Inverter Generator Vs. Generator: Which Is Best for Home Use?

With extreme weather events like hurricanes, heatwaves, and blizzards becoming the “new normal,” the threat of blackouts and extended power outages has never been greater.

Even if you live in an area where utility-grid power has traditionally been reliable, aging infrastructure, growing demand, and unforeseen natural disasters like the California wildfires put your family’s energy security at risk. 

If you’re concerned about what happens when the lights go out, a portable or standby generator can be an invaluable addition to your home.

But with so many options on the market — including inverters and solar generators — what kind of genny should you get?

Read on to find out.

What Is an Inverter Generator?

Like traditional generators, inverters run on fossil fuels like diesel, natural gas, and propane, but they have numerous advantages over conventional internal combustion generators in specific applications.

However, inverter generators are considerably more expensive than traditional generators (on average), and depending on your use case, the benefits may not outweigh the higher price.

What sets inverters apart from traditional generators and why the sticker shock?

Is it worth the extra outlay?

And how do inverters work?

How Does an Inverter Generator Work?

Like traditional generators, inverters rely on an automatic or manual starter and internal combustion engine that burns fossil fuels like gas or propane to create chemical energy. 

The engine rotates a shaft known as the “prime mover,” converting chemical energy into potential + kinetic energy (mechanical power).

The mechanical power passes through an electromagnetic alternator (gen-set), transforming mechanical energy into alternating current (AC) electricity.  

So far, the basic process is the same, not just for conventional and inverter generators but for virtually all mechanical devices that rely on Faraday’s Law to produce electricity using motion and magnetism — from the steam engine to wind turbines.  

Where inverters differ from traditional generators is what happens next.

Instead of outputting AC power through a voltage regulator (AVR) for immediate use, inverter generators use additional components to condition the power — making it less “dirty” and achieving additional benefits.

The inverter converts the raw AC power into direct current (DC) electricity and back to AC again prior to output.

The AC-DC-AC conversion process significantly reduces total harmonic distortion (THD), providing much “cleaner” power.

“Clean power” in this context is unrelated to greenhouse gases, climate change, and renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.

THD measures fluctuations in current and potentially dangerous voltage drops and surges, which can damage sensitive electronic equipment like computers and many household appliances.

The electricity output from traditional generators typically has THD levels of 25% or higher, making it unsuitable for many household applications — and way too dirty for computers and data storage devices.  

By inserting an inverter into the power chain, THD can be reduced to about 1%, resulting in a much cleaner AC output that’s safe for most precision electronics.

Inverters offer more than just clean power.

Inverter generators are quieter than conventional models and more fuel efficient under light to medium loads.

Traditional generators can only operate at full throttle.

For example, if you run a traditional 2000W generator for 3 hours but only use 1kWh of electricity per hour, you’ll burn the same amount of fuel to generate 3kWh of power as you would to generate 6kWh. 

Inverter generators throttle, meaning that if you only need 50% of the total output capacity, it will automatically consume enough fuel to produce the required electricity. 

In the above example, an inverter would burn half the fuel of a conventional generator while producing the same amount of power over the same period of time.

Fuel cost savings add up quickly and may justify an inverter’s higher price tag.

However, it’s essential to understand that you only achieve higher energy efficiency under light-to-medium loads.

The closer you get to the maximum AC output capacity of the generator, the less savings on fuel costs you’ll achieve.

In other words, a 5000W inverter operating at 100% capacity will burn more or less the same amount of fuel as a 5000W traditional generator under the same conditions.

Inverter Generator Pros

• Greater fuel efficiency than conventional generators under low-to-medium electrical loads
• Significantly quieter, especially at 25% – 50% load. 
• Clean power suitable for most sensitive electronics

What Is a Traditional Generator?

A traditional portable or standby generator also burns fossil fuel to produce electricity but requires fewer components than an inverter generator.

Fewer parts mean lower prices, but conventional generators lack the numerous benefits of inverters. 

Traditional generators are the most fuel-efficient when operating at a full electrical load.

Unlike inverter generators, they lack the ability to throttle, meaning they’ll burn the same amount of fuel regardless of electricity consumption. 

For example, if you run a 10kW generator for 8 hours but only use 5kW of electricity per hour, 40kWh of power — as fuel — goes to waste.  

