For home backup, you’ll a powerful inverter generator to run essential appliances, such as the light system, the oven, the refrigerator, or the air conditioner.
Here are the best 4000 watt inverter generators you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Westinghouse iGen4500 Inverter Generator
- Best For Home Backup: Champion 4000-Watt RV Open Frame Inverter
- Best For RVs: WEN GN400i RV-Ready 4000-Watt Inverter Generator
- Best For Consistent Performance: Champion Wireless 4000-Watt Inverter
- Advanced CO Detection: Briggs & Stratton P4500 Power Smart Series Inverter Generator
| 5 Best 4000 Watt Inverter Generators | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Westinghouse iGen4500 Inverter Generator | |
Best For Home Backup | Champion 4000-Watt RV Open Frame Inverter | |
Best For RVs | WEN GN400i RV-Ready 4000-Watt Inverter Generator | |
Best For Consistent Performance | Champion Wireless 4000-Watt Inverter | |
Advanced CO Detection | Briggs & Stratton P4500 Power Smart Series Inverter Generator | |
Best Overall: Westinghouse iGen4500 Inverter Generator
- Powerful & Less than 3% THD output
- Super quiet - 52 dBA
- Remote Start - Electric & Recoil Start
- Rotating Digital Display
- RV ready & 18 hour run-time
- Parallel Incapable
Westinghouse iGen4500 is my pick for the best inverter generator. It features a 224-cc gas engine, which generates 3,700 running watts and 4,500 starting watts. This level of power is enough for all kinds of needs, from RVing to backing up for power outages. However, it is not parallel capable in case you need even more power. This can be considered a drawback, depending on your needs.
The output electric is not only powerful but also very consistent and clean with less than 3% THD. This output is reliable and safe for sensitive electronics like smartphones and laptops. Moreover, Westinghouse iGen4500 is super quiet while operating - the noise level is about 52 dBA.
Besides, Westinghouse iGen4500 is RV ready with a TT-30R RV outlet and 18 hours of runtime (on a 3.4-gallon gas tank). It features remote start and push-button electric start for ease start-ups even in cold weather. The LCD shows important parameters - Fuel Level, Power Output, Remaining Run Time, Voltage Output, Lifetime Hours.
| Westinghouse iGen4500 Inverter Generator Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Displacement | 224 cc |
Noise Level | 52 dBA |
Output Running Watts | 3,700 watts |
Output Starting Watts | 4,500 watts |
Highlight Features | EPA, USFS, and CARB Compliant; Rotating Digital Display; Remote Start; Electric Start; RV Ready |
Westinghouse iGen4500 is super quiet, powerful, and reliable, ready for all kinds of needs.
Best For Home Backup: Champion 4000-Watt RV Open Frame Inverter
- Open Frame Inverter Design
- 17 hours run-time on gasoline
- Less than 3% THD
- RV Ready & Parallel Ready
- Affordable
- Not-so-good maneuverability
Champion 4000-Watt has an open frame design. This design keeps the generator stable while operating and protects it from being damaged. Compared with the Westinghouse iGen4500, this Champion 4000-Watt is less powerful and reliable, but a lot more affordable. It would be perfect for home backup.
Champion 4000-Watt has 4,000 peak watts and 3,500 running watts. The output is less than 3% THD, which is usable for sensitive electronics. The runtime is 17 hours at 25% load per 2.9-gallon fuel tank. Moreover, this generator is RV ready for camping and parallel ready in case you want more power.
A big drawback of Champion 4000-Watt is that it has no wheel. It requires a good deal of effort to move this 80-lb generator.
| Champion 4000-Watt RV Open Frame Inverter Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Displacement | 224 cc |
Noise Level | 64 dBA |
Output Running Watts | 3,500 watts |
Output Starting Watts | 4,000 watts |
Highlight Features | Quick Touch Panel; Parallel Capable; CARB Compliant |
Champion 4000-Watt is an affordable choice when you need a powerful home backup power.
Best For RVs: WEN GN400i RV-Ready 4000-Watt Inverter Generator
- Lightweight & Compact
- Sturdy design & Low noise level
- Clean & reliable power
- Parallel-ready panel
- Overload and underload protection
- Low run-time
WEN GN400i RV-Ready is my choice for RV-ing. It has everything needed for a great RV-ing experience. First, it is portable with a lightweight and compact design. It weighs only 66 lbs, which is 20 lbs less than other generators at the same power level. Second, the noise level is pretty low. Third, the output power is clean and reliable with less than 3% THD. And the last, it features overload protection and low-oil, low-fuel auto-shutoff to protect the generator from any possible damage.
WEN GN400i RV-Ready features a parallel-ready panel, so you can connect two WEN generators of any type for more power. Besides, WEN GN400i RV-Ready is also pretty sturdy that withstands impacts and shocks during your camping trips.
However, the run-time of WEN GN400i RV-Ready is not so impressive. It lasts up to 7 hours at half load - still, this is enough to keep the power up for the whole night.
| WEN GN400i RV-Ready 4000-Watt Inverter Generator Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Displacement | 212 cc |
Noise Level | 64 dBA |
Output Running Watts | 3,500 watts |
Output Starting Watts | 4,000 watts |
Highlight Features | Parallel-ready panel; Overload and underload protection; EPA III & CARB Compliant |
WEN GN400i RV-Ready has everything needed for a great RV-ing experience.
