Briggs & Stratton Q6500 Review – Best Quiet Gas Generator For Home Backup

Are you in the market for a portable inverter generator? This Briggs & Stratton Q6500 review has got you covered.

These days we enjoy endless access to electricity to power various devices and appliances, such that a limitation on power can be a horrible thing to experience. However, what happens in the event of a power outage or when you’re on the road without access to electricity? Plus, will you have to forgo modern conveniences while camping or tailgating?

Fortunately, with an inverter generator, you never have to suffer from a lack of electricity. Due to their stable power, portability, and convenience, inverter generators are the best power source for several situations. These generators offer freedom of movement, flexibility, independence, adventure, and excitement. From tailgating parties to fishing camps, an inverter generator can serve as an efficient, reliable, and quick source of power. When the power goes out, an inverter is a more energy-efficient option, providing cleaner electricity and making less noise.

Whether you need power for your laptop or your coffee maker on an RV trip, or you want to prepare your house for a power outage, a portable inverter generator ensures that you get instant access to electricity when needed. The comfort and immediate electricity access an inverter generator can provide are simply priceless, and among the top best portable inverter generators on the market is the Briggs & Stratton Q6500. Designed to provide users with quality power during power outages, emergencies, and RV trips, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 is packed full with cutting-edge features that make it one of the most powerful inverters on the market.

In this review of the Briggs & Stratton Q6500, we’ll discuss the features, pros, and cons of the portable inverter generator, evaluating how it performs as a high-quality unit in terms of performance, power output, efficiency, convenience, and ease of use.

Specifications:

• Fuel Type: Gasoline
• Starting Watts: 6,500W
• Running watts: 5,000W
• AC Voltage: 120/240V, 60 Hz frequency
• DC: 5V
• Running amps: 41.7 / 20.8 amps
• Peak amps: 54.2 / 27.1 amps
• Engine Type: Briggs & Stratton OHV 4-Stroke Integrated Engine/Alternator
• Displacement: 306cc
• Fuel tank capacity: 5 gallons
• Run time: 14 hours at 25% load, 9.6 hours at 50% load
• Noise level: 66 dB(A) at 23 ft away
• Starting type: Recoil
• Outlets: Four GFCI 120V-20A; One 120V/240V, 30A Locking; Two USB
• Dimensions: 25.5 x 21.1 x 21.4 inches
• Weight: 128 lbs.
• Power Meter
• EPA approved
• <3% THD
• 8” Solid Wheels/Luggage-Style Telescoping

What’s in the box?

The generator comes with:

• user manual
• oil
• funnel

Features

The Briggs and Stratton Q6500 inverter generator is the latest from the brand and it offers a considerable power output at a great price. Very few generators in the portable inverter category feature over 6500 watts of starting power. Thanks to this huge power capacity, this Briggs and Stratton Q6500 model works well as a power backup source at home and as a tough job site generator.

Designed to provide you with confidence during blackouts, this Q6500 unit is one of the most powerful and sophisticated generators on the market. Compared to a standard generator, this inverter unit is 60% quieter, 30% lighter, and 45% more compact. Thanks to its topnotch advanced features, it rates high as one of the top inverter generators available.

Here are some of the features of this unit:

Power and Runtime

During a blackout, a generator becomes a crucial lifeline until power is restored. It ensures that your essential appliances remain powered, the furnace keeps going, food in the refrigerator doesn’t go bad, and you remain connected with the outside world. Thus, you have to consider the amount of power a unit generates in watts and its runtime before purchase. In this regard, the Briggs and Stratton Q6500 model outshines several others. It provides surge power of up to 6500 watts and has a continuous running capability of 5000 watts.

As such, this inverter can conveniently power 15,000 BTU air conditioner. Plus, such a large appliance draws around 1,500 watts, meaning that you’ll still have plenty of power for your microwave, refrigerators, computers, water pump, all your lights, and a TV. What this means is that you can rely on this generator to power your home essentials, and then some after an outage. Even more interesting, you can keep your RV powered with zero compromises.

