If you're not familiar with these machines and how they work, purchasing the best portable generator for your needs can be an intimidating process. Keep these factors in mind as you're shopping:
There are two main types of portable generators, conventional (or "standard") and inverter generators, which generate electricity in slightly different ways.
All portable generators require some kind of fuel to convert into electricity. While most run on gasoline, others use propane, and larger full-house generators can also use diesel or natural gas, so make sure you choose the one best suited to your situation. Prasad says you should consider where you would store the fuel for your generator, and where you plan on obtaining it in your local area. Gas is a popular option because of its availability, but you'll need to have a supply on hand if you want to be fully prepared for an emergency. If you wait until you're ready to use your generator, you may be standing in long lines with everyone else at the gas station.
"Dual-fuel" generators are becoming more common and can accept multiple fuel types, typically gas and propane. Dual-fuel models aren't just convenient, they're invaluable during extended power outages when gas stations have run dry, since you can seamlessly switch over to propane. "After a major storm with multi-day power outages, it is easier to get a tank of propane than it is to get a gallon of gasoline," said Prasad.
Solar-powered portable generators only require sunlight to convert to electricity. Although they take longer to charge up, these models have essentially an unlimited fuel supply (as long as the skies are clear of course) and are the best portable generator options if you're totally off the grid.
Portable generators have two wattage outputs, starting and running. The starting (or "surge") wattage is typically only for a few seconds, while the running wattage is what it can sustain for long periods of time. To make sure your generator meets your needs, Prasad advises that you calculate the total amount of energy used by whatever you plan on powering. Larger appliances like refrigerators typically state their required starting and running wattage information on their data plates, and for smaller items you may need to consult the product's instruction manual.
To ensure your generator is compatible with the type and quantity of items being powered, make sure it has enough outlets, as well as the correct type. While standard 20A 120V duplex three-prong outlets are fine for smaller appliances, high-wattage applications typically require larger 30A outlets.
Even though portable generators are designed to be transported, they're not exactly lightweight. Prasad recommends that you consider your physical capabilities when choosing a portable generator. He adds that you'll need to be able to move it from a safe storage area to where you want to run it, reiterating that it needs to be positioned outside in an open area, and away from windows and doors where fumes might enter the home. If you want the capacity of a larger generator, but aren't able to move it safely, consider purchasing two smaller ones that can be paired together.
Portable generator engines can be loud, and if you plan on running them for long periods of time, can get a little irritating, especially at night. If maintaining a low noise level is a priority, compare the decibel (dBA) specs on your potential generators to choose the quietest option. Inverter generators are almost always quieter than standard generators, and solar-powered models are silent.
Safe generator usage "is one of the most critical aspects those of us in emergency management and public safety want to relay to the public," said Prasad. Portable generators that use combustion fuel, gas, and propane must be used outside — at least 20 feet from your home — to avoid deadly carbon monoxide buildup. All of our picks for the best portable generator have carbon monoxide detection and automatic shut-off features.
For the first hour or so, there can be a certain romance to a power outage. You move through your home, light some candles, and settle into the silence, envisioning a simpler, old-fashioned way of life. Then dinnertime rolls around, you’re freezing, and the kids are completely over your “let’s turn this into a game” efforts. To get things up and running again, you need a portable generator.
The DeWalt works well and includes key safety features, but it ranks a bit below the Honda in performance and noise, and it lacks the app support that sets both the Honda and Ryobi apart.
We spent weeks researching generators over the 2020–21 fall and winter and tested four we considered ideal for grab-and-go power. These generators are not big enough to power an entire house, but with some smart power management, you can use one to keep the essentials going during an emergency. Because these generators are so small, they’re great for camping, tailgating, and working on outdoor projects, too.
