7 Best Portable Generators for RV’s and Camping [2025 Guide]

Choosing the best portable RV generator is a big decision for anyone. No matter what your choice is, it will be with you whether you are boondocking, tailgating, vacationing, or living in your RV. It could be with you for thousands of hours and potentially years of travel.

The best portable RV generators are dependable, quiet(er), lightweight, and all-around workhorses that can power everything from small appliances to an AC unit while minimizing noise pollution.

The issue is, there are a lot of generators on the market and countless specs to read through.

To help make your decision easier, we reviewed and ranked the top generators across a variety of categories:

• Best Overall Portable RV Generator
• Best Budget Option
• Best Solar Generator
• Best Quiet Generator
• Best Dual-Fuel Generator
• Most Portable Generator
• Best for Home Emergency Use

Read on to find our picks for best portable generators.

7 Best Portable Generators for RVing and Camping

Below, you’ll find our top picks for best:

Best Overall: Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery 2000 Plus is a phenomenal solar generator and has quickly become an industry standard, offering an incredible combo of ease of use, power, and quality. This portable power station is combined with high-efficiency solar panels and provides clean power without the need for gas or propane.

The 2000 Plus comes in at a higher price tag than its competitors, but you get what you pay for. It’s easy to set up, lightweight, surprisingly quiet, and 

Key features include:

✅ High-Capacity: 2-24 kWh of expandable capacity
✅ High Performance: Charges heavy-duty devices up to 6000W
✅ Fast Charging: Full charge in just 2 hours
✅ Quiet Operation: Low noise levels compared to gas generators
✅ Lightweight & Portable: Easy to store and carry
✅ Green: No fuel emissions or noise pollution

👉 Perfect for off-grid adventures, national parks, and eco-conscious RVers.

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Best Budget Generator: WEN 56200i

The WEN 56200i is a great all-around generator if you’re on a limited budget.

At less than half the price of the average generator of similar power, the WEN 56200i is both lightweight at just 48 lbs and super quiet, outputting only 53 dB. 

The only drawback is that the quality of the parts aren’t quite up to par with competitive brands. Still, if you’re looking for a place to start and you’re on a budget, this is a great option. 

Key features include:

✅ Great Value: Roughly half the price of comparable units
✅ Lightweight: Only 48 lbs for easy transport
✅ Quiet Operation: Noise levels as low as 53 dB
✅ USB Ports: Built-in for charging small appliances

👉 An excellent option for budget-conscious travelers who need reliable power.

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Best Solar Generator: Jackery 2000 Plus + Solar Sage Panels Bundle

If you’re looking to tackle all your energy needs at once and want to be as efficient as energy possible, solar panels are the perfect supplement to a good generator. 

The Jackery 2000 Plus + SolarSaga Panels bundle is our pick for best bundle, which includes our top overall pick for generator, the Jackery 2000 Plus generator as well as two of their 200w SolarSaga solar panels. 

The Jackery 200w SolarSaga panels are lightweight, well-designed, and portable. They offer full weather durability and boast the capacity to power just about any appliance within 2 hours of charging. 

Key features include:

✅ Fast Charging Battery System: Charge in 2 hours
✅ Powerful Performance: Powers Heavy-duty Devices up to 6000W
✅ Includes SolarSaga Panels: Select the number of solar panels you want, based on your needs
✅ Compact and Portable: Easy storage in an RV or travel trailer
✅ Zero Emissions: No noise pollution – safe for national parks

👉 A great option for sustainable power and reducing reliance on fuel.

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Best Quiet Generator: Honda EU2200i Inverter Generator

The Honda EU2200i is an industry leader for a reason. This unit is a top choice for anyone who prioritizes quiet operation and reliability.

Key features include:

✅ Ultra Quiet: Only 48-57 dB – great for campgrounds
✅ Portable: Just 46.5 lbs for easy transport
✅ Fuel-Efficient: Microprocessor control optimizes fuel consumption
✅ Parallel Capable: Connect two for more power if needed

👉 Ideal for those who want a silent and highly efficient generator.

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Best Dual-Fuel Generator: Champion 4500W Dual-Fuel Generator

If you need flexibility between gasoline and propane, then the Champion 4500W Dual-Fuel is going to be your best bet.

Key features include:

✅ Dual-Fuel Capability: Runs on gas or propane
✅ Remote Electric Start: Convenient push-button ignition
✅ Run Time: Can run up to 14 hours on gas and 21 hours on propane
✅ CO auto shutoff: Automatically shuts off when CO is detected
✅ RV-Ready: 30A RV plug included

👉 Perfect for towable campers and full-time RVers.

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Most Portable Generator: Generac GP3000i

The Generac GP3000i is a 3,000-Watt gas-powered inverter that is lightweight and can provide nearly 6 hours of power. 

Key features include:

✅ Ultra-Portable: Weighs only 59.5 lbs
✅ Inverter Technology: Provides clean power for sensitive electronics
✅ Quiet Operation: Lower noise levels than traditional generators
✅ Compact Design: Easily fits into RV storage compartments

👉 Ideal for RVers who prioritize portability and space-saving solutions.

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Best for Home Emergency Use: Westinghouse 9500 Dual-Fuel

Needs plenty of power that can also provide backup power for our home? The Westinghouse 9500 Dual-Fuel is an absolute powerhouse that offers dual-fuel gasoline capabilities with a remote electric start and a carbon monoxide detector.

Key features include:

✅ Massive Power Output: 9500W peak power and 7500W running power
✅ Automatic CO Sensor: Shuts down if unsafe levels are detected
✅ Built-in Wheels: Makes moving its 214-lb frame easier
✅ Remote Start: Remote start from distances of over 260 ft away

👉 A powerhouse generator for RVers who need serious wattage.

