If you’re out travelling or you’re in an RV with the family, a 50 AMP generator can certainly be very useful. These little things can help you to power up all of your essential gadgets even when you’re off the grid.
50 Amp generators in specific can generate a whole bunch of power, so you can stay connected even in the middle of nowhere.
There is an abundance of choice out there when it comes to 50 AMP generators - the market is simply full of them. Of course, with all of this choice it can sometimes be rather difficult to choose the best option for you.
Thankfully, we’re here to help. Here are some of the best 50 amp generators on the market for you to take advantage of. We’ve also written a handy buyer’s guide to help you to narrow down your decision.
OUR TOP PICK
This generator comes from an American company that most certainly knows how to make high quality generators.
This particular model, the Westinghouse Wgen9500DF is a fantastic 50 amp portable generator that will allow you to run pretty much all of your main devices in your home or RV, including things like your refrigerators and lights.
The Westinghouse Wgen9500DF is a dual fuel generator that you can use either with gas or propane, depending on what’s available to you.
Not only that but it’s also really easy to switch between the two fuel types - all you need to do is press a button to switch the fuel types over.
In addition to this, the generator has an incredibly long runtime, working for a total of 17 hours if you aren’t using it for powering any particularly intense devices.
Starting a generator has also never been easier than it is with this model. You can control it just using a remote key fob, allowing you to control the whole device even from a couple of feet away.
The generator is very easy to use too, but it is a little bit loud when it’s working at full capacity.
Pros
- Runs for a long time
- Dual fuel
- Easy to use
Cons
- It can be a little loud when it’s running at full capacity
EDITORS CHOICE
If you’re looking for a high quality 50 amp generator to accompany you to all of your outdoor excursions, then you should certainly consider the Duromax XP10000E.
You could even take this onto a job site if you need to power machinery.
The generator comes with built in wheels and a handle that collapses, and this means that whenever you need to move it from one place to another that you can do so easily.
The generator can provide 10,000 starting watts and 8,000 running watts, so you have more than enough power to run the vast majority of your gadgets and appliances. It’s pretty durable too.
The generator has around 10.4 hours of runtime if you use it at 50% capacity. If you aren’t happy with the generator it also comes with a 3 year warranty that you can take advantage of.
The biggest issue with the product though is that it doesn’t have any covered outlets.
Pros
- 3 year warranty
- Collapsible handle
- Lots of outlets available
Cons
- It doesn’t have any covered outlets
BEST VALUE
For power on the go, the WEN Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Wheel Kit and Electric Start is a dream.
This generator provides fantastic value for money, and what’s better is that it is a dual fuel device so you can use either LPG or Gas.
The generator features a keyed electric start that is easy to use. It also helps to control power surges. The generator has 9500 starting watts and 7500 running watts if you use the LPG.
If you choose to run the generator on gasoline though, you can have 11000 surge watts and 8300 running watts. It will also give you around 8.5 hours worth of performance.
The generator also comes with 4 120v GFCI outlets, in addition to some other outlets and additional accessories.
It is however somewhat high maintenance which is certainly something that you should keep in mind.
Pros
- Electric start
- High power capacity
- Dual fuel generator
Cons
- Somewhat high maintenance to use
RUNNER UP
This 50 amp generator most certainly has got the power! It can provide up to 8000 running watts and 10,000 starting watts, which is more than sufficient to get your job site or RV up and running.
It’s super easy to move it from a to b as well!
The generator comes with a range of different outlets, so you can plug it in and power pretty much anything that you wish to power. It weighs 221 lbs in total, and it has a 7 gallon capacity fuel tank.
While this may seem a little heavy, it’s certainly worth the extra weight considering the fact that it has 9 hours of running time on just a 25% load.
In addition to this, you will also get a 2 year residential warranty and a 1 year commercial warranty with the generator, so if anything does go wrong then you are covered.
Pros
- Easy to start
- Good warranty
- Easy to transport
Cons
- A much shorter run time than some of the other options on this list
RUNNER UP
Dual fuel generators are incredibly handy, so if you’re looking for one, you should really think about getting the Pulsar Non-CARB Dual Fuel Portable Generator.
This is a very convenient generator that’s ideal for getting power off the grid.
The generator features a 6.6 gallon tank with up to 12 hours of operation time at your disposal on a 50% load.
You can switch between gasoline and propane with ease when you are running the generator, and starting the device up is incredibly easy.
It comes with 6 power outlets to suit your individual needs. It’s not a particularly lightweight option, but it does have wheels and a handle that you can fold down, which can make it a lot easier to move around.
As far as power is concerned, this is certainly a decent option. It can create 10,000 surge watts and 8000 running watts in total when you use gasoline.
When you use LPG these watts are somewhat lower. It’s perfect for an RV, and it’s pretty affordable.
It can be a little bit loud though, so you may need to pre-warn your neighbours when you are planning on using it.
Pros
- High performance
- Dual fuel
- Decent running time
Cons
- It can be a little bit loud when it is operating
Best 50 Amp Generators Buying Guide
Why Should You Get a Generator?
If you like living off the grid with no power or anything, you may be wondering what the point is in getting a generator.
Well, generators can be incredibly handy, especially if you end up caught in an emergency situation. A generator can give you emergency power when your usual power source has gone out, but generators also have a number of other benefits.
