Are Champion Generators Good? Are They Reliable?

Last Updated on February 26, 2023 by Asif Rahman

Champion generators are a well-known brand to consider if you’re searching for a portable generator, a home standby generator, or an inverter generator for power outages. However, as a consumer, you need to make sure they’re worth your hard-earned money. After all, any brand that calls itself a “champion” must live up to that name, right?

Champion generators are good for many reasons. They’re known for their versatility, affordability, and dependability. The brand also provides some of the most cutting-edge and user-friendly technology in the market.  

Read on to discover the benefits of buying a Champion generator and the best Champion generators we recommend.

Who Makes Champion Generators?

Established in Santa Fe Springs, California, in 2003, Champion Power Equipment is the producer of Champion generators and other power goods, including jump starters, inverters, and winches.

The business takes delight in producing cutting-edge, dependable items using the most recent engineering and technological advances.

Champion generators are well-liked because of their dependability, adaptability, and effective performance. Champion maintains production sites outside its California headquarters, notably in China and Taiwan, to fulfill the expanding demand for its goods and provide competitive pricing.

Best Features Of Champion Generators

The following qualities make Champion generators an excellent option for homeowners:

1. Efficient

The most fuel-efficient and reliable generator is the Champion 14kW model. This generator only uses 2.6 gallons per hour at full load and around 1.6 gallons at 50% load. Its 8.5kW and 11.5kW smaller types get comparable mileage.

2. Quiet

You don’t want to be disturbed by a noisy generator’s buzzing noise, and neither do your neighbors. Therefore, Champion household generators sound between 59-63 dB, whereas other generators growl at 73 dB (a motorway at 10 in the morning). Champion is among the quietest generators on the market.

3. Weather-Proof

Homeowners need the most dependable generators available during sporadic outages. Champion Power Equipment is entirely waterproof and enclosed in an all-weather steel box that protects it from even the worst storms.

The strongest in their class, 24-volt starting mechanisms, give Champion generators their actual dependability. These generators function flawlessly in ranges of -22 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, Champion generators do a weekly five-minute self-test to detect potential problems.

4. Convenient

Many backup generators can only discharge high-voltage loads while adequate power is available. Therefore you must switch down enough appliances to achieve that.

The Smart Demand Control technology from Champion enables you to use appliances more conveniently, even when turning on a power-demanding device like a central air conditioner.

The Demand Control system automatically draws enough energy from low-demand areas to start the significant appliance when you do this.

The power immediately switches back to the appliance’s actual usage after powering up, and its energy demand returns to normal. The whole procedure is quick and causes you no problems at all.

5. Safe for People and Electronic Equipment

Portable generators can be dangerous due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and the additional hazards involved in putting them up each time. With permanent outside positions and automatic transfer switches, standby generators significantly reduce these concerns.

Less well-known is that some standby and many portable generators may damage delicate devices, including TVs, PCs, tablets, and other equipment.

Thankfully, Champion home generators generate safe, dependable electric power with less than 5% total harmonic distortion. Thanks to this low percentage, you and your family can worry-free charge your computers, iPhones, and even flat-screen TVs.

6. Numerous Positive Reviews

There are many good Champion generator reviews dominating online, such as being one of the top Standby Home Generators. The 14kW Champion generator was also famous as one of the best Whole House Generators by the impartial worldwide group of generator experts.

How Long Does A Champion Generator Last?

Champion generators may endure for more than 20 years if they are well-maintained. Of course, several factors affect the longevity of any generator. Champion generators can last longer as long as they are utilized and appropriately kept.

How Long Can The Generator Run?

Champion generators that you can use, either LPG or natural gas, were made without sacrificing safety or features. These models generally run on gasoline for 8 hours at 50% load with a full tank. With a 50% load, an average 20-pound LPG cylinder can run for 4 to 5 hours.

The Champion 2000-watt generators can run for up to 10 hours at 25% load, which is very good for their class. Like other generators with an OHV engine, the Champion 2000 Generator has a low oil shutdown feature that turns the generator off when the oil level gets too low.

The Champion LP Generator can run a wide range of appliances and electronics. The generator’s 439cc OHV engine can run for 9 hours with a full gas tank at 50% load.

What Is The Warranty On A Champion Engine?

A Champion portable or inverter generator typically includes a three-year limited warranty.

Additionally, Champion home standby generators typically have a 10-year limited warranty. You will also get free lifetime technical assistance for your equipment from the Champion Power Equipment service locations.

Do Champion Generators Come With Oil?

It is essential to remember that champion generators do not come with oil. The reason is due to the possibility of leakage during transportation. Damage might result from oil leaking onto other engine components.

Therefore, you must buy and apply oil before using your new Champion generator. Always replace the oil after the break-in phase of the first five hours of operation. Locate the oil fill cap on your generator, remove it, and use a funnel to add the proper engine oil.

What Are The Best Champion Engines? Top 5 Champion Generators

With these options, you have enough information to decide what great feature you want in a Champion generator and why.

1. Champion Power Equipment 100263 3400-Watt Portable Inverter Generator with Electric Start

The Champion 100263 power generator has a 4-stroke, 192cc engine. It’s a dual-fuel, portable inverter generator that is small and lightweight.

