Imagine getting home from work and you realize they have been a power outage. While it’s great to have a backup generator at home, is it worth it with so much noise? Fortunately, there are a lot of quiet 5000 watt generators on the market as it’s a product in high demand. It can power most of your home appliances, and also provides power to you on-site. This is particularly useful if there isn’t any dedicated power source to you where you have tools that require power. But what’s the quietest 5000W generator in 2024? Let’s find out!
In a hurry? The best quiet 5000 watt generator is the Duromax XP5500E. It’s durable and provides you with much power at low noise levels. Next virtually silent option is the Champion Power Equipment 100519 Generator. It is lightweight and has a large fuel tank capacity. The Honda 660270 Super Quiet Generator is a smart and ultra quiet generator that runs for a long time.
Quietest 5000 Watt Generator: Quick Comparison
WINNER  |
Duromax XP5500E Gas Powered Portable Generator
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RUNNER UP  |
Champion Power Equipment 100519 6250-Watt Generator
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Honda 660270 7,000 Watt Super Quiet Generator
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Pulsar 6000W Portable Gas Generator
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Westinghouse WGen 5,500W Generator
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Best Quiet 5000-Watt Generators 2024: Reviews
1. Duromax XP5500E Gas Powered Portable Generator 5500-Watt
Top Choice
The best rated quiet 5000-watt generator is the Duromax XP5500E Gas Powered Portable Generator.
As Duromax is a brand that is known for its high-performance products, you can expect nothing less from this generator.
Apart from the power it offers you, which is enough to handle your basic power needs at home, it’s also compact.
So you don’t have to ache your head thinking about storage space.
The size has nothing on the power you get from this engine, so don’t let its size deceive you. It has a 7.5 HP engine with a spark-ignition feature.
You also get a 4-cycle air cooling feature to ensure the longevity and durability of the engine. This setup and design make it possible for the generator to supply you with 120 – 240v of electricity.
And so even during a power outage, you can still have your refrigerators, ACs, and other heavy appliances running.
The generator performs at low decibels making it whisper quiet. So you can put it on without causing any disturbance even if you have neighbors.
Pros
- Low noise levels
- Uses advanced MX7 technology in its design
- Provides you with as much as 240v of electricity
- Durable and has a metal frame
Cons
- The generator wheels don’t have air valves
2. Champion Power Equipment 100519 6250-Watt Generator
Runner Up
The Champion Generator is one of the finest you can find on the market.
It offers great performance without disturbing the peace of the environment.
So you can leave it on at night and still sleep well without the brain-melting noise that most generators produce.
This product is ideal for use both at home, and in your RV. This is thanks to its 5000W motor that can produce as much as 6250 starting watts of power.
And so it can be used to power heavy-duty gadgets such as water pumps, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and others without stress.
You may wonder if so much power won’t be destructive to smaller and sensitive appliances like your TV, laptops, fans, and the rest.
There is no need to worry as it is designed to remain gentle on less demanding circuits as well.
For your convenience, this generator has a 4-gallon fuel tank. This way, you wouldn’t have to refill after every few hours if you plan on running the unit for long hours.
Each gallon of fuel can provide you with power lasting for 4 hours. So at 4-gallons, you can have steady power for 12 hours straight. Very convenient.
Apart from its ultra-silent operation, it’s also lighter than others in this range. This makes it portable and more suitable for outdoor operation.
Pros
- Has a large fuel tank for convenience
- Great fuel efficiency
- Lightweight
- Quiet 5000W portable generator
- Good price
Cons
- Rough usage would lead to decreased efficiency over time
3. Honda 660270 7,000 Watt Super Quiet Generator
Ultra Quiet
Honda is a world-class name that’s known for its products’ performance in all areas.
This product particularly makes use of the Honda 389cc GX390 EFI engine, which is one of the recent advancements made by the company.
So it promises great performance and sees many improvements.
This quiet generator has a very powerful motor. This doesn’t however mean you should overwork the generator as you would get the best out of it when used within its running wattage of 5.5KW.
At just 25% load, you would have an added 18 hours of runtime for this unit.
The new features included in this model by Honda are the electric start which makes starting the generator easier.
There is also the oil alert setting that notifies you of a reduction in oil at dangerously low levels. Both of these features combine to give you an even better machine.
