With over 20 different portable generator models, DuroMax is one of the industry’s leaders when it comes to producing reliable generators at reasonable prices. After researching countless DuroMax generator reviews, we can safely say that they have developed a reputation for their high-quality design, durability, effectiveness, and fair prices. Read on below to learn more about the best Duromax generators.
With portable generators, there are quite a few features that ultimately stand out a bit more than others. On top of the features, you have the price consideration, which can also play a role in the purchasing decision. Irrespective of that, we’ve identified the top traits of these DuroMax generators that should give you a good idea of the characteristics they provide and the benefits you should expect to get. Some of the features we’ve identified as important include generator type, fuel type, peak and running wattage, expected runtime using either gasoline or propane, gasoline tank capacity, portability, durability, power panel outlets, and sound levels of the generators. While there are a few more considerations when it comes to purchasing a generator, these are the main features we’ve identified as important and that you need to consider when purchasing a DuroMax portable generator.
We’ve scoured the web and spent countless hours researching DuroMax generators through their technical specifications as well as reading hundreds of customer product reviews to provide you with five of the best DuroMax generators. In doing so, we’ve identified key features in each generator and picked out pros and cons to give you a comprehensive overview and detailed product descriptions as well as a buying guide.
The DuroMax XP12000EH is a powerful conventional generator and is a trustworthy source of power in times of need. With its ample 12,000 watts of starting power and 9,500 watts of continuous power, there’s enough juice to keep all major appliances and lights running for hours on end.
This generator also comes equipped with dual fuel technology, allowing you the flexibility to run it using either gasoline or propane gas. Being able to run on two different fuels also allows for two different runtimes. At a 50% load, you can expect 7.2 hours of run using its 40-gallon propane tank, while at the same load for gasoline, you’re looking 8.83 hours on an 8.3-gallon tank. When combined together, that’s just over 16 hours of runtime, which is great news if you need power for this length of time.
In terms of sound, the XP1200EH is average at 74 dB, which can be roughly compared to the sound a vacuum cleaner makes. But when you think about how much power this machine needs to generate, that 74 dB is relatively low.
The power panel also sports a variety of outlets ensuring that your applications will be compatible in the outlets offered.
At 260 pounds, the XP1200EH is a hefty generator because of all the power it is packing. It can be easily transported using the wheels on the generator but in some of the DuroMax generator reviews we’ve encountered, quite a few customers have revealed that the wheels are not of the greatest quality.
Sound rating: 69 dB
The DuroMax XP4850EH is a conventional portable generator equipped with enough power to keep you going in times of need. When compared with “The Beast,” this DuroMax generator focuses on efficiency more than power and is a much more cost-effective option which is great if you’re seeking a budget generator. The specs will obviously be significantly less than “The Beast,” but if you need just enough power to get by and you’re not trying to power heavy-duty appliances and lights in every room of your house, the efficiency of this generator just might be right for you.
At just 4,850 watts of starting power and 3,850 watts of continuous power on gas, the XP4850EH has significantly less muscle than the 12,000/9,500 the XP1200EH sports but provides enough power to keep your basic appliances up and running.
Like “The Beast,” this generator comes equipped with dual-fuel technology, enabling you to run either propane fuel or gasoline (3.96-gallon capacity tank).
The runtime on the XP4850EH is quite good as for a 50% load on gasoline, you’ll get about 10.42 hours and for the same load on propane, it comes out to 8.92 hours. That’s nearly 20 hours of total runtime which, if you’re running just basic appliances and lights, is pretty good.
At 69dB, the XP4850EH is average on the generator noise-making scale, roughly equivalent to the sounds a running vacuum cleaner makes. But considering the much smaller size of this generator, it can be considered loud.
Lastly, this generator’s portability is a big plus. At just 127 pounds (half the weight of “The Beast”), the XP4850EH can be easily transported using the wheels on this generator.
The DuroMax XP4000S is a generator well-equipped for lighter-duty household power needs. It is another cost-effective option for those seeking a generator that has enough power to keep appliances running in emergency situations.
