3000 Watt

Find the Best 3000 Watt Generator

Dual fuel models run on propane or gasoline. Inverters produce clean power, use less fuel, and make less noise than conventional portable generators.

Remember that max watts and starting watts are available for a few seconds to start an electric motor, while running watts is the generator’s continuous rated capacity.

What will a 3000 Watt Generator run? Most small appliances, lights, fans, and even a space heater. It won't power everything at once, but it can handle some important appliances in an emergency or while camping and RVing. Even 3000 watt generators with a modest starting watts capacity can start and run most refrigerators or small window AC units, leaving enough power for a few lights and a slow cooker, while charging your cell phone or laptop.

3000 Watt Inverter Generator

A 3000 Watt inverter generator produces the cleanest power of all 3000 watt portables. They are quieter and use less fuel than conventional portables because the engine speed varies to meet the load requirements. Slower engine speed saves fuel and cuts down on noise. Several of the most popular models produce less than 60 dB noise. An electronic circuit called an inverter turns DC current into AC current in the form of an almost pure sine wave. The output under load has less than 5% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)—clean power for electronics like televisions, routers, computers, and anything sensitive to power quality.

3000 Watt Generator

The best 3000 watt generator has the power you need and the outlets to supply it. Need power for your RV? Look for a TT-30R outlet for a fast connection using your shore power cable. If you need 120/240 volts, look for a 30-Amp 240 Volt Receptacle. Other considerations are noise and fuel consumption. Closely related to fuel use is run time. When running a light load, the generator uses less fuel than under a heavy load. Unplug or turn off anything you don't need to conserve fuel.

Some generators, especially those designed mainly for running tools, don't have the power quality necessary to keep your electronic devices happy. Pick a generator with a low THD or Total Harmonic Distortion. Less than 5-6% is suitable for most electronics and home appliances.