The Best Portable Generator For Home Backup For 2024

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
Best Portable Generator For Home Backup
Best Portable Generator For Home Backup

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator

With 4,000 watts of power, this generator offers the power needed for indoor and outdoor use. This unit includes safety features; electronic circuit overload protection, surge protection, and automatic voltage regulation. Read Review

2. Best For Price: DuroMax XP4850EH Generator

The DuroMax XP4850EH Generator is the perfect companion for outdoor enthusiasts. With a huge 210cc engine, this portable generator offers plenty of power to handle multiple jobs, from powering high-voltage appliances to heavy-duty power tools. Read Review

3. Best Powerful: Westinghouse 7500 Watt Portable Generator

The Westinghouse 7500 Watt Portable Generator is designed to meet your everyday power needs. With a long-lasting cast iron sleeve and an automatic low oil shutdown, it's engineered to run continuously for many years of reliable service. Read Review

4. Best Technology: Champion Power Equipment 100519 Generator

This device has the Intelligauge keeps track of the voltage, frequency, and total working hours. The Cold Start Technology makes sure the vehicle starts up quickly even when it's chilly outside Read Review

5. Best Easy To Use: Westinghouse 9500 Watt Home Backup Portable Generator

This generator is equipped with a dependable electric push button start technology that makes it simple to start and stop the generator at any moment you require it to do so; this technology also ensures that the generator is safe to use. Read Review

With the increasing dependence on technology, our home often needs to be fully connected. It would be best to have everything working correctly, from Wi-Fi connectivity and intelligent home systems to security alarms. That’s why you must have a backup power source at your home.

Portable generators are an excellent way to ensure your safety in case of a power outage. Whether you run a small business from home or use your property as an office regularly, having an emergency power source can help keep you running smoothly during extended outages. Whether you need an invaluable backup power source for your RV, basement workshop, cabin, or other off-grid location -- we’ve got the perfect portable generator for you.

After extensive study and analysis over a considerable time, We think the best portable generator for home backup is the DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator. It can surge up to 13,000 watts, enabling it to power essentials for the home, such as lights, large appliances, and centralized air conditioning systems. Other options presented here are certainly worthy of your attention, and to assist you in making an informed choice, We have compiled the following helpful buying guide.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator
Our Score:
9.7
DuroMax

The XP13000EH is a vehicle powered by an OHV engine with a displacement of 500cc and serves as. This generator has a maximum output of 10,500 watts when it is running. It can surge up to 13,000 watts, enabling it to power essentials for the home, such as lights, large appliances, and centralized air conditioning systems. This device also has a starting power of 13,000 watts and an operating power of 10,500 watts, which allows it to complete even the most difficult jobs.

A generator equipped with a technology known as dual fuel can function using either propane or gasoline as its fuel source. It is driven by an OHV engine with a capacity of 500cc from DuroMax, and it comes with a power panel that has all the bells and whistles you could want, including a push-button start and a broad choice of outlets to guarantee that it is compatible with all of your different applications. It weighs 350 pounds, so it is rather hefty; however, it does have wheels, which make it easier to maneuver.

TOP Choice #2 DuroMax XP4850EH Generator
Our Score:
9.6
DuroMax

This unit can manage big loads, from lights and a refrigerator to a home air conditioner and high amperage power tools, thanks to its beginning wattage of 4,850 and operating wattage of 3,850, respectively. You will have the option and flexibility to choose either gasoline or propane to power this generator, as it can run on either fuel.

The DuroMax 210cc OHV engine is a workhorse that gives plenty of power to tackle various duties, including powering high-voltage appliances and heavy-duty power equipment. You have the option of running the generator at either 120V or 240V concurrently, or you can run it at 120V only and get the maximum output. The only problem is that the instructions are not very clear and can be somewhat difficult to comprehend; nevertheless, after some time has passed, you will become accustomed to this.

TOP Choice #3 Westinghouse 7500 Watt Portable Generator
Our Score:
9.4
Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment

The Westinghouse 7500 Watt Portable Generator is the perfect power source for camping, around the house, and emergency preparedness. This powerful generator features a 420cc Westinghouse 4-Stroke OHV Engine with a Low oil shutdown protection system, so you can sleep easily knowing this generator will work reliably when needed. The digital hour meter lets you know how many hours of operation before the next fuel refill is required. The only downside is that it can be a little noisy when operating, but it's not very frustrating. 

With a 6000-watt running watt and 7500-peak-watt engine, this portable generator can run all the appliances you need in your home! It's not just powerful. It's affordable, too, with an electric start and a 6.6-gallon fuel tank which can yield up to 13 hours of run time on a single gas tank. With its lightweight design, you can pick up and go whenever you need to take

4 Champion Power Equipment 100519 Generator
Our Score:
9.3
Champion Power Equipment

The 301cc engine has a starting power output of 6250 watts and a running power output of 5000 watts. When the 4.2-gallon fuel tank is full, the engine can run for 13.5 hours at 25% load. This inverter works at 69 dBA, about the same noise level as a vacuum cleaner when measured from 23 feet away. This unit has a capacity of 1.2 quarts of oil, and it comes equipped with a low oil shut-off sensor and a Quick Drain oil tube for convenient oil changes.

