Review : DuroMax XP13000E & EH ǀ Generators for All Seasons

Dual-Fuel Version — DuroMax XP13000EH : Propane & Gas

• Versatile Power — ►Propane : 12,350W / 9,975W — Gas : 13000W / 10500W

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Powerful and affordable, the DuroMax XP13000E and XP13000EH (Dual-Fuel) are excellent VALUE generators (affordable) and therefore extremely popular with portable generator buyers. Everyone wants to stretch their money, especially in 2023 during a global pandemic. The XP13000E has 13,000 watts peak power, making it a great generator for home backup power and jobsites. It’s a tough machine and capable of powering refrigerators, air conditioners, and most other household appliances without much chance of a generator overload. This DuroMax XP13000E review should help you decide if it is the best portable generator for your needs.

The DuroMax XP13000E is a rugged looking gas generator with a high output. Looking at customer reviews, it can rate as one of the best generators in its class. The incredibly reasonable price, for this size portable generator, is big part of its success. The DuroMax XP13000E is not alone when it comes affordable, good quality generators. Westinghouse is a major competitor in the world of great generators for home, camping, and jobsites, and offer excellent value for money.

Consider the DuroStar DS12000EH : Quality + Affordability

As a close comparison to the popular DuroMax XP13000E, I’ll also be reviewing the Westinghouse WGen9500DF. The Westinghouse generator is not quite as powerful as the DuroMax13000E, but is quite capable of keeping most of your household equipment powered up during an outage and is equally competent on a jobsite, or as a power supply for a large RV. The Westinghouse WGen9500DF is more expensive than the DuroMax XP13000E. Being less powerful and more expensive, may place the Westinghouse at a disadvantage in the opinions of some.

►Traditional Gas : DuroMax XP13000E

We should not overlook the stunning reputation Westinghouse has gained in the few years that they’ve been manufacturing portable generators. Furthermore, the Westinghouse WGen9500DF is a dual fuel, or hybrid generator. It can run on either gasoline or propane. Whereas the DuroMax XP13000E only runs on gas. During a natural disaster, like a hurricane, the option of using more than one fuel source can be a huge advantage. It’s at times like these that gas may be in short supply. This is at the very moment when we rely on our generators the most. Having the option to use propane, when gas simply isn’t available, can make all the difference. Perhaps even be a lifesaver.

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DuroMax XP13000E Review

Features :

• 13,000 starting watts / 10,500 running watts. Can handle heavy loads from lights and a refrigerator to a home air conditioner and high amperage power tools.
• Duromax 20hp engine, 500cc ohv engine.
• Digital mulitmeter
• Copper Windings
• Push button start : Fast and easy
• Idle control – lowers the rpms of the generator when not in use saving fuel and reducing noise. Ideal in situations like on job sites where power is used intermittently.
• Low oil shutoff – automatically shutting the generator off when it senses that the oil is low.
• Solid build quality : Made from metal
• Outlets : 2x 120v household gfci outlets, 1x 120v 30a twist lock outlet, 1x 240v 30a outlet, and 1x 240v 50a outlet.
• Voltmeter and 12v dc charging posts : can charge external batteries.
• CARB / EPA compliant

OVERVIEW

From the outset, it’s clear that the DuroMax XP13000E is intended as a robust go-anywhere portable generator. From the sturdy steel frame, with plenty of protective steel panels, to the chunky steel-rimmed all-terrain wheel kit, this generator makes an impressive first impression.

The DuroMax XP13000E is a mighty workhorse, powered by a 500cc, 20HP, OHV engine. The gas engine is both EPA and CARB certified. This powerhouse supplies a pretty impressive 13,000 watts peak power and 10,500 watts running power. You can connect most, possibly all, of your common household electrical equipment to the DuroMax, keeping refrigerators and air conditioners running simultaneously, without the fear of generator tripping. Similarly, on a jobsite, you can supply a large air compressor and still use a good number of power tools at the same time. In terms of power output, the DuroMax XP13000E is on the top end of the portable generator options.

