Last Updated on May 12, 2023 by Rod Olivares
When searching for a portable generator, there are going to be a variety of things you want to look for. From power output, outlet selection, fuel capacity, and build quality, there are many variables that can influence your purchasing decision. However, if you are needing to power larger appliances and tools that require 240V, you are going to want to narrow your search down to generators with 240V outlets.
A 240V generator is going to usually be in the mid to high level of wattage. If you are planning on running appliances such as ovens, range tops, A/C systems, or other larger appliances, you are going to need at least 1 240V outlet.
Today, we are going to take a look at 10 popular portable generators that offer one or more 240V outlets. We will look at their power, outlet selection, noise levels, and run times to help you get a better idea of how each generator may be a good fit for your needs.
CAT RP5500
The first 240V generator on our list is the CAT RP5500 generator. CAT is a household name all over the world due to their reputation of providing high quality parts for the heaviest machines used in the construction and industrial industries. This CAT RP5500 is going to give you mid-level power that will allow for multiple larger appliances to be used at once.
Power
CAT has outfitted this RP5500 generator with a fuel efficient 300cc OHV engine. It is constructed with a cast-iron sleeve for long-life performance and durability. You can expect this engine to put out 6,875 starting watts and 5,500 running watts. This is going to be the lowest wattage generator on this list, but it is going to be perfect for running a few appliances at the same time.
Outlet Selection
To get your appliances and tools powered up, you are going to need a good selection of outlets to choose from. This CAT RP5500 is going to offer 5 different outlets to choose from including a powerful 30A 120/240V L14-30 outlet. This outlet is going to give you the ability to run your large appliances and tools with no worries. The other 4 outlets will all be 20A 120V GFCI household outlets. This will allow you to power all types of tools, appliances, and electronics that use a standard three prong plug.
Fuel Capacity & Run Time
For those who are going to be running this generator for longer periods of time, run time and fuel efficiency should be a main concern. This generator is going to come equipped with a 7.9 gallon fuel tank that will give you up to 15 hours of run time at 50% load. As a generator that can handle larger appliances like a furnace or an A/C system, this is a great run time as you can have it running all day or all night without having to re-fuel.
Noise Level
Unfortunately, CAT does not offer a noise level rating for this generator, but judging by similar generators, you can expect this one to operate around 65-74dBa. This means that it will be just fine in most residential situations while being great for RV/Camping use.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion When it comes to just about any CAT product, you can’t really go wrong. This portable generator is a true testament to this reputation as it is built to take on the roughest of conditions, while still being residential/homeowner friendly. I really like the fact that it includes wheels, a handle, and covered outlets which are always nice to have. The extended run time is also a great feature as it provides all day use for less maintenance.
Yamaha EF6300iSDE
Next up on the list is going to be another well-known brand in the small motors industry, Yamaha. Yamaha makes the list with their EF6300iSDE generator that offers a 240V outlet for powering larger appliances and tools. This generator was built with convenience in mind and today we are going to look at why.
Power
When it comes to a generator with a 240V outlet, you are going to need the wattage to power the appliances that use these outlets. On the Yamaha EF6300iSDE, you are going to get a 357cc engine that is air cooled, single cylinder, and 4 stroke. This engine is going to offer 6,300 starting watts and 5,500 running watts to keep your large and small appliances powered up.
Outlet Selection
While we would have liked to see at least one more outlet on this generator to bring the total count to 5, the 4 that are on this generator are going to allow for hooking up anything from small to large appliances to it. First, you will notice 2 NEMA 5-20R outlets which are going to allow for household-style appliances and tools to be connected. Second, you will get a NEMA L5-30R twist lock outlet which allows for larger appliances to be powered. Lastly, you will have a NEMA L14-30R for even larger appliances.
Fuel Capacity & Run Time
The Yamaha EF6300iSDE generator is going to offer a 4.5 gallon fuel tank which is going to give you 13.3 hours of run time at 25% load. While this is not as great as the CAT RP5500, it is still going to give you all day performance.
Noise Level
The noise levels of this generator are really low, making this ideal for home, RV, and recreational use. At 25% load, this generator will operate at 58 dBa while at full load, it will operate at 64 dBa.
IMHO: In My Humble OpinionOne of the biggest upsides of this generator is that it features 4 wheels as compared to the two seen on most generators. This allows for easy transportation without having to worry about telescoping or collapsing handles. We would have liked to see outlet covers as well, but Yamaha has decided not to add them. Overall, this generator is going to be great for just about any use, although it may not be the best suited generator for rougher conditions as it does not have an external roll cage.
