Generators

Best Dual Fuel Generators for Home Backup

Ranked on propane output as well as gasoline, because propane is the fuel that still works on day ten.

PublishedOctober 5, 2026

Disclosure: we earn a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. It does not affect what we recommend or what we say about it — how we are funded.

The short answer

The Westinghouse WGen9500DF is the best dual fuel generator for home backup: 9,500 running watts on gasoline and 8,500 on propane — both published — with an L14-30R and a 14-50R, both transfer-switch ready. Its omission is a CO shutdown; the WGen10500DFc adds one plus 1,000 more running watts. Champion's 11,500 W publishes the clearest per-fuel figures in the category and includes CO Shield.

The case for dual fuel is not about the generator. It is about what happens to gasoline. Modern pump gasoline contains ethanol, draws moisture, and degrades within months — and a gummed carburetor discovered at the moment the power fails is the most common generator failure there is. Propane in a sealed tank is as good in five years as the day you bought it.

The short answer

Quick picks

#	Product	Best for	Score	Price
1	Westinghouse WGen9500DF 12,500W Dual Fuel The most broadly sensible home backup generator on the market: enough running watts for a whole essential-circuit panel, both transfer-switch outlets, and dual fuel — with the caveat that it has no CO shutoff.	The default whole-house pick	8.8/10	$999.00
2	Westinghouse WGen10500DFc 13,500W Dual Fuel The WGen9500DF with the two things it is missing fixed: more running watts and a CO shutdown, at a higher price.	Same layout, with CO shutdown	9.0/10	$1,099.00
3	Champion 11,500W Dual Fuel Electric Start The most honestly specified generator in its class, with CO shutoff and the best after-sale support in the category.	Published propane numbers you can plan on	8.7/10	$989.99
4	WEN DF8000X 8,000W Dual Fuel The best-value correctly-sized home backup generator here: enough for every essential circuit, dual fuel, CO shutoff, a real transfer-switch outlet, and no money spent on capacity you will not use.	Essential circuits, dual fuel, lowest cost	8.5/10	$623.17
5	DuroMax XP13000HX 13,000W Dual Fuel The value pick in DuroMax's 13kW line: copper windings and CO shutoff for less than the older EH typically costs.	Best price per peak watt	8.9/10	$1,079.00
6	WEN DF1100T 11,000W Dual Fuel The cheapest way to 8,000-plus running watts, with two real caveats: no CO shutoff and a 120V-only 30A twist-lock.	Most running watts per dollar	7.6/10	$833.99
7	Westinghouse WGen5300DFc 6,600W Dual Fuel The right generator for a house without a well pump or central air: light enough to actually move, with CO shutoff and remote start included.	Light essential circuits, easy to move	8.2/10	$649.00
8	DuroStar DS13000MX 13,000W Dual Fuel If the budget is the constraint and you still want 13,000 peak watts with CO shutoff, this is the cheapest honest way there.	Cheapest route to 13,000 peak watts	8.4/10	$899.00

#ad Prices as of October 5, 2026; they may have changed since. Scores are our editorial judgment from published specifications, not test results — how we pick. How we are funded.

Published propane output — the column that should decide this

Machine	Running, gasoline	Running, propane	Penalty
Westinghouse WGen10500DFc	10,500 W	9,500 W	9.5%
Westinghouse WGen9500DF	9,500 W	8,500 W	10.5%
Champion 11,500 W	9,200 W	8,280 W	10.0%
WEN DF1100T	8,300 W	7,500 W	9.6%
WEN DF8000X	6,500 W	5,850 W	10.0%
Westinghouse WGen5300DFc	5,300 W	4,800 W	9.4%
DuroMax XP13000HX	13,000 W peak	Not published	—
DuroStar DS13000MX	13,000 W peak	Not published	—

Manufacturer published figures. The penalty is consistently around 10% where it is published at all. The two 'not published' rows are DuroMax and DuroStar, which market peak watts and do not state per-fuel running figures on the listing.

