As the winter weather in Texas and other states show, having a reliable source of electricity is a downright necessity. This is especially true for folks who own a camper van or an RV, as electricity can be a sight for sore eyes in the great outdoors. That’s where a portable generator comes in handy, and here’s a look at a few of the best generators for RVs. 

Why a generator is necessary for an RV

Millions of Americans are well-aware by now just how important electricity is to running a society. This is still very true for a camper van or an RV since they use electricity in all manners of ways.

Like a regular car, camper vans and RVs will come with a battery, but it’s not a good idea to use that battery to charge your electronics. This is where a generator can come in handy, but there are also plenty of other options when it comes to charging your stuff.

That being said, the name of the game in terms of RVs is redundancy. It may be a good idea to install solar panels on your RV to charge your stuff with, but if they malfunction, then you’ll need a backup. That’s once again where generators can come in handy. 

Not all generators are the same, however. Just like with any other product, some generators are better than others. And when it comes to tangible qualities like how reliable a generator is or how quiet it is, a few generators stand out above the rest.

Here’s a look at which generators Camp Addict said were the best on the market.

The best quiet generators

While this might not be the most important trait for some campers, it is important for others. After all, a loud generator can be very annoying. And in this regard, Camp Addict wrote that the Yamaha EF2000iSv2 and the Honda EU3000iS were the best generators for folks concerned about their noise levels.

The Yamaha is a 2000-watt generator, and while it’s a bit pricey, it’s also very reliable. The Honda, meanwhile, is a 3000-watt generator. Like the Yamaha though, it’s also pretty pricey, but just like Honda’s cars, this generator from Honda is also extremely reliable.

The best generators in terms of weight

Almost all RV generators are considered to be portable, but some generators are simply more portable than others. And, according to Camp Addict, the best generators that aren’t super heavy are also Yamahas and Hondas. 

In particular, Camp Addict once again recommended the Yamaha EF2000iSv2, which weighs in at just 44-pounds. For 3000-watt generators though, Camp Addict really liked the Honda EU3000i Handi.

At about 78-pounds, this Honda generator is pretty light for its output. Plus, it also comes with wheels and a tow handle that allows for easier transport.

But of course, both of these lightweight generators still have a common issue of being kind of expensive. 

The best generators on a budget

The generators that Camp Addicted suggested so far are all relatively expensive as they range from about $1,100 to over $2,000 in some cases.

That being said, there are great generators for folks who are on a budget. Camp Addict liked the WEN 56200i and the Champion 75531i in particular due to their combination of quality and price. 

Like Camp Addict said, both of these generators are not as quiet, light, or reliable as their Honda and Yamaha rivals are, but they aren’t far behind. And of course, they are significantly more affordable than their competitors are. For example, the 2000-watt WEN 56200i costs about $400, while the 3000-watt Champion 75531i costs about $800.