Best Generators For Camping

Camping is one of those pass times that makes you feel connected to nature.

Whether you’re staying in an RV, out in a tent, or even under the stars themselves, the great outdoors is less than a stone’s throw away when you camping, quite literally!
However, many people do not like giving up many of the amenities to enjoy all of this outdoor goodness.

Now some people might scoff at this idea, but it is a fair want and desire, especially for an outdoor vacation that is supposed to be relaxing for people.

And when you add in that some people don’t just want some of their devices, but may actually need to be able to keep their devices charge (especially in the case of any emergency equipment), and that need for a little extra power can seem a lot more understandable now.

Fortunately, when it comes to getting that little extra power, there is one handy piece of equipment that can help you out in these situations.

The Power Of Camping Generators

A good camping generator will be able to hold plenty of extra charges to help you keep your devices powered. Plus, in the event of a rainy day, you can always retreat into the tent or RV and use them to power your devices and stay safe and dry!

However, when it comes to picking just one of them, you’ll quickly find that you’re spoiled for choice, with dozens, if not hundreds, of different generator designs for you to pick from.

Fortunately, we have already done the hard work for you here, by collecting some of the best-performing generators that will be perfect for your next camping trip.

We’ve also researched some of the most important features that you can look out for when searching in your own time for the right generator for your camping experience.

Westinghouse iGen 2200 Super Quiet Portable Generator

Starting this list with a good baseline to compare the rest of our generators to, we have an excellent little generator that is sure to have your back in a pinch, the Westinghouse iGen 2200.

When it comes to storing power, this generator has you covered for pretty much any situation, holding, as the name suggests, 2200 watts of power for you to charge any device of your choosing, from your laptop, to even being a great backup generator in a pinch.

And it can keep that power coming for a good long while too, with the tank lasting up to 12 hours from a full charge. This makes it great as a backup generator for emergencies, from your RV, to even your own home, if the need arises.

Plus, this is a surprisingly quiet generator too, clocking in at just 52 decibels when it is running. Once you have it turned on, there’s a good chance that whatever noise it makes will fade into the background, and you won’t even notice that it is on in the first place!

Add to that 3 years of limited coverage for maintenance and coverage, and you have a great example of what a small, camping-ready generator can, and should, operate like!
Pros

• This generator provides plenty of power for any situation.
• Can keep powering items for up to 12 hours on a full charge.
• This is a very quiet product, especially when compared to other models.

Cons

• The carburetor may be an issue over time.

Also Available At: Walmart

WEN 56200i Generator

Many generators that people often point to as great camping items are great, but they also tend to be these large, cumbersome machines that are too noisy, and don’t exactly fade into the background of a good camping holiday.

This is why we have specifically chosen many products that both perform well, and won’t get in the way of your camping experience.

The WEN 56200i is a perfect example of that idea. A device that you can use when necessary, and won’t spoil the idyllic ambiance of your camping vacation.

For one thing, this generator is a very compact piece of equipment, weighing in at under 50 pounds.#

This means that you’ll have no trouble moving this generator to wherever you need it, rather than making your entire camping experience revolve around a big, hulking generator that can’t be budged with less than 3 people!

Plus, its small size means that it won’t take up much room either, so you can easily store it away when it is not needed.

And it’s not like the smaller size has a massive effect on power either, as it still holds a respectable 1600 watts, not bad for a generator of this size!

And if that wasn’t enough, this is pretty quiet too, hovering around the 50-decibel mark when in use.
Are there bigger machines that hold more power out there? Sure.

But if you’re looking for a good backup generator, or just need some extra power in emergencies on a low-tech camping trip, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with this particular generator!

Pros

• This generator is small and compact, making it easy to store and transport.
• This is a pretty quiet generator too!
• Even comes with an eco-mode for increased efficiency!

Cons

• The fuel capacity of this machine isn’t the biggest.

Also Available At: WEN Products

Yamaha EF2000iSv2

Yamaha is a company known across the world for its incredibly competently made products, from musical instruments to engines, to motorcycles.

So, it probably shouldn’t be much of a surprise that they would make a pretty spectacular generator too!

There are quite a few generators that are built and sold under the Yamaha brand, but we’re focusing on just one item today, the Yamaha EF2000.

he run time of a generator is a vital point to consider when buying the right equipment, which is something that the EF2000 does exceedingly well, with up to 10 and a half hours for the continuous charge being available in a filled-up tank of this generator.

However, the Yamaha EF2000 has a lot more to offer than just extra power for the better part of a working day.
The generator makes sure that the power you receive is clean and efficient, thanks to the Pulse Width Modulator (or PWM) built into the device.

There’ll be no interruptions while using this generator!
The controller system that this generator uses is also a great feature, allowing an even wider range of devices and equipment to be powered by this device.

Add to that many of the other typical features of a quality miniature generator, such as low decibel count and extra efficiency when paired with other devices, and you have a great little generator on your hands!

Pros

• Contains over 10 hours of continuous power when fully charged.
• The new controller system to this version of the model allows it to work with a massive variety of products.
• This product is extra efficient when paired with other compatible generators!

Cons

• There are reports of issues with the stored gasoline leaking from some customers.

Also Available At: Justin Power Equipment

Goal Zero Yeti 1000X

While the technology has been around for a while at this point, it has taken a while for solar-supported generators to get the ball rolling in terms of market appeal.