What’s more, the fuel tank of this particular model has a capacity of 5 gallons. This offers users a running time of 14 hours at quarter load. In fact, most people are able to enjoy power throughout the night without the need to refuel. Even at 50% when you have several appliances plugged in, this device will still last for close to 10 hours.

Engine

This inverter is designed with a 306cc, OHV, 4-stroke engine from Briggs and Stratton. This highly efficient engine is air-cooled and comes equipped with a circuit breaker. So, overloading and overheating will hardly be a problem.

Construct

The generator has a modern-looking design that makes it more compact and lighter than several others. It has an all-steel durable enclosure with shock-resistant plastic covers that provide adequate protection for the internal components. This protects the generator and significantly reduces moisture damage.

Fuel Consumption

The fuel consumption of this machine is impressive, especially when you’re running at quarter load. It runs on gasoline, which is easily accessible and can be found at any gas service station around the corner. It is important to know how often you will need to add fuel to your generator, as you don’t want to refuel too often. Fortunately, this unit is fuel-efficient. As we’ve mentioned earlier, the generator will keep running for about 14 hours straight on a full tank.

Plus, there’s an auto-idle control system that modifies the engine speed automatically based on the required load. This saves a lot of fuel. We should also mention that this generator is equipped with a Quiet Power Technology (QPT) switch. This allows it to operate at a lower RPM when the power demand isn’t that high. The switch is situated on the control panel; once it is turned on, the engine speed increases when electrical loads are connected and decreases when loads are removed. This improves the fuel consumption, noise levels, and emissions of the generator.

Noise Rating

When this machine is producing 25% of its running power (1250W), it lets out a noise level of 66 decibels from 23 feet. This is similar to the noise level of a regular conversation. If you only have a few lights on and you’re watching TV, you’ll be operating with around 800 watts. What this means is that you will probably not hear the generator at all, even if the volume of your TV is turned down.

The quiet operation of this generator is further enhanced by its enclosed body. Unlike open frame generators, this generator is constructed with insulation panels that stop the noise from escaping. It is 60% quieter than the conventional open-frame generators. Plus, the engine has a muffler that also helps the low noise rating.

Inverter Technology

Users, especially those with sensitive electronics love the low harmonic distortion of this generator. This incorporated technology provides pure sine wave power with less than 3% THD, allowing you to use this machine with delicate devices. No matter the amount of load you place on this Briggs and Stratton unit, it will supply pure, clean sine wave power that can’t harm your equipment.

Outlets

The outlets on this model cover the basics of all you need in a home or RV generator. You need plenty of outlets on a portable generator, especially if you need it to power your household. Impressively, the front panel of this portable inverter generator is equipped with 4 X standard 120V GFCI-protected household outlets.

There’s also a 120V-240V twist-lock outlet which enables an effortless and safe connection to your home through a transfer switch or your RV. Using an RV adapter in this twist-lock outlet will provide you with 2500 watts of continuous power. The device also features two 5V USB ports, which makes it convenient to charge electronics such as tablets and mobile phones. The electrical outlets have plastic covers that protect them against moisture and dust.

Starting System

First, we should note that this unit does not have the convenience of an electric or remote starter. So, the only starting system available is the recoil starter. With past generators, this would have been a serious problem as users had to struggle with the starter before getting the generator on. But Briggs and Stratton have upgraded their machines, such that you can easily start this generator in any weather.

Warranty

The Briggs and Stratton Q6500 generator is covered with a warranty of 24 months (2 years) to give consumers peace of mind. There is also a 12-months limited warranty for commercial users.

Emissions

This Briggs and Stratton generator meets the safety standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 49 states. However, it is not CARB (California Air Resources Board) compliant, so it is not for sale in California.

Additional Features

Automatic Voltage Regulator: This allows for added safety and an extension of battery life.