The power output is matched by outlets to make this a 50A transfer switch ready generator. There are 2 X standard 120V 20A outlets, with GFCI protection, making this an OSHA compliant jobsite generator. It also has a single 120V 30A outlet, a 120V/240V 30A outlet, and a 120V/240V 50A outlet. Individual press to reset circuit breakers protect the outlets and a main 2-pole breaker ensures that the generator can’t be damaged in an overload situation. It also has a 12VDC 8A outlet, with circuit breaker, for charging deep cycle or car batteries.

A switch on the control panel allows you to easily isolate the battery when storing the generator. There’s no need to disconnect the battery to prevent unwanted discharge. Simply flip the switch when the generator is not in use. It has a low idle switch, which helps reduce fuel consumption and noise levels, when there is no load on the generator. A large push button electric starter, makes for quick easy startup and it has a digital display for voltage, frequency (Hz), and running hours.  

The large 8.3 gallon metal gas tank has a fuel gauge conveniently placed close to the filler cap. With the tank full, you can expect around 8-hours runtime at 50% of the rated load. This makes the DuroMax XP13000E fairly average in terms of fuel consumption, around 5 kilowatt-hours per gallon. Of course, a heavy-duty generator of this size, is not the best when it comes to portability. What, with that enormous engine and solid frame, it’s going to weigh quite a bit. To be precise, 260 LBS. That’s kind of expected. Thankfully, it has dual fold down handles (with comfortable rubber grips) and a mighty impressive wheel kit to make transportation as easy as it can be.

Amongst the more affordable medium-duty domestic generators, DuroMax has a sound reputation. The DuroMax XP13000E is built to a more industrial grade standard than most DuroMax generators, making this model a cut above most others from the brand. It is, by all accounts, an impressive machine and the 3-year warranty is clear proof that DuroMax considers this to be a high-quality generator.

💡 For more options : Read : Best 12000 Watt Portable Generators.

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Westinghouse WGen9500DF Review

Gas = 12,500W / 9500W — Propane = 11,200 / 8500W

Features :

• Gas : 12,500 Peak Watts, 9,500 Running Watts
• Propane : 11,200 Peak Watts, 8,500 Running Watts
• Push-Button Start and Remote Start (Key Fob Included)
• Up to 17.5 Hour Run Time (6.6 gal)
• 457cc Westinghouse OHV Engine with Cast Iron Sleeve
• 2x GFCI 120V Duplex Receptacles
• Transfer Switch Ready 14-50R 50A outlet
• Transfer Switch Ready L14-30R 30A outlet
• VFT Data Center (Volts, Frequency, and Lifetime Hours)
• 3-Year Warranty and Lifetime Technical Support
• EPA,  CARB Compliant

OVERVIEW :

With the Westinghouse WGen9500DF costing around several hundreds of dollars more than the DuroMax XP13000E, as of the time of this writing, it may not be easy to convince some that this generator is worth the extra dollars. Then again, I’m not here to convince anyone which is the better generator. I’m simply providing a review of these generators so that you can make an informed decision. I do have my opinions, and I must say that I much prefer Westinghouse as a brand. Though this is just one guy’s opinion, albeit an informed one.  

Consider — Also available as a GAS-ONLY version : WGen9500

Having looked, in detail, at all the generators in the Westinghouse lineup, I have the utmost respect for the brand. A commitment to high-quality, and attention detail, has really set these guys on a path to greatness. Like the DuroMax XP13000E, the Westinghouse generator has a really solid frame. Though, it’s in the finer details, that I find the Westinghouse to be the superior generator. For some, the inclusion of rubber protective covers for the electrical outlets may seem like a rather trivial detail. To me, this shows that the engineers have considered long term durability as being paramount, down to every aspect of the generator. The Westinghouse WGen9500DF also has a higher spec level than just about any generator in this class. A good example would be the wireless remote control (with factory paired fob). A remote control does not make this a better generator, but it sure is a great convenience.

