Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower - 5000/6500W Inverter Generator
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower (30761) is a portable inverter generator with a rated wattage of 5,000 W and a starting wattage of 6,500 W. (Read full specs)
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The Home Depot | Price history for the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower |
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| Highest Price $1,367.78 Lowest Price $1,257.83 Current Price $1,367.78 |
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Description
Designed to give you quiet confidence during power outages, the Q6500 QuietPower™ Series inverter generator is more than 60% quieter than standard generators and can deliver 6,500 starting watts of reliable backup power.
Zoom on the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower
In short, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower is a portable inverter generator adequately designed for:
- RV travellers who wish to upgrade their experience to another level
- Occasional participants of outdoor events, competitions, concerts and festivals
- Food truck owners who want to ensure that their business is fully self-contained and does not rely on potentially unreliable external power
- Homeowners who want to be able to use the most necessary devices in their household, even during a blackout
- Tailgating and campground aficionados with the desire of enjoying power anywhere they go
- Professionals who want to be able to deliver results, even during a power failure
In the following paragraphs, we shall explore the power characteristics, available outlets, portability, and any additional features of the device.
Power & Run Time
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower
Running on gasoline, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower utilizes a 306 cc Briggs & Stratton OHV 4-stroke engine to deliver 120/240V, offering a running wattage of 5,000W and a starting wattage of 6,500W.
The inverter generator features a classic hand-operated recoil starting mechanism. It is rated for a noise of 66 dBA (less noisy than background music).
The Q6500 QuietPower's fuel tank, boasting 5 gallons, allows it to operate for up to 14 hours with a full tank (with an estimated fuel consumption of 0.36 GPH).
The Q6500 QuietPower generates a clean sine wave: providing <3% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), delicate electronics can be plugged in its AC outlets safely.
Outlets
The control panel is equipped with the following 5 AC outlets:
Furthermore, it has 2 DC outlets: there's two 5V USB ports perfect for conveniently charging mobile phones, tablets, and other electronic devices.
Equipped with a twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, the Q6500 QuietPower is engineered to be transfer switch ready, enabling simple hookup to your breaker box to provide backup power for your home during blackouts.
Portability
With an inverter generator design, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower features a closed construction (L24.8 x W21.2 x H21.5 in), enhancing aesthetics and ensuring reduced noise levels, offering a distinct advantage over standard, open frame generators. This modern design aims to provide an ideal power solution to recreational users.
As the generator's weight is 139 pounds, manually moving it or transporting it may be challenging, despite the fact that it is technically considered 'portable' (movable). Nevertheless, it can still be moved quite conveniently with the help of its set of 2 wheels (⌀8") and its telescopic handle, once it is placed on the ground.
Features
The Q6500 QuietPower's control panel
The Q6500 QuietPower's status and activity may be monitored conveniently via the control panel, as it features power use LEDs that can both display the power output and the amount of hours the generator has accumulated.
In addition to this info, light indicators on the device will signal if the generator is ready, the generator is on overload and the oil level is too low.
The built-in fuel gauge of the inverter generator ensures simple and quick gas level assessments.
The unit benefits from Briggs & Stratton’s Quiet Power Technology (QPT™), a feature designed to greatly improve its noise levels, emissions and fuel consumption. When the switch, located on the control panel, is turned ON, the engine speed increases as electrical loads are connected, and decreases as electrical loads are removed.
From a security standpoint, the generator is furnished with an automatic low oil shut-off and an overload protection (circuit breaker), ensuring peace of mind during operation.
The Q6500 QuietPower also benefits from Briggs & Stratton’s CO Guard™ (opens in a new tab) carbon monoxide shutdown. This new patent-pending technology uses advanced algorithms to shut down the generator when harmful levels of carbon monoxide accumulate in the generator's operating area.
Alongside the standard documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab) for quick setup, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower is bundled with additional accessories: funnel and oil. An official storage cover is also available, as a separate purchase.
Product Videos
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower compare to inverter generators of similar power (between 4500 and 5500 W).
- With a dry weight of 139 lbs, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower sits comfortably within the expected weight range for inverters generating 4500 to 5500 rated watts. If you are concerned by weight, one of the champions in the above-mentioned power range is the Pulsar PGX60BiSRCO, with a dry weight of just 93.5 pounds.
- As this inverter generator can emit noise as low as 66 dBA, it finds itself in the average expected noise for this kind of power. If noise emissions are one of your priorities, you may want to take a look at the Honda EU7000iS. It's one of the quietest options among generators of similar power, rated at 52 dBA.
- Concerning its runtime, the Q6500 QuietPower provides up to 14 hours at a 25% load, indicating that it falls on the lower side compared to other generators of its type and power range. If extended autonomy is what matters most to you, the Champion 201532 could be an excellent choice, offering one of the longest run times among units in its power category, reaching up to 18 hours.
