The Best Electric Start Generator For 2024
By, Hailey AbbottUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Of The Best: Westinghouse Generator
The Westinghouse Generator is a great option for those who want to be prepared for power outages. It features a remote start with included key fob, all outlets have rubber covers for added safety, fuel gauge, and an overall design that is secure and well-built. Read Review
2. Best Bang For The Buck: DuroMax XP4400E Generator
DuroMax XP4400E Generator is the powerful, heavy-duty generator you need to power your work site. Capable of handling high amperage power tools and large loads, the DuroMax XP4400E Generator automatically shuts off when it senses that the oil is low, ensuring safer operation. Read Review
3. Best Efficient: Champion Power Equipment Generator
The Champion Power Equipment Generator has a powerful 2.5 HP Honda engine and electric start. It's tough, durable and made to withstand all the abuse you can throw at it. The dual fuel option allows you to run on gasoline or propane and the electric start ensures easy startups. The digital voltage meter lets you know what your power output is at all times so you can easily monitor its performance and track the maintenance intervals. Read Review
4. Best Energy Efficient: WEN 56380i Generator
WEN 56380i Generator is a high-quality, flexible, portable generator that is designed to be used in extreme environments. With an extremely quiet operation and clean power, it minimizes noise and prevents damage to sensitive electronics. Read Review
5. Best Reliable: Pulsar G12KBN Generator
The Pulsar G12KBN Generator is ideal for the homeowner that has a love of the outdoors and wants to enjoy them without worrying about power outages. This generator is dual fuel capable, with our easy-to-fill oil tank that allows you to switch between gasoline & LPG. It also comes with 10” wheels for added mobility, and low oil shut off feature to ensure safety while in operation. Read Review
You never know when your home will lose power or how long the outage might last. If you live in an area that’s prone to storms, extended blackouts pose an even greater risk. With the help of a generator, however, you can protect your home and its inhabitants from harm during an outage.
There are different types of generators, including gas-powered models that are commonly used by homeowners and businesses for backup electricity. An electric start generator is a type of gas generator that comes with an electric starter instead of requiring manual cranking to get it going. This article will explain what makes an electric start generator unique and why it’s a useful feature for your home.
After nearly 12 hours of research, We think the best electric start generator is Westinghouse Generator. Or you can check the DuroMax XP4400E Generator as the other great option, even if the first option didn't meet all of your requirements.
RELATED: In the event of a power outage or pandemic, a generator can provide you with a way to stay connected to the world. Here are the 10 best 5500 watt generators, tested and researched.
Our Top Picks
Easy start with remote control All sockets have safety rubber stoppers Installation and maintenance are easy, quickly
It's pretty heavy and hard to carry
All Westinghouse Portable Generators are Functionally Tested in the Factory and May Contain Minimum Residual Oil and/or Fuel Odor; EPA and CARB Compliant; Backed by 3-Year Limited Service, Labor, and Parts Coverage with Nationwide Customer Service Network
Powered by a Heavy Duty 457cc Westinghouse 4-Stroke OHV Engine Featuring a Long-Lasting Cast Iron Sleeve With Automatic Low Oil Shutdown and Digital Hour Meter. VFT display gives you real time updates with the voltage output, frequency, and lifetime hours
9500 Running Watts and 12500 Peak Watts (Gasoline); 8500 Running Watts, 11200 Peak Watts (Propane); Remote Start With Included Key Fob, Electric and Recoil Start; Up to 12 Hours of Run Time on a 6. 6 Gallon Fuel Tank With Fuel Gauge
Plug-and-Play: Comes With a Remote Start Key Fob, 12V Battery Charger, Oil, an Oil Funnel, a Tool Kit, and a User’s Manual to Get You Started Right Out of the Box (Minimal Assembly Required)
Features Two GFCI 120V 5–20R Standard Household Receptacle, One Transfer Switch Ready 120V L14-30R, and One RV Ready 120/240V 14–50R; All Outlets Have Rubber Covers for Added Safety
Simple assembly Allows flexible fuel selection Affordable price The air filter can be cleaned easily Easy to use
It works a bit noisy The handle is flimsy and easy to bend
MX2 Technology - Get the maximum power from each of the 120-volt receptacles. Choose between operating the generator at both 120V and 240V simultaneously, or at 120V only with full power. Ideal for usage with RVs
