Best Portable Generator Reviews 2024 (Home use or Emergency Backup)

Electricity has made the lives of people to be very easy and enjoyable. The sheer thought of having an electricity outage as you head home from work gives many individuals headaches. At times of disaster, having good backup power is very important. A generator can serve you well and has many options that make it a good option for backup power. Whether you want to use it for RV, home, or outdoors, acquiring a portable and powerful generator will serve you exceptionally well. So, how to find the best portable generator for the money?

Also, a portable generator can be of great significance to individuals who live in areas that report high cases of floods, thunderstorms or even heavy rains, as they experience power outages most of the time. So, what is the best portable generator to buy?

Top 3 Portable Generators Comparison Chart

Features to look for in a portable generator

With the many types and models of generators offered in stores and online, finding the best can be hard to many people. After years of using some of the best portable generators and conducting of serious research on some of the highly recommended types; we came up with a list of the top portable generators and guideline on how to pick the best from the rest. The portable generator should be lightweight, durably built, has long runtime and should be very reliable. Most of the top rated portable generators that we are going to discuss about at the bottom of this page meet these requirements. Highly consider looking at your needs and the features you desire to land the best portable generator for your home. Read further to fully grasp the essential tips you need to know in order to pick the most reliable portable generators.

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High Quality Generator?

Quality construction – look for a generator that is durably made with some of the best materials such as steel. Ensure most of the parts are all weather since the generator runs from outdoors.

Best power generator?

Power output – depending on the purpose you want the generator to play for you, look for one that meets your needs. There are different generators created for various purposes. If you want one that can serve the entire household, look for a high capacity generator such as diesel operated. But if it’s for some specific roles, consider searching for one with a low power output.

Related: The best portable air compressor reviews and buying guide.

Reliability – how reliable is your generator? Does it powers easily when the weather is very cold. People prefer portable generators that they can heavily rely on in tricky situations.

Best small portable generator?

Portability and ease of use – just as our title states, you should ensure the generator you’re purchasing is very light and can be carried easily to an event or to other outdoor activities.

Best quiet portable generator?

Level of noise – some generators are very noisy and will give you a hard time as you try to concentrate. Not all generators are noisy; consider looking for ones that are silent and very effective in operation.

Most fuel efficient portable generator?

Run time/ fuel efficiency – how long do you want the generator to serve you? Some generators have a long run time while others don’t last long. Most of the generators run for 8 hours before they need a refill. If you want a generator that runs for a long period of time, consider one with a larger fuel tank.

Type of wheels – the portable generator should have a strong and rugged wheel that performs well on different terrains. Also, it should be very easy to assemble. Avoid generators with inner tubes that may burst when in use.

Best emergency generator safety?

Safety – this is another crucial feature to look out for in a generator. The generator should come with extra accessories that will secure you in case of an accident.  Things to look out for include; enclosed casing, circuit breakers and shut-off feature. Also, outlet covers are important in securing plugged in items.

Best budget generator?

Price – different brands have different features which may make the generator to be either lowly priced or highly priced. The best qualities with sophisticated features are more expensive than the ordinary ones. It’s advisable to work with a budget so that you don’t get swayed by the several highly priced generators. But if you want the best, be ready to spend some more bucks.

Related: Get the portable ice maker for your kitchen here.

Best generator brands?

Brand – the best brands have some excellent features that many people admire. When you choose from the best brands, you will receive some of the best features at a very great price. Look for brands that are well known and are highly recommended by previous users.

Warranty – not all brands have a warranty. Consider acquiring one that offers warranty of at least two years or more so that in case of a replacement or labor service can be provided. Avoid brands that don’t offer warranty or customer service as you may find it difficult in case you’re faced with a challenge.

Types of portable generators

We have categorized the types of portable generators with regard to the type of fuel they use to power. The source of fuel the generator uses is very important as some sources are very delicate and really dangerous. These are discussed further as below:

Best gas generator?

