Head to head
Cummins QuietConnect RS13A vs Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 13kW
Cummins · Home Standby Generator
Cummins QuietConnect RS13A
~$3,899
13,000 W · up to well pump or a small central AC
Briggs & Stratton · Home Standby Generator
Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 13kW
~$4,460
13,000 W · up to well pump or a small central AC
Quick takeThe Cummins QuietConnect RS13A lists about $561 lower; the Cummins QuietConnect RS13A is quieter at 65 dB.
| Spec | Cummins QuietConnect RS13A | Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 13kW |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$3,899 | ~$4,460 |
| Type | Home Standby Generator | Home Standby Generator |
| Fuel | NG/LP | NG/LP |
| Running / output watts | 13,000 W | 13,000 W |
| Starting / surge watts | 13,000 W | 13,000 W |
| Battery capacity | — | — |
| Expandable to | — | — |
| Noise | 65 dB | 69 dB |
| Runtime | Continuous (runs on home NG/LP supply); 13kW on LP or NG | Continuous (runs on home NG/LP supply); 13kW on LP, 11.5kW on NG |
| Outlets | None — hardwired via automatic transfer switch (sold separately) | None — hardwired via automatic transfer switch (sold separately) |
| Fuel tank | — | — |
| Weight | 479 lbs | 315 lbs |
| Transfer-switch ready | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 5-year/2,000-hour limited | 7-year comprehensive (parts, labor, travel) |
Highlighted cell is the better figure for that row.
Owner pros and cons
Cummins QuietConnect RS13A
- +Cheapest name-brand path to whole-essentials standby power
- +65 dB at 23 feet from a sound-insulated enclosure
- +Full 13kW on natural gas — no derate
- +18-inch code clearance suits narrow side yards
- +Purpose-built Cummins gaseous engine, not an adapted gas motor
- +Aluminum-over-galvanized enclosure resists corrosion
- −Residential dealer network is thin — check service coverage first
- −Basic mobile app compared to Generac's Mobile Link
- −Fewer third-party techs know the platform
- −Frequently on backorder or factory-order wait times
- −13kW ceiling means no whole-house AC coverage for bigger homes
Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 13kW
- +Smallest footprint of the 13-14kW class, fits tight lot lines
- +Vanguard commercial-grade engine with 37 kVA motor starting
- +Eco-Cise 16-second weekly test mode cuts exercise noise and fuel
- +Front exhaust design adds installation flexibility
- −69 dB is the loudest of the Briggs residential line
- −Automatic transfer switch is not included in the $4,460 price
- −11.5kW on natural gas is tight for a 4-ton AC plus other loads
- −Fewer certified dealers and installers than Generac or Kohler