Generators can run into a lot of money if you purchase one with a lot of features and gadgets, but you can still find one that is able to do a lot of things and offer many accessories for a reasonable price.

Shortcut to more Generators under $500

Some of the best generators under $500 can be found online and at your local hardware store. Here are a few to consider, they are chosen based on value for money, performance and reliability.

Best Generator with a spark arrestor under $400

This Durostar DS4400 Gas Powered Portable Generator has a quiet exhaust rated at 69 dba with a spark arrestor and it comes with a 7 hp air cooled engine.

It has a low oil shut down that preserves the life of the engine. It is car approved and is sold in all 50 states. It has multiple accessories including a twistlock outlet, two 120 volt 20 amp three prong outlet, and a 120/240 volt 30 amp outlet.

It runs on 3,500 watts rated and 4,000 watts surge. It costs about $400 online and makes this item one of the best generators under $500 on the market. It received 4.5 stars from Amazon reviewers.

Best Generator for the Money

This DuroMax XP4400E Gas Powered Portable Generator is EPA approved yet non carb compliant and not sold in the state of California.It costs about $450 and earned 4 stars from more than 150 Amazon reviewers.

It runs on 3,500 watts continuous and 4,400 watts surge. It has a 7 hp OHV 4 cycle engine and comes with a one year limited warranty. It has a 15 amp circuit breaker and a battery with a charger along with an indicator light when the battery is running low.

There are never go flat tires for easy portability. It weighs about 116 pounds and comes with a four gallon capacity of fuel. It can run up to 8 hours on half load and gas an electrically key start. There is also a volt meter to prevent overloading.

Best Generator with wireless remote control

This Champion Power Equipment 46539 Gas Powered Portable Generator comes with a wireless remote control and an electric start. It is EPA approved and carb complaint, making it available in the state of California.

It has a cast iron sleeve to help preserve the life of the engine and a 196cc OHV engine. It can run up to 12 hours on 50 percent load and weighs about 140 pounds. There is a low oil sensor to prevent engine burn out. A wheel kit is included with its 8 inch wheels. It runs on 3,500 watts rated and 4,000 watts surge.

Other items that come with this generator that makes it one of the best generators under $500 are one 120 volt twistlock, one 120 volt duplex outlet, and one RV receptacle. This item costs just under $500 online and earned 4.5 stars from 80 amazon reviewers.

These are all among some of the best generators under $500 that you could buy. Determine what you are looking for in a generator to decide which one will best fit your needs. They are all from reliable brands that have made a name for themselves for having high quality products.

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Some generators can run high in price depending on what you are looking for in a machine, and they certainly have come done a lot in the past few years. Portable generators tend to be less expensive yet there’s a number of generators that can offer what you need for a reasonable price.

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Here are some of the best affordable generators for the money.

Best Propane Generator under $400

This Sportsman GEN4000lP Propane Powered Portable Generator has a grill style tank and it gives off 40 percent less emissions than most other generators. It runs on 3,250 watts rated and 4,000 watts maximum.

It has a 7 hp OHV engine that is air cooled. It has overload protection outlets to prevent damage. It has low noise level of 68 dba and is non carb compliant, not sold in the state of California. It comes with a number of accessories including one 12 volt DC outlet and two 120 volt outlets.

There’s a spark arrestor and a full power panel along with a low oil shut down to protect the life of the engine. The engine has a switch to turn on and off. It has a five foot regulator hose and costs about $390 online. It’s one of the best selling lp generators under $400 online. It received 3.5 stars from 70 Amazon reviewers. It can run up to 10 hours on half load.

Best Quiet Generator for Camping

This Durostar DS 4000S Gas Powered Portable Generator has a 7 hp OHV 4 cycle air cooled engine. It comes with a one year limited warranty and is non carb compliant.

It’s not sold in the state of California. It has an EZ pull start recoil. There’s a four gallon tank and it runs up to 8 hours on 50 percent load. It has an automatic low oil shut off to help protect the engine and runs quietly at 69 dba.

It runs on 3,300 watts continuous and 4,000 watts maximum. It is great for using at camping sites, job sites, and at home. This is chosen by consumers as one of the best generators under $400. It earned 4.5 stars from more than 185 Amazon reviewers and costs about $330 online.

Best Generator with RV Receptacle

This Champion Power Equipment 46533 Gas Powered Portable Generator four stroke 196cc OHV engine has a cast iron sleeve for added protection. It can run up to 12 hours on a full tank of 50 percent load.

It weighs about 110 pounds and comes with a two year limited warranty. It runs on 3,500 watts rated and 4,000 watts maximum output. It is carb compliant machine.

It received 4.5 stars from Amazon reviewers, making this one of the best generators under $400 at $330 online. It comes with a number of accessories including one 120 volt outlet, one 120 volt twistlock, and one RV receptacle.

Best Rated Generator for the Money

This WEN 56352 Gas Powered Portable Generator comes with a wheel kit to easily take it with you on a camp site or job site. It received 4.5 stars from more than 85 Amazon reviewers and costs about $340 online.

It has a four gallon capacity and a fuel gauge to easily determine when it needs fuel. It has an air cooled 7 hp OHV engine. There’s an automatic low oil shut down and a power indicator light with a digital hour counter.

It comes with a two year limited warranty and has one inch tubular frame. It runs for up to 11 hours at half load and comes with various accessories including two 120 volt 20 amp three prong receptacle and one 120 to 240 volt 30 amp twistlock outlet. It runs on 3,500 peak watts and 3,000 running watts.

These are all among the best generators under $400 listed online.

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