Gas – these are usually less efficient when compared to the other types below. They are very easy to refill and are less disastrous.  Also, they are small in size and not ideal to power the entire household or in events. These are suitable to use for some small power needs as they don’t last long.

Best diesel generator for home use?

Diesel – these are the best and are highly used by many. They operate by using more energy per gallon of fuel. They are very powerful and run for long hours. They come in different sizes from small ones to very big ones. When running these generators, they should not be placed indoors or in basement as they emit a lot of carbon monoxide which is harmful.

Best electric generator?

Electric – its name may sound awful but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it uses electricity to run. The electric generator uses batteries. It has a starter mechanism that charges the battery for it’s to start functioning. Same as the manual starter, it uses either gas or fuel to start functioning.

Best propane generator?

Propane – propane is one of the cleanest and best fuel sources for running a portable generator. Unlike other types of portable generators on this list, propane has less dangerous gases and is available in all sizes.

Best solar generator?

Solar – these are the most economical ones as they don’t need any fuel source to start functioning.

They operate very silently and mostly take around 20 to 22 hours to fully charge. Though, it is not ideal for powering many things like the entire household.

Our Recommend Top 5 best portable generator reviews

Sometimes people ask me which one is the best portable generator to use for various activities. And my answer always doesn’t single out a particular generator because needs vary from one person to another. I start by asking them what they intend to do with the generator, or if they are looking for a quality generator or as well an economical one.

Our list below of the top portable generator was compiled after several considerations were taken into view and you can heavily rely on them to perform excellently.

Best home generator – Westinghouse generator reviews (Our Top Pick)

Westinghouse WH7500E is among the high efficient generators that you can ever wish for. It runs on 7500E watts and powerfully starts on a 9,000 watts. Furthermore, it has a one touch electric start for easy operation and a one twist power outlet. It comes with an excellent tool kit to quickly get you started right out of the box. This amazing portable generator with electric start can serve the entire household and it runs for a maximum of 11 hours.

Other essential features it comes with include; battery charger, 6.6 gallon fuel tank, oil funnel, and four power outlets. The moment you purchase this outstanding machine, you receive a 3 year warranty customer service support. If you are a California resident, know that this item is not CARB compliant. Her, this best 7500 watt generator can easily fulfill your home or camping electricity requirement.
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Main features:

• 7500 running watts.
• One touch electric start.
• Plug and play.
• One twist lock power outlet.
• Four household power outlets.
• 3 year limited warranty.

Pros:

• It is very easy to set up and maintain.
• It is very fuel efficient.
• It is simple to use with a one touch electric start.
• Has a very long run time of 11 hours.
• It comes with 3 year warranty.

Best generator for RV – Champion Power Equipment generator reviews

Champion is one of the leading brands when it comes to portable generators. It has excellent features that will constantly supply you with a lot of power for your event and run for a very long period of time. It is easy to operate as it has a wireless remote start to easily commence operation. It is RV ready and compliant with CARB. Which means California residents is best portable generator for the money.

In addition, it has 3 power outlets for using and is lightweight with rugged wheels for easy movement and carry. Use this excellent equipment to power your house in case of a power outage.
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Main features:

• Powered by champion engine with cast iron sleeve.
• 3500 watts.
• Starts to run with 4000 watts.
• Electric remote control start.
• RV ready.
• Has a run time of 12 hours on 50%.
• 3 outlets.
• CARB approved.
• 2 year limited warranty.

Pros:

• It is very simple to set up.
• It is very easy to use with the electric remote control.
• Has rugged wheels to easily move on different terrains.
• Runs for great 12 hours when operating on 50%.
• Has 2 year limited warranty with free lifetime technical help.

Best quiet generator – Duromax generator reviews

DuroMax XP4400E is a quality portable generator perfectly designed for home and outdoor use. It has a starting 4, 400 watt surge and 3500 watt continuous. To start operating the generator, it comes with an easy to start electric key start. When in operation and the oil runs low, this powerful and high performance generator has an automatic oil shutoff feature that will stop it from running. Also, it is EPA accredited and has a 4 cycle gas.