When we compare power output, the DuroMax XP13000E has a slight advantage. The Westinghouse pushes out 12,000 peak watts and 9,500W continuous power. This means the Westinghouse has 1KW less peak and rated power than the DuroMax XP13000E. That’s quite a bit, but the Westinghouse can certainly hold its own as a convenient power supply for home emergency power and on a jobsite. It can handle refrigerators and air conditioners simultaneously, as well a horde of high-watt power tools. It also has the advantage of dual fuel capabilities and I’m quite impressed with the power output when using propane. Wattage specs for propane generators are always lower than gas, propane is a less efficient fuel. Though, in the case of the Westinghouse WGen9500DF, the difference isn’t too bad, a little over 10%. When using propane, the WGen9500DF delivers 8,500 running watts and 11,200 peak watts. This is still quite sufficient to keep an average household powered up during an outage, without any real compromise.

Where the Westinghouse WGen9500DF really shines is in its amazing fuel economy. I don’t know how they do it, but Westinghouse always seem to achieve class leading fuel consumption stats. Sometimes even beating Honda, the champions of economical engines. The Westinghouse WGen9500DF is powered by a heavy-duty, perfectly reliable, 457cc engine. This engine is EPA and CARB compliant.

The WGen9500DF has a noticeably smaller gas tank than the DuroMax XP13000E (6.6G vs 8.3G). Though, despite almost 2-gallons less gas in the tank, the Westinghouse offers substantially more runtime from a tank of gas. It delivers an almost unbelievable 12-hours runtime at 50% load from a tank. That’s 8.6 kilowatt hours per gallon. In dollars and cents, you’re looking at more than 30% saving on running costs when compared to the DuroMax XP13000E. This, to my mind, more than makes up for the higher price tag. You may be spending a few hundred dollars more when buying the generator but, over the years, that money will come back to you in bucket loads from the savings on fuel bills. You’ll be saving close to $4.00 every time you fill the tank and you won’t be doing so nearly as often. I guess it will be around $6.00 – $10 per day in fuel savings, depending on how much electricity you’re using. It should take less than a 100 days of generator use to make up the price difference in gas costs alone.

The Westinghouse WGen9500DF has more 20A AC outlets than the DuroMax XP13000E. Though it lacks the 12VDC charging outlet, nor does it have a 120V 30A outlet. It makes for this, somewhat, by including a port to charge the generator battery and they supply a 12V battery charger with the kit. This means that you should never have a flat battery when the generator stands for months unused. You simply connect the battery charger to a 120V outlet to keep the onboard battery at full charge. This is not only a great convenience; it will also prolong the battery lifespan.

The control panel, like that of the DuroMax XP13000E, is metal and is recessed into the frame for maximum protection from accidental damage. It houses 4X 120V 20A outlets (all with GFCI protection), a 120V/240V 30A outlet, and a 120V/240V 50a outlet. So this is also a 30A or 50A transfer switch ready generator. It has a similar digital display to the DuroMax XP13000E, providing information on output voltage and frequency, as well as running hours. The fuel gauge is also on the gas tank. Push button electric starting is made easy, with the added advantage of a remote control and automatic choke. Circuit breakers are identical to those found on the DuroMax XP13000E; push button breakers for the outlets and a main 2-pole breaker. A large dial on the front panel allows for changeover from gas to propane. Regulator and gas pipes are supplied with the generator and you get a bottle of oil, along with a funnel.

The Westinghouse weighs a little less than the DuroMax XP13000E, at 235 pounds. It has a padded loop handle and wheels for easier transportation. Though, I prefer the wheels on the DuroMax for handling rougher terrain.

The DuroMax XP13000E has a distinct advantage over the Westinghouse WGen9500E when looking at the purchase price. It also has a higher output power rating than the Westinghouse. If you take into account the dual fuel operation and the higher specifications, the Westinghouse may seem worth the extra price. When you add the fuel savings into the picture, the Westinghouse certainly becomes more attractive. It will always be a matter of opinion which generator is best, and I think I’ve made it clear who gets my vote. As far as buying with confidence goes, I think both brands are great. DuroMax and Westinghouse both have a large network of service agents throughout the US and Westinghouse also offer a 3-year warranty on this generator.

📒 For even more information on this 9500W Westinghouse read our comprehensive article titled : Best 9500 Watt Portable Generator.