Generac GP6500 Portable Generator 7680 vs Briggs & Stratton Q6500
Buy the Generac GP6500 if you need the most watts per dollar, 240V output for a transfer switch, or a generator for a job site. Buy the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 if quiet running, lighter weight, and clean inverter power for electronics matter more than raw output. The Generac is $849.00 at The Home Depot as of November 4, 2026, and the Briggs & Stratton is $1,199.00 at Lowe's as of the same date, so the Briggs costs $350 more.
Today the Generac GP6500 Portable Generator 7680 costs $350.00 less at its best price.
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Generac GP6500 Portable Generator 7680
4.3Choose the Generac GP6500 if you want 7,500 running watts, a 120/240V L14-30R outlet, and the lowest price for backup or job-site power.
- 7,500 running watts and 9,375 peak watts run a transfer switch, well pump, or several tools at once.
- COsense shuts the engine down when carbon monoxide builds up.
- Electric start plus a recoil backup.
- $849.00 at The Home Depot as of November 4, 2026, is $350 less than the Briggs.
What separates them
| Generac GP6500 Portable Generator 7680 | Briggs & Stratton Q6500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Conventional synchronous generator | Inverter generator |
| Running watts | 7,500 W | 5,000 W |
| Starting watts | 9,375 W peak | 6,500 W peak |
| 240V output | Yes, NEMA L14-30R | Yes, 120/240V locking outlet per Lowe's listing |
| Noise | Standard open-frame, loud | More than 60% quieter than a standard generator |
| Weight | 201 lbs package weight | 30% lighter than standard generators |
| Runtime | 11 hours at half load | Up to 14 hours at 25% load |
| Price |
Price history
- Generac GP6500 Portable Generator 7680: lowest $849.00 on Nov 4 at The Home Depot.
- Briggs & Stratton Q6500: lowest $1,199.00 on Nov 4 at Lowe's.
Prices at every store
Generac GP6500 Portable Generator 7680
- Tool MartNew
In stockReturn policy
$879.72Observed at 8:01 AM - Main Street MowerNew
In stockReturn policy
$999.00Observed at 8:01 AM - The Home DepotNew
Availability unknown
$849.00Free shippingObserved at 8:01 AM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
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$999.00Free shippingObserved at 8:01 AM
Also available at
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Discount Building SupplyCheck price at Discount Building Supply
Specs compared
| Spec | Generac GP6500 Portable Generator 7680 | Briggs & Stratton Q6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Power Output | 8.13 kilowatts | 5000 W |
| Number Of Outlets | 4 outlets | 4 (120V-20A) |
| Inverter Technology | No | Yes |
| Continuous Output | 7500.0 W | 5000 W |
| Runtime | Extended run times, 11.0 hours (at 1/2 Load) | Up to 14 hours |
| Voltage | 120/240 V | 120V-20A |
| Peak Output | 9375.0 W | 6500 starting watts |
| Starting Method | Electric start | Pull choke out and a few pulls on the cord |
| Protection | Automatic Voltage Regulation, Overload Protecti… | Internal components are protected (by protectiv… |
| Fuel Type |
What reviewers say
Generac GP6500 Portable Generator 7680
Owners generally rate the GP6500 as a dependable, easy-to-start workhorse for the price. Complaints center on noise and weight rather than reliability.
- Starts reliably, including after long storage
- Runs a fridge, furnace and several lights at once
- Good value for the wattage
- Simple controls and clear labeling
- Very loud under load
- Heavy and awkward to move alone
- Fuel consumption climbs quickly at high load
- Some units arrive needing carburetor adjustment
Briggs & Stratton Q6500
Only two ratings are on record, averaging 3 out of 5, so owner feedback is thin. Briggs & Stratton inverter generators are generally liked for quiet running and clean power, but the small sample here is mixed.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for running a house during an outage?
- The Generac GP6500, because 7,500 running watts and a 120/240V L14-30R outlet can feed a transfer switch or run a well pump. The Briggs Q6500 tops out at 5,000 running watts.
- Which is quieter?
- The Briggs & Stratton Q6500. Its inverter design is more than 60% quieter than a standard generator, while the Generac is an open-frame unit with no published noise figure.
- Is the Briggs worth $350 more?
- Only if quiet operation, lighter weight, and clean inverter power matter to you. If you mainly need watts, the Generac gives 2,500 more running watts for less money.
- Can either run sensitive electronics?
- The Briggs Q6500 can, because inverter output is stable enough for laptops and TVs. The Generac GP6500 is a conventional generator and is better suited to tools, appliances, and transfer-switch loads.
- How long does each run on a tank?
- The Generac runs about 11 hours at half load on its large steel tank. The Briggs runs up to 14 hours at 25% load on 5 gallons.
- Which is easier to move?
- The Briggs Q6500. It is 30% lighter and 45% more compact than a standard generator. The Generac weighs about 201 lbs and has wheels and a fold-down handle.