That table is the single most useful thing on this page. If propane is your plan — and for a stored generator it should be — then the propane column is your sizing figure, and a machine that does not publish one leaves you sizing blind. We rank Westinghouse, Champion and WEN above DuroMax and DuroStar substantially for this reason, not because the DuroMax machines are poorly built.

Check whether the hose is in the box

A small thing that produces real delivery-day disappointment. Westinghouse's WGen5300DFc listing explicitly includes a propane hose. Several machines do not and you discover it when you want to use the feature you paid for.

Worth buying a proper one anyway: a two-stage regulator holds output pressure steady as the tank empties, which is what stops a generator surging or stalling at low tank level. A 10-foot hose also puts the tank well clear of the hot machine.

What to buy alongside

Running a dual fuel generator on a tank

GasSaf 10 ft Two-Stage Propane Regulator + Hose

$47.99View on Amazon

Keeping stored gasoline usable

STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer, 32 oz

$13.58View on Amazon

A two-stage regulator and hose for the propane side; stabilizer for whatever gasoline you still store, because dual fuel does not mean you will never use gasoline.

Dual fuel or tri-fuel

If your house has a natural gas line, consider tri-fuel instead. A plumbed supply does not run out, which removes runtime from your planning entirely. The cost is a larger output derating — 15-25% rather than 10% — and a licensed gas connection on the house side. See best tri-fuel generators and is a dual fuel generator worth it.

Westinghouse WGen9500DF 12,500W Dual Fuel

Running watts: 9,500 W gas / 8,500 W LP
Starting watts: 12,500 W gas
Outlets: L14-30R + 14-50R

#1 · The default whole-house pick

Westinghouse WGen9500DF 12,500W Dual Fuel

8.8/10

The most broadly sensible home backup generator on the market: enough running watts for a whole essential-circuit panel, both transfer-switch outlets, and dual fuel — with the caveat that it has no CO shutoff.

$999.00View on Amazon

#ad Price as of October 5, 2026; it may have changed since. How we are funded.

What is good

9,500 running watts covers a well pump, furnace blower, fridge and a lot of lighting simultaneously — the load most homes actually need
Both the L14-30R and the 14-50R are transfer-switch ready, so it fits a 30A interlock setup now and a 50A panel later
Dual fuel means a propane tank is a legitimate plan when the gas stations have no power either
Remote start matters more than it sounds: you start it from inside without going out in the weather

What is not

210 lb is a two-person move on anything but flat, dry ground
No carbon monoxide shutdown on this model — several competitors at this price include one, and you must supply your own CO alarm indoors
9,500 W will not carry central air plus a well pump plus everything else; see the sizing guide before assuming it will

Published specification & our scoring

9,500 running / 12,500 peak watts on gasoline (manufacturer)
8,500 running / 11,200 peak watts on propane (manufacturer)
457cc Westinghouse 4-stroke OHV engine with cast-iron sleeve
Remote key-fob start, electric start and recoil backup
Two 120V 5-20R GFCI, one L14-30R 30A, one 14-50R 50A — all transfer-switch ready
Automatic low-oil shutdown and digital hour meter
Published weight 210 lb
3-year limited warranty (manufacturer)

Output headroom: 9
Fuel flexibility: 9
Transfer-switch fit: 10
Runtime: 8
Safety features: 6
Value: 9

Specification figures are the manufacturer’s published values. Scores are our editorial judgment from those figures and are never published as structured review data — how we pick.

Westinghouse WGen10500DFc 13,500W Dual Fuel

Running watts: 10,500 W gas / 9,500 W LP
Starting watts: 13,500 W gas
CO shutdown: Yes

#2 · Same layout, with CO shutdown

Westinghouse WGen10500DFc 13,500W Dual Fuel

9.0/10

The WGen9500DF with the two things it is missing fixed: more running watts and a CO shutdown, at a higher price.

$1,099.00View on Amazon

#ad Price as of October 5, 2026; it may have changed since. How we are funded.

