Generators are ideal for a variety of different reasons.
Whether you’re out on a camping trip or you need or boondocking in your favorite RV, you can set up these portable devices in a variety of different scenarios.
They are reliable, can generate a lot of wattage in power and can resist most weather (with the proper covering, that is).
However, one other thing that your portable power unit will generate is noise. This unwanted byproduct can ruin your camping trip or annoy your neighbors no end.
House generators traditionally come with a built-in muffler that dampens the sound perfectly.
That’s because manufacturers know that generators are designed to run within a busy home with family members that will sleep throughout the night.
However, this luxury is not afforded to portable generators.
Most outdoor generators come with poor quality mufflers. However, manufacturers have cottoned onto this annoyance and started to produce separate mufflers that will solve the problem of a noisy generator in no time at all.
You might also have an existing muffler that has worked well for several years but, through a prolonged period of wear and tear, has lost most of its noise-reducing qualities. A new muffler will stop both headaches and complaints from aggravated neighbors.
But where can you find a decent muffler for your generator? What features and qualities should a muffler have to give you the optimum level of dampness for your generator? How much can you be looking to pay for a decent muffler?
Well, don’t fret, because we’ve compiled a list of some of the best mufflers on the market to be used on your generator. We’ve also written a buyer’s guide on how to further dampen down your excess generator noise, as well as some frequently asked questions on mufflers.
OUR TOP PICK
Our first muffler is one that comes very highly rated by hundreds of users on Amazon, which is surely a testament to its noise muffling capacities.
With a reversible Tri-flow design, you can adapt this one to several generators and for one of the best prices on the market - introducing the Thrush 17711 Turbo Muffler.
It has a 100% aluminized coated shell, which makes it a very durable muffler, which is important for it to withstand the high temperatures and vibrations of your generator over an extended period.
This muffler is often used on high-end classic cars, so it will silence your portable generator easily.
This muffler is one-piece and is sleek, smooth and lightweight, making for an easy installation.
The price of this muffler is also extremely reasonable, so you won’t be breaking the bank to keep your portable generator quiet.
Pros
- The Tri-flow design has great silencing capabilities, with a reversible element that allows you to adapt it for different styles of generator.
- The aluminized shell will guarantee that this muffler will last you for several years. It can withstand the repetitive shocks and the intense heat of your generator, it will not warp or crack any time soon.
- The price - considering the range of functions that this muffler has, the price will be a major boon to anyone looking to quieten their generator or the noisy motor on a vintage car.
- Highly rated - a lot of Amazon customers have lavished 5-stars on this product, so you can guarantee that this model has certainly been tried and tested.
Cons
- Some users have complained of rattling on this particular muffler.
EDITORS CHOICE
Next up we have a very well rated muffler, made by a well-respected brand Camco, it has excellent design and features that will effectively reduce your generator’s excessive noise.
It also improves the general air quality of your generator and helps keep carbon dioxide levels to a minimum - introducing Camco 44872 18-Inch Extension.
The installation of this muffler is quick and simple, you can do it without any additional tools or equipment.
The one-piece design reduces the volume of the emissions that your generator will be producing. This muffler also does not require any additional power source.
It has a compact length, which will make it ideal to carry and store, in case you want to save it for use at a later date.
The 120-inch length enables the efficient dissipation of both sound and exhaust fumes. If you are falling short of a few inches, don’t worry, this muffler can be extended to 18 inches.
Pros
- If you are looking to save on extra poundage in your camping gear, then this muffler certainly won’t contribute massively to your load, coming at only 9-pounds of weight.
- This muffler goes some way to reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from your generator, which is perfect if you are camping and don’t want to have to set up your generator some distance away from your campsite or RV.
- The one-piece construction will also decrease the amount of noise coming from your generator - the less moving parts, the less your generator will rattle!
Cons
- The price - this muffler is a little bit more expensive than some of the other models on this list. It might not be ideal for those who do not want to fork out a lot of money for this addition to their generator.
BEST VALUE
Next, we have a muffler that is constructed from aluminum and is very robust, coming with anti-corrosive properties that make it perfect if you’re thinking of using it in extreme weather conditions.
It will reduce the muffle coming from your generator efficiently, as well as lowering carbon dioxide emissions - introducing the Walker 17911 Economy Pro-Fit Universal Muffler.
The inner design has a partition system, which is specifically made to reduce noise. It is spot-welded and gives your system the utmost stability.
You can adopt this muffler to most machines, as it comes in a universal design, although you may have to augment its length to get it to comply with your generator.
The price of this generator is very modest, so you won’t have to shell out a lot of additional cash if your built-in muffler doesn’t work.
This unit is very durable and good value for money - you can expect it to last for a few years if maintained well.
Pros
- This muffler is perfectly designed to filter noise and emissions, with a partition system that will be able to withstand both sound and smell. You can count on this muffler to drastically improve your camping experience.
- The price - this generator muffler is also competitively priced, considering the number of features available, this makes it a fantastic choice for those who want to save a few dollars.
- The universal design of this muffler means that you can pick it up without having to worry about whether it will fit your generator or not.
- This is ideal for reducing the noise of a generator in your RV, allowing you to enjoy your fishing or acoustic guitar playing in relative peace.
Cons
- Some users have complained that the baffles inside this muffler have come loose and made a rattling sound after a few months.
