11 Best Generators To Have On Hand In Case Of Emergencies, Based On Reviews

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Most households these days rarely face a power outage. Even when they do, there is usually some sort of warning beforehand that gives people time to get ready. But emergencies can still happen. Snowstorms, tornadoes, floods, and even heavy rains can still knock out power without prior warning. And that is where generators can come in handy. Some of them run on natural gas, which often remains available even in natural disasters, while others run on petrol and diesel, which homeowners can easily store in their homes (just not in living quarters). But there is a problem. There are a ton of generator brands and models out there these days. And this can easily confuse an average homeowner.

You, however, don't need to worry about sorting through all of that. We have done the heavy lifting for you and have compiled a list of the best generators to have on hand in case of emergencies, based on reviews. The list includes everything, from smaller units that are designed for essentials during a power outage to heavy-duty generators that can power whole homes without even breaking a sweat. There is something for everyone here. You just need to figure out your power needs in case of an emergency and make the choice from the list below.

Most people know Honda for making cars. But did you know they also make other power equipment, like some of the top-rated lawn mowers out there, as well as power generators? Take, for instance, the Honda 2200-Watt Portable Inverter Generator. It is a gasoline-powered generator with a running noise of about 50 decibels. And believe it or not, this is less than the noise level of a running vacuum and dishwasher. The generator is currently priced at $999 on Amazon. Plus, it has a remarkable rating of 4.8 stars based on 2,000+ reviews.

If 2,200 watts are not enough to fulfill your house's power needs, and you are looking for something larger, the WEN 5600-Watt Portable Generator might be the one for you. It currently has a 4.4-star rating based on about 3,200 global reviews. About 75% of those reviews are 5-star, and many users have appreciated its electric start feature as well as its ease of use and straightforward out-of-the-box assembly process. The generator also has a large 4.3-gallon gas tank and can run for about 12 and a half hours at half of its rated power output.

The Westinghouse 14500-Watt Portable Generator is another great option for people looking for a lot of power without compromising versatility. It can run on three fuel types: gasoline, propane, and natural gas. Plus, it has a built-in electric start feature that can even be operated remotely. The generator costs about $1,500, although there is a cheaper $1,349 dual-fuel model available as well. As for reviews, it has an impressive 4.8-star rating, with 98% of its 2,600+ reviews being four stars or higher. Just keep in mind that it can be a bit loud.

If you are looking for a high-duty generator that doesn't make much noise, the Pulsar 10500-Watt Dual Fuel Inverter Generator is definitely worth a look. It has an average rating of 4.5 based on about 1,400 global reviews. Plus, despite having an 8,000-watt continuous run capacity and 10,500-watt peak load capacity, it only runs at a very respectable 68 decibels. Other than that, the generator also has plenty of other features like short-circuit protection, a digital display, an hour meter, overload protection, and low-oil shutdown. Currently, you can get it on Amazon for about $1,000.

Another economical option on the list, the PowerSmart 2500-Watt Portable Inverter Gas Generator is a quiet and lightweight powerhouse. It weighs only about 40 pounds, runs at around 69 dB at a distance of 23 feet, and can run your essentials for about five and a half hours at 50% of its rated output capacity. You can get it for about $320 from Walmart right now. Plus, it comes with free shipping. As for the reviews, the generator has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on the opinions of about 1,300+ customers.

If you want to install a fixed backup generator at home, the Generac 7172 – Guardian 10kW Home Backup Generator is definitely worth a look. It comes with an aluminum casing and can be set up permanently outdoors in the open air. The generator also has a five-year limited warranty and 24/7/365 customer support. You also get a 100-amp 16-circuit transfer switch along with the generator for easy power management. Plus, it has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Regarding reviews and cost, it has a 4.8-star rating over 2,700 user reviews and costs about $4,200 on Walmart.

If you need serious power but don't want to give up portability, the Westinghouse 28,000-Watt Portable Generator is the one you want. It can run loads of up to 20,000 watts continuously and handle a peak load of 28,000 watts easily. Plus, it has a large 17-gallon fuel tank with a built-in fuel meter. Right now, you can get it from Walmart for about $3,800. As for the reviews, 95% of its users have given it either a 4- or 5-star rating. Put simply, it is pretty reliable as long as you use your generator safely.

The DuroMax 13,000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator is another highly rated generator on the list. It has no-flat tires, so you can easily move it around your home in any terrain. Plus, it has a ton of built-in outlets that let you plug pretty much anything directly into the generator itself. The generator also has a built-in carbon monoxide (CO) sensor, which turns the unit off if the CO level gets too high when you are running it indoors. Currently, it has a 4.4-star rating, and you can get it from Amazon for about $1,000.

With an average rating of 4.2 stars based on about 2,300 reviews, 80% of which are 4- and 5-star, the A-iPower 7600W Dual Fuel Inverter Generator is another excellent choice for people who want to power their homes in emergencies but don't have a whole-house battery backup. It has a built-in "fuel sense" option that lets it switch between available fuels automatically, plus it comes parallel-ready from the factory. This means you can connect two of these generators for more power. As of now, you can buy it from Amazon for about $1,500.

The Pulsar 2,300W Gas-Powered Inverter Generator is another highly rated generator for people looking for a small and compact power source in case of emergencies. It has a 1.18-gallon fuel tank which can power the generator for about five hours at half of its rated load capacity. The generator also has sine WAVE Technology, which is a pretty big deal when it comes to charging laptops and mobile phones, if you know anything about electronics. It is priced at $400 at Amazon right now and has a 4.3-star rating based on about 1,600 global reviews.

Last on the list is the GENMAX GM200i Home Backup Generator. It costs around $329 and has a rating of 4.2 stars over 2,300 reviews. Many customers have praised how quiet the generator is when in use, along with its lightweight but sturdy build quality. Also, it comes with a built-in CO sensor. This lets it turn itself off automatically if the CO level gets past a certain level when it is being used indoors. Other than that, it also has a low oil alarm and an overload alarm to keep things safe while in use.

To identify the best generators to have on hand in case of emergencies, based on customer reviews, we started our research by shortlisting the highest-rated and best-selling power generators on Amazon and Walmart. We made sure that no mention on the list has less than a thousand reviews. This criterion was set to ensure that each product we list has been tested widely by the general public. And then to finalize our list, we only included generators whose overall rating was 4.2. Plus, it was made sure that this overall rating was based on at least 80% four- or five-star reviews.