We all know how important having a generator is these days with the sudden increase of severe weather. In my area their calling for a significant amount of freezing rain overnight and there is a strong possibility of a power outage coming our way. Having a generator is essential for some people, especially if they have children. The biggest problem most generators have however is the high amounts of noise they emit. In this article, I will explain different ways for how to make a generator quiet for camping and home use.
How to make a generator quieter for camping? The best way to make a generator quieter for camping and at home during a power outage is to build a quiet generator box. You can learn how to build your very own DIY generator quiet enclosure by clicking on the link.
Of course, there are other ways to help make a generator quieter, so you’re not disturbing everyone around. There are also different types of generators that I will talk about and how to make a traditional and an inverter generator quieter.
I do not use a generator while camping. Our family still sleeps in tents while camping because we usually go to places a trailer could not follow. I do however have a generator to power some parts of my home during a power outage, and I did feel bad for my neighbors in the past when I had a rather loud generator.
The only thing that made my situation bearable is that almost everyone around us had a generator. At least I didn’t feel like I was the only one causing all the racket! Now we have a natural gas standby generator that is super quiet, mostly because of the rugged enclosure it sits in all year.
I will share with you some tips on how to make your generator quiet as a cricket!
How to Make your Generator Quiet as a Cricket
The reason why small engines like on generators or air compressors are much louder than a big motor used automobiles is simple.
An automotive engine is made of a thick and heavy material pressurized high volume oil system. They are liquid cooled, so the engine does not overheat.
Small engines, on the other hand, are made from a lightweight thinner material that is splash oiled and air cooled.
The small engine companies could build much quieter engines, but they would have to make them thick and heavy. I’m not sure how many people would want to be pushing around an 800-pound lawnmower or lugging around a generator with that amount of weight.
Here I have compiled 10 of the best tips I could think of to make a generator quiet for camping and home.
1. Build a Generator Quiet Enclosure
As I mentioned above, building a quiet generator box is one of the best ways to help make your generator quieter.
What is also standard with having a quiet enclosure for a generator is that you can also use it to make an air compressor quieter as well since we all know how loud an average air compressor can be; so make sure to make the sound box big enough to be able to accommodate other loud appliances.
Building your very own generator quiet box can be simple if you follow the guide by clicking the link.
Here are the steps you will have to follow to build a noise isolation box.
- First, you will need to make all the proper measurements. You certainly do not want any air gaps letting noise out of the enclosure. Leaving even a tiny hole will defeat the purpose of the sound box entirely. Make sure to leave just enough space for the sound insulation that you will install inside all four walls and ceiling of the box. You will also need to leave enough space for the ventilation equipment.
- Cut out the MDX (Medium Density Fiberboard Amazon Link) as per your dimensions utilizing a circular or table saw. It could be helpful to label the sides and ceiling pieces with a pencil, so there’s no confusion later. Make sure you buy enough MDX or soundboard, this will prevent you from having to make a second online order or having to go back to the hardware store to get more material.
- Attach the first layer of soundproofing using Green Glue Noise-Proofing Compound. The first later will be Mass Loaded Vynil (MLV). There is also a second layer of soundproofing material to attach inside the enclosure. All the information to complete the build of the sound box can be found by clicking the link above (quiet generator box).
2. Buy a ZombieBox Portable Soundproof Enclosures

ZombieBox is a soundproof enclosure that is weatherproof and portable. A ZombieBox will make your generator much quieter when using your generator while on a camping trip.
What is also nice about this box is that’s its collapsable for easy storage. The Zombie Box will reduce the noise from your generator by up to 5X or 99% as claimed on their website.
I have never had a ZombieBox, but I am planning to get one someday soon. Keep checking our YouTube Channel for a full review when it becomes available.
3. Does a Car Muffler on a Generator Work? YES and NO!

I see so many Soundproofing websites that claim that an automobile muffle (Amazon Link) will act as a magical silencer for your generator. Well, guess what? They don’t always do the trick, and the people claiming otherwise have apparently never tried it themselves, and are most likely copying that answer from each other.