Best Small Diesel Generator 2024 - Top 10 Picks

This is the ultimate buyer's guide to finding the right small diesel generator to suit your needs. We review the 10 best small diesel generator on the market so you know that your next decision will be a smart one!

When you're trying to select the good small diesel generator, there are a lot of factors to consider. This page has everything you need to know in one place.

This guide will help you avoid the pitfalls that come with researching small diesel generator.

You don't have to try out every small diesel generator to find one that meets your needs. After extensive research and hours of in-person tests, we've found the best small diesel generator to be DuroMax XP12000HX Dual Fuel Portable Generator-12000 Watt Gas or Propane Powered Electric Start w/CO Alert, 50 State Approved, Blue. There are a lot of sub-par products out there, but this product is one of the highest quality you'll find. Next best option is Westinghouse 12500 Watt Dual Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas and Propane Powered.

Choosing the small diesel generator can be a daunting task, especially if you're doing it for the first time. Here's what we recommend based on our extensive research. We've compiled a list of the highest rated small diesel generator. The following products are some of the best you can get right now.

List of Top 10 Small Diesel Generator

Review of Best Small Diesel Generator

1. DuroMax XP12000HX Dual Fuel Portable Generator-12000 Watt Gas or Propane Powered Electric Start w/CO Alert, 50 State Approved, Blue

  • With 12,000 watts of power, the XP12000HX Dual Fuel generator will keep your whole home running during a storm or power outage, while protecting your family from harmful fumes with CO Alert
  • Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of running your generator on either gasoline or propane. Propane is cost effective, clean-burning, fuel efficient, low maintenance, has a long shelf life, and is a readily-available fuel source.
  • Built using a powerful 457cc OHV DuroMax engine and features ALL COPPER WINDINGS designed to make your generator last for years.
  • The XP12000HX comes with a push button start, a front facing interface that allows you to change your fuel type in seconds, and a wide variety of outlets (including a transfer switch-ready 50 amp outlet)
  • The fully loaded power panel includes four 120V GFCI household outlets, one 120V 30AMP outlet, one 120/240V 30AMP twist-lock outlet, and a heavy-duty 120/240V 50AMP outlet making it transfer switch ready!

2. Westinghouse 12500 Watt Dual Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas and Propane Powered

  • 9500 Running Watts and 12500 Peak Watts (Gasoline); 8500 Running Watts, 11200 Peak Watts (Propane); Remote Start With Included Key Fob, Electric and Recoil Start; Up to 12 Hours of Run Time on a 6. 6 Gallon Fuel Tank With Fuel Gauge
  • Features Two GFCI 120V 5–20R Standard Household Receptacle, One Transfer Switch Ready 120V L14-30R, and One RV Ready 120/240V 14–50R; All Outlets Have Rubber Covers for Added Safety
  • Powered by a Heavy Duty 457cc Westinghouse 4-Stroke OHV Engine Featuring a Long-Lasting Cast Iron Sleeve With Automatic Low Oil Shutdown and Digital Hour Meter. VFT display gives you real time updates with the voltage output, frequency, and lifetime hours
  • Plug-and-Play: Comes With a Remote Start Key Fob, 12V Battery Charger, Oil, an Oil Funnel, a Tool Kit, and a User’s Manual to Get You Started Right Out of the Box (Minimal Assembly Required)
  • All Westinghouse Portable Generators are Functionally Tested in the Factory and May Contain Minimum Residual Oil and/or Fuel Odor; EPA Compliant; Backed by 3-Year Limited Service, Labor, and Parts Coverage with Nationwide Customer Service Network

3. WEN 3600-Watt Portable Inverter Generator, RV-Ready, Quiet and Lightweight with Fuel Shut Off (56360i)

  • 149cc engine generates up to 3600 surge watts and 2900 rated watts
  • Produces clean power to prevent damage to sensitive electronics such as smart phones, tablets and laptops
  • Ultralight body weighs in at a mere 46 pounds for easy transport and torage
  • Fuel shutoff maximizes the generator’s lifespan by using up the remaining fuel in the carburetor before shutting down
  • Includes two three-prong 120V receptacles, one TT-30R RV receptacle, one 12V DC receptacle, two 5V USB ports, and a three-year warranty