It can generate 3100 running wattage and 3400 starting watts when fueled by gas and 2790 running wattage and 3060 starting watts when powered by propane.

Because of the enclosed frame of the machine, the noise is kept at a manageable 59 dB at 23 feet. It has the so-called “Cold Start Technology” that makes starting the engine even in icy conditions simple.

The Champion 100263 power generator has a 1.6-gallon (about 6 liters) gas tank, which offers a 7.5-hour runtime at 25%. The propane-powered machine has a 14.5-hour runtime at 25% when using a 20-pound propane tank.

The Champion 100263 power generator is Parallel Ready and comes with various Parallel Ready Kits, each of which has a different set of output ports so that the user may choose the best one for their needs.

The device includes a very effective power inverter with a clever “Economy Mode” that guarantees higher fuel efficiency and longer engine life. Additionally, the power inverter has a meager THD% output (3%), enabling the device to directly power even sensitive equipment.

2. Champion Power Equipment 76533 4750/3800-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator with Electric Start

 

The Champion 76533 generator makes life simpler whether you use it to power your RV or at home during a power outage.

The inverter has a recoil and an electric start and works on gasoline or propane. The Cold Start Technology guarantees that cold conditions won’t cause any starting issues. Fast switching between fuel sources is possible thanks to the solution’s switch for fuel selection.

With a Volt Guard included, your appliances are protected from overvoltage by an integrated surge protector.

This generator has the necessary power to run the lights, the refrigerator, the fan, the TV and DVD player, phone, tablet, and computer, and a 15,000 BTU RV air conditioner. The battery can operate for up to 9 hours on a full gas tank and up to 10.5 hours at 50% load.

This Champion inverter generator complies with EPA-CARB regulations in all 50 states. For both the typical home user and the RV enthusiast and camper, it is unquestionably essential for use in an emergency. Even though it weighs 122 pounds, the unit’s tires make it simple to move.

3. Champion 200988 4500-Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator With Electric Start

The Champion 200988 is highly similar to the Champion 100263 power generator in many ways. It is a very energy-efficient inverter, a dual-fuel power generator that is relatively small and lightweight.

A 212cc, 4-stroke, variable-speed internal combustion engine propels the Champion 200988. When running on gas, the engine produces 3500 running wattage and 4500 starting watts. When using propane, it produces 3150 running watts and 4500 starting watts.

The Champion 200988 power generator has an overload prevention system and an automated low-oil engine shut-off safety system.

Champion 200988 is a reasonably quiet unit with a noise level of 61 dB @23 feet (about 7 m). It has inverter technology, economy mode features, and a completely enclosed construction.

The Champion 200988 has two compact transport wheels, built-in handles, and two folding handles that make it simple for the user to carry the item. It also has various optional parallel kits and is parallel-ready.

4. Champion Power Equipment 100692 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator, Ultralight

Champion Power Equipment 100692 has a 79 cc gas-powered, OHV, four-stroke engine included in the design. It has a peak wattage of 2000W and a running power of 1700W. You may double your power supply by purchasing a ParaLINK (a gadget for connecting two generators or RV air conditioners) separately.

This inverter runs for over 12 hours on a full tank. You may securely connect sensitive equipment to the AC outlets of the device thanks to its pure sine wave.

One person may easily transport this generator due to its lightweight (39.5 pounds) capacity and integrated handle. A spark arrestor is also present, reducing combustible debris emissions.

It includes automatic low oil cutoff and overload protection. Like many other products, the Champion Ultralight is EPA and CARB-compliant. It delivers a fuel efficiency improvement of about 20% compared to traditional generators.

5. Champion Power Equipment 100302 4000-Watt RV Ready Inverter

Because of its open-frame architecture, the inverter generator from Champion is a digital hybrid. This generator makes it possible to use a bigger engine without incurring additional expenditures. Its economy mode helps save gasoline and prolong engine life, and it is lightweight and quiet.

The device can power numerous big appliances with its 4000W output. It contains two 120V 20A domestic outlets, two 12V DC outlets with twin USB converters, and a 120V 30A RV outlet.

Three indication lights let you know if the gadget is in OK condition, overload alert, or needs more oil. Some buttons quickly restart the device in the event of overload.

The enormous 2.9 fuel tank may fit within the open-frame engine. With it, you can achieve up to 17 hours of runtime on a 25% load. The inverter uses Quiet Technology and runs at 64 dBa.

Unfortunately, the device, which weighs 81.6 pounds, needs both a handle and wheels; unless you decide to invest in one. Use the parallel connections with a kit (available separately) to quadruple your resources if you want more power.

Is There Any Drawback To Buying A Champion Generator?

Given the variety of generator models available, choosing one that doesn’t meet your demands might result in drawbacks.

For Champion, there are certain restrictions on customer assistance, particularly when buying online. However, with their affordable price, Champion generators are generally economical for various domestic and portable power requirements.

Conclusion

Champion generators are a dependable and practical option for anybody needing a power source, thanks to their large selection of models and power outputs.

Champion offers a model to suit your requirements, whether you want portable generators, home backup generators, or inverter generators for your RV or outdoor activities.

If you’re considering buying a Champion generator, you can be sure that you’re getting a high-quality item from a business dedicated to customer satisfaction.