Best Portable Generator for Home Use: Our Top 7 Picks
At a Glance - The Best Portable Generator for Home 2022:
Model | Warranty | Running Watts | Time | Noise | Fuel | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Champion 8000W | 3 Year | 8000W | 12.5h | 74 dB(A) | Gas, Propane, NG | Read More |
DuroMax XP7500DX | 5 Year | 6500W | 10h | 70 dB(A) | Gas, Propane | Read More |
Westinghouse 9500DFc | 3 Year | 9500W | 8h | 74 dB(A) | Gas, Propane | Read More |
WEN GN9500X | 2 Year | 7500W | 7.5h | * | Gas | Read More |
Generac 6500 | 3 Year | 6500W | 11.5h | * | Gas | Read More |
Honda EM6500SX | 3 Year | 5500W | 9.8h | 66 dB(A) | Gas | Read More |
Model | Warranty | Watts | Time | Noise | Fuel | Read More |
* Not specified by manufacturer
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know About Portable Generators for Home
The function of a backup generator is to continue to supply power for at least the most essential appliances needed at and around the home during an outage.
Given this, in this article, we’ll take a look at the best portable generator for home use. We’ll also analyze the key criteria to consider before choosing a portable generator. But first, what are portable generators, and how do they work?
What Are Portable Generators?
Portable generators are power equipment designed for supplying electricity to the home, a mobile home while camping, or a job site.
They are designed with mobility features such as wheels, handles, and lifting eye hooks which make them different from standby models that are only used on the spot.
So, in the context of the home environment, they can be used outdoors and pushed into the garage or storehouse when not in use.
They’re portable because they’re not designed to be kept outdoors permanently. And they cannot be used indoors because of their carbon monoxide emissions. Despite their small sizes, these generators can provide a running power of around 1,000 watts to 22,000 watts.
Moreover, these machines run on fuel sources such as gasoline, propane, natural gas, diesel, and biodiesel. Some even work with solar power, of course, with a solar panel installation. So, there’s something for every home, need, and budget.
How Portable Generators Differ From Standby Models
A distinction is usually made between stationary and portable backup power generators. Unlike portable generators, standby models are not intended for mobile use as they are installed fixedly to a spot.
They are built with covers that make them suitable for outdoor installation, although they ideally need a house or shed. They are ideal for buildings and facilities that cannot function without a power supply. These include hospitals, banks, hotels, and more.
The table below shows the side-by-side differences of standby and portable power generators.
Standby Power Generators | Portable Power Generators | |
---|---|---|
Applications | Used in hospitals, industrial plants, banks and data centers | At home, campsites, and construction sites |
Storage | Stationary facility | Indoors |
Durability | Durable and low-maintenance (20 to 40 years) | Durable enough for the money (10 to 15 years) |
Transportability | Large and usually moved with a forklift and truck | Small to medium-sized; movable on built-in wheels |
Power capacity | Between 10,000 and 50,000 running watts | 1,000 to 22,000 running watts |
What to Look for in a Portable Generator?
Not all portable generators will meet your needs. You have to ask yourself a couple of questions. What fuel type is always available even in an emergency? What’s the load you’d like to put on it? And how friendly to the neighborhood is the generator in terms of noise and fume emissions? The information below will help you make a decision:
1. Portability
Portable generators should be designed to allow for easy transportation from one point to the other. In the review, you’ll discover generators that weigh no more than 250 pounds. They can be easily carried and transported.
Some versions are heavier, but they are best for producing high power above 10,000 watts. It is worth noting that heavy-duty generators can also allow portability by including features like wheels or snug handles.
2. Power source
Various sources of fuel can power portable generators. Gone are the days when we only had gasoline and diesel generators. Gas generators are more powerful and tend to run longer than all other types of generators. This is why all the higher power output generators in our review were gas-powered.
Battery-powered batteries may be less efficient, but they’re also silent and don’t create fumes like gas-powered ones.
Meanwhile, among the best home generators are models that use natural gas and propane. But, often, natural gas and propane generators are hybrid; that is, they are dual-fueled or tri-fueled, with gasoline being the most popular fuel, usually a constant option.
3. Peak/Rated Watts
The power output of your portable generators will be measured in running and peak watts. Peak watts indicate the highest peak or starting power the generator can achieve. On the other hand, running watts represent your generator’s continuous power.
Peak power is higher than running power, so when your generator is 7700 watts / 5500 watts, the first power is your peak, while the next power is running power. Peak watts indicate the power capacity of the generator at the moment it’s started. The running wattage refers to the continuously supplied power.
4. Emissions
The biggest downside of portable generators is their noise and carbon emissions. In most cases, the bigger a portable generator is, the noisier it is.
