7 Best WEN Generators [Review + Buying Guide]

WEN generators are reliable, powerful, and budget-friendly. It is not possible to forget WEN generators when you are going to buy a generator for your home, office, or recreational use.

WEN not only offers high-power conventional generators but there also some high-quality inverter generators that WEN has made. There are many options for you to choose from.

So, if you don’t know much about WEN models then here we have a list of the seven best WEN generators to make the selection process easier for you.

But first, you need to focus on our buyer’s guide to knowing which factors you must consider before finalizing the best WEN generator.

Best WEN Generators

1. WEN 56200i Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator – Lightest WEN Generator

Weight and Warranty: If you are looking for a WEN portable inverter generator, then this 56200i is an ideal choice for you. You can use it at home, office, campsites, and tailgates. It weighs around 48 pounds and is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.

Portability: It is a suitcase-style portable generator that has a comfortable carrying handle for smooth movement.

Engine and Power Output: The unit is powered by a 79.7cc, 4-stroke OH engine that generates a maximum power output of 2000 watts and 1600 running watts. This output power is enough to run different appliances at the same time.

Fuel Tank Size and Runtime: Its tank size is 1 gallon which offers 6 hours of continuous runtime at a 50% load.

THD Rating: The best thing about this generator is its less than 1.2% THD rating. The inverter technology of this generator provides pure sine wave power to your sensitive electronics.

Parallel Capable: The unit is also parallel capable. You can link another WEN 56200i with the help of the WEN 56421 parallel connection kit to generate more power than 2000 watts.

Economy Mode: You can also maximize fuel economy by using the generator’s Eco-Mode. Simply turn it onto and save your fuel and money.

Volume Level: It also offers a noise-free operation. With a decibel rating of 51 dBA from 22 feet, it is considered a noise-free WEN model.

Safety Features: If we focus on its safety features, then there is a low-oil shutdown sensor along with overload protection.

Control Panel: Its control panel is very intuitive. There are one 5V USB port and a 12V DC outlet along with two 120V 20AAC power outlets.

Certifications: Also, it is CARB compliant and an EPA III-approved unit.

2. WEN 56475 Gasoline Powered Portable Generator – Best under $500

Weight and Portability: It is considered a bigger and more powerful unit than the WEN 56200i. It is quite more substantial weighing around 113 pounds. But its dual handles and big never-flat tires make transportation easier and safer.

Engine and Power Output: The unit is powered by a 223cc OHV engine that gives 4750 peak watts and 3750 rated watts.

Fuel Tank Size and Runtime: Its fuel tank is 4 gallons. You will get 11 hours of runtime at 50% load. But at 75% and 100%, its runtime will decrease.

Start System: It features an electric start system that makes it easy to start the engine. Just turn the button on and here you go.

Safety Features: If we focus on its safety features then there is an automatic voltage regulator that automatically maintains a constant voltage level. Other than this, there is a low-oil shutdown feature that turns the engine off when the oil level goes seriously down. Moreover, you have overload protection to protect your appliances and generator from being damaged. There is also a spark arrestor that makes it a safer unit to use at parks, campsites, and tailgate parties.

Control Panel: Its control panel has two 120V 20A household outlets, one 120V AC outlet, and a 120V RV outlet. Other than power outlets, there is an Engine Hour Counter that tells you when to change the oil and when maintenance is scheduled.

Certifications and Warranty: In addition, this unit is also EPA III and CARB compliant and comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

3. WEN 56160 Portable Power Generator – Least Powerful WEN Generator

Power Output: It is a different product than the above-mentioned WEN 56475. It is even less powerful than WEN 56200i. The maximum output power it can generate is 1600 watts with 1400 running watts. But it doesn’t mean that it is not a good quality generator. You can use it for home backup, job settings, campsites, and tailgates.

Weight: It is a lighter unit that weighs around 56 pounds.

Engine: It is featured a 98cc 4-stroke OHV engine. Its engine has an air-cooled cooling system that uses a reliable fan to keep the engine cool during operation.

