Yahoo Autos The 11 best whole house and portable generators for 2024
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A power generator is a fantastic nice-to-have item to keep around the house. After all, losing power in this day and age, even for a short time, can cause some headaches. Keeping a whole-house generator or portable power station ready to go can turn a night that may have been a genuine emergency into just a mild inconvenience. Outside of emergency use, they can also be used for camping, tailgating, and more. Portable generators and power stations can come in a wide range of prices with an even wider range of features, so although everyone has their own definition of the best portable generator, we've compiled this list of the best we could find according to user ratings and reviews. Check out our selection of the top power generators for 2024 below.
Champion Power Equipment 4500-Watt Portable Inverter Generator, RV Ready - From $1,233.43 (9% off)
Key Features
"Quiet operation" makes it great for camping, tailgating, RVs or home use
Wattage: 4,500 starting watts and 3,500 running watts
Up to 14 hours of run time on just 2.3 gallons of gasoline
Optional parallel kit allows users to connect multiple inverters together to double the power output
Built-in intelligauge allows users to monitor voltage, frequency and operating hours
Built-in EZ Start Dial makes startup easy
Two built-in 120V 20 amp outlets, a 120V 30 amp RV outlet, 12V automotive-style (cigarette lighter) outlet, dual port USB adapter
Includes a 3-year limited warranty with purchase with free lifetime technical support
This generator is one of the best all-arounders out there. You can use it by itself or link it with another to double the power output, built-in gauge lets you know exactly how much time you have left and lets users accurately track voltage, and it also features an "EZ Start Dial" preventing the need for a pull cord. There's even a quiet operation mode that makes it great for camping or tailgating. Last but not least, you'll get a 3-year limited warranty with your purchase and free lifetime technical support.
Champion Power Equipment 2500-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator - $799.78
Key Features
Very lightweight, only 39 lbs
"Quiet operation" makes it great for camping or tailgating
Wattage: 2,500 starting watts and 1,850 running watts
Up to 11.5 hours of run time w/ gas or 34 hours w/ propane
Optional parallel kit allows users to connect multiple inverters together to double the power output
Two built-in 120V 20 amp outlets
Includes a 3-year limited warranty with purchase
A portable generator is a great compromise if you don't want or need to keep a full-sized generator around. Unlike many portable home generators, this one is powered by either gas or propane with up to 34 hours of runtime and it only weighs 39 lbs. Much like the Champion generator above, this one can also be linked to another generator to double the power output, and it also comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Champion Power Equipment 2000-Watt Dual Fuel Inverter Generator, Ultralight - $628.99 (18% off)
Key Features
Very lightweight, only 39 lbs
"Quiet operation" makes it great for camping or tailgating
Wattage: Using gasoline, this generator features 2,000 starting watts and 1,600 running watts - with propane it provides 1,800 starting watts and 1,440 running watts
Up to 11.5 hours of run time w/ gas or 34 hours w/ propane
Optional parallel kit allows users to connect multiple inverters together to double the power output
Two built-in 120V 20 amp outlets, a 12V cigarette-lighter style outlet and a USB adapter
Includes a 3-year limited warranty with purchase
This portable electric generator is a lot like the option above, but it provides a few less starting and running watts. It runs on gas or propane with up to 34 hours of runtime and like the one above, it only weighs 39 lbs. Also like the other Champions in this list, this one can also be linked to another generator to double the power output and it comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Duracell Portable Power Station 300 - $189 (5% off)
Key Features
Wattage: 300 watts
Fully charges in 5-6 hours via wall charger or can be fitted with Duracell's solar panel to charge fully in 4-5 hours
Includes LCD screen that shows the battery level and which ports are being used
Features 2 USB-A outputs, 1 USB-A QC3.0 output, a USB-C PD output, a 120 AC inverter output, a 12V DC socket port output, 2 DC port outputs and a DC charging port input
Weighs only 7.5 lbs
This power station is a great value for homeowners if you're not looking for full-fledged gas generators. It charges quickly, offers tons of ports and weighs less than 10 lbs. It can power home electronics, mobile devices, lighting, speakers and more.
DuroMax XP12000EH 12000 Watt Gas or Propane Powered Generator - $1,199.00 (14% off)
Key Features
Powered by a 4-stroke DuroMax engine
Utilizes dual fuel technology - can run on propane or gasoline
Wattage: 12,000 starting watts and 9,500 running watts
Can choose between operating at both 120V and 240V simultaneously or at only 120V at full power
EPA and CARB approved in all 50 states
We can’t get enough of portable power. This 12,000-watt DuroMax generator for a house is larger than some others on our list, so you may not want to take it camping, but it’s a great backup power option to keep at home or at a worksite. It can run on either gas or propane, it has an electric start, and it's rated for 9,500 running watts so it can handle heavier loads and power things like a refrigerator, home air conditioning unit, and high-amperage power tools.
Generac GP3300i Portable Inverter Generator - $849
Key Features
Wattage: 3,300 watts
Features PowerRush Advanced Technology that "delivers over 50% more starting capacity"
Quiet Inverter Power reduces sound output
Economy mode automatically adjusts engine speed to save fuel and reduce sound
Generator is "parallel ready" and can be connected to another GP3300i to double the power output
Lightweight and includes visual alerts to show when it's running low, overloaded, or ready for use
Also includes USB ports for mobile devices and more
Portable generators are great for camping or helping out in a pinch if your power goes out, and Generac is a big name in residential and industrial generators alike. The GP3300i model is a 2500-watt gas-powered unit that features multiple outlets and USB ports for charging things like a small fridge or freezer, tablets and mobile devices. It’s only 59 lbs, so transport and storage is easier than larger units and it features quiet inverter tech that aims to help reduce noise pollution when the unit is running.
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300 - $279 (20% off)
Key Features
Wattage: 300 watts
This power station recharges to 80% in 3.5 hours
Can recharge via USB-C, wall outlet or car outlet
Includes 2 built-in AC outlets that deliver 300W power, 1 USB-C port, 1 fast-charge USB 3.0 port, 1 USB-A port and 1 DC car port
Can power up to 6 devices at once
Weighs only 7.1 lbs
For those who don’t like the noise and exhaust of a normal generator, portable power stations may be for you. This one from Jackery can be charged from 0% to 80% in just 3.5 hours when plugged into a wall outlet (3.6 hours when plugged into a car) and has enough of a charge to power your phone 31x, a camera 15x and a drone 6x, making it perfect for camping and longer road trips. If you’re going to be outside for a while you can also pair it with a solar panel for charging off the road and off the grid. It may not power your entire house, but it's extremely handy in a pinch. If the Explorer 300 isn’t exactly what suits your needs the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 and Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 1000 are also great picks, worth a look.