A portable generator makes between 55 to 100 decibels. Open frame generators make the most noise. Those who want a home generator are advised to buy a closed frame or inverter generator. While these make the lowest level of noise, they can be pretty expensive.
As for carbon emission, this is inevitable. Unlike noise which can be silenced or insulated, carbon cannot be managed. That’s why these devices are only used outdoors. Meanwhile, it also helps to choose a generator with carbon monoxides detection systems such as DuroMax ‘s CO Alert, Champion Power Equipment’s CO Shield, Westinghouse CO Sensor, and Generac’s COSense.
Generators that meet emission standards are usually EPA-approved and CARB-certified (important for Californian residents). CSA approval is also something to watch out for if you reside in Canada.
Reviewed: 7 Best Portable Generators for Home
1. Editor’s Choice
CHAMPION 8000W Tri-fuel
356 Reviews
It’s not hard to explain why this is our overall best portable generator for home use. It’s a massive 8,000-watt generator that works with gas, propane, or natural gas. A three-fuel generator is a relatively new concept. Not too many people are aware of their existence. There aren’t many choices when looking for a three-fuel generator. The Champion 100416 tri-fuel generator is the most popular for home use in this small market.
The Tri Fuel Generator also has a CO Shield®, a proprietary technology from Champion Power Equipment. This technology will automatically shut down the engine when it detects a significant and unsafe amount of carbon monoxide emissions. This makes it a perfect model for those looking for a generator safe for use around the home.
Why you should buy this generator: You should buy this generator because of its high power output per price ratio, the three fuel possibility, and the protection provided by the CO Shield.
Positives
Can be operated on three types of fuels
Very powerful
High Champion brand quality
Safe for use at home
It comes with a three-year warranty
Negatives
It requires some assembly after delivery
2. Best Value:
DUROMAX XP7500DX
356 Reviews
Carbon monoxide emission detection seems to be high on the goal of home power equipment manufacturers. And the DuroMax brand didn’t fail to provide this important feature. The CO Alert on this model makes the generator safe for use at home as it alerts the generator of unsafe carbon monoxide emission levels and then shuts it down automatically.
Although the power production capacity of the DuroMax product is lower than our Editor’s Choice, it’s sold for a far lesser price. Regardless, the generator can get up to 7,500 peak watts and run no lesser than 6,500 watts continuously.
This is also a dual-fuel generator that will run on propane or gasoline. However, with propane, the peak production capacity is reduced to 7125 watts, which is still great.
Why you should buy this generator: The quality or value for money is really high. It sells for almost half the price of the Champion product reviewed earlier without a big difference in power output. Then it also comes with safety features such as the CO Alert and GFCI outlets.
Positives
Light in weight, measuring only 148 pounds
Comes with an all-terrain wheel and handle kit
Certified by the EPA and CARB
The Cold Start technology will be a godsend in the winter
CO Alert eliminates the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning
5-year warranty
Negatives
Not very fuel efficient
3. Best Dual Fuel Portable Generator:
WESTINGHOUSE 9500DFC
356 Reviews
So far, all the products we’ve reviewed are either dual or tri-fueled generators. But what makes the Westinghouse WGen9500DFc the best dual-fueled generator? The difference is all in the fuel efficiency. This is a 12,500-peak watts generator when run on gas. But with propane, the power drops to 11,200 watts maximum. However, the difference is that the generator takes just 1.21 gallons per hour, which is the least of all the models reviewed so far.
Still, this is a powerful generator ideal for home backup. The WGEN 9500DFc by Westinghouse is an open-frame dual fuel portable generator. The heavy-duty Westinghouse engine is constructed with a durable cast iron sleeve.
This will run up to 12 hours on a full gas tank and can easily switch to liquid propane on the fly. In addition, the push button remote start key fob and an array of built-in safety features make it a smart, versatile solution to your portable power needs.
Why you should buy this generator: The generator is a large capacity model that will meet most of the power needs of essential appliances at home. It can produce up to 12,500 peak watts and 9,500 running watts and doesn’t consume a lot of fuel.
Positives
Fuel efficient and can run on gasoline or propane
All-copper generator
Can be started remotely
CARB-compliant and usable in all 50 states
CO Sensor against unsafe levels of carbon monoxide
Negatives
It's not quite productive on propane
4. Best Single-fuel Portable Generator:
WEN GN9500X
356 Reviews
Despite being an open-framed generator, the WEN GN9500X is an ultra-quiet portable generator with orange trim and black body. It is also affordable for many price points. The generator can produce 7,500 watts of continuous power and 9,500 watts of starting power. It can hold up to 6 gallons of fuel which you can run for up to 7.5 hours at 50% capacity.
However, this is a single fuel generator that only runs on gas. But if you want a model that can also use propane, you may choose the WEN DF1100X. However, you’ll have to add about 100 dollars more.
