Inverter Generators vs. Traditional Generators: What You Need to Know

March 28, 2025 | Nate Cord

Inverter generators are a newer, more advanced type of generator with cleaner power than traditional generators. But should you buy an inverter generator? It all depends on how you plan to use it. In this guide, we share the differences between inverters and regular generators, the pros and cons of each, and what you need to consider when deciding between the two.

What’s The Difference Between an Inverter and a Regular Generator?

The main difference between an inverter and a traditional generator is how they produce alternating current (AC) power.

Conventional generators use a mechanical alternator to create an alternating current. How this works will change depending on if the generator is single or three-phase.
An inverter generator, on the other hand, will convert power to direct current (DC), a one-directional flow of electric charge, before converting it back to alternating current power. This produces a more stable sine wave that ensures clean, stable power.

A sine wave, via CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikipedia.

Let’s look at this in more detail.

What is an Inverter Generator?

Inverter generators convert AC power to DC and back to AC using advanced electronics.

1. The generator produces raw AC power.
2. Electronics convert it to DC, smoothing voltage fluctuations.
3. A microprocessor inverts DC back to AC, creating a pure sine wave, a smooth, consistent waveform, with total harmonic distortion (THD) below 3%.

This produces a clean, stable electrical waveform with a low total harmonic distortion, a measure of the distortion that occurs when a signal passes through an electronic device or system. The lower the total harmonic distortion, the safer it is for sensitive devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and televisions.

It’s important to note that while most inverter generators will produce pure sine waves, some of the cheaper models on the market use a modified sine wave. This is not as smooth as a pure sine wave and will typically have a THD from 20% to 40%, which is significantly higher than the THD of a pure sine wave (< 3%). Inverters with a modified sine wave work well for some domestic/household appliances, but an inductive load may cause equipment performance degradation or damage.

Pros of Inverter Generators

Here’s a more in-depth look at some of the pros of inverter generators.

Cleaner Power

As mentioned, inverter generators produce an ultra-pure sine wave with less than 3%. This means that inverters deliver cleaner, and more stable power, which can be important if you’re plugging in sensitive electronic equipment, such as smartphones, laptops, televisions, and medical equipment. It reduces the risk of power surges and damage to electronics.

More Efficient

Inverter generators automatically adjust their engine speed based on the power load, This makes them more efficient, which means they use less fuel. This means you won’t have to fill up the tank as often as a portable generator, which could be useful if fuel is scarce, and you can make cost savings over time, in particular for home or recreational use.
Inverters also produce lower emissions than a conventional model as a result.

Less Noise

Inverters are quieter than traditional portable generators, with noise levels averaging between 50 and 60 dB, depending on load. This is quieter than traditional generators, which can produce noise levels of < 80 dB.

More Portable

Inverters are smaller in size and weight than regular generators (they typically weigh between 13-22kg), which makes them easier to transport and well-suited for camping and other non-emergency uses.

Inverter generators tend to be easily carried by one person (especially models with handles), but can also be much larger if you require more power. In this instance, they usually have two wheels and a handle to make them easier to move.

Traditional generators, on the other hand, can weigh up to several hundred kg, making them more difficult to move and transport.

Parallel Compatibility

Many inverters come with parallel compatibility, allowing you to connect two or more inverter generators to increase power output. Increased power output is helpful for applications where you’re powering high-wattage appliances or multiple devices at once.

Cons of Inverter Generators

For all their pros, inverter generators do have drawbacks.

Higher Upfront Cost

Inverters are significantly more expensive than traditional portable generators (or portable power stations) with comparable claimed wattage. That said, their long-term benefits often justify this investment.

Limited Power

In general, the power output of an inverter generator is less than that of a typical AC generator. This means these models are not designed for heavy-duty tasks that require high wattage, such as powering large appliances or industrial and agricultural equipment.

Harder to Service

Inverter generators require less maintenance than traditional generators. However, they’re also more difficult for homeowners to service. This is because important components (like the carburettor) are buried deep to achieve their compact size. This can make maintenance more costly compared to conventional generators.

Traditional generators require regular maintenance, such as oil changes, but it is often more straightforward. The key exception to this is solar-powered generators, which require little to no maintenance.

What is a Traditional Generator?

Traditional generators produce AC power directly via an alternator (a device which converts mechanical energy to electrical energy) at a fixed speed. The high output ensures consistency frequency but can waste fuel at low loads.

There are countless types of generators available that run on different fuel sources, such as petrol, propane, diesel, natural glass, dual fuel, and solar. Each has its own set of pros and cons but, in general, traditional generators tend to be bulkier, noisier, and less efficient, but are cheaper, can produce higher amounts of power, and are more suitable for high-demand jobs and heavy-duty sites, such as construction.

• Petrol-powered generators are widely available and more affordable upfront but have a shooter runtime and are less efficient with higher emissions. Not suitable for long-term storage or use.
• Diesel generators are more fuel-efficient and have a longer lifespan, but are noisier and heavier than petrol generators. Most suited for heavy loads and long-term use.
• Propane-powered generators (LPG) are known for their clean-burning properties (lower emissions) and long shelf life but have a slightly lower power output and supply can be limited.
• Dual-fuel generators have the flexibility of running on either petrol or propane.
• Solar generators have no fuel costs – run on renewable energy sources – are silent and require minimal maintenance. However, they are dependent on UV rays and come with a much higher initial cost.

So, while the latest inverter models excel at powering sensitive tech over extended run times, conventional generators can still offer higher peak wattage for applications that need it.

Inverter vs. Traditional Generator: Which One Do I Need?

Whether you need an inverter or a traditional generator depends on your needs. A traditional generator may be the better option if you need a heavy-duty machine and can manage the added noise and maintenance, whereas an inverter is suitable for lower-demand jobs where minimal noise and cleaner power are required.

Indeed, an inverter generator is often the ideal choice for home use. Whereas a conventional generator is better for powering large appliances, machinery, and tools for construction sites, outdoor events, or other scenarios requiring significant power for prolonged periods.

Do you have another question or require additional advice? Don’t hesitate to get in contact with our experts using this form or via phone at +441639849847.

Looking for a quality generator? At Generators Direct, we offer a range of single and three-phase generators, power stations and power banks for your specific needs. All of our products are manufactured, tested and certified to industry standards, and come with a price promise – you won’t find prices cheaper anywhere on the web, but if you do, we’ll match them. In addition to this, all orders come with free mainland UK shipping and after-sales support from our experts.