One of the biggest advantages of using a portable generator is that you can transport it easily and use it anywhere from powering your house to running the onboard devices on your RV.
So if you are looking for a portable generator, then you have come to the right place. We have added many generators, including heavy-duty, high power output, affordable, and quietest generator in this list.
I am sure that our article and buying guide will help you make a better buying decision, enjoy.
Via Amazon.com
Best Portable Generator Reviews
1. Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel Generator
With the Champion 3800-watt generator at your side, you don’t have to worry about power outages anymore. Thanks to its dual-fuel capability, you can run this generator on gasoline as well as propane too.
You may not know this, but propane gives you more runtime and it is cheaper than gasoline, and above all, it emits less harmful gases which is a huge advantage.
It has a great power output of 3800 watts, and the average run time is 9 hours when using gasoline as fuel. You can increase the runtime up to 10.5 hours when using propane.
Powered by 224cc engine, this generator can be started with one push of a button, and it all thanks to its built-in battery.
You need to recharge the battery frequently; otherwise, you may have to start the generator by pulling the cord, which is very cumbersome.
Moreover, it has 3.4 gallons of fuel tank, so it will save you the trouble of filling the fuel tank again and again. On top of that, this generator is also suited for RVers and let’s not forget its CARB certification.
The weight of the generator is 122 pounds, and the dimensions are 26.3 x 24.8 x 22.9 inches. Last but not least, you will get three years of swooping warranty on this product.
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2. Westinghouse WGen9500DF Portable Generator
Westinghouse is a very well-known name in the world of generators and they build all sorts of home equipment. Westinghouse WGen9500DF is for those who like to run many appliances simultaneously.
Westinghouse WGen9500DF is the only generator that has the highest power output, and at the same time, it offers the convenience of dual fuel.
It features the 9500 running watts and 12500 peak watts when using the gasoline and when using the propane, it offers 8500 running watts and 11200 peak watts.
With the massive 6.6 gallons of fuel tank, you will get 17.5 hours of continuous run time on 25% load. Another feature I like about this particular generator is “transfer switch ready.” Using this feature, you can connect this generator directly to your household’s main power supply, and it has a maximum capacity of 50 amperes.Moving on, it has a total of five receptacles, including two 120V 20A (5-20R) household AC outlet, one 120/240V 30A transfer switch, one 120/240V 50A RV ready switch and two 5V USB ports.
Not only powerful, but this generator has many safety features too. One such feature would be GFCI outlets; because of this outlet, you do not need to ground the generator.
If that is not enough for you, then the wireless remote start feature of this generator will surely impress you and let’s not forget its convenient features like automatic low oil shutdown and digital hour meter.
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3. WEN 56200i 2000-Watt Portable Generator
When you need a clean power output and low noise operation, there is no better option than WEN 56200I portable generator.
What makes this generator stand out from its competitors is its inverter technology. As you know, the inverter generators are more fuel-efficient and quieter than conventional generators, but they are expensive and do not produce high power. The reason being is that their internal power converting circuit cannot handle high power.
This EPA and CARB compliant generator is equipped with 79.7 cc engine, which is capable of producing as high as 1600 watts of power.
If we talk about the noise output, then this portable generator barely produces the noise up to 51 decibels which is equal to an average conversation so you can guess how quiet this generator is.With less than 1.2% THD (third harmonic distortion), this generator is safe to use with sensitive electronic devices such as TVs, laptops and smartphones.
If you feel like 1600 watts of power is not enough for you, and you insist on clean power output, then the parallel capability of this generator will help you.
By using a recommended parallel kit, you can connect two of these portable generators in parallel and can get double power output.
On a full gas tank (1-gallon), you will get about 6 hours of runtime, which is pretty nice given its power output, and this unit is backed by two years of warranty.
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4. Champion 3500-Watt RV Ready Portable Generator
If you do not want to invest a whole lot of money in a portable generator and looking for an affordable alternative with minimal features, then Champion 3500-Watt is what you need.
Let’s talk about some of its features and see if it is worth your money or not. First of all, despite its low price range, this generator is capable of producing a maximum of 3500 running watts and 4000 starting watts.
It’s 4-stroke air-cooled engine is designed with an advanced technology, and it has a high life expectancy.
Thanks to its 3.8 gallons of huge fuel tank, you will be able to enjoy up to 12 hours of run time without any interruption. To protect the generator and your appliances from overloads and voltage spikes, this generator is equipped with Volt Guard.
What’s more, this portable generator is integrated with various output ports to make it more convenient and user-friendly. The 120V 30A locking outlet and 120V 20A outlet are very useful for powering your house, whereas the 120V 30A outlet is specially designed to run the onboard devices on RV.
From the 23 feet distance, the noise level of this generator is 68 dBA, which is not that high and if we compare its price range and features then I would say it is negotiable.
Almost all the customers who have bought the Champion’s generator, vouch for their products and their excellent customer support. Champion is offering three years of warranty on this product, which makes it worth every penny.
