Dual Fuel Generators for Home Backup: Four Models Compared
A dual fuel portable generator can back up a home through a transfer switch and run on gasoline or propane. This guide compares the four largest dual fuel models in our generator comparison tool using manufacturer figures retrieved on 4 November 2026. If you want automatic start and whole-house capacity, read portable vs standby generators first.
Four home backup candidates
| Specification | WestinghouseWGen7500DFPortable | WestinghouseWGen9500DFPortable | DuroMaxXP13000EHPortable | WestinghouseWGen14500DFPortable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price and ownership cost | ||||
| Listed price (USD, estimate) | $1,149.00Westinghouse MSRP; retailer links showed out of stock | $1,249.00Westinghouse MSRP | $1,299.00DuroMax listed price; shown against 1,699 USD compare-at price | $2,749.00Westinghouse MSRP |
| Price per rated watt (derived) | $0.15per watt, first fuel listed | $0.13per watt, first fuel listed | $0.12per watt, first fuel listed | $0.19per watt, first fuel listed |
| Warranty | 3 years residential, 1 year commercial | 3 years residential, 1 year commercial | 3 years | 3 years residential, 1 year commercial |
| Maintenance | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Oil capacity | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Power | ||||
| Rated output by fuel |
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| Starting or surge watts | 9,500 W | 12,500 W | 13,000 W | 18,000 W |
| Fuel types | Gasoline / Propane | Gasoline / Propane | Gasoline / Propane | Gasoline / Propane |
| Engine | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Displacement (cc) | 420 cc | 457 cc | 500 cc | 713 cc |
| Runtime, fuel use and running cost | ||||
| Fuel tank (gal) | 6.6 gal | 6.6 gal | 8.3 gal | 10.5 gal |
| Runtime on a tank, as stated |
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| Fuel use, as stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Fuel per kWh (derived) | 0.32 galgasoline at 25% load, from tank size and stated runtime | 0.174 galgasoline at 50% load, from tank size and stated runtime | 0.198 galgasoline at 50% load, from tank size and stated runtime | 0.161 galgasoline at 50% load, from tank size and stated runtime |
| Fuel cost per kWh at your price (derived) | ||||
| Fuel cost per hour at that load (derived) | ||||
| Size and comfort | ||||
| Weight (lb) | 201 lb | 211 lb | 234 lb | 352 lb |
| Dimensions | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Noise (as stated) | 72 dBA | 74 dBA | 74 dB | 74 dBA |
| Starting method | Not stated | Electric, Remote, Recoil | Electric, Recoil | Electric, Remote |
| Features | ||||
| Inverter output | No | No | No | No |
| Total harmonic distortion | ≤23% | Not stated | Not stated | ≤5% |
| Automatic voltage regulation (AVR) | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Not stated |
| CO sensor shutdown | Not stated | No | Yes | Not stated |
| Transfer switch ready | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated |
| Parallel capable | No | No | No | No |
| Outlets and connections | Two 5-20R duplex, L14-30R 120/240V, two USB, transfer switch ready | Two 5-20R duplex, L14-30R, 14-50R, transfer switch ready | Two 5-20R, L5-30R, L14-30R, 14-50R, 12V; GFCI | Two 5-20R GFCI, L5-30R, L14-30R, 14-50R, two USB |
| Fit | ||||
| Suited to | Home backup, Construction and jobsite | Home backup, Construction and jobsite, Heavy duty | Home backup, Construction and jobsite, Heavy duty | Home backup, Construction and jobsite, Heavy duty |
| Also worth knowing | Dual fuel; two USB ports; transfer switch ready (ST switch) | Transfer switch ready (ST switch) | AVR, CO sensor shutdown, GFCI outlets | V-twin engine; no recoil start |
| Honest take | ||||
| Advantages |
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| Drawbacks |
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| Source | ||||
| Where the figures come from | Westinghouse product pageRetrieved 2026-11-04 | Westinghouse product pageRetrieved 2026-11-02 | DuroMax product pageRetrieved 2026-11-02 | Westinghouse product page (the older WGen12000DF address now shows this model)Retrieved 2026-11-04 |
What the figures say
- Running watts on gasoline: 7,500 W (WGen7500DF), 9,500 W (WGen9500DF), 10,500 W (XP13000EH), 14,500 W (WGen14500DF).
- Running watts on propane: 6,750 W, 8,500 W, 10,000 W and 13,000 W in the same order.
- Price per gasoline running watt, our own division of MSRP or listed price: about $0.15 (WGen7500DF), $0.13 (WGen9500DF), $0.12 (XP13000EH) and $0.19 (WGen14500DF).
- Weight: 201 lb, 211 lb, 234 lb and 352 lb. The WGen14500DF is not a one-person lift.
- Noise: 72 dBA, 74 dBA, 74 dB and 74 dBA. Distances and loads are not stated the same way, so these are only roughly comparable.
- Warranty: 3 years residential on the three Westinghouse models and 3 years on the DuroMax.
Connecting to the house
The WGen7500DF and WGen9500DF are listed as transfer switch ready, with an L14-30R 120/240 V outlet, and the WGen9500DF and WGen14500DF also have a 14-50R outlet. A transfer switch lets you power circuits without back-feeding the grid. Read why every backup generator needs a transfer switch, and how far you can place a generator from the panel. Do not wire a generator into a house without a proper connection.
Choosing a size
| Your need | Closest model | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge, lights, furnace fan and a few outlets | WGen7500DF | Lowest weight and price of the four. |
| A larger share of the home, including a well pump | WGen9500DF or XP13000EH | The XP13000EH has the lowest price per watt; the WGen9500DF is lighter and states a transfer switch ready outlet. |
| The most capacity from a portable | WGen14500DF | 14,500 W on gasoline, 13,000 W on propane, THD of 5% or less. |
Add up your running watts with the generator size calculator and the appliance wattage chart, and allow for starting surges.
What we could not verify
- Whether the WGen14500DF is transfer switch ready. The specification table lists the outlets, not the label.
- Start type of the WGen7500DF. It is not stated in the tables we reviewed.
- Reliability and real-world run times. Run times are the makers’ figures at stated loads.
Related guides
- Best generators for home backup
- Dual fuel generators compared
- 12,000-watt dual fuel generators
- Generator load calculator
Frequently asked questions
What size dual fuel generator do I need for a house?
Add up the running watts of the circuits you want to power and allow for starting surges. The load calculator does this. A 7,500 W model covers essentials; larger homes need more.
Can a dual fuel generator power central air conditioning?
That depends on the unit’s starting and running watts and on how the air conditioner is wired. Check its nameplate and compare it with the generator’s running and peak ratings.
Is propane better for home backup?
Propane stores longer than gasoline, but you get about 90% to 95% of the gasoline output and propane run times depend on tank size. A dual fuel unit lets you use either.
