Draper Petrol Inverter Generator, 1000W

The Draper DGI1200DI is the ultimate grab-and-go generator. Weighing just 12.1kg with a built-in carry handle, it's light enough for one person to lift with a single hand – small enough to fit under a market stall table, stow in a motorhome locker, or slip into the corner of a boot alongside all your other kit. Yet despite its compact dimensions, it produces 1,000W of rated pure sine wave power at just 58dB(A) – the quietest generator in the Draper range – and runs for an impressive 4.8 hours at full load from a 3-litre tank.

Powered by a 60cc four-stroke petrol engine with easy pull recoil start, the DGI1200DI outputs clean, stable electricity safe for laptops, tablets, televisions, battery chargers, and other sensitive electronics. It includes a 230V socket for mains-standard appliances and a 12V DC output with charging lead for battery maintenance and 12V accessories. If you need quiet, reliable power and you need to carry it yourself, the DGI1200DI stands alone.

Key Features & Benefits

The Lightest Generator in the Range – Just 12.1kg

At 12.1kg, the DGI1200DI weighs less than many power tool cases and is genuinely one of the lightest petrol inverter generators available in the UK market. Pick it up with one hand, carry it across a field, lift it into a locker, or take it on a ferry without breaking a sweat. For solo travellers, market traders, photographers, and anyone who needs a generator they can manage entirely alone, the weight difference compared to heavier models is transformative.

The Quietest in the Draper Generator Range – 58dB(A)

At 58dB(A) measured at 7 metres, the DGI1200DI is the quietest petrol generator in the Draper inverter lineup – and one of the quietest in its power class on the market. 58dB is comparable to the hum of a refrigerator or soft background music; at 7 metres, many people won't notice it running. For campsites with strict noise policies, residential use late at night, or any setting where sound is a genuine concern, this generator is in a class of its own.

Pure Sine Wave Inverter Technology

Despite its small size, the DGI1200DI doesn't compromise on power quality. Its inverter technology produces a true pure sine wave output – the same clean, stable waveform as mains electricity – making it safe for the full range of sensitive modern electronics: laptops, tablets, smart TVs, CPAP machines, camera battery chargers, LED lighting systems, and any device with digital control circuits. Plug in with total confidence.

1,000W Rated Output – Focused, Efficient Power

The DGI1200DI is designed for focussed use rather than running multiple high-draw appliances simultaneously, and it excels in that role. Power a laptop and charge multiple devices; run a compact travel kettle; power LED site lighting; maintain a leisure battery via the 12V DC output while running a phone and tablet from the 230V socket. For single-task or light combined loads, 1,000W is a well-matched and efficient output.

Nearly 5 Hours Runtime from a 3-Litre Tank

The 3-litre fuel tank delivers 4.8 hours of continuous operation at 100% load – a strong result for a generator of this size. At the lighter loads typical of device charging, laptop use, and LED lighting, runtime extends further still. A single fill covers the working part of a day, an evening at a campsite, or an overnight power outage without interruption.

Compact Dimensions – Fits Where Others Won't

Measuring just 480 × 255 × 425mm, the DGI1200DI is compact enough to fit in spaces where larger generators simply can't go: motorhome lockers, boat storage compartments, van shelves, market stall cupboards, and small garden sheds. If space is as much a constraint as weight, this generator solves both problems at once.

230V Socket and 12V DC Output

A 230V socket handles mains-standard appliances and chargers, while the 12V DC output – with charging lead supplied – keeps vehicle batteries and leisure batteries topped up, powers 12V accessories, and covers the needs of caravanners and boaters who need both AC and DC from a single portable unit.

60cc 4-Stroke Engine – Punching Above Its Weight

A 60cc four-stroke OHV petrol engine is the compact powerhouse behind the DGI1200DI. Four-stroke technology delivers clean combustion, good fuel economy, and low maintenance without the oil-mixing requirements of a two-stroke engine. Reliable, efficient, and built for the long term.

E10 Fuel Compatible

Runs on standard E10 unleaded petrol, available at virtually every UK filling station. No specialist fuel, additives, or pre-treatment required.

Supplied with 12V Charging Lead and Toolkit

Ready to work straight from the box with a basic toolkit and 12V DC charging lead included.

Full Specification

What's in the Box

• Draper DGI1200DI Petrol Inverter Generator
• 12V DC charging lead
• Basic toolkit

Who Is the Draper DGI1200DI For?

Solo Campers & Backpackers – The go-anywhere generator for campers who travel light. Power LED lighting, charge phones and devices, run a compact travel kettle or cool box, and keep a leisure battery topped up – all from a unit you can carry in one hand.

Photographers & Videographers on Location – Power cameras, laptops, monitors, and battery chargers on remote shoots where mains power doesn't exist and silence matters as much as electricity.

Market Traders & Craft Fair Sellers – Compact enough to sit under a trestle table and quiet enough not to disturb customers or breach event noise rules. Power a card terminal, lighting, a heated display, or a small appliance without a trail of cables to a shared supply.

Caravanners & Motorhomers – Fits in the smallest exterior locker. Top up your leisure battery, charge devices, and power occasional mains appliances quietly without disturbing the site.

Boaters & Canal Users – Small, light, and quiet enough for aboard use on narrowboats and small motorboats where space and sound are both at a premium. Provides 230V and 12V DC without a generator the size of an engine compartment.

Emergency Home Backup – Store it in a cupboard until needed. When the power goes out, the DGI1200DI keeps your router, phone chargers, medical devices, and essential lighting running without disturbing the household.

Festival & Outdoor Events Crew – A silent, portable power source for backstage charging points, lighting rigs, and comms equipment that needs to be moved quickly between locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the DGI1200DI compare to the Draper DGI2000? Both are compact, carry-handle-equipped inverter generators with pure sine wave output, but they serve different scales of need. The DGI2000 weighs 18.5kg and produces 1,700W rated output with a 4.1-litre tank. The DGI1200DI weighs just 12.1kg – one-third lighter – with 1,000W output and a 3-litre tank. Choose the DGI1200DI if weight and compactness are paramount and your power needs are modest; choose the DGI2000 if you need more simultaneous load capacity or a larger fuel reserve.

What can I actually run on 1,000W? 1,000W is well suited to: a laptop (45–100W) and multiple USB device charging; LED site or campsite lighting (20–100W combined); a travel kettle or camping kettle (750–900W); a small cool box or 12V compressor fridge; a CPAP machine (30–60W); a camera battery charger system; or a combination of low-draw appliances. It is not suited to running a full-size microwave, standard kettle, or induction hob at full power – for those, consider the DGI2600DI or DGI3500DI.

Is 58dB(A) noticeably quieter than 60–62dB(A)? In absolute terms, 2–4dB is a small but perceptible difference – roughly 20–40% quieter in perceived loudness. More practically, 58dB(A) at 7 metres is the level of a quiet room or refrigerator hum, and falls below the evening noise thresholds of most managed campsites and caravan parks. It's the quietest petrol inverter generator in the Draper range and among the quietest available at any power level.

Does it have a wheel kit? No. At 12.1kg with a carry handle, the DGI1200DI is designed to be carried rather than wheeled. For heavier loads or longer distances across rough ground, the wheeled DGI2600DI or DGI3500DI are better suited.

What fuel does it use? E10 unleaded petrol, available at most UK forecourts. No additives or modifications required.

Is pure sine wave output important at 1,000W? Absolutely. Power quality is independent of power quantity. Laptops, CPAP machines, camera chargers, and other sensitive electronics require a clean sine wave regardless of how many watts they draw. The DGI1200DI's pure sine wave output ensures safe, reliable operation for all of these at any load level.