Last updated: March 2026

PowerProtect 13kW

Power: 13kW LP / 11.5kW NG
Installed Cost: $7,500–$11,000
Noise: 69 dB
Weight: 315 lbs
Warranty: 6 years
Fuel: Dual-fuel (NG/LP)

Best for: Small homes, tight installation sites. Lightest standby generator on the market at 315 lbs.

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315 pounds. The lightest standby generator from any major brand. If access to your installation site is tight — narrow gates, soft ground — the B&S 13kW goes where heavier units can't.

What This Generator Keeps Running

On propane (13 kW): 2-ton AC (with 37 kVA motor starting), refrigerator, freezer, furnace, sump pump, lighting, home office, CPAP.

Limitations: On NG (11.5 kW): central AC becomes unrealistic. Essentials territory. The NG derating is the steepest in the entry-level field.

What It Actually Costs

Unit price

$4,460

Installed

$7,500–$11,000

$7,500–$11,000 installed. Multiple ATS bundle options including Symphony Choice load management.

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How Loud Is It?

69 dB: loudest in its class by 4–6 dB. B&S doesn't specify distance but likely 23 feet per industry standard.

How Big Is It?

28.5" × 25.5" × 37.6" tall and narrow. Smallest non-Cummins footprint, but tallest in class.

Maintenance

Vanguard M35 (627cc V-Twin). Annual service. InfoHub monitoring requires $100/yr subscription.

Pros & Cons

Strengths

✓315 lbs: lightest standby generator available
✓Smallest non-Cummins footprint
✓6-year comprehensive warranty: a year longer than Generac/Kohler/Cummins
✓37 kVA motor starting
✓Symphony Choice ATS bundle with load management
✓Vanguard commercial-grade engine

Weaknesses

✗69 dB: loudest in class by 4–6 dB
✗11.5 kW on NG: steepest derating in the entry-level field
✗Paid monitoring ($100/yr) when competitors include it free
✗Based on reviews, B&S customer service rated 1.4/5 on PissedConsumer — lowest among brands we compared
✗6-year warranty (shorter than the 18/22/26kW at 7 years)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the B&S 13kW good on natural gas?▾

11.5 kW on NG: lowest in its class. Handles essentials but a 2-ton central AC on NG is tight. On NG, the Generac 14kW (14/14 both fuels) or Cummins RS13A (13/13) offer more usable capacity.

Why is the warranty only 6 years?▾

B&S tiers by size: 6 years on the 13kW, 7 years on 18/22/26kW. Still longer than Generac, Kohler, and Cummins (all 5 years). Only Champion (10 years) exceeds it.

Is B&S customer service really that bad?▾

Based on owner reviews, it's a concern. B&S is rated 1.4/5 on PissedConsumer — the lowest among the brands we compared. Owners have reported recorded message loops and denied warranty claims. The generators themselves are generally well-regarded. The support experience when something goes wrong is where complaints concentrate.

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