What is good

A thousand running watts more than the WGen9500DF, and it adds the CO shutdown that model lacks
Propane output of 9,500 running watts is higher than many units manage on gasoline
Same twin transfer-switch outlets, so the connection plan does not change

What is not

Costs meaningfully more than the WGen9500DF for one extra kilowatt
230 lb and open-frame — this is not getting carried anywhere
CO shutdown is a safety backstop, not permission to run it anywhere near the house

Published specification & our scoring

10,500 running / 13,500 peak watts on gasoline (manufacturer)
9,500 running / 12,500 peak watts on propane (manufacturer)
500cc Westinghouse 4-stroke OHV engine, cast-iron sleeve
Automatic low-oil AND carbon monoxide (CO) shutdown
Two 120V 5-20R GFCI, one L14-30R 30A, one 14-50R 50A
Remote key-fob start plus electric and recoil start
Published weight 230 lb

Output headroom: 10
Fuel flexibility: 9
Transfer-switch fit: 10
Runtime: 8
Safety features: 9
Value: 8

Specification figures are the manufacturer’s published values. Scores are our editorial judgment from those figures and are never published as structured review data — how we pick.

Champion 11,500W Dual Fuel Electric Start

Running watts: 9,200 W gas / 8,280 W LP
Starting watts: 11,500 W gas
CO shutdown: CO Shield

#3 · Published propane numbers you can plan on

Champion 11,500W Dual Fuel Electric Start

8.7/10

The most honestly specified generator in its class, with CO shutoff and the best after-sale support in the category.

$989.99View on Amazon10% off

#ad Price as of October 5, 2026; it may have changed since. How we are funded.

What is good

Champion publishes running AND starting watts on both fuels, which makes honest sizing possible — many brands do not
Intelligauge hour tracking makes the maintenance schedule something you can actually follow
Lifetime technical support is a real, usable thing when you are troubleshooting at 2am in an outage

What is not

9,200 running watts sits slightly below the 9,500 W class leaders
209 lb
Volt Guard protects the generator, not your appliances — it is not a surge protector for the house

Published specification & our scoring

9,200 running / 11,500 starting watts on gasoline (manufacturer)
8,280 running / 10,350 starting watts on propane (manufacturer)
459cc Champion engine, electric start with included battery
CO Shield carbon monoxide auto shutoff
Intelligauge: voltage, hertz and run-time hours
Volt Guard surge protection
3-year limited warranty with lifetime technical support (manufacturer)
Published weight 209 lb

Output headroom: 9
Fuel flexibility: 9
Transfer-switch fit: 9
Runtime: 8
Safety features: 9
Value: 9

Specification figures are the manufacturer’s published values. Scores are our editorial judgment from those figures and are never published as structured review data — how we pick.

Running watts: 6,500 W gas / 5,850 W LP
Starting watts: 8,000 W gas
CO shutdown: Watchdog

#4 · Essential circuits, dual fuel, lowest cost

WEN DF8000X 8,000W Dual Fuel

8.5/10

The best-value correctly-sized home backup generator here: enough for every essential circuit, dual fuel, CO shutoff, a real transfer-switch outlet, and no money spent on capacity you will not use.

$623.17View on Amazon

#ad Price as of October 5, 2026; it may have changed since. How we are funded.

What is good

6,500 running watts with CO shutdown, dual fuel and a proper L14-30R, for the price of a gasoline-only machine
10.5 hours at half load is better runtime than WEN's larger DF1100T
The TT-30R makes it an RV generator as well, which widens its usefulness between outages

What is not

6,500 running watts rules out central air
340cc working near its rating will be audible — WEN does not publish a dB figure for this model
No remote start

Published specification & our scoring

Gasoline: 8,000 surge / 6,500 rated watts (manufacturer)
Propane: 7,200 surge / 5,850 rated watts (manufacturer)
340cc engine, electric start
WEN Watchdog CO shutdown sensor
6.7-gallon tank, up to 10.5 hours at half load (manufacturer)
Wheel kit included; four 120V 5-20R, one TT-30R RV outlet, one L14-30R transfer-switch-ready twist-lock

Output headroom: 7
Fuel flexibility: 9
Transfer-switch fit: 9
Runtime: 9
Safety features: 8
Value: 10

Specification figures are the manufacturer’s published values. Scores are our editorial judgment from those figures and are never published as structured review data — how we pick.

