Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect DX 20kW (040657) vs Generac Guardian 22kW (7042)
The Generac Guardian 22kW (7042) is the more powerful unit: 22,000 running watts against 20,000 — about 9% more capacity for the Generac Guardian 22kW (7042). The Generac Guardian 22kW (7042) is the quieter of the two (67 dBA vs 68 dBA — though manufacturers measure noise at different loads and distances). Warranty favors the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect DX 20kW (040657): 10 years vs 5.
| Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect DX 20kW (040657) | Generac Guardian 22kW (7042) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | home-standby | home-standby |
| Fuel | natural-gas, propane | natural-gas, propane |
| Running watts (gas / LP for standby) | 20000 W | 22000 W |
| Running watts (propane) | 20000 W | 22000 W |
| Running watts (natural gas) | 20000 W | 19500 W |
| Noise level | 68 dBA | 67 dBA |
| Output voltage | 120/240V | 120/240V |
| Automatic transfer switch included | No | No |
| Main-line circuit breaker | 100 A | 100 A |
| Start type | automatic | automatic |
| Engine | Briggs & Stratton Vanguard | Generac G-Force 1000 |
| Engine displacement | 993 cc | 999 cc |
| NG use at half load | — | 228 ft³/h |
| Propane use at half load | — | 2.53 gal/h |
| Weight | 520 lb | 466 lb |
| Warranty | 10 yr | 5 yr |
Frequently asked questions
Which is more powerful, the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect DX 20kW (040657) or the Generac Guardian 22kW (7042)?
The Generac Guardian 22kW (7042), at 22,000 running watts on its best fuel versus 20,000 W. Remember that dual-fuel and natural-gas ratings are lower than gasoline ratings — the comparison table shows the published per-fuel figures.
Where do these specifications come from?
Every record on BackupAtlas is hand-curated from manufacturer documentation and spec sheets, and each generator page links to its source document.