Briggs & Stratton Q6500 30675
Continuing on with the trend of small engine manufacturers is the Briggs & Stratton 30675 generator. Briggs & Stratton is well known in the small machines industry as a high quality engine manufacturer for lawn mowers, go-karts, and portable generators. Today, we are going to look at their 240V capable Q6500 generator.
Power
The Q6500 generator is going to feature a Briggs & Stratton 306cc engine/alternator. This engine is going to provide 6,500 starting watts of power. Briggs & Stratton markets this generator for home backup, but it can easily be used for RV and recreational use as well. This type of power is considered mid-level and can be great for powering A/C systems, ovens, and some of your larger tools you may have.
Outlet Selection
With this generator being a smaller size and only producing 2200 watts, you can expect a smaller amount of outlets. A pair of 120V household outlets and a DC 12V battery charging outlet are the only outlets found on the EU2200i generator. Adding another generator with the optional parallel cable will allow you to access another set of household outlets and the ability to charge another battery.
Fuel Capacity & Run Time
One of the best features of this generator is going to be the outlet selection. The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 generator is going to offer 7 outlets with covers to keep them protected from dirt, debris and moisture. Choose from 4 120V-20A outlets, 2 USB outlets & 1 120V-240V locking outlet to power up just about any tool or appliance.
Noise Level
Briggs & Stratton’s Q6500 offers quiet, power series inverter technology with a noise-reducing shell that is 60% quieter than a standard generator. This is going to allow for 66 dBa at 25% load which is perfect for any type of situation where you may not want to bother other people around you.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion You really can’t go wrong investing in a Briggs & Stratton branded machine. While the price may seem a little high, you are getting just about everything you could ever want in this generator. With the peace of mind that a Briggs & Stratton product will give you for years to come, you will not have to worry about a thing. This generator is powerful, versatile, and quiet, making it one of the most perfect home backup generators on this list. For more commercial uses, this generator does not have an outer roll cage, so you may choose a different generator for your job site or trailer.
Honda EU7000iS
Getting into the generators that are better built for the job site, this Honda EU7000iSÂ generator is built ready to take on the toughest of conditions. With an outer roll cage and never flat wheels, you can use this generator for just about anything.
Power
Honda uses a GX390 EFI engine for most of their more powerful generators as it offer fuel efficient, reliable power for years. This engine is found on a variety of their generators and is regarded as one of their best small engines. It is going to offer 7,000 watts while providing a great noise level and run time.
Outlet Selection
A downside to Honda EU7000iS is that it is only going to offer 4 outlets to choose from. On the 120V side of things, you are going to get 2 20A household outlets and 1 30A twist lock outlet. For 120/240V outlets, you are going to get one 30A twist lock outlet for your larger appliance and tools. These outlets do not come with protective covers which is disappointing to see, but since it is built more for industrial use, this is oftentimes the case.
Fuel Capacity & Run Time
Honda has added a 5.1 gallon steel fuel tank to this generator for durability and long lasting run times. Combine this with the smart electronic fuel injection technology and you get anywhere from 6-18 hours of run time, depending on the load size. This makes this generator a great choice for all day or overnight use.
Noise Level
Your neighbors will also greatly appreciate this Honda generator as it operates at a very low noise level. You can expect anywhere from 52-58 decibels depending on load level which is actually less noise than a normal conversation. This makes it great for camping and tailgating as well.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion There are not many things to dock this generator on as it gives you just about anything you could really want from a portable generator. It is built tough, powerful, quiet, and runs for a while. The built in wheels and handles make for an easy to transport generator while the electric push button start makes starting this generator easy for anyone.
Champion 7500w
Moving on to more popular brands in the generator industry, Champion is going to make our list due to the long list of features found on their 7500 watt generator. This dual fuel generator is going to allow you to use propane or gasoline to power up your tools and appliances.
Power
Since this generator is going to offer dual fuel capabilities, you are going to get two different power levels, depending on which fuel you choose. With a large 439cc engine, you can expect some larger wattage from this generator. With gasoline, you will get 9,375 starting watts and 8,400 running watts. When using propane, you will get 8,400 starting watts and 6,750 running watts.
Outlet Selection
The outlet selection on this generator is going to give you plenty of options to take advantage of all of the available power. To power your smaller tools or appliances, Champion has added 4 120V 20A household outlets. For larger appliances, you will get 1 120V 30A twist lock outlet and 1 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet.This makes this generator perfect for home backup and RV use.
Fuel Capacity & Run Time
Since this generator is a hybrid, the fuel capacity and runtimes will be a little different than others. The built in fuel tank is quite large, fitting 6 gallons of gasoline to provide up to 8 hours of run time at 50% load. With a 20lb tank of propane, you can expect up to 5.5 hours of runtime at the same load.