Also, it has never flat knobby tires and a flip up handle for easy transportation. With a maximum run time of 8 hours, expect this portable generator to fully power your event or sustain you when there is a power outage. If you are looking for best 4000 watt generator for the money then Duromax one of the top one.
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Main features:

• 4 cycle gas.
• 4, 400 watt surge.
• Electric key start.
• 3500 watt continuous.
• EPA accredited.
• 8 hours run time.
• Automatic low oil shutoff.

Pros:

• It is highly reliable.
• It operates silently unlike other portable generators.
• It is very affordable considering its excellent features and performance.
• Easy to use with an electric start feature.
• Great design for easy portability whether outdoor in far places or just at home.

Best generator for camping – Durostar generator reviews

DuroStar DS4000S is not only greatly designed but as well performs well. It is built with heavy duty steel frame that secures the tank and other parts of the generator. It starts to operate on a 4000 watt surge and 3300 watt continuation. It has a large tank that accommodates 4 gallon gas tank. This Durostar generator can power your home and runs a maximum of 8 hours. The automatic shutoff oil feature it comprises switches off the generator when the oil runs low.

Other outstanding features include; air cooled OHV engine, 4 point fully isolated motor mounts, power outlets and circuit breakers among other wonderful features. Get this machine today for a strong power supply in your home or at any outdoor activity. Durostar one of the best cheap generator for camping!
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Main features:

• Heavy duty steel frame.
• Air cooled OHV engine.
• 4000 starting watts.
• Low oil shutoff.
• 3300 watts running.
• 4 gallon gas tank.
• 8 hours run time.
• 4 point fully isolated motor mounts.
• Power outlets & Circuit breakers.

Pros:

• This generator is very easy to use with a simple on/off switch.
• It operates silently during operation.
• It meets all EPA stipulations thus good for the environment.
• Runs for an excellent 8 hour period enough for many events.
• Has an automatic shutoff features in case the oil runs low.

Best small generator – Wen generator reviews

WEN56180 is considered by many as the best portable generator on the market and that’s why user has rated it one of the top portable generator for home power outage. This generator is durably made to operate effectively in all different weather conditions. It is lightweight and compact for simple use and carry wherever you go. It has a powerful engine that runs for 7.7 hours when set on half load. This generator is both EPAII and CARB approved which means all states in the USA can use it without any problem.

The low oil shutoff feature ensures the generator doesn’t run on low oil by shutting down. When it’s switched on, it starts with 1800 watt surge and continue running on 1500 watts. If you’ve been looking for a well priced and high quality portable generator, look no further than WEN56180 for great performance.
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Main features:

• 4stroke OHV engine.
• Lightweight and compact generator.
• Low oil shutdown.
• 5 run time on half load.
• CARB and EPAIII approved.
• 1800 watts surge and 1500 continuous.

Pros:

• It is very easy to set up.
• It is really simple to use.
• Runs for an excellent 7.5 hours on half load.
• It is EPA approved thus good for the environment.
• It is very lightweight for easy carry wherever you head to.

Conclusion

A portable generator is a very usefulness item that a person should have as it can both act as a backup power when there is a power outage or be used in outdoor activities where there is no power connection. Since there are different types of portable generators and brands to choose from, people find it challenging to pick the best. Before you go out scouting for the best portable generator for your needs, know what features you want and whether or not it works well with your connection. The portable generator should be safe to use, durable, lightweight, and fuel efficient.

Consider picking from the best brands to fully enjoy the features that they offer at a great price. Set a budget so that you don’t find yourself buying a product you hadn’t planned for. The above review has greatly assisted you in identifying all the important features you need to know as you embark on this cumbersome journey.

I hope you have gotten your answer after reading this Best Portable Generator. You can comment below for more information.