Typically where electricity is concerned, the higher the number of watts, the more appliances a generator can power. At 6500 watts, you will be able to power most of the devices in the home. Also, you may use such a generator in your business provided your electricity needs don’t exceed its limits.
The best 6500-watt generators have been reviewed below where the only job left for you is to read through, select your device of choice, and order online. Our initial scope included ten 6500-watt generators, four of whom did not make it onto the list due to various demerits. Of those that made it, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 is the most superior. As you would expect the other five as well are impressive offerings.
Merits are the basis on which the list below was made with our team has spent countless hours researching the benefits of owning each model of generator. As such, the runtime, output as rated, noise levels, extra features as well as warranties all contributed in ranking each of the devices mentioned below. The power output and runtimes of the devices hold the most water since they determine what each generator can do. Below is a table showing products as well as their best qualities. After that, there are in-depth reviews of the same products and in the same order. Following that, we wrap it off with a buying guide as a bonus to help you with your decision making process.
From the quiet operation to consistent power, inverter generators are known for their impressive performance, and the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 is no exception. It is integrated with a 306cc engine which provides 14 hours of run time. The generator is built for safety, with a CO guard shut down tech which turns it off when harmful levels are noticed. The Q6500 features a compact design with a telescoping handle that makes moving around easy. It is also fitted with multiple outlets for powering many devices at a time.
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 generator is built for those who are looking for quiet operation. It is 60 percent quieter than standard generators, designed with a noise-reducing shell. The generator features an all-steel frame enclosed in a protective cover, which reduces the noise levels and protects the components of the gen.
Warranty: 3-year limited (residential), 1-year (commercial)
Next on the list is the Generac 7683 GP6500 conventional generator that you may have to spend your money on. This pick has a peak output of 8125 watts which is 40% higher than its usual power output. After all connected electrical appliances are turned on the device can revert to a 6500-watt output.
Also, if you’re running the generator at 50% capacity, it will keep providing power for a maximum of 11.5 hours. However, the load is often dependent on the number and type of appliances you have connected.
Another thing we like is the recoil pull start. It might not be the flashiest or the easiest to use. However, its reliability is something users can count on. Furthermore, this machine uses a Generac OHV 389cc as the basis for electricity production. This it couples with 7.9 gal fuel tank.
A generator that comes with safety features is also something that will likely last longer. The generator safety features in question are a carbon monoxide detector and low oil level shutdown. The former is ideal for generator use in closed rooms. Also, it might end up saving your life one day.
As for the low oil level shutdown, it is more like the machine protecting itself from damage. Another thing is the generator is enclosed inside a steel cradle. Finally, there are wheels and even a fold-down handle. These should be handy when moving the generator over short distances.
As for the Champion Power Equipment 100109, its inclusion in this list is no surprise. You can see that it is impressive in its outlets’ inclusion as (1) 120/240V AC 30A twist-lock, (2) 120V and AC 20A Duplex are all in the mix. When you start the device, the power output goes above and beyond what is expected of such a generator.
One thing the generator manufacturer does well is to ensure that all your electronics are well protected. We are sure that your home likely has some form of surge protection. However, an extra layer of the same when you’re using this device can’t hurt.
Another top feature is the Intelli-gauge. This little feature is responsible for keeping track of voltage and output. It can also help you maintain a strict maintenance schedule so you can keep the generator for longer.
Furthermore, there is a low oil shutoff sensor incorporated in this 6500W generator as well. The engine is thus well protected from damage that would accrue from using it without fuel.
What’s more, this generator comes with cold start technology. So long as you can pull the recoil cord, the machine will start even if temperatures are less than favorable.
There is also the 3-year warranty matter that seems supplemented by a lifetime of technical support with this generator purchase.
If you are looking to get an inverter type generator on a budget, this is the device for you. It is also the most affordable invention on our list. On starting the machine, you get a peak as well as a starting power output of 6500W. This later drops and is maintained at 5500 watts for the rest of the use period. The engine that makes this possible is the 15HP DHT engine. You would as well expect for such a high powered device to have multiple outlets and it does deliver on this front. These are also equipped with circuit breakers so you can rest easy knowing that your equipment is safe.
What is most impressive is the run time of 11 hours when it comes to providing power. It does this using 6.6 gallons of fuel; hence can also be considered to be fuel-efficient. You can expect the generator to shut down if it detects that fuel levels are below par. Once you have it in your home, the warranty covers you for two years. After that, you will have to cater to maintenance and repair out of pocket.