Peak watts: 13,000 W
Engine: 500cc OHV, copper windings
CO shutdown: CO Alert

#5 · Best price per peak watt

DuroMax XP13000HX 13,000W Dual Fuel

8.9/10

The value pick in DuroMax's 13kW line: copper windings and CO shutoff for less than the older EH typically costs.

$1,079.00View on Amazon40% off

#ad Price as of October 5, 2026; it may have changed since. How we are funded.

What is good

Copper windings rather than aluminum is a genuine longevity difference, and DuroMax publishes it
Four household GFCI outlets plus both 240V outlets covers cord-only use and transfer-switch use equally
Adds the CO Alert shutdown the older EH does not have, usually for less money

What is not

245 lb is the heaviest of the 13kW DuroMax family
Still a conventional alternator — total harmonic distortion is not published as low-THD, so treat sensitive electronics carefully

Published specification & our scoring

13,000 peak watts (manufacturer)
500cc OHV DuroMax engine with all-copper windings (manufacturer)
CO Alert shutdown
Four 120V GFCI household outlets, 120V 30A, 120/240V 30A twist-lock, 120/240V 50A
Front-facing fuel interface, push-button start
Published weight 245 lb

Output headroom: 10
Fuel flexibility: 9
Transfer-switch fit: 10
Build quality: 9
Safety features: 8
Value: 10

Specification figures are the manufacturer’s published values. Scores are our editorial judgment from those figures and are never published as structured review data — how we pick.

Running watts: 8,300 W gas / 7,500 W LP
Starting watts: 11,000 W gas
Runtime: 8.5 h at half load

#6 · Most running watts per dollar

WEN DF1100T 11,000W Dual Fuel

7.6/10

The cheapest way to 8,000-plus running watts, with two real caveats: no CO shutoff and a 120V-only 30A twist-lock.

$833.99View on Amazon8% off

#ad Price as of October 5, 2026; it may have changed since. How we are funded.

What is good

8,300 running watts for well under a thousand dollars is the best watts-per-dollar in this roundup
Fuel selection by dial — simple and nothing to misconfigure
The 14-50R means it can feed a 50A inlet directly

What is not

No CO shutdown on this model — the newer DF8000X and TF-1450X have WEN's Watchdog sensor, this one does not
8.5 hours at half load is the shortest runtime of the big dual-fuel machines here
The 30A twist-lock is L5-30R (120V only), not L14-30R — check your transfer switch inlet before buying

Published specification & our scoring

Gasoline: 11,000 surge / 8,300 running watts (manufacturer)
Propane: 9,500 surge / 7,500 running watts (manufacturer)
457cc 4-stroke OHV engine, electric start
6.6-gallon tank, up to 8.5 hours at half load (manufacturer)
Four 120V GFCI 5-20R, one L5-30R 120V 30A, one 14-50R 50A, one 12V DC
Published weight 214 lb

Output headroom: 8
Fuel flexibility: 9
Transfer-switch fit: 7
Runtime: 6
Safety features: 5
Value: 10

Specification figures are the manufacturer’s published values. Scores are our editorial judgment from those figures and are never published as structured review data — how we pick.

Westinghouse WGen5300DFc 6,600W Dual Fuel

Running watts: 5,300 W gas / 4,800 W LP
Starting watts: 6,600 W gas
Weight: 136 lb

#7 · Light essential circuits, easy to move

Westinghouse WGen5300DFc 6,600W Dual Fuel

8.2/10

The right generator for a house without a well pump or central air: light enough to actually move, with CO shutoff and remote start included.

$649.00View on Amazon

#ad Price as of October 5, 2026; it may have changed since. How we are funded.

