Those looking for a lot of power will generally start their search with a 10,000-watt generator. There are many different uses for them, including powering large and small appliances during a power outage, working with tools on a job site, taking care of power for a huge RV, running a food truck, and more.
With all that power, it is pretty much a given that it will be a little loud during operation. With that said, some are louder than others, and people should be looking for the quietest options possible if they do not want to be too distracted.
All of the generators listed below are not only quiet, but they provide great value and so many other ways as well. They are dependable, portable enough, and fuel-efficient.
They vary in price a little depending on brand and other features, but this is a great place to start to try to find precisely what works best.
1. Duromax XP12000EH Dual Fuel
This continually gets rated as one of the top options for those who need somewhere around 10,000 watts of power at certain times. It maxes out at 12,000 watts, but can comfortably run for about 20 hours at 50% output. This makes it a perfect option for those who want versatility with not only propane fuel but gasoline as well.
Versatility is also the name of the game when looking at all the different outlets available. This helps with easy set up when the power is needed. There is always the option to add additional converters as well, but that usually is not required. In total, the generator automatically comes with four different types of power options.
Propane is going to last longer than gasoline, but both work well depending on what a person wants to go with. It is also a very dependable generator that will last for a long time, so do not be afraid to put it through the test quite a bit.
Finally, people are looking for a quiet option while it is running. The set up of the generator does an excellent job of controlling the sound and contained it as much as possible.
It definitely rates as one of the quietest options in this range, but it is not going to ever be at a point where it does not make any noise. It is just simply impossible to expect something like that out of this generator.
Pros
- Versatile fueling options.
- Lightweight enough for transportation.
- Durable casing.
Cons
- Warranty is not the best.
- Wheels might need to be replaced with a lot of transportation.
Click the link for the current price for the DuroMax XP12000eh from Amazon and Home Depot.
2. Pulsar PG10000B16
Not only has Pulsar put together a generator that has dual fuel options, but they have made everything as convenient as possible when operating. People will be surprised to see that they can switch from propane to gasoline without having to shut down completely, which helps speed up the entire process of operating the generator.
This comes in handy for larger projects, or if the power goes out for longer than people realize initially. It can be a huge hassle to have to shut everything down if it is not operating properly, which is why people will gravitate towards an option like this.
There is a bit of a cost associated with this extra benefit, but people do not seem to mind all that much if it is something they will get a lot of use out of.
This is more than just a convenient dual fuel generator. People also like the overall technology included with the generator right out of the box. Not only are there multiple outlet options, but everything is on display so that monitoring can be done easily.
Instead of having to play the guessing game on where the generator is sitting as far as fuel efficiency and produced power is concerned, they can view everything on the side.
The 420cc 15 HP OHV engine is certainly one that people love using and depending on in numerous types of settings. There is nothing wrong with the decibel levels either, as it only gets up to about 74 when really under heavy operation. Most people are fine with that, as the generator can sit a little further away than most.
Pros
- Versatile fueling options for continuous use.
- Electric start.
- Pretty easy to move around.
Cons
- Fuel source switch costs extra money
- Gets a little loud when up close
Click the link for the current price for the Pulsar PG10000B16 from Amazon or Home Depot.
3. Duromax XP12000E
There are three standout features for anyone who ultimately gives this generator a try. The first is that it has some of the best runtimes out there, and it benefits from getting to a peak of 12,000 watt. At 50% power, this allows for 10 hours of continuous use, and that is about as much as someone should expect when using a generator of this size.
The second feature is the fact that it finds a way to be one of the quietest generators of this size. How does it keep noise levels down so that people can enjoy everything? It mostly comes down to taking the time to keep all of the noisy moving parts enclosed as much as possible.
No one wants to be the person who is having to deal with a lot of noise and vibrations, but they enclose the entire generator to keep noise levels down as much as possible. Being very efficient with fuel is also something that really brings everything together.
Finally, people are surprised by the overall value of this generator. It is one of the cheapest options talked about in this article, and that is a huge selling point for people who want to stay under budget. They are not really sacrificing much at all, and there are enough reviews to make
this a very solid company. The warranty is not the longest, but it does offer some protection for those shoppers who might feel like they could be a little vulnerable.
pros
- Very powerful.
- Quiet
- Inexpensive
Cons
- The warranty could be better.
- Run time can vary significantly.
Click the link for the current price for the Duromax XP12000E from Amazon or Home Depot.
4. Honda EB 10000
Not everyone wants to have a generator that is built for industrial use. However, once it gets up to the 10,000 watt range, there is more of a need to have dependable power instead of portability. The portability might not be there for some shoppers, but this is the best of both worlds in many ways.
At first glance, it certainly does look like a generator built for industrial use. It has several job site friendly options, including a huge fuel tank, a wide array of outlets, some outstanding casing to protect all of the important components, and more.
Honda does not really need to do much convincing when it comes to providing reliable tools to use at home or on a job site. They have done a great job putting together products for years, and this is no exception. It has outstanding reviews online, and many companies use this exact generator daily.
