The Best Portable Generators
The best portable generators compared — by running and starting watts, fuel type (gas, dual-fuel, inverter), runtime, noise and outlets — with picks from budget backup to a quiet inverter for an RV or job site.
A portable generator is the practical, affordable way to keep a home’s essentials running in an outage — fridge, furnace blower, a pump, lights and Wi-Fi — and doubles for an RV, tailgate or job site. The best-value US brands are Champion and Westinghouse, with DuroMax, Firman and Predator (Harbor Freight) as strong budget alternatives. Here’s how the leaders compare and which fits your need.
| Brand | Best for | Power range | Fuel | Transfer switch | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | Value portable & dual-fuel | 1,200–12,500 W portable · 8.5–14 kW standby | Gas, dual-fuel (gas/propane) and tri-fuel across the portable line | Portables pair with a manual transfer switch; standby line included | 3-year limited (many portables) |
| Westinghouse | Portable & dual-fuel home backup | 2,200–12,500 W portable & inverter | Gas and dual-fuel (gas/propane) across most models | Portables pair with a manual transfer switch | 3-year limited (many models) |
Our picks
Westinghouse WGen9500DF (dual-fuel)
Best for home backup: ~9,500 running watts on gas or propane covers a home’s essentials, with a transfer-switch-ready outlet and remote start. More on Westinghouse →
Champion 100519 (dual-fuel)
Best value: reliable dual-fuel power at a lower price, backed by Champion’s US support network. More on Champion →
Westinghouse iGen4500 / Champion inverter
Best quiet/inverter: clean, quiet power for electronics, RVs and camping, with parallel capability. More on Westinghouse →
How to choose a portable generator
- Watts first. For home essentials, most people need 5,000–7,500 running watts; add a window AC and you want 9,500 W+. Use the generator sizing calculator to add up your load.
- Fuel. Dual-fuel (gas/propane) gives you fuel flexibility and long propane storage; pure inverters are quietest and cleanest for electronics.
- Connection. To power household circuits safely, use a transfer switch or interlock installed by an electrician — never backfeed through a dryer outlet.
- Safety. Run a portable generator outdoors only, away from windows — the exhaust contains carbon monoxide. Never run one in a garage.
Estimates only; prices and specs change — confirm current details on the retailer’s page. Never run a portable generator indoors or in an attached garage. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best portable generator?
For home backup, the best-value portable generators come from Champion and Westinghouse — both offer dual-fuel (gas/propane) models around 9,500 watts that run a home’s essentials, plus quiet inverter lines for electronics and RVs. DuroMax and Firman are strong budget alternatives, and Predator (Harbor Freight) is popular for value. The best one depends on the watts you need and whether you want dual-fuel or a quiet inverter — size it first with the sizing calculator.
What size portable generator do I need for a house?
To cover a home’s essentials — refrigerator, furnace blower, a well or sump pump, lights and Wi-Fi — most homes need about 5,000–7,500 running watts, so a 7,500–9,500 W dual-fuel portable is the common choice. To also run a window or small central AC, step up toward 9,500–12,500 W. Use the generator sizing calculator to add up your exact running and starting watts.
Are dual fuel generators worth it?
For most home-backup buyers, yes. A dual-fuel generator runs on either gasoline or propane, so you can store propane long-term (it doesn’t go stale like gas), switch fuels during a shortage, and get cleaner, quieter running on propane. The trade-off is a small drop in wattage on propane and a slightly higher price. For occasional-use home backup, the fuel flexibility is usually worth it.
How long can a portable generator run?
On a full tank, most portable generators run about 8–12 hours at half load; larger tanks and inverter models with eco-mode can stretch longer. On propane, runtime depends on tank size — a 20 lb tank might last 5–8 hours, while a large 100 lb tank runs much longer. For multi-day outages you refuel as needed; never refuel a hot, running generator.