A power outage can be one of the most stressful and worrisome experiences for a host of reasons. We’re more reliant on a steady supply of electricity than ever before. Some rely on it for heat and water as well as to keep essential appliances such as freezers and refrigerators running.
A loss of power can throw us back to the dark ages in the blink of an eye, and prolonged power loss can cost you money in damaged or spoiled food as well as lost productivity.
Whether due to an accident, inclement weather, or a more disastrous occurrence, power outages can cause great uncertainty and fear and can end up costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars to individuals who are unprepared for them.
This is where a generator with adequate power can really save you a lot of stress and give you the peace of mind you need in a world so reliant on electricity. In a sense, owning a generator is like taking power into your own hands.
Outside of the home, generators can also make your camping trip a plush experience, letting you benefit from a lot of home comforts whether it's in an RV or any other style of camping.
While a lot of generators will give you some of these benefits, a 4000-watt generator is enough to provide you with the power you need to run essentials and even luxury appliances with ease, giving you maximum peace of mind and utility.
Even better than a powerful generator is a powerful and quiet generator, that doesn’t deafen you or the neighbors whenever it gets turned on.
Discretion will enable you to safely enjoy your power while everyone else wonders why the power has gone out. It will also make sure you don’t get a warning from the supervisor at the next campsite you set up at. This is why a quiet generator is so important. It ensures that you get to benefit from access to quality power anywhere at any time, without disturbing your own peace or disturbing anyone else's.
The versatility and peace of mind these generators provide make them an essential addition to any home, as an emergency backup, or to light up your RV on your next camping trip.
In this article, we’re going to list some of the top quiet 4000 watt generators available, to help you find a source of power you can rely on in almost any situation.
OUR TOP PICK
This 4000W inverter generator by Bilt Hard is a great all-around generator suitable for home use as well as tailgating and camping thanks to its wheeled caddy design and ergonomic, retractable handle.
A 4000W output is enough to handle almost any appliance or even a series of appliances, providing ample power for almost any setup from refrigerators to freezers and other heavy power draws.
This inverter comes with a few other great features, such as cold start technology which makes it much easier to get the power on in difficult conditions especially at the campsite, as well as automatic fuel shutoff which will use all the fuel in the generator, including in the carburetor, before turning itself off. This will maximize both the maximum runtime of the generator and also help improve the long-term lifespan of the internals too.
The engine itself is reliable and has a 14-hour runtime when at 25% load, which is a considerable amount of time to be drawing 1000W, which in itself is enough to run a fairly wide array of devices or essentials both at home or while camping.
The electric starter works well for those lazy mornings however there is the option to use a recoil start if your battery runs dry or you feel like a little extra workout.
There is a good selection of outlets from an RV socket (A.C 120) to a DC12 and even a 5 volt USB, and you can be safe in the knowledge that the power you run directly from this generator to your devices is clean and safe even for sensitive electronics due to the fact its an inverter.
There is also an ECO mode for more efficient running and there are parallel connectors that will allow you to pair this up with a compatible generator using a connecting cable to increase your power capabilities for any unexpected or additional demands.
The 5” rubber wheels make moving this generator around extremely easy even though it’s a sizable and solid unit, meaning it’s safe and easy to maneuver around your site or your home.
Most importantly of all, however, this generator is quiet thanks to its closed case design and has a sound rating of 68 decibels. This is around the sound of a normal conversation and will help you to avoid disturbing your neighbors, whether it's at the campsite or at home.
Pros
Very Quiet Closed Case Design
Good Output
Clean Electricity for sensitive electronics
Automatic shutdown
Excellent mobility
Cons
- Run time could be better
EDITORS CHOICE
Westinghouse is one of the longest-standing names in US electronics manufacturing and still makes some of the best-regarded generators available on the market today.
Founded in 1886 by George Westinghouse, this brand has been designing and building generators for a very long time and has vast experience and knowledge leveraged into all of their products.
The WGen3600v is a portable generator with 3600 running watts and a peak output of 4650W and a runtime of 13.5 hours, which extends to 18 hours when at 25% load. This means that you have an amazing amount of surge power to start using your appliances, and a respectable amount of efficient running power to give you a truly staggering amount of run time on a single 4-gallon fuel tank.
This versatility makes the WGEN a capable home generator but is portable enough to be used outdoors for gardening or tailgating.
Despite being in an open case design, all of this power only creates a sound level of 68dBA which is around the same volume as a normal conversation, an incredibly manageable and low amount of sound for such an ample amount of power.
