Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter
#3 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 $1,149$1,149
The Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter rates 4.1 among large inverter generators; the Champion 5500W Open Frame CARB rates 3.3 among mid-size ones. The Champion 5500W Open Frame CARB costs $450 less ($699 vs $1,149).
Champion 5500W Open Frame CARB
#14 in Mid-sizeFull review
A gas-only open-frame inverter for California RV owners who want clean power for a 30 A RV at a low price per watt.
Amazon $699$699
Prices were last checked October 28, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Scores side by side
These two sit in different size classes (large and mid-size), and each is scored against the reference points for its own class, so a rating says how well each does among its own size peers. How we rank explains each factor.
| Factor weight | Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter | Champion 5500W Open Frame CARB |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.1/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Value 30% | 74 $0.22 per running watt | 94 $0.17 per running watt |
| Quiet 20% | 50 64 dBA at light load, maker rating | 0 70 dBA at light load, maker rating |
| Run time 15% | 86 18 hours on a tank at 25% load | 58 13 hours on a tank at 25% load |
| Fuel options 10% | 100 gasoline, propane or natural gas | 0 gasoline only |
| 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 | 0 pull start only |
Specifications
| Champion 6500W Tri Fuel Inverter | Champion 5500W Open Frame CARB | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | ||
| Gasoline | 5,250 W running, 6,500 W starting | 4,000 W running, 5,500 W starting |
| Propane | 4,725 W running, 6,500 W starting | - |
| Natural gas | 4,253 W running | - |
| Outlets | 4 × 120 V, TT-30 (RV), L14-30 | 2 × 120 V, TT-30 (RV) |
| Parallel capable | No | Yes |
| Total harmonic distortion | under 3% | - |
| Price per watt | $0.22 | $0.17 |
| Fuel and run time | ||
| Fuel | Gasoline, propane, natural gas | Gasoline |
| Tank | 4.5 gal | 2.9 gal |
| Run time (gasoline) | 18 hr at 25% load | 13 hr at 25% load |
| Run time (propane, 20 lb tank) | 16 hr | - |
| Engine | 224 cc | 224 cc |
| Noise and safety | ||
| Rated noise (light load) | 64 dBA | 70 dBA |
| CO shutoff | Yes | Yes |
| CARB compliant | No | Yes |
| Build | ||
| Starting | Remote, electric and recoil | Recoil (pull) |
| App | No | No |
| Wheels | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 25.2 x 20.5 x 22.6 in | 21.3 x 17.9 x 17.9 in |
| Weight | 123.5 lb | 81.6 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
| Released | 2026-01 | 2026-06 |