What is good

136 lb is genuinely one-person movable on a flat driveway, which changes how practical a generator is
CO shutdown, remote start and a propane hose all included at the bottom of the dual-fuel range
5,300 running watts covers a fridge, furnace blower, sump pump and lighting with headroom

What is not

Not enough for a well pump plus a furnace plus a fridge simultaneously — run the sizing math first
4.7-gallon tank means more refueling than the big machines
No 50A outlet, so a 50A transfer switch is out

Published specification & our scoring

Gasoline: 6,600 peak / 5,300 running watts (manufacturer)
Propane: 5,900 peak / 4,800 running watts (manufacturer)
274cc Westinghouse 4-stroke OHV engine, cast-iron sleeve
Automatic low-oil AND carbon monoxide shutdown
Push-button electric start with remote key fob
4.7-gallon tank; one 5-20R duplex, one TT-30R RV, one L14-30R transfer-switch ready
Propane hose included; published weight 135.6 lb

Output headroom: 6
Fuel flexibility: 9
Transfer-switch fit: 8
Portability: 9
Safety features: 9
Value: 9

Specification figures are the manufacturer’s published values. Scores are our editorial judgment from those figures and are never published as structured review data — how we pick.

Peak watts: 13,000 W
Engine: 500cc, remote start
CO shutdown: Yes

#8 · Cheapest route to 13,000 peak watts

DuroStar DS13000MX 13,000W Dual Fuel

8.4/10

If the budget is the constraint and you still want 13,000 peak watts with CO shutoff, this is the cheapest honest way there.

$899.00View on Amazon10% off

#ad Price as of October 5, 2026; it may have changed since. How we are funded.

What is good

Routinely the lowest price in the 13kW dual fuel class while still including CO shutdown and remote start
Lighter than the DuroMax HX by 25 lb, which you will feel moving it
Shares DuroMax's engine platform and parts ecosystem

What is not

DuroStar is DuroMax's value brand — the spec is similar, the fit and finish is not
Peak-watt marketing again: size from running watts

Published specification & our scoring

13,000 peak watts, 500cc engine (manufacturer)
Dual fuel: gasoline or propane
CO detection with automatic shutdown (manufacturer)
50A outlet for direct transfer-switch connection
Remote electric start
Steel frame and reinforced power panel
Published weight 220 lb

Output headroom: 10
Fuel flexibility: 9
Transfer-switch fit: 9
Build quality: 7
Safety features: 8
Value: 10

Specification figures are the manufacturer’s published values. Scores are our editorial judgment from those figures and are never published as structured review data — how we pick.

Questions people actually ask

What is the best dual fuel generator for home backup?

The Westinghouse WGen9500DF, on published figures: 9,500 running watts on gasoline, 8,500 on propane, with both transfer-switch-ready 240 V outlets. If you want a CO shutdown, the WGen10500DFc adds one and 1,000 more running watts for more money.

How much power do you lose on propane?

Around 10%, consistently, where manufacturers publish the figure. Westinghouse's WGen9500DF goes from 9,500 to 8,500 running watts; Champion's 11,500 W from 9,200 to 8,280. Size from the propane figure if propane is your plan.

Is dual fuel worth it over gasoline only?

Usually yes, for little extra cost. Propane stores indefinitely while gasoline degrades within months, and stale fuel is the most common reason a stored generator will not start. A tank swap is also cleaner and safer than pouring gasoline near a hot engine.

Does a dual fuel generator come with a propane hose?

Some do and some do not. Westinghouse's WGen5300DFc listing explicitly includes one; several machines leave it out. It is worth buying a two-stage regulator and hose regardless, because two-stage regulation holds pressure steady as the tank empties.

Which dual fuel generators publish their propane output?

Westinghouse, Champion and WEN publish both fuels' running and starting watts clearly on the machines in this roundup. DuroMax and DuroStar market peak watts and do not state per-fuel running figures on their listings, which means sizing for propane on those machines is guesswork.

How long does propane last for a generator?

Indefinitely in a sealed tank — that is the whole point. Propane does not oxidize or absorb moisture the way gasoline does, so there is no stabilizer, no rotation schedule and no gummed carburetor. You will burn more volume than gasoline for the same work because propane carries fewer BTU per gallon.