Best Dual-Fuel Generators
The best dual-fuel generators for home backup, compared by running watts on gas and propane, outlets, CO shutoff and value.
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The short answer
The best dual-fuel generator for most homes is the Westinghouse WGen9500DF: 9,500 running and 12,500 peak watts on gasoline, 8,500 running watts on propane, remote electric start, and the L14-30R and 14-50R outlets you need for a transfer switch. For bigger homes or 1 HP-plus well pumps, the DuroMax XP13000EH adds headroom. On a budget, the Champion 9375-Watt Dual Fuel is the value pick, and if you want quieter, cleaner power, the Champion 11,000-Watt Dual Fuel Inverter is the best inverter option.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Model | Output (gasoline) | Type | Key feature | Best for | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Westinghouse WGen9500DF | 9,500 running / 12,500 peak | Open-frame | Remote start, L14-30R + 14-50R | Most homes via transfer switch | Check price |
| Best with CO shutoff | Westinghouse WGen9500DFc | Same class as WGen9500DF | Open-frame | CO sensor auto-shutoff | Buyers who want the safety upgrade | Check price |
| Most power | DuroMax XP13000EH | 13,000 peak | Open-frame | Electric start, transfer-switch ready | Large homes, big well pumps | Check price |
| Best value | Champion 9375-Watt Dual Fuel | 9,375 starting class | Open-frame | Electric start, 3-year limited warranty | Essentials on a budget | Check price |
| Best inverter | Champion 11,000-Watt Dual Fuel Inverter | 11,000 starting class | Inverter | Quieter, clean power, electric start | Electronics, close neighbors | Check price |
| Best portable | Champion 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter | 4,500 class | Inverter | Wheels, lighter, RV-friendly | Fridge, lights, internet; camping | Search Amazon |
All dual-fuel generators make less power on propane than on gasoline. Wattage classes reflect model naming; confirm running watts and outlets on the listing.
Why dual fuel?
Dual-fuel generators run on gasoline or propane, usually with a selector switch. That flexibility matters most during the outages you buy a generator for:
- Propane stores almost indefinitely. Gasoline goes stale in months without stabilizer, and stale fuel is a leading reason generators fail to start in an emergency.
- Gas stations close in storms. Propane cylinders you already own keep you running.
- Propane burns cleaner, which means less carbon buildup in the carburetor.
- The trade-off: propane produces roughly 10% less power. The WGen9500DF, for example, drops from 9,500 to 8,500 running watts.
How we picked
We compared manufacturer specifications, owner reviews and published reviews. We prioritized running watts on both fuels, 240V transfer-switch outlets, electric start, carbon monoxide shutoff, runtime, warranty and parts support.
1. Westinghouse WGen9500DF — Best overall
The WGen9500DF sits in the size class that covers most of a typical home during an outage. It’s rated at 9,500 running and 12,500 peak watts on gasoline and 8,500 running watts on propane, with a 6.6-gallon tank and a rated runtime of up to 12 hours at 25% load on gasoline. It includes an L14-30R twist-lock outlet and a 14-50R, so an electrician can connect it to a transfer switch or interlock. Remote electric start means no pull cord in the rain.
Good to know: it’s an open-frame generator, and loud; one published review measured about 89–90 dB at 6 feet. It’s also heavy, so plan its outdoor spot in advance.
Choose it if: you want to run the fridge, freezer, sump or well pump, furnace and several circuits through a transfer switch.
Check the Westinghouse WGen9500DF on Amazon →
2. Westinghouse WGen9500DFc — Best with CO shutoff
The “c” version of the same generator adds a carbon monoxide sensor that shuts the engine down automatically if CO builds up around it. Given how many post-storm deaths come from generator exhaust, it’s worth the small premium if you can find it in stock.
Check the Westinghouse WGen9500DFc on Amazon →
3. DuroMax XP13000EH — Most power
For larger homes, a 1 HP-plus well pump, an electric water heater, or running more circuits at once, the 13,000-watt DuroMax adds meaningful surge capacity. It’s dual fuel, has electric start and is marketed as transfer-switch ready for whole-home backup. DuroMax also sells the closely related XP13000HX, including a version with a CO alert.
