Best 5000 Watt Generators Ranked And Compared – Reliable Inverters

Last Updated on August 12, 2023 by Manager Access

Whether you are needing power at a jobsite or want a backup power source for your home in an emergency, having a reliable generator is key.

5000-watt generators are the perfect fit for riding out a power outage or powering tools away from a dedicated power source.

I have put some of the most popular 5000 watt generators head to head to give you a quick and easy buyers guide to help make your decision easier. Within this guide we will be comparing generators based on their power output, weights, run times, noise levels, and features.

The purpose of this guide is to give you the features, pros, and cons of some of the most popular 5000-watt generators on the market for you to make an educated buying decision. Not all generators are created equally, and we look at the good and the bad sides of the generator market.

Below are the best 5000W portable generators ranked and compared:

1. Westinghouse WGen5500 – My #1 Choice, Most Comprehensive & Best Performing 5000 Watt Generator

When shopping for a generator for your home or job site, you are going to want an all-in-one solution for your needs.

On top of that, you are going to want the most reliable generator available to ensure your power needs go uninterrupted.

This is where the Westinghouse WGen 5500 outshines the competition.

This generator pumps out 5500 running watts/6875 starting watts with an impressive estimated 13 hour run time at 50% load.

It is also one of the lightest on the list, tipping the scales at only 170lbs.

Combine this light weight with the easy to use transporting handle and wheels, and you have got an easy to transport, all in one power solution.

The Westinghouse WGen 5500 is also transfer-switch ready for those wanting to connect to hardwired appliances in the house.

This is a huge advantage for those wanting a home backup generator on a transfer switch.

The WGen 5500 Features:

• 420cc Westinghouse OHV Engine
• Running Watts: 5500
• Starting Watts: 6875
• Weight: 170 lbs
• 6.6 Gallon Capacity Fuel Tank
• 14 Hour Runtime @ 50% Load
• 120v/240v 30A L14-30R
• 4 – 120v 20A 5-20R (GFCI) (Household Style Outlets)
• Oil, Oil Funnel, And Tool Kit Included
• EPA, Carb, CSA Compliant
• Sound Level: 72 Decibels From 23 Feet Away
• Recoil Style Start

Backed by a 3-year warranty you can rest assured that the Westinghouse WGen5500 5000 watts generator will keep your project moving along without worry. Westinghouse also provides lifetime support with skilled technicians and a wide network of over 1,500 service locations.

Customer Reviews: As of publishing this post, the Westinghouse WGen550 received a few positive  reviews from customers . It is sitting at a 4.5 out of 5 stars which leads us to believe that this will also be a consumer favorite.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
The Westinghouse made the top of the list for the simple fact that it is an easy to use, all in one solution for both homeowners and job sites. With all of the features and benefits this generator has to offer, you cannot go wrong with the WGen5500. In choose this for the best 5000 watt generator this year.

2. Wen 56551 – A Budget-Friendly, Customer Favorite.

If the price is a factor, but you do not want to sacrifice many key features, the Wen 56551 will fit the bill.

Coming in under $600, this Wen generator is easy on the wallet and features a lot of the same amenities as others on this list.

The Wen 56551 powers 5000 running watts/5500 watts and has a slightly less estimated run time than the Westington, coming in at 11 hours at 50% load.

Weighing in at only 182.5 lbs, the Wen is still on the lighter sides of larger generators and features foldable handles and wheels for easy transportation.

A customer favorite feature is the spark arrestor which helps this generator meet the standards for use in National Parks.

The Wen 56551 Features:

• • • 389cc 13HP OHV Engine
    • Running Watts: 5000W
    • Starting Watts: 5500
    • Weight: 182.5 lbs
    • 6.5 Gallon Capacity Fuel Tank
    • 11 Hour Runtime @ 50% Load
    • 1 – 120v/240v 30A L14-30R
    • 4 – 120v 20A Receptacles (Household Style Outlets)
    • 1 – 12v DC Outlet (Cigarette Lighter Style Receptacle)
    • Sound Level: 74 Decibels From 23 Feet Away
    • Recoil Style Start

Backed by a 2-year warranty the Wen 56551’s support system is exactly what we would want in a generator purchase.

