Ultimate Guide to Small Quiet Generator for Camping & Home
From campgrounds to indoors, there are situations where having a loud generator can be disruptive. Fortunately, with technological advancement and materials, modern generators are built with low noise levels. These small quiet generators are powerful enough to supply electricity without emitting any noise.
Jackery Solar Generators emit little to no noise, making them ideal for emergency power, home use, or camping trips. They are highly efficient, portable, and small generators that keep the noise levels down and power output up. This guide will walk you through different quiet generators that can power most of your appliances.
Products |
Image |
Capacity |
Rated / Peak Power |
Noise Level |
Size |
518Wh |
500W (1000W Surge) |
37.9dB |
Height: 11.8 in Width: 7.6 in Depth: 9.2 in |
||
288Wh |
300W (600W Peak) |
Less than 45dB |
Height: 9.1 in (23 cm) Width: 6.1 in (15.5 cm) Depth: 6.6 in (16.7 cm) |
What Is a Small Quiet Generator?
Generators are generally considered quiet or loud depending on their noise emission levels. Noise, or called sound, is measured in decibels (dB). Decibel or dB measures the sound level produced by an object when it vibrates, sending these vibrations to air.
Most standard generators have high noise levels of around 80 dB. Solar generators are typically quiet, with a noise level of less than 45 dB. They are lightweight and portable, which makes them an excellent choice for camping, tailgating, RV, and emergency home backup power.
How Quiet Is A Small Quiet Generator?
Decibels are measured in dB (L) and dB (A). dB (L) measures sound on a linear scale, but it is not used in the generator world. The dB (A) scale matches the frequencies the human ear can register. That's why dB (A) measures the generator's sound in free-field conditions.
Jackery Solar Generators have the lowest noise level of about 45dB, which resembles whisper or soft music. You can use these small, quiet generators at home or even inside RVs. The table represents what different decibel levels actually sound like.
Noise |
Average Decibels (dB) |
Leaves rustling, soft music, whisper |
30 |
Average home noise |
40 |
Jackery Solar Generators | Less than 45 |
Normal conversations, background noise |
60 |
Office noise, inside the car at 60mph |
70 |
Vacuum cleaner, average radio |
75 |
Heavy traffic, window AC, noisy restaurant, power lawn mower |
80-89 (sounds above 85 dB are harmful) |
Subway, shouted conversation |
90-95 |
Boom box, ATV, motorcycle |
96-100 |
School dance |
101-105 |
Chainsaw, leaf blower, snowmobile |
106-115 |
Sports crowd, rock concert, loud symphony |
120-129 |
Stock car races |
130 |
Gun shot, siren at 100 feet |
140 |
How Big Is A Small Quiet Generator?
Portable and quiet generators come in a variety of sizes. Small generators with 300-500W of energy are perfect for light-duty jobs or as an emergency power source, whereas larger generators can charge whole home appliances.
To determine the solar generator size required, you'll need to add up the running watts (or rated watts) of the appliances you plan to operate simultaneously. The devices with a motor require some extra surge watts.
Depending on the wattage required, you can choose the ideal size of solar generator. Here are some of the benefits of small portable generators.
- They are compact, lightweight, and portable solar generators that can be easily transported and set up anywhere.
- Quiet small generatorshave lower upfront costs, making them a budget-friendly option for people with a tight budget.
- Solar generators have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance.
What Are The Types of Small Quiet Generators?
No one likes a loud generator during camping or at home. Here are a few different types of small quiet generators, along with their noise level and other benefits, so you can choose the right one.
Small Gas Generator: They are heavy-duty generators with high noise levels. These small gas generators are heavy in weight and are less ideal for indoor use. Some standby gas generators even have noise levels of over 80 dB.
Inverter Generator: They are one of the quietest generator types available in the market, with a noise level of around 60 dB. These inverter generators have a small engine and compact design. Their advanced inverter technology means they burn fuel better and have lower noise levels.
Solar Generator: The term "solar generator" refers to the combination of solar panels and power stations to capture, store, and distribute power to the appliances.
Jackery Solar Generators have low noise levels compared to other charging solutions available. For example, the expandable Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus emits less than 45 dB noise, which is equal to a quiet room.
Let us compare and contrast different types of generators and their noise levels.
Types |
Pros |
Cons |
Noise Level |
Gas Generator |
- Commonly available - Low upfront cost |
- Emit harmful gases - Produces high noise - Expensive in the long run |
80 dB or more |
Inverter Generator |
- More efficient than gas generators - Compact and portable |
- Produces noise but less than gas generators - Requires maintenance |
60 dB |
Solar Generator |
- Portable and lightweight - More efficient than other types - Produce little to no noise - Uses free sun's energy - Does not emit harmful gases - Does not require any maintenance |
- High upfront cost |
Less than 45 dB |
How Does A Small Quiet Generator Work?