Powerful Engine – The DuroMax 210cc OHV engine is a workhorse that provides plenty of power to handle multiple jobs, from powering high voltage appliances to heavy duty power tools
Low Oil Shutoff – Protects your investment by automatically shutting the generator off when it senses that the oil is low
Plenty of Power – With 4,400 starting watts and 3,500 running watts, this unit can handle heavy loads, from lights and a refrigerator to a home air conditioner and high amperage power tools
Fully Featured Power Panel – The power panel includes a wide selection of outlets for maximum compatibility in your applications including: 2 120V household GFCI outlets and 1 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet. The panel also includes a voltmeter and 12V DC charging posts for charging external batteries
Easy to install and start Dual fuel feature for easy fuel switching Easy to use
It's heavy and hard to move Quite noisy, not recommended to bring when camping
DUAL FUEL: Operate your 3800-watt portable generator right out of the box on either gasoline or propane, plus the unit holds 0.6-quarts of oil (included) and has a low oil shut-off sensor
ELECTRIC START: Power up the 224cc Champion engine with the handy toggle switch
CHAMPION SUPPORT: Includes 3-year limited warranty with FREE lifetime technical support from dedicated experts
OUTLETS: One 120V 30A RV outlet (TT-30R), one 120V 30A locking outlet (L5-30R) and two 120V 20A household outlets (5-20R) - trust Volt Guard built-in surge protector to prevent overloads
INTELLIGAUGE: Keep track of voltage, hertz and run-time hours to easily monitor power output and track maintenance intervals
Wheel Diameter:8 in.
Lightweight, easy to move Use fuel economy Quiet operation, low noise Easy to use
It leaks oil after using it for a while
212cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces 3800 surge watts and 3400 rated watts with a half-load runtime of up to 8.5 hours
Includes two three-prong 120V receptacles, one AC 120V NEMA TT-30R RV receptacle, one 12V DC receptacle, two 5V USB ports, a digital load and fuel display, and a two-year warranty
Fuel shutoff maximizes the generator’s lifespan by using up the remaining fuel in the carburetor before shutting down
Produces clean power to prevent damage to sensitive electronics such as smart phones, tablets and laptops
Dimensions: 23.2" L x 18" W x 20.1" H | Weight: 99.2 lb.Dimensions: 23.2" L x 18" W x 20.1" H | Weight: 99.2 lb
Extremely quiet operation minimizes noise;, EPA III and CARB Compliant
Easy to start and use Many power sockets and can use many electrical devices Flexible fuel conversion
Quite heavy and difficult to carry
Complete with low oil shut-off, 3-in-1 digital meter, and automatic voltage Regulation for less worry and hassle
(4) 120V 20A AC outlets, (1) 120V/240V 30A twist-lock outlet, (1) 120V/240V 50A outlet, (1) 12V DC output provide ample space for powering appliances, tools, and other devices
Includes propane hose & backed by a 1 Year limited
The 457cc, single cylinder, 4-stroke, air cooled, OHV engine with electric start is protected by a durable powder coated frame
12, 000 peak watts/ 9, 500 Rated watts (gasoline) & 10, 800 peak watts/ 8, 550 Rated watts (LPG)
Dual fuel capability allows you to choose between gasoline & LPG fuel sources; great for emergency situations or natural disaster as LPG may be more readily available and easy to store
A 8 gallon fuel tank gives you up to 12 hours of continuous operation at half load when running on gasoline
Convenient drop-down handles and 10” never-flat wheels for added mobility and easy storage
Compact design Easy remote start Quiet operation, low noise Affordable price
The included battery has low endurance
At 4375 starting watts and 3500 running watts, enjoy up to 12 hours of run time on a full tank of gasoline with a noise level of 68 dBA from 23 feet
Trust the reliable 208cc Champion engine with its battery-included electric start featuring a 3-way ignition switch, plus built-in Cold Start Technology for easy starts in cold weather
120V 30A locking, 120V 30A RV and two 120V 20A outlets and Volt Guard built-in surge protector prevents overloads and keeps your appliances and equipment safe
Start and stop with ease from up to 80 feet away with the included wireless remote key fob – push-button power and convenience like never before
Includes 3-year limited warranty with FREE lifetime technical support from dedicated experts
Lightweight, easy to carry Compact, easy to store Low noise operation
It smells like exhaust when in use
【Extremely Quiet, Extremely Fuel Efficient】As Low as 68 dBA Noise Output and Up to 16 Hours of Run Time on a 2.25 Gallon Gas Tank --Features “Economy Mode” for Maximum Fuel Efficiency. Electric Start Technology ---- Starting More Labor-Saving(please connect the battery wire when first use.)
