
Transportation>> Lifting Handles
Certification>> CARB, EPA

Why Westinghouse WGen3600DFv

Westinghouse WGen3600DFv is also another best generator under $500 due to dual fuel, output power, build quality, but it lacks wheel kit.  

Wattage: It is equipped with a 212cc engine, which can deliver 4650 surge watts and 3600 running watts on gasoline, while 4180 surge watts and 3240 running watts on propane. 

Devices: This generator can also be used to run television, refrigerator, air conditioner, coffee maker, oven, and many others.

Noise: The noise produced by this generator is 68 decibels. 

Runtime: On a full tank of gasoline this generator can run up to 8 hours at half load, and if 20 pounds of propane is attached with it, then it provides 9 hours of runtime at half load. 

Weight/Size: It weighs 104 pounds, has a steel frame, and lifting handles, but it lacks a wheel kit which makes its transportation a little bit difficult. 

Fuel/Tank Size: It can be powered either by propane or gasoline, and the tank size of this generator is 4 gallon. 

Starting Method: This generator can only be started manually by pulling recoil. 

Outlets: On panel it has duplex 120V 20A non GFCI house outlets, one 120V 30A twist lock outlet, one 120V 30A RV outlet, and all these outlets are rubber covered. 

Meter/Indicators: It has a VFT digital display which shows information about voltage, frequency, and runtime of the generator.

Safety and Certification: It has overload protection, and low oil shutdown feature which automatically shuts its operation when oil level is low. 

Pros
  • Steel Frame
  • Output Power
  • VFT Meter
  • Dual Fuel
Cons
  • No Wheel Kit
  • No Remote start

Inverter Generators 

1-Westinghouse iGen2200

Fuel Type >> gasoline
Engine Size >> 80cc
Start Method >> Recoil
Sound >> 52 dB
Weight >> 46 pounds
Gasoline Tank >> 1.2 gal
Dimension >> 19.8″ L x 11.4″ W x 17.9″ H
Watts>> 2200/1800
Runtime>> Up to 12 Hours
Transportation>> Solid Handle
Certification>> CARB, EPA

Why Westinghouse iGen2200

In inverter generators, Westinghouse iGen2200 is the best generator under $500, because it has high rated power, wide range of outlets, and more in this price bracket. 

Wattage: It is equipped with an 80cc engine, which generates 22000 surge watts and 1800 running watts. 

Devices: This generator can be used to power small freezer, coffee pot, phones, laptops, lights, fans, and small household items. 

Weight/Size: It can be easily lifted and carried along with you due to its 46 pounds weight, small size, and lifting handle. 

Runtime: At half load, this generator can run up to 6 hours on a full gasoline tank. 

Noise: Inverter generators are very quiet, and it only produces noise of 52 decibels.

Fuel/Tank Size: It is operated on gasoline, and it can store 1.2 gasoline in its tank. 

Starting Method: You can manually start it by recoiling.

Outlets: There are two 120V 20A house outlets as well as two USB ports rated at 2.1A and 1A, and all rubberized.

Meter/Indicators: No meter, but three status lights: overload, low oil level, and output ready.

Parallel Connectivity: The parallel port allows you to connect two or more generators to increase power.

Safety and Certification: When the oil level drops below a certain level, the generator automatically shuts off.

Extra Features: An efficiency mode reduces fuel consumption and noise by adjusting engine speed according to the attached load.

Pros
  • Light Weight and Quiet
  • Idle Mode
  • Low oil shut off
  • Parallel capability
  • Inverter
Cons
  • Single Fuel
  • Only Recoil Start
  • No meter
  • No 12V DC outlet

2-WEN 56235i Super Quiet

Fuel Type >> gasoline
Engine Size >> 79cc
Start Method >> Recoil
Sound >> 51 dB @ 1/4 load
Weight >> 39 pounds
Gasoline Tank >> 1 gal
Dimension >> 17.3 x 11.5 x 17.5 inches
Watts>> 2350/1900
Runtime>> 7hrs @ 50% load
Transportation>> Lifting Handle
Certification>> CARB, EPA

Why WEN 56235i Super Quiet

Wen 56235i is the second best generator under $500 in the inverter generators category due to its build quality, output power, and many more. 

