Top 10 Best Dual Fuel Generators (Gasoline + Propane)

Last Updated on April 25, 2023 by Rod Olivares

Dual-fuel generators let you take advantage of both types of fuel: gasoline and propane.

While gas is easily obtainable, it has some disadvantages. A dual-fuel generator lets you use propane as needed. Propane fuel is cheaper, cleaner, and quieter.

I’ve created this list of the best dual fuel generators based on experience and research.

These are the best options available on the market right now. I’ve included models at a range of price points and with a range of power, so you’ll be able to find the right one for you no matter your needs.

1. Best Dual-Fuel Generator: Champion 7500W Dual Fuel

This is the gold standard in dual-fuel generators. It has an electric push-button start for the epitome of convenience.

Because it comes with oil, it’s ready to go right out of the box with either gasoline or propane (I still advise you break in the generator). It’s fairly heavy, but it comes with a wheel kit and nice sturdy tires that will never go flat.

The construction is very tough and sturdy and should be able to handle less than ideal conditions.

The 439cc Champion engine is a trustworthy workhorse that you can count on. Champion also backs this generator up with a 3-year limited warranty with free lifetime technical support.

You’ll get a nice long runtime with this generator, up to 30 hours with gasoline and a 1,000-watt load.

Even when operating at a maximum load, you’ll get 8 hours on a full tank of gas or nearly 6 hours on a 20lb propane gas tank.

A big advantage of this Champion 7500W is the cold start ability. If you live in a climate where it gets pretty cold, many generators will struggle to start, but this one will start up without any problems.

Another plus is the surge protector built right into the panel to protect your devices in the event of a spike. There are four 120V outlets and two 30A locking outlets.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
It’s not cheap, but the Champion 7500W Dual Fuel is a champion with its power, dependability, solid construction, and ease of use.

2. Duromax XP10000EH – A Lot of Power and Quieter Than You Might Expect

This Duromax generator is surprisingly quiet, especially when compared to similar dual-fuel generators. For this amount of power, a noise level of only 72 dBa is pretty surprising.

This quiet exhaust is due in part to the built-in spark arrestor.

Although this is EPA-approved, it doesn’t quite meet the rigorous California CARB standards.

This is another generator with an easy electric start. In this case, starting the generator up is as easy as turning a key. In case the battery for the electric start is low or dead, there is a backup pull cable recoil starter you can use instead.

Weighing in at 265 pounds, this generator is a beast, but the solid-fill tires and pull handle make transport easy.

With a peak power of 10,000 watts and 8,000 running watts, this generator can power most homes in the event of a power loss (check out my calculator to evaluate your needs).

The power comes from the large 18 HP OHV 4-stroke air-cooled engine. The main power panel keeps everything you need organized and easy to find.

There are gauges and lights for important output and maintenance information. This is also where you will find the six outlets, including:

• 2X 120v 20 amp 3-prong outlets
• 1X 120v 30 amp twist lock
• 1X 120v/240v 30 amp twist lock
• 1X 120v/240v 50 amp heavy duty outlet
• 1X 1-10a 12v outlet

This generator comes with a 1-year factory warranty. Unfortunately, Duromax is not known for having great customer service.

It’s a pretty serious investment, so the shorter warranty and the potential customer services issues may be off-putting for some people.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
If you can deal with the risk of poor customer service, then the significant power and exceptionally long runtime make this generator worth looking at.

3. Duromax XP4850EH – An Affordable Dual-Fuel Option

It doesn’t offer as much power as some, but it has a lot to offer at a very affordable price. Rated for 3,850 watts with a peak of 4,850 watts, this generator runs on a 196cc 7 Horsepower air-cooled engine.

Switching from gas to propane and back is as easy as flipping a switch.

The rest of the operation is similarly user-friendly.

Duromax XP485OEH features an electric key start with a backup recoil starter. The front panel includes a voltage meter, a circuit breaker, a low-oil light, and the outlets.

It’s relatively light at 130 pounds, but there are solid-fill tires, high leverage side handles, and a folding pull handle to make transport even easier.

Because of the noise-reducing oversize muffler, this generator will only be around 69 dBa.

Duromax is not known for having stellar customer service, but this generator does have a generous 3-warranty.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
If you don’t need quite as much power, the Duromax XP4850EH is an affordable dual-fuel option that should serve you well.

4. Sportsman GEN4000DF – RV-Ready Budget Option

If you have a really small budget, this dual-fuel generator from Sportsman is worth looking at. Despite the low price tag, it has a lot of important features.

The 7 HP engine doesn’t have a ton of power, but the 3,500 running watts will be more than enough for most users.

There is not an electric start, just a pull cable recoil starter. The front panel is well organized, with a voltage meter, an on-off switch, circuit breakers, and six outlets.

