DuroStar DS13000MXT

In this durostar ds13000mxt review, the DuroStar DS13000MXT is the best tri-fuel generator under $1,000 because it delivers 13,000 starting watts and 10,500 running watts on gasoline, propane or natural gas for $999. It ranks #8 of 9 in our best dual fuel generators guide, and the label it carries there is simple: the cheapest way to get three fuel options in one frame. The 4.4-star rating comes from 313 Amazon ratings, a modest sample that still points to mostly satisfied owners. This unit suits homeowners with a natural gas line who want whole home backup without hauling propane tanks, plus RV owners who want one machine for both jobs.

The 500cc 4-stroke OHV engine is the heart of the DS13000MXT, and it explains how this machine holds 10,500 running watts with a 13,000-watt surge. That gap matters, because motors and compressors pull extra power for a moment when they kick on. An 8.3-gallon gasoline tank limits how often you refuel during a long outage, while propane and natural gas remove fuel storage completely for homes with a gas line or a tank. On top of that, the fuel selection knob switches between the three fuels at the panel, and the push button start works from the included remote control, so you are not pulling a cord in bad weather. Four outlets include a transfer switch ready 50 amp outlet, and CO Alert shuts the generator down when it detects carbon monoxide.

At $999, the DuroStar DS13000MXT undercuts most tri-fuel machines in this guide, and it ships with a wheel and handle kit, an oil funnel, a spark plug wrench, a tool set, a 15-foot natural gas hose, a propane regulator and a remote control. That bundle matters, since the natural gas hose and propane regulator come in the box rather than as extras. However, the DuroStar brand has a shorter track record than Westinghouse or DuroMax, and 313 ratings is a limited sample, so treat the 4.4 score as a good sign rather than proof. Buyers who will never hook up natural gas can save money with a dual fuel model instead. If a gas line reaches your home and you want whole home backup for under $1,000, this is the one to buy, and the 3-year warranty backs it.