EcoFlow Smart Generator Dual Fuel: our full review

With 1800 W on gasoline and up to 20 kWh on a propane tank, this inverter generator bets on automation and dual fuel rather than raw power, at the cost of a noise level higher than expected for the technology.

Our rating
3.8/5
Actual available power: 4.0 out of 5 (weighting 20%)Power4.0Runtime and fuel consumption: 4.0 out of 5 (weighting 20%)Runtime4.0Noise: 3.3 out of 5 (weighting 20%)Noise3.3Power quality and reliability: 3.7 out of 5 (weighting 15%)Reliability3.7Portability: 3.9 out of 5 (weighting 10%)Portability3.9Build and endurance: 4.0 out of 5 (weighting 15%)Build4.0

How is this rating calculated?

Grey and black EcoFlow Smart Generator Dual Fuel seen from a three-quarter angle, control screen lit and fuel cap visible on top

The essentials

EcoFlow's dual fuel generator is not playing the same game as the conventional generators already covered on this site: its rated power of 1800 W on gasoline (1600 W on propane) stays modest, but its dual fuel capability and its automatic integration with Delta stations have no equivalent in this family. In exchange for that intelligence, buyers have to accept a real noise level of 56 to 67 dB(A) at 7 meters, higher than expected for an inverter unit, an undisclosed total harmonic distortion figure, and availability that fluctuates. Best suited to anyone who already owns the EcoFlow Delta ecosystem and wants a genuinely automated backup, not to anyone after a cheap, general-purpose generator.

Strengths

  • Genuine dual fuel flexibility: gasoline (4 L, about 5.4 kWh) or propane (up to 20 kWh on a standard 20 lb tank), an option none of the direct competitors already reviewed on this site offer
  • Automatic start and stop when paired with a compatible EcoFlow Delta station, based on the station's charge level, with a fuel saving claimed up to 40%
  • A very tight margin between rated and peak power (about 6% on both fuels), the tightest of the whole family reviewed here so far
  • 29.3 kg empty: lighter than the three conventional gasoline generators already reviewed on this site (36.8 to 45 kg), despite a screen, Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in backup battery
  • Five automatic protections precisely documented (carbon monoxide detection, AC overload, DC overload, overheating, low oil) and a claimed IP23M ingress protection rating
  • A spare starting battery and its connection cable are included in the box, in addition to the built-in battery

Limitations

  • Small gasoline tank (4 L, 3.5 hours at full load according to the official documentation): long runtime depends entirely on switching to propane and its own logistics
  • Real noise level of 56 to 67 dB(A) at 7 meters at full load, higher than the two inverter generators already reviewed on this site for a technology meant to be quieter
  • No total harmonic distortion (THD) figure disclosed by the manufacturer, a spec other brands publish for their inverter generators
  • Occasional automatic-start failures remain possible: a real caution point for anyone counting on a fully unattended setup that is never checked
  • Rated power among the lowest of the family reviewed here (1800 W), designed to top up a power station rather than run heavy equipment directly
  • Uneven availability: the product is currently out of stock at EcoFlow in France, with restock cycles that look recurring rather than a discontinuation
EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel): see the full details and price →

1800 W on gasoline, 1600 W on propane: power calibrated for recharging, not running a house

EcoFlow's dual fuel generator is an inverter generator built around a genuine 4-stroke, single-cylinder, 79.7 cc combustion engine (model R80-i), forced-air cooled with an overhead valve. This has nothing to do with a solar accessory or one of the brand's power inverters: combustion, whether on gasoline or propane, is what actually produces the electricity here, exactly as on a classic generator.

Rated power reaches 1800 W on gasoline (1900 W peak) and 1600 W on propane (1700 W peak), at 230 V and 50 Hz, for a rated current of 7.8 A. The gap between rated and peak power is only about 6% on both fuels, the tightest margin of the whole generator family already reviewed on this site (14 to 19% on the conventional gasoline units): the stated power is held with very little headline padding.

1800 W
rated power on gasoline (1900 W peak)
1600 W
rated power on propane (1700 W peak)

That output stays modest next to the conventional gasoline units in the same family (2100 to 2600 W), and even more so against the Pramac P7500i, a professional-grade inverter generator rated at 6500 W. The manufacturer's own documentation owns this choice: this generator is calibrated to recharge a Delta power station while running a few small appliances at the same time, not to run power tools or several heavy loads directly.

5.4 kWh on a gasoline tank, up to 20 kWh on propane: two very different runtimes

The gasoline tank is small: just 4 liters, for an available energy EcoFlow states at about 5.4 kWh, and a continuous runtime at full load of 3.5 hours according to the manufacturer's official documentation. That is a noticeably smaller tank than the conventional gasoline units already reviewed here (15 liters), closer to the compact format of the SDMO Perform 3000 (4.1 liters).

The real shift comes from the second fuel. Connected to a standard 20 lb propane tank (about 9 kg), the generator climbs to 20 kWh of available energy, for a stated runtime of about 12.5 hours, consistent with its 1600 W rated power on that fuel. No other generator already reviewed on this site offers that option.