However, we are now seeing many excellent generators that are making use of this renewable energy, including this particular product, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000X.

Goal Zero is becoming a well-known name when it comes to providing high-quality solar-powered equipment of all shapes and sizes, so it probably shouldn’t be too surprising that they’d venture into generators eventually.

Still, we’re kind of blown away by just how good this particular model is!
The solar panels help extend your current energy reserves when you’re away from any way of refueling it, staying off the grid for just that little bit longer.

The charge that the battery itself holds is pretty impressive too, with it being able to power something as energy-intensive as a mini-fridge for well over 12 hours.

And when you factor in just how much longer the right conditions can extend that charge with the solar panels, you have something that does not have to rely on external sources for extra power.

Plus, the battery itself isn’t even that big on its own. Sure, the solar panels needed for the extra juice of power might take up a little room, but you’ll be surprised with how many places this device can be stored.

So, if you want a little extra power while out camping, but want to maintain that vibe of living off the grid, this is the generator for you!

Pros

• Holds plenty of power for the better part of a day, especially when paired with the solar panels for extra energy!
• The panels themselves are durable too, and weather resistant to most conditions.
• Can be powered by the sun, as well as pretty much any other source, from your car, to even your phone!
• Can even power home appliances with ease!

Cons

• Charging solely from solar power can take a while, up to 24 hours if just using the sun.

Also Available At: Goal Zero

Champion 2000-Watt

As you can see, many generators for camping out there come with a variety of extra features, from noise-canceling or fading tech, all the way up to solar energy.

However, if you’re looking for a good, reliable little power generator, then you can’t go wrong with this 2000-watt model from Champion, a stalwart of electrical and another essential tech.

Although to be fair, simply offering the 2000-watt model may be a little misleading, as champion sells a massive range of different generators, all with different amounts of charge, and punch of other features.

So, you’re certainly not left wanting in terms of a personalized product, that’s for sure!

Outside of the many options that you can get with this product, you’ve also got an incredibly light product on your hands, with it weighing less than 40 pounds, making it so easy to carry, even for just one person!

Add to that a pretty quiet noise it makes too, at just over 50 decibels at 23 feet away, and you have a generator that fills your needs very nicely.

Sometimes, you want a piece of kit that can do everything pretty well. And other times, you want something that can do one thing very well, and that’s what this generator does!

Pros

• Plenty of options in terms of extras and features with this model, perfect for customization.
• This is a quiet engine, too!
• The model is also light and easy to carry with just one or two people.

Cons

• You may have a little trouble starting this engine with the proper technique.

Also Available At: Champion Power Equipment

Buyer’s Guide

So, as you can see, there is no shortage of options when it comes to finding a good generator for your camping vacation.

There are so many options, that covering them all here would leave us reading for hours. You may find that the selection that we have collected here doesn’t quite meet every need you may have.

However, we can still cover some of the most important features that you should be keeping in mind when looking for a camping generator for yourself so that you aren’t left with an inadequate product that just doesn’t fit what your camping outings ask of it.

With that in mind, here are the features that we think you need to consider when searching on your own for a good portable generator.

Power

This is the big feature that many people will be looking out for when buying a new generator for camping, and rightly so.

For many of the prices that people will often ask for when it comes to generators of this type, you want it to be able to power your items for at least a little while!

However, how much power each person buying a generator needs will likely be quite different, depending on the camping experience that you are looking for.

For example, are you only going to need to charge your phone or camera for your short weekend stay at a camping location? Then you won’t need a massive amount of watts, so a 1200-watt will probably do nicely.

However, if you’re looking to keep an important appliance running, such as some kind of fridge, then you’re going to need something with a little more power behind it, and likely more than 2000 watts at a minimum.

Think carefully about what you will need for a camping trip, and not what you want to bring.

Decibels

You don’t want an absurdly loud generator ruining your camping experience, so you’re going to want to find something that is at least a little quieter than the average big generator.

Fortunately, there are many products out there that provide quiet generators that sit around the 50-decibel mark (at least from a reasonable distance away).

Generally speaking, anything below 60 decibels could be considered ‘quiet’ by manufacturers, so try and find a model that is around this level or lower.

75 decibels should be considered the absolute most that would be appropriate for a camping trip. Any louder, and it will be a disruptive influence.

Portability

This is another mark of a good generator. Your generator is only for a campaign trip, rather than a big extended stay, so you don’t want a massive generator that will be both difficult to move when moving around, as well as difficult to store at the same time.

While we would generally say that a good generator should hover around or below the 50 pounds mark, this will ultimately depend on your mode of transport.

An RV will have less trouble carrying a bigger model than a hatchback, after all!

Methods of Charging/Fuel

While eclectic and gasoline have been popular options for generators in the past, we’re also seeing an increase in the number of solar-powered generators out there.

Think about what will be accessible to you on your camping trip, if your generator needs a top-up of some kind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Would I Need A Generator When I Am Camping?

The same reason that you would need a generator anywhere!

If you have any vital pieces of tech, such as some form of light/torch, as well as ways for you to communicate with the outside world (your phone), they’re going to need the power to operate.
Hence the need for a generator.

Do All Generators Need To Be Grounded?

For your safety, and the safety of those around you, your generator needs to be grounded to avoid dangers such as electrocution.

Final Thoughts

So, as you can see, while there are plenty of options for generators out there, we’re confident that these products, as well as the advice we have shared, will set you up amazingly for your next camping trip.

Now get out there!