Editor’s Note, June 30, 2025: Prime Day begins next week, and we’ve already spotted some of the best generators we’ve tested on sale at Amazon. The best solar generator, the Bluetti AC500 Power Station, which sets itself apart for its expandability, is $1,000 off the list price. With additional batteries, it can deliver up to a whopping 16,588 watt hours, which is enough to provide a home with power for several days. If that’s not exactly what you’re looking for, we combed through the full Prime Day listings and compiled all the best generator deals for Prime Day 2025****.

Having a home generator to provide backup power can be helpful, no matter where you live, but it’s downright essential if you live in an area prone to extreme weather and frequent power outages. Sometimes you just need a way to keep your fridge running for a few extra hours during a blackout, but a large portable generator or a permanently installed standby generator can keep your entire home powered up and operational for several days. Investing in emergency power is never a small investment, but it’s also an important one.

• Best Overall:DuroMax 11,000-Watt Portable Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
• Best Budget:Generac GP9500E Tri Fuel Portable Generator
• Best High Capacity:Predator 13,000-Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Generator
• Best Solar:Bluetti AC500 Power Station w/ B300K Expandable Battery
• Best Standby:Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 13,000-Watt Dual Fuel Standby Generator

**The Expert:**I’m a freelance journalist and reviewer who covers all kinds of gear, from power tools to outdoor equipment and automotive products. Generators are a specialty of mine: I’ve covered everything from mini solar gens to home backups for publications like Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Thrillist,and The Daily Beast. I’ve used them to power homes and RVs, run appliances in converted vans and campsites, set up work sites, and even used one to power an outdoor concert.

What to Consider

You could just drive over to your local hardware store and buy a large portable generator to use as a home backup, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You want to make sure you’re getting a generator that can back up your home and power all the appliances, lights, and electronics inside. (Plus some extra watts in case you need them down the line.)

In addition, there are often state and local laws and/or HOA rules and restrictions around using them in residential neighborhoods. Picking poorly, or setting your backup generator incorrectly, could damage the generator or short your house power at best, or lead to fire, electrocution, or carbon monoxide poisoning at worst.

A rough estimate of energy loads for typical home appliances and recommended circuits for standby generators with a running capacity of up to 7kW, 17kW, and 48 kW

How to Choose a Generator

Picking the best generator for your home starts with a little math. Ideally, you want to calculate how much energy you need to keep your house running, and buy a generator that can handle everything you want to power in an emergency, with room to spare.

Manufacturers provide two key specs that indicate how much power you can draw from a generator–”running wattage” and “standing wattage.” Running wattage is effectively your generator’s capacity: It tells how much power a generator can produce steadily without any possibility of an overload. Starting wattage is the generator’s max output, or how much power it can produce for short, peak bursts when appliances first switch on.

Ideally, you’re looking for a generator with a running wattage that’s 2,000 watts or so over what your home (or essential appliances) need to operate. I can’t calculate that for you, but we can walk through a few general estimates. If you’re just looking to keep the fridge, lights, and a few modest appliances going through a short blackout, you can usually get away with a generator that supplies 3,000-5,000 watts.

You should plan on using at least 6,000 to 8,000 watts to run all your critical equipment—think fridge, heat, and hot water—and up to 10,000 watts if you include large appliances like laundry machines or a dishwasher. If you’re looking for full, unrestricted backup power, small to medium households can usually get away with 8,000 to 10,000 watts, though you may need a higher starting capacity. If you have an exceptionally large home or doubled up on key appliances, tack 20 percent on these estimates to be safe.

It’s also important to consider that, while generators are certainly a hefty investment, they usually stand the test of time. Consumer-grade, portable generators can run anywhere from 1,000-3,000 hours, sometimes more. If you run one for 100 hours per year, it should last for 10 to 30 years.

Types of Generators

How We Selected

In my most recent update, I tested a new set of 12 home generators, which were selected for consideration based on past recommendations from the Popular Mechanics test team, manufacturer trends, advice from product engineers, and consumer reviews.

I considered the difficulty of unboxing, assembling, and starting each generator for the first time, because few things are as frustrating as buying a tool that turns out to be unnecessarily complicated from the get-go.