【More Wider Used Generator】The Upgraded 4500 generator has more strong enough to run a wide variety of appliances,equipped with Integrated smooth-rolling casters and Telescoping Handle for portability, making it perfect for portable use at home, camping, on the job site, or much more. It's a great choice as an emergency backup power for home use when power outages.
【Digital Control Power Panel】Includes low oil alarm, overload alarm, and output indicator features “Eco mode” for conserving energy and maximum fuel efficiency, two 120V/20A outlets, one 120V/30A outlets, one RV-Ready Tt,one 5V/1A outlets, one 5V/2.1A outlets.
【Super Powerful Engine Generator】4500 Peak Watts and 3800 Rated Watts at Less Than 3% THD.The generator is powered by a 224cc OHV engine with automatic low oil shutoff; Fuel Capacity: 2.25 Gallons; Run time up to 16 hours at 1/4 load.
【Quality Warranty】All Hudson Motors Portable Generators are Functionally Tested in the Factory，aims for quality followed up with quality customer service directly provided by manufacturer.3-Year Limited Service since purchase. Our support team is on standby for you.
11, 050W Peak/ 9, 000W Rated (Gasoline) & 10, 050W Peak/8, 100W Rated (LPG)
Switch & Go Technology allows for seamless transitioning between LPG and Gasoline fuel sources while still in operation
The powerful 457cc, Single Cylinder, 4-Stroke, OHV, Air Cooled Engine is protected by a Heavy-Duty Powder Coated Steel Frame
Dual Fuel Capability lets you choose between Gasoline or LPG fuel sources for running your generator
A Large 6. 6 Gallon High Capacity Fuel Tank gives you up to 10 Hours of Continuous Operation at half load when running on gasoline
MX2 Technology - Get the maximum power from each of the 120-volt receptacles. Choose between operating the generator at both 120V and 240V simultaneously, or at 120V only with full power. Ideal for usage with RVs
Dual Fuel Technology – This generator runs on gasoline or propane, giving you the freedom and flexibility of fuel choice
Plenty of Power – With 4,850 starting watts and 3,850 running watts, this unit can handle heavy loads, from lights and a refrigerator to a home air conditioner and high amperage power tools
Powerful Engine – The DuroStar 210cc OHV engine is a workhorse that provides plenty of power to handle multiple jobs, from powering high voltage appliances to heavy duty power tools
Fully Featured Power Panel – The power panel includes a wide selection of outlets for maximum compatibility in your applications including: 2 120V household GFCI outlets and 1 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet. The panel also includes a voltmeter and 12V DC charging posts for charging external batteries
Large 7 gallon gasoline fuel tank provides average run time of 7 hours at 100% load and 9 hours at 50% load
Powerful 459 cc OHV 4 stroke engine with a low oil alert light and low oil automatic shutdown, helping keep your generator performing year after year
Outlets include 4 x GFCI 120V 20A NEMA5-20R, 1 x 120V 30A NEMAL 5-30R, 1 x 120/240V 30A NEMA L-14-30R, 1 x 12V83A Multifunction Port USB Ready All outlets include Rubber Covers for an additional layer of Safety
Complete with Electric Start capability allowing you to quickly, easily, and conveniently start up your generator whenever you need it
The A-iPower SUA12000 Dual Fuel generator produces 12,000 starting watts with 9,000 running watts of power with gasoline and 10,800 starting watts with 8,100 running watts with propane (LPG)
What to Look For in a best electric start generator?
