The Best RV Generators for Camping and Boondocking

Picking an RV generator comes down to matching running watts to your actual electrical load, then weighing noise, fuel type, and portability against that requirement. Manufacturer specification sheets make this straightforward once you know what to look for, but the marketing language around generators is often less precise than the numbers underneath it.

The picks below are drawn from manufacturer specifications and widely available published reviews rather than in-house testing. Each entry lists the wattage figures and noise ratings a manufacturer discloses, along with the trade-offs that matter for RV use specifically — fuel type, parallel capability, and how much a single rooftop air conditioner will demand of the unit.

Our top picks

Researched and compared by our editors. Prices move constantly, so check the retailer for today's price.

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The picks in detail

Matching wattage to your RV

The single most important number is running watts, not starting watts. Starting watts is a brief surge figure that matters mainly for motors like air conditioner compressors; running watts is the sustained figure that determines what you can operate for hours at a time.

Add up the running watts of everything you expect to use simultaneously — refrigerator, microwave, chargers, and any air conditioning — and choose a generator with headroom above that total, since running a generator at its rated maximum continuously shortens its service life.

Gasoline, propane, and dual-fuel options

Most inverter generators run on gasoline, which is widely available but degrades in storage and requires you to carry a separate fuel container. Dual-fuel models, like the Champion 201319, let you run on propane instead, which stores indefinitely and avoids carrying gasoline — at the cost of somewhat lower running watts on propane than on gasoline, per manufacturer notes.

If your RV already carries a propane tank, dual-fuel capability can simplify your fuel logistics considerably on longer trips.

Noise ratings and parallel capability

Manufacturer noise ratings are typically measured under specific load and distance conditions that vary between brands, so treat published dB(A) figures as directional rather than perfectly comparable across manufacturers. A lower number from the same manufacturer's own generator lineup is a more reliable comparison than comparing one brand's rating to another's.

Parallel capability lets you connect two smaller, lighter generators together to produce combined output roughly equal to running watts added together, which is often lighter to transport than one larger unit even though it requires buying two units.

Weight and portability

Compact generators in the 2,200-watt class typically weigh under 50 lbs, making them manageable for one person to lift into a storage compartment. Units in the 3,500-4,500 watt class commonly weigh 90-130 lbs, and manufacturers generally recommend wheel kits or two-person lifting for these larger models.