Energy available per fill: 5.4 kWh on gasoline versus 20 kWh on propaneGasoline (4 L)5.4 kWhPropane (20 lb)20 kWh
Energy available per fill, gasoline versus propane. A standard 20 lb propane tank multiplies the energy available from a 4-liter gasoline fill by about 3.7.
Worth noting: this dual fuel setup carries a real logistics cost: a propane tank and its regulator add to the household or vehicle's budget and footprint, and are not as universally available as a gasoline can.

Running on gasoline stays louder than on propane, a combustion difference specific to this kind of dual fuel engine (see next section), and EcoFlow states a fuel saving of up to 40% when the generator is paired with a compatible Delta station: the engine then starts and stops automatically based on the battery's charge level, instead of running continuously.

56 to 67 dB(A) at 7 meters: louder than expected for an inverter unit

At 7 meters and full load, the noise level sits between 56 and 67 dB(A) according to the manufacturer's official documentation, with a higher, isolated figure (up to 93 dB) also stated right next to the source. Running on gasoline is louder than on propane, a combustion difference specific to this type of engine.

56-67 dB(A)
at 7 m, full load

Against the two inverter generators already reviewed on this site, the gap is real. The Honda EU10i drops to 52 dB(A) at 7 meters under reduced load and sits around 58 dB(A) near rated load: the low end of the EcoFlow's range matches that figure, but its high end (67 dB(A) on gasoline, full load) clearly exceeds it. The Konner & Sohnen KS3000, a conventional AVR-regulated gasoline unit rather than an inverter, states 68 dB(A) at the same 7-meter distance, very close to the EcoFlow's high end despite a higher rated power (2600 W).

Against the conventional, open-frame gasoline units in this family, which instead state a guaranteed sound power of 96 dB(A) (a different, standardized metric, not directly comparable to a sound pressure reading at a fixed distance), a direct comparison on this one figure is not possible. Noise level remains, together with availability, the main reservation in this review of an otherwise well thought-out smart generator.

A genuine inverter, but no disclosed THD and occasional restarts to watch for

Technically, this is a genuine inverter generator, not a simple AVR regulator like the conventional units in this family: the electronics rebuild an AC waveform from the DC current produced by the alternator, which in principle makes it cleaner and better suited to sensitive electronics. EcoFlow does not disclose any total harmonic distortion (THD) figure for this model, a spec other manufacturers publish for their inverter units.

The generator carries a built-in rechargeable battery that enables an effortless electric start, backed up by a manual pull-cord handle. A spare battery and its connection cable ship in the box on top of the built-in one: a genuine safety margin for anyone who wants a backup to the backup.

Worth noting: occasional automatic-start failures remain possible when the unit is paired with a Delta station: a real caution point for anyone counting on a fully unattended setup that is never checked.

The real differentiator: start and stop controlled by the Delta station

This is where this generator truly sets itself apart from every direct competitor already reviewed on this site: paired with a compatible EcoFlow Delta station, it starts and stops on its own based on the station's battery level, with no intervention needed. No other generator reviewed here so far, including the two inverter units, the Honda EU10i and the Pramac P7500i, offers this integration.

Four starting methods are available in total: the manual pull-cord as a backup, an electric start button, remote start from the EcoFlow app, and this automatic mode tied to the station. An LCD screen shows the remaining fuel percentage, total and remaining runtime, Wi-Fi status and the current operating mode in real time. ECO mode, on by default, adjusts engine speed to match actual power demand to save fuel and cut noise; it can be turned off from the app if immediate power headroom matters more.

This intelligence has a flip side already covered above: a setup designed to be unattended still needs to be checked from time to time, since the promise of a fully hands-off operation is not absolute.

29.3 kg, IP23M: build quality and safety

The generator weighs 29.3 kg empty for dimensions of 597 x 296 x 475 mm, with no wheels but with carrying handles. That makes it lighter than the conventional gasoline units already reviewed on this site (36.8 to 45 kg), for a unit that still packs a screen, Wi-Fi connectivity and a spare starting battery.

Empty weight: EcoFlow dual fuel generator versus the Honda EU10i, the Konner & Sohnen KS3000 and the SDMO Perform 3000Honda EU10i13 kgEcoFlow dual fuel29.3 kgKonner & Sohnen KS300041.5 kgSDMO Perform 300045 kg
Empty weight, without fuel or oil. The EcoFlow stays heavier than the Honda EU10i (a compact 900 W inverter), but lighter than the higher-power conventional gasoline units already reviewed on this site.

On the safety side, EcoFlow states five automatic protections: carbon monoxide detection with automatic engine shutdown and a flashing warning light for five minutes (restart stays locked during that window), low-oil shutdown, AC overload protection, DC overload protection, and overheating protection for the engine or the internal battery. The unit's regulatory nameplate states an IP23M ingress protection rating, a spec rarely disclosed this precisely on this family of products.

29.3 kg
empty weight
IP23M
stated ingress protection rating

EcoFlow is still a fairly new name in combustion generators, better known for its power stations and inverters: this model has been on the market since 2021 according to its regulatory nameplate, a decent track record but a shorter one than long-established engine makers like Honda or Kohler, the latter already covered on this site via the SDMO Perform 3000.