Trevor Raab

Once they were set up, I tested each generator under different load conditions using power tools, camping equipment, an RV, and my home. I assessed the features that distinguish these generators from each other, including safety features, app connectivity, and portability, among other things.

After testing, I reviewed customer reviews and message boards to see if other generator owners identified other issues over a longer period of time.

Full Reviews

Best Overall

DuroMax 11,000-Watt Portable Dual Fuel Inverter Generator

Credit: Nick Hilden

Pros

• Inverter
• A full suite of the latest features
• Intuitive operation
• Surprisingly quiet

Cons

• Very heavy

Key Specs

Running Watts	Starting watts	Fuel	Fuel capacity	Outlets	Starting	Engine size	CO (carbon monoxide) shut-off	Low oil shut-off	Weight	Noise level
9,000W
11,000W
Gasoline, propane
7.1 gal (gas)
1 x 120/240V, 50 Amp; 1 x 120/240V, 30 Amp; 4 x 120V, 20 Amp
Electric
459cc
Yes
Yes
216 lb
61 dB at 20% load

The DuroMax XP11000iH, a brand-new dual fuel inverter model, is a powerful, feature-rich, durable generator is a robust mid-size generator that should provide enough power to keep most homes up for an extended time. Its 9,000W running output should supply enough power to support a medium-sized home with up to five or six inhabitants, and its built-in power inverter ensures that you can use it to run every piece of electronics in your home safely.

Having two fuel options–gas and propane–provides a big boost of convenience by allowing you to use whatever’s handy. No gasoline? Just plug into the hookup for your gas grill. It’s also parallel-capable, so you can daisy chain it with another generator if you need extra power.

The generator’s enclosed in a big, sturdy plastic casing, which makes it more durable and provides a fair amount of sound dampening. Of the many gas generators I’ve tested, it may be the quietest model that’s capable of backing up a whole home, especially when it’s running on propane, which trims it down by another few decibels. At 61 dB on a 20 percent load, it’s about as loud as a dishwasher. Most comparably sized generators go up to around 80 dB–about the same volume as a police siren.

Being brand new, the XP11000iH feels state of the art. In addition to a full suite of essential modern safety features like a CO2 shutoff and low oil shutoff, it goes the extra mile with lots of little touches. For example, I’m using a whole home generator because the weather outside is frightful, so I’m a big fan that it comes with a remote control, so I could start it without venturing out into the storm. The integrated battery tender keeps it ready to start no matter how long it’s been sitting, which can be a lifesaver, too. When you do run out to check it, an onboard display shows you key stats like hours run, current load, and voltage output.

The only downside I could find was its weight. At upwards of 200 pounds, it isn’t easy to carry. It does have wheels and sturdy handles, though, so it isn’t hard to wheel around on flat, paved ground—if you can push a loaded wheelbarrow you can push this. Not that you’ll need to move it much, it’s a very sturdy generator and it comes assembled out of the box so you really can set it outside and forget it.

Editor’s Note: The DuroMax XP11000iH is brand-new and currently available for pre-order from Duromax. It is also available for pre-sale on Amazon (Don’t let the out of stock sign fool you.) According to the brand, pre-order generators should officially go on sale the week of April 4, start shipping the week of April 21, 2025.

Best Value

Generac GP9500E Tri-Fuel Portable Generator

Pros

• High output
• Tri-fuel versatility
• Intuitive operation

Cons

• Very heavy
• Can get loud under heavy load

Key Specs

Running Watts	Starting watts	Outlets	Engine size	Starter	CO (carbon monoxide) shutoff	Low oil shut-off	Fuel	Fuel capacity	Weight	Noise level
9,500W
12,500W
1 x 120/240V, 40 Amp; 1 x 120/240V, 30 Amp; 2 x 120V, 20 Amp
500cc
Electric
Yes
Yes
Gasoline, propane, natural gas
7.5 gal (gas)
219 lb
65 dB at 25% load

Technically there are cheaper generators out there, but the Generac GP9500E offers an outstanding blend of capability, quality, and durability at a very reasonable price, so this is where I’d steer you if you’re trying to shave down your spend.

Its 9,500W running capacity is slightly higher than the DuroMax, and capable of powering all but the largest of homes. It can get a little noisy under a heavy load, but that’s common with units this size. It let out a relatively moderate purr when it was just powering the lights and a few appliances, but it became more of a roar when the heat kicked on.

