Honda is one of the brands that make the quietest 5000-watt generators. Other names include Briggs & Stratton, DuroMax, Generac, Yamaha, WEN, Westinghouse, and Champion.
You can determine whether a unit is loud or quiet based on its noise level ratings. For example, a whisper has a 30 dB noise level, while a normal conversation has 60 dB.
Modern engineering has enabled these 5000W generator units to operate and sound around 70 dB or under approximately 25 feet away. So, there are some good options available on the market that come with low noise level ratings.
Let’s explore low noise level 5000-watt generators.
What Is Considered a Quiet Generator?
We can qualify a quiet unit with a rating of 60 decibels when it is running at its quarter load. But a 5000W generator comes with a powerful motor, and it will not be very silent.
Such a powerful unit cannot be quiet, so they are rated for their noise at a distance. These units are rated for their noise level from 25 feet away. And in most cases, you will find these 5000W units to be rated around 65 dB to 70 dB for their noise level if you are looking for those quieter units.
Who Makes the Quietest 5000 Watt Generator On The Market?
Many brands on the market have managed to make such larger units quieter at a distance. This is because their overall construction and design play a significant role in how quiet a unit will be during an operation.
Inverter generators will be a better option because they are much quieter than conventional units.
These units don’t have any spaces in them. All the components are joined tightly together, so there is no chance for sound waves to travel and vibrations to occur.
Some of the quietest generator units available on the market today are:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Honda EB5000 5000 Watt Industrial Generator |
| Check Price |
 | Westinghouse WGen5300s Li-ion |
| Check Price |
 | 56380i Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator |
| Check Price |
 | Briggs & Stratton 30795 P4500 PowerSmart Series |
| Check Price |
 | Champion Power Equipment 100519 Open Frame |
| Check Price |
 | DuroMax XP5500E Gas Powered Portable Generator-5500 Watt Electric Start-Camping & RV Ready, 50 State Approved, Blue/Black |
| Check Price |
What Is the Quietest Most Powerful Generator?
With the increase in generator capacity, a unit will become much noisier. Therefore, you have to balance the two and choose the right capacity without compromising the noise level rating.
In this regard, the quietest unit that the market has to offer is the Honda EU7000iS. It’s a super quiet unit, and its noise level rating falls between 52 dB and 58 dB. The Honda unit has the highest starting wattage rating and lowered noise level rating.
- 389cc engine
- Electric start
- 7,000 watts of output
- Eco Throttle
- 36 month warranty
Why Inverter Generators Are So Quiet
The primary reason why inverter generators are quiet is that they use clean energy. It converts high-frequency alternating current into direct current and then inverts it into a steady alternating current.
The DC is a flat line that results in constant noise levels, and then the sine wave from the inverted alternating current is also perfect, so the noise level remains under control.
The engines that are there in inverters are already quiet ones, and they are smaller as well. In addition to that, these units have mufflers in them that suppress noise. The cases of these generators are also designed to keep the noise down.
In addition, there are noise-insulating materials used in constructing these generators, which prevent them from transmitting sound waves and make the unit much quieter.
Why Are Honda Generators So Quiet?
Not only in the 5000W category, but Honda generators are generally quieter in all other categories. The company makes some of the best power generators on the market, and they are some of the quietest ones as well.
These generators have a fully enclosed body, and they equip their units with the latest genset engine. The motor there is fuel-efficient and operates at around 3600 RPM to keep vibrations and noise under control.
These generator units also feature Eco-Throttle that reduces the noise level of these units. With these features, the engines don’t keep on running at full speed. They also feature a highly efficient motor that runs smoothly, and the unit doesn’t create much vibrations and noise.
The design of this unit also doesn’t have any empty spaces in them. So, sound waves that are already suppressed have no medium to travel, and the unit stays quiet.
How Can I Make My Generator Quieter?
There are different ways to make your generator a lot quieter than it is. But you have to keep in mind your power requirements and needs. If you keep these needs in your mind, you will certainly avoid going for a bigger unit than what you need and a noisier one.
You can take the following steps to make your generator unit a lot quieter.
- Keep those exhaust pipes of your generator unit either up or in the opposite direction from the real you are residing.
- You can also move your generator unit further away from the point where you will spend most of your time.
- To suppress the sound of your generator, you need to place it on a soft surface which will absorb some of its noise right from the source.
- You can also use sound deflectors to make your generator unit much quieter as well.
- You can also build an acoustic enclosure or a baffle box to keep the noise from your generator unit under control.
- It is always a good idea to change the muffler of your unit, and for that, you can get in touch with a motor mechanic or an engine repairman.
- Using water as a generator muffler is another option for you to consider. You need to clamp a hose to your generator’s exhaust pipe and make sure water doesn’t enter this pipe.
How many decibels is a 5000-watt generator?
In most cases, a 5000W generator comes with a noise level rating ranging between 60 dB to 70 dB from different manufacturers. For reference, human conversations have a noise level rating of 60 dB. Some inverter generators in this range come with a noise level rating under 60 dB as well.
Can I put my muffler on my unit?
Yes, you can put a quieter muffler on your generator to suppress the noise from its engine through those exhaust pipes. However, you will have to go for a bigger muffler. Eventually, you will have to go through a lot of customizations. A small engine repairer or a motor mechanic can help you with that.
Is 69 dB loud for a generator?
You can say that a 69 dB generator only produces a medium-level noise. It means that if you apply some good noise reduction and soundproofing methodologies, then you can suppress its noise further. However, some people believe that 69 dB noise is a lot, and it can damage their hearing.
Can you get a silencer for a generator?
Yes, you can get a silencer called an automotive muffler for your generator to keep the noise from the exhaust pipe down. If you do this alone without using any other noise muffling techniques, you can reduce the noise from 12 dB to 18 dB. But you will have to go for a customized muffler for your unit, which can be some cost to bear.
Conclusion
Inverter generators are generally way quieter than their conventional counterparts. This is because they have smaller motors and produce consistent current, so there are fewer chances of vibrations and any resulting noises.
They also don’t have any spaces that allow any sound waves to travel. Not only are they better in terms of their design and construction to suppress noise, but they are also superior to their traditional counterparts as they produce clean energy, which indirectly reduces noise during operation.
Honda has some of the quietest generators on the market. However, some other brands like Generac, Yamaha, WEN, Westinghouse, Champion also produce low noise generators.