Fuel Tank Size and Runtime: Its fuel tank size is 1.6 gallons which give 9 hours of runtime at 50% load.

Noise Level: Despite its small size, it generates more noise. With a decibel rating of 72 dBA at a 25% load, it is a noisy unit. If you don’t have neighbors close to your house, then you can use this generator without any problem.

Safety Features: There is a low-oil shutdown system that protects the engine from damage in case of lower oil levels. Also, there is a spark arrestor installed for your own safety.

Control Panel: Its control panel is straightforward. You have two 120V AC outlets and a 12V DC outlet.

Warranty: In addition, the unit comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

4. WEN 56682 Gas Powered Portable Generator – Best under $350

Certification and Warranty: This WEN 56682 is quite similar in design to WEN 56475. But it is a more powerful unit and much heavier. It is an EPA III-compliant unit and is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.

Engine and Power Output: It has a powerful 390cc 13 HP OHV engine. The unit generates 7000 surge watts and 5500 continuous watts.

Fuel Tank Size and Runtime: It also has a big size fuel tank that can accommodate 6.5 gallons of fuel. With this fuel tank, you will get 11 hours of non-stop operation at 50% load.

Start System: It features both the recoil and electric start systems. You can use any option to start your generator when the power goes out.

Portability: Its frame is a little bit different from WEN 56475. Two rods are added at the top of the generator to lift it easily. But its two fold-down handles and never-flat tires are the same that makes it easier to move the unit at job sites, campgrounds, and tailgates.

Safety Features: Its safety features include a low-oil shutdown, automatic voltage regulator, and a spark arrestor that is USFS-approved.

Control Panel: Moreover, its control panel has more power outlets than what we have seen in WEN 56475. There is one 12V DC outlet, one 120/240V twist-lock outlet, and four 120V 20A household outlets. Also, there is a digital hour counter that was also present in WEN 56475.

5. WEN 5613K Gas Powered Portable Generator – Most Powerful WEN Generator

Engine: If you are looking for a more powerful WEN generator, then its 5613K model is perfect for you. It is powered by a 670cc twin-cylinder, 4-stroke OHV engine. It produces both 120V and 240V output.

Weight and Warranty: This EPA III and CARB-compliant unit weighs around 350 pounds and is backed by a 2-year warranty.

Power Output: It generates 13000 watts of peak power and 11000 watts of continuous power. With this output power, you can run multiple appliances and electronics at the same time without applying extra load on your generator.

Fuel Tank Size and Runtime: It has a big-size fuel tank that is 8 gallons but has a shorter runtime of only 7.5 hours at 50% load.

THD Rating: Its less than 5% THD rating is ideal for powering sensitive electronics like laptops, smartphones, computers, and TVs.

Safety Features: Its safety features include a low-oil shutoff, an automatic voltage regulator, and an air cooling system. All these safety features protect the engine and appliances from being damaged.

Noise Level: It is noisier than WEN 56160 with a decibel rating of 82 dBA. But this noise level is according to the size and power of the generator.

Start System and Portability: It features both the recoil and electric start systems. Also, it includes a wheel kit and a handle kit for easy mobility.

Control Panel: Its control panel has more power outlets. There is one 12V DC outlet, four 120V 20A household outlets, and one 120/240V 50A outlet. Other than these, there is a 120V 30A RV outlet and a twist-lock 120/240V 30A outlet.

6. WEN DF475T Dual Fuel Portable Generator –Dual Fuel WEN Generator

Dual Fuel Option: If you are looking for a dual-fuel portable WEN generator, then you can go for DF475T. You can either use gasoline or propane to run this generator. But both these fuels generate different output power.

Fuel Selector: You can easily switch between gasoline and propane with the help of a selection dial. Even during operation, you can go from gasoline to propane and propane to gasoline.

Power Output: On gas, the unit generates 4750 peak watts and 3800 running watts, but with propane, you will get 4350 peak watts and 3500 running watts.

Engine: The unit is powered by a powerful 224cc 4-stroke OHV engine.

