Quick verdict
For the best dual fuel generator, my top pick is the Westinghouse 12500 Watt. It runs on gas or propane, makes 9500 running watts (8500 on LP), and is transfer-switch ready with 30A and 50A RV outlets plus remote electric start. That combination of whole-home output and fuel flexibility makes it the strongest all-round choice.
Westinghouse 12500 Watt Dual Fuel Generator
The Westinghouse 12500W is my overall pick because it combines whole-home output with full dual-fuel flexibility. On gasoline it makes 9500 running and 12500 peak watts, dropping to 8500 running on propane, and it is transfer-switch ready with a 30A twist lock and an RV-ready 50A outlet. A 457cc OHV engine with low-oil shutdown, remote electric start, a digital hour meter and a 3-year warranty make it a serious standby generator that arrives ready to run.
The best dual fuel generators compared: gas and propane units from 2800 to 12500 watts, ranked by output, runtime, outlets and carbon monoxide safety features.
Why you should trust this guide
A dual-fuel generator gives you the option to run on either gasoline or propane, and buyers usually want to know which one delivers the right balance of power, runtime and safety for their needs. I built this guide by reading each product listing in full and reporting only the published figures: running and surge watts on both fuels, engine size, tank capacity, runtime and outlet configuration. I did not add measurements of my own or exaggerate any number, so every claim here traces directly back to the manufacturer’s specs.
I also kept the practical distinctions clear, because these units span a huge range. The Westinghouse and larger WEN models are conventional generators sized for home backup, while the smaller WEN units are quiet inverters aimed at camping and electronics. Rather than treat them as interchangeable, I ranked them by real capability and flagged where inverter-clean power matters versus where raw watts win, so you can match the machine to whether you are running a house or charging devices at a campsite.
How we evaluated
My evaluation criteria started with usable output on both fuels, because dual-fuel machines produce slightly less power on propane than gasoline, and that gap matters when you are sizing for a load. I compared running watts rather than surge watts, since the rated figure is what you can power continuously. From there I weighed runtime, looking at tank size and stated half-load hours, and I noted which units carry inverter technology for cleaner power that is safe for sensitive electronics.
Safety and convenience were the next priorities. Every unit here except the base models includes a CO Shutdown Sensor, and I treated that carbon-monoxide protection as a genuine differentiator alongside low-oil shutdown and fuel shutoff. I also weighed electric start, wheel kits, telescoping handles and outlet variety, including transfer-switch-ready and RV receptacles, since those decide how practical a generator is for real home and campsite use. Warranty length broke ties between closely matched models.
What to look for
- Running watts on both fuels. Size to the rated output, and remember propane usually delivers a bit less than gasoline.
- Inverter versus conventional. Inverter units give cleaner power for electronics and run quieter, while conventional units offer more raw watts per dollar.
- CO shutdown sensor. Carbon-monoxide protection that shuts the unit off automatically is a key safety feature to prioritize.
- Runtime and tank size. Compare stated half-load hours and tank capacity to judge how often you will refuel.
- Transfer-switch and RV outlets. These decide whether you can wire the unit into a home panel or plug into an RV.
- Electric start and portability. A push-button start, wheel kit and telescoping handle make a heavy generator far easier to live with.
- Warranty. A 3-year limited warranty signals expected durability across most of these models.
How we test
We base every pick on real-world use, published manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. We compare the tools on the things that actually matter for your lawn, power, runtime, cut quality, build and value, and we never accept payment for a ranking. When we have not used a specific model first-hand, we say so.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westinghouse 12500 Watt Dual Fuel Generator | Best Overall | Check price | |
| WEN 5600 Watt Dual Fuel Generator | Best Value | Check price | |
| WEN 4800 Watt Dual Fuel Inverter Generator | Best Premium | Check price | |
| WEN 8000 Watt Dual Fuel Generator | Best Budget | Check price | |
| WEN 2800 Watt Dual Fuel Inverter Generator | Also Great | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Westinghouse 12500 Watt Dual Fuel Generator
The Westinghouse 12500W is my overall pick because it combines whole-home output with full dual-fuel flexibility. On gasoline it makes 9500 running and 12500 peak watts, dropping to 8500 running on propane, and it is transfer-switch ready with a 30A twist lock and an RV-ready 50A outlet. A 457cc OHV engine with low-oil shutdown, remote electric start, a digital hour meter and a 3-year warranty make it a serious standby generator that arrives ready to run.
Reasons to buy
- 9500 running / 12500 peak watts gasoline; 8500 running / 11200 peak watts propane
- Remote electric start with key fob, up to 12 hours on a 6.6 gallon tank
- Transfer switch ready 30A and RV ready 50A outlets with rubber covers
- 457cc 4-stroke OHV engine with low oil shutdown and digital hour meter
- 3-year warranty, ships with key fob, battery charger, oil and tools
Reasons to avoid
- It is a large, heavy unit, so moving it around takes effort despite its wheels
- Running 9500 watts burns through the 6.6-gallon tank quickly in a long outage
WEN 5600 Watt Dual Fuel Generator
The WEN 5600W is my value pick, a right-sized dual-fuel unit that runs on gasoline (4500 rated) or propane (4050 rated) and starts electrically from a switch. Its Watchdog CO Shutdown Sensor adds an important safety layer, the 4.3-gallon tank gives up to 12.5 hours at half load, and it ships with a wheel kit plus 120V, RV and transfer-switch-ready outlets, all backed by a 3-year warranty.