Noise Level
When you start to get into the 8,000 watt area, generators are going to be a little noisier. This Champion generator is going to operate at 74 dBa, which is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. This is about average for this size of generators and typically about as loud as you want to go in a residential area without disturbing your neighbors.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion This generator is a very good choice for any home, recreation, or commercial use. With the versatility of using two different types of fuel, you can use this generator for extended periods of time without worrying about refueling. It also has a great outlet selection, Intelligauge, Volt Guard, and Cold Start Technology to make using this generator much easier. You can never really go wrong with a Champion generator and this is just another great example of their excellent craftsmanship.
Westinghouse WGen7500DF
Perhaps one of the most popular generator manufacturers on this list, Westinghouse, makes an appearance with their WGen7500DF generator. This generator is hands down the most feature rich generator on the list, giving you all of the bells and whistles you could possibly want in a generator.
Power
The WGen7500DF generator is a dual fuel generator, meaning that you can use gasoline or propane to fuel your generator. Westinghouse’s famous 420cc engine provides 9,500 starting watts and 8,550 running watts when using gasoline. For those who want to use propane, you can expect 7,500 starting watts and 6,750 running watts.
Outlet Selection
This Westinghouse WGen7500Df generator is going to offer 7 outlets to allow for a wide variety of different appliances and tools to be powered. Starting off with the smaller appliances such as cell phone chargers and cameras, you will get two 5V DC USB ports. For more common appliances and tools, you will have a great selection of 4 120VAC 20A 5.20R GFCI outlets. For your larger appliances, you can use the 120/240V AC 30A L14-30R outlet.
Fuel Capacity & Run Time
The fuel capacity on this generator is going to be quite large, coming in at 6.6 gallons. This is going to allow for an 11 hour run time at 50% load on gasoline. When using a 2-lb propane tank, you should be able to see about 8 hours of run time at 50% load.
Noise Level
Westinghouse is well known for keeping their generators on the quieter side. This large generator is going to be slightly quieter than a vacuum cleaner, coming in at 72 dBa. This makes it great for residential use without disturbing any neighbors.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion This Westinghouse generator is one of our favorites as there is nothing we can really dock this generator on. It has a great outlet selection, dual fuel capabilities, covered outlets, electric start, and it is easy to transport. Westinghouse has some of the best customer service and warranties in the industry, so investing in one of their generators is never a bad idea.
Generac GP8000E
Another well known brand in the generator industry is Generac. Generac is most known for their total backup power solutions for commercial use. These are usually seen on the side of businesses and schools. Generac also provides a large lineup of portable generators for residential and recreational use as well. Today, we are going to look at the GP8000E and why it made our 240V generator list.
Power
The Generac GP8000E is going to provide some serious power from the 420cc engine that is strapped to this generator. You can expect 10,000 starting watts and 8,000 running watts from the GP8000E to power up just about anything you are ready to throw at it.
Outlet Selection
While we would have wanted to see a couple of more outlets on this generator, the 5 covered outlets do provide a great selection for most common uses. For this generator, you will get 4 120V 20A 5-20R GFCI outlets and 1 120/240V 30A L14-30R twist lock outlet. These outlets will allow for smaller and larger appliances or tools to be used at the same time.
Fuel Capacity & Run Time
The fuel tank on this generator is quite large, coming in at 7.9 gallons. This is going to offer up to 11 hours of run time at 50% load. This is perfect for those who are needing to run their generator all day or all night to keep their appliances or tools going.
Noise Level
Generac is one brand that does not offer the noise level ratings for their generators, but we can guess that it is going to be about on par with most generators of its size. If we had to make a guess, we would say it would be between 72-76 dBa, which is about as loud as you would want to go in a neighborhood without disturbing others.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion The Generac GP8000E generator is a solid portable generator that won’t break the bank. It has many great features that get right to the point without having to pay for additional luxuries. If you are wanting a generator that can get the job done for years to come, this generator is a great contender.
Champion 100110 9200w
Champion makes another appearance on our list with their 100110 generators. Champion is well known for offering a very diverse selection of portable generators to fit many different power needs. This 100110 generator is a great example of one of their more powerful portable generators.
Power
With a powerful 459cc engine, you can expect for this generator to provide some serious wattage. The Champion 100110 generator is going to provide you with 11,500 starting watts and 9,200 running watts. This should be more than enough to get your appliances and tools powered up and charged up.