After we tested four generators in the 2,200-watt range, it was clear to us that the Honda EU2200i was the best. The Honda was the quietest, lightest, and most powerful generator we looked at—it even exceeded its listed capabilities and powered appliances and tools that caused the other generators to overload. Its distinguishing feature is its high-quality Honda engine, which is significantly larger than other generators we tested. Starting a gas engine can be frustrating, and that alone could keep someone from buying a generator, but the EU2200i was the only model we tested that started on the first pull of the cord every single time we used it. In addition, you can easily monitor the Honda’s power output through a Bluetooth-connected app, so during a storm you can manage (and maximize) the generator’s operation from the cozy confines of your home. This is a relatively new feature that not many generators have. Like all of our picks, the EU2200i also has an onboard carbon monoxide detector that shuts the generator down if a concentration of the deadly gas gets too high, which can happen if the generator is running in an enclosed area. (And that’s why you should never run one of these indoors or even in your garage with the doors open.)
Honda generators have an excellent reputation and recognition in the industry as the gold standard, but the hitch is that this quality comes at a cost. The EU2200i is typically priced over $1,000, about $400 more than other gas options. But if we were riding out a storm-related outage or powering a coffee maker on a camping trip, this is the machine we’d rely on.
If the Honda EU2200i is priced too high or you place a premium on user-friendly features, we also like the Ryobi RYi2322VNM Bluetooth inverter generator. Its engine is smaller than that of the Honda, so it’s not as robust, but in our tests it performed as well as any of the other non-Honda generators. What sets it apart from the other models we tested, including the EU2200i, is how easy to understand its Bluetooth app is. The Ryobi app not only tracks power usage, as the Honda app does, but also shows the fuel level at any given moment and an estimate of how much time remains while the generator is running at the current load. The app also lets you switch into and out of eco mode (which helps with fuel efficiency), and it can restart the generator if the machine overloads. Topping things off, the RYi2322VNM has wheels and a telescoping handle (as on a piece of luggage) that make moving it around a yard easy.
The DeWalt works well and includes key safety features, but it ranks a bit below the Honda in performance and noise, and it lacks the app support that sets both the Honda and Ryobi apart.
$699
fromHome Depot
With extreme weather getting more and more unpredictable and hurricane seasons lasting longer, we’ve noticed that portable inverter generators are often in short supply. If our top two picks are not available, we also like the DeWalt DXGNI2200 2,200-watt inverter generator. Like the others, it has a carbon monoxide detection feature, which we deem essential. As for performance, the DeWalt was similar to the Ryobi in our tests; however, because it lacks an app, managing the available power is harder. DeWalt has described this model as being “ultra quiet,” and although it’s true that all of the models we tested are relatively muffled, in our tests the Honda EU2200i still made the least amount of noise.
The battery-powered Ego works indoors and eliminates a gas engine’s noise and hassles. It’s as strong as our gas-powered picks in power output, but it can’t match their run time, and its hours-long recharge times aren’t practical in a long-term outage.
$1,099
fromLowe's
The Ego Power+ Nexus Portable Power Station PST3042 offers power similar to that of the Honda EU2200i with none of the drawbacks of a gas engine. It needs hardly any maintenance, barely makes any noise, and produces no exhaust, so you can use it indoors. That makes it perfect for doing projects around the house or garage, or for hosting backyard entertainment. It particularly excels in intermittent work—we got a day’s worth of cuts with a circular saw on a single charge—but its limitations show in high-draw, continuous-use applications such as powering a space heater, which causes the batteries to drain too quickly. Fully recharging the batteries can take eight or so hours. In spite of those flaws, the Ego is still an excellent power source, with an intuitive app that helps you stretch out your power supply. During our real-world testing, we always reached for this model above the others due to the simplicity of the battery power as opposed to gas. It’s handy if you live in an area prone to short-term power outages, but you’ll need to keep a close eye on the battery levels. If you’ve already invested in Ego’s batteries through purchasing the company’s lawn gear, the Power+ Nexus is even more appealing, as the batteries are all compatible.