This generator is easy to use and can easily be started up by yanking on the E-Z 1-pull recoil cord. It starts up at a solid 4,000 watts of power and runs at a steady 3,300 watts. The engine comes equipped with 7HP and a smart, air-cooling function. With this feature, the engine automatically air-cools itself once it detects the engine is getting hot. This allows for full engine optimization and increases the life span of the engine itself.
The fuel tank capacity is a solid 3.96 gallons and allows for an economical 8 hours of runtime at a 50% load. This is a great option for those seeking power for appliances and lights in backup emergency situations and not for heavy-duty power usage.
The 69 dB of noise this generator produces is average and can be likened to that of a running vacuum cleaner. While not noisy but not quiet either, it’s better to keep this generator out of earshot of your neighbors.
This generator is quite light and only weighs 105 pounds. However, it does not have wheels attached to transport the generator which hurts its portability as trying to carry over 100 pounds of weight can be taxing. A solution to this is that you can purchase wheels separately and install them yourself.
The DuroMax XP15000EH is the most powerful dual-fuel generator in its class and can be relied on to provide big-time power in cases of extreme emergency. Its metal composition gives it a durable design and coupled with its immense power, is great for powering large appliances, home air conditioning units, and lights throughout the house and for jobsites as well.
The engine features a solid 23HP and the generator itself peaks at 15,000 watts and steadily runs at 12,000 watts on gasoline. With a large capacity gas fuel tank at 8.3 gallons, that will get you about 9.03 hours at a 50% load. If using a 60-gallon propane tank, you’re looking at 8.58 hours at the same load capacity. A generator that packs this much power is usually a standby generator but the fact that this is a portable generator makes it much more versatile.
The power panel on this generator comes equipped with seven separate outlets which increases the likelihood of your applications being compatible.
With a generator that is this powerful and is made up of dense materials, it will be felt in the portability. It weighs a substantial 350 pounds and DuroMax attempts to make the portability of this generator easier with an attached wheel kit and folding handle. Despite these features, it can be a bit hard to maneuver this generator just because of its sheer weight.
In terms of sound, at 84 dB, this generator produces quite a bit of sound. But when you factor in its size, weight, and the power it produces, 84 dB is average, at best.
The DuroMax XP2000EH is a portable inverter generator that provides clean and stable power and is a great option for camping and tailgating parties.
For such a small and compact generator, it packs a mighty punch and will keep you with power in emergency situations for a good amount of time. That’s because it has the dual-fuel technology, can safely use either propane or gasoline as a fuel source, and can easily switch between the two by simply just turning the knob.
This generator is easy to use as it can be started up using the recoil start and fires up at 2,000 watts and settles in at 1,600 watts of power. Thanks to the inverter’s fuel-efficient capabilities, this 1.19-gallon gasoline fuel tank will keep you powered for about 6.78 hours at a 50% load, while a 20-gallon propane tank at a 50% load will give you a whopping 21.46 hours of power! This is more than enough lights and laptops to power-up at the campsite and certainly more than enough power to cook a few hot dogs and burgers before the big game.
The XP2000EH is compact in design and at 47 pounds, it is very light and is made more easily transportable thanks to its handle at the top. For such a small generator, it also hardly makes any sound. At the 61 dB of noise this generator makes, you’re looking at the sound level of a normal conversation.
After reviewing these five DuroMax generators, a good question that can be asked is ‘which generator is best for me?’ The short answer to that is it depends on your power needs and how to lesser (or greater extent if it’s a primary consideration) is how much you’re willing to pay. Luckily for you, we will try and break that down even further and help give you a better idea of your power needs if you are unsure yourself. At the end of the day, it’s all about choosing the right generator for you and we’ll try to help you do just that.
DuroPower is the company that manufactures the DuroMax generators and they are based in Ontario, California. DuroPower is actually an engine and power tools manufacturer and they create their own engines, which they use in their DuroMax generators. With over 20 different generator models in their arsenal, DuroMax is known for their forward-thinking application of providing clean power through their dual-fuel technology and for being a reliable and durable option in the portable generator niche. And if you are looking for the best dual fuel generator or best propane generator, DuroMax is one of the best choices you can make.
