Before we get into answering, what is the quietest generator for camping in Australia?, let me tell you a short little story about why having a quiet generator is so important to me, when camping and caravanning.
When I was a young kid, I remember going camping with my dad up the Murray River. Fishing and camping was so much fun with him. (We caught a heap of fish as well.)
The wildlife and scenery was beautiful, so relaxing and quiet…until dad fired up the old generator. The generator was big, heavy, and boy was it loud. We had to put the generator as far away from camp as the power lead would allow, because of the noise. Even then, we had to hide it behind a big tree for a sound barrier.
It was smelly, guzzled the gas and did I mention it was loud! I couldn’t wait for the noisy generator ran out of fuel for some peace and quiet in the Aussie bush.
Thankfully the generators have come a long way since then. Today’s portable inverters generators are ideal for camping and caravanning and are quiet.
But which is the quietest camping generator? So we have listed the generators and their decibel levels, which are available in Australia. But before we get into the list below, here are a few points to consider.
For 6 easy ways to make your generator quieter, click on – How To Make Your Camping Generator Quiet
How is generator noise measured?
Noise is measured in decibels. For generators, the industry standard is normally measured by dB(A) at 7 meters.
Note: Some companies also list the noise level at quarter power.
Things to consider, before buying a portable generator
Just because it is a very quiet generator, it doesn’t mean it is the best generator for you. There are other considerations to take into account, like:
- Best value
- Power
- Reliability
- Size and weight
- Best fuel efficiency
- Best for camping and caravanning for Australia conditions
- Easy to get parts for
- Warranty
Here are some questions to consider before choosing a caravanning or camping generator: Can the generator should be able to cope with the heat if you go up north or into the outback? Or can it run for a long time without issues?
What fuel economy does it have?
Are parts for it available in Australia?
How long will it last for? Has it got a warranty?
A silent generator is nice, but some can come at a steep price. What is your budget?
For more information on selecting a generator for a caravan, click on – What Size Generator Do I Need for A Caravan In Australia?
What is the quietest generator on the market for camping?
Below is a list of the generator make, model and decibel noise levels. The list is in alphabetical order of the brands so you can compare them.
Make and Model | Noise Level @ 7m |
Baumr-AG 1.0kW Peak 0.8kW Rated Portable Inverter Generator | 72 db |
Baumr-AG 3.5kW Peak 3.1kW Rated Portable Inverter Generator | 72 db |
Briggs & Stratton P2400 (2400 watt) Inverter Generator | 58 DbA |
Briggs & Stratton P3400i (3.4KVA) Inverter Generator | 58 DbA |
Cromtech Outback (2400 watt) Inverter Generator | 52-59 db |
Cromtech 4500w Inverter Generator Electric Start | 55-60 db |
Dewalt DXIG2200 (2200 watt) Inverter Generator | 50 – 54 dB(A) in ECO mode |
Dewalt DXIG3600E (3600 watt) Inverter Generator | 63 dB(A |
Dometic PGE121 2100W Inverter Generator, Electric Start | 61 dBA |
Engel R2000IS 2kVa Pure SineWave Generator | 68 dBA |
Engel 2500W Pure Sinewave Inverter Generator R2500IS | 68 dBA |
Engel R3000IE 3kVa Pure SineWave Generator | 67 dBA |
Engel 3500W Pure Sinewave Inverter Generator R3000IE | 67 dBA |
Full Boar 2200W Inverter Petrol Generator | 61 dB |
Full Boar 4000W Petrol Inverter Generator | 65 dB |
Genesys HRT2500i Inverter Generator – Petrol 2.4KVA | 52 DB @ 7M |
Genesys Inverter Generator – Petrol 3.65KVA | 59 dBA @ 7M |
Genpower Inverter Generator 2600 watts Peak 2200 watts Petrol | 61dB @ 50% load, 68db @ 100% load |
Genpower Inverter Generator 3500W Peak 3200W Petrol | 71dB (50% load) 75dB (100% load) |
Genpower Inverter Petrol Generator 4500 Watts Portable | 59dB @ 50% load, 64dB @ 100% load |
GenTrax 800W Mini Pure Sine Wave Petrol Inverter Generator | 58 dB |
GenTrax 2KW Max 1.6KW Rated Inverter Generator | 58 dB |
GenTrax 3.5kW Pure Sine Wave Petrol Inverter Generator | 58 dB |
GenTrax 4.2KW Max 3.5KW Pure Sine Wave Inverter Generator | 58 dB |
Honda 1KVA Inverter Generator – EU10i | 52dB(A)*/58dB(A) * With Eco-throttle switched on at 1/4 output |
Honda 2.2KVA Inverter Generator – EU22i | 53 dBA at 7m |
