Buffalo Tools manufactures Sportsman generators. It is not a popular brand, but still, many people prefer to buy Sportsman generators because of their reliability and affordability.
Sportsman generators include both inverter and conventional generators. Also, their models offer a variety of fuel options. Some models only run on gasoline or propane, whereas some models are dual-fuel as well as tri-fuel.
So, if you are finding a reliable and affordable generator for your personal use, go through the following Sportsman generators to select the best one that meets your needs.
Table of Contents
Best Sportsman Generator Reviews
Image | Product | Features | Ratings | Check Price |
 | Sportsman GEN4000DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator |
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 | Sportsman GEN1000I Inverter Generator |
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 | Sportsman GEN7000LP Portable Generator |
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 | Sportsman GEN2000 Portable Generator |
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1. Sportsman GEN4000DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator – Best Sportsman Dual Fuel Generator
Fuel Option: Sportsman GEN4000DF is an open-frame dual-fuel conventional generator. It is an RV-ready unit that runs on both gasoline and propane.
Starting Method: It only comes with a recoil start option.
Engine: Its 212cc, 7 HP 4-stroke OHV engine delivers excellent output power.
Output Power: When running on gasoline, it gives 3,500 running watts and 4,000 starting watts. But with propane, it generates 3,100 rated watts and 3,600 peak watts.
Users can use any of the fuel options to meet their specific power needs. RV travelers and homeowners can run their appliances and household things. And, DIY enthusiasts can power different small tools without any trouble.
Recommended Oil: It is recommended to use SAE 10W-30 oil to enhance the performance of the engine.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Runtime: If we talk about gasoline, then a 3.6-gallon tank offers 10 hours of continuous operation at half load. But with 20 pounds LPG tank, you will get up to 12 hours of runtime at half load.
Fuel Consumption: Sportsman GEN4000DF consumes 0.36 gallons of gasoline per hour and 0.39 gallons of propane per hour.
Power Receptacles: There are a total of five AC outlets and one DC outlet.
These receptacles include four 120 Volt 20 Ampere (5-20R) receptacles and one 120 Volt 30 Ampere (TT-30R) receptacle along with a 12 Volt DC receptacle.
The TT-30R outlet is for the RV connection. The 12 Volt outlet is for charging batteries. And the 5-20R outlets are for powering household appliances, RV appliances, and small power tools.
Voltmeter: Its control panel also features a voltmeter that allows users to monitor the power output.
Decibel Rating: With less than 69dB decibel rating, the generator is considered as less noisy.
Mobility: Sportsman GEN4000DF weighs 90 pounds so two persons can easily move it from one place to another. But if you need a proper transportation system, you have to buy a mobility kit separately.
Warranty: It only offers a 1-year limited warranty.
Safety: The spark arrestor prevents damages caused by unsafe sparks from coming out of the engine. The low-oil shutoff turns off the engine automatically when the oil level goes down. And the overload protection prevents electrical overloads.
My Opinion:
Pros: Sportsman GEN4000DF is a dual fuel plus an RV-ready generator. It comes at an affordable price and has decent fuel efficiency and acceptable noise. Also, it features a voltmeter that helps monitor the status and activity of the generator.
Cons: You cannot use this generator at altitudes above 3,000 feet.
2. Sportsman GEN1000I Inverter Generator – Best Sportsman Quiet Generator
Fuel Option: Sportsman GEN1000I is a portable inverter generator, that runs on gasoline.
Starting Method: It only features a traditional recoil start system.
Engine: Its 40cc, 1.3 HP 4-stroke OHV engine offers excellent performance.
Output Power: Sportsman GEN1000I delivers 1,000 watts of surge power and 800 watts of rated power. This output power can be insufficient, but you can still power one sensitive electronic and one small appliance at a time.
THD Rating: With less than 5% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion), you can safely power your delicate electronics.