Of the five DuroMax generators we reviewed, four out of the five are conventional generators, with the XP2000EH being the lone inverter type. Inverter generators are a much fuel-efficient option and AC power from the engine to DC power and then finally, is converted back to AC power to produce “cleaner” power. This type of inverter can be very helpful if you’re running electronics such as laptop computers, mobile phones, and tablets. It is also much quieter and lighter to transport than conventional generators. Despite these benefits, an inverter generator is probably not a very pragmatic option if you’re looking to power major appliances such as an air-conditioning unit and refrigerator. For that, you’ll probably want a conventional generator, which is much more powerful than an inverter and has the capacity to fuel heavy-duty appliances for a good amount of runtime.
The answer to this question really depends on what you’re trying to power on. If you’re looking to power minor things such as a laptop or a portable grill at a campsite, the XP2000EH inverter generator is probably what you’re looking for. If you’re looking to power major appliances and lights throughout several rooms in your house, a conventional generator like the XP4850EH that cruises 3,850-watts should probably do the trick. Lastly, if you want something that will power everything in your entire house or something that will power an entire jobsite, then you can’t go wrong with either of the XP12000EH or the XP15000EH conventional generators.
While these are just general recommendations, it will also be helpful for you to figure out yourself just how much power you’ll need by finding and adding up the wattages of everything you want to power using the generator. The combined total will need to be under the rated wattage of the generator.
The runtime of your generator should be a crucial factor when it comes to determining which DuroMax generator to buy. But thanks to their dual-fuel technology, you now have more flexibility when it comes to the runtime of your generator. Now, you can have two separate runtimes, one on gasoline and the other on propane fuel. With two separate fuels to run on, you won’t have to worry about fuel efficiency going down as the generator reaches its rated load. Across the four conventional generators, we see that the runtimes at a 50% load typically range between 8.5–12.5 hours on gasoline and 7–9 hours on propane. At roughly 15–20 hours of power between the two fuels, that should meet most emergency backup power needs.
When it comes to safety, DuroMax has you covered. All of their generators come equipped with the automatic low-oil shutoff function which shuts off the generator when it senses low oil levels. Before that, DuroMax’s generators will flash a warning light to give you warning when the oil is beginning to run low. DuroMax generators also have built-in circuit breakers to protect itself from overheating from circuit overload.
DuroMax generator pricesThe price of the generator along with its specs can be the most important factor when it comes to choosing the right generator. You’ll be glad to know that DuroMax generators are priced very reasonably when compared with other brand generators of similar models. We found that DuroMax generators ranged in price from as low as $330 for the 4,000-watt, XP4000S to a high of $2,900 for the 15,000-watt XP15000EH. While that range is rather large, most DuroMax generators tend to be priced under $1,500.
After reviewing each of these DuroMax generators and their respective prices, the three best generators are the XP12000EH, XP4000S, and the XP2000EH. For us, the XP12000EH is the best overall generator and at a fair price of $1,300, you’re getting some serious power at 9,500 watts that is more than enough juice to keep all your appliances and lights running for over 15 hours at a 50% load and using both gas and propane fuel. The XP4000S is the cheapest generator you can buy out of these five and has enough power to keep major appliances and lights running in most rooms in your house. While a drawback is it doesn’t come equipped with a wheel kit, you can easily go and purchase it separately and install it yourself. At just $330, this generator is a fantastic bargain and should be viewed as a legitimate option if you don’t have intense power needs. Lastly, the XP2000EH is the perfect generator if you’re looking to do some tailgating before the big game or if you want to spend a day at the lake with the family. It is incredibly easy to transport because of its lightweight and this inverter generator can produce just over 21 hours of clean power at a half load, using propane fuel. While these are just some of our favorites among our DuroMax generator reviews, we still encourage you to dig through the information and truly find the best generator for your specific needs.