4. Futchoy 4 Stroke Diesel Engine Single Cylinder, 168F 196cc Single Cylinder Air Cooled Diesel Engine for Small Agricultural Machinery,Small Walking Tractor,Irrigation Red(3HP)

  • ✔【Strong Power】Its power is 2200w, and the speed can reach up to 3800r/min, 3HP providing you with strong power to ensure that your work can be completed quickly and easily.
  • ✔【Energy Saving】Optimize the fuel system and intake and exhaust systems to save energy and fuel.
  • ✔【Easy to Use】Compact structure, small size, light weight, easy to carry and convenient to use.
  • ✔【Fast Heat Dissipation】The alloy box body is strengthened and thickened, heat dissipation is fast, the oil temperature is low, and the weight is light.
  • ✔【Friendly Service】We has local warehouse to ship the goods via 3-7 days to you. If you have any questions, just contact us in any time and we will reply you within 24 hours.

5. GENMAX GM10500iETC Tri Fuel Inverter Generator,10500-Watt 458cc Tri Fuel Gasoline Propane Natural Gas Portable 50A Generator with Remote Start,Ideal for Home backup power.EPA &CARB Compliant

  • 【Strong Load Capacity】GM10500iETC has the maximum power among single cylinder silent inverter generator, the whole machine can work stably at 8500w running watts and 10500w starting watts on gasoline, 8000w running watts and 9500w starting watts on LPG, 6800w running watts and 8400w starting watts on Natural Gas, so large load starting current equipment, air compressor/blower/air conditioner can carry at one time.THD less than 3% perfect for sensitive equipments such as computer and cell phone.
  • 【Diversified functional control Panel】 Easy operation panel with remote start one-button start/electric start /ATS automatic control, etc., diversified configuration: equipped with 1X 120/240V AC 30A L14-30R Outlet,DC Cigarette Lighter Outlet: 12V DC 8.3A, 1X 120/240V AC 50A 14-50R Outlet,4X120V AC 20A 5-20R Outlet ,CO Alarm, Parallel Connectors,Battery Charging Port, overload reset switch and LED Light,Voltage transfer Switch can meet 120V/240V simultaneous use
  • 【Neutral Floating】For easy bonding, make it perfect for home standby back up power easy connect the house. Using our special Bonding Plug(Sold seperately) to change the neutral floating to neutral bonded status for portable use.
  • 【Tri-fuel selectivity】 Multi fuel choice can reduce the fuel shortage risk, gasoline and LPG, Natural Gas can be used.Fuel selector switch design patent, smooth operation, easy to use.
  • 【perfect protection devices】The whole machine is equipped with perfect protection devices, such as overload protection, thermal protection, overvoltage protection, undervoltage protection, overcurrent protection, short circuit protection, overspeed protection, etc., which greatly facilitates the user's operation and improves the reliability/safety of the whole machine;

6. WEN DF1100T 11,000-Watt 120V/240V Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Wheel Kit and Electric Start - CARB Compliant, Black

  • Switch between gasoline (11,000 surge watts, 8,300 running watt) and propane (9,500 surge, 7,500 running) with the simple turn of the selection dial
  • Voltage easily goes from 120V to 240V, perfect for transfer switches and emergency backup
  • Electric start powers the 457cc 4-stroke OHV engine with the turn of a key
  • 6.6-gallon tank provides up to 8.5 hours of half load run time
  • Includes four 120V GFCI outlets (5-20R), a 120V 30A twist lock outlet (L5-30R), a 120V/240V 50A outlet (NEMA 14-50R), a 12V DC cigarette-lighter-style plug, a bottle of oil, a 47-inch LPG connection hose, and a two-year warranty

