The 4 Best Dual Fuel Generators

It is not without reason that dual fuel generators are popular as an emergency power source for the home. Both propane and gasoline have pros and cons when it comes to powering your home. Gasoline is cheap, efficient and relatively easy to obtain, but it produces toxic fumes and has a relatively short shelf life. Propane can be stored for years under the right conditions and produces significantly less CO2, but it is a less efficient fuel source than gasoline and can be difficult to obtain in an emergency scenario. To help you find the right power source to meet your needs, we’ve rounded up some of the best dual-fuel generators on the market.

How I Chose the Best Dual Fuel Generators

As a writer for Outdoor Life, I have spent many hours researching and testing some of the best solar generators and portable power stations. I’ve also been a long-time camper and have spent a lot of my time with fuel-burning generators, which gave me insight into their benefits and limitations. I have extensively researched each of these dual-fuel generators through a combination of first-hand testing, long-term experience with the brand, market research, and real consumer reviews.

The best dual-fuel generators: reviews and recommendations

Best Overall: DuroMax 15,000 Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Electric Start

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Most important features

• Runs on gasoline and propane
• Other sizes available: 2,300 watts to 16,000 watts
• Weight: 380 pounds

Positives

• Enough power for all your needs
• Surprisingly small footprint

Cons

If you’re looking for a powerful generator that can handle everything – AC, washing machine, microwave, freezer – without missing a beat, you need something big: really big. What sets the DuroMax apart is that not only can it deliver 15,000 watts at a time at 120 volts, but it can also run on propane and gasoline, giving you maximum versatility in the event of a power outage. And it manages all that while having a surprisingly small footprint (30 inches x 33 inches x 25 inches). The biggest disadvantage is that this device is quite loud at 83 decibels. Imagine you are standing next to a diesel truck. It may also be overkill for some families who are willing to put up with less comfort during a power outage and just need something to keep the lights on.

Most portable: EcoFlow smart generator

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Most important features

• Runs on gasoline and propane
• Only one size
• Weight: 62.8 pounds

Positives

• Can be used to charge EcoFlow’s Delta Pro/Max
• Connects to an app

Cons

• Requires both a separate power station and an adapter cord to maximize functionality

Most dual-fuel generators only supply power when they run (loudly). But pairing a dual-fuel generator with a portable power station can be a smart way to maximize your generator’s output, capturing and storing all the energy it generates so you can turn the thing off and still get power while you enjoy some peace and quiet. The catch is that to store that energy you also need one of EcoFlows’ portable power stations, especially in their Delta Pro or Delta Max series. (You will also need the EcoFlow Delta Pro to Smart Generator Adapter.) EcoFlow estimates that one full tank in their Smart Generator adds 5.4 kWh to your portable power plant.

Another advantage of the EcoFlow Smart Generator is that, unlike traditional fuel generators, you can control part of it with an app, so you can keep your distance from the noise and fumes.

Best Tri-Fuel: Sportsman 4,000 Watt Portable Tri Fuel Generator with Recoil Start

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Most important features

• Operates on unleaded petrol, natural gas and LPG propane
• Other sizes available: 7,500 watts
• Weight: 90 pounds

Positives

• Runs on more fuel sources than any other choice on this list
• Somewhat affordably priced

Cons

• Connecting to your home’s natural gas can be complicated and expensive

One of the biggest problems with generators during power outages is finding a compatible fuel source. Gasoline is typically in highest demand, but as natural disasters increase, making dual-fuel generators more common, even propane may become scarce. To further diversify the fuel sources you can turn to in the event of a power outage, consider a tri-fuel generator. This option from Sportsman runs on gasoline, LPG propane and natural gas, a smart choice for people who already have a port at home that they can drive on. This unit is also light enough that two people can move up and down the stairs comfortably, making it more versatile than heavier options.

Read next: Best rechargeable flashlights

Best Solar Generator: Jackery solar generator 2000 Plus

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Most important features

• Runs on stored electricity and solar energy
• Other available sizes: Also available with a 300W, 1000W or 3000W power station
• Weight: 61.5 pounds

Positives

• Virtually silent
• No exhaust fumes
• Charging via solar energy

Cons

• Difficult to charge in cloudy weather or low light during a blackout

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus won the best RV award in my review of the best solar generators, and I think people preparing for possible power outages should consider it as well. Traditional dual-fuel generators run on propane and gasoline; If you run out of stock, you’ll have to look for refills at the gas station or something similar. This is not always feasible during a power outage, especially if there is a prolonged power outage where there is a high demand for fuel. Solar generators run on the sun. As long as you have access to clear skies, you can keep charging it. Larger power plants, such as the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus, can handle high solar input, up to 1400 watts. That means you can add quite a few panels to your array to really maximize the sun’s potential to power your home. And the larger size of the power station in this case means you can pre-store power in your setup, ready to use as soon as the lights go out.

The catch, of course, is that this doesn’t work as well if you live in a bleaker part of the country. But if you live in the Sun Belt or another cloud-free zone, a solar generator is a great way to access the sun’s free energy when you need it.

Things to Consider Before Choosing the Best Dual Fuel Generators

Gas vs. Propane vs. Natural Gas (vs. Solar)

There are pros and cons to each fuel source. Gasoline is easily available and efficient, but you cannot store it for more than three to six months. Propane is a little harder to find, but has a much longer shelf life (decades). Although it typically produces less electricity than gas, it also produces less CO2.

Read next: The best air quality monitors

Natural gas means you may never have to leave your home again: if your natural gas line still works during a power outage, you can simply connect it directly to it. The catch is that this usually involves quite a bit of preparation and costs, including professional help. Solar power is easy to set up and very satisfying to capture. The catch is that it works significantly less well when the sky is cloudy (and not at all when it’s night) and most arrays can’t handle enough load to consistently run power-hungry appliances like air conditioners.

Fuel availability

Depending on where you are, it may be easier or more difficult to obtain propane or gas. You get gas, unsurprisingly, at a gas station, where there are often long lines of people trying to fuel both their cars and their cans for their home generators. Propane, on the other hand, can be harder to find, but is typically in lower demand. You can also look for propane exchange stations to refuel existing cans.

Weight

Dual fuel generators are generally not a good choice for outdoor recreational use because they are much heavier and more difficult to move than single fuel or solar generators. Before choosing a piece of equipment, consider how much you plan to move it (if at all) and whether its weight suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final thoughts on the best dual fuel generators

If the worry of an unexpected power outage is causing you to lose sleep, it’s time to invest in a generator that gives you options for how to keep the lights on in your home. A dual-fuel generator, like the generators covered here, allows you to store and boost energy for the long term through gasoline, propane, natural gas, and solar power.