Last Updated: August 5, 2022
Noise might be one of the reasons some people haven't bought a generator yet.
Are you among them?
Oh, but...
There's a solution; not all generators will give you sleepless nights. More so, when you look at the noise level before buying it.
That's our focus in this article, giving you a list of the best quiet 4000-watt generators.
I'll start with the Champion Power Equipment 100302, which I ranked as the best quiet 4000-watt generator. I'll tell you why shortly.
Quiet 4000-watt Generators: Top 5 Picks
1. Champion Power Equipment 100302 - Best Overall
Champion Power Equipment wants you to have quiet nights and livable days even though you've lost power and need to run your generator. Therefore, the Champion Power Equipment 100302 is the quietest generator as it's 50% quieter than other brands, producing about 64dB of sound.
On top of that, you can run this quiet RV generator from any part of your property as it's 20% lighter than the previous model, the Champion's 3,500-watt generator. Also, this model is in economy mode as it saves fuel and gives you longer battery life, which means it's cost-effective.
Imagine having 17 hours of backup just in case there’s a blackout.
The Champion Power Equipment 100302 gives you clean, stable power that won't damage your appliances through a power surge.
It's ready to plug and power appliances that use 120V 20A outlets. Other power outlets on it are a 12V DC outlet offering a USB adapter. Lastly, this model gives you the option of gas, dual fuel, manual, or remote start. There's so much variety.
Pros
- Lightweight, so it's portable
- Several fuel options
- Manual or remote start
- 17-hours runtime
- RV ready power outlets
- Quieter than an average generator
Cons
- Louder than regular inverter generators
Takeaway
The Champion Power Equipment 100302 has a 17-hour runtime when you fill the 2.9-gallon fuel tank. That's enough to power your RV or home almost overnight. You'll power your gadgets with clean power, and several power outlets to connect various appliances.
2. WEN GN400i - Best Lightweight Option
If you've always assumed that most generators are bulky, you need to lift the WEN GN400i. It weighs about 66 pounds, a weight you can move to any section of your property. Like the option above, it gives you clean power for any gadget, from smartphones to a television.
It has a 7-hour runtime on half load, about 10 hours lower than the generator above. The WEN GN400i’s tank is smaller. Nevertheless, it has enough generator power for everything, from a freezer to a TV and a laptop.
The WEN GN400i comes with a parallel-ready panel for you to connect to another inverter generator of the same brand so you can increase your power output. It has five USB ports and several 120V outlets to diversify the appliances you can connect.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Can power several devices
- 7-hour runtime on half load
- Easy maintenance
- Easy to use
- Low noise
Cons
- Some components are weak.
Takeaway
The WEN GN400i is easy to start, and it gives you a seven-hour runtime on half load. It can power numerous appliances, and it offers clean power. It's also lightweight compared to other models.
3. Mech Marvels MM4350DF - Best Multi-Fuel Generator
A generator acts as a backup in case the electricity goes out. Now, imagine having a generator that uses two types of fuel.
That's why the Mech Marvels MM4350DF uses both gasoline and liquified petroleum gas. You'll have a 10-hour runtime when you run it at 50% load on a full tank, enough power to sustain you through the night. It has four 120V outlets where you can plug essential appliances.
Pros
- Two fuel options, use gasoline or liquified petroleum gas
- 10-hour runtime on half load
- Four 120V outlets
- RV ready
Cons
- It's heavy, weighs 100 pounds
- No USB ports
Takeaway
The Mech Marvels MM4350DF uses both gasoline and liquified propane, making it diverse and suitable for emergencies. It's RV-ready as it has a 120V RV outlet, but you can also use it at home by powering your appliances through any of its four 120V outlets. This generator is heavy, but if you're not moving it often, you'll be fine.
4. Green-Power America GPD4000 - Best For Large Tank
When there's a power blackout, plus the backup generator runs out of gasoline before your bedtime, you have to refill it.
But who wants to keep smelling gasoline at night? That's why a large fuel tank, say a 4-gallon tank, sounds like a viable solution.
The Green-Power America GPD4000 comes in such a tank, and it boasts an 8.5-hour runtime at 50% load on a full tank. It has two 120V outlets and others like a 12V DC outlet; you can connect it to many appliances in your home.
Additionally, the GPD4000 has up to 50% less fuel consumption as it uses an overhead valve (OHV). This 4000-watt super quiet generator has a lower exhaust emission, just what you'd need to protect the environment.
Lastly, the Green Power America GPD4000 will serve you for a long time as its low oil shut-off prevents engine damage whenever the fuel tank is low.
Pros
- 12-hour runtime on 50% load
- A 4-gallon fuel tank
- Low oil shut-off
- Low oil consumption
Cons
- 72dB of sound at 100% load
Takeaway
The Green Power America GPD4000 has a 4-gallon tank to serve you for a long time without a refill. It prevents engine damage through a low oil shut-off mechanism, and it consumes about 50% less oil than other models, thanks to its overhead valve.