When not in use, the machine shuts down, so you don’t just have a generator, but also a smart one with great performance.
Pros
- Shuts down automatically when not in use
- Super quiet operation
- Can produce up to 7KW (7000 Watts)
- Has a 3-year warranty
- Long run time
Cons
- It’s quite expensive
4. Pulsar 6000W Portable Gas Generator
User Friendly
Pulsar Portable Gas Generator has made a name for itself as a very portable and user-friendly generator.
It provides you with high starting watts without being unnecessarily heavy and big.
There is a large fuel tank of 6.6 gallons to offer you a long run time without having to refill.
At 50% load, you have 13.5 hours of runtime which is decent enough for any type of use.
Its 10HP engine is a 303cc OHV engine, providing you with so much power for your heavy-duty needs. You can simultaneously run between 3 to 4 heavy-duty appliances at home, making it a must-have at home.
There is a 3 in 1 digital meter that makes it all the more user friendly.
If you ever need to move your generator, then you wouldn’t have any problem moving this. It weighs only 181 lbs, so it’s easy to move.
To make its movement even better, there are two wheels to aid you.
All of these and a noiseless operation are what makes the Pulsar 6000W Portable Gas Generator a must-have.
Pros
- Its 303cc engine provides you with 10 HP
- Large fuel tank capacity
- Long run time of 13.5 hours
- Portable and easy to move
- Lightweight
- Provides up to 6KW
Cons
- Not suitable for use commercially
5. Westinghouse WGen 5,500W Generator
Large Fuel Tank
The Westinghouse WGen 5,500W has a powerful 420cc engine that provides great performance and reliability.
So you can get up to 6875W at peak performance, and a running wattage of 5.5KW.
It provides decent runtime and can last for up to 40 hours when used at about 50% load.
This generator has a full tank capacity of 6.6 gallons, so you don’t have to constantly refill the tank as you use it.
The generator is compliant with standard bodies such as CSA, EPA, and Carb. To top it all, you get great performance at very noise levels.
The WGen 5500W produces low decibels (about 72dB) when kept at a distance of 23’ from your location. There is also a 3-year warranty that covers any damages that are not your fault.
The downside to this product however is the lifespan of the carbonator. When used at peak performance for a long time, the carbonator starts to malfunction.
Pros
- Has a powerful 400cc motor engine
- Fuel level indicator
- Impressive runtime
- Large fuel tank capacity
- 3-year warranty
- Low noise level
Cons
- Carbonator can be improved to be more durable
Is It Possible to Make a Quiet 5K Generator Almost Silent?
Generators are generally known to be very noisy. The more powerful it is, the more noise it produces usually.
Generators like your 5K generator tend to be noisy. The exception is if you use quiet models. But how can you make a quiet 5K generator almost silent?
Replace The Muffler
To make your quiet 5K generator silent, you can change the muffler to a larger and more efficient one. A muffler works to muffle or silence the sound that comes out of the generator’s exhaust pipe.
It has perforated tubes inside to properly deflect sound waves from the engine through the exhaust. This way, the noise that leaves through the exhaust pipe is reduced.
Using the best size for your exhaust is the best way to get the full performance of the muffler.
Face The Exhaust Pipes Away from You
By facing the generator exhaust pipes away from you, you would have reduced the noise by a significant level. Some generator models allow you to point the exhaust pipes to the sky.
If this is possible with yours, do the same. It directs the noise in an opposite direction so it disturbs you less.
Use Sound Deflectors
You can build sound deflectors using 3 sheets of plywood, and one sheet of non-flammable material. The measurement of the sheets of wood should be about 4′ wide and 3′ tall.
Place the sheets of wood against the generator at about 450 angle, while placing the non-flammable material on the exhaust area.
Placing the sheets of wood at that angle allows for airflow while reducing the noise significantly. It also deflects the noise from your generator down to the earth.
Use Water as A Muffler
You can use water instead of replacing the exhaust mufflers on your generator. To do this, you will need a 5-gallon bucket filled with water, a hose, and a clamp to secure the hose to the generator’s exhaust pipe.
To prevent the backflow of water into the exhaust, keep the water lower than the generator.
Connect one end of the hose to the exhaust and clamp it. Then place the other end inside the water. This method helps to reduce the noise level by about 5 dB.
