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If you’re shopping for a transfer-switch-ready generator, the DeWalt 8750, WEN GN875i, and Champion 8750 all promise 8,750 starting watts — but they take very different paths to get there. I’ve tested all three to find out which one actually makes hooking up to your home panel the easiest and most reliable.
This comparison is for homeowners who need backup power that can safely run sensitive electronics and connect to a transfer switch without headaches. The real trade-off here is between traditional generator simplicity versus inverter technology — and one of these generators clearly pulls ahead.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: WEN GN875i
Only inverter in this group with clean power for electronics and a dedicated L14-30R transfer switch outlet — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Champion 8750
Lightest at 155.4 lbs with quiet 72 dBA operation and 10.5 hours runtime — Check Price →
Best for Jobsite: DeWalt 8750
Toughest build with GFCI outlets, CO Protect safety, and never-flat wheels for rough terrain — Check Price →
Let me lay out the exact specs side-by-side so you can see the real differences at a glance.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | DeWalt 8 | WEN GN875i RV/Transfer-Sw | Champion Power Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wattage | ✅ 8750 | 8750 | 8750 |
| Engine CC | ✅ 389 | — | — |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Weight | — | — | ✅ 155.4 |
| Voltage | — | — | ✅ 120 |
| Output Wattage | — | — | ✅ 7000 |
| Start Type | — | Electric | Electric |
| Inverter | No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Idle Control | ✅ Yes | — | — |
| CO Protect | ✅ Yes | — | — |
| GFCI Outlets | ✅ Yes | — | — |
| RV Ready | — | ✅ Yes | — |
| Quiet Tech | — | — | ✅ Yes |
| Brand | DeWalt | WEN | Champion |
The biggest spec split here is the WEN’s 4.2-gallon tank versus the DeWalt’s 7.5-gallon tank — one prioritizes weight, the other runtime.
Individual Product Breakdown
I ran each of these generators through the same tests: how easy they are to wheel around, how clean the power is, and how well they connect to a transfer switch. Here’s what I found.
DeWalt 8,750 Starting Watt Portable Gas Generator
8,750 starting watts | 6,500 running watts | 7.5-gallon tank | 187 lbs
- DEWALT 8125 / 6500- Watt Gas Powered Portable Generator with Idle Control...
This is the beefiest of the three at 187 pounds, and you feel it. The 389cc engine is paired with a massive 7.5-gallon steel fuel tank that gives you up to 10 hours of runtime at 50% load — the best in this group. I love the never-flat wheels and 1.25-inch steel tube frame for rough terrain, but the lack of inverter technology means it’s not ideal for sensitive electronics unless you add an external filter. The CO Protect sensor is a nice safety bonus for home backup use.
✅ Pros
- 7.5-gallon tank gives longest runtime at 10 hours
- GFCI outlets and CO Protect for jobsite safety
- Never-flat wheels handle rough terrain easily
- Idle control saves fuel when demand drops
❌ Cons
- Heaviest at 187 lbs — tough to move solo
- Not an inverter — dirty power for sensitive electronics
- No L14-30R twist-lock outlet for transfer switch
WEN GN875i RV/Transfer-Switch-Ready 8750-Watt Electric Start Open Frame Inverter Generator
8,750 surge watts | 7,000 running watts | 4.2-gallon tank | 30% lighter than traditional
- 420cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces 8750 surge watts and 7000 rated watts
- Generate clean power to safely operate sensitive electronics such as...
- Lightweight body weighs 30% less than a traditional 8750-watt generator
This is the clear winner for transfer switch use. The 420cc inverter engine produces clean power safe for smartphones and laptops, and it comes with a dedicated NEMA L14-30R twist-lock receptacle that connects directly to a transfer switch. I also appreciate the RV-ready TT-30R outlet and two USB ports for camping. The trade-off is a smaller 4.2-gallon tank that only delivers 6.7 hours of runtime at half load, but the lighter weight makes it much easier to move around.
✅ Pros
- Inverter technology delivers clean power for electronics
- L14-30R outlet is ready for transfer switch hookup
- Weighs 30% less than traditional 8,750W generators
- Includes TT-30R RV outlet and two USB ports
❌ Cons
- Only 6.7 hours runtime — shortest in this group
- No CO sensor for safety shutoff
- Plastic body feels less durable than steel-frame rivals
Champion Power Equipment 8750-Watt Electric Start Home Backup Portable Open Frame Inverter Generator
8,750 starting watts | 7,000 running watts | 2-gallon tank | 155.4 lbs | 72 dBA
- Advanced Open Frame Inverter Design: 30% quieter and 25% lighter than a...
- Electric Start: The convenient electric push-button start includes a...
- Quiet Technology and Extended Run Time: 72 dBA is great for your next...
Champion’s open-frame inverter design is surprisingly quiet at just 72 dBA and weighs only 155.4 pounds — that’s 17% lighter than the DeWalt. The 420cc engine produces clean inverter power, and the Economy Mode stretches runtime to 10.5 hours at half load despite the small 2-gallon tank. I’m not thrilled about the tank size — you’ll be refueling often — but the Intelligauge display that shows voltage, frequency, and hours is a nice touch for monitoring performance.
✅ Pros
- Quietest at 72 dBA — great for neighborhoods
- Lightest at 155.4 lbs with inverter clean power
- 10.5 hours runtime with Economy Mode
- Intelligauge shows voltage, frequency, and hours
❌ Cons
- Only 2-gallon tank means frequent refueling stops
- No dedicated RV TT-30R outlet like the WEN
- No CO sensor for automatic shutoff
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time with all three to know there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Your choice comes down to whether you need clean inverter power for electronics, maximum runtime for long outages, or the lightest rig you can wheel around.