Fuel Tank Size and Runtime: It has a 4-gallon fuel tank that offers 11 hours of runtime at 50% load on gas. But with 20-gallon LPG, it gives 7 hours of runtime at 50% load.

Start System and Portability: There is an electric start system for your convenience. Also, its big and curved handle and never-flat tires make transportation easier.

Safety Features: If we talk about safety features, then there is overload protection and an automatic voltage regulator.

Control Panel: Its control panel has two 120V household outlets that are GFCI-protected. Also, there is a 12V DC outlet along with a 30A twist-lock outlet. Other than this, you have a voltage selector to easily switch between 120V and 240V according to the task.

Noise Level: The unit is heavier and louder with a decibel rating of 68 dBA at a 25% load.

7. WEN 56180 Portable Generator – Best under $600

Engine and Power Output: The last but not the least generator on our list is the WEN 56180 which is much similar to the 56160 in design. But it is a little bit more powerful. Its same 98cc OHV engine can generate 1800 peak watts and 1500 rated watts.

Fuel Tank Size and Runtime: Its fuel tank is smaller than WEN 56160. Also, it has a shorter runtime. Its 1.1 gallons fuel tank offers 7.5 hours of runtime at 50% load.

Noise Level: If we compare the noise level, then this generator produces less noise. It has a decibel rating of 63 dBA. Your neighbors won’t fight with you due to your generator’s noise.

Safety Features: There is an internal air-cooling system to prevent overheating. Low-oil shutdown saves the engine from damage. And a spark arrestor allows you to use the unit in parks and forests. It is also for your own safety.

Start System: It has an easy recoil start system that makes the generator start with a single pull.

Control Panel: Its main panel has a 12V DC outlet and two 120V AC household outlets.

Buyer’s Guide

How to select the best generator from WEN? Here is a buying guide for you.

Inverter or Conventional Generator

First of all, you must make sure whether you want an inverter WEN generator or a conventional WEN generator. There is a serious difference between both of them, so first you have to decide which one to go with.

Inverter generators provide clean power to your appliances and electronics. They first convert AC into DC and then back to AC to provide a much cleaner current to your items. Whereas traditional generators only produce AC power and pass it through the outlets.

Other than clean power, inverter generators are smaller in size. They also produce less noise and are more fuel-efficient than conventional generators.

But an inverter generator is more expensive than the traditional one. Also, they don’t produce much power.

Single-fuel or Dual fuel

There are some WEN generators that come with two fuel options. So, before selecting a generator for your home or office use, decide whether you want a single-fuel or a dual-fuel generator.

Output Power

Each WEN generator differs from the other one in terms of power. Some units are less powerful, whereas some are extremely powerful. So, it all depends on you how much power you want from your generator.

It is better to make a list of those items that you want to run on your WEN generator. Add their watts and then select a unit that can easily provide you with that total power.

Tank Size and Runtime

A good size fuel tank is not enough to give a good runtime; fuel efficiency is also an essential factor.

There are some generators that fail to offer good runtime despite having a big fuel tank just because they are not fuel-efficient.

So, if you want longer runtime from your generator, then you have to focus on its fuel tank size as well as its fuel-efficiency feature.

Safety

If your selected WEN generator is not packed with safety features, then it is recommended to go for the other one. First of all, a low-oil shutdown feature is a must. Overload protection is also vital. Many people also like to have an automatic voltage regulator. Also, make sure that the power outlets are CGFCI protected. Moreover, if you want to use your generator outdoors then ensure it has a spark arrestor.

Noise Level

The volume level of your generator also needs your consideration. A bigger unit will undoubtedly create more sound than the smaller one. But still, you need to buy a less noisy WEN generator if your neighbors live very near to your house.

Power Outlets

It is also essential to check the control panel of your WEN generator to make sure that the available power outlets will meet all of your needs. If you are buying a generator to use at home then make sure it has more than 120V AC household outlets. If you want to keep your generator with an RV then make sure it has an RV outlet. Also, if it is an inverter generator then ensure it has a USB port.

Warranty

It is also mandatory to check the warranty of your WEN generator.

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