One would expect that with a powerful engine like the 630cc Honda GX 630 engine, things will get pretty loud. This is actually one of the quietest generators in this range when used normally. It gets up to the low 70s in decibels, which really is not too bad for a generator of the size.
It is hard to find many negatives at all with generator, but it is not exactly built for outstanding transportation at all times. Many will find it challenging to move this generator around. It is pretty heavy, weighing in at 464 pounds total.
There are some heavy-duty wheels and handles to make the moving around process a little easier, but just keep that in mind before investing.
Pros
- Outstanding power.
- Many different outlets.
- Built for industrial or home use.
Cons
- Heavy
- Fairly expensive.
5. A-iPower Electric Start
Most of the generators on his list so far have looked pretty big, which is to be expected when dealing with 10,000 watts or more. It does not have to always be about size though, as this option is perhaps the best small electric start inverter that goes over 10,000 watts. In fact, it has 12,000 starting watts, and 9000 running wants for people to depend on at home or on a job site.
The company is not as well known as some of the others on this list, but the reviews speak for themselves. They rely on some high-quality components to make things as efficient as possible under heavy operation. This allows them to use less space overall, and keep the weight down as well. It is all powered by a 16 HP engine, which is one of the best in this class.
With the compact size, one can probably guess that it does not have all the features that others come with. For starters, it lacks the same versatility The others have, simply because the run time is going to below. That is because it has a fuel tank that is the biggest, and it will not be able to last as long as some of the others.
Not only that, but the lack of outlets is a bit troubling for some. It is not a huge cut back from other options, but those who are constantly maxing out on using all the outlets might run into an issue.
All in all, this is about as portable as it gets for a generator of the size. Those looking for ways to move around and use it for multiple things will be very happy overall.
Pros
- Very easy to move around.
- Efficient engine.
- Shuts down automatically when dealing with low oil.
Cons
- Runtime is not the best.
- Lacks as many outlets as others.
Click the link for the current price for the Ai Power SUA12000EC from Amazon or Home Depot.
6. Gentron GT10020
The final generator to make this list is a pretty dependable option from Gentron. Shoppers will like that this option can really come in handy when an emergency strikes, or if there is just a sudden need for a generator from time to time.
It is always nice to have that back up option, and if it is not going to be used all that much, people should not feel the need to spend a lot of money.
Everything with this generator is pretty standard, as it includes an engine that gets the job done, a pretty big fuel tank, and enough outlets to keep an entire home running if needed. It is not going to be the most powerful or easiest to move around, but those are some sacrifices people need to make when going cheaper.
Sound level also takes a bit of a hit, but people need to compare those to other very cheap options. It gets up to about 78 dB when operating normally, which is the loudest on this list.
However, a lot of the more inexpensive 10,000-watt generators will actually get to levels as high as the mid-80s or even 90 decibels. That is going to be way too much, and people are going to get frustrated with that.
The best thing is that even if the generator is only used sparingly, it is dependable enough to be ready when it is called on. It handles a wide range of temperatures very well and needs very little maintenance. It is a great emergency option or those people on a very tight budget.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Decent runtime.
- It starts up in any type of temperature.
Cons
- It does not do anything exceptionally well.
- Gets a little louder than others on this list.
Click the link for the current price for the Gentron from Amazon.
Who Should Invest in 10,000-Watt Generators?
After reading through all these generators, some people might still wonder if they need something this powerful. It is always hard to judge just how much power is needed when purchasing a generator for the first time, but there are some ways to do some rough estimate.
A 10,000 watt generator is more than capable of powering some of the essential appliances in any home. That means hooking up the refrigerator, air conditioner window units, heaters, fans, and more are all easy overall. Some of the smaller generators will not be able to handle as many things at once, so larger homes might want something to the size.
It is also nice to have a generator that translates nicely to working on the job as well. This size will more than take care of any tools thrown his way. It is even powerful enough to set up a food truck or a mobile office if needed.
It is generally recommended to go with a generator that is a little too big, instead of one that is too small. No one wants to be caught in a situation where they have to ration their power a little too much. It becomes very frustrating and leaves people trying to figure out exactly what to do in the short term.
A large 10000 watt generator will certainly be a bit noisier than a smaller generator. That’s why I made the video bellow to show you 9 different ways to make a generator quieter!
Why Noise Levels Matter
A larger generator is definitely going to make some type of noise, but too much noise can be a huge distraction. The good thing with these bigger generators is that they can be placed further away from the action, but it is crucial to go with something that is not too loud and distracting.
If sound levels get to be too much, there are other tricks to control things as well. For starters, simply placing it in a strategic spot is going to cut down on how much sound is actually heard. There is also the opportunity to build small enclosures so that the sound is muffled a bit. Some people are more than willing to try doing something like this on their own.
All in all, people obviously want a generator that works and works well. However, high on the list for a lot of people tend to be a generator that stays relatively quiet, even when under pretty heavy use.