Wen also provides a wide network of skilled techs to fulfill any service needs to your generator. If you need technical support, Wen also has a friendly customer service line for any questions you may have about your generator.

Customer Reviews: In a close second to number of Amazon reviews lies the Wen 56551 with nearly 500 customer reviews at the time of this article. With a 4 out of 5-star rating, consumers are generally happy with their purchase.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
The Wen has all of the features you would need in a generator at a very affordable price. The noise level is a bit high, but if this is not a concern, then this generator is a great contender.

3. Pulsar PG6000 – More Starting Watts

If you want a generator that puts out some serious power but don’t want a heavy, bulky unit, the Pulsar PG6000 needs to be on your list.

The PG6000 is the second largest watt generator on the list but weights in at only 181 lbs (slightly less than the Wen).

The Pulsar PG6000 put out 5000 running watts and 6000 starting watts with an impressive 13.5 hours running time.

This generator was designed to power up to three major appliances at once and features an easy to read digital meter and fuel gauge for easy operation.

The PG6000’s seven different outlets can power virtually anything from 120V to 240V to 12 volts.

The Pulsar PG6000 Features:

• • • • 303cc 10HP OHV Engine
      • Running Watts: 6000
      • Starting Watts: 6000
      • Weight: 181 lbs
      • 6.6 Gallon Capacity Fuel Tank
      • 13.5 Hour Runtime @ 50% Load
      • 4-120V outlets (Household Style Outlets)
      • 1-120V/240V twist-lock outlet
      • 1-120V twist-lock outlet
      • 12V DC output (Cigarette Lighter Style Receptacle)
      • Sound Level: 72 Decibels From 23 Feet Away

Pulsar’s products are backed by some of the longest and strongest consumer warranties in the industry giving you peace of mind when buying the PG6000.

More information of Pulsar’s warranty can be found by visiting Pulsar’s Website.

Customer Reviews: Although this is one of the best 5000 watts portable generators in my opinion, at the time of publishing this post there are currently only 26 reviews on Amazon for the Pulsar 6000. Out of those 26 reviews, the PG6000 got a healthy 4 out of 5-star rating.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
The Pulsar 6000 seems to be the best bang for your buck with high power and low cost/weight. The only thing keeping it from the top of my list is the lack of customer reviews.

4. Champion 5000W – Built With Safety In Mind

Using a generator is generally a safe procedure, however, if not careful, there can be unnecessary risks. The Champion 5000 was built with safety in mind to keep you and your generator as safe as possible.

The Champion 5000 is pushing out 5000 watts and has a run time of 9 hours at 50% load.

While this seems pretty standard, it’s the built-in safety features and 152 lb weight that makes the Champion stand out from the competition.

This Champion generator features a low oil shut-off sensor that automatically shuts your generator off when your oil is running low to prevent damage to the 292cc motor.

This is vital as checking the oil is a commonly looked over maintenance task and can cause catastrophic damage to your generator.

Another feature on this generator is the Volt Guard.

This feature prevents overloads and keeps your generator safe from voltage spikes.

Built into this Volt Guard is Intelligauge – a device that keeps track of voltage, frequency, and operating hours.

The Champion 5000W Features:

• • • • • 292cc OHV Engine
        • Running Watts: 5000
        • Starting Watts: 6250
        • Weight: 152.1 lbs
        • 5.7 Gallon Capacity Fuel Tank
        • 9 Hour Runtime @ 50% Load
        • 4-120V outlets (Household Style Outlets)
        • 1-120V/240V twist-lock outlet
        • Various Safety Features
        • Sound Level: 74 Decibels From 23 Feet Away
        • Recoil Style Start

Champion supports their generators with a 3-year warranty and free lifetime support from skilled experts to keep your investment running smoothly.

Customer Reviews: With only 2 customer reviews on Amazon (at the time of publishing this post), it’s a stretch to say the 4.5 out of 5 stars is a good way to gauge the quality and dependability of this generator. However, I believe this one will become a hard hitter later down the road.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
The Champion is the perfect generator for homeowners who would be using their generator to supply power to their house in emergency cases. The advanced safety features make the generator very consumer friendly and is affordable for most income levels.