Inverter type generators seem to have a few advantages over other types of generators, and the HONDA EM6500SX isn’t one to disappoint. The first thing to take note of is the advanced iAVR that stands for intelligent automatic voltage regulator. You may find other generators misbehaving with regards to the voltage they send out, but as a result of the technology named above, the EM6500S will maintain a safe consistency. As such, there is little likelihood of a power surge that will end up causing damage even if the devices connected need more power than the generator can provide at that moment.
The device features electric start-up, so all you have to do is press a button, and it comes on. However, it may not always be dependable; hence, the manufacturer has also included a recoil starter in case the first option doesn’t pan out. Once started the device will give out 7000 watts for about 10 seconds. This is because starting up electric devices usually requires more power. After the stipulated 10 seconds output drops and normalizes at 6500 watts.
Noteworthy is a frame that has been incorporated for the enhanced protection of the generator from impact. Some of the components that make up the invention are somewhat fragile and hence need protecting. Also, you will note the presence of multiple outlets, thus an ability to connect various devices to the generator as well. If the need arises for you to move the equipment, you are probably going to appreciate the wheels and handles that are included.
Next up, we have an OHV engine powering up the generator, which is responsible for the high power output produced by the device. Even more powerful than the editor’s choice, you get 8125 watts of power on initial startup. Nonetheless, the device cannot maintain producing this charge for very long. Instead, it will normalize at the 6500 watts level after some time.
If you are wise, you will figure out a way to connect some of your devices at intervals. This way, you conserve energy, and as a result, the generator will last longer on a full tank of fuel. Consequently, if you are only using 50% of the power, the device can run continuously for up to ten hours.
Portability of the piece of equipment is maintained by the wheels incorporated so you can move the device to the shed and back to the house when you need to. As it stands, you will need 7.2 gallons of fuel to fill up the tank. Also, if you start using the device, it provides you with an alert for fuel levels at hourly intervals.
The outlets provided by the device also come with circuit breakers for the protection of both the generator and the devices connected. Similarly, the engine is protected from impact by a steel cradle outlining the shape of the generator. Starting the device is done manually, requiring you to pull the recoil cord, and after that, using the device is a breeze where it even shuts down when oil levels go below the required amount. This serves to protect the engine as well. As a result of all the above features, this is one of the best-rated 6500-watt generators
Warranty: 1-year limited
The Pulsar G65BN is another top-tier 6500W conventional generator to look into. As you can see, it produces less power than some of the other options listed. However, if you have the power load at 50%, you’ll find that this pick performs better in terms of runtime.
Backing the generator’s power production statistics is the 274cc OHV, 8 HP engine. This 4-stroke engine also happens to accept both LPG and gasoline as fuel.
Notably, the generator is more economical on fuel than other such conventional generators in its class. Also, the moment this relatively compact generator arrives at your doorstep, you’ll note the output sockets included.
There are a few 120-v outlets, a 1-30 amp RV outlet, and even an extra outlet for tools. Seemingly you are all sorted to connect your electrical appliances as soon as you have this product in your home.
Lastly, this is another generator that is started by you yanking the recoil cable. It may be a hassle, but you can always count on it to work.
It would be a mistake to think that selecting a 6500-watt generator is easy. There are multiple nuances to the selection process that if you get one wrong, you may end up with a device that doesn’t work for you. However, if you get everything right, your purchase may even have additional benefits to what you were expecting. For this to happen, we have provided the buying guide below, so you know everything you need to check for.
Owning a generator may be a necessity in some areas owing to the frequent storms and power outages that follow them. The 6500-watt generator is strong enough to power your home appliances until the power comes back on. This is inclusive of the fridge, TVs, microwaves, AC systems, and more. With more power-intensive appliances such as a fridge, you can power them for a while then unplug them so fuel can last longer. The generator can also be useful in an office setting provided, not that many devices are plugged in. As such, you can continue with your work even when the outside world is in darkness. But if you rather need a less powerful machine then there is a large variety of other generators, like for example, 5000-watt generators which have close characteristics to 6500-watt models, but there are even 1000-watt generators mostly meant for shorter trips and small gadgets to be charged.