Outlet Selection
When it comes to outlets on this generator, you are going to get 6 covered outlets that will stay protected from dirt, debris, and moisture. For the smaller, more common appliances, you will get to choose from 4 120V 20A outlets. If you are needing larger appliances or tools to be powered, you can choose from a 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet, or a 120/240V 50 A (14-50R) outlet.
Fuel Capacity & Run Time
This generator is going to feature a very large fuel tank with the ability to hold 7.7 gallons of gasoline. This is going to allow you to get 10 hours of run time at 50% load. For those who need to run appliances overnight or throughout the day, this generator is going to give you just that.
Noise Level
The Champion 100110 generator is going to fall right in line with most portable generators of its size when it comes to noise levels. This generator is going to operate at 74 dBa, the same noise level that you would find from a vacuum cleaner. As a rule of thumb, 74 dBa is about as loud as you want to go in residential areas before you start disturbing your neighbors.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion This generator is a perfect choice for just about any situation where you are going to need some serious power. From full worksite power to powering most of your much needed appliances during a blackout, this generator will get it done. The covered outlets, wheel kit, and digital gauge make this generator very user friendly.
Westinghouse WGen9500
Making a second appearance on our list, Westinghouse comes back with an even larger generator, the WGen9500. This generator is going to feature all of the bells and whistles that Westinghouse is known for and is ideal for home backup power as it is ST Switch Ready.
Power
Powering the WGen9500 generator is going to be a 457cc engine that is going to provide you with an impressive 12,500 starting watts and 9,500 running watts. This is going to be enough power to keep your home powered up during a blackout and run most RV’s for hours on end.
Outlet Selection
The outlet selection on this generator is quite diverse with 9 outlets to choose from. To start things off on the smaller electronics, you are going to get 2 USB ports for charging phones, cameras, etc. For more common appliances, you can use the 4 120V 5-20R outlets. If you are needing to use some larger appliances, you can choose from the 120/240V L14-30R outlet or the 120/240V 12-50R outlet. You will also find an ST Switch which allows your generator to be hooked up to a transfer switch for on the fly use for home backup power.
Fuel Capacity & Run Time
When it comes to runtime, you will get to enjoy up to 12 hours at 50% load from the 6.6 gallon fuel tank on this generator. This is perfect for those who are going to be using this generator for their home backup power needs.
Noise Level
Much like other generators on this list, you are going to find that this generator has a 74 dBa noise level making it just fine for residential use. When finding a generator dedicated for home backup power, you are going to want something that is not going to disturb your neighbors.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion Much like the previous Westinghouse generator on our list, this one is just as great as the last, but with more power. Westinghouse is one of the best generator manufacturers when it comes to giving you all of the bells and whistles that you could ever need on your generator. The WGen9500 is another great example as it is user friendly, powerful, and ready to be used for home backup power.
Cat RP12000E
Last but not least is another great CAT generator that is ready for whatever you want to throw at it. This generator is built tough enough for job sites but can be used easily for home and recreation use as well.
Power
CAT has equipped this generator with a massive 670cc V-twin OHV engine for high powered applications. This generator is going to offer 15,000 starting watts and 12,000 running watts which is going to be great for home backup or powering up the largest of tools on your job site.
Outlet Selection
The outlet selection on this generator is one of the most diverse that we have seen with an unheard of 8 outlets to choose from. Starting with the smaller outlets, you will get 4 120V 20A household style outlets. Next, you will get 2 120VAC 30A L5-30 outlets. There will also be a single 30A 120/240VAC L14-30 outlet and one 50A 120/240VAC L14-50 outlet. You will have no problem powering up any appliance or tool to this generator.
Fuel Capacity & Run Time
Featuring the largest fuel tank on this list, this generator is going to be able to hold 13.2 gallons of fuel. This is going to allow for 11.7 hours of run time at 50% load, giving you all day or all night power.
Noise Level
CAT does not currently offer noise level ratings for their generators which is quite disappointing as this generator may be a little too loud for residential use. Since it is designed for more commercial use, we would guess that it’s noise level is around 76-80 dBa.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion This CAT generator is going to provide you with probably more power than you need, but that is never a bad thing. While it may be a little overkill for residential use, those looking for something they can use on the job site or for commercial use may find this generator a perfect suit.
Conclusion – About This Guide
With all of these great 240V generators to choose from, you should have no problem finding one that will fit your needs. The best thing about generators with 240V capabilities is that they come in various power sizes, allowing you to find one that will power up smaller appliances in a more budget-friendly price range or a larger, full home backup power generator.
GeneratorGrid.com is an independent review business. I am not affiliated with any manufacturers and do not accept paid reviews. When you buy through my links, I may earn a commission which helps me purchase more generators for testing. - Scott Krager