Fuel costs add up quickly if you consistently run the generator below 75% of its maximum output capacity.

Conventional generators are also LOUD — about 10 decibels louder than inverter generators with the same output capacity.

Traditional gas generators DO perform better than inverters in many use cases, particularly when high power output is required, including:

• Construction sites with heavy machinery and industrial tools
• Large-scale events
• Emergency backup for large buildings like apartment blocks and hospitals

Because of their simpler design, conventional generators are often easier and less expensive to repair, a significant consideration if they’ll see heavy-duty use. 

How Does a Generator Work?

Traditional generators and inverter generators produce electricity in fundamentally similar ways.

However, generators without inverters have a much simpler design and few (if any) complex electronic components.

Regardless of fuel type, generators have the following components in common.

• Fuel Tank
• Fuel Line
• Carburetor/Fuel Injector
• Spark Plug (Starter)
• Piston, Cylinder, Connecting Rod
• Crankshaft
• Alternator
• Rotor, Stator
• Voltage Regulator
• Control Panel

The electricity generation process is the same for traditional generators and inverters — up to a point.

Here are the steps.

1. Combustion: The starting mechanism ignites fuel and air, which burns in the engine to create mechanical energy.
2. Rotation: The piston, cylinder, and connecting rod convert linear into rotational motion to power the alternator.
3. Electromagnetic Induction: The alternator converts rotational energy into alternating current (AC) electricity.
4. AC Output: The voltage regulator conditions the power and outputs it for immediate use.

With conventional generators, this is the point where the power generation and delivery process ends.

All of the benefits of inverter generators vs traditional generators come from subsequent steps made possible by additional components (including the inverter itself) which convert raw AC to DC electricity and back to AC again, “cleaning it up” before output.

Conventional generators don’t have an inverter, and that’s where inverter generators get their name.

Traditional generators output “dirty power,” meaning it’s subject to fluctuations in voltage and current, which can damage or destroy sensitive electronic devices and appliances.

However, many applications — like construction sites — don’t require “clean power” to get the job done.  

For whole-home generator applications, the raw AC output requires conditioning from separate components before it can power your home.

Traditional Generator Pros

• More power output for the price
• Simple design
• Greater surge power capacity (starting watts)
• Durability
• Easy to repair
• Better for extremely high power output applications like construction sites

Generator Fuel Types

There are several generator fuel types commonly used for residential applications. 

The best choice depends primarily on how you plan to use the generator.

If you’re looking to run power tools in a workshed that doesn’t have access to grid electricity, a portable generator that runs on gas or propane (LPG) — or both — is likely the best choice.

However, if you want a standby generator that can power your home in a blackout, a natural gas or solar generator is a superior choice. 

Here is a summary of the different generator fuel types with a use case for each.

Natural Gas Generators

Natural gas is the most widely used fuel type for home standby generators in the United States.

It has numerous advantages for standby applications, including:

• Availability from utility providers in most areas
• No on-site fuel storage
• Cleaner than gas or diesel
• No need to refill or monitor fuel levels
• Quieter than diesel
• Lower cost

If available, natural gas is generally the best fossil fuel choice for standby generators.

However, it requires permanent installation and connection to gas mains to work.

Unlike whole-house solar generators, they are not suitable for portable applications.

Diesel Generators

Diesel generators offer the most power output by size and are often used in industrial and commercial applications.

However, diesel is rarely used for portable or home standby generators.

Gasoline

Portable gas generators are extremely common, and many inverters also run on gasoline.

The primary benefit of gas over other fuels is its ubiquity — you can buy it wherever you fill up your car.

Gasoline is rarely used for standby or high-power output applications due to its high cost and low energy density compared to other fuels.

Not only that, gas “goes bad” quickly.

It’s not suitable for long-term storage in a tank big enough to power a home.

Propane Generators

Propane (LPG) is the second most commonly used fuel for standby generators and is an increasingly popular choice for portable and inverter generators.

It offers numerous advantages over gasoline, including:

• Safety
• Longer shelf life — doesn’t degrade over time
• Less toxic fumes and emissions
• More environmentally friendly
• Fewer maintenance requirements

Dual Fuel Generators 

Dual-fuel models are portable generators (typically with an inverter) that run on gas and/or propane.

