Best tri-fuel in portable and inverter generators
The most power here and the only portable that runs on natural gas from a home line, with CO Alert and a five-year warranty; big, loud and heavy.
Our score: 8.1/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Running watts
- 10,500 W
- Starting watts
- 13,000 W
- Largest outlet
- 120/240 V 50 A (14-50R)
- Runtime at 25% load
- 17 h
Is it right for you?
Pros
- Runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas (hose included)
- 10,500 running watts on gas, 9,000 on natural gas
- CO Alert shuts the engine and blocks restart for 5 min
- Five-year warranty per DuroMax
Cons
- 246 lb and 74 dB
- Natural gas hookup needs a gas fitter and the right pressure
- No Canadian safety mark stated by DuroMax
- Best for
- Homes with a natural gas service that want long outages covered without refuelling, wired to a transfer switch and connected to gas by a licensed fitter.
- Not for
- Small yards, anyone without a safe outdoor spot at least 6 m (20 ft) from the house, or buyers who need a generator they can move by hand.
Our verdict
The XP13000HXT is the most powerful portable in our comparison and the only one that can run on natural gas from a home line, as well as gasoline and propane. DuroMax rates it at 10,500 running watts on gasoline, 10,000 on propane and 9,000 on natural gas, with peaks of 13,000, 12,500 and 11,250. On the 8.3 gallon tank it runs about 17 hours at a quarter load and 8.5 hours at half load, and on natural gas it simply keeps going, which is the point for a long winter outage. DuroMax includes a 15 ft gas hose and gives a five-year warranty.
CO Alert stops the engine if carbon monoxide builds up and blocks a restart for five minutes. The panel’s largest outlet is a 120/240 V 14-50R. It is a big machine, though: 246 lb and 74 dB, so it needs a permanent outdoor spot well away from the house. DuroMax states no Canadian safety mark for it.
Setup and safety
Outdoors only, on any fuel. Run it at least 6 m (20 ft) from the house, with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows and air intakes, never in a garage, shed, basement or carport, even with the door open (Health Canada, CPSC). A natural gas hookup does not make it a standby generator: it still stays outside. Keep battery-backed CO alarms inside, outside the bedrooms.
Natural gas needs a gas fitter. DuroMax says the generator needs 6 to 9 inches of water column at its inlet and about 225,000 BTU/h at full load, so the gas line, its size and the quick-connect are a job for a licensed gas fitter. On propane, DuroMax suggests a tank of at least 40 lb.
Electrical hookup. Never plug it into a wall outlet or the panel, and never use a male-to-male cord: that backfeeds the grid and can kill line workers (how a transfer switch or interlock prevents it). DuroMax’s manual compares transfer switches and interlock kits, and both are installed by an electrician. The generator ships with a bonded neutral, and DuroMax publishes steps for removing the bond, so ask the electrician which your switch needs. In most places that also needs a permit or a notice to your utility, sometimes before you buy; rules differ by province and state (see the rules by province and state).
Upkeep. Change the oil (40.5 fl oz of 10W-30) after the first month or 8 hours, then every 6 months or 100 hours, or every 3 months or 50 hours under heavy use. A yellow CO Alert light means a fault in the CO system: DuroMax says to call its service line.
Specs
DuroMax XP13000HXT Tri-Fuel Portable Generator with CO Alert
Generator output
| Running watts | 10,500 W |
|---|---|
| Starting watts | 13,000 W |
| Fuel | Gasoline, propane or natural gas |
| Largest outlet | 120/240 V 50 A (14-50R) |
| Parallel capable | No |
| Running watts on propane | 10,000 W |
Fuel
| Runtime at 25% load | 17 h |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank | 8.3 gal |
| Runtime at 50% load | 8.5 h |
Other details
| CO shutoff | Yes |
|---|---|
| Noise (maker's rating) | 74 dB(A) |
| Weight | 246 lb |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Maker’s figures, checked 3 Nov 2026.
XP13000HXT questions
Can I connect it to my home's natural gas line?
Yes, through a proper connection made by a licensed gas fitter. DuroMax includes a 15 ft by 3/4 in gas hose and says the generator needs 6 to 9 inches of water column and about 225,000 BTU/h at full load. The pipe has to be sized for that load, which is the fitter’s job.
How much power do I lose on natural gas?
About 14 percent. DuroMax rates it at 9,000 running watts on natural gas, against 10,500 on gasoline and 10,000 on propane. That is still more than most homes need for a furnace, fridge, sump pump, well pump and lights, managed through a transfer switch.
What happens when CO Alert trips?
The CO Alert light turns red, the engine stops, and it cannot be restarted for five minutes. A yellow light means the CO system itself has a fault, and DuroMax says to call its service line.
Can I use it in Canada?
DuroMax states no Canadian safety mark for the XP13000HXT. If you buy one for a Canadian home, look for a CSA or cUL mark on the rating label, and remember the gas connection needs a licensed fitter and the electrical one a licensed electrician.