RUNNER UP
Our final model of muffler is one that is made to adapt to numerous generators and vehicles such as tractors.
This versatility will certainly appeal to anyone who wants their muffler to be fitted to more than one device. It will last you several years if taken care of properly - introducing New Stens Muffler 105-296.
This muffler has numerous 5-star ratings on Amazon, with users reporting that this muffler is quick to install and quietens their generator as soon as it is fitted.
It has a simple one-piece design that can effectively absorb noise, excessive vibrations and carbon dioxide.
It is the perfect muffler for an outdoor generator that you don’t want disturbing the neighbors.
Pros
- This muffler’s one-piece design will be able to withstand years of shaking and noise pollution, with an easy-to-install construction.
- This model is very versatile and can be used on tractors, portable generators and automobiles. This will be appealing to gear heads who might want to use their muffler on more than one device.
- The warranty - this has a 30-day or your money-back guarantee, giving you that extra assurance when you run it within the first few weeks of purchase.
Cons
- This model is one of the most expensive on this list - but with a higher price comes a higher build quality and material construction.
Best Generator Mufflers Buying Guide
Buying a muffler is probably the best way to reduce the noise produced by your portable generator, as they are specifically designed with this in mind.
A decent muffler should last you many years after it is installed, although this will obviously depend on the model and power level of your generator and how long you’ll be running it regularly.
But if you are on a strict budget, there are other ways you can reduce the noise levels of your generator without having to spend a lot of cash.
Set Up Your Portable Generator Further Away
Whether you are operating this at your home, your campsite or from your RV, a simple way of reducing the noise is by installing it as far away from people as possible, provided that you have the room.
Most generators produce about 70 to 80 decibels of noise at 23 feet away, so you can using the measurement to calculate how far you’ll need it away from your home.
However, this might not always be an option if you have a small amount of garden space or campsite.
If you do have your generator set up in your home, then you can think about constructing a separate shelter, although you’ll need to make sure that it doesn’t cover the heater too closely, otherwise you run the risk of overheating.
You’ll also need to make sure that you have plenty of extension cords to run your generator further away.
Angle The Exhaust Away From You
If you cannot move the entire generator away from your site, then you can try and face the exhaust away from wherever you are sitting.
The exhaust is where the most noise of your generator will be emitted, so turning it away will reduce the intensity of its sound. This is because the sound waves travel in quite a concentrated direction due to the narrowness of the exhaust.
Also, having the exhaust facing away from your house, your campsite or your RV will cut down the amount of toxic, unpleasant fumes being projected in your direction.
Try And Deflect The Sound
You can try and use your environment to dampen the sound of your generator. You can move furniture near to your generator to deflect the sound in a different direction.
You can also mount it beside your shed or a garden wall, which will help you to muffle your generator.
You can try and construct a small shelter for your generator out of plywood, which will help to absorb the sound.
Install Your Generator On A Solid Floor
Certain surfaces will absorb the additional sound and vibrations emitted from your generator. Concrete and wood flooring are good ways of deadening generator sounds. If you couple these with an additional muffler, then you can be sure that your generator will run very quietly indeed.
If you are out in the wilderness and are running a generator from your RV, then you can also buy a sound-absorbing mat that you can roll out and place on the floor before setting up your generator.
Buy A Generator That Has Low Noise Volumes
A lot of the high-quality generators have low noise capabilities, as they are generally made of a better build quality and premium materials. However, we understand that a top-of-the-range generator might not be in everyone’s financial remit.
If you have a high-quality generator, then you won’t have to buy an additional muffler, as it will run smoothly and quietly on its own.
However, to stay within your budget and still get that smooth-running and quiet sound, then we would recommend that you purchase a mid-range generator and then buy a muffler separately, maybe employing the techniques in this guide to create an almost silent-running generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can You Build A Silencer Box For Your Generator?
For an affordable solution to your generator noises, you can build a silencer box out of plywood that will certainly help to some extent.
This might require some light woodworking skills, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run and will also make your garden look a lot nicer, as generators can tend to look a bit unsightly.
You’ll need to build a simple shed-like construction that will cover the entire body of your generator. You can also construct a shelter that comes with hinges that you can fold away and take with you on your next camping trip.
All you will need for these shelters are plywood, foam backing and other durable materials that will help you to block out your sound.
By constructing an inner and outer box and lining the inside wall with wall insulation, you will have a lightweight and effective device to absorb most of the sound from your generator.
Be sure that you fashion a handle in your plywood shelter for ease of transportation and handling.
Airflow is crucial to your generator to stop it from overheating. Make sure there are a few square inches of space around your machine to let out the exhaust fumes. You might have to make a hole over the exhaust so that the fumes do not affect the operating of your generator.
What Are The Other Ways Of Reducing Your Generator Sounds?
Here are some of the ways that you can reduce the noise coming from your generator.
- Build a soundproof shelter - as discussed above, these are quick and easy solutions to dampen down the vibrations and motor noise from your generator. It is ideal for anyone who likes a minor woodworking challenge.
- Install your generator far away from your home or campsite.
- Turn the exhaust pipe away from your home or campsite, as this will reduce the intensity of the sound waves.
- Install your generator between the shed and a brick wall, as these two thick surfaces will easily absorb the extra sound from your generator. However, be sure that you do not cover the exhaust pipe, as this will cause your generator to overheat.
- Play some music at your campsite and turn it up until you can’t hear the generator any longer!
