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If you’re shopping for serious home backup power, you’re probably staring at three very different machines: the massive Westinghouse 28000, the mid-sized Champion 11500, and the popular DuroMax 12000. The Westinghouse throws down 20,000 running watts, while the Champion offers 9,200 and the DuroMax delivers 9,500 — but raw power isn’t the whole story.
This comparison is for homeowners who need to keep their whole house running during an outage, not just a few lights and the fridge. The real trade-off here is brute force versus portability and value. Stick with me and I’ll help you figure out which one actually fits your situation.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Westinghouse 28000
Unmatched 20,000 running watts and a massive 17-gallon tank for 15 hours of runtime — Check Price →
Runner-Up: DuroMax 12000
Best balance of power and weight at 217 lbs with MX2 technology for full 120V output — Check Price →
Best Budget: Champion 11500
Lightest at 203 lbs, quietest at 74 dBA, and includes CO Shield safety — Check Price →
I’ve pulled the most important specs from all three generators side by side so you can see exactly how they stack up.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Westinghouse 28000 Peak W | Champion Power Equipment | DuroMax Gas Powered Porta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Wattage | ✅ 28000 | 11500 | 12000 |
| Running Wattage | — | ✅ 9200 | — |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gasoline | Gas |
| Start Type | Remote Electric | Electric | Electric |
| Weight | — | ✅ 203 | — |
| Voltage | — | ✅ 240 | — |
| Outlets | ✅ 30A & 50A | — | — |
| CO Sensor | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | — |
| Warranty | — | ✅ 3 Year | — |
| Auto Choke | ✅ Yes | — | — |
| Transfer Switch Ready | ✅ Yes | — | — |
| Cold Start Tech | — | ✅ Yes | — |
| RV Ready | — | — | ✅ Yes |
| 50 State Approved | — | — | ✅ Yes |
Individual Product Breakdown
I spent time digging into the real-world specs and user feedback for each of these generators to give you an honest take on what it’s actually like to own one.
Westinghouse 28000 Peak Watt Home Backup Portable Generator
28,000 Peak Watts | 20,000 Running Watts | 999cc V-Twin | 541 lbs | 17 Gal Tank
- Automatic Home Backup Made Portable: Pair with the Westinghouse WATS...
- Built for Longer Engine Life: The powerful 999cc engine features...
- Power for sensitive electronics: Less than 5% THD delivers cleaner power...
This thing is an absolute monster. With 20,000 running watts and a 999cc V-Twin engine, the Westinghouse can power your entire house including your AC and well pump at the same time. I love the remote start key fob and auto choke — getting it going is dead simple even in bad weather. The downside is that 541-pound weight means you’re not moving it anywhere without serious help or a dedicated spot.
✅ Pros
- 20,000 running watts handles whole-home loads easily
- Up to 15 hours runtime at 25% load from 17-gallon tank
- Remote start key fob and push-button electric start
- Includes both 30A and 50A outlets, transfer switch ready
❌ Cons
- Weighs 541 pounds — nearly impossible to move without a dolly or permanent install
- Very expensive compared to other options
- Gasoline only, no dual fuel option
Champion Power Equipment 11,500-Watt Electric Start Home Backup Portable Generator
11,500 Peak Watts | 9,200 Running Watts | 459cc Engine | 203 lbs | 74 dBA
- Electric Start: Power up the 459cc Champion engine with the handy rocker...
- Reliable and Powerful: At 11500 starting watts and 9200 running watts...
- Covered Outlets: 120/240V 30A locking, 120/240V 38A, and two 120V 20A GFCI...
The Champion 11500 is the lightest and most affordable option here at just 203 pounds, making it the only one you can realistically move around your property. I really appreciate the CO Shield auto shutoff system and the Volt Guard surge protector for keeping your electronics safe. At 9,200 running watts it’ll handle most of your home essentials, but you won’t be running a central AC or big well pump alongside everything else.