With three fuel options–gas, propane, and natural gas–you get about as much versatility as you could possibly expect from a portable generator. A relatively large 7.5 gallon gas tank delivers a long runtime between fill-ups. And, while I was initially skeptical as to the necessity of the third fuel option, having natural gas support showed its value when a storm knocked out the power and I didn’t have gas or propane on hand. All I needed to do was plug it into the natural gas line, and suddenly my house was the only one on the block with lights on.

Beyond that, though, it’s a fairly basic model. It has essential safety features like low oil and CO2 shutdown, but lacks elements like a fancy digital display, remote start, or app. I don’t necessarily think that’s a problem: It can be helpful to get a piece of machinery that doesn’t go overboard with features. Its easy-to-navigate control panel is about as straightforward as can be, and it’s easy to get up and running.

Like my top pick, the GP9500E is exceedingly heavy. It’s also quite sturdy, though, which feels like a fair trade. The outlet covers don’t feel as flimsy and breakable as with many other models of a similar price point. It isn’t completely immobile: It has wheels and handles that make it easy to cart around short distances. Realistically, though, weight is almost always going to be an issue with any generator capable of backing up your house.

Ultimately, though, the selling point is the price. It’s hard to find a quality tri-fuel generator at such a low price, and the GP9500E performs well if you don’t mind losing out on some bells and whistles.

Best Solar

Bluetti AC500 Power Station w/ B300K Expandable Battery

Now 40% Off

Credit: Nick Hilden

Pros

• Expandable
• Intuitive design
• Inverter
• You can store a power station inside

Cons

• Portable power stations aren’t ideal for extended home off-grid living without a large solar panel array

Key Specs

Running capacity	Starting watts	Fuel	Capacity	Outlets	Starter	CO (carbon monoxide) shut-off	Low oil shut-off	Weight	Noise Level
5,000W
10,000W
Solar, electricity
2,764-16,588 Watt Hours
1 x 120 V, 50 Amp; 1 x 120V, 30 Amp (TT-30); 1 x 120V, 30 Amp (L14-30); 3 x 120 V, 20 Amp; 4 x USB-A; 2 x USB-C; 1 x 12 V, 30 Amp; 1 x 24 V, 10 Amp
N/A
N/A (Electric/Solar only)
N/A (Electric/Solar only)
66.2 lb
48 dB

Having tested portable power stations extensively over the past few years, the Bluetti AC500 has the capacity to keep a home up and running, so long as you have the solar panels to keep it up and running, or a way to charge its batteries.

What sets the AC500 is its expandability. When paired with one of the brand’s B300K batteries, as we tested, it can hold up to 2,764.8 watt hours (Wh). But you can go further, chaining up to six batteries on a single unit to store a whopping 16,588 watt hours, which is enough to provide a home power for several days. It features a power inverter as well, you can use it for all kinds of electronics. In fact, it has a few USB ports so you could charge your tech directly.

While charging may be tough during an emergency, it does offer a high max charging speed—up to 3,000 watts via solar, or up to 8,000 watts with solar and AC combined.

One of the big advantages of a power station over a generator is an intuitive, tech-influenced design. Some home solar power setups can be very complicated, but the AC500 is effectively plug and play. That said, you should bring in an electrician to install an automatic transfer switch for your home power, though, so it can automatically take over when the power goes out.

Building out a solar generator setup large enough to keep a home up and running is expensive and complicated. Realistically, you should look into a permanent solar setup with large roof-mounted panels and a large permanent power storage solution. If you’re looking for something that you can bring in and hook up yourself, though, the AC500 has the bulk to handle the job.

Best High Capacity

Predator 13,000 Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Generator

Credit: Nick Hilden

Pros

• High output
• Tri-fuel versatility
• Remote start

Cons

• Very heavy

Key Specs

Running Watts	Starting watts	Fuel Type(s)	Fuel capacity	Outlets	Starter	Engine size	CO (carbon monoxide) shutoff	Low oil shut-off	Weight	Noise level
10,000W
13,000W
Gasoline, propane, natural gas
10.7 gal (gas)
1 x 120/240 V, 50 Amp; 1 x 120/240 V, 30 Amp; 1 x 120V, 30 Amp; 2 x 120 V, 20 Amp
Electric
458cc
Yes
Yes
226 lb
78.5 dB at 50 percent load

The Predator 13,000W Tri-Fuel generates about as much wattage as you can get from a portable generator. For more power than that, you’ll need to look into a permanent standby setup. In addition to its great output, it has every feature you could possibly ask for from a generator.

