Whether you are an avid camper or just want to have a backup power source at home, it makes sense to have a generator, but of what kind? If you truly want a versatile generator, then you need to get a dual fuel generator. You should also make sure to go with a Champion brand generator as well, since they are easy to use, powerful, and cost-effective. That is why we put together these Champion dual fuel generator reviews, after all. We want to be sure that you get the very best generator for your needs.
Now, there is a lot to take into consideration when you are looking for a generator. You need to have a clear idea of what wattage you need, both for startup and for running, what kind of a runtime you require, and whether or not the unit can be hooked up and utilized as a backup for your home. To throw some light on the real performance of each Champion generator, we combed through more than 500 real customer reviews and compared tens of features to reduce the range to the five products you’ll definitely benefit from.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to make sure you get the right Champion generator. If you already know what you are looking for, you’ll want to check out the table listed below and the in-depth reviews of each product. If you are just starting your search, then make sure you check out our detailed buying guide. That way, you can be sure you know everything you need to know to get the best dual fuel generator for your needs.
Now we finally have come to it. If you are truly serious about creating a ton of backup power, then you’ll really want to check out this unit. While running on gasoline, this generator can churn out 8000 watts of electricity, and still last a good long time. Even on propane, this unit will still give you a ton of electrical power, making it an ideal backup for home essentials or a workplace.
As you’d expect, there is a drawback to all of this power creation, and it is yet again the noise level. But rather than focusing on the fact that this generator is, like most conventional generators, a bit noisy, you should instead be impressed by the fact that it isn’t even louder. Even though this generator is creating a ton of electrical power, it isn’t any louder than smaller, less powerful models.
Being that this is one of the larger models out there, you shouldn’t be surprised to find out that it has a ton of outlets. Altogether, it has six different outlets, making it quick and easy to keep all of your essentials up and running. It is also EPA certified and CARB compliant, which is great for the environment.
Another consideration when buying a generator is the impact that it will have on the environment. As generators continue to become more and more efficient in their fuel consumption, they also need to make sure that their emissions are not having too much of an impact on our planet. Such is the case with this model, which is the only CARB compliant model offered by Champion.
Being a conventional generator, this model is, unsurprisingly, a little on the loud side. It does, however, come with the added benefit of providing almost as much power as our pick for the most powerful generator. This makes it a great choice for someone who wants to be able to power their essentials in an emergency while also keeping our air clean.
As with most other conventional generators, this model runs better on gasoline. While propane is usually thought of as more efficient when compared to gas, it is not always the case. This is actually a pretty big benefit for this unit, since gas is usually cheaper than propane, more readily available, and easier to store. Plus, when you use gas with this unit, you get more power out of it for a longer amount of time.
Now, let’s say you want to find a fuel efficient generator that still produces plenty of power. If that sounds like you, then you might want to give this one a try. While the run time is much shorter than more powerful models, it is also able to produce a lot more power. This makes it a good choice for any number of activities, such as camping or tailgating.
This is a rather loud model. That is not to say, however, that the noise level is totally overpowering. Its 68 dBA equates to about as loud as a car driving past you on the highway, which, while quite noisy, is still easy to work around. Even when it is operating at full blast, you won’t need to shout to be heard, but will rather have to talk a bit louder.
It should also be noted that, while propane does increase the runtime for this model, it does not do so by a huge amount. Rather, it only gains a little bit of time, while losing around 500 watts of power.
Looking at this conventional generator, you can immediately tell the difference between it and an inverter generator. First of all, it puts out a lot more power, regardless of which fuel type you decide to employ. However, if you want to crank up the runtime and the power output, then you should stick to gasoline, which will give you nearly double the runtime and a third more power output than propane. Regardless of what type of fuel you pick, however, you’ll still be getting a ton of power.
Secondly, you can tell that this is a conventional generator because of its loud sound level. Instead of sounding like a car driving by on the highway, this generator is more akin to the sound of a large truck going past at about 40 mph. This is still not a debilitating amount of noise, but it might be too much for camping. This generator would probably be better reserved for worksites to power tools or even as a backup for your home’s essentials, such as your freezer and refrigerator.
If you are in the market for an inverter with a nice long run time, then this just might be the right product for you. Since it is an inverter, you get a huge run time that is several hours longer than any other generators out there, while also being relatively quiet. By using propane instead of gasoline, you can double the runtime. Even when this model is running at full capacity, it still only puts out about 59 dBA, which is perfectly acceptable for a smaller sized generator.
Of course, there is a drawback to the quiet, fuel-efficient runtime for this generator. While it can be used with either propane or gasoline, this unit puts out the smallest amount of power of any of the models we looked into. Even at its peak power output with gasoline, it still only can put out 3400 watts of electricity, which is fine for smaller scale electronics.
Since this is an inverter, the current for the power that it generates is nice and stable. This makes it the perfect choice for stably powering electronic devices so that you don’t need to worry about the suffering a power surge.
As you probably guessed, there is a ton that you need to take into consideration when you are looking for a dual fuel generator. In this section, we will go over every little detail to make sure you can make an informed decision and get the generator that is right for your needs. First though, let’s take a look at the Champion brand so that you can find out why this is the right brand for you.