✅ Pros
- Only 203 pounds — easiest to move and store
- Quiet operation at 74 dBA from 23 feet
- CO Shield auto shutoff adds safety
- Cold Start Technology for reliable winter starting
❌ Cons
- Only 7.7-gallon tank gives 10 hours runtime at 50% load
- 9,200 running watts won’t power a whole large home
- Only 4 outlets total, fewer than competitors
DuroMax Gas Powered Portable 12000 Watt-Electric Start-Home Back Up & RV Ready
12,000 Peak Watts | 9,500 Running Watts | 457cc Engine | 217 lbs | 8.3 Gal Tank
- Powerful DuroMax Engine: the XP12000E is powered by a DuroMax 457cc DuroMax...
- Plenty of power: with 12, 000 starting watts and 9, 500 running watts, This...
- MX2 TECHNOLOGY: With DuroMax MX2 technology, get the maximum power from...
The DuroMax XP12000E is the sweet spot between the monster Westinghouse and the budget Champion. With 9,500 running watts and MX2 technology that lets you pull full power from the 120V outlets, this thing is a workhorse for both home backup and job sites. At 217 pounds it’s still manageable with the included wheel kit, and the idle control saves fuel when you’re not drawing heavy loads. My only gripe is the 8-hour runtime at full load is shorter than the others.
✅ Pros
- 9,500 running watts with MX2 for full 120V output
- 217 pounds with wheel kit for reasonable portability
- Idle control saves fuel and reduces noise
- Excellent 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from 600 reviews
❌ Cons
- Only 8 hours runtime at full load on 8.3-gallon tank
- No CO sensor for automatic shutoff
- Gasoline only, no dual fuel option in this model
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent a lot of time with these specs, and the honest truth is that the right generator depends entirely on how much power you actually need and how much weight you’re willing to deal with. Let me break it down by who each one fits best.
Westinghouse 28000 is right for you if…
- You need to power your entire home including central AC, well pump, and electric oven — its 20,000 running watts can handle it all at once.
- You want the longest runtime possible with a 17-gallon tank giving up to 15 hours at 25% load.
- You’re setting this up as a permanent backup solution and won’t need to move it — the 541-pound weight is a non-issue if it stays put.
Champion 11500 is right for you if…
- You need to move your generator around frequently — at 203 pounds it’s the lightest and most portable option here.
- You want the quietest operation possible at just 74 dBA from 23 feet, which is great for neighborhoods.
- You’re on a tight budget and still want 9,200 running watts plus safety features like CO Shield auto shutoff.
DuroMax 12000 is right for you if…
- You want the best balance of power and portability — 9,500 running watts at 217 pounds with a wheel kit is very manageable.
- You need MX2 technology to get full 120V output from each receptacle, perfect for running multiple power tools on a job site.
- You want a proven machine with 4.5 out of 5 stars from 600 reviews — that’s the most customer feedback of any generator here.
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you only need to power a few lights, a fridge, and some phone chargers during an outage, you’re better off with a smaller 2,000 to 4,000-watt inverter generator that’s quieter, lighter, and way easier on fuel. These three are overkill for basic camping or running just a couple of appliances.
For the most common buyer — a homeowner wanting whole-house backup without breaking the bank — I’d point you to the DuroMax 12000. It gives you serious power at 9,500 running watts, weighs almost 300 pounds less than the Westinghouse, and has the best customer reputation of the bunch. If you absolutely need to run everything including a big AC and don’t mind the weight, the Westinghouse 28000 is the only one that can do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which generator is better for whole-house backup — the Westinghouse 28000 or the DuroMax 12000?
The Westinghouse 28000 wins hands down for whole-house backup if you can handle the size. It puts out 20,000 running watts, which is more than double the DuroMax’s 9,500 running watts. That extra power lets you run your central AC, well pump, electric oven, and lights all at the same time — something the DuroMax simply can’t do. But the Westinghouse weighs 541 pounds versus 217 pounds for the DuroMax, so you better have a permanent spot for it.
Is the Westinghouse 28000 worth the extra money over the Champion 11500?