Honda 3 kVa Inverter Generator EU30iS | 52dB(A) to 65dB(A |
Honda 3.2KVA Inverter Generator – EU32IU | 53~59 dB(A) |
Jono & Johno Inverter Silent Generator Portable 2KW Max 1.8KW | 57 dB |
Jono & Johno Inverter Silent Generator Portable 4KW Petrol | 63 dB |
Kincrome Inverter Generator 1700 Continuous Watts KP10105 | 59 db(A) @ 7 meters (25% load) |
Maxwatt 2000W Inverter Generator MX2000IS | 59 dB |
Maxwatt 3000W Inverter Generator MX3000IS | 65 dB |
MaxWatt 4500W Petrol Inverter Generator with Electric Start | 62 dB |
Ozito 2000W Petrol Inverter Generator | 77.9 dB |
Panther IPG3500 Silenced Inverter generator, 3.5kw | 57 dB |
Pramac P2000i (2000 watt) Inverter Generator | 59 dBA |
Pramac P3000i (2500 watt) Inverter Generator | 61 dBA |
Pramac P3500i/o 3300w Inverter Generator | 66 dBA |
Rato 2.0KW Inverter Generator R2000iS | 65 dB |
Rato 2.5kw Inverter Generator R2500iS | 67 dB |
Saber 2000W Portable Petrol Inverter Generator SABSPG2000W | 65Db @7m full load |
Saber 3300W 5.5hp Petrol Inverter Generator SABSPG3300W | 65Db @7m full load |
Westinghouse iGen1200 (1200 watt) Inverter Generator | 51 dB(A) |
Westinghouse iGen2200 (2200 watt) Inverter Generator | 51 dB(A) |
Westinghouse iGen2500 Inverter Generator | 51 dB(A) |
XTM 2200W Inverter Generator | 68db |
Yamaha EF1000iS (1000 watt) Inverter Generator | 47 dBA (1/4 load) / 57 dBA (full load) |
Yamaha EF2000iS (2000 watt) Inverter Generator | 51.5 dBA (1/4 load) / 61 dBA (full load) |
Yamaha EF2200iS (2200 watt) Inverter Generator | 57-65 DbA |
Yamaha EF2400iS Generator | 54 dBA (1/4 load) / 59 dBA (full load) |
Yamaha EF2800i (2800 watt) Inverter Generator | 60 dBA (1/4 load) / 67 dBA (full load) |
Yamaha EF3000iSE Silent Inverter Generator – 3000W | 51dBA (1/4 load), 57dBa (full load) |
Who makes the quietest portable generator?
Remember to take into account that a 4000 watt generator will generally be noisier then a 1000 watt invertor generator.
From the list above, here are the quietest generators:
- Cromtech Outback (2400 watt) Inverter Generator – 52-59 db
- Dewalt DXIG2200 (2200 watt) Inverter Generator – 50 – 54 dB(A) in ECO mode
- Genesys HRT2500i Inverter Generator – Petrol 2.4KVA – 52 dB
- Honda 1KVA Inverter Generator – EU10i – 52 dB(A) */ 58 dB(A) * With Eco-throttle switched on at 1/4 output
- Honda 2.2KVA Inverter Generator – EU22i – 53 dBA
- Honda 3 kVa Inverter Generator EU30iS – 52 dB(A) to 65dB(A
- Honda 3.2KVA Inverter Generator – EU32IU – 53~59 dB(A)
- Westinghouse iGen1200 (1200 watt) Inverter Generator – 51 dB(A)
- Westinghouse iGen2200 (2200 watt) Inverter Generator – 51 dB(A)
- Yamaha EF3000iSE Silent Inverter Generator – 3000W – 51dBA (1/4 load), 57dBa (full load)
- Yamaha EF1000iS (1000 watt) Inverter Generator – 47 dBA (1/4 load) / 57 dBA (full load)
- Yamaha EF2000iS (2000 watt) Inverter Generator – 51.5 dBA (1/4 load) / 61 dBA (full load)
For its power, the Yamaha EF3000iSE Silent Inverter Generator, 3000W at 51dBA (1/4 load), 57dBa (full load) is reasonably quiet.
The Dewalt DXIG2200 (2200 watt) Inverter Generator – 50 – 54 dB(A) in ECO mode, and also the Yamaha EF1000iS (1000 watt) Inverter Generator – 47 dBA (1/4 load) / 57 dBA (full load) are also some of the quietest models on the Australian market.
Where to buy quiet generators?
This article lists some camping and caravanning shops and online stores that sell generators, for more information click on – Where To Buy Caravan Accessories In Australia
Here are a few places that sell portable invertor generators:
- My Generator
- BCF
- 4WD Supa Centre
- Caravan RV Camping
- Bunnings
- Anaconda
- Outbax
- Generator Store
- Outback Equipment
- Sydney Tools
- Jono & Johno
- Tent World
- RV 4X4
- Snowys
- FreezeTec
- Blue Diamond Machinery
This article also has some suppliers that sell generators, visit – Caravan Parts Suppliers
Is 65 dB loud for a generator?
Generators that are over 80 dB of noise are considered to make a lot of noise. (Think of a work site.) 60 dB or less noise is considered to be a quiet generator.
The noise output levels will change in the future with portable inverter generators. As technology and fuel economy gets better every year, making for more silent generators and power.
Summary
While noise levels for generators are important for camping and caravanning, other factors like fuel economy, power and price are also points to consider when choosing a generator.
While not completely silent, most of the generators listed are very quiet for their power output.