Power generators at camp can be both a curse and a blessing.
They can provide some much-needed electricity regardless of where you happen to be, but they can also lead to a sleepless night due to the obnoxious noise some of them make.
Therefore, a quiet generator for camping is a must.
However, if you have a good look around on the internet, you will find that the more thought-out units aren’t that loud.
So, with this article, we thought it would be great if we could answer some questions along the lines of:
- Which is the best quiet generator for camping?
- What is the best quiet portable generator for camping?
- What is the best quiet generator overall, or the most quiet generator for camping?
- How about the best portable generator?
- What brand is the best quiet gas generator for camping?
Therefore, if you are in the market for a quiet generator for camping, keep on reading!
Table of Contents:
- Jackery 1000: The Quietest Option, But With a Caveat
- Westinghouse iGen1200
- Best Quiet Generator for Camping: ALP 1000W Propane Generator
- Best Quiet Generator for Camping – What’s Your Pick?
- Must-Have Overlanding Gear
| Most Quiet (Solar) | Best Value Gas | Top Pick (Dual Fuel) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product |  Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 |  WEN 56225i Inverter Generator | TOP PICK Westinghouse iGen2550DFc |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.7 3,400 ratings | ★★★★☆ 4.6 800 ratings | ★★★★☆ 4.3 959 ratings |
| Fuel Type | Solar/Battery | Gasoline | Gasoline or Propane |
| Noise Class | Silent, no engine | ~53 dB quiet-class | ~52-53 dB quiet-class |
| Price | $459.00 as of Jul 20, 4:03 pm | $555.01 as of Jul 20, 4:03 pm | $434.65 as of Jul 20, 4:01 pm |
| Check Price → | Check Price → | Check Price → |
Jackery 1000: The Quietest Option, But With a Caveat
Obviously, if you want the most quiet generator for camping, you cannot beat the silence of a solar generator like the Jackery 1000.
In the case of this unit, there is no internal combustion engine that makes noise to produce electricity.
The solar generator is basically a huge battery that can either be charged by the sun or your car.
With multiple output ports such as two USB C, two USB, one DC car-port, and three pure sine wave AC outlets – powering camera gear, phones, and laptops when off-grid will present no issues.
The weight of this generator is only 22lbs, and the unit has a solid handle which makes carrying it around much easier.
It all sounds great, and this is definitely the most quiet generator for camping. However, there are a few issues with this option.
The first one is the price. It costs nearly twice as much as the upcoming options, and that’s before you add the solar panels that are sold separately.
So, if you buy this generator without separately purchasing the solar panels, you will only be able to charge it through your vehicle or at home before you leave.
One should also consider that during overland travel, especially in winter, some areas of the world will have little to no sun; therefore, in such instances, the solar panels will be useless.
As a quiet generator for camping, the Jackery 1000 has plenty of benefits; however, the negatives are deal breakers, in our opinion.
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station,1070Wh LiFePO4 Battery,1500W AC/100W USB-C Output, 1 Hr Fast Charge, Solar Generator for Camping,Emergency, RV, Off-Grid Living(Solar Panel Optional)
The quietest way to keep gear charged at camp - no engine, no noise, just battery power.
- Zero engine noise for genuinely silent camping
- 1,070Wh capacity with pure sine wave AC outlets
- Only 22 lbs with a solid one-hand carry handle
- Charges from a vehicle outlet or optional solar panels
- Solar panels are sold separately and add real cost
- Little to no charging in low-sun regions without solar
Westinghouse iGen1200
As this unit uses an engine to generate power, it is as you would expect – heavier than the solar-powered Jackery. At 33lb, it is not considered heavy, but the difference between the solar generator and the petrol-powered one will be noticeable.
Westinghouse suggests that this quiet generator for camping can run for up to 9 hours on a 0.8gal gas tank; therefore, you will have enough fuel capacity to have power during hours of sleep at night.
The main drawback of the Westinghouse is that you will need to carry petrol with you, which can be a pain as you do not want it to get spilled in your truck.
