6 Best Remote Start Generators for 2020 (Reviews)
When considering a
portable generator with remote start, you might wonder whether this function is
crucial. In my opinion, the ability to turn the generator ON/OFF remotely is a
game-changer, especially when there’s snow, ice, or a storm outside. It is a satisfying
experience when RV-ing, hunting, tailgating, and camping too.
In today’s article, I’ve
prepared the 6 best remote start generator reviews in 2020. If you’re not
exactly sure what to look for when buying a generator with remote start, I’ve
prepared a short and precise buying guide below just for you. Let’s dive in.
Our Top Picks
What to Consider
Before Buying a Remote Start Generator
Power needs
A generator that doesn’t
meet your power needs is merely useless. That’s why it’s critical to determine
how much power your appliances and tools will require and then go for a
generator that meets that load. As a rough idea, a generator with 5000-7500
watts should be able to run the most essential household equipment, including
refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, and lighting circuits simultaneously. For
RVing, a generator in the 3000-4000-watt ballpark should work just fine. For
camping and tailgating, consider an engine with a rated output of around 2000
watts.
Type of Fuel
Most generators with
remote start use gasoline, but some also offer an option to use a 20-pound
propane tank. These dual-fuel engines are particularly lifesavers in areas
where gas stations are regularly affected during intense weather, such as
hurricanes and tornadoes.
Runtime
Runtime refers to how
long the generator runs before the need for a refill. A generator that runs for
a long time before the next refill minimizes your movements to and from the
power house. This complements the main idea behind the remote start technology.
When comparing remote controlled generators in terms of runtime, pay attention
to the power load (quarter load or half load) and the size of the gas tank too.
Number and type of
outlets
A 20 amp outlet for
household appliances comes standard with all generators. However, if you’re
looking for a remote start generator for RV, don’t forget to match its outlet
to your recreational vehicle’s service. For instance, if your recreational
vehicle uses a 30 amp service, a generator with a 30 amp outlet will make more
sense since there won’t be the need for adapters. Again, a generator with a 12v
DC outlet as well as USB ports adds to its overall versatility.
Noise
A noisy generator can be
an irritant for you and your neighbors at home and in camping grounds. In that
case, consider the quietest generator within your budget. Preferably, go for
model in the 50-65 dB range.
Budget
With generators, the
major price determinant is the power output. High-power generators are fitted
with bigger engines, and this definitely takes the price tag higher. The
features on the generator also contribute to its overall cost. So, begin by
determining how much you want to spend and then consider the generator that
meets your power needs while offering all your desired features.
Best Remote Start
Generators Reviews
Champion 100573
4000-watt Hybrid Generator
https://www.amazon.com/Champion-4000-Watt-Inverter-Wireless-Remote/dp/B07KQ41H9Q/
My first recommendation
in these remote start generator reviews is a hybrid. This means that it
combines the tough construction design of traditional open flame generators
with the convenience of inverter technology.
The Champion 100573
employs a 224cc engine that boasts an impressive surge power of 4000 watts and
3500 running watts. It also has pretty much all the outlets that you’d ever
wish for in a generator, including a 120v 30A TT-30R, two 120v 5-20R household
outlets, a 12v DC port, and two USB adapters.
This power output plus
the available ports make this generator an incredible consideration whether you
plan to use it at home or for your outdoor adventures. The inverter technology,
on the other hand, ensures that you get clean energy (less than 3% THD), which
is safe for your ultra-sensitive devices.
Economic wise, the
Champion 100573 is quite efficient considering that it can run for at least 17
hours at quarter load from its 2.9-gallon tank. Of course, the runtime will be
much shorter at 100% load, but it’s still incredible for such a powerful
generator.
Its remote start signal
sensitivity is rated at 80 yards and the noise level at around 64 dBA. Albeit
heavy at 96.80 lbs, moving this generator is relatively easy thanks to its
foldable handle and rugged wheels.
Worth noting, this
generator’s remote sensor shuts off after 12 hours of inactivity. Yes, this
function may be inconveniencing at times, but it does a great job at saving the
battery.
Pros
Plenty of power
Fairly low noise level
Long runtime
Handles higher attitudes
nicely
Cons
Remote start sensor
shuts after 12 hours
Westinghouse WGen7500
Portable Generator
https://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-WGen7500-Portable-Generator-Electric/dp/B01N80F68E/
For just a couple
hundred dollars over what the Champion above costs, the Westinghouse WGen7500
offers you a much bigger engine with almost double power output.
This generator uses a
420cc engine capable of outputting a whopping 9500 watts of surge power before
settling at 7500 running watts. This is more than enough juice for most
mid-sized homes and it actually ships transfer switch-ready. It also makes
perfect sense if you want a portable generator with remote start to run a
couple of power tools concurrently at a construction site.