- Run times are important, yet thanks to their dependence on the fuel capacity, they should be judged along with the fuel consumption of the device. When it comes to fuel efficiency among generators with similar wattage, this inverter generator lags behind, with a consumption rate of 0.36 GPH at a 25% load. If gasoline efficiency is at the top of your list, you may want to have a look at the DuroMax XP7000iH, which has great fuel efficiency, with a gas consumption of only 0.19 gallons per hour.
Here's a list of the most popular specific comparisons:
Price comparison
As you can see from these interactive charts, when compared to other 4500-5500W inverter generators, the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower is on the average side of the price range.
Therefore, this generator nicely fits in the expected budget for this kind of product.
The bottom line
- In the expected price range
- CO Guard™ technology
- Several accessories included
- GFCI Outlets
- Inverter
- Decent weight (139 lbs)
- Acceptable noise (66 dBA)
- No electric start
- No parallel ports
- Relatively low run time
- Low fuel efficiency
Do you own the Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?
Let us know and write your own review.
Features and Specifications
| Inverter | Yes |
|---|---|
| Parallel capable | No |
| RV ready | No |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Engine | 306 cc Briggs & Stratton OHV 4-stroke |
| Starting system | Recoil |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Voltage | AC: 120/240V 60 Hz, DC: 5V |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 5,000 W |
| Starting watts | 6,500 W |
| Running amps (@120/240V) | 41.7/20.8 amps |
| Peak amps (@120/240V) | 54.2/27.1 amps |
| Run time @50% load | 10 h |
| Run time @25% load | 14 h |
| GFCI outlets | Yes |
|---|---|
| Covered outlets | Yes |
| Automatic Voltage Regulation | Inverter |
| AC outlets |
|
| DC outlets | 2x 5V USB port |
| Data center | Power & runtime hours LEDs |
| Indicators | Low oil, overload and output ready |
| Fuel tank | 5 gal |
| Fuel gauge | Yes |
| Weight | 139 lbs |
|---|---|
| Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 24.8 x 21.2 x 21.5 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 66 dBA |
| THD | < 3% |
| Compliance | EPA, ANSI/PGMA G300-2023 |
| Security | Low oil and overload protection, CO monitoring |
| Spark arrestor | Yes |
| Neutral | Bonded to frame |
| Accessories included | Oil and funnel |
| Series | QuietPower |
| Other model numbers | 30761 |
| UPC | 011675307615 |
We've taken extra care to research and verify each of the specifications above. That said, occasional mistakes or omissions are still possible. If you spot any missing or inaccurate information, feel free to suggest a correction so we can address it.
About Briggs & Stratton
Founded in 1908, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Briggs & Stratton is a well renowned American based gasoline engine manufacturer. While the company mainly focuses on engines – including outdoor, power tool, karting, cast iron and aluminum models, power generators are a crucial component of their portfolio as well – Briggs & Stratton provides both portable and standby solutions for casual users with full support, including installation. The company operates on a global scale, with 13 facilities spread across all the of the continents.
Warranty Information
The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower is covered under a warranty for up to 2 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Briggs & Stratton generators, please consult Briggs & Stratton's warranty policies stated in the user manual (opens in a new tab). Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support : 1-800-743-4115.
Questions & Answers
What can it power?
| Item | Running Watts | Starting Watts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home | AC (10,000 BTU) | 1500 | 2200 |
| Electric fry pan | 1500 | 1500 | |
| Refrigerator (energy star) | 192 | 1192 | |
| Toaster oven | 800 | 800 | |
| Total | 3992 W | 4992 W | |
| For camping | RV AC (11,000 BTU) | 1010 | 1600 |
| RV refrigerator | 180 | 600 | |
| Hair dryer | 1800 | 1900 | |
| Toaster oven | 800 | 800 | |
| Mixer | 200 | 200 | |
| Total | 3990 W | 4580 W | |
| For work | Table saw | 1800 | 4500 |
| Grinder | 1400 | 2500 | |
| Electric fence (25 miles) | 250 | 250 | |
| Drain cleaner | 250 | 250 | |
| Bug zapper | 80 | 80 | |
| Total | 3780 W | 6480 W |
Is the Q6500 electric start? (Asked February 26, 2020)
This unit only has a classic recoil start.
Couldn't find the right answer for you? Ask your own question.
User Reviews
Impressive performance. I had purchased the generator about 3 months before being hit by Hurricane Laura. It had not been used. I ran the generator continuously for 10 days and it ran flawlessly. Very fuel efficient consuming only 9 to 10 gallons of gas a day compared to similar wattage of my non-inverter generators that were consuming 16 to18 gallons per day.
No major complaints. I Just wish that it was possible to run this unit in parallel with another 6500. I would then be set.