The Best Tri-Fuel Generators
The best tri-fuel generators compared — models that run on gasoline, propane or natural gas, with the wattage you get on each fuel, which brands actually offer tri-fuel, and whether the extra flexibility is worth the price.
A tri-fuel generator runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas — you choose at the machine rather than at the checkout. The reason to want that is simple: each fuel fails in a different way. Gas stations run dry in a regional outage, propane tanks empty, and a gas line ties you to the house. Owning all three paths means one of them is always open. The price premium over the same model in dual-fuel is modest, and the third fuel is the one that removes refueling altogether.
| Model | Best for | Running watts by fuel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DuroMax XP13000HXT | Best overall for home backup | 13,000 gas · 12,350 propane · ≈8,500 natural gas | The reference tri-fuel portable — enough for whole-home essentials through a transfer switch. |
| Firman T07573 | Best value | 7,500 gas · 6,750 propane · ≈5,700 natural gas | Covers a fridge, furnace, well pump and lights at a noticeably lower price. |
| Predator 11,500 W Tri-Fuel Super Quiet Inverter | Best quiet option | 11,500 gas · lower on propane & natural gas | The largest tri-fuel inverter aimed at homeowners — clean power and lower running noise. |
| Champion 100416 (tri-fuel ready) | Best supported | 9,375 gas · 8,400 propane · ≈7,000 natural gas | Champion’s US service network behind a mid-size tri-fuel. |
What you get from each fuel
| Fuel | Output | Storage & supply | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | Highest watts | Goes stale in months without a stabilizer | The day you need maximum output |
| Propane | ≈10% fewer watts | Stores for years; needs a tank | Standing readiness between outages |
| Natural gas | ≈20–30% fewer watts | Unlimited runtime; needs a house line and a fitted connection | A long outage at home |
How to choose a tri-fuel generator
- Check you can actually use the third fuel. Tri-fuel earns its premium through the natural gas connection. Without a gas line at the property, you are paying for a capability you cannot reach — a propane or dual-fuel unit does the same job for less.
- Size on the lowest number. Manufacturers headline the gasoline rating. If the plan is to sit on the gas line during a long outage, size against the natural gas figure — roughly 20–30% below the headline. The sizing calculator gives you the load to compare it against.
- Have the gas connection fitted properly. The quick-connect for the house line is plumbing work, and the hose length sets how far the generator can sit from the wall — while still leaving the clearance the exhaust needs. Sort it before storm season, not during one.
- Inverter or open frame. Inverter tri-fuel models run quieter and produce cleaner power for electronics; open-frame models give you more watts per dollar. See inverter vs conventional for the full trade.
Tri-fuel portable or a standby generator?
A tri-fuel portable on a manual transfer switch is the flexible, lower-cost route: roughly $1,000–$2,500 for the unit plus the switch, and you keep a machine you can move. A permanently installed natural gas standby costs $7,000–$12,000 installed but starts itself, needs no attention during an outage, and runs the whole house rather than selected circuits. The honest split is budget and whether anyone will be home to start it. The portable versus standby guide works through that decision in full.
Wattage figures vary by model and load and are planning estimates — confirm current specs on the manufacturer’s page, particularly the natural gas rating, which is often published separately. Run a generator outdoors only, well away from doors, windows and vents: the exhaust contains carbon monoxide. Natural gas and propane connections must be fitted to the manufacturer’s instructions and local code. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases; the Predator model above is a Harbor Freight house brand, sold through Harbor Freight only.
Frequently asked questions
What is tri-fuel for generators?
A tri-fuel generator runs on any of three fuels: gasoline, liquid propane, or natural gas piped from your house line. You pick the fuel at the machine — a selector and the right hose or regulator — rather than owning three generators. The point is redundancy during an outage: if the gas stations are dry you burn propane from a tank, and if you can reach a house gas line you run indefinitely without touching either.
Are tri-fuel generators worth it?
For home backup, usually yes. The price premium over the same model in dual-fuel is modest, and the third fuel is the one that removes the refill problem entirely — a natural gas hookup turns a portable into something close to unlimited runtime. The case is weaker if the property has no natural gas service, since you are then paying for a capability you cannot use, and a dual-fuel unit will do the same job for less.
What is the best tri-fuel generator for a home?
For whole-home essentials, the 12,000–13,000 watt class from DuroMax (XP13000HXT) and Firman is the common pick: enough running watts for a fridge, furnace, well pump, lights and a window AC through a transfer switch, on any of the three fuels. If quiet matters more than raw output, Predator’s tri-fuel inverter line is the quieter alternative at lower wattage. Size the load first rather than buying on headline watts — the sizing calculator gives you the real number.
What is the largest tri-fuel inverter generator for home use?
Predator’s 11,500-watt tri-fuel Super Quiet inverter is currently the largest widely available tri-fuel inverter aimed at homeowners, combining inverter-grade power quality and lower running noise with the three-fuel flexibility. Above that output, tri-fuel units are conventional open-frame portables rather than inverters — you gain watts and lose the quiet running and the clean sine wave that sensitive electronics prefer.