There are four 120V outlets, one 120V RV outlet, and one 1-12V DC outlet. At only 90 pounds, it’s one of the lightest portable dual-fuel generators.

That said, it does not have wheels, and 90 pounds is heavy enough to make transport a challenge.

This is another surprisingly quiet generator, with a 69 dBa rating, quiet enough to be able to still hold a conversation nearby.

This makes it a decent option for camping and tailgating generator. It is also a fully RV-ready generator.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
Considering the price tag, it’s surprising how well this dual engine generator performs. It can hold its own with many other generators on this list, especially when you don’t need as much power.

5. Duromax Fortress Hybrid – A Quiet Duromax With Some Potential Problems

This Duromax generator comes in at a mid-range price point and features positives and negatives. A big downside to this model is the quality of construction.

Although the heavy-duty steel frame is sturdy, the overall metal and plastic build quality just aren’t as nice as the sturdy construction on other Duromax models.

It weighs over 100 pounds, but it does come with a wheel kit to help with transport.

With 3,500 running watts, it would be nice if there were more outlets, like you see on comparable models.

There are only two 120 volt AC outlets and one 30A locking outlet.

Overall, the ease-of-use factor is pretty high.

There is an electric key start as well as a backup recoil starter.

An auto-shutoff feature for when the oil gets too low prevents damage to the engine.

Because of the comparatively poor construction and the poor manual, there’s a good chance you might need to connect with customer service.

Unfortunately, Duromax isn’t known for having great customer service.

In addition, there is just a 1-year warranty for parts. The 7.0 HP air-cooled engine, at least, should be durable and reliable, especially when you use propane for fuel.

Another big positive for this generator is the noise level. A muffler helps keep the noise to a minimum, around 67 dBa.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
The location of the oil tank makes filling a challenge.

6. Pulsar PG10000B16 – A High-Powered Portable With Super Long Runtime on Both Fuels

This is one of the higher-powered portables you’ll find, especially with dual-fuel capability. This Pulsar generator has 10,000 peak watts and 8,000 running watts on gasoline or 9,000 peak watts and 7,000 running watts on propane.

That’s enough to power most homes, so this is a good home backup power option. The 420cc 15 HP engine starts right up with an electric push-button start.

It features the best runtime on the market, an astounding 48 hours when running a 1,000 watt load on gasoline (my estimation based on 1/2 load consumption figures).

There are plenty of outlets, including four 120V outlets, one 120V/240V twist-lock outlet, one 30 AMP RV outlet, and one 50 AMP outlet.

Pulsar PG10000B16 is fully RV-ready. It weighs just over 200 pounds, but the no-flat wheels and convenient dual handles make transport quite easy.

This generator has a lot to offer, but not insignificant is the accompanying manual that is actually clear and helpful.

Pulsar really stands out for this seemingly minor detail. They also offer a 2-year warranty and are known for having decent customer service.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
It’s a serious investment, but the Pulsar PG10000B offers everything you could want in a portable dual-fuel generator.

7. Champion 3800W RV Ready – An Affordable Champ

Once again, Champion lives up to their name. This offers quite a bit less power than the Champion 7500W, but all of the same quality and great features.

It has 3,800 watts and 4,750 peak watts, perhaps not enough to power everything in your home but more than enough for most projects.

It’s a particularly good dual fuel option for RVs as it is fully RV-ready:

• 2X Standard 120V 20A Outlets
• 1X 120V 30A RV Outlet
• 1X 120V 30A locking Outlet

It has a volt guard surge protector built right in, so your more sensitive electronics will be protected from any surges or spikes.

The generator has a 224cc Champion single-cylinder OHV engine known for being dependable.

It features an electric touch button start, and it has cold start technology.

At just over 100 pounds, it’s one of the lighter dual-fuel generators, but it’s still heavy enough to make the never-flat wheels and pull handle very welcome.

For its size and power capabilities, it has a decently long runtime.

There is an auto-shutoff function for when the oil gets low.

A gauge on the front panel keeps you informed of your power output as well as alerting you to pressing maintenance concerns.

Champion generators are generally reliable and trustworthy, but they back it up with a 3-year limited warranty and free lifetime technical support.

That really offers peace of mind when making this kind of investment.

That said, this is one of the most affordable dual-fuel models on the market. It’s also one of the models with the best reviews.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
If you don’t need quite as much power, the Champion 3800W is a trustworthy dual-fuel portable generator that is RV-ready.

8. DuroMax XP12000EH – Maximum Power from “The Beast”

It requires a pretty big investment, but if you need a ton of power, this Duromax has it. It’s known as the beast for good reason: it’s a big machine ready for anything.

With 12,000 peak watts and 9,500 running watts, this generator should be able to power your home as a backup power source if needed.

It has an extra-long runtime, up to almost 48 hours when running at a 1,000-watt load.

The 18 HP 457cc OHV engine is a workhorse.