The generator has features protecting it from overheating, overload, low fuel or oil, and high carbon monoxide emissions (the CO Sensor). The Wen generator is operated by using a simple button or the remote controller. You can also start it by pulling the pull cord on the side.
Why you should buy this generator: The electric and remote controller starting technologies are perhaps its most attractive price points. Homeowners looking for a safe generator may also appreciate its CO Shutdown sensor.
Positives
Includes a 12V DC outlet
Makes very little noise.
Automatically turns off when it detects a problem.
Good value for money
It is a lightweight generator
Negatives
Has no fuel-saving mode
It has a small fuel tank
5. Best With CO Protection:
GENERAC 6500
356 Reviews
The Generac GP 6,500 is a reliable, portable, powerful, and easy-to-use generator. Its Generac OHV engine delivers a long life of reliable power. The peak power capacity is 8,125 watts, while it will keep running at 6,500 watts. In addition, its CO-sense technology provides powerful protection against carbon. The technology will shut down the engine when used indoors or in an enclosed space, and it detects rising carbon monoxide emissions.
Asides from the CO Sense technology, the generator also comes with other safety features such as low oil and overload protection. The equipment will simply switch itself off when it detects these problems.
It also has the PowerRush advanced technology that delivers 40% of the additional starting capacity. This allows you to do more. It has a fuel gauge that allows users to keep track of gasoline levels to ensure reliable power. However, this is not a dual-fueled generator. It only runs on gasoline.
Why you should buy this generator: This is ideal for those looking for a simple but safe product that can run for a while. It has a larger fuel tank and can take up to 7.9 gallons of fuel which can run for 11.5 hours at half the load capacity.
Positives
Multi-purpose 120/240V operation
Protects homeowners from carbon emissions
Low oil shutdown
Negatives
Only uses gas
6. Our Premium Pick:
HONDA EM6500SX
356 Reviews
The Honda EM6500SX is not your regular portable generator. However, this is not about the high price but the premium quality. First, it’s a dual voltage 120/240V generator that can generate a peak power of 6500 watts. The EM series generator is equipped with advanced commercial grade Honda iGX engines and a two-wheel transport kit holding handles.
Honda’s exclusive IAVR technology provides stable voltage regulation. It can deliver up to 7000 watts for 10 seconds whenever high-demand startup applications arise. Then, there’s a built-in Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for wireless control using Honda’s My Generator smartphone app.
It is ideal for running home appliances such as refrigerators, TV sets, furnace fans, and sump pumps. The generator is, of course, quiet and runs only at 66 decibels. However, we think it’s not quite fuel efficient. It consumes 1.58 gallons an hour, running for 9.8 hours on the 6.2 gallons tanks.
Why you should buy this generator: Homeowners looking for a quiet generator that will not be a nuisance to them and the neighbors should buy this. It runs at around 66 decibels. The generator also comes with a carbon protection system called the CO-MINDER, a trademark of Honda.
Positives
Very low noise level
Bluetooth connectivity
Three years warranty
Comes assembled, except for the feet
Negatives
It's not affordable for every home
It's heavy
5. Best Fuel-saving Large Portable Generator:
Generac 15000E
356 Reviews
At 22,500 starting watts but with gas consumption of just 0.63 gallons per hour, this is hands down the best sizeable portable generator with incredible fuel economy. First, it has a 16-gallon fuel tank, but at 50% load, this generator will run for approximately 10 hours.
It’s a great alternative to the Westinghouse WGEN model reviewed earlier for those who don’t have the budget. One of its secrets to fuel efficiency is the idle control feature which helps adjust power output to the needs, extending run-time and reducing the noise level in the process. This feature is automatic, and you don’t have to initiate it.
As for its massive power, this is due to its heavy-duty 992cc OHVI engine. Like the Westinghouse WGEN model, this also has a full pressure lubrication system, which helps it save more fuel. The generator, of course, has an electric start system, thanks to the included battery installation. There is also included a battery charging jack.
Why you should buy this generator: The fuel efficiency of this generator will give it an excellent value for money. The upfront cost of the generator may be pretty high, but it’s an investment that pays off in the long run.
Positives
Shuts down automatically after detecting low oil
Multi-purpose 120/240V operation
Negatives
It's not CARB-compliant
Requires setup
Final Thoughts
Portable generators offer the perfect solution to power needs during an emergency. We’ve reviewed them all to give you an overview of the best portable generators for home.
Those looking for a powerful, safe, multi-fuel source generator can pick the Champion 100416, our Editor’s Choice. Meanwhile, the DuroMax XP7500DX is a kind of budget option that is ideal for families who can’t afford the Champion model. It’s a bit cheaper and produces up to 7,500 watts.