The Ultimate DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator Review

Generators are one of the most popular tools for RV enthusiasts and tailgaters. They empower you to enjoy a nomadic lifestyle without giving up luxuries like the internet, air conditioning, and cold drinks. 

Generators are also a must-have for homeowners and business owners because they can power appliances and tools during storms, hurricanes, and other emergency situations. They’re especially vital if you live or work in an area with an unreliable grid supply. Without a generator, you could lose hundreds of dollars in frozen and refrigerated items if the power stays out for more than a few hours. In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture recommends throwing out perishable goods just four hours after a fridge loses power.

If you don’t already have a generator, it’s a good idea to invest in one. However, choosing the right generator can be challenging, particularly if you’ve never bought one before. With so many brands on the market, how can you be sure which is the best?

Luckily, we’ve got your back. We’ve researched the top generators and looked through thousands of sites, DeWalt generator reviews, and expert guides to find the best generators of 2022.

One of the best picks is the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator, a portable generator that can power all of your appliances, from hair dryers and refrigerators to air conditioners and stoves. It runs on a powerful four-stroke engine and features durable wheels for longevity and easy transportation. It also comes with a gamut of other features, including CO-Protect Technology, covered outlets, a steel tube frame, and much more.

Read on to learn more about the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator and whether it’s a good pick for you. We’ll cover the generator’s description and specifications, common issues, price range, additional features, and what customers are saying about it. By the end of our guide, you’ll also learn how to determine whether the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator is the right generator for you.

DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator

Google’s Rating 4.1

DeWalt 6500-Watt Generator Description and Specifications

The DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator boasts many unique features. Let’s take a look at how and why it stands out from competitors.

Steel Fuel Tank Capacity and Fuel Consumption

First, the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator boasts a robust 7.5-gallon steel fuel tank.

This generator consumes around 0.75 gallons per hour (GPH). As of May 2022, the average price of gasoline in the U.S. was $4.52 per gallon. This means you would need to spend around $3.39 per hour — or $81.40 per day — running the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator. 

This is quite high compared to other devices within the same output range. If you are concerned about gasoline efficiency, consider getting a model with a lower GPH consumption.

Hours of Runtime

This tool provides an impressive 10 hours of runtime at 50% load. This makes it especially useful for:

• Homeowners and business owners who need an emergency backup power source
• Food truck owners who don’t want to rely on potentially unreliable external power sources
• Professionals who want to meet targets and deliver results, even during power failures
• Remote workers who have limited access to power
• DIYers who want to work in remote areas

CO-Protect Carbon Monoxide Shutdown

This generator comes with DeWalt’s CO-Protect carbon monoxide (CO) shutdown. When CO levels rapidly increase or become unsafe, this tool will automatically shut down. 

Control Panel and Covered Outlets

This model also has a feature-packed control panel. It contains the following:

Five Covered AC Outlets

These include two 120-volt AC, 20-amp duplex outlets (5-20R) and a 120/240-volt, 30-amp (L14-30R) receptacle.

The 5-20R outlets supply 120-volt electricity for household appliances and standard extension cords. They have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection, which means they’ll shut off automatically every time there’s an imbalance between the outgoing and incoming current. 

GFCI protects electrical wiring from overheating and fire, greatly reducing the risk of fatal burns and shock injuries. It also disrupts the current flow and detects ground faults. However, it shouldn’t be used as a fuse replacement since it doesn’t offer protection against overloading and short circuits.

As for the L14-30R, it’s transfer switch ready. You can connect it to a breaker box to power your RV or household as needed. It also provides 120- or 240-volt electricity. Use the switch on the control panel to choose between the two types.

All of these outlets are covered, making them cleaner and safer to use since they’re shielded from dust and other debris.

A Digital Data Center

This tool monitors the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator’s activity and status and gives you information on the lifetime run hours.