A small, quiet generator works similarly to a solar generator, combining solar panels and power stations. It converts solar energy into electricity, stored in a battery for later use.
Unlike diesel or gas-fueled generators, solar generators are not noisy. Since they do not have any engine, moving parts, or exhaust, the sound produced by solar generators is barely noticeable.
Jackery Solar Generators combine SolarSaga Solar Panels and Explorer Portable Power Stations that work by converting solar energy into electricity. All you need to do is connect the solar panels to the power station using solar cables.
The electricity produced by the solar panels passes through the charging cable to the portable power station. This is where the DC electricity is converted to AC current, then supplied to the appliances.
Jackery Small Quiet Generators for Camping & Home
Jackery provides a wide range of solar generators, solar panels, and power stations to charge various appliances. They are lightweight and portable, so you can choose these charging solutions for home and camping. Below, we will introduce popular solar generators provided by Jackery.
Jackery Solar Generator 500
Jackery Solar Generator 500 combines Explorer 500 Portable Power Station and SolarSaga 100W Solar Panels. It has a battery capacity of 518Wh that can be charged using portable and foldable solar panels. It emits less than 37.9dB of noise, which makes it ideal for indoors small devices, RVs, and emergency power sources.
Customer Review
"I bought an Explorer 500 + 100w solar panel for my son, who always has his portable TV/DVD player and a fan when we travel and for power outages. This 500 is the best, hands down. Used it for 4 days and only dropped down to 70 percent. Running nonstop." — Tawny.
Product |
Capacity |
Noise Level |
Size |
Camping Appliances |
Home Appliances |
518Wh (Output: 500W Rated, 1000W Peak) |
37.9dB |
Height: 11.8 in Width: 7.6 in Depth: 9.2 in |
Phone (18W): 25H Space Heater (250W): 1.7H Drone (90W): 4.8H Camera (9W): 48H |
Blender (200W): 2.2H Mini Cooler (250W): 1.7H CPAP (28W): 15.7H TV (60W): 7.3H Electric Blanket (60W): 7.3H |
Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus
The newest and expandable Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus has a battery capacity of 288Wh. It weighs 11 lbs and can be charged using the book-sized Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels. The solar generator is best known for its whisper-quiet nature. It emits only 45dB of noise, making it convenient for indoor or outdoor usage.
Product |
Capacity |
Noise Level |
Size |
Camping Appliances |
Home Appliances |
288Wh (Output: 300W Rated, 600W Peak) |
Less than 45dB |
Height: 9.1in (23cm) Width: 6.1in (15.5cm) Depth: 6.6in (16.7cm) |
Phone (18W): 13.6H Space Heater (250W): 58min Drone (90W): 2.7H Camera (9W): 27H |
Blender (200W): 1.2H Mini Cooler (250W): 58min CPAP (28W): 8.7H TV (60W): 4H Electric Blanket (60W): 4H |
Small Quiet Generator FAQs
1. What size of solar generator do I need for my camping or for my home?
The size of a solar generator for camping or at home will depend on how many appliances you plan to use simultaneously. For instance, you'll need a larger solar generator if you plan to use more devices.
Let's say you are charging multiple appliances that consume 200 watts of energy using Jackery Solar Generator 500.
Working Time = Capacity in Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the appliances = 518Wh × 0.85 / 200W = 2.2H.
2. How to choose the best small, quiet generator?
Many small quiet generators are available in the market, making it challenging to choose the best power solution. Here are a few essential things to remember when buying a battery backup for home or camping.
Noise: When buying a solar generator, you must analyze the noise level. An ideal solar generator should emit less than 50dB of noise.
Power Output: Calculate the combined watts of the appliances you need to power to get a rough idea of generator size.
Number of Outlets: The next thing you should look for in a small, quiet generator for camping is the output ports. A generator with at least four or more outlets will help you simultaneously charge multiple appliances.
3. Is 65dB loud for a generator?
Depending on the model and generator size, regular portable generators produce between 60-80 dB of noise. A 65 dB noise level represents a normal conversation at a busy restaurant. Any generator that generates less than 50dB of noise is considered quiet. All Jackery Solar Generators generate less than 50dB of noise.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best small, quiet generators is not a walk in the park. Understanding the noise level, portability, and compatibility will help you select the right charging solution for your needs. Jackery Solar Generators are portable, easy to set up, and efficient power solutions.
Whether you want to charge appliances at home or during your next camping trip, Jackery Solar Generators are a smart choice. You can connect the solar panels and power stations to charge devices anywhere and anytime.