Place The Generator On a Soft Surface
Placing your generator on hard surfaces increases the noise that comes from it as the surface would also vibrate in resonance to the generator.
Soft surfaces on the other hand absorb the noise and reduce the sound your generator makes. If you don’t have any soft surface to use, anti-vibration mats are a great option.
Use A Muffle Box
If you build a muffle box and place your generator there, the sound would be contained within the space. This way, you would have reduced the noise from your quiet gen by a few decibels, making your 5K quiet generator silent.
You would also need wood to build the box just as with the sound deflectors. The box shouldn’t be airtight in a bid to reduce the noise as it can damage the generator. Create holes to allow for airflow and heat dissipation.
Move The Generator Away from You
The distance of your generator from you would also help reduce its noise. The distance would depend on the available space and the length of your extension cords. If space isn’t a problem, then take your generator away by about 20′. This distance is enough to drastically reduce the noise levels of your generator.
What Can A 4000-Watt Generator Run?
There are several household appliances that a 4000-watt generator can run. Before you decide on running multiple appliances all at the same time, you would need to know how much power each appliance consumes.
You would also need to cross-check that your generator has the correct number and type of outlets.
Generally, though a 4000-watt generator isn’t equipped to provide you with power to run every household appliance at once. So only use light loads and leave out the heavy ones to ensure the longevity of your generator.
Examples of household appliances that a 4000-watt generator can run include:
- Dishwasher
- Toaster
- Ceiling fan
- TV
- VCR/DVD player
- Computer system
- Pressure cooker
- Vacuum cleaner
- Mini heater
- Microwave oven
- Small fridge
- Other small electric appliances
Related: Quietest 7000 Watt Generator and Quietest 3000 & 3500 Watt Generators in 2024.
Buying Guide for The Quietest 5000-Watt Generator
Noise Level
The first thing to check when looking for the quietest 5000-watt generator in the market is the noise level. Cross-check this even if the seller tells you it performs quietly as generators can get very loud. As a guide, any generator that produces noise of over 74 dB at 23 meters is too noisy.
Fuel Type
The type of fuel your generator uses has an impact on the cost of running the gen. If you would be using your generator regularly, then you would need to opt for a generator that runs on a cheaper fuel type.
Gas generators are cheaper to run after purchase when compared to diesel generators. And so to avoid heavy cost for regular use, go for a gas fuel generator.
Engine
Choose a generator whose engine provides you with an average of at least 5000-watts. Be sure that the generator doesn’t malfunction at peak performance. Choose a generator model that has a decent capacity and horsepower of about 350cc/10 HP on average.
Tank Capacity
The fuel tank capacity is a major consideration to be made as it would determine how long the generator can run without having to be refilled.
If you intend to use your gen for long hours, a larger fuel tank would be more sufficient. Constantly refilling your tank would inconvenience you especially if you are a heavy user.
Generator Type
They are inverter generators, and they are conventional generators. Inverter generators are environmentally friendly and are safe to use with sensitive electric appliances. They are not cheap, however. But conventional generators on the other hand are cheap but rank less in terms of performance. So make your choice according to your priority.
Type of Start System
Generators can be turned on in two ways. Some generators have the pull system, while others also include the automatic switch system. Most users prefer to use the automatic switch generator type because of the convenience it brings.
And so if you are a new generator user, or you need a less stressful option to start your gen, the automatic switch system is preferred.
Final Thoughts On Low Noise 5000W Generators
Having a backup power solution is very necessary especially when you stay in a place with unreliable electricity.
High power generators are great to power most home appliances, but they generally make a lot of noise. And so to maintain peace and have a nice time with your family, these best whisper quiet 5000W generators in 2024 would serve the purpose.
Duromax XP5500E Gas Powered Portable Generator 5500-Watt is the best one on the market. It’s lightweight and durable with silent operation.
The Champion Power Equipment 100519 Quiet Generator is a portable choice plus its large fuel tank for convenience. You can also choose the ultra-quiet Honda 660270 Super Quiet Generator that offers you a long run time.
Dave Pearson is a Canadian musician, sound editor, and audiophile. He is also the founder and owner of the website SoundProofGeek. On SoundProofGeek, Pearson offers advice and resources on audio equipment, including how to assess and improve audio quality, how to troubleshoot and repair audio equipment, and how to improve the music listening experience.
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