A generator that falls in or around the 7000 watt range is a happy medium for quite a few different tasks. It is not the biggest generator in the world by any means, but it can handle so many different tasks without being pushed to the limit.
Before investing, most people are going to check out the variety of options available. Getting one that is efficient and affordable is nice, but keeping things quiet also makes a difference in overall value.
These are the best of the best that fall into this category. Between all the different options, there should be at least a few to stand out to help narrow down the choices.
1. Honda EU 7000iS
The first generator to make this list might be considered the quietest option of them all. Honda has built a generator that is great for anyone looking to keep things as quiet as possible. It also just happens to be an excellent generator, even without considering noise levels. It is commonly recommended not only online, but in stores.
First, let’s take a look at just how quiet this generator is. At a 25% load, people can expect noise levels to get right around 50 decibels. This is simply unheard of for a generator of the size. Even without any additional noise level tricks used, this is a perfect option for anyone looking to stay as quiet as possible.
Power is not going to be the absolute best, but it is still pretty good for something that stays so quiet. It uses a Honda engine inside, and it is known as one of the most advanced and efficient engines for a generator at this time. This makes it perfect for residential and commercial use, as the versatility is hard to beat.
Fuel efficiency should not be an issue at all, as Honda actually uses what they call electronic fuel injection technology. It not only helps with the efficiency, but it cuts down on some other fuel issues that some generators run into.
If anything does go wrong, Honda is very well known for having great customer service, and long warranties. There is a standard three-year warranty on every one of these generators, and they are more than willing to take care of any issues efficiently. All in all, this is a bit expensive for a generator, but it is near the top of the list for anyone in need.
Pros
- Extremely quiet, making it the best in its class.
- Three-year warranty.
- Excellent runtime.
Cons
- A little expensive.
- Lacks top-end power.
2. Westinghouse WGEN7500
This option provides just a little more wattage than some people need, but it still falls into this category as a viable option. It is known a lot for its overall portability, amazing runtime, and ease-of-use with a remote control. Unlike some of the other options out there, people can do so many different things without ever having to bend over.
There are many different ways people can connect electronics to the generator, including using the transfer switch, the ready twist-lock outlet, or the 120 volt outlets located on the machine. It has some great safety features so that people do not have to worry about even younger children using the generator and getting something out of it.
As long as a person generally takes good care of the generator, it should last a very long time. It has been built so that people can really take a lot of abuse as long as general maintenance is kept up with. It ships with oil and a tool kit, making it pretty easy to do some maintenance without having to hire any professionals.
So just how quiet is this generator? It sits at around 73 decibels when under normal usage, which equates to a pretty standard conversation between two people. Anything in this range is not going to be completely quiet, but when strategically placed a certain area, it is very hard to hear too much.
Pros
- Three-year warranty.
- Multiple connection opportunities.
- Great efficiency.
Cons
- Noise level could be slightly lower.
- A little cumbersome.
3. Champion Power Equipment 100538
This generator from Champion is considered a perfect option for those who are going to do a lot of traveling with their generator. It is a little more compact and lightweight, making it easy to take around without too much of an issue. Instead of relying on bulky additions, the focus with the machine is on overall efficiency.
One reason why this machine is a little more lightweight than others comes down to the engine. It is a 420 mL Champion engine that has cold start technology for anyone who lives in colder areas. It is always monitoring power input, making sure that nothing is out of whack there as well.
Traveling with a generator can be a little tricky for people who are always moving around, as it could cause damage to the generator if not appropriately treated. There is a steal frame that protects everything, and that comes in handy outside as well. If it were for tip over for any reason, it is pretty easy to make sure that none of the important parts are damaged.
The only real knock on this option is that it has a smaller fuel tank at just 5.7 gallons. That means that runtime is not going to be nearly as close to max level at some of the other options on this list. Noise levels are generally kept at a minimum, although it is not quite as out there.
Pros
- Great surge protection.
- Built for RV travelers.
- Free lifetime support and a three-year warranty.
Cons
- Small fuel tank.
- Becomes loud when running at high loads.
4. Pulsar 7000 Watt (PG7750B)
A very efficient generator, most people are going to fuel this with either LPG or gasoline. It has a very solid, strong engine that is protected so that it runs for a very long time. Having the ability to move it around everywhere makes it very versatile, and some consider it the best value out of all the different options in this range.
