Generac XP8000E Review: Is It Worth Your Money?

Last Updated on October 16, 2022 by Manager Access

Having a generator that is capable of doing all of the things you need it to do is essential whether it’s at a job site or being used for home backup power. You are going to want a portable generator that is heavy-duty, has all of the outlets you need, and is easily portable.

This is exactly what you get, plus more, with the Generac XP8000E portable generator. This generator has just about everything that you need to power up a job site or keep your most important appliances running during a power outage.

While the 8000-watt power rating is going to be more than most people will typically use for a power outage situation, it is better to have more wattage than you need to ensure that you don’t overload your generator.

That being said, this generator is going to be a great solution for campers, job sites, and heavy-duty power needs.

Let’s take a closer look at the Generac XP8000E and all of its available features.

Functions and Ease of Use

When it comes to starting up portable generators, it can be a struggle for those who are unable to pull a recoil cord to start the generator.

Luckily, Generac has taken this into consideration and offers the XP8000E with an electric start, reserving the recoil cord as a backup if needed.

This allows this generator to be quickly started with the push of a button thanks to the included rechargeable battery.

On the front of the generator, you can easily see that Generac has taken user-friendliness into consideration as each function on this generator is neatly labeled and adequately spread apart for easy use.

Each of the power receptacles on this generator sport a durable cover to ensure that dirt and foreign materials stay out of your power outlets.

This is a great addition to any generator that is going to be out on a dusty and dirty job site.
Speaking of power outlets, the XP8000E has 6 different outlets with an additional trickle charge battery outlet.

The outlets you will find on this generator include 4 GFCI protected household outlets and 2 twist-lock 120/240V outlets to power up some of your heavier-duty appliances or tools.
On the front control panel where the outlets are located, you will also notice a very convenient hour meter.

This allows you to easily keep track of the hours you have put your generator through and it even has maintenance resets so that you can keep your generator properly maintained.

To keep your fuel usage as efficient as can be, and the noise level down, you can use the included idle control switch for optimal performance.

A few other features you can expect to see on the XP8000E generator are a dedicated on/off switch, choke, fuel shut-off switch, and a 120/240V voltage selector.

Noise Level – Is It Quiet?

For most people who use portable generators, knowing the decibel rating is a great resource to have during the purchasing decision if it will be used in residential areas.

After all, you don’t want a loud generator disturbing the neighbors all day.

As an industry standard, generator noise levels are measured in decibels, and are noise readings are usually taken at 23 feet away from the generator.

Using this method, many generators operate at around 70-80 decibels, which is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner.

Unfortunately, Generac does not measure the decibel ratings of their generators which makes it hard to truly understand how loud this generator really is.

With a little bit of research, it looks like you can expect about 70-80 dBa from this generator which is not too bad for residential use.

On the job site, the decibel rating rarely matters as there is plenty of noise already.

If quietness is a major concern for you, you can read my guide about the quietest portable generators.

Specs, Gas Consumption & Capacity

• Rated Amps: 133 Amps
• AC Maximum Output Starting Watts: 10,000W
• AC Rated Output Running Watts: 8,000W
• Rated AC Voltage: 120/240 Single Phase
• Frequency: 60 Hz
• Run Time @ 50%: 10 Hours
• Tank Size: 9 Gallons
• Weight: 251lbs

Due to the heavy-duty nature of this generator and its main purpose being construction use, it sports a large 9-gallon tank to allow for around 10 hours of continuous use running at 50% power.

With 8,000 running watts and 10,000 starting watts, you can expect this generator to help with just about anything you may need to power up around the house or job site.

This Generator Is An Inverter
A digital inverter module converts the raw power that is generated from DC to AC power. The inverter function means that you can use it to power sensitive appliances and electronics.

Service, Manual & Warranty

As one of the most well-known generator companies around the world, Generac stands proudly behind its products and the warranties that they offer are a true reflection of that statement.

On the XP8000E, Generac offers both a 3-year consumer warranty or a 3-year commercial warranty to keep you covered no matter how you use your generator.

Usually, most generators are offered with a much shorter warranty period for commercial use.

As far as the maintenance goes, this generator includes a full manual that includes a maintenance schedule, replacement part numbers, and a guide on how to maintain your new generator to ensure the XP8000E lasts you as long as possible.

XP8000E Portable Generator VS the Competition

Now that I have talked about the XP8000E and the features that you can expect from it, let’s take a look at a few of its competitors and see how it stacks up against them.

XP8000E VS Westinghouse iWpro 8500

Since I have already reviewed the Westinhous iWpro8500, it was only right that I see how the Generac XP8000E stacks up to this generator.

Power Ratings

These two generators are pretty similar in power ranges, however, the Westinghouse iWpro beats the Generac out by a mere 500 watts.

While this may seem like a good amount of extra watts, it may not be a deal-breaker for many in the market for this size of a generator.

Noise Levels

The specific noise levels of each of these generators were not available on either of these generators, however, the iWpro may have a leg up on the competition as it is one of the quieter high-powered generators available.

Power Outlets

As far as power outlet selection goes, you are going to find 4 GFCI household outlets on each of these generators along with two twist-lock plugs for higher amperage appliances.

The only thing that is different between the two is that you will find a cigarette lighter style 12v plug on the Westinghouse that is great for charging phones and other small devices.

XP8000E VS Pulsar PG10000 Hybrid

In a more apples-to-apples comparison, the Generac XP8000E goes up against the Pulsar PG10000 where the biggest differentiator is that the Pulsar has a hybrid fuel setup.

This means it can run on gasoline or propane, which may be a big advantage for some people.

Power Ratings

The power ratings are quite similar here with both of them being rated at 8000 running watts and 10,000 peak watts.

Noise Levels

Since I do not have the official numbers on the Generac, I can’t say for sure which will be quieter, but I will say that it’s going to be tough competing against the Pulsar’s 65-70 dBa.

Power Outlets

As far as power outlets are concerned, you are going to have the same great choices on each, however, Generac is going to provide you with covered outlets which are a huge plus for those on job sites.

Online Reviews and Scores

While this generator only has 11 customer reviews on Amazon at the time of this post, it did manage to get a 3 out of 5 stars.

Most of these reviews were from happy customers, there were just small issues that they had with their specific orders that made the review score a little lower.

Potential Problems / Known Issues

While there are no widely known issues with the XP8000E, a few people have reported starting issues with their XP8000E.

Looking over a few of the reviews, I could not pinpoint a common issue.

My Opinion: Should you Buy it?

If you are looking for a generator that can power up more than the standard backup home generator can power, the Generac can handle quite the load.

While it is rated high and mostly used for construction sites or heavier loads than a standard homeowner demand during a power outage, it is always better to have more power than you need.

With built-in wheels, an electric start, and a great selection of outlets, this generator can be a great fit for just about anyone who can lift it up to move it on its wheels.