This generator also comes with a few extra features, such as low oil shutdown, several outlets for various appliances, and a series of included accessories. These accessories include oil, an oil funnel, a tool kit, and a user's manual to ensure that you can use your generator straight out of the box.
Pros
- Quiet operation, similar sound to a normal conversation
- Great run time
- Low Oil Shutdown
- Included accessories for instant use
Cons
- Not as portable as some others
BEST VALUE
The WEN GN400i is a very lightweight, portable, and quiet generator that still provides an excellent amount of power, with 4000 watts of surge power and 3500 watts of running power.
This will allow you to make good use of this generator at home as a backup in the event of a power outage, as well as an excellent supplement to power your RV or camping trip.
The 1.85-gallon fuel tank allows for a runtime of 7 hours at half load which is very respectable and will enable you to enjoy all your appliances without needing to worry about them running out of juice.
The control panel has a variety of connectors including a very useful RV Ready 120V TT-30R outlet, making for one of the simplest RV hookups available. There are also two 120V NEMA 5-20R receptacles and two 5V USB ports which will allow you to use the clean and safe electricity this generator provides with all your sensitive electronic devices.
The parallel connector allows you to add to your power whenever you need to, all it requires is a compatible generator and the optional parallel cable to supplement your power supply with additional capabilities.
Despite its open case design, a decibel rating of 67 makes this generator a fairly quiet performer that comes in around the same volume as a normal conversation.
One of the big positives of the WEN is its portability. Weighing just 66.1lbs it is one of the lightest and most powerful generators at this power range making it very useful for campers, tailgaters, or home users who want a versatile go-anywhere generator.
Pros
- Very Lightweight
- Good Clean Power Output
- Ample Hook Ups
- Decent Run Time
- Quiet
Cons
- No auto shutdown
RUNNER UP
Champion Power produces some of the best high-power inverter generators on the market, and this 4000W option is a great choice for home users or campers who need a lot of power.
An ample 4000W surge output and 3500W running output make the champion capable of powering essential appliances with ease and has the grunt to also power other appliances alongside, making it a great choice for a home backup emergency generator.
A runtime of 17 hours supported by the Champion’s economy mode is one of the longest available, giving you maximum peace of mind in the event of a long power outage.
Despite this, the Champion has a relatively lightweight open case design that enables it to be used on the road either for an RV camping trip or outside the home. The open cage design and inverter generator make this particular version around 20% lighter than the traditional champion 3500-watt generator.
If you find yourself in need of a power boost the Champion is parallel ready and can connect to another compatible generator using the optional parallel kit which gives maximum flexibility to users who need even more power.
There are several outlets including a 120V 30 Amp outlet, a 120V 20 Amp outlet, and a 12 V DC outlet with dual USB adapters which give you ample connectivity and the ability to take advantage of the clean (sub 3%THD) electricity that the Champion provides.
A sound rating of 64 decibels is slightly below average for this power rating which is excellent for an open case design and makes this one of the best performers in terms of power output, runtime, portability, and sound levels.
Pros
- Massive power output
- Very long run time
- Plenty of outlets
- Parallel ready
- Included oil funnel, battery charging cables, and USB adapter
Cons
- Fairly heavy
RUNNER UP
Briggs and Stratton are one of the biggest manufacturers of small engines in the world, so it's no surprise one of their generators makes this list as they produce some of the best available.
This absolute beast of an inverter generator provides 4500 watts of surge power and a clean running wattage of 3700W which will enable you to run several appliances with ease. A runtime of 16 hours at 25% load will give you ample space to run essentials for an extended period, giving you great peace of mind in the event of a blackout at home.
Although it is a more powerful generator it is actually one of the quieter generators on this list with a decibel rating of 61, almost making it quieter than a normal conversation. This is possible thanks to the quality inverter motor and closed case design that helps to reduce noise pollution.
Although this generator is powerful and relatively quiet, the drawback is its weight, coming in at 114lbs.
Luckily it's still a very portable generator despite its weight, however, thanks to an ingenious design that uses caddy wheels and a telescopic handle to allow easy maneuvering in a similar fashion to a medium-sized bag of luggage.
This actually makes the P4500 one of the most portable generators available despite its greater size and weight.
The P4500 also comes with a massive list of added features that make for a very impressive and complete generator using the latest technology to create maximum utility and convenience.
A button push electric start and automatic choke make starting this generator a breeze, and there is also a remote fob to allow you to turn the generator on or off from a short distance, which will mean you don’t need to venture out into the chilly morning air to get things started.