When running a half load, people can expect about 13 hours of operation. It has a 6.6-gallon fuel tank, and it can reach a peak of 7500 W. To put that into everyday terms, hooking it up to a total of four pretty big devices is perfectly fine. It can help operate some small homes completely if necessary as well.
Starting this generator up is fairly easy, as there an electric push start located directly on the generator. It is also easy to plug-in different things with the versatile six outlets. This cuts down on the need for converters or any other workarounds.
With a dual fuel mechanism, most find this to be one of the best values out there. It is not the cheapest option out there, but still affordable for most people. It ends up being more than worth the investment when it is all said and done.
Pros
- Works with LPG and gasoline.
- Long run time thanks to a big fuel tank.
- Multiple outlet options.
Cons
- Electric start is hard to figure out for some initially.
- Could have more stats digitally displayed.
5. Cat RP7500E
For great portability and plenty of power, Cat has put together a strong generator to fit perfectly in this class. Although it can go up to 7500 watts, most people are going to keep it below that on a normal basis.
The gas-powered machine is built to handle some of the most challenging things in an industrial setting. It makes for a slightly more rugged option, and one that will not move around as easily in some settings, but it is perfect for longer run times and plenty of power needed for certain appliances.
Having the ability to power many different things at once is huge for people who invest in this generator. Using standard tools like saws drills are very easy, and it can power multiple things at once.
The versatility here makes the generator perfect for those who might occasionally need it for non-industrial use as well. Just keep in mind that it is a little bulky, and taking it everywhere might not make a lot of sense. If a person ends up traveling more with a generator than they initially thought, they might want to look in a different direction.
Pros
- Provides great information on the generator.
- Long runtime.
- Great outlet versatility.
Cons
- Lacks the same type of fuel efficiency as other options.
- Hard to travel with.
6. Sportsman Jen 7500 DEF
This final generator makes a list because of not only his performance, but his price tag. Those who are looking to save money will find quite a few cheap options out there, but not all of them provide much value. In fact, it is very hard to find a quality option that is low in price, but this one stands out from the rest.
Sportsman benefits a little bit from not being the most known company with generators, but they use high-quality parts. With just this generator, it is fairly easy to run a RV or motorhome without much of an issue. It is a dual fuel generator, running on either gas or propane. At 50% load, the generator runs for about nine hours, and that is all thanks to a 6.2-gallon fuel tank.
Nothing is too overly impressive with this generator except, of course, the price tag. There are a total of seven outlets for people to use, so there is very little issue getting many things up and running.
It is still considered a fairly quiet generator, but this is one thing that will stand out from the rest. It is the quietest of the very cheap generators in this range, but it will get up to about 80 decibels, making it a little tough to operate in certain areas.
Some people will still be perfectly fine dealing with that level of sound, while others think it is worth spending the extra money to get something quieter.
Budget concerns are for real, so this might be the only option for some. If that is the case, do not skimp out on anything cheaper than this. There is a lot of like from Sportsman, and it should last a long time, even for heavy users.
Pros
- Very affordable.
- Seven outlets for versatile use.
- Circuit protection system comes in handy.
Cons
- Louder than most other options.
- Short warranty.
7000 Watt Generator The Right Fit?
Most people who are searching for 7000 watt generator already know that the size is exactly what they need. For others, there might be a bit of a decision on what to go with. Is a 7000 watt generator the right fit? It really depends on what needs to be powered.
At first glance, 7000 watts might not seem like enough energy to power up the house. However, most people invest in a generator like this to do exactly that. It is still portable enough to take on trips or use with an RV, but having a way to back at the house is also great.
7000 watt generators are pretty easy to set up so that all the essentials are covered. There will be some people who make sure that they do not use too much of the generator for frivolous things, as that will extend the life overall.
Larger homes, or those that need a lot of energy in general, probably need to jump up to 10,000 watt generators. If an entire home does not need that much power, there is also the option to go with a smaller generator.
Finally, make sure that there is enough space to store the generator when not in use. When not used, it needs a place to go as well that has enough air flow so that there are no issues there. Having a 7000 watt generator is a very nice option to turn to when times are tough or mobile power is needed, so do not be afraid to make that investment.