How We Chose the Best RV Generators

To select the best portable RV generators, we factored in a number of product-specific criteria including:

• Price
• Noise
• Reliability
• Power (max volts/amps)
• Portability / Weight / Size
• Compatibility
• And product family

We also factored in:

• Online ratings
• Customer reviews
• And overall public sentiment as it relates to the company’s product dependability

Each factor was weighted on a scale favoring that category for top category picks (i.e. noise was most important in deciding the “quietest” generator) while the overall pick weighted price, power, and reliability as the most important factors.

Things to Consider When Shopping for a Generator for Your RV

Knowing what you need out of a generator is the first step to shopping for one.

Before deciding what generator to buy, consider these points:

Duration and Power

How long do you plan to run your generator? What appliances do you plan on running through it (there’s a big difference between a toaster and an air conditioner)? This applies both to daily use as well as overall use.

Will you be RVing full-time or just traveling occasionally? While traveling, how often will you be on the road and how often will you be boondocking or otherwise camped? 

A useful metric for this is amp hours and watt hours:

• Amp hours = [amp] x [hours of use]
• Watt hours = [amp hours] x [volts]

You can take the amps an appliance uses, multiply it by the number of hours you plan to use it in a day, and get the amp hours. By doing this with all of the devices and other electronics you plan to power via your generator you can get a general idea of your power needs. 

Then all you need to do is compare that to the specs of the generators you’re looking at while shopping. A good starting place is:

• 2000-3000W: Ideal for running small appliances and electronics.
• 3000-4000W: Can power a travel trailer, fridge, and AC unit.
• 4000W+: Best for running an entire RV with high-power appliances.

Noise

Most generators are surprisingly loud, to the point where some campgrounds even have a ‘curfew’ for generators to allow for quiet hours each day. 

It’s highly suggested that you get your hands on a few real RV generators, whether through a friend or visiting a specialty shop in person. This will help you get an idea of how loud the average generator is and whether you’re fine with it.

If it bothers you, consider looking for a generator on the quieter side. 

Some, such as the 2000w Yamaha EF2000iSv2 is noticeably quieter and more pleasant to run. 

Portability

• Lightweight: The lighest units tend to be the solar powered ones
• Mid-Weight: Inverter generators tend to be a bit heavier than solar
• Heavy Duty: High-capacity generators that use fuel can easily exceed 150 lbs.

Fuel Type: Gas, Propane, or Solar?

• Gasoline: Most common, widely available.
• Propane: Cleaner, quieter, and better for noise pollution.
• Solar: Sustainable, perfect for off-grid use and shore power backups.

Cost

Cost is obvious, but it’s an important consideration. As with all things, if you skimp on quality you’re likely to end up regretting your decision.

This is especially the case with generators, as the generator you buy will be with you for a very long time (2,000 – 3,000 hours on average, or around 1 – 3 years with regular use).

How to Safely Operate Your RV Generator

An RV generator is a big investment, not just due to the cost but also because they take regular maintenance.

If you plan to RV full-time or even just travel regularly, you’ll depend on your generator to keep just about everything running smoothly. 

So, it’s vital to know how to safely operate your generator and take care of it.

Here are some tips:

Read the user manual! 

Step one, don’t skip this. Before you do anything else, read the user manual of your generator from front to back.

Much or all of what you need to know about how to properly take care of your generator will typically be listed within the generator’s user manual. 

Each generator is somewhat different, so it’s important not to take general advice online and think it applies to your generator. 

Double check fuel supply

Before setting up your generator, double check that your propane/gas/diesel supply is sufficient. 

It’s important to note that most generators don’t come with fuel, so before you walk out of the store (or leave Amazon), know what fuel you need to purchase and grab some while you’re at it. 

Setting up your portable generator

If you’re not using a portable generator, feel free to skip this step. If your generator is portable, however, this applies to you. 

Once you’ve parked, place your generator outside at least 5-10 feet from your RV. Turn your generator so that the exhaust output is facing away from your RV due to the fumes.

Make sure your RV is completely turned off, then plug your shore power cable into the port on your RV.

Starting up your generator

Most generators are simple to get started: simply click on or off. In some cases, you’ll need to click “Prime” to prepare the generator before you can turn it on. 

In either case, give your generator a few minutes to warm up then plug your power cable into the generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of generator is best for an RV?

Generators come in three types:

• Gas
• Diesel
• Propane
• Or a combo of two different fuel sources

Combo generators are more reliable, as they offer a back up fuel source if the primary fuel goes out. 

Propane is generally the least preferable, as it’s the least accessible in general, takes up more space in your camper, and produces less energy than diesel or gas. However, it’s also the most common and the fuel source that many RVs are set up for by default. 

What side and power output do I need for my RV generator?

Most will find 2,000 – 4,000 watts more than enough power. Exactly how much you’ll need depends on the size of your rig and how much you want to power. 

Smaller trailers or van conversions will find 2,000 watts more than enough, while larger RVs with air conditioner will want 3,000 – 4,000.

How long does an RV generator typically last?

An RV generator lasts 2,000 – 3,000 hours on average. That will typically last you 1 – 3 years depending on whether you’re RVing full-time vs. regularly traveling.

What is a conventional vs. inverted generator?

A conventional generator is typically cheaper but also louder and heavier. They’re not easy to transport and more likely to have a power surge. 

An inverted RV generator is lighter and quieter but comes at an increased cost compared to conventional generators. They’re easier to transport and typically safer, making them the all-around best pick.

What about Solar?

Portable Solar panels are an attractive option for RVers because they give you a longer leash for your adventures. Because of their rise in popularity, there are many products in the market, so it is important to do your research.

Final Thoughts: Find Your Best Portable RV Generator

Wherever your adventures take you, bring a generator so you can keep the lights on!