For instance, you can use a generator to charge your electric car. They’re also pretty handy if you’re doing some DIY, as you won’t need to use a million extension cords to use your power tools.
In addition to this, 50 amp generators can power up electric pumps if your power goes out and you have no water access, they can generate power for sump pumps so your home doesn’t get flooded when the whether is bad, and they can allow you to access all of your favorite luxury items when you’re traveling the world, perhaps by camping.
Finally, a generator is a really handy option if you need backup power in any situation.
What Can You Power with a 50 amp Generator?
Using a 50 amp generator, you can power up a number of different things.
You can power up any large appliances while you’re at home, but also while you’re out camping or in an RV.
You can even use them to power up your tools and machinery.
Things to Consider
There are a few things to think about when buying a 50 amp generator.
Not every model is the same and this is something that you need to be mindful of when making your purchase.
Not every model is going to have the features that you want or need. But what are those features?
Outlets and Power
The first thing you need to do before you buy your 50 amp generator is to determine the amount of power that you are going to need to power all of your electrical items.
Portable generators usually have both running watts and starting watts. In essence, running watts are the amount of power the generator is able to provide on a regular basis, while starting watts are the amount of power that you can get for a short amount of time after you’ve started running the generator.
There are some generators out there that may have 1200 starting watts, and they have 9500 running watts. This may seem a little confusing, but bear with us! There are certain appliances in the home or in an RV which may need a little bit more juice to start because they have a motor.
The amount of energy that these devices will consume will level off after this. The watts needed to start the appliance are known as starting watts, while what is used afterwards are running watts.
You will need to determine the starting and running watts of your key appliances that you want to power up before you buy the generator to check that it is the right choice for you.
In addition to this, it’s also important to think about the kinds of outlets that you are going to need. A lot of small generators will have 120V AC outlets, in addition to a USB port or two.
You can find many larger generators that can come with as much as 240V and 120V AC outlets and USB ports. You should also look for a generator that has GFCI protected outlets.
Usage
The vast majority of portable generators such as 50 amp generators will come with a warranty spanning a number of years.
If, however, you are only intending to use your particular generator for things like emergencies or for use on a yearly camping trip, you can get pretty much any generator so long as it’s from a trustworthy brand.
If you are going to be using the generator more often or if you are using them for powering big tools on a regular basis, then perhaps a commercial portable generator will be better for you.
Type of Fuel
The generators you will see most frequently on the market are ones that are powered by gasoline, but if you want a more eco friendly option then you can opt for a solar powered generator.
Of course, these are also a little more expensive than regular generators, and they don’t have a great deal of power.
The best fuel to use is diesel if possible. It’s a great choice especially if you want to power up your whole house. It does cost a little more money and it can be harder to find. Propane generators are also good, as are gas generators that can turn into propane when you need them too.
Another thing you should do is assess the fuel tank size. Your generator is naturally able to run longer in between fuel ups if the tank is larger. In fact, a lot of generators can even provide you with around 7 to 9 hours of power when they are 50 percent full.
You should also make sure that the fuel tank is plastic if you are using a gasoline generator, as gasoline is corrosive which isn’t great for certain kinds of material.
Noise and Starting Up
The most convenient option is certainly the best here, especially when you’re stuck in an emergency. You should make sure that your generator has an electrical startup switch that’s easy to use.
The other thing is noise. If you’re in an RV park, the last thing you want is to wake up the entire park because your generator is roaring.
The amount of noise that the generator produces is going to depend mainly on the size of the generator and the kind of fuel used. Some portable generators are much quieter than others, so if you’re camping or RVing you should opt for these to give your neighbors a restful sleep.
If you get a larger generator the chances of it being quiet are slimmer and slimmer. Furthermore, diesel is a lot louder than your standard gasoline. This is because the compression ratio is much higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many watts are in a 50 amp generator?
50 amp generators are often able to have an output of around 12000 watts, but not every generator is going to have the same output.
You will need to check each individual model to see how many watts it can product before you buy.
How do I safely use my 50 amp generator?
First of all, if you are running the 50 amp generator with your RV, you should make sure that you have high quality components to use with it. Any defects should be avoided at all costs.
You should also ensure that the generator is put into a level place where it is properly secured. A generator is likely to vibrate a lot as the engine does its thing, so security is essential.
It’s also very important to make sure that you don’t end up overloading the generator with too much power than it can handle.
Try to work out how much wattage you actually need, and then compare this to the wattage ratings on your particular generator. Your needs should be much lower than the wattage rating on the generator.
What is the main difference between a 30 amp and a 50 amp generator?
The distinction between the two types of generator largely comes down to the sort of outlets they have. A 30 amp generator will usually have a 30 amp outlet, whereas a 50 amp generator will have a 50 amp outlet.
Of course, a 30 amp outlet will usually only have 3 prongs on it, and will also have only one 120V hot wire, whereas the 50 amp outlet will have 4 prongs and two 120v hot wires.
The output between the two is slightly different too, with a 30 amp generator being able to provide an output of a maximum of 3600 watts at 120v, while the 50 amp generator can provide 12,000 watts at that exact same amount of voltage.
So if you need more power, a 50 amp generator is usually the best option.
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Jeremiah Pike
I'm an environment and energy blogger who teaches outdoor and energy enthusiasts how to be better informed when it comes to purchasing or maintaining a generator, solar panel system, or anything else related to your energy needs.