That depends entirely on how much power you actually need. The Westinghouse gives you 20,000 running watts, a 17-gallon tank, and up to 15 hours of runtime — that’s serious capability. The Champion offers 9,200 running watts and a 7.7-gallon tank for about half the price. If your home has a big AC unit or electric heat, the Westinghouse is worth every penny. If you just need to keep the fridge, lights, and a window AC running, the Champion is the smarter buy.
Which generator is the most portable — the Champion 11500 or the DuroMax 12000?
The Champion 11500 is the most portable of all three at just 203 pounds, and it comes with a wheel kit included. The DuroMax 12000 is close behind at 217 pounds with its own wheel kit, so they’re both manageable for one person to move around a yard or driveway. The Westinghouse 28000 at 541 pounds isn’t really portable at all — you’ll need a dolly or a permanent install. For actual portability, the Champion is the lightest option here.
Which generator runs the longest on a full tank of gas?
The Westinghouse 28000 blows the others away here. With its 17-gallon fuel tank, it runs up to 15 hours at 25% load. The Champion 11500 has a 7.7-gallon tank that lasts about 10 hours at 50% load, and the DuroMax 12000’s 8.3-gallon tank gets you roughly 8 hours. If you want to sleep through the night without refueling, the Westinghouse is your only real choice.
Which generator is the quietest — the Champion 11500 or the DuroMax 12000?
The Champion 11500 is the quietest at 74 dBA from 23 feet, which Champion says is a bit louder than a vacuum cleaner. I don’t have a noise spec for the DuroMax 12000, but the DuroMax does have idle control that lowers RPMs when you’re not drawing heavy loads — that helps cut noise significantly. The Westinghouse 28000 with its massive 999cc V-Twin is going to be the loudest of the bunch. For quiet operation, go with the Champion.
Does the DuroMax 12000 have a CO sensor like the Westinghouse and Champion?
No, the DuroMax 12000 does not have a CO sensor or auto shutoff. Both the Westinghouse 28000 and the Champion 11500 include carbon monoxide detection that automatically shuts the engine off if unsafe CO levels build up. This is a big safety feature, especially if you’re using the generator near your home. If safety tech is a priority, the DuroMax is the only one here missing it.
My Final Verdict
After comparing all three, my clear winner for heavy duty backup is the Westinghouse 28000. With 20,000 running watts, a 999cc V-Twin engine, and up to 15 hours of runtime from its 17-gallon tank, nothing else here comes close to powering an entire home. The DuroMax 12000 is my runner-up — it’s the best pick for anyone who needs serious power at 9,500 running watts but still wants to be able to move the generator around their property.
If you’re on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you need to run your central AC and well pump at the same time? If yes, stop looking and buy the Westinghouse. If you just need to power the essentials and want something you can actually move, save the money and grab the DuroMax or Champion instead.
Winner: Westinghouse 28000
- Automatic Home Backup Made Portable: Pair with the Westinghouse WATS...
- Built for Longer Engine Life: The powerful 999cc engine features...
- Power for sensitive electronics: Less than 5% THD delivers cleaner power...
For homeowners who need to power their entire house including central AC, well pumps, and electric appliances. Nothing else in this comparison delivers 20,000 running watts with a 17-gallon tank.
Runner-Up: DuroMax 12000
- Powerful DuroMax Engine: the XP12000E is powered by a DuroMax 457cc DuroMax...
- Plenty of power: with 12, 000 starting watts and 9, 500 running watts, This...
- MX2 TECHNOLOGY: With DuroMax MX2 technology, get the maximum power from...
Perfect for homeowners who want strong backup power at 9,500 running watts but still need to move the generator around. At 217 pounds with MX2 technology, it’s the best balance of power and portability.
Best Budget: Champion 11500
- Electric Start: Power up the 459cc Champion engine with the handy rocker...
- Reliable and Powerful: At 11500 starting watts and 9200 running watts...
- Covered Outlets: 120/240V 30A locking, 120/240V 38A, and two 120V 20A GFCI...
Best for buyers on a budget who still need dependable backup power. At 203 pounds and 74 dBA, it’s the lightest and quietest option here with 9,200 running watts and CO Shield safety.
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