Best For Consistent Performance: Champion Wireless 4000-Watt Inverter
- Open Frame Inverter Design
- Wireless start & Electric start
- 17 hours run-time on gasoline
- Less than 3% THD
- RV Ready & Parallel Ready
- Quite loud while operating
Champion Wireless 4000-Watt is basically an upgraded version of Champion 4000-Watt. Both have the same power, run-time, and noise level. The output power is also pretty the same - both are less than 3% THD and very reliable. Both are RV ready and parallel ready.
Champion Wireless 4000-Watt features two big wheels for easier maneuver. It features wireless start so you can start and stop the generator from 80ft away, pretty convenient. Moreover, it also features electric start, making it easier to start the generator in cold weather. These are all valued upgrades.
With 17 hours of run-time and reliable output, Champion Wireless 4000-Watt is the choice for consistent performance. However, it is quite loud while operating, which is a significant drawback.
| Champion Wireless 4000-Watt Inverter Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Displacement | 224 cc |
Noise Level | 64 dBA |
Output Running Watts | 3,500 watts |
Output Starting Watts | 4,000 watts |
Highlight Features | Wireless Start; Electric Start; Quick Touch Panel; Parallel Capable; CARB Compliant |
Champion Wireless 4000-Watt provides consistent and reliable output.
Advanced CO Detection: Briggs & Stratton P4500 Power Smart Series Inverter Generator
- High efficiency, low noise & emissions
- Automatic Self-adjustment
- Electric start & Display panel
- Advanced CO Detection
- Pretty high price
One of the most annoying things about generators is its emissions, which may be very harmful. The CO emission may cause you headaches or even dead faints when you're in a closed area. Briggs & Stratton P4500 with patented CO detection technology. It automatically shuts the generator off when it detects an abnormally high level of CO in the environment around.
Moreover, Briggs & Stratton P4500 automatically adjusts the engine speed to meet the electrical demand while keeping noise, emissions, and fuel consumption at a low level.
Other features are decent, including an electric start button, a display panel, and RV outlets. However, the price is very high. This is a big drawback when all the features are pretty standard except for the CO guard.
| Briggs & Stratton P4500 Power Smart Series Inverter Generator Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Displacement | 224 cc |
Noise Level | 60 dBA |
Output Running Watts | 3,700 watts |
Output Starting Watts | 4,500 watts |
Highlight Features | CO Guard; Electric Start; Display Panel; RV outlets |
Briggs & Stratton P4500 features a CO guard and an auto speed adjustment function.
How To Choose The Best 4000 Watt Inverter Generator?
To choose the best 4000-watt inverter generator, here are some specs you may want to pay attention to:
- Peak Watts vs. Running Watts: Every device requires a starting wattage (peak wattage) for starting up, and a running wattage (ratted wattage) for operating. You may want to calculator the total watts that your appliances consume before choosing the generator. If a 4000-watt generator is not sufficient, then you may consider a 4,500-watt generator.
- Max runtime: You may want to run the generator the whole night, so a generator that can run for 7 hours consecutively is a good choice.
- Noise level: A low noise level is very important when you run the generator in your neighborhood or in a small area, so the generator won’t interrupt your activities or disturb your neighbors.
- Reliability of the Output power: When it comes to inverter generator, you don’t have to worry about the reliability of the output power. They feature a built-in inverter to stabilize the electric flow, so the output power is safe for sensitive electrics, such as smartphones or TVs.
Which Brands Make The Best 4000 Watt Inverter Generator?
Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Westinghouse is an iconic brand of the US's engine and power industry. It has a long tradition - more than 150 years of operation. With this experience, you are assured of high-quality, reliable, and long-lasting inverter generators. They are the owner of nearly 30,000 patents. Besides, all of Westinghouse's generators are backed by a great warranty policy. When it comes to inverter generators, Westinghouse is a brand you can trust.
Champion Power Equipment
Champion is another giant in the engine and power industry. Up to now, Champion has sold over 2.5 million units in North America. One of the biggest advantages of Champion is their great customer service. Diversity is another advantage, they produce all kinds of generators for all kinds of purposes, from for RVs to for home power outages and industrial purposes.
WEN
If you are finding a quiet generator, WEN is the to-go brand. WEN is a long-established brand, which was founded in 1951. With 70 years of experience, WEN is one of the pioneers who integrate innovative technologies into their generators, which results in super-reliable output and super-quiet operation. Besides generators, they also provide a wide range of power tools, from chainsaws, jigsaws, engravers to soldering guns, air compressors, and so on. All are of high quality and affordable.
FAQs
What can a 4000 watt generator handle?
A 4,000-watt generator can run almost any household or RV appliance, from a refrigerator, an air conditioner to a microwave oven.
How good is a 4000 watt generator?
A 4,000-watt generator is a powerful generator that can run almost any household appliance. It's ready for power outages or RV-ing.
Can a 4000 watt generator run a house?
Probably not. While you cannot run the whole house with a 4000-watt generator, you can expect the generator can handle your most essential appliance, such as a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a microwave oven, and the light system.
Can an inverter generator run a refrigerator?
A typical home refrigerator requires about 1000-2000 starting watts. You need a generator with higher starting watts to run the refrigerator.
How to hook a 4000 watt generator up?
You'll need a manual generator transfer switch or an automatic transfer switch. Wire the switch with a hookup outside and an outlet inside. In an power outage, just need to plug in your generator to the hookup, and plug in your appliances to the outlet, which is connected to the hookup.
Conclusion
A 4000-watt inverter generator prepares you for emergencies like power outages, or for RV-ing. I hope this article can help you choose a suitable inverter generator.
Harry RamosI’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!
