WEN 56360i vs Briggs & Stratton P4500 PowerSmart

Comparison Overview

Analysis by AJ Quick

Mechanical engineer and founder of RightGenerator

Key takeaways

• WEN 56360i weighs just 46.3 pounds, less than half the P4500's 104 pounds
• Briggs & Stratton P4500 delivers 3700 running watts versus the WEN's 2900 watts
• P4500 runs for 16 hours at 25% load, far outlasting the WEN's 5 hours at 50%
• WEN operates at 65 dB while the Briggs & Stratton is quieter at 60 dB
• Both are inverter generators safe for powering sensitive electronics
• Both carry a 3-year manufacturer warranty

Best use cases

Choose the WEN 56360i if you need a generator you can actually pick up and move without help. At 46.3 pounds, it's one of the lightest inverter generators in its wattage range, making it ideal for camping trips, tailgating, or any situation where you're loading and unloading frequently. Its 2900 running watts will comfortably power a few essentials like lights, a phone charger, a small fridge, and a fan. It's a solid choice for RV owners who want to run basic appliances without hauling a heavy machine. Just keep in mind that its 5-hour runtime at 50% load means you'll be refueling more often, and the 65 dB noise level, while not extreme, is noticeably louder than the P4500.

Choose the Briggs & Stratton P4500 PowerSmart if your priority is sustained, higher-output power. With 3700 running watts and 4500 starting watts, it can handle demanding loads like a window AC unit, a sump pump, or several kitchen appliances running at once, making it a more capable home backup option. Its 16-hour runtime at 25% load means you can run it overnight without getting up to refuel, and at 60 dB it operates more quietly than the WEN despite producing significantly more power. The tradeoff is weight. At 104 pounds, this is not a generator you'll want to carry any distance. It's best suited for situations where it stays relatively stationary, like your garage, a patio, or a job site where you can wheel it into place.

Both generators produce clean inverter power, so laptops, phones, and other sensitive electronics are safe with either unit. The decision really comes down to whether portability or power output matters more for your specific situation.

Verdict & recommendation

If you prioritize easy portability and plan to use your generator for lighter loads like camping, tailgating, or basic RV power, the WEN 56360i's 46-pound frame is hard to beat. You'll sacrifice some wattage and runtime, but you gain the freedom to take it almost anywhere without a struggle.

If you need a generator that can serve as a reliable home backup or handle heavier electrical loads for extended periods, the Briggs & Stratton P4500 PowerSmart offers meaningfully more power, longer runtime, and quieter operation. You'll just need to plan around its 104-pound weight.

Neither generator is the wrong choice. They simply serve different priorities. Match your pick to how you'll actually use it, and either one will deliver dependable inverter power with a solid 3-year warranty behind it.