Against the direct competition already reviewed on this site

At around 999 EUR in France, excluding the propane tank and its regulator, EcoFlow's dual fuel generator does not compare feature-for-feature with the conventional gasoline units already reviewed on this site, but the table below lays out its real trade-offs.

Technical comparison: EcoFlow dual fuel generator against three generators already reviewed on this site (prices observed, for reference)
CriterionEcoFlow dual fuelHonda EU10iKonner & Sohnen KS3000SDMO Perform 3000
FuelGasoline + propaneGasolineGasolineGasoline
TechnologyInverterInverterConventional (AVR)Conventional (AVR)
Rated power1800 W (1600 W propane)900 W2600 W2400 W
Noise at 7 m56 to 67 dB(A), full load52 dB(A) reduced load, 58 dB(A) near rated load68 dB(A)Not published at 7 m (96 dB(A) guaranteed sound power)
Empty weight29.3 kg13 kg41.5 kg45 kg
Start / controlElectric, manual, app, automatic (Delta station)Manual (pull-cord)Manual (pull-cord)Manual (pull-cord)
Price observed999 EUR1077 EUR499 EUR≈ 645 EUR
best-batteries.com rating3.84.14.03.8

Against the Honda EU10i, the family's benchmark for quiet running, the EcoFlow loses on noise but gains substantially on propane runtime and automation, two areas where the Honda has nothing to offer. Against the SDMO Perform 3000, with its professional-grade Kohler engine and three-year warranty, the gap plays out on smart features and dual fuel, entirely absent on the SDMO side, against build quality perceived as less refined on the pure-engine side for EcoFlow, still a newer name in this segment. Against the Konner & Sohnen KS3000, which takes back the lead on price, rated power and a comparable noise level, the EcoFlow only comes out ahead on propane runtime and remote control.

Uneven availability

This generator currently shows as out of stock on EcoFlow's official French store, with a restock notification form already active and marketing copy urging shoppers to order before the next shortage, which suggests irregular supply cycles rather than a permanent discontinuation. The model remains listed and sold on other markets.

A point to check before buying, then, rather than a disqualifying red flag: this generator's availability appears to fluctuate more than that of the conventional gasoline units compared here, which are generally kept in stock by their retailers.

Who it suits, and who it does not

It suits anyone who already owns an EcoFlow Delta station and wants to extend its runtime without constant supervision, anyone who values the flexibility of dual fuel for occasional gasoline use and a multi-day propane-backed backup, and anyone willing to pay a premium for that built-in intelligence.

It does not suit anyone after a standalone generator able to run heavy appliances directly (1800 W rated stays modest), anyone who puts quiet operation first (the Honda EU10i is the better fit on that specific point), anyone without a Delta station to unlock the automation, or anyone who needs to buy right away: availability remains uncertain at the time of writing.

The rating in detail

Our rating
3.8/5
Actual available power 4.0
Runtime and fuel consumption 4.0
Noise 3.3
Power quality and reliability 3.7
Portability 3.9
Build and endurance 4.0
EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel): see the full details and price →

The product and its alternatives

EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel)

EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel)

See price

Petrol or LPG, up to 20 kWh of runtime and automatic start: the smart generator that recharges your EcoFlow station on its own when solar is not enough.

View product
EcoFlow Delta 2

EcoFlow Delta 2

See price (21)

With 1024 Wh expandable to 3 kWh, 1800 W output and a 0-80% recharge in 50 minutes, the EcoFlow Delta 2 powers almost all your devices, at home or off-grid.

View product
Honda EU10i

Honda EU10i

See price (8)

A Honda portable inverter generator: ultra-quiet, petrol-powered (2.1 L tank), perfect for safely powering your sensitive devices.

View product
SDMO Perform 3000 TB Petrol Generator

SDMO Perform 3000 TB Petrol Generator

£559.99 (2)

A Kohler engine, 115 and 230 volt outlets and a frame built to take knocks: the site generator that aims at service life rather than the spec sheet.

View product

Frequently asked questions

Yes. On gasoline, a 4-liter tank provides about 5.4 kWh and 3.5 hours of runtime at full load. On propane, a standard 20 lb tank stretches that to about 20 kWh, or roughly 12.5 hours, with quieter combustion than on gasoline.

Yes, but only when paired with a compatible EcoFlow Delta station: it then starts and stops automatically based on the battery's charge level. Without a Delta station, it remains a generator you start manually, electrically, or from the app.

Between 56 and 67 dB(A) at 7 meters and full load according to the manufacturer's official documentation, with gasoline running louder than propane. That is higher than the quietest inverter generators already reviewed on this site.

Its rated power of 1800 W on gasoline (1600 W on propane) stays modest next to other generators in this family. It is primarily calibrated to recharge a power station while running a few small appliances at the same time.

In France, it shows as out of stock at EcoFlow at the time of writing, with a restock notification form already active, which suggests an irregular supply cycle rather than a discontinuation. It remains sold on other markets.

A standard 20 lb propane tank, about 9 kg, the same type used for a barbecue, works fine. It connects to the generator and takes over from gasoline for longer runs.