Dimensions and Weight

With its dimensions of 27.2″ x 27.1″ x 25.8″ and weight of 186 lbs., the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator offers plenty of stability. Its size and weight make it ideal for all environments, including the outdoors.

Noise Levels and Idle Control Feature

The generator is relatively quiet thanks to its idle control feature, which means you can use it wherever you’d like without violating sound ordinances. The idle control feature also reduces fuel consumption by reducing engine speed once all electric loads have been turned off.

Wheel Kit and Built-In Fuel Gauge

Worried that you won’t be able to haul this 186-lb. generator from one room to another? Don’t fret. This generator features heavy-duty wheels for durability and transportation. It also comes with a built-in fuel gauge that empowers you to quickly and conveniently check the gas level.

Certifications

This model is also fully compliant with the California Air Resources Board (CARB)’s emission standards. This means that it can be sold and purchased in all 50 states, including California. Being CARB-compliant also means it burns fuel more efficiently and puts out fewer toxic emissions than non-CARB-compliant generators.

Maximum Portability of the DeWalt DXGNR6500

Last but not least, the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator offers maximum portability. Although it’s 186 lbs., it has an open-frame design that allows you to raise the generator above ground level. It also has a heavy-duty wheel kit and folding handle for portability.

Common Issues With the DeWalt DXGNR6500

Gas Leaks

Several users reported gas leaks when using the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator. Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous since they can catch fire. Exposure to a gas leak may also cause deadly symptoms, such as weakness, headaches, and sickness.

Idle Control Isn’t Helpful

Many users found the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator’s idle control mechanism useless. Running the generator with the idle control on can drag you down while you try to warm up the engine.

Noisy

Although it’s quieter than many comparative models, it may not be quiet enough for some users. 

We weren’t able to find a dB rating for it online, but customers have noted that it was much louder than expected. Accordingly, you may want to invest in ear protection if you have to work next to the generator all day. You could also add a muffler to the generator or build a sound-deadening enclosure.

Hard to Move Around

Although it comes with a heavy-duty wheel kit, an open-frame design, and a handle, many customers still found the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator hard to move around. In particular, most users had difficulty moving this product from one floor to another.

Poor Quality Assurance

Depending on the vendor, your DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator may have quality assurance issues. For instance, many people who bought the product through Home Depot received damaged or incomplete products that kept falling apart.

Price Range

At $999, the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator is one of the more budget-friendly high-wattage generators. It’s more expensive than brands like Hansler Smith, but much less expensive than comparable Honda models.

If you buy it through Home Depot, you can pay in installments of $84 per month.

What Are Consumers Saying About The DeWalt DXGNR6500

Most customers enjoyed using the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator. On Home Depot’s site, the generator received an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars, with 82% of respondents saying they would recommend this product. 

Many satisfied users praised the generator for its power, wheel kit, and handy control panel. They also liked how it was able to power multiple appliances at the same time, including refrigerators and freezers.

However, there were some complaints as well. Several customers found the generator noisy and unreliable. Many users also experienced gas leaks. 

Here’s a summary of the pros and cons of the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator:

Is the DeWalt DXGNR6500 Right for You?

As you can see, the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator provides many cutting-edge features. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best pick for you.

To determine whether this model is for you, consider the following factors:

Dual Fuel or Single Fuel

The DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator is a single fuel gas generator, which means that it only uses gas and can’t use other fuel types. 

This means that this generator isn’t for you if you want to use more than one fuel type. Instead, you should get a dual fuel generator. Unlike single fuel generators, these generators use two different fuel types — usually propane and gasoline — to extend runtime. 

Generally speaking, dual fuel generators are a better choice for travelers and rural homeowners because they give you the ability to choose the most suitable fuel type based on your circumstances. For example, if you’re an RVer who’s living in an area with no propane, you can run your generator on gasoline until you find propane.

Weight

If you’re looking for a portable generator, consider getting the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator. 