With a noise level
rating of 74 dB, this 192-pound heavy generator may be a tad noisier for most
RV campgrounds and tailgating parties. However, if you have a way of dampening
the noise, there’s no shortage of the appliances that you can keep humming with
the WGen7500 even in a large recreational vehicle.
This is a gasoline-only
generator and it has a 6.6-gal tank. Starting with a full tank, you’ll be
getting a runtime of around 16 hours at quarter load and approx. 10 hours at
half load.
Another unique of the
Westinghouse WGen7500 is its data center. This is a small LED panel that shows
you the voltage, noise level, and remaining runtime.
Its control panel is
graced by a 120/240V 30A L14-30R and two 120v 20A 5-20R duplex ports with
covers. Note that this generator does not have a 12v DC battery charger port or
USB adapter.
Pros
Relatively affordable
Lots of power
Versatile usage
Data center
Cons
No DC battery charger
Loud
Champion 75537i 3100w
Inverter Generator
The Champion 755371i is
a very popular generator with RVers, tailgaters, and campers due to its
excellent portability and remarkably quiet performance.
This generator boasts
3100 peak watts and 2800 continuous wattage. Coupled with a 30A RV outlet, this
is enough power to run a 13,500 BTU AC alongside other low-power appliances in
a recreational vehicle. You won’t have any problems powering most of your
devices when camping and tailgating too using the 20A household outlet, 12v DC
charger, and dual USB ports.
This unit is
gasoline-powered and has a 1.6-gallon tank. Starting with a full tank, the
manufacturer states that it’s capable of running for up to 8 hours before the
next refill at quarter load. Considering the size of the fuel reservoir, you
might want to carry extra gallons of gas if you plan to run this generator all
day.
The other aspect that
makes this one of the best remote start generators 2020 is its 58 dBa noise
level. I also value its compact size, the foldaway u-shape handle, and
‘forever’ tires that guarantee excellent mobility.
Pros
Incredibly quiet
Compact and super
portable
Quick touch panel
Cons
Quite heavy
Can get loud at max
power output
Westinghouse iGen4500DF
Inverter Generator
My next pick in these
remote start generator reviews is in a class of its own in that it can use
gasoline or propane. This is what makes it a go-to generator for most
homeowners when preparing for emergencies.
The Westinghouse
iGen4500 is a relatively compact generator measuring 24.5 by 17.5 by 20 inches.
As such, it should be easy to take it on your RV expeditions, camps, and even
hunting and archery adventures.
This is a notably
powerful model fitted with a 224 cc inverter technology engine. At 100% engine
speed, this generator is capable of outputting 4500 watts of peak power and
3700 rated watts when running of gas. Since this is an inverter technology, you
can always tweak the engine speed to generate just enough power for your load,
thereby saving on fuel.
Speaking of fuel, this
generator is extremely fuel efficient and can afford a runtime of up to 18
hours with its 3.4-gallon gas tank full.
What I find even more
interesting with the Westinghouse iGen4500DF is its sophisticated LED data
center. This is an automatic digital display that shows you the remaining
runtime, current power output, fuel level (liters), voltage, and lifetime run
hours.
Pros
Dual fuel
Informative LED data
center
Relatively quiet
Fuel-saver
Cons
On the heavier side
Pulsar PG4000Isr Remote
Start Generator
https://www.amazon.com/Pulsar-Gas-Powered-Generator-Capability-PG4000iSR/dp/B07CKP18B5/r
The Pulsar uses a 224 cc
OHV engine with a rated wattage of 3500w and 4000 peak watts. It comes ready
for your recreational vehicle credit to its 30A RV outlet. You can also use it
as an emergency power backup at home and even use it to power a small
construction site. Its other outlets include two 120v 20A ports, one 12v 8A DC
charger, and one 5v USB outlet devices, such as phones, cameras, and drones.
Regarding fuel economy,
this generator promises up to 15 hours of runtime at 50% load from its 3.4-gal
tank. It’s quite a fuel-saver compared to other generators in its price range.
Note that this generator’s 63 dB of noise is among the highest in these reviews
although it’s annoyingly loud.
As with most inverter
generators with remote start, this model is notably heavy. It weighs around
92.6 lbs without fuel and tends to get even heavier with gas. Portability isn’t
an issue, though, thanks to its telescopic handles and never-flat wheels.
Pros
Fairly priced
Longer runtime
Handles loads smoothly
Cons
Relatively loud
Whinny when idle
Firman P03603 Portable
Generator
https://www.amazon.com/Firman-P03603-Portable-Generator-Certified/dp/B01FY9DANK/
If you’re looking for a
powerful yet affordable remote start generator, the Pulsar PG4000iSR could make
an incredible purchase. This is a relatively inexpensive open flame generator
judging from the amount of power that it outputs plus the features that it is
endowed with.
One of the things that I
like about this Firman powerhouse is its relatively higher power output.