Reasons to buy
- Gasoline 5600 surge / 4500 rated, propane 5000 surge / 4050 rated
- Electric start turns on the 224cc engine with a switch
- WEN Watchdog CO Shutdown Sensor turns off on dangerous carbon monoxide levels
- 4.3-gallon gas tank provides up to 12.5 hours of half-load run time
- Wheel kit, two 120V outlets, TT-30R RV outlet, L5-30R twist lock, 3-year warranty
Reasons to avoid
- At 4500 rated watts it covers essentials but not a fully loaded home
- It is a conventional generator, so its power is not inverter-clean for very sensitive electronics
WEN 4800 Watt Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
The WEN 4800W dual-fuel inverter is my premium pick because it prioritizes power quality and quiet running. It produces 4000 rated watts on gas or propane as clean inverter power that is safe for laptops and phones, runs at conversation-level noise, and adds a CO Shutdown Sensor and electric start. Onboard wheels, a telescoping handle, four 120V outlets and an LPG quick-connect make it flexible and easy to move.
Reasons to buy
- 224cc dual-fuel engine, gasoline 4800 surge / 4000 rated, propane 4320 surge / 4000 rated
- Very quiet operation comparable to a normal conversation
- Clean inverter power to protect sensitive electronics
- WEN Watchdog CO Shutdown Sensor and electric start
- Onboard wheels, telescoping handle, four 120V outlets, TT-30R RV, 12V DC, USB, LPG quick-connect, 3-year warranty
Reasons to avoid
- Its 4000 rated watts trail the larger conventional units for heavy home loads
- Inverter dual-fuel design carries a higher price than a plain generator of similar output
WEN 8000 Watt Dual Fuel Generator
The WEN 8000W is my budget-friendly way to get more power. Its larger 340cc engine delivers 6500 rated watts on gas (5850 on propane), enough for a substantial home backup load, with electric start and a Watchdog CO Shutdown Sensor. The 6.7-gallon tank runs up to 10.5 hours at half load, and it is both transfer-switch and RV ready with four 120V outlets and an L14-30R twist lock.
Reasons to buy
- Gasoline 8000 surge / 6500 rated, propane 7200 surge / 5850 rated
- Electric start turns on the 340cc engine with a switch
- WEN Watchdog CO Shutdown Sensor turns off on dangerous carbon monoxide levels
- 6.7-gallon gas tank provides up to 10.5 hours of half-load run time
- Wheel kit, four 120V outlets, TT-30R RV, L14-30R twist lock, 12V DC, 3-year warranty
Reasons to avoid
- Its 6.7-gallon tank gives shorter half-load runtime than the smaller-output units
- As a conventional generator its output is not inverter-clean for delicate electronics
WEN 2800 Watt Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
The WEN 2800W dual-fuel inverter rounds out the list as the compact, portable choice. It makes 2250 rated watts on gas or 2000 on propane as clean inverter power that protects sensitive electronics, and it is quiet and lightweight for camping or tailgating. A CO Shutdown Sensor and fuel shutoff add safety and longevity, with two 120V outlets, a 12V DC port, dual USB and a 3-year warranty.
Reasons to buy
- Gasoline 2800 surge / 2250 rated, propane 2800 surge / 2000 rated
- Clean inverter power to protect sensitive electronics
- WEN Watchdog CO Shutdown Sensor turns off on dangerous carbon monoxide levels
- Fuel shutoff clears the carburetor to extend lifespan
- Quiet, portable and lightweight, two 120V outlets, 12V DC, two USB, 3-year warranty
Reasons to avoid
- At around 2000 to 2250 rated watts it suits small loads, not appliances or a home
- It has fewer and lighter-duty outlets than the larger dual-fuel units
What to look for
Output on both fuels
Size to the rated running watts and remember propane typically delivers slightly less power than gasoline.
Inverter or conventional
Inverter units give cleaner, quieter power for electronics, while conventional generators offer more raw watts per dollar.
Carbon monoxide safety
A CO shutdown sensor that turns the unit off automatically is a critical safety feature across these models.
Runtime and outlets
Compare half-load hours and tank size, and check for transfer-switch-ready and RV outlets for home or camp use.
Start and portability
Electric start, a wheel kit and a telescoping handle make a heavy dual-fuel generator much easier to move and run.
Our verdict
For the best dual fuel generator, my top pick is the Westinghouse 12500 Watt. It runs on gas or propane, makes 9500 running watts (8500 on LP), and is transfer-switch ready with 30A and 50A RV outlets plus remote electric start. That combination of whole-home output and fuel flexibility makes it the strongest all-round choice.
FAQs
It is a generator that can run on either gasoline or propane. You choose the fuel based on availability, with propane storing longer and gasoline delivering slightly higher output.
Usually a little. These units produce somewhat fewer running watts on propane than on gasoline, so factor that in when sizing the generator to your load.
For essential circuits, 4000 to 6500 running watts covers most homes. For whole-home coverage with a transfer switch, step up to the 9000-plus running watts of the Westinghouse 12500W.
It is a carbon-monoxide sensor that automatically shuts the generator off if it detects dangerous CO levels, which reduces the risk of poisoning during use near enclosed spaces.
If you power sensitive electronics or want quieter operation, yes. Inverter models like the WEN 4800W and 2800W deliver cleaner power, though conventional units give more watts for the price.