Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter
#4 in LargeFull review
A mid-size home-backup inverter for people with a natural gas line or a transfer switch who want unattended starting. It also covers a 30 A RV.
Amazon $1,299$1,299
The Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter is the better inverter generator overall, rated 4.0 to 3.7. The Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter leads on run time and starting. The Champion 10000W Tri Fuel Open Frame wins on value. The Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter costs $99.82 less ($1,299 vs $1,398.82).
Champion 10000W Tri Fuel Open Frame
#7 in LargeFull review
A big, low-cost-per-watt open-frame inverter for whole-house backup on gas, propane or natural gas. Too loud for campgrounds.
Amazon $1,398.82$1,398.82
Prices were last checked October 22, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter for run time (18 hours on a tank at 25% load vs 15 hours on a tank at 25% load) and starting (electric start with a remote fob or app vs push-button electric start).
- Choose the Champion 10000W Tri Fuel Open Frame for value ($0.18 per running watt vs $0.25 per running watt).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every large inverter generator; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter | Champion 10000W Tri Fuel Open Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.0/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Value 30% | 66 $0.25 per running watt | 84 $0.18 per running watt |
| Quiet 20% | 50 64 dBA at light load, maker rating | 0 72 dBA at light load, maker rating |
| Run time 15% | 86 18 hours on a tank at 25% load | 64 15 hours on a tank at 25% load |
| Fuel options 10% | 100 gasoline, propane or natural gas | 100 gasoline, propane or natural gas |
| CO safety 10% | 100 shuts off when carbon monoxide builds up | 100 shuts off when carbon monoxide builds up |
| Warranty 10% | 50 3-year warranty | 50 3-year warranty |
| Starting 5% | 100 electric start with a remote fob or app | 80 push-button electric start |
Specifications
| Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter | Champion 10000W Tri Fuel Open Frame | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | ||
| Gasoline | 5,250 W running, 6,500 W starting | 7,750 W running, 10,000 W starting |
| Propane | 4,725 W running, 6,500 W starting | 6,975 W running, 10,000 W starting |
| Natural gas | 4,253 W running | 6,278 W running |
| Outlets | 4 × 120 V, TT-30 (RV), L14-30 | 4 × 120 V, L14-30 |
| Parallel capable | No | No |
| Total harmonic distortion | under 3% | under 3% |
| Price per watt | $0.25 | $0.18 |
| Fuel and run time | ||
| Fuel | Gasoline, propane, natural gas | Gasoline, propane, natural gas |
| Tank | 4.5 gal | 7.5 gal |
| Run time (gasoline) | 18 hr at 25% load | 15 hr at 25% load |
| Run time (propane, 20 lb tank) | 16 hr | 8 hr |
| Engine | 224 cc | 459 cc |
| Noise and safety | ||
| Rated noise (light load) | 64 dBA | 72 dBA |
| CO shutoff | Yes | Yes |
| Build | ||
| Starting | Remote, electric and recoil | Electric and recoil |
| App | No | No |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25.2 x 20.5 x 22.6 in | 27.1 x 28 x 26.2 in |
| Weight | 123.5 lb | 180.8 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |