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For thunderstorms, hurricanes, and other emergencies, a generator helps with power outages. It’s also useful when on a camping trip or doing a home improvement project. However, purchasing a portable generator comes with a big price tag. To help you decide what model is worth the investment, our team took a close look at some of the best portable generators available today.
Here are our recommendations. Also, check out our guide to buying generators to learn important information on buying the right generator for your home.
Top 5 Portable Generators
- Most Powerful Generator: Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment
- Best Basic Generator: DuroStar Portable Generator
- Biggest Fuel Tank: Generac Portable Generator
- Most Compact Gas Generator: Honda Portable Inverter Generator
- Most Portable Generator: SereneLife Portable Generator
Compare Top Portable Generators
| Product | Power Source | Fuel Tank Size | Wattage | Run Time | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment Portable Generator | Gas | 6.6 gallons | 7,500 | 11 hours | 196 pounds |
| DuroStar Portable Generator | Gas | 3.9 gallons | 3,300 | 12 hours | 94 pounds |
| Generac Portable Generator | Gas | 7.9 gallons | 6,500 | 10.5 hours | 177 pounds |
| Honda Portable Inverter Generator | Gas | 0.95 gallons | 2,200 | 9.6 hours | 46.5 pounds |
| SereneLife Portable Generator | Electric | Not listed | 180 watts | 8 hours | 3.49 pounds |
| Product | Power Source | Fuel Tank Size | Wattage | Run Time | Weight |
Most Powerful Generator
Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment Portable Generator
- $899
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Shuts off automatically when the oil level is low
✔ Has a convenient remote start function to turn it on from inside your home
✔ Comes with several accessories, including an oil funnel and battery charger
✘ Weighs nearly 200 pounds
✘ Can arrive with residual oil or fuel odor because it’s tested in a lab
Key Features
- Gas power source
- 6.6-gallon fuel tank
- 7,500 running watts
- 11-hour runtime
- 196 pounds
- Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who liked this generator said it was well-designed, came with easy-to-understand instructions, and ran for hours. However, unhappy customers had difficulty getting the machine to move with the wheels.
Best Basic Generator
DuroStar Portable Generator
- $479.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Can handle powerful items, including a refrigerator and an air conditioner
✔ Has a built-in voltmeter to measure the voltage output
✔ Approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board
✘ Requires a separate purchase if you want wheels
✘ Doesn’t last too long with its small 3.9-gallon fuel tank
Key Features
- Gas power source
- 3.9-gallon fuel tank
- 3,300 running watts
- 12-hour runtime
- 94 pounds
- One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews said this generator was durable, holding up for many years. Customers also found it to be easy to store and move. However, those who gave it negative reviews claimed it was difficult to start.
Biggest Fuel Tank
Generac Portable Generator
- $1,179
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a durable steel construction
✔ Has wheels and handles for transportation
✔ Uses co-sense technology to protect against carbon monoxide
✘ Operates at a loud volume because of its gas fuel source
✘ Increases the electrical current when you first start it
Key Features
- Gas power source
- 7.9-gallon fuel tank
- 6,500 running watts
- 10.5-hour runtime
- 177 pounds
- Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers found this generator made from quality materials, easy to assemble, and simple to operate. However, some customers said its fuel tank was prone to gas and oil leaks.
Most Compact Gas Generator
Honda Portable Inverter Generator
- $1,299.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Runs quietly between 48 and 57 decibels
✔ Can connect it to a second generator for double the power
✔ Runs for up to 10 hours despite its small fuel tank
✘ Powers a limited number of devices and appliances
✘ Requires special cables to use the parallel operation outlets
Key Features
- Gas power source
- 0.95-gallon fuel tank
- 2,200 running watts
- 9.6-hour runtime
- 46.5 pounds
- Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers left positive reviews, stating that the generator was easy to use, operated quietly, and supported several devices simultaneously. However, those who left negative reviews said it was often difficult to start.
Most Portable Generator
SereneLife Portable Generator
- $191.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Can charge it with a wall outlet, solar panel, or cigarette lighter
✔ Has a built-in flashlight
✔ Can fit in a backpack
✘ Can’t power large appliances
✘ Takes eight hours to recharge
Key Features
- Electric power source
- 180 running watts
- Eight-hour runtime
- 3.49 pounds
- One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Users were satisfied with this generator’s lightweight, quiet build. Several customers mentioned using it to power their CPAP machine on a camping trip. Others were disappointed with how short it lasted and how few volts it supported.
Buying Guide to Portable Generators
Keeping power, fuel source, and other factors in mind as you search for a portable generator can help you make an informed purchase. We explore these elements and more in our guide below.
Fuel Source
Many portable generators run on gasoline. Though powerful, these generators have inherent risks, including carbon monoxide poisoning and fire. They’re also heavy, expensive, and loud. For an alternative, consider solar or electric generators. They’re lighter, quieter, cheaper, and better for the environment but not as powerful.
Noise Level
The average conversation is spoken at 60 decibels. Solar and electric generators produce around this much noise. Gas generators are louder, producing 70–100 decibels on average. We recommend wearing ear protection if you will be next to your gas generator for an extended period.
Outlets
Portable generators have various outlets to accommodate your appliances, devices, and tools. You commonly see between two and 10 total USB ports, wall outlets, or cigarette lighters on a generator.
Portability
There’s no point in purchasing a portable generator if you can’t load it in your car or move it around your home. Solar and electric generators typically weigh under 10 pounds and feature a built-in carrying handle. Gas generators weigh anywhere from 50 to 300 pounds, so they’re often on wheels.
Power
The wattage of a generator tells you how much power it has. There are two wattage ratings manufacturers provide—peak and running. Peak wattage measures the initial surge of power when the generator is first turned on. Running wattage measures the generator’s power level the rest of the time. Running wattage is a better indicator of power. Most portable gas generators produce 4,000-10,000 watts. Solar and electric generators produce less, usually around 1,000-2,000 watts.
How To Use a Portable Gas Generator
Using a portable gas generator may be a foreign concept to you. However, by following the included instructions and considering the below tips, you’ll be able to power your home in case of an emergency or your campsite on the go.
Don’t use the generator inside.
Don’t use a gas generator indoors or in a closed garage, as it releases deadly carbon monoxide. Once it’s off, store it in your garage or shed to protect it from the elements.
Don’t back feed power into your home.
Backfeeding refers to the practice of plugging your generator directly into an outlet in your home. It’s dangerous and often illegal because it causes unfiltered electricity to flow through circuits, which can electrocute workers on nearby power lines or overload your devices and appliances. Have a licensed electrician install a transfer switch to use your generator around your home.
Let the generator cool before refilling it.
Filling a hot generator with fuel is dangerous because the gas could ignite. Though it slows down your project, let the tank cool completely before refilling it and returning to work.
Maintain an adequate fuel supply.
Keep enough gas and oil on hand to use and maintain your generator. This ensures that you’re prepared in case of a power outage.
Keep the generator dry.
Water and electricity don’t mix. Don’t use your generator in rainy conditions or when your hands are wet. Also, be sure to bring it inside if your area is expecting bad weather.
Frequently Asked Questions About Generators
How does a portable generator work?
The generator’s engine uses the supplied fuel to turn the alternator. This produces energy as electricity, which is harnessed through the generator’s outlets.
How much is a portable generator?
Most portable generators range from $200 to over $1,000. It’s difficult to find a cheap generator without compromising quality. Although it’s certainly an investment, a portable generator still costs less than a permanent one, which starts at $4,000.
How many watts does a generator need to power a house?
It depends on the appliances and fixtures you have around your home. To get a sense of the needed power, get the peak wattage for each device and fixture you wish to run. For example, if you’re looking to power kitchen appliances with a combined peak wattage of 4,000 watts, you’ll need a portable generator with an output of at least that.
More Generator Options
How We Selected the Best Portable Generators
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of generators with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
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