THD shows how much of a harmonic component is present in the voltage and current waveforms. This indicates the amount of waveform distortion present in an electrical signal.
Recommended Oil: Users should use the SAE 10W-30 oil before using the generator for the first time.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Runtime: Power your essentials up to 6.3 hours on a 0.6-gallon gasoline tank at half load.
Eco-Mode: To meet the load requirements, its engine changes its speed accordingly. This helps users to save fuel.
Fuel Consumption: Sportsman GEN1000I consumes 0.1 gallons of gasoline per hour.
Power Receptacles: Its power receptacles include one 120 Volt 20 Ampere (5-20R) receptacle and one 12 Volt 4 Ampere DC receptacle.
Indicator Lights: The overload indicator turns on when the unit is overloaded. The oil alert button turns red when the oil level reaches the minimum level. And the output indicator indicates that your generator is ready to use.
Decibel Rating: Sportsman GEN1000I operates as low as 56dB.
Mobility: It is only 20.3 pounds in weight. Also, a built-in carrying handle makes it easy to move.
Warranty: Only 1-year limited warranty
Safety: If we focus on generator safety, we have a spark arrestor, overload protection, and low-oil shutoff features.
My Opinion:
Pros: Sportsman GEN1000I produces clean output power. It is fuel-efficient, quiet for its power, and extremely light in weight. Also, its indicator lights help monitor the generator status.
Cons: There is only one AC outlet.
3. Sportsman GEN7000LP Portable Generator – Best Sportsman Propane Generator
Fuel Option: Sportsman GEN7000LP is an open-frame portable conventional generator. It runs on propane to power your appliances and tools.
Starting Method: For the convenience of the users, it has an electric start mechanism along with a recoil backup.
Engine: It is equipped with a powerful 13 HP 4-stroke OHV engine.
Output Power: With 7,000 peak watts and 6,000 rated watts, users can easily power their essential home appliances and power tools. This generator is suitable for homeowners, contractors, and emergency purposes.
Automatic Voltage Regulator: The AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator) automatically regulates voltage to turn a fluctuating voltage level into a constant voltage level.
Recommended Oil: SAE 10W-30 oil is recommended to use to keep the engine working for a long.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Runtime: On a 20 pounds propane tank, users will get up to 8 hours of runtime at half load.
You need to buy the LPG cylinder separately, but a 5-foot propane hose with a regulator is included in the package.
Power Receptacles: With five AC outlets and one DC outlet, you can power many things simultaneously.
There are four 120 Volt 20 Ampere (5-20R) outlets and one 120/240 Volt outlet along with a 12 Volt DC outlet for battery charging only.
Decibel Rating: Its operational sound is quite higher (80dB).
Mobility: Sportsman GEN7000LP is quite easy to maneuver. The wheel kit is included in the package which includes two durable wheels and a long handle.
Warranty: It also comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
Safety: Automatic low-oil shut-off, spark arrestor, and overload protection are included in the safety features.
My Opinion:
Pros: Sportsman GEN7000LP runs on LPG, which is an eco-friendly fuel. It has a powerful engine that delivers higher and more consistent power. Also, it is easy to operate and gives a decent runtime.
Cons: Its decibel rating is on the higher side.
4. Sportsman GEN2000 Portable Generator – Best Sportsman Cheap Generator
Fuel Option: Sportsman GEN2000 is a gas-powered open-frame portable conventional generator.
Starting Method: It has a manual start system.
Engine: An 87cc, 2.8 HP 4-stroke OHV engine gives maximum power output.
Output Power: It generates 2000 watts of peak power and 1400 watts of rated power.
The campers and tailgaters can easily power their essentials through this generator.
Recommended Oil: Use SAE 10W-30 oil when operating your generator for the first time.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Runtime: At 50% load, Sportsman GEN2000 can run up to 9 hours on a 1.2-gallon gasoline tank.
Fuel Consumption: Its fuel consumption is 0.13 gallons per hour.