It’s pretty heavy, but it is also portable thanks to the wheels and pull handle.

For as much power as it offers, it’s unfortunate that there are only two 120V outlets.

There is also one 120V 30A twist-lock outlet, one 120v/240v 30A twist-lock outlet, and one 120v/240v 50A heavy-duty outlet.

Overall, the operation is quite user-friendly. It has an electric start with a backup recoil starter.

The engine will automatically shut down if the oil gets too low, and there is also a light that warns you in advance when the oil is getting low.

A dual-fuel generator of this size isn’t going to be quiet, but a muffler and spark arrestor reduces the noise by quite a bit.

This generator is EPA-approved and safe for use in national parks, but it doesn’t quite meet California’s strict emissions guidelines.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
The DuroMax XP12000EH gives you the absolute maximum amount of power available in any dual-fuel portable generator, and it truly is a beast of a machine.

9. Ford FG7750PBE – Built Ford Tough

You know Ford as an automotive leader, but they’ve applied their expertise to the generator market in association with Pulsar.

This model has a 4-stroke air-cooled 420cc single-cylinder OHV engine that gives you a peak output of 7,750W and a rated output of 6,250W.

The engine will shut off if the oil gets too low.

Ford’s experience and innovation in the automotive industry definitely carry over to this engine. You can expect this generator to last and to perform reliably.

It has a convenient electric start with a recoil starter backup.

All of the outlets have rubber covers to protect them from the elements and dust.

There are four 120-Volt AC outlets, one 120-Volt AC twist-lock outlet, and one 120/240V AC twist-lock outlet.

An automatic voltage regulator protects your electronics from spikes or surges.

This generator is pretty heavy, but it does have never-flat tires and a convenient handle. It offers a long runtime on gas, and there is a helpful digital display of how much time you have left (LPG or gasoline).

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
Like most Ford vehicles, the Ford FG7750PBE dual-fuel generator is well-built and dependable.

10. Firman H03651 Hybrid Series – The Best Warranty

Firman is a brand that isn’t quite as well-known, but this dual-fuel generator is worth considering. A major advantage? It comes with an industry-leading 3-year warranty.

This generator is easy to use. It has an electric start with a recoil starter backup.

Switching the fuel source just involves the flip of a switch.

It has a fuel gauge, a helpful but surprisingly rare feature on a generator.

The four outlets are covered, helpful for keeping them protected from dust and the elements. It has an automatic voltage regulator to protect your electronics.

It is RV-ready with a 120V 30A RV outlet.

It also has two standard 120V outlets and another 120V 30A outlet.

The construction is sturdy, and it is relatively lightweight. There are also big, never-flat wheels and a pull handle to make transport even easier.

It has a 4-stroke 7 HP 208c OHV engine that will give you 4,550 peak watts and 3,650 running watts with gasoline or 4,100 peak watts and 3,300 running watts with LPG.

If the oil pressure gets too low, your engine is protected with an automatic shutoff feature.

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
With some of the best warranties available, RV-ready capabilities, and outlet covers, the Firman H03651 Hybrid Series is the best two-fuel generator you’ve never heard of.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Dual-Fuel Generator

With so many dual-fuel generators available on the market today, it can be hard to narrow down to the best generator for your needs. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner when it comes to generators or an expert, you will probably still have a question or two along the way.

Hopefully, this brief buyer’s guide will help you narrow down your choices and simplify the process as you look for the best dual fuel generator.

Size

The size you choose comes down to how much space you have and how much power you need to generate. Also, make sure that you choose a high-quality machine that can power all the appliances you have in mind.

Noise Level

Many generators that run on gasoline are often loud. A dual generator, however, uses two different fuel types to control the noise levels somewhat. Another factor when determining the noise level is where you are placing the generator. Will it be further away from the home or closer? This affects perceived noise–and neighborhood relationships.

Power

What appliances do you need to power with your generator? Consider the power input your appliances take, so you can better determine just how much power you will need to start up and run everything efficiently.

Budget

It is easy to find an affordable and high-quality dual fuel generator, and this makes it a lot easier to find exactly what you need while sticking to the budget you have.

Portability

Finally, it would help if you considered the purpose of your generator. If you need to use it in different locales such as outdoor events, make sure that the generator is easy to transport. However, if it is strictly for home and office use, you don’t need to worry about portability.

Conclusion

A portable generator is nice to have on hand for emergencies, but even the best portable generator can also be a nice everyday tool for working in remote locations or for camping and tailgating.

With a dual-fuel generator, you get the advantages of both gasoline and propane. Because propane is a cleaner energy source, dual-fuel generator engines will last longer.

Each of these ten dual-fuel generator models offers something different, and they all perform extremely well.

Have you ever used a dual-fuel generator? Which fuel type do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t hesitate to ask questions, too!

Please share this list with anyone you know who might be looking for a new generator.