If you have a pickup, this may not be much of an issue, but with wagons, you might need to come up with a clever solution.
A good suggestion is to rig up a system that would somehow use the petrol you already have in your vehicle’s fuel tank. This will save you a lot of hassle when it comes to transporting fuel.
The Westinghouse iGen1200 is a good choice for a quiet generator for camping; however, we reckon there is a better one.
Editor’s Note: The Westinghouse iGen1200 pictured above is now discontinued on Amazon, so we’ve swapped in the WEN 56225i below – a current, similarly-positioned quiet-class gas inverter generator – as the widget pick for this section. It’s important to consider the environmental impact of the generators you use. Gas generators, for example, can be messy and loud. Likewise, gas-powered tools are being phased out in the coming years in some locations (like here in California), so gas-powered generators might be added to that list. While I’ve listed a gas generator here, bear in mind the downsides of using them.
WEN 56225i 2250-Watt Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator with Fuel Shut-Off, CARB Compliant , Black
A proven quiet-class gas inverter generator for campers who want gas reliability without the racket.
- 53 dB operation stays at conversation-level noise
- 2,250 peak watts covers most camp appliances
- 48.5 lbs with a compact footprint
- Still requires storing and transporting gasoline
- Not as silent as a solar-only unit
Best Quiet Generator for Camping: ALP 1000W Propane Generator
Our last candidate in the quiet generator for camping battle is the ALP 1000W propane generator, and we reckon this is the winner.
You see, this little power-packed unit is just like the Westinghouse in that it is a great quiet generator for camping. However, this has one key difference that sets it apart from the rest – propane.
Let’s start with the most important factor of any quiet generator for camping, noise. At slightly under 52dBA, the ALP Generator will be no problem when it comes to carrying conversations or sleeping – especially if you locate it a bit further away from your sitting/sleeping area.
Adding to the low noise is the fact that propane is easier to store than petrol. You can buy readily-filled tanks that can be stored without worrying about spills.
What is even more impressive is that on a 20lb tank, the ALP will run for 60hr, which is more than enough time for any long stint at camp.
The ALP unit is also lighter than the Westinghouse at just 30lb. Obviously, it is still heavier than the Jackery 1000, but that can be expected.
Just like the Westinghouse, it can also be paired with another ALP generator to produce more power in case you need it. Therefore, if you buy one and happen to need more power, you can just add a second one to it.
Obviously, propane has the drawback of having a higher freeze point which can be an issue during cold weather camping. However, there are plenty of ways online that help keep propane tanks warm to prevent this from happening.
Editor’s Note: ALP’s own listing is currently dead on Amazon and the manufacturer has paused production, so we’ve swapped in the Westinghouse iGen2550DFc below as the closest currently-available dual-fuel (gas or propane) quiet generator.
Learn more about the ALP 1000W Propane Generator
Westinghouse 2550 Peak Watt Super Quiet & Lightweight Portable Inverter Generator, RV Ready 30A Outlet, Gas and Propane Powered, CO Sensor, Parallel Capable, Long Run Time
The closest available match to the ALP's quiet propane operation, with the flexibility to run gas too.
- Runs on gasoline or propane for flexible fuel choice
- 2,550 peak watts gives more headroom than the ALP
- Propane option keeps fuel storage simple and mess-free
- Heavier than the discontinued ALP 1000W unit
- Dual-fuel hardware adds some bulk versus a single-fuel unit
Best Quiet Generator for Camping – What’s Your Pick?
Our pick for the best quiet generator for camping is a propane-capable unit due to its low noise, lightweight build, and the convenience of propane as a power source – see our current top pick above.
If you have any further questions regarding the purchase of a quiet generator for camping, post them in the forum section of our page! Also, let us know which of these capable generators would be your pick for your next adventure.
Must-Have Overlanding Gear:
A few more items that round out a solid camp kit:
Must-Have Overlanding Gear
CampLand Outdoor Folding CampingTable with Aluminum Lightweight Hei…