This generator only weighs 165 lbs., making it one of the lighter generators in the 6,000 to 7,000 wattage range. As such, it’s easy to move around, especially since it comes with durable wheels and a fold-down locking handle for portability and compact storage.

Where You Will Use Your Generator

If you’re planning to use your generator in or near a forest for projects or camping, the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator is for you. This model features a spark arrestor, which means you can use it safely in forested areas.

Low Oil Shutoff

If you’re looking for a generator that automatically turns off when oil falls below minimum levels, the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator is a great fit. This model has a powerful low oil shutoff mechanism to prevent engine damage.

CO-Protect Technology

If you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from CO poisoning, get the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator. Like many other modern generators, it comes with a CO-Protect Technology that automatically shuts down the generator if CO levels rapidly increase or become unsafe. 

Number of Outlets

Four or more outlets will let you use the wattage better by spreading the load. The DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator has five outlets.

Generator Type

You also need to ask yourself what kind of generator you want. Specifically, you need to determine whether you want a portable generator, home standby generator, or recreational inverter.

The DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator is a portable generator, which means you can use it anywhere on or off your property. You can also use it to power multiple large appliances, including dryers and refrigerators. However, you shouldn’t use it in an enclosed space, since it can quickly emit deadly CO levels. Portable generators always need to be run at least 20 feet away from your home. You also need to use equipment such as a window or central air conditioner to direct the exhaust away from your home and neighbors’ homes.

If you want a generator for closed spaces, consider getting a home standby generator. These models tend to cost much more than portable generators and start automatically when the power goes out. They also tend to provide more power than portable generators. Home standby generators range from around 5,000 to 20,000 watts and can run on different types of fuel, including propane, gasoline, and natural gas. 

If you want to save money and only need to power phones and other simple appliances, consider getting a recreational or mid-sized inverter. The smallest and lightest type of generator, recreational and mid-sized inverters are extremely quiet and easy to transport and store. They also have no installation costs. Many models have user-friendly features such as smartphone apps and fuel-level indicators. However, they can’t be connected to circuit breaker panels. They also can’t power larger appliances.

Electric Start

If you aren’t good at pull-starting engines, the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator may not be for you. This tool requires you to manually pull to start the engine, which can be difficult if you don’t have a lot of upper-body strength.

Fuel Efficiency

As covered above, the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator consumes around 0.75 GPH. This is quite high compared to comparative models. So if you prioritize fuel efficiency, this DeWalt generator may not be the best pick for you.

Noise

This model comes with an idle control feature that reduces noise while on the job. However, it’s not very quiet, especially compared to brands like Honda.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connection

You should also ask yourself whether you want your generator to support Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. 

Many modern generators support Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. For instance, the Honda EU7000iS connects to Honda’s MyGenerator app through Bluetooth. This app lets you check operating hours, oil life, and start and stop the generator. It can also give you maintenance reminders. The MyGenerator app works up to 75 feet away and is available on iOS and Android devices.

The DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator doesn’t have a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-compatible app.

Inverter

Next, ask yourself whether you need an inverter. Generators with inverters can output smooth, clean power for sensitive electronics like tablets, phones, and laptops. On the other hand, generators without inverters produce power with high voltage spikes that can ruin sensitive equipment. 

Unfortunately, the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator does not have an inverter. As such, you should get another model if you want to power computers and phones.

Budget

Generally, expensive models are quieter, more durable, and have more functionalities than less expensive ones. However, there are exceptions, such as the DeWalt DXGNR6500 6500-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator. 

For a budget-friendly model, this generator packs a punch, although it is louder and less fuel-efficient than higher-end models like the Honda EU7000iS. It also has features that many higher-end models contain, such as CO-Protect Technology and idle control. However, it also lacks features that more expensive models typically have, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connection, and inverter technology.

In short, you can’t let price determine whether you buy a model. You need to consider all of the factors listed above, including weight, fuel efficiency, noise level, and inverter technology. 

FAQs About the DeWalt DXGNR6500 Item Model