5. Powerstroke PS906811P – Powered By Honda

For those looking for the most power out of their generator where budget and weight are not a factor, the Powerstroke PS906811P is the solution.

This generator was built with job sites and home backups in mind.

Powering out 6800 running watts/8500 starting watts and a 12 hour load time, this Powerstroke generator outpowers the competition.

The powerful Honda GX390 389cc OHV Electric Start Engine not only makes it easy to start, it helps power large loads most generators can’t power.

With the larger motor and impressive 8.0-gallon fuel tank, this generator weights in heavier than the competition at 218 lbs, making it less portable, but a great workhorse for more permanent solutions.

The Powerstroke PS906811P Features:

• • • • • • 389cc OHV Engine
          • Running Watts: 6800
          • Starting Watts: 8500
          • Weight: 218 lbs
          • 8.0 Gallon Capacity Fuel Tank
          • 12 Hour Runtime @ 50% Load
          • 4-120V outlets (Household Style Outlets)
          • 1- 240V twist-lock outlet
          • Sound Level: 79 Decibels From 23 Feet Away

Keep your investment protected with the 3-year limited warranty provided and enjoy United States Of America engineering and assembly.

Customer Reviews: Another underperformer in the customer reviews on Amazon, the Powerstroke managed to get 3 reviews for a total of a 4 out of 5 stars – at the time of publishing this post.

This does not surprise me as this generator seems like a solid choice.I am sure with more time; this generator will make its way up into the competitive space in review count.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
The Powerstroke is a great solution for large work sites or for using as a home back up. With the heavier weight and large power capabilities, this is the generator I would suggest using as a more permanent rather than temporary situation to prevent having to move the larger unit constantly.

6. Generac 5939 GP5500 – A Hit Or Miss 5000W Generator

The Generac 5939 GP5500 generator does not have the best reputation between a slew of negative reviews regarding noise levels and broken parts

However, it made our list as a contender due to its competitive features.

The Generac powers 5500 running watts/6875 starting watts with a run time of up to 10 hours at 50% load. While this is not an impressive number compared to others on this list, it is not the lowest.

The large 389cc engine and 7.2-gallon fuel tank help bring this generator to a light weight of 180 lbs, one of the lowest numbers on this list.

This generator is ideal for power tools, campsites, home backup, and small job sites. One specific drawback is that it is not CARB or CSA compliant making it not legal for shipping to California.

The Generac 5939 GP5500 Features:

• • • • • • • 389cc OHV Engine
            • Running Watts: 5500
            • Starting Watts: 6875
            • Weight: 180 lbs
            • 7.2 Gallon Capacity Fuel Tank
            • 10 Hour Runtime @ 50% Load
            • 4-120V outlets
            • 1- 240V twist-lock outlet
            • Sound Level: Not Provided
            • Recoil Style Start

The Generac 5939 GP5500 is backed by a 2-year limited warranty to protect your investment.

Customer Reviews: The Generac 5939 received the lowest rating, coming in at a 3.6 out of 5 with 93 reviews. The negative reviews seem to be similar in nature, suggesting the Generac has a few kinks to work out.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
The Generac 5939 GP5500 seems like a very good 5,000 WATT generator on paper, however, with the many negative reviews that seem to coincide with similar problems, I would have to suggest one of the other 5 on this list before considering this generator an option.

Buying Guide – Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion – About This Guide

There you have it. I hope this quick buyers guide for the best 5000-watt generators has helped you in becoming more educated about some of the most popular (and unpopular) generators available to help make a decision on your investment.

Having a generator as a backup power source can make or break your next power outage at your home.

It is always better to be prepared especially in the harsh winter months where being snowed in with no power could be dangerous.

Having a generator as an emergency power source can keep your important appliances running until your power is restored.

With the great warranties offered with the above generators, protecting your investment is easy. Keeping up with the maintenance is key to preserving your generator, so remember to keep up with preventative maintenance.

Have you ever owned a 5000-watt generator? What features do you look at when shopping for a generator?

Please consider sharing this post with anyone you know who might be in the market for a portable generator!

If you were looking for a more transportable solution, please see my list for the best portable generators