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5. Pulsar G2319N 2300W Portable Generator
Pulsar G2319N is also a great choice for a portable generator, and it is slightly powerful (in terms of power output) than the WEN 56200i. Now let’s talk about some of its features and compare it with WEN 56200i.
Pulsar G2319N can deliver 2300 peak watts and 1800 running watts while running on gasoline. Moreover, on 1.18 gallons of fuel tank, you will get 6 hours of runtime at 50% load.
This portable generator uses the inverter technology to save fuel, and also it produces very low noise compared to a conventional generator.
You need to keep the generator at least 20 feet away from the house to protect yourself from CO2 build up. This generator produces about 59 dB of noise, and at 10 feet away, you will not hear a thing.
Moving on, the stable sine wave technology is very helpful here as it provides clean power which is essential for charging sensitive electronic devices such as laptops, and cell phones.
Just like all the inverter generators, the Pulsar G2319N also comes with parallel capability, which allows you to connect two pulsar inverter generators in parallel for increased power output.
The generator features total of 4 output ports, including two 120V 30A AC outlets, one 12V 8A DC outlet and one 5V DC USB outlet.
The only thing I did not like about this generator is its short warranty. Considering its price range, the 1-year warranty is very less and other manufacturers are offering three years of warranty in the same price range.
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6. Yamaha EF2000iSv2 Portable Inverter Generator
Yamaha EF2000iSv2 is truly a portable and compact generator that has so many features that the list is endless. The Yamaha EF2000iSv2 is incorporated with state of the art technology, which makes it one of the quietest generators on the market.
If we go into more detail, then Yamaha has used special super-quiet muffler in this generator which decreases noise level even further and let’s not forget its USFS-approved spark arrestor.
That’s not all, its smart throttle system varies engine system according to load requirements;
hence, it improves the fuel economy and reduces the noise. This way, you will be saving a great deal of money on fuel.
This particular generator uses the PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) technique, which independently controls the voltage and current of the generator, which in turn decreases fuel consumption and noise.
Yamaha EF2000iSv2 is EPA & CARB compliant, meaning that you can use this generator in any state, including California. It has 1.1 gallons of the fuel tank, and on a full gas tank, you will get about 10.5 hours of runtime at 25% load.
Another great feature I like about this generator is its controller with advanced programming, which is the reason for improved output power between 1600W and 2000W. And parallel capability adds another advantage in the bag.
Yamaha cares about their customers, and they always stand true to their products, and that is why they are offering three years of warranty on this product.
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What to look for when buying a portable generator
1. Power Output
This is one of the most important factors you need to consider when choosing any portable generator. A general rule of thumb is that you need to take into account all your appliances that will be running through the generator. But most of the people don’t know how to calculate the power consumption of any device. So if you want to run bigger appliances like refrigerator, TV and AC, then we advise you to choose the generator above 5000 running watts.
But if you wish to run minimal devices, then you can choose any generator below 2000 or 3000 running watts. In this guide, we have added the generators of different power rating, including 9500 running watt generator, to run any appliances you want.
2. Portability
No one likes bulky and heavy generator, and that is why people like portable generators. The portable generators are designed in such a way that they can be easily transported where you need them the most. Most of the generators come with built-in handles and wheels to move them easily and also some generators come with fold-down handles, which are the best choice for everyone.
3. Startup
Basically, there are two ways you can start the generator; either by using the electric ignition or pulling the cord, which usually takes a lot of effort and most of the generator does not start with the first pull. This isn’t a major issue, but some people do not like pulling the cord every time they want to use the generator, so it depends on your choice.
4. Noise
Almost all the gas-powered generators make a considerable amount of noise and it is something you cannot avoid. So if you do not like noise then you are better off buying an inverter generator which is very quiet. We have added some of those inverter generators on our list, so don’t forget to check it out.
5. Fuel tank size
Again this isn’t a major issue, but it is considerable. If you do not like filling up the fuel tank again and again, then you should opt-in for a generator with a large gas tank. But on the other hand, a generator with large fuel tank will take up a lot of space, so you need to be practical about how much space you have available for the generator. Another solution to this problem is to use the high capacity propane gas tank, which will eliminate the need for refiling, so choose the dual fuel generator.
6. Safety feature
Last but not least is safety features and it is also an important feature to look out for if you do not want to end up frying your electric appliances. Almost all the generators come with safety features like overload protection and voltage guard, but most of them lack features like GFCI outlets and transfer switch. So for the safety of your generator and your electrical appliances, we recommend adding these features in a generator if they do not come with it.
Conclusion
In our opinion, Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator is the best generator available on the market. It has many great features, customer support is excellent, and above all, the product is reasonably priced. However, if you need a higher power output, then you can choose Westinghouse WGen9500DF Portable Generator, and it is also a great generator with mind-blowing features.
If you have any questions regarding the portable generators, then do let us know in the comments and we will try to help the best we can.