Good to know: bigger generators burn more fuel. Plan how many propane cylinders or gas cans you can store safely, and expect a heavy, loud machine.
Check the DuroMax XP13000EH on Amazon →
Prefer the HX version? Check the DuroMax XP13000HX on Amazon.
4. Champion 9375-Watt Dual Fuel — Best value
Champion’s 9375-watt dual fuel is a well-reviewed, budget-friendly way to cover essentials plus a moderate pump. It has electric start and a 3-year limited warranty, and owners often mention Champion’s US-based support line. Champion also sells a version with CO Shield auto-shutoff.
Good to know: if several motors start at once (well pump, fridge, sump), this size gets tight. Stagger loads.
Check the Champion 9375-Watt Dual Fuel on Amazon →
Want CO Shield? See the CO Shield version on Amazon.
5. Champion 11,000-Watt Dual Fuel Inverter — Best inverter
Large dual-fuel inverters used to be rare. Champion’s 11,000-watt model brings inverter power to home-backup size: cleaner power that’s friendlier to computers, smart thermostats and appliance control boards, quieter operation than open-frame generators, and better fuel efficiency at partial load. It has electric start and runs on gas or propane.
Good to know: compare its rated starting watts against your largest motor load; inverter surge can be tighter than an open-frame unit with a similar headline number.
Check the Champion 11,000-Watt Inverter on Amazon →
6. Champion 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter — Best portable
If you only need the fridge, freezer, lights, internet and phone charging, or you want one generator for home and RV use, a 4,500-watt-class dual-fuel inverter is lighter, quieter and easier to store than any of the big open-frame units above.
Good to know: it isn’t sized for 240V well pumps or a whole-home transfer switch.
Search for the Champion 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter on Amazon →
Sizing a dual-fuel generator
| What you want to run | Running watts (approx.) | Good fits |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge, lights, internet, phones | 2,000–4,000 | Champion 4500W inverter |
| Essentials plus sump or small well pump and furnace | 5,000–7,500 | Champion 9375W, WGen9500DF |
| Most of the house (no central AC or electric range) | 7,500–10,000 | WGen9500DF, Champion 11,000W inverter |
| Larger homes, 1 HP+ well pump, more 240V loads | 10,000+ | DuroMax XP13000EH |
Size against propane output if propane will be your main fuel, and leave 20–30% headroom for motor starting surges.
Buying checklist
- Running watts on propane, not just peak watts on gasoline.
- 240V outlet (L14-30R or 14-50R) if you’ll connect to a transfer switch or run a well pump.
- Electric start, ideally with a remote fob.
- CO auto-shutoff (Westinghouse “c” models, Champion CO Shield, DuroMax CO Alert).
- Transfer switch or interlock installed by a licensed electrician.
- Propane hose and regulator included? Check the box contents.
- Warranty and parts support from a US-based service network.
Safety
Generators produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and deadly. Run them outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house with exhaust pointed away from doors, windows and vents; never in a garage, basement or crawlspace, even with the door open. Install battery-backed CO alarms inside. Never backfeed through a dryer outlet. Store propane cylinders upright and outdoors, and let the engine cool before refueling with gasoline.
FAQ
Is a dual-fuel generator worth it?
For home backup, yes. Propane stores for years and stays available when gas stations close, and you keep gasoline as a fallback. The upcharge over gas-only is usually small.
Do dual-fuel generators make less power on propane?
Yes, typically about 10% less. The Westinghouse WGen9500DF, for example, is rated at 9,500 running watts on gas and 8,500 on propane.
How long will a 20-pound propane tank run a generator?
Only a few hours on a large generator under moderate load. Plan on several cylinders, or have a larger tank installed, for multi-day outages.
Can I switch fuels while the generator is running?
Some models allow switching on the fly; others require shutting down first. Follow your owner’s manual.