If you want to tell apart a bad generator from a good one and a good generator from a great one, all you need is to look through the features. Most manufacturers will list the features included in each device on the package. This information is also freely available on vendor sites where the top-rated 6500-watt generators feature. As an authority vendor site, the same is true for Amazon, as well. Nevertheless, you may not fully comprehend what it means for a generator to be an inverter type over the conventional model. Also, you may need to differentiate between peak and rated watts.
These are all areas covered and explained below, so you know what each feature listed on a device entails and whether you need it or not.
Once you get familiar with generators, you will realize that inverter and conventional type generators are the two common types of generators in the market.
In an ideal situation, the conventional 6500-watt portable generator will have about 3600 rpm, which will then output 120 volts at a frequency of 60 hertz. However, conventional generators are not perfect and end up having less than the required rotations. This results in the fluctuation of energy produced. As such, if you plug in some devices such as laptops, phones, and cameras, you may risk damaging them as they require a more stable electric current.
An inverter generator is a bit different from the conventional one mentioned above. It has more components, as well. Once power is produced in an AC format, it is converted to a DC using a component known as the alternator. An inverter then follows up to turn the electricity back to AC. Because of these steps, the electricity produced by the device is much more stable, and you are better off using this for your smaller appliances. These also have the general advantage of being quieter than their counterparts in operation.
You will also note that some generators only work with a single type of fuel, whether diesel, gasoline, or any other. These are the single-fuel generators. Others are hybrids and may also be known as dual-fuel generators since they provide the same level of performance with different types of fuels.
While peak and rated watts are mentioned in the same breath, they mean different things.
Peak watt output is the highest power output that the device can provide. Rated watts means the output that the device will continuously provide under normal working conditions.
The most common type of engine to feature on the list is the (OHV) or overhead valve engine. These are often more compact than other types of engines, for instance, in comparison to OHC type engines. They also sometimes tend to be more powerful than their counterparts.
Fuel tank capacity generally tends to affect the runtime of the device directly. There are, of course, a few other factors involved, but the consensus is that the bigger the tank, the longer the runtime. With a big fuel tank and power economies like the one provided by the Generac 7683 GP6500, you can have as much as a 11.5-hour runtime at 50% load.
How many devices do you want to plug into your generator directly? Answering this question should give you an idea of how many outlets you need. More is also better where this category is concerned. However, most devices mentioned above max out at six outlets, with some options even having fewer.
Different 6500-watt portable generators have different starting mechanisms. Where a recoil starter is incorporated, you will have to start the generator manually. This is generally done by pulling on a starter rope or string and letting go. You also have the electric system that you can start up by pressing a button. Batteries are sometimes included to give the generator a starting jolt. These types of systems also often incorporate a recoil starter as a backup just in case the electronic startup fails. The remote start generator is as well just as the name suggests. You won’t have to go all the way to the location of the generator to start it up when you can do so from your current location.
As you can see, each of the devices mentioned above has a noise level rating. It is widespread for people to install such devices around their homes. As such, it is preferred that they buy as quiet a machine as possible to avoid being disturbed by the noise. Nevertheless, most of the inventions will feature a noise level of 66 dB and above, so it is up to you to find a way to work around this.
Of course, the size and weight are bound to be determining factors where the portability of the generator is concerned. Bigger is more often than not heavier and as a result, less portable. Nonetheless, most options come with wheels so you can have an easier time pushing them rather than carrying them. This is except for the Dirty Hand Tools 101092 generator.
This is yet another area where you have to be careful while checking. A commercial generator should have at least a year’s worth of warranty coverage, while residential use should feature twice that. Of course, if you have the option of a more extended warranty, you should go for it without fail.
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 easily made the top of our list, with high performance, a 14-hour running time, and technology to protect you from carbon dioxide buildup. The inverter generator can easily support multiple devices and electronics and is encased in a portable design. The Generac 7683 GP6500 is as well one of the higher-performing, higher power-producing devices on our list with a starting power of 8125 watts. You may like it as well for its large fuel tank, which is your right since you are more familiar with your needs than we are.
Another favorite is Champion Power Equipment 100109. It is impressive in its outlets’ inclusion and comes with cold start technology so it can work in different temperature conditions. In fact, each of the devices mentioned above may serve a specific need that others cannot fulfill; hence, it is up to you to choose the machine you end up purchasing. And please keep in mind that 6,500 watt generators are also being made by other respectable manufactures, like for example best Predator generators or Ryobi generators have lots to offer, so if you would like to extend the comparison in order to make the best choice, you are most welcome.
