Standby and Portable Generators: How Loud are They?

Although standby generators often save the day by automatically kicking on and providing power when the electric utility supply is interrupted, the noise associated with an internal combustion engine is often unfavorable. 

Many communities within the city limits have noise regulations that apply to air conditioning units as well as standby generators and other noisy machines. Even many campgrounds have noise restrictions for campers’ portable generators. But modern standby and portable generators aren’t as loud as people often think, and generators today are actually designed with residential/campground noise restrictions in mind. 

Noise is measured in Decibels (dB), and, for reference, the average central air conditioner installed is around 70 dB. There are plenty of standby generator as well as portable generator options available that are rated at less than 70 dB.  

Quiet Standby Generators

A few of the top quiet standby generators are:

Generac’s Guardian line, which produces 66dB. 

Cummins’ Quiet Connect line, which produces 65dB. 

Briggs & Stratton’s Fortress line, which produces 64dB. 

Quiet Portable Generators

Some of the top-rated portable generators for quietness are: 

Cummins’ Onan P2500i, which is double insulated to be both quiet and durable. It’s rated at 52 dB. 

Honda’s EU2000i, which is rated at 53dB.

Generac’s iQ2000, which is rated at 53dB. 

Briggs & Stratton’s P2200, which is rated at 59dB. 

When using a generator around neighbors and other people, you want to make sure to keep in mind the noise level. Nobody wants to be that annoying neighbor with the loud generator that keeps everyone up at night. 

Thankfully, these super quiet generators are perfect for keeping your home powered or for things like camping and tailgating. They won’t upset your neighbors, and these generators are all quiet enough for nighttime use. 

If you’re interested in a standby or portable generator but aren’t sure where to start, give us a call at 501-315-7213. We’ll be more than happy to help you pick out the generator that’s perfect for your lifestyle!