Wattage: It has a 79cc 4 stroke engine which produces 2350 surge watts and 1900 running watts.

Devices: It can power refrigerator, coffee pot, phones, laptops, lights, fans, and small household items. 

Weight/Size: It has 39 pounds weight, solid lifting handle, and solid build makes it easy to transport and store. 

Runtime: This generator can be run upto 7 hours at half load, when the tank is full with fuel. 

Noise: This generator produces 51 db of sound at 1/4 load. 

Fuel/Tank Size: This generator is operated on gasoline, and it can store upto 1 gallon of fuel in its tank. 

Starting Method: The generator can be started manually by pulling recoil. 

Outlets: On its panel it has dual 120V 15A common house outlets, it has 1A USB outlet, one 2.1A USB outlet, and one 12V DC outlet. All these outlets are rubber covered.

Meter/Indicators: There is no meter but three light indicators: output ready, overload, and low oil level. 

Parallel Connectivity: It has parallel ports which can be used to connect two same types of generators for more power. 

Safety and Certification: For safety of this generator it has low oil auto shut down, surge protection, and overload protection. It is CARB compliant and an EPA approved generator.

Extra Features: The economy mode of this generator saves fuel, and lower noise of the generator by adjusting engine speed.  

Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Solid Handle
  • Sufficient output power
  • USB ports
  • Parallel Ports
Cons
  • No Meter
  • Only Recoil Start

3-Champion Power Equipment 100692 

Fuel Type >> gasoline
Engine Size >> 79cc
Start Method >> Recoil
Sound >> 53 dB
Weight >> 39.5 pounds
Gasoline Tank >> 1.1 gal
Dimension >> 17.3″ L x 11.5″ W x 17.7″ H
Watts>> 2000/1700
Runtime>> 11.5hrs @ 25% load
Transportation>> Solid Handle
Certification>> CARB, EPA

Why Champion Power Equipment 100692 

Our third choice as the best generator under $500 is Champion Power Equipment 100692 in inverter generators because it has sufficient output power, enough outlets, clean current and many more. 

Wattage: It is equipped with a 79cc engine which delivers 2000 starting watts, and 1700 running watts.

Devices: This generator can be used to power refrigerator, laptops, phones, coffee maker, oven and small household equipment. 

Weight/Size: It weighs 39.5 pounds, solid lifting handle, and solid handles makes it easy to carry along with you. 

Runtime: This generator can run upto 7.5 hours at half load, if fuel is full in its tank. 

Noise: This generator produces 53dB of sound.

Fuel/Tank Size: It is operated on gasoline, and it has 1 gallon of fuel tank. 

Starting Method: It can be started manually by using recoil starting method.

Outlets: On its panel it includes dual 120V house outlets, and one 12V dc outlet. There is no USB on its panel, but it has a dual usb port which can be connected to a 12V outlet. 

Meter/Indicators: Three light indicators available on its panel which indicates low oil level, overload, and output ready. 

Parallel Connectivity: It has parallel ports which can be used to connect two same kinds of generator for more power. 

Safety and Certification: It has auto low oil shut off, and overload protection for its safety. It is CARB compliant and an EPA approved generator. 

Pros
  • Light Weight and Quiet
  • Low oil shut off
  • Parallel capability
  • 12V DC Outlet
Cons
  • Only Recoil Start
  • No Meter
  • Single Fuel

Conclusion

There are two types of generators, we can buy under $500 for different purposes such as camping, tailgating, house backup power, and many more. In our opinion DuroMax XP5500EH Dual Fuel is the best generator under $500 in conventional generators, and Westinghouse iGen2200 in inverter generators. 

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