Champion has been a market leader in power generation since 2003. Their generators and inverters use advanced technological innovations to produce more power on less fuel when compared to their competition. They feature Volt Guard built-in surge protector for preventing overloads and an electric start for easy operation. These generators are easy to use and maintain, and Champion also have some of the best customer services in the industry. Finally, all of their products are made in the US, so you know you will be getting a finely crafted quality generator.
In this section, we will go over everything you need to know to make sure you are getting the best dual fuel generator available.
The first question that you probably have is, why do I actually need a dual fuel generator? Can’t I just get by with a gasoline one? You most certainly could get by with just a gas generator, but you would end up spending a lot more money in the long run compared to if you got a dual fuel generator.
Dual fuel generators can be operated with either gasoline or propane. This makes them extremely versatile. Propane is definitely a superior fuel source than gasoline. It is more efficient, which keeps the generator running longer than it would on gasoline.
The problem with propane, however, is that it is not always readily available. It is much easier to pull up to a gas station and get a couple of gallons of gas than it is to find a propane refill station. That’s the beauty of a dual fuel generator. It allows you to run on either fuel, making it easier to always have some type of fuel on hand.
How you intend to use your generator plays a big part in which generator you should buy. Depending on the type of usage, you will need to have either more or less power output. This will also affect how much your generator will cost, as a larger, more powerful model will also be more expensive than a smaller, less powerful one.
Your usage type will also determine how much fuel you will need to keep your generator going. You obviously will not need to purchase as much fuel for a camping generator in comparison to one that you are using as a backup to your home’s electrical system.
Once you have determined how you intend to use the generator, you can determine how much power you actually need to have. If, for instance, you are only going to be using your generator for camping to power small electronics, then you won’t need a huge model that puts out 10,000 watts of power.
If, however, you want to use your generator as a backup to your house’s conventional power grid, then you definitely want to aim a bit higher. While this will be more costly up front, it will be a welcome backup when the lights go out in a storm.
Not too long ago, if you wanted to have an external power source that operated outside of your house’s power grid, you had to select a conventional generator. Recently, however, inverter generators have burst onto the scene and can offer some interesting benefits over a traditional generator. Each of these generator types has their advantages and disadvantages that you will want to take into account before you make your decision. But first, let’s review exactly what these two power sources are and how they work.
Conventional generator – This is as basic as it gets. A conventional generator is just an engine that is hooked up to an alternator that creates AC electricity. This can then be used to power pretty much anything, although the electrical output will fluctuate as the generator runs.
Inverter generator – An inverter generator works very much the same as a conventional generator, but with a few extra steps in between. The engine turns an alternator that creates AC power. This AC is then switched over to DC power to create a more stable power output. This is then switched back to AC power, and the inverter only puts out as much power as is required.
So, you might be thinking, which one of these is better? Well, the answer isn’t quite as simple as which one is better. Rather, each of them is better at certain aspects of power creation. To better illustrate this, let’s look at the pros and cons of each generator type so that you can better make an informed decision.
| Aspect | Conventional | Inverter |
| Size and portability | Heavy, hard to transport | Lightweight, easy to pick up and go |
| Run time | Uses more fuel but doesn’t last as long | More fuel efficient, making it last longer |
| Noise level | Larger models can get quite loud | Very quiet, even at a maximum power output |
| Power output | Can be used to produce as little, or as much power as you need | Good for smaller jobs, but are limited for bigger projects |
| Price point | Relatively cheap, even for larger models | More expensive, mostly due to advanced technologies and efficiency level |
As you can see, there is a lot that you need to reflect on when choosing your generator type. Basically, inverter generators are more fuel efficient, quieter, less powerful, and more expensive than a conventional generator.
Since we are looking at dual fuel generators, you will have the option to choose between the two fuel types. Gasoline is more readily available than propane and is usually a bit cheaper too. Propane, however, is much more efficient. It is so efficient that it might help to overcome the upfront cost, since you won’t need to replace it as often.
Your best bet is to start off with propane, but always make sure you have gasoline as a backup. That way, no matter what kind of situation you find yourself in, you will be sure to be covered when it comes to fuel.
Depending on how you intend to use your generator, you might need to consider the noise level. If, for instance, you intend to use it for camping, then you don’t want to get a ridiculously loud generator, for obvious reasons. The whole point of camping is to get some rest and relaxation, which you won’t be able to get if you have a generator roaring in your ear.
However, the reason that some generators might be a bit noisy coincides with their power output. The louder the generator, the more power it is going to be putting out. This is why it is also really important to make sure you truly understand how much power output you require. That way, you can be sure to keep your generator as quiet as possible.
Champion has long been known for their high-quality generators. This is mostly because they are fuel efficient, powerful, and easy to use and maintain. Whether you are using your generator for tailgating, camping, or an emergency, you don’t want to have to follow a whole bunch of complicated steps to get it up and running.
Rather, it is much better to have a generator that you can just hook up and get running. That way, you can enjoy all of that lovely electricity, rather than running around trying to get your generator up and running.
A dual fuel generator provides you with tons of flexibility when it comes to providing electricity. It allows you to choose your fuel type, as well as your generator type. No matter if you choose to go with a conventional or an inverter generator, make sure you take into consideration how much power you need, and how you will use it. That way, you can guarantee that you have the perfect generator for your needs.