There are ample connectors including two 230V household sockets, one 12V DC charging outlet, and two 5V USB ports allowing for plenty of space for various electronics.
There is also an included Carbon Monoxide detector that can detect if dangerous CO levels are building up around the generator. CO Guard will then shut down the generator if it detects dangerous CO levels, which is a great safety feature and just shows how feature-rich this generator is.
A rare and quality electric display completes a well-designed control panel that helps you to easily monitor and control your electrical output and usage.
Pros
- Massive Power Output
- Excellent Portability despite the size
- CO Detector and Auto Shutdown
- Great Runtime
- Quiet Operation
Cons
- A little heavier and louder than other generators
Best Quiet 4000 Watt Generators Buying Guide
Generators are fairly simple in a lot of ways and have been around for a very long time. However modern generators offer a lot of benefits and features that make them amazingly efficient and safe for all sorts of applications.
However, all these new features and characteristics can make finding the right generator for you a very difficult process, as there is a lot of information to take into consideration. Some may find the vast amount of generators and power ratings overwhelming, but it's really important to ensure you make an informed decision when investing in a generator.
There’s no worse feeling than purchasing a generator only to realize that it isn’t capable of powering your appliances or is far too loud for you.
Figuring out how to return a generator or simply being stuck with one that isn’t fit for purpose can be a real pain which is why it’s critical to make sure you know exactly what you’re looking for.
In this buyers guide, we’re going to highlight some important features to consider when researching generators, to enable you to get the right one for you. If you’re still unsure or have specific questions don’t forget to check out our FAQ below for extra information on common topics regarding generators.
Wattage/Power Output
The wattage is essentially how powerful your generator is and how much power it can provide to your appliances.
The wattage rating can also give you some idea of how portable a generator will be, as bigger and more powerful generators tend to be a little more difficult to move around and store. However, even large generators are relatively maneuverable, especially quality machines with ergonomic grips and wheels.
In general, a 4000W generator is considered to be at the larger end of the generator market. Smaller generators can be 1000W or even less, so 4000W is a much more capable output that will often be able to cope with multiple household essentials at the same time.
Always make sure you have some idea of your power demands before you purchase a generator, to ensure you will have enough wattage to meet the surge requirements of your appliances.
Inverter Generators
Many generators are in the inverter format these days. This type of generator is essentially a more efficient, lighter, and quieter type of technology that allows you to get more power for less weight.
Inverters are quieter than traditional generators and also tend to last longer, so they’re a worthwhile investment that make great portable or home-use generators.
Fuel Types
There are three typical fuel types when it comes to generators. These are gasoline, diesel, and propane generators, and each fuel has different characteristics than the other.
For example, gas generators are cheaper to fuel and give off less pollution than diesel units. They are also quieter and easier to maintain, but may not be as fuel-efficient as diesel motors.
Diesel on the other hand has great fuel efficiency and power output but is a little more expensive to fuel and a little louder.
Finally, propane generators need regular refueling and are not very economical due to their fast-burning fuel.
It’s best to consider what your requirements are and how available fuel is to you as this will be a huge factor in which generator will suit your needs best.
Noise Levels
Generally, the quieter the generator the better, as this will make for less disturbance for you and others nearby. Some smaller generators are capable of decibel ratings around the 48 or 50 mark, which is quieter than a normal conversation.
However, 4000W generators tend to be over 50 decibels, ranging between 59 and 70. This is still fairly quiet and similar to the sound of an average conversation.
Best Quiet 4000 Watt Generators - FAQ's
How can I make my generator even quieter?
One quick fix can be to add a muffler to your generator. If you want something even easier you can add extra padding to the underside of the generator to reduce vibration but always make sure there's no fire hazard or chance of any material igniting as this could be disastrous.
Are generators safe?
Generators are generally safe as long as they are used properly. Adequate ventilation is key to avoiding gas poisoning. Some generators have CO detectors but not all do, and it’s always best to keep more than one in use in case of a failure.
Also, it’s important to never refuel a hot or running generator due to the fire hazard this presents. Always wait for your generator to cool down before considering refilling it.
Yes, portable generators are safe providing you use them correctly. The largest risk is a fire hazard and the exhaust fumes, which are usually Carbon Monoxide.
Can a generator power a house?
Depending on the power requirements of the house, yes a generator could certainly power a house if it had the right output.
It's best to make sure your generator can meet these needs so you can have maximum peace of mind.