Its standard 10,000W running output should provide enough power for even large homes, and the ability to max out at 13,000W means it can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. The noise level pushes 80 decibels, which is loud but effectively average for most large generators. Given its capacity, I think that’s fairly impressive, though it did get pretty loud at night when I cranked the heat up and had several kitchen appliances going. Still, I never felt like it struggled to keep up with demand.

Tri-fuel compatibility gives you great flexibility. Its 10.7 gallon gas tank is larger than average as well, so it will run for longer than most generators, so long as you keep it under standard wattage. It also has a wider range of outlets than of the generators I tested, with both 120/240 V and 120V outlets at 30 amps, which make it compatible with just about any home or RV.

It also has some very helpful special features that you’ll only find on larger, more expensive generators. A remote starter allows you to fire it up or shut it down from the comfort of indoors. Digital engine monitoring tools help you maximize its efficiency, and an automatic idle down reduces fuel consumption and noise when power loads drop.

Again, weight is the generator’s Achilles heel. At just shy of 230 pounds, you need to find a place for it where you can leave it all-year round. Even with handles and wheels, it’s one of the least nimble portable generators to push around, especially on uneven or soft ground. On the plus side, it’s built to last, so positioning it outside and leaving it in one spot all-year-round shouldn’t be a problem.

Best Standby

Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 13000 Watt Dual Fuel Standby Generator

Pros

• Very high output
• Small footprint
• Quiet

Cons

• Professional installation required

Key Specs

Running Watts	Starting watts	Outlets	Starter	Engine size	CO (carbon monoxide) shutoff	Low oil shut-off	Fuel	Weight	Noise level
13,000W
20,000W
N/A
N/A
627cc
N/A
Yes
Propane, natural gas
315 lb
Roughly 65 dB at 50% load

If you want to ensure that there’s as little difference as possible between using your home power and backup power, you need to spend the extra time and money to have a standby generator installed by a professional. From what I’ve researched and tested, the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 13,000W is a good choice for most single-home properties without extraordinary backup needs or secondary buildings.

With a running wattage of 13,000 watts and a starting wattage of 20,000 watts, it supplies more power than any portable generator, and will keep any size home up and running. (For more power than this, you may need to look at industrial-grade equipment.) And for such a high-output generator, its volume is surprisingly moderate, purring along at roughly 65 dB under a 50 percent load, which is about the volume of an air conditioner.

At the same time, the physical generator has the smallest footprint of any option I’ve seen with this kind of capacity. Not only is it more compact than most generators, but its smooth grey shell sort of blends into the profile of your home. I think that looks much better than a more mechanical looking unit. On a more practical level, the design features a front exhaust port that blows in one direction, which allows you to place it closer to your home.

As part of the installation, the PowerProtect connects to permanent propane and natural gas lines. There’s no need to worry about refueling, ensuring a steady supply of power so long as those lines are active. An automated self-testing mode checks its readiness on a weekly basis, and the companion app makes remote monitoring and adjustment easy.

Again, relative to my other, portable recommendations, the PowerProtect 13K is a more expensive option, with more setup and preparation. You will need to have a professional come in to wire a transfer switch to your house power–which is sold separately–and connect it to your propane and natural gas lines. It is far and away the smoothest home backup power solution, though, and the best way to make sure you’re ready for a long-term outage.

Home Generator Q+A

with Our Experts

Nick Hilden is a writer, globetrotter, and jack-of-many-talents who has written gear reviews for the likes of* Runner’s World*, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Greatist, and the Manual, and his lifestyle, culture, and tech writing has also appeared in Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others. Before entering journalism some 15 years ago, he worked as a bartender, brewery manager, sound engineer, recording and touring musician, cook, teacher, and in a variety of other trades. These days, he lives all over the world, performs music sporadically, and spends a lot of time thinking how to best improve his Honda Element conversion.