The primary benefit of dual fuel generators is that you get the convenience and availability of gas with the better performance of LPG.

Having the option to use either fuel type enhances your energy security — if you run out of propane, gas can be easier to come by in many locations. 

EcoFlow Smart Generator 4000 (Dual Fuel) pairs with the DELTA Pro 3 portable power station to give you even more energy independence. 

DELTA Pro 3 offers multiple charging options, including solar panels, grid power, 800W alternator adapter, and gas or propane generators. 

Its seamless integration with Smart Generator 4000 provides the ultimate standby generator for essential home backup.  

Solar Generators

Solar generators don’t require an internal combustion engine to produce electricity and burn no fossil fuels.

Instead, solar panels use the photovoltaic effect to generate electricity by converting sunlight into electricity and storing the direct current (DC) in a portable power station or solar battery.

PV modules — like solar panels and shingles — use photovoltaic cells — typically made of monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon — to harvest photons from visible light.

Like most inverters or conventional generators, solar generators have all the required balance of system components built-in — except for the fuel tank.

But in this case, the “fuel” is clean, renewable solar power — and it’s free.

Solar panels plug directly into a portable power station comprised of the following primary components.

• Solar inverter
• Solar battery
• Charge controller
• Battery management system

Whole house solar generators like EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra integrate with your home’s circuit board and wiring using Smart Home Panel 2 or a transfer switch.  

Solar generators are also ideal for portable outdoor and indoor applications—from camping to backing up a home office and essential appliances to whole-home standby. 

Unlike inverters and traditional generators, portable power stations are whisper-quiet and 100% safe for indoor use.   

Inverter Generator vs. Generator: What’s the Difference?

Parameter*	Inverter Generators	Generators
Fuel efficiency	Greater efficiency, especially under low-to-medium load	Only efficient at 75% – 100% of maximum output
Operating Noise	Quieter operation. 60 – 65 dB at 25%-50% load	Loud. 74 – 78dB at 25% – 50% load. 85dB at maximum output
Power Quality	Clean power. Suitable for sensitive electronics	Dirty power, may damage or destroy precision electronics
Heavy Electrical Load	Inverter benefits diminish as consumption nears maximum capacity. Functions best under 25% – 60% load	Better value and performance for regular use under heavy loads (80% – 100%)
High Wattage Applications	Best for applications requiring under 10kW of output	Better value and performance for applications of above 10-12kW
Portability	Smaller and lighter for portable applications (based on similar output)	Heavier and bulkier
Safety	MUST not be used indoors	MUST not be used indoors
Price	More expensive	50% cheaper on average

* Head-to-head comparison based on generators with similar output in kilowatts (kW)

Fuel Efficiency

For most buyers, fuel efficiency is the primary advantage of inverters over conventional generators.

Both burn fossil fuels to generate electricity, but inverter generators consume far less to produce the required output wattage under light to medium loads.

The lighter the load, the more stark the difference gets.

For example, a 10kW inverter generator operating at 25% capacity consumes approximately 75% less fuel than a conventional standby generator.

If you use your generator regularly, the fuel savings can be enormous and quickly outweigh the additional cost of purchasing an inverter generator instead of a less expensive conventional option.

However, if you rarely use the generator and keep it for standby use only, estimate whether better fuel efficiency is worth the higher price.

When weighing the costs vs. benefits, it’s essential to understand that most of an inverter generator’s energy efficiency advantage comes from throttling consumption to match electricity demand.

As you approach the maximum AC output, the difference in fuel consumption diminishes until it more or less matches that of a traditional generator.

If you routinely run your inverter at 80% capacity or above, fuel efficiency may not justify the higher price.

At full throttle, there will be no meaningful difference between an inverter and a conventional generator with a similar output in kilowatts (or the equivalent in kilovolt-amperes (kVa).

Inverters are specifically designed for variable output with periods of light-to-medium load. 

While they are intended to operate at full throttle for short periods, consistently running them at maximum output will likely shorten the generator’s lifespan and negatively impact performance.

If you plan to max out your generator regularly, consider buying a conventional model or solar generator instead.   