7. Westinghouse 15000 Peak Watt Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start with Auto Choke, Transfer Switch Ready 30A & 50 Outlets, Gas Powered

  • 12000 Running Watts and 15000 Peak Watts; Electric Start and Remote Start with Included Key Fob; Up to 11 Hours of Run Time on a 10. 5 Gallon Fuel Tank With Fuel Gauge
  • Features Two GFCI 120V 5–20R Standard Household Receptacles, One 120V L5-30R Outlet, One Transfer Switch Ready 120V L14-30R, One RV Ready 120/240V 14–50R, and Two 5V USB Ports; All Outlets Have Rubber Covers for Added Safety
  • Powered by the Ultra Duty 713cc OHV V-Twin Westinghouse Engine Featuring a Long-Lasting Cast Iron Sleeve With Automatic Low Oil Shutdown and Digital Hour Meter
  • Plug-and-Play: Comes With a Remote Start Key Fob, 12V Battery Charger, Oil, an Oil Funnel, a Tool Kit, and a User’s Manual to Get You Started Right Out of the Box (Minimal Assembly Required)
  • All Westinghouse Portable Generators are Functionally Tested in the Factory and May Contain Minimum Residual Oil and/or Fuel Odor; EPA Compliant; Backed By 3-Year Limited Service, Labor, and Parts Coverage and Nationwide Customer Service Network

8. WEN DF475T Dual Fuel 120V/240V Portable Generator with Electric Start Transfer Switch Ready, 4750-Watt, CARB Compliant

  • Switch between gasoline (4750 surge watts, 3800 running watt) and propane (4350 surge, 3500 running) with the simple turn of the selection dial
  • Voltage easily goes from 120V to 240V, perfect for transfer switches and emergency backup
  • Electric start powers the 224cc 4-stroke OHV engine with the turn of a key
  • 4-gallon tank provides up to 11 hours of half load run time
  • Includes two 120V GFCI outlets (5-20R), a 120V/240V NEMA 30A twist lock (L14-30R), a 12V DC cigarette-lighter-style plug, a bottle of oil, a wheel and handle kit, a 47-inch LPG connection hose, and a 2-year warranty

9. Westinghouse 2550 Peak Watt Super Quiet & Lightweight Portable Inverter Generator, RV Ready 30A Outlet, Gas Powered, CO Sensor, Parallel Capable, Long Run Time,Blue

  • 2550 Peak Watts and 1800 Rated Watts at Less Than 3% THD – Weighs Only 42.4 Lbs. – Gas Powered – One RV Ready TT-30R Outlet, Two 120V 20 Amp Outlets, and Two USB Outlets
  • Great Choice for Home Use as an Emergency Backup in a Power Outage – Strong Enough to Run All Your Home Essentials – Featuring Automatic Low Oil and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Shutdown
  • Extremely Quiet, Extremely Fuel Efficient: As Low As 52 dBA Noise Output and Up to 12 Hours of Run Time on a 1.16 Gallon Gas Tank – Features “Economy Mode” for Maximum Fuel Efficiency
  • Led Data Center: Rotating Digital Display Shows Fuel Level, Power Output, Remaining Run Time, and Voltage Output
  • All Westinghouse Portable Generators are Functionally Tested in the Factory and May Contain Minimum Residual Oil and/or Fuel Odor; EPA Compliant; Backed By 3-Year Limited Service, Labor, and Parts Coverage and Nationwide Customer Service Network

10. Cummins Onan P4500I Inverter Portable Generator

  • Dependable 7.3 HP 224cc OHV 4-Stroke engine
  • Parallel capable with another P4500 inverter generator to reach 50A of power
  • Two 5V USB ports for charging sensitive electronics such as phones or tablets
  • RV and camper ready with 30A TT-30R outlet
  • Push button and remote start with pull cord backup

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Add Comment