What it is
The Champion 201323 is a small dual-fuel inverter generator built around an 80cc Champion engine, switched between gasoline and propane with Champion's EZ Start dial. On gasoline, it delivers 1,850 running watts and 2,500 starting watts, with a 1.05-gallon tank running up to 11.5 hours at a quarter load. On propane, running watts drop slightly to 1,665, but runtime more than doubles to about 25 hours on a standard 20-pound tank, since propane burns more efficiently at this scale than gasoline does.
The control panel includes a covered 120V 15.4-amp household duplex outlet and a 12V regulated automotive-style outlet, with recoil-only start backed by Cold Start Technology for reliable cold-weather starting. At 43.2 pounds, Champion markets this as one of the lightest 2,500-watt inverters in the industry, and the claim holds up against the field: it is lighter than every other dual-fuel inverter reviewed on this site.
Why it works
This generator earns its place by being genuinely the lightest option in its category, not just a marketing claim:
The lightest dual-fuel true inverter on this shelf
At 43.2 pounds, this generator is lighter than the WEN DF360iX, the DuroMax XP2300iH, and even Honda's gasoline-only EU2200iTAN1, all reviewed elsewhere on this site. For anyone who needs to carry a generator any real distance, on foot or into a small storage space, that weight difference is the whole reason to choose this model.
Genuinely clean power
Total harmonic distortion stays under 3%, comfortably inside the range considered safe for laptops, phones, and medical devices. This is real inverter-quality power, not a conventional generator marketed with a low-THD claim.
Propane runtime that actually matters
Twenty-five hours on a single 20-pound propane tank is a genuinely long runtime for a generator this light, and propane's long shelf life makes it the better fuel choice for a generator stored for months between uses.
The one thing to know
Carbon monoxide safety is non-negotiable
Portable generators produce carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can reach lethal concentrations indoors within minutes. The CPSC recommends placing any portable generator at least 20 feet from all doors, windows, and vents, with the exhaust pointed away from the home. Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, on a covered porch, in a carport, or in any enclosed or partially enclosed space, even with doors or windows open. Champion's CO Shield provides a backup shutoff if carbon monoxide reaches dangerous levels near the unit, but it is not a substitute for correct placement. Install battery-operated CO detectors on every level of your home.
Source: CPSC Carbon Monoxide Information Center and CDC generator safety guidance. Verified 2026-08-05.
The other thing to know is what this generator gave up to hit that weight. There is only one AC outlet, a single 120V duplex, so you are sharing one connection point across everything you plug in. There is also no 240V or transfer-switch outlet, and the parallel kit needed to combine two units for more power is sold separately, not included. This is a generator built to be light and simple, not to be a household's primary backup system.
Alternatives worth knowing
WEN DF360iX, for more running watts
Substantially more running wattage (2,900W versus 1,850W) at a heavier weight, with its own CO Watchdog sensor. The right choice if you need to run more than one appliance at a time and weight matters less. Read our review.
DuroMax XP2300iH, for similar wattage with a different brand
Nearly identical running wattage (1,800W) with dual fuel and CO Alert, at a heavier weight than this Champion. Worth comparing directly on price and warranty terms. Read our review.
Honda EU2200iTAN1, for reliability reputation over dual fuel
Slightly more running wattage (1,800W) with a built-in parallel outlet and Honda's reliability track record, but gasoline only and heavier at 47 pounds. The right choice if brand reputation and resale value matter more than fuel flexibility or weight. Read our review.
Maintenance
Run the generator under load for 15 to 30 minutes every 30 days to keep the engine and fuel system in working order. Add fuel stabilizer to the tank for any gasoline storage period longer than 30 days. Propane does not require this step, and its long shelf life makes it the better choice for a generator that will sit unused between uses.
Check the oil level before every use; the low oil shut-off sensor helps prevent damage if it runs low. Oil is included in the box (10W-30) to get started right away. Follow the manual's schedule for oil change intervals, and inspect the air filter and spark plug annually.
Champion backs the 201323 with a 3-year limited warranty and free lifetime technical support through its help desk. Register the unit and keep the purchase receipt with your household documents.
NWS recommendation
If weight is your first priority and you still want dual fuel and true inverter power, the Champion 201323 is the lightest option this site has reviewed that checks all three boxes. It will not run more than one appliance's worth of load at a time, so if your household needs more capacity, compare it against the WEN DF360iX before buying. Test it on both gasoline and propane before storm season, and place it at least 20 feet from the house with the exhaust pointed away.
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