(Source: Hearing Health Foundation)

Operating Noise

At  50% output capacity, the average inverter generator produces about 60 – 65 decibels (dB) of operating noise, measured from a distance of 23 feet. 

A traditional generator with similar specs produces 74 – 78dB at 25% – 50% load. 

Both types of generators will become louder when approaching maximum output capacity, but the difference will be greater with an inverter since conventional models run at a constant speed (3600 RPM).

Fossil fuel generators commonly produce up to 85dB of operating noise at 100% capacity — as loud as city traffic inside a car.

Solar generators like EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max can run at 30dB — quiet enough to put in a bedroom. 

Dirty vs. Clean Power

Traditional generators output raw alternating current (AC) electricity — “dirty” power unsuitable for operating precision electronics.

Voltage drops, spikes, and fluctuations in current can damage or destroy computers, hard drive storage, gaming consoles, and other sensitive devices.

Total harmonic distortion (THD) is a measure of power quality, with 0% being the cleanest.

Conventional generators output AC with +/-25% THD, while inverters can achieve THD levels of >1%. 

Opt for an inverter generator if you want to power your home office, entertainment system, or anything else that’s susceptible to damage from dirty power.

If an inverter doesn’t supply enough power, you’ll have to purchase additional components to “clean up” the output from a standby generator. 

Heavy Electrical Loads

Inverters offer the most benefits when operating under light to medium electrical loads — under 60%.

The closer an inverter gets to its maximum output, the less effective the engine’s throttling is at increasing fuel efficiency.

Inverters are designed to output their maximum rated capacity for short periods, not to run at full tilt all the time.

A conventional generator is the better option if you plan on regularly operating your generator at 75% capacity or higher.

High-Wattage Applications

Traditional generators are preferable for large-scale projects, such as construction sites with industrial tools and emergency backups for commercial buildings and hospitals.

Until recently, inverter generators maxed out at about 5kW of power output.

There are now 10kW standby inverter generator options but at a hefty price.

For high-wattage applications over 10kW, you’re better off with a conventional generator or a hybrid solar system like EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra, which can provide up to 21.6kW of continuous output.

Size and Weight

Because of their sophisticated electronic circuitry, inverters use a smaller engine to output the same wattage as traditional generators.

A smaller and lighter alternator can also be used thanks to the rectifier used in the AC-DC-AC conversion process.

Additionally, inverters typically don’t run at full throttle all the time, whereas conventional generators must use cast metal parts to protect against damage from operating at a constant rate.

Overall, inverters win out over conventional generators where portability is a concern.

Price

Increased fuel efficiency, quieter operation, and portability come at a cost.

On average, inverters cost about 50% more than a conventional generator with the same fuel type and electricity output (kilowatts or kilovolt-amps).

Depending on your use case, the higher price tag may offer a better return on investment over the mid-to-long term — and that’s just in fuel costs.

On the other hand, if you’re going to be using the generator regularly at full throttle, you may not see much benefit.

Carefully evaluate your purchase decision based on your use case… 

Don’t just assume that the more sophisticated technology is the best choice.  

(Source: CPSC)

Safety

With or without inverters, propane and natural gas generators tend to be safer than gas or diesel.

The essential thing to remember about safety is this:

No generator that burns fossil fuels can be operated indoors or near doors and windows.

Despite producing fewer harmful emissions, running an inverter generator inside can quickly cause serious injury or death.

People die from improper use of gas generators every year.

Inverter and conventional generators must be operated a minimum of 21 feet away from your home.

In many locations, the use of portable and standby generators in residential areas is strictly regulated — or even prohibited.

On the other hand, solar generators are 100% safe for indoor and sheltered outdoor use.

Always check the rules before making a purchase…

And be safe!

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Inverter generators and traditional generators have far more in common than you might have been led to believe by marketing and hype.

Neither one is the hands-down favorite for home use.

Inverters have many benefits for portable off-grid applications — like camping or RVing.

Standby inverters may be beneficial depending on numerous factors, particularly the ratio of how much electricity you must consume to operate your home vs. the generator’s maximum output capacity.

For many households, a hybrid solution like EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 + Smart Generator 4000 (Dual Fuel) offers the best of both worlds.

EcoFlow offers a wide variety of portable and standby generators with multiple charging options, including gas, propane, grid power, and solar.

Check out our selection today.