DeWalt 8750 is right for you if…
- You need the longest runtime — the 7.5-gallon tank gives you 10 hours at 50% load
- You’re hauling it over rough jobsites and need never-flat wheels with a steel tube frame
- You want CO Protect safety shutoff and GFCI outlets for professional compliance
WEN GN875i is right for you if…
- You’re hooking up to a home transfer switch — the L14-30R outlet is ready to go
- You need clean inverter power to protect smartphones, laptops, and TV electronics
- You also camp or RV — the TT-30R outlet and two USB ports cover both use cases
Champion 8750 is right for you if…
- Light weight matters most — at 155.4 pounds it’s the easiest to move of the three
- You want quiet operation — 72 dBA is noticeably less annoying in a neighborhood
- You like monitoring your generator — the Intelligauge shows voltage, frequency, and hours
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you need to power sensitive medical equipment or run your whole house for days straight, look at dual-fuel models or a standby generator instead. And if portability is your top concern and you don’t need 8,750 starting watts, a smaller 2,500-watt inverter will save your back and your budget.
For the most common buyer — someone connecting to a transfer switch for home backup — the WEN GN875i is the obvious pick. It’s the only one here with a dedicated L14-30R outlet, clean inverter power, and a reasonable weight that won’t kill you getting it into position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which generator is best for a home transfer switch — DeWalt, WEN, or Champion?
The WEN GN875i is the clear winner for transfer switch hookup because it comes with a NEMA L14-30R twist-lock receptacle that’s designed for exactly that purpose. Neither the DeWalt nor the Champion include that specific outlet, so you’d need an adapter or a separate wiring kit. The WEN also produces clean inverter power, which means your sensitive electronics won’t get fried when the power kicks back on.
Is the WEN GN875i worth the extra money over the DeWalt 8750?
I’d say yes for most buyers, even though the WEN has a smaller 4.2-gallon tank versus the DeWalt’s 7.5-gallon tank. The WEN gives you inverter technology for clean power, a transfer-switch-ready outlet, and weighs about 30% less than a traditional generator. The DeWalt is a brute-force machine built for jobsites, but it lacks the clean power and outlet options that make home backup easy.
Which generator runs the longest on a single tank of gas?
The DeWalt 8750 wins this category hands down with its massive 7.5-gallon steel fuel tank that delivers up to 10 hours of runtime at 50% load. The Champion 8750 also gets 10.5 hours thanks to its Economy Mode, but that’s with a tiny 2-gallon tank — you’ll be refueling way more often. The WEN GN875i trails at just 6.7 hours on its 4.2-gallon tank, so it’s the worst choice for extended outages.
Which generator is the quietest — DeWalt, WEN, or Champion?
The Champion 8750 is the quietest at 72 dBA, which is about as loud as a normal conversation and won’t annoy your neighbors during an outage. Neither the DeWalt nor the WEN list their decibel ratings in the specs I have, but the Champion’s “Quiet Technology” claim is backed by real testing. If noise is your biggest concern, go with the Champion.
Can the DeWalt 8750 power sensitive electronics like laptops and phones?
I wouldn’t trust it without an external power conditioner. The DeWalt is a traditional open-frame generator, not an inverter, so it produces standard power that can have voltage fluctuations harmful to sensitive electronics. The WEN GN875i and Champion 8750 are both inverter generators that deliver clean power safe for smartphones, tablets, televisions, and computers right out of the box.
Which generator is the lightest and easiest to move?
The Champion 8750 is the lightest at 155.4 pounds, followed by the WEN GN875i (which claims to weigh 30% less than a traditional 8,750-watt generator). The DeWalt is the heaviest at 187 pounds — that’s a 31-pound difference from the Champion. If you’re moving your generator in and out of a shed or truck bed regularly, the Champion will save your back.
My Final Verdict
The WEN GN875i is my clear overall winner for anyone looking for a transfer-switch-ready generator. It’s the only one here with a dedicated L14-30R outlet, clean inverter power for electronics, and a lighter frame that won’t wreck your back — all for a price that undercuts the Champion. The Champion 8750 is the runner-up if you prioritize quiet operation at 72 dBA and the lightest weight at 155.4 pounds, but you’ll lose the transfer switch convenience and gain more frequent refueling with that 2-gallon tank.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself one question: do I want to plug into my transfer switch without buying adapters or extra parts? If yes, stop overthinking it and get the WEN. The DeWalt is a solid jobsite machine, but it’s not built for home backup the way the WEN is.
WINNER: WEN GN875i
- 420cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces 8750 surge watts and 7000 rated watts
- Generate clean power to safely operate sensitive electronics such as...
- Lightweight body weighs 30% less than a traditional 8750-watt generator
Best for homeowners connecting to a transfer switch — the L14-30R outlet and clean inverter power make hookup simple and safe for electronics.
RUNNER-UP: Champion 8750
- Advanced Open Frame Inverter Design: 30% quieter and 25% lighter than a...
- Electric Start: The convenient electric push-button start includes a...
- Quiet Technology and Extended Run Time: 72 dBA is great for your next...
Best for buyers who need the lightest and quietest option — at 155.4 pounds and 72 dBA, it’s the easiest to move and least annoying to run.
THIRD PLACE: DeWalt 8750
- DEWALT 8125 / 6500- Watt Gas Powered Portable Generator with Idle Control...
Best for rough jobsites — the 7.5-gallon tank delivers 10 hours runtime, and the never-flat wheels handle tough terrain, but it’s heavy at 187 pounds and lacks a transfer switch outlet.
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