Power Receptacles: Sportsman GEN2000 has two 120 Volt 20 Ampere (5-20R) outlets and one 12 Volt 8 Ampere DC outlet for battery charging.
Decibel Rating: It operates at 68dB.
Mobility: It is a lightweight machine (53 pounds).
Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
Safety: Low-oil shutdown and overload protection
My Opinion:
Pros: Sportsman GEN2000 has a reasonable runtime. It is light in weight, highly affordable, and operates without making much noise.
Cons: Spark arrestor is missing. Also, it has a basic model with no electric start system.
Buyer’s Guide
Before selecting any Sportsman generator, make sure you have checked the following features.
Generator Type
There are two types of Sportsman generators. One is conventional, and the second one is the inverter.
Conventional generators give higher power output as compared to inverter generators. But inverter machines produce more clean and stable power free of fluctuations. It helps users to safely power their sensitive electronic items.
Conventional units are bigger and heavier, but most Sportsman generator models come with wheel kits, making them highly portable. In contrast, inverter machines are lighter and compact.
If we talk about power outlets, then conventional units have more outlets. But inverters are less noisy well as fuel-efficient.
The best Firman inverter generators are GEN1000I, GEN 2000I, and GEN 3500I. And the best conventional generators include Sportsman GEN4000DF, GEN2000, and GEN7000LP.
Fuel Option
Sportsman generators produce both single-fuel and dual-fuel generators along with tri-fuel generators.
Gasoline and propane are the two main fuel types, but tri-fuel generators also add natural gas to give users three fuel options.
Gasoline is quite affordable and readily available but has a shorter shelf life. On the other hand, propane has a longer shelf life that helps users store several propane tanks to deal with emergencies.
Engine and Power Output
The engine is an essential part of the generator, so it must be reliable. Fuel-efficient engines give higher runtime than non-fuel-efficient engines, so it is best to have a fuel-efficient engine. Also, generators that can produce higher power output come with powerful and strong engines.
Inverter machines produce less power, so their engines are less powerful but more fuel-efficient. Conventional generators can deliver more starting and running watts, so they come with powerful engines.
Bigger generators with powerful engines are not always the best choice. If your energy demand is not higher, it is suggested to go for smaller units like the Sportsman GEN1000I, GEN 2000, and GEN3500I. But if more power is required, then you should purchase Sportsman GEN7500DF and GEN9000DF.
Tank Capacity and Runtime
Many people consider tank capacity and runtime more than the output power.
If you buy a Sportsman generator only for camping or tailgating, then a generator with a smaller fuel tank will give enough runtime to easily power your essentials. But if you need a generator to deal with power outages, you have to buy a generator with a big-sized fuel tank to get higher runtime.
Sound Level
Not a single generator works without making a noise. But some Sportsman models produce less noise during operation as compared to others. Take the example of Sportsman GEN1000I which operates as low as 56dB. Also, GEN2000I has a decibel rating below 60dB. Even the Sportsman GEN3500I operates at 63dB.
Outlets
The more outlets your generator has, the more it will be easy for you to run various appliances simultaneously. Make sure your generator has an RV outlet if you need to power your RV through a generator. Also, your unit must be transfer switch ready if you want to power your whole house.
FAQs
What is the advantage of having a propane generator?
Propane is an eco-friendly fuel option. It burns cleaner as compared to gas. It takes time to degrade so that users can store as many propane tanks as possible for an unlimited time. Even if the power is out, you can easily refill propane tanks. Also, during natural disasters, propane is the only fuel that people get easily.
Which is the best Sportsman generator that can be used to power RVs?
Sportsman GEN4000DF is the best Sportsman generator that users can use to power their RV appliances. It is an RV-ready unit that operates on both gasoline and propane.
Are Sportsman generators parallel capable?
Yes, Sportsman inverter generators are parallel capable. But you have to purchase the Sportsman parallel kit separately to link another Sportsman inverter to double the power output.