There are some very high performing generator brands on the market. Unfortunately, they don’t all consider noise levels when designing their products. Many opt for all out power or maximum energy efficiency at the expense of a quiet running appliance. Yet, noise is an important consideration because most of us don’t live by ourselves.
We’re in close quarters on crowded streets and in busy trailer parks. We’re living within touching distance of neighbors’ homes. Sometimes, for their sake and our own, a quiet generator is the right choice. So, where can you get one?
Kipor is a great place to start if you’re looking to buy a quiet portable generator. The manufacturer has a reputation for quality, performance and longevity. Most of its generator models are designed with noise pollution in mind. Whether they’re used in residential neighborhoods or on construction sites, these devices are made to be unobtrusive.
A Quick Guide To Kipor Generators
Kipor is a Chinese manufacturer that has been operating for almost two decades. The company is based in China but its global presence has grown rapidly over the last ten years. Considering the fact twenty years is young in the generator industry – some rival manufacturers have existed for centuries – it’s remarkable to see Kipor enjoying so much success. It says a lot about the brand’s generators and their quality.
Kipor produces a variety of powerful machines including industrial grade engines, heavy construction equipment, construction tools and complete power systems as well as quiet portable generators. If it seems strange a company this accustomed to making big, noisy machines can produce quiet generators, well, you don’t know how much research and development goes into these products.
Kipor has over a hundred active patents out on its industrial machines, engines and other products. The maker considers itself an innovator, but do its quiet portable generators live up to this claim?
How Big of a Generator Do I Need?
This might seem like a complicated thing, but it’s actually not all that hard to calculate. The first thing to do is use the checklist we developed. It’s a step by step guide with instructions on how to use it and also explains the difference between running wattage and surge wattage–sometimes called starting wattage.
A typical home running the most commonly used appliances and devices requires between 3,000 and 6,500 watts (3 kW and 6.5 kW). Remember, this is a general range that’s based on an average home and average uses. Your needs may vary depending on your particulars, which is why it’s very important to carefully think through your specific situation.
The Best Kipor Quiet Portable Generators
Kipor IG1000P Digital Generator
Kipor’s popular IG1000P Digital Generator uses standard gasoline fuel to produce around 1000 watts of electricity. It is designed to be super lightweight for effortless carrying and easy setup. Finally, a generator that can be picked up and moved without launching into a full stretching routine to protect your back first.
The IG1000P weighs thirty pounds in total so it’s significantly lighter than a lot of other generators on the market. It’s also a little smaller but with 0.7 gallons of gas in the tank, users get a guaranteed four hours of power at full capacity. If using the generator on half power, expect around eight hours of juice.
While it’s never going to compete with a full sized industrial generator, that’s not really the point. The IG100P is made to suit lower capacity needs. It’s ideal for use on smaller construction sites, in trailer parks and on campsites. If you need portable power fast but not indefinitely, it’s a great choice.
Don’t forget, you can refill the generator as many times as required. Our estimate is four to five gallons of fuel to keep the machine running for longer than a day.
The Kipor IG1000P Digital Generator uses electronic inverter technology to create an AC current via the alternator component. It is then turned into DC electric. The last step is to ‘scrub’ the DC electric and turn it back into an AC current. It sounds a little overcomplex but it’s the standard way to produce safe power for household appliances like computers, refrigerators and television sets.
It has the added benefit of minimizing noise levels. The IG000P emits between 54 and 59 decibels depending on what capacity it is being used at and whether it is being operated indoors or outside. To put this in perspective, Kipor says users can easily have a full conversation with the generator buzzing fifteen feet away.
We will point out, it isn’t the quietest generator currently on the market. After taking into account things like efficiency and price, we still think it’s one of the best options. You could pick an even quieter device but it probably wouldn’t run as efficiently as this one, so the compromise is worth considering.
The Kipor IG000P portable generator includes two 120volt outlets compatible with any standard extension. You can plug in any household appliance you want from televisions to home computers, kitchen appliances and other small devices. Just be careful not to accidentally exceed the 1000watt limit. It’s there for a reason.
The Final Verdict
The Kipor IG000P quiet portable generator is a good choice for anybody looking for a generator to fulfil low to moderate energy needs.. The model is perfectly designed for campsites and RVs because it’s small and easy to carry. It’s also fully compliant with California’s CARB and EPA regulations.
Kipor IG3000 Inverter Generator
Kipor’s IG3000 Inverter Generator is significantly more powerful than its smaller, lighter IG000P model. In fact, it produces around three times more power. Users can expect approximately 2800 running watts and 3,000 surge watts from this device. Like the IG000P model, it relies on an inverter mechanism to create clean, safe power.
When we say ‘safe’ in this context, we mean the electricity produced has a lower harmonic dissonance. This makes it compatible with smaller appliances and household devices like fridges, TV sets and computers. These machines can be easily overloaded so use the right type of generator for your home or worksite.
According to Kipor, the IG3000 generator works for up to eight hours at full capacity. As is common with these products, you’re probably not going to get the full eight hours. It’s not impossible but these ratings tend to be demonstrated under very specific conditions. Depending on where and how you use the generator, you should have no trouble getting a minimum of seven hours on full which is still impressive.
While the IG000P can be connected to a second generator and made doubly powerful, this model does not offer that same feature. On the other hand, its power output and overall efficiency is already much higher. So, it isn’t any less capable. The most remarkable thing about this model is the fact it performs so robustly while producing no more noise than its smaller, lightweight rival.
Like the IG000P, its maximum noise output (when used at full capacity) is 59 decibels. It’s significantly less portable at a hefty 132 pounds. This is the compromise you make for its clever noise minimizing technology. Yes, it’s heavier. You certainly don’t want to carry the IG3000 generator around a camp or construction site. It’s probably less suitable for RVs because of this extra weight.
This is a common issue for almost all traditional style generators. Yet, most traditional generators are noisy and disruptive. The more powerful the model, the more racket it’s likely to produce. The low noise levels of the IG3000 generator are its unique selling point and enable it to stand out in a crowded market. We should mention the IG3000 comes with retractable wheels and a pull out handle. It’s still too heavy to be lugging around a worksite but they do make it easier to manoeuvre.
The IG3000 model provides a 30 amp twist lock receptable and a 120volt 20amp duplex receptable.
The Final Verdict
It’s a bit chunky and unwieldy compared to the IG000P generator we agree. We’ve still got a serious spot for the Kipor IG3000 model because it’s so quiet. It’s ideal for anybody on the hunt for an affordable, high efficiency power producer. There’s no reason it can’t be safely used on vehicles such as RVs and campervans. Lots of RV owners use much heavier generators than this.
Do be aware of the weight though and account for it if you’re keeping the IG3000 on a frequently used camping vehicle. Also, it’s not CARB compliant like the IG3000 generator. Keep this in mind when making your choice between the two models. Throughout most of California, non-compliant generators are not permitted. It’s worth doing some research and making sure you’re buying an authorized product.
The Final Word On Kipor Quiet Portable Generators
There are plenty of bigger, better known generator manufacturers out there than Kipor. However, the brand is growing in prominence and continues to put out high performing products. What we like best about the brand is its investment in research and development. The maker spends a great deal of time on testing as a way to fine tune its electric power producers. The result is a line of generators that do more than produce power efficiently. They’re designed to fit around regular routines and real, everyday needs.
It’s why we recommend Kipor if you’re looking for a smaller and more compact backup generator. The company offers customers a two year limited warranty on all generator products designed for domestic use. There is a one year warranty on models used for industrial and construction purposes. Both of the models featured are covered by a warranty.