Best Generator Mufflers

Generators can be very useful in an emergency situation or when you’re going to be away from power for an extended period of time.

They run on fuel and offer you varying levels of power to aid your essential appliances and charge your devices. 

Many people take generators on camping holidays or hook them up to their houses to prepare for a power outage.

Generators are very helpful tools to have, but there is one big problem with them - they can be rather loud while running.

Instead of hiding out around the campsite in case of seeing your annoyed neighbors and facing the wrath, you need to find a way to quieten your generator.

No one takes a noisy generator to a campsite, and if they do they are generally hated by the rest of the holiday-goers. Don’t be this person. 

Instead, purchase a high-quality generator muffler to make your generator as quiet as possible.

Below we’ve found the five best options, and we’ve also written a list of the important considerations to think of before you commit to a purchase.

Best Generator Mufflers Buying Guide

There are a few considerations that you should take before purchasing a generator muffler.

Unfortunately, it is not as simple as finding one that you like the look of and introducing it to your generator.

There is a combination of factors to consider before opting for a muffler, which we will detail below. 

One Thing to Remember…

Before we get into the factors to consider when choosing the right muffler for your generator, we have one thing to notify you of.

It is very difficult to find a generator that is the ideal size for your generator’s exhaust. As there are so many generators on the market, the manufacturers of the mufflers cannot cater to every single size.

All hope is not lost, though. You should be able to modify your muffler so that it fits effectively onto your generator.

It might take some extra time and money (if you’re enlisting the help of a professional), but unfortunately, this is often the only way to find a muffler with an exact fit for your generator. 

Sound Effectiveness

The most important factor to consider is how effective the muffler is going to be at reducing the noise. There is no reason to purchase a muffler when it is not going to do the job that you’re expecting of it, so effectiveness is an important factor to consider.

A muffler with lots of chambers and turns has the ability to reduce the sound of your generator up to 90%. However, if you opt for a muffler with fewer restrictions when it comes to airflow your generator will be able to offer more power at a higher noise level. 

The ideal muffler would leave you with an ideal balance between power and noise. You don’t want your muffler to leave your generator running loudly, but you also don’t want to sacrifice its power. Sacrificing power will also affect fuel efficiency, costing you more money in the long run. 

Size of the Muffler

If your muffler doesn’t match the size of the exhaust on your generator, it will either be too large to fit or too small to make any difference in the noise level. So, you need to make sure that the muffler will fit inside of the exhaust properly and effectively. 

There are a few things that you should consider when determining your muffler size, which we’ll look at below. 

Size of your Generator’s Exhaust

If the muffler is too large or too small in diameter, it’s not going to fit properly into the exhaust. Make sure that you accurately measure the diameter of the exhaust before looking for a muffler. 

To measure the diameter of your exhaust simply take a tape measure and pull it taut over the exhaust (while it’s not on!). Make sure that the tape measure is running through the thickest part of the exhaust and take the measurements, decimal points, and all. 

If your muffler does not fit perfectly within the exhaust you won’t achieve the effect that you were looking for, so this is very important to remember.  

The Type of Exhaust on your Generator

Some generators come with one exhaust while larger alternatives come with two. If the system has two exhausts you will need to get a muffler for each of the pipes.

You should look for a muffler with the same design as your generator’s exhausts to ensure that they work effectively together. 

Material

The material of your muffler will affect the durability of your muffler. If you’re spending a lot of money on a muffler, you are going to want it to remain working for a long period of time, right?

However, this is not the only factor that you need to look out for when choosing the right material. 

A muffler also needs to be lightweight, corrosion-resistant, fire-resistant, and reliable. You should also look for a material that doesn’t oxidize easily so that it remains effective for long after you purchase it.

You should look for a material that is known for most, if not all, of these qualities to get the most out of your purchase. 

Price Range

Prices for mufflers range quite a lot from brand to brand, so you might want to peruse the market before settling on one price. Don’t automatically opt for the most expensive muffler if the price is above your means as there are plenty of affordable options available. 

Having said that, going for the cheapest muffler is not always the best idea either. These can be brittle, unreliable, and ineffective. The manufacturer might also not accept returns which means that you’ll have wasted your money. 

Warranty

A warranty from the manufacturer is always nice to have as it shows that they believe in what they’re selling. We always appreciate seeing a warranty and often end up going with the product because our investment is protected for a certain period of time after we’ve bought the muffler. 

Warranties will often come with more expensive mufflers, but we think that the added security blanket of a warranty is worth the couple extra bucks. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Muffler?

Mufflers are used on all types of exhausts in an attempt to quieten the noise that the engine makes. Exhausts are made up of valves that open and let out a burst of burned gases. This creates a roaring noise that you can hear as an engine runs.

It’s the muffler’s job to try and prevent these sounds from being so loud. Some are more effective than others, and they often need replacing periodically to keep your generator running smoothly and quietly. 

You might be thinking: why would I want to silence my generator? To this question, we would ask you if you’ve ever been around a running generator before. They’re loud and headache-inducing, not to mention you’ll be very unpopular with anyone that has to put up with the noise of your generator without a muffler. 

Can You Make a Generator Quieter Without a Muffler?

Yes, you can use other methods to make your generator appear quieter.

None of the below methods will be as effective as a high-quality muffler, but you will be able to reduce the decibel level to an extent. 

Using Water

To use water to quieten your generator you will need a perforated pipe, a 5-gallon bucket of water, and a clamp. All you need to do is connect the hosepipe to the exhaust with the clamp and leave the other end of the pipe in the bucket of water. 

This will reduce the noise of the generator, but don’t forget to raise the generator up so that you don’t accidentally ruin your generator with water traveling up the pipe and into the generator. 

Using Deflectors

Deflectors around the generator keep the soundwaves contained so that the noise doesn’t seem as loud. You’ll need four pieces of plywood and one piece of fire-resistant drywall. Balance the drywall on the side of the exhaust and position the pieces of plywood around each of the sides of the generator. 

The pieces of plywood need to be angled so that the sound waves deflect off of the wood and down towards the ground. The sound waves will enter the ground instead of the air where people cannot hear them. The drywall is to prevent a fire from breaking out with your setup. 

Using a Baffle Box

You can either purchase or make your own baffle box. This is a wooden box that prevents sound waves from traveling any further than the interior walls of the box. You can make your own baffle box with some plywood, L-brackets, quiet boards, and foam sealer. 

Just make sure that you leave some holes in the wood where the exhaust will point towards to avoid the fumes starting a fire. A baffle box can be easier to travel around with than large deflectors. 

Can You Use an Automotive Muffler in a Generator?

Yes, you can use a muffler in your generator that was created for a motorized vehicle. It’s not as simple as using a muffler for a generator, but with some tools and creativity, you can certainly fit one onto your generator. 

In fact, automotive mufflers can reduce the sound level up to 10 to 15 decibels, so they’re very effective for generators. You should always do your own research on mufflers and which will fit your specific generator.