A valuable product is determined by many factors (included below). The process of researching the best electric start generator is pretty significant because of these features related to the products. However, rest assured that we are here to support your challenges.
Having a closer look at the following factors would benefit you a lot. These are the most important things among various ones you need to consider:
Size
Be aware that the clearance between your home and generator may be determined by local codes or model specifications. A small generator may require only 18 inches of clearance.
Wattage
However, this number does not represent the entire picture. Wattage is made up of three parts: power needed to turn on an appliance and power required to maintain it running. It also includes power necessary to sustain a power surge, which is when regular juice returns to normal and all appliances start to work again. Many appliances use more power for startup than their run energy consumption. You could overload your generator when you turn on appliances and other devices. If the generator can't provide enough power, it could overload. You need to know how many watts your generator can generate, depending on whether it is powering just one item or the whole house.
An increase in generator costs is generally associated with a higher wattage. Most people agree that it's better to have enough power than not to be able to run your fridge or keep cool by a fan.
Type
Automatic Start
Warranties
Certain warranties may also include travel expenses for technicians to visit the generator and fix it. However, this depends on which manufacturer you are using.
Fuel Source
The majority of portable generators run on gasoline and can generally keep fridges and lights running for several hours. These generators can't be relied upon for long-term power backups, such as when there is no electricity for several days.
Propane and natural gas are used more often for large home-standby generators. These fuels can be used for larger home standby generators as they are cleaner-burning and offer on-demand power.
Solar or battery-powered power sources are an alternative to traditional fuel-powered generators. These machines have different capabilities, and their run time can vary widely. However, they might be the best match for you if your power requirements are less than minimal. They are typically used for camping only, not home.
FAQs
Can I Vent The Exhaust Out Of An Enclosed Area?
No. The generator should not be used in enclosed areas or homes. The portable generators can only be run outdoors where there is adequate ventilation. As with all gasoline engines exhaust, generators contain poisonous carbon monoxide.
What Regular Maintenance Should Be Performed On A Home Generator?
You should get basic maintenance information from the manufacturer of any generator that you buy. However, most generator models will work fine if you follow these guidelines.
Run the generator at least 30 minutes per month or perform a weekly self test
When storing a gasoline-powered generator, add fuel stabilizer.
Regular oil changes are a must for your generator.
Can I Use The Generator During Inclement Weather?
Although you can use your generator in any weather or temperature, protect it from the elements whenever it is not being used to stop it from shorting out and rusting. It is not recommended to run the generator indoors.
Does The Portable Generator Need To Be Grounded?
Yes. It is important that the generator be correctly grounded in order to protect your safety. The generator must be grounded properly to avoid electrocution. Grounding is a subject matter that must be adhered to by all authorities, federal and state.
Where Is The Best Place To Put Your Home Generator?
Natural gas generators do not produce as much fumes than natural gas ranges. Gasoline-powered generators can produce carbon monoxide exhaust fumes, which is why it's important to select the ideal location. These are the reasons why utility companies and local codes often have specific requirements for placement.
A generator should generally be located at least 5ft from any windows or doors. While some generators are able to be mounted as close as 18inches from the house, it is still important that the generator is at least 5ft away from any air intake areas on the property.
It is not advisable to use portable generators in an indoor environment, such as a garage. This type of generator is best placed outdoors, away from windows and doors.
How Do You Safely Run A Home Generator?
A whole-home generator or standby generator must be connected to a switch. This disconnects your circuit panel and the electrical grid, allowing power to flow through the circuits from the generator.
You must manually start the power transfer for portable generators. These products have different safety requirements.
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About Hailey Abbott