Since the hybrid generates only clean power (with a THD of less than 3%), you can securely connect even your most delicate electronic devices. The Economy Mode monitors power consumption in real-time to reduce the electrical load, resulting in quieter operation, longer engine life, and improved fuel economy. The Quick Touch Panel provides quick access to controls, while Economy Mode analyzes power use in real-time. On the other hand, putting oil in for the first time will be a little hassle for you, so you need to be careful.

5 Westinghouse 9500 Watt Home Backup Portable Generator
Our Score:
9.2
Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment

To start the engine, all required is a single push of a button, and it will begin operating with the choke already engaged. You can start and stop the generator from up to 260 feet away when you are utilizing a key fob with a remote start feature. The generator can also be started traditionally by applying the recoil start, which provides a higher level of beginning dependability than the traditional method.

The digital reading on the VFT meter will allow you to rapidly monitor the voltage and frequency of the generator's power output and keep track of the run-time hours. You will be able to stay on top of the maintenance intervals. The only drawback is that it could have a smell when you first turn it on, but it might disappear after a few hours.

6 DuroStar DS4000S Portable Generator
Our Score:
9.0
DuroStar

The DuroStar DS4000S is a fantastic choice for a generator that can be used for various purposes, such as working outside, camping, or being prepared for an emergency. All of these activities require portable power sources. It has a starting capacity of 4,000 watts and a running capacity of 3,300 watts to power various electrical equipment simultaneously. In addition, it has multiple outlets, including two for domestic appliances that operate on 120V and one for twist lock outlets that run on 120V 30A.

When it is wholly fueled up, this generator powered by gasoline has a run time of around eight hours on a single fuel tank and can be used anywhere it is allowed. As a result of the fact that it is driven by gas, it does require regular maintenance, one of the components of which is having the oil changed. In addition to weighing 94 pounds, purchasing the wheel kit that is available as an option is recommended to improve its portability. If you are willing to put in the effort to maintain it, it is a great choice that will continue to benefit you for many years.

The WEN 4750-Watt generator can produce electricity from not one but two distinct fuel sources. Start the generator with the electric start and then select the fueling that will be most practical for you to use, either gasoline or LPG. The generator can produce up to 4350 surge watts and 3500 running watts when fueled by propane. When fueled by gasoline, however, the generator can produce up to 4750 surge watts and 3800 running watts.

The entire 224cc 4-stroke air-cooled overhead valve (OHV) engine provides consistent power and can reach up to 3600 revolutions per minute. The product is significantly simpler to move and store thanks to the never-flat tires, which, in conjunction with the space-saving fold-down handles, make it possible to save valuable storage space. Nevertheless, operating this generator could be a bit more difficult if it is chilly outside.

More To Consider

9 PowerSmart Inverter Generator
Our Score:
8.5
PowerSmart

Buying Guide and Tips for better purchase of best portable generator for home backup

Merchandise is much more than a physical item. It's the result of someone having an idea, working on it, and making it a reality. When you go out to buy, these would be the factors you should know once looking for best portable generator for home backup.

In fact, this is not about how much it costs and what other people think of it, but whether it will suit your requirements and last long enough even for users to have your money's worth out of it. This article will inform consumers about how and why you buy best portable generator for home backup.

Type

You need to decide which generator type is best for you: a portable or standby generator. This will help you decide if you just want the lights to stay on or if you need to power other electrical components such as the refrigerator, window, central air conditioner, and the fridge.

Wattage

A generator's wattage is the measure of its ability to provide power for whatever it plugs into. This information is crucial to understand about any generator that you are considering.
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.

Warranties

A warranty is usually included with the purchase of a generator. The warranty covers both labor and parts for most residential inverter and portable generators. For standby generators which can be larger investments, you will usually get a 3- to 52024 warranty period.
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

Generators are generally powered by either gasoline, natural gas or propane.
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.

Size

Installing home generators requires space. So make sure that you consider the dimensions of all models. You can find generators in a variety of sizes, from smaller units measuring less than 3ft to more large units measuring 5ft or more. A general rule of thumb is that the generator with the highest power rating will be larger.
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.

Automatic Start

Whole home generators can automatically start when power goes out. This allows the generator to automatically start supplying power when there is no electricity from the utility. This feature is usually only available on standby generators, and not portables. These systems can provide peace of mind and may be more expensive than the security that your generator will automatically turn on without interrupting vital systems like heating and cooling.

FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Conclusion

best portable generator for home backup are usually made of high-quality materials, come with a warranty in case something goes wrong, and have a lot of positive customer feedback. If you want to buy the best commodity for your necessities, you must first understand what characteristics or qualities constitute an "ideal" item.

You can also look into GENMAX Portable Inverter Generator as an alternative to the options listed above. We hope that this list of excuses why investing in the best is worthwhile will assist you in making an informed decision when shopping online.


0 ratings

About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

Read Katie's full bio