Portable Propane Generators Compared
Portable generators that run on propane are, in our database, dual fuel models that also take gasoline. This page lists them with the figures the makers publish, retrieved on 5 November 2026. For the cylinder safety rules and how output changes on propane, see the propane generator guide.
Inverter and mid-size models
| Specification | Champion201278 4500W Electric Start Dual Fuel InverterInverter | Champion201321 4500W Dual Fuel Open Frame InverterInverter | WestinghouseWGen3600DFPortable | WestinghouseiGen5000DFInverter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price and ownership cost | ||||
| Listed price (USD, estimate) | Not publishedChampion's product page does not state a price | Not publishedChampion's product page does not state a price | $629.00Westinghouse MSRP | $1,199.00Westinghouse MSRP |
| Price per rated watt (derived) | n/a | n/a | $0.17per watt, first fuel listed | $0.31per watt, first fuel listed |
| Warranty | 3 years limited, free lifetime technical support | 3 years limited, free lifetime technical support | 3 years residential, 1 year commercial | 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 | 4,500 W | 4,500 W | 4,650 W | 5,000 W |
| Fuel types | Gasoline / Propane | Gasoline / Propane | Gasoline / Propane | Gasoline / Propane |
| Engine | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Displacement (cc) | 212 cc | 224 cc | 212 cc | 224 cc |
| Runtime, fuel use and running cost | ||||
| Fuel tank (gal) | 2.3 gal | 4.02 gal | 4 gal | 3.4 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) | 0.187 galgasoline at 25% load, from tank size and stated runtime | 0.201 galgasoline at 25% load, from tank size and stated runtime | 0.212 galgasoline at 50% load, from tank size and stated runtime | 0.194 galgasoline at 25% 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) | 99.2 lb | 92.6 lb | 120 lb | 104.7 lb |
| Dimensions | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Noise (as stated) | 61 dB(A) at 23 ft | 64 dB(A) | 68 dBA | 52 dBA |
| Starting method | Electric, Recoil | Electric | Electric, Remote, Recoil | Electric, Remote, Recoil |
| Features | ||||
| Inverter output | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Total harmonic distortion | under 3% | Not stated | 23% or less | 3% or less |
| Automatic voltage regulation (AVR) | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| CO sensor shutdown | Not stated | Not stated | No | No |
| Transfer switch ready | Not stated | Not stated | No | No |
| Parallel capable | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Outlets and connections | 5-20R duplex, TT-30R, two USB, parallel port | TT-30R RV, 5-20R duplex, 12V 8A DC, parallel ports | 5-20R duplex, L5-30R, TT-30R | 5-20R duplex, two USB, TT-30R |
| Fit | ||||
| Suited to | Camping and outdoors, RV and travel trailer, Essential circuits | Camping and outdoors, RV and travel trailer, Essential circuits | Essential circuits, Construction and jobsite, Camping and outdoors | Camping and outdoors, RV and travel trailer, Essential circuits |
| Also worth knowing | Dual fuel; two USB ports; parallel port | Open frame design; battery included for electric start; parallel ports | Key fob start, 30A breaker | Inverter output, key fob start |
| Honest take | ||||
| Advantages |
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| Drawbacks |
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| Source | ||||
| Where the figures come from | Champion Power Equipment product pageRetrieved 2026-11-04 | Champion Power Equipment product pageRetrieved 2026-11-04 | Westinghouse product pageRetrieved 2026-11-02 | Westinghouse product page (address still shows the earlier iGen4500DF name; page lists the iGen5000DF)Retrieved 2026-11-02 |
- Champion 201278: 3,150 running and 4,500 peak watts on propane, 21 hours at 25% load on propane, 99.2 lb.
- Champion 201321: 3,285 running watts on propane, 21 hours at 25% load on propane, 92.6 lb, 64 dB(A).
- Westinghouse WGen3600DF: 3,240 running watts on propane, 16.5 hours at 25% load and 14 hours at 50% on propane, and a $629 MSRP.
- Westinghouse iGen5000DF: 3,500 running watts on propane, 22 hours at 25% load on propane, and a $1,199 MSRP.
Large open-frame models
| 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 |
- Westinghouse WGen7500DF: 6,750 running watts on propane, 8 hours at 25% load, $1,149 MSRP.
- Westinghouse WGen9500DF: 8,500 running watts on propane, 7 hours at 50% load, $1,249 MSRP.
- DuroMax XP13000EH: 10,000 running watts on propane, 13 hours at 25% load and 6 hours at 50%, $1,299 price.
- Westinghouse WGen14500DF: 13,000 running watts on propane, 6 hours at 25% load and 4 hours at 50%, $2,749 MSRP.
How to choose
- Add up the watts you need with the load calculator.
- Compare that with the propane running watts above, not the gasoline figure.
- Check the run time at your load, and estimate with the fuel consumption calculator.
- If you want a quieter unit, see the quiet generators guide.
What we could not verify
- Prices. Champion states none, and prices elsewhere are MSRPs from the makers’ pages and change.
- Noise on propane. The stated noise figures do not say which fuel they apply to for every model.
- Models we could not source. Honda’s own site blocked our access, and Harbor Freight’s site blocks automated access, so those brands’ propane-capable models are missing, which is a gap and not a judgement.
- Propane-only portables. We found none to add.
Related guides
- Dual fuel generators compared
- Propane vs dual fuel
- Best generators by budget
- Generator comparison tool
Frequently asked questions
Which portable generator runs longest on propane?
On stated figures at 25% load, the Westinghouse iGen5000DF lists 22 hours and the Champion 201278 and 201321 list 21 hours each. The loads and cylinder sizes behind each figure differ, so compare with care.
Is propane cheaper than gasoline?
We have no sourced propane prices, so we cannot say.
Can a gasoline-only generator be run on propane?
We have no sourced instructions for conversions, so we do not advise it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use a licensed professional.