Power Usage Meter: Users can monitor the status and activity of the Q6500 generator via the control panel. This panel features LEDs for power use, which display the number of hours the generator has been running for and the power output.

Low Oil Shutdown with LED lights: If the oil level goes below the preset level, the oil switch will automatically shut down the engine. On the panel, you’d also find light indicators that enable you to instantly see if the generator is overloaded, and oil levels are insufficient.

Built-in Fuel Gauge: This provides a convenient, quick, and easy means of checking the machine’s gas level.

Spark Arrester Muffler: This exhaust muffler reduces the engine noise and also features a spark arrester screen. Thanks to this spark arrester, this device can be used in forested areas.

The Briggs and Stratton Q6500 Review

The Briggs and Stratton Q6500 QuietPower model – a portable inverter generator that is highly recommended by consumers, who appreciate its fantastic combination of features, value, convenience, reliability, power, and price. Thanks to all these, this unit has fast become one of the best-selling portable inverter generators this year.

Does this Briggs and Stratton Q6500 portable inverter generator come through during power outages? Is it energy efficient and does it supply quiet power? In this review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this power source.

Performance

The Briggs and Stratton Q6500 gas generator is one with incredible performance. If you’re on the lookout for a portable generator that will provide you with all the power needed as backup for your home during an outage or to keep your tools running on a job site, then you need a device that puts out at least 5000W-6000W. This range is also best for a large RV, as it gives you sufficient amps to start and run an air conditioner, large microwave and refrigerator without any compromise.

Impressively, the amount of power this Q6500 unit gives out distinguishes it from several other inverter generators. Most consumers do not opt for inverters because of their low power output, but this machine challenges this idea with its 6500 surge power and 5000 rated watts. Usually, the problem with generators with this power and engine is that they are extremely noisy.

But here’s the good news: this Q6500 inverter has very low noise ratings, operating at 66 dBA. As a result, it is often said that this Briggs and Stratton unit combines the best of both conventional and inverter generators. This smart product has all the innovative features that you check out for when purchasing a portable generator. For one, it has a higher running time of 12 hours when you use it at 50 percent load, and when the tank is full. Beyond its innovative technology and powerful design, this generator is also budget-friendly.

As an inverter generator, this unit delivers clean power with low THD, making it ideal for modern electronic generators. It is also worth mentioning that this machine cannot parallel connect with another generator to double its power output. But this is not a problem, as, with 5000W rated power, you will hardly need more power.

Inverter generators are popular for their fuel efficiency, and this Briggs and Stratton device is no exception. It is fuel-efficient, operating on a large fuel tank of 5 gallons, with a higher running time of 14 hours when you use it at a 25 percent load.

Portability

This inverter generator weighs less than 130 pounds. This might not seem all that light, but it is 30% lighter and 45% more compact than a standard portable generator. What’s more, this machine is built to go anywhere with a collapsible telescoping handle and 8-inch never-flat sturdy wheels that make it easy to push around. The handle design is really appealing. It is a tough steel handle that retracts into the body of the generator when not in use. This means it won’t easily get damaged during transportation, and it makes the entire device more practical.

Convenience

Firstly, we need to draw your attention to the fact that this generator does not come with an electric start or remote control. It comes with a recoil start mechanism that is actually easy to pull. Plus, the omission of the electric starter motor and a built-in battery reduce the overall weight of the inverter.

Let’s move on. For optimum convenience, this model boasts of multiple power outlets, including USB ports, which make it ideal for use at home, on a job site, or in a recreational vehicle. It can be annoying to plug in some electronics, only to have some lights and appliances at home shut off. This tends to occur as a result of an electrical overload, but fortunately, this unit is designed with circuit breakers that help prevent such.

What’s more, the brand has also backed this unit up with a 2-year limited domestic warranty and a 1-year commercial warranty. So, you can rest assured that help is always available when you need it.