Boasting 4550 peak watts and 3650 continuous watts, this generator is a steal
for the price that it comes at.
Another thing that
caught my attention with this generator is its longer runtime compared to most
traditional generators. The FIrman P03603 has a 5-gallon tank with which it
offers up to 14 hours of runtime. Now, this isn’t the most fuel efficient
generator in these reviews. But it’s still a good performer compared to the
competition. The thing here is that you won’t be needing to refuel the
generator often.
If you’re coming from a
super loud old generator, this model’s 68 dB noise level might surprise you.
Albeit a bit higher than the inverters in these reviews, most people report
that they can run it overnight without it being bothersome whether at home or
in RV campgrounds.
It’s worth noting that
this generator will require light assembly after delivery. This involves
installing the wheels and handles and attaching the battery wires. The best
bit, however, is that all the necessary tools and instructions are included in
the package and pretty much anyone can do it.
Pros
Affordable
Breeze to use
Relatively fuel efficient
Easy to maneuver
Cons
May be a little louder
for inverter lovers
Not pure sine
Product Comparison Table
What is a remote start
generator and how does it work?
This is a generator with
a remote start system. Similar to the remote start function in your vehicle,
this system allows you to turn the generator ON and OFF at the comfort of your
house or recreational vehicle using a key fob.
These generators have a
kit connected to the engine’s ignition switch. When you press the start button
on the key fob or remote control, a signal is sent to the ignition switch
through radio frequencies, thereby starting the generator.
Benefits of wireless
remote start generators
Adds to your safety
during bad weathers
When the weather outside
is unbearable, for instance, during a storm, nothing beats the convenience of
starting the generator remotely.
Have simulated control
panel
Most generators with
remote control feature a simulated control panel. This keeps you posted on the
updates besides allowing you to check for errors and rectify them on time.
Fire your generator
immediately
Whenever there’s a power
outage, especially at night, it’s important to fire up your portable generator
almost instantly. The benefit of a generator with remote start is that you can
start it from a distance and without having to pull the cord. In most
instances, the remote control key fob comes with a mounting bracket or a
magnetic back for mounting on desktops and walls. This makes it easily
accessible at any time.
It’s ever powered
The remote control
system is AC powered and also has battery backup. This a convenient feature
that guarantees regular updates on the status of your generator at any given
time. In case the battery level is low, the device has an alert tone to notify
you of the issue.
Is a remote start function
worth the investment?
Remote start is a fairly
new function in generators and it tends to take the price tag a bit higher. If
you’re on a limited budget, it’s understandable to wonder whether this feature
is really worth it.
In my opinion, a
generator does not lose if function if it does not include the remote start
feature. However, I believe this is an important addition depending on the
conditions under which you’ll be using the generator.
For instance, consider a
scenario where the electricity goes off when the weather is really bad outside.
If you don’t have a remote start generator, you’ll have no option than to get
out and manually start it. On the other hand, if you’ve already set up your
remote start generator in its shelter, you only need to press a button on the
key fob for the engine to fire up. This will prove a very convenient function,
especially when it’s raining or snowing and during a storm.
The same case applies to
RVers and campers. I believe nothing beats the convenience of turning the
generator ON and OFF without having to walk where it is.
FAQs
Can you put a remote
start on a generator?
Yes. You only need to
purchase a remote start kit, which consists of a connector and a key fob or
remote control device. Installation is usually easy for experienced DIYers
although you can also have it installed for you by a professional.
What to do if the remote
start doesn’t seem to work?
Check the battery. For
the remote start function to fire up the generator whenever necessary, you’ll
need to leave the engine switch ON all times. This uses up the battery and may
deplete the voltage to a level that isn’t enough to activate the remote start.
If you’ve not used the generator for some weeks, this could be the case. So, you’ll
need to manually start the generator first for it to recharge the battery. You
could also charge the battery with a compatible 120v charger.
From how far can I turn
ON/OFF my generator with a remote control?
20-300 ft. This varies
between brands. Most generators with remote start tend to work within a range
of between 20ft and 300ft.
Does Honda make a remote
start generator?
Yes and No. Honda does
not have a generator that ships with the remote start/stop function already in
place. However, this manufacturer has different wired and wireless remote start
kits for all of its generators that have electric start and automatic choke.
So, you can install it if you find it convenient.
Conclusion
A remote start generator
is all about user experience and functionality. This technology is the most
recent addition on generators and I expect it to be a standard feature in
future models.
As I mentioned in the
remote start generator buying guide, your choice here is going to be largely
determined by your power needs plus where you intend to use the generator. If
you want a generator that you can use at home and take with you on your RV,
camps, and in small construction sites, the Champion 75537i probably fits the
bill. This inverter generator with remote packs a good punch in peak and
continuous wattages and it’s super portable and quiet too.