5. All Power America APG4000C - Best Budget Option
Is it possible to get a generator on a budget? Yes, look for a generator that's affordable but efficient, like the All Power America APG4000C. It's heavy, weighing 136 pounds.
However, if you fix it in one spot, the weight won't be an issue. It has a large fuel tank, the same size as the Green Power America GPD4000 generator above.
At half load, it'll give you an 8-hour runtime. It's not the highest in this review but it’s better than nothing during a blackout.
The All Power America APG4000C has three different power outlets, enough to connect your appliances. So, you see, you can get a high-quality generator but pay less for it.
Pros
- Low oil shut-off
- A four-gallon tank
- 8-hour runtime at half load
Cons
- It's heavy
- Three power outlets only
Takeaway
There are affordable generators in the market, and All Power America is one of them. It has a four-gallon tank, and you get about 8-hours of runtime on half load. If the oil runs low, the engine shuts off automatically to prevent damage.
Our quiet 4000-watt generator review looked at the top generators for you to consider. You'd be getting a quiet generator if its sound level in decibels lies between 60 and 69dB, the sound range of a normal conversation.
If it goes to 70dB, it's the level of sound you'd hear from a washing machine. That's practical as well because you'll not hear it from inside your home, and your neighbors won't either.
Nevertheless, if it's over 70dB, it's the same sound level as busy city traffic or a lawnmower. No one wants that.
The Champion Power Equipment 100302 we discussed earlier has a sound level of 64dB; hence, it's one of the best quiet 4000-watt generators.
Tips To Get You The Best Quiet 4000-Watt Generator
Sound is a priority for us in this article. That's why we've listed the best quiet generators. Now, how can you compare the ones above?
Do You Need One At Home, At Work, Or When Camping?
It matters because of the voltage plus the power outlets needed. If you need one to power your RV, the generator should be RV-ready such as the Champion Power Equipment 100302 discussed in the section above.
It should also be portable, compact, and quiet to match the outdoor lifestyle of a camper. To power your home during emergencies, get a portable one with fuel that doesn't degrade fast. In contrast, you'd need a high-power generator for home DIY projects or your workplace.
Power Needed
Some appliances have a startup power that's different from their power consumption. For example, a microwave has a startup power that's about two times its power consumption, while a PC has the same startup and power consumption.
Therefore, you can calculate the generator power needed by adding the startup power of all the appliances you'll use at once.
Another confusing area, following...
The Type Of Generator
You'll come across inverters and standard generators. On one end, the inverter gives you stable, high-quality power you can use on gadgets like a computer, though it attracts a high price.
Such a generator protects delicate components of electronic devices from a power surge, unlike the standard generator that provides a single-phase electric current.
The standard generator, however, is a simple design with moderate quality and an affordable price.
The Accessories
They'll make the generator more efficient. For example, the WEN GN400i in our review has a parallel-ready panel to use when connecting it to another WEN generator to double the power output. You may also need additional in-built features, such as a low oil shut-off.
Start Type
When there's a power outage at night, but you still want to watch television, you have to switch on your generator. If it has a recoil start, you have to walk outside to start it manually. Therefore, go for a generator with a wireless remote start instead of a manual start.
The Champion Power Equipment 100302 has two models, a manual and a remote start, while the Green-Power America GPD4000 has a manual start only.
The Runtime
It'll either be at 50% or 25% load on a full tank. The number of hours given as the runtime tells you the duration it'll run at half or a quarter of the load rating in watts. For example, if you have 8 hours of runtime at 50% load, it means the running time at 2000 watts.
The Fuel
Fuel will add to the cost of using and maintaining your generator. Consider the features and advantages of all fuel types. For example, propane gas is environmentally friendly, clean, and you can store it for a long time. However, it burns fast. You can obtain gasoline, but it's highly combustible.
Learn the pros and cons here of using propane and gas generators:
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Choose The Quietest 4000-Watt Generator?
We've listed the factors to consider above, such as the runtime, start type, generator type, and the power you need to run all appliances at once. Other factors are ease of use and the maintenance process.
What Is The Quietest 4000-Watt Generator?
Based on our findings, the Champion Power Equipment 100302 is the best in that power range. Why? Read:
The Verdict
The best quiet 4000-watt generator is the Champion Power Equipment 100302, which gives you a 17-hour runtime to power your television, freezer, or laptop. It's RV-ready, and there are several power outlets.
For a budget-friendly generator that's not noisy, go for the All Power America APG4000C. It has a 4-gallon full tank, 8-hours runtime at half load, and a low-oil engine shut off. It's heavier than other quiet generators, but hey, you'll save money.