If you live in an area where you experience frequent power outages, then you should invest in a decent home generator.
There are so many types of generators available on the market that choosing the best one is very difficult.
To help you choose a better generator, we have created this amazing guide, and after reading this guide, I am sure you will find a generator that will suit your needs perfectly.
Top 6 Reviews of Best Home Generators
1. Champion 6250-Watt Open-Frame Inverter Generator
We have selected the inverter generator to be our first pick for the best home generator because it has many advantages compared to a conventional generator.
First of all, inverter generators are fuel-efficient and offer clean power, which contains less than 3% THD. Moreover, they do not produce very little noise compared to any other generator on the market.
So if you don’t mind extra money for such high-end features, then the Champion 6250-Watts inverter generator is for you.
Now let’s talk about some of its features.
The first thing you will notice about this generator is its bulky size and heavy weight. But on the bright side, its pure sine wave power output and high fuel efficiency make it worth your while.
Moreover, this particular generator comes with Eco-more, which helps in cutting fuel costs by adjusting the generator according to load demand. The 69 decibels noise output of this generator is very low, and thus, this generator is best for regular usage as well as RV too. Speaking of power output, you will get 6250 surge watts and 5000 continuous watts from this generator. And on a full gas tank, the generator will run for about 12.5 hours.
That’s not all, it has some other interesting features as well, including a voltage & frequency monitoring system and not to mention the display that shows the operating hours. This generator includes a three-year warranty so I’d say it’s a great deal.
Pros
- Highest power output inverter generator
- High runtime with low noise operation
- Pure sine wave power output
- Three years of warranty
Cons
- No parallel capability
- No RV-ready port
2. Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Generator
Most people buy small to medium generators for their home backup because they don’t need such high power output, or they experience short-time power outages.
However, if you live in an area where power outages are frequent and last for days, then there is no better option than the Westinghouse WGen9500DF dual-fuel generator.
This generator can produce as high as 9500 continuous and 12500 surge watts. What makes this generator special is its dual-fuel capability. This feature gives you the advantage of using any fuel you want without having any second thoughts.
It has 6.6 gallon of fuel tank, and you can expect about 17.5 hours of runtime, and you can increase this runtime even further by using the bigger propane tank.
I bet you will be impressed by its key fob feature that allows you to start your generator wirelessly. And for added convenience, Westinghouse has also introduced an electric start and recoil start in this generator.
Thanks to its GFCI outlets, you don’t need to ground your generator anymore. Speaking of output receptacles, you will get two 120 GFCI-protected ports, one 120/240V RV port, and two 5V USB ports.
The automatic low oil shutdown feature protects your generator from damage, whereas the digital hour meter shows you the current runtime. To ensure the longevity of this generator, Westinghouse is offering three years of warranty on this product.
Pros
- Dual fuel generator with a high power output
- Wireless remote starting with electric start
- Built-in transfer switch with GFCI outlets
- Three years of solid warranty
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Some customers complained that the battery does not work properly
3. WEN 56225i 2250-Watt Portable Inverter Generator
WEN 56225i is designed for those who like their generator to be portable and compact. Also, this generator is inverter type meaning that you will get pure sine wave power output, low noise, and higher fuel efficiency.
As a trade-off, you will not get that high power output, so it limits the number of appliances you can run at a time. That being said, you can use this generator for light use as well as outdoor activities too.
But if you still need the convenience of the inverter generator and do not want to buy a bigger home generator, then you can connect another WEN 56225i in parallel with this generator and increase the power output.
The manufacturer has described this generator to be extremely quiet, and you can even compare it with the noise of normal conversations.
Thanks to its EPA II and CARB certifications, this generator is very environment-friendly and produces as low as possible CO2. Powered by a 79.7 4-stroke engine, 56225i can crank up to 2000 peak watts and 1600 running watts.
Moving on, WEN 56225i is integrated with numerous output ports, including two 120V household ports, one 12V DC port, and one 5V USB port.
If we talk about the fuel tank, it has 1 gallon of the fuel tank, and it will give you about 6 hours of runtime once the gas tank is full, and this unit is backed by two years of warranty.
Pros
- Compact and portable inverter generator
- Very quiet and lightweight generator
- Parallel capability with a clean power output
- Two-year warranty and lifetime customer support
Cons
- Low power output
- Small fuel tank requires frequent refueling
4. Westinghouse iGen4500DF Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
As you have guessed by now, mostly we have selected the inverter generator in our top list for home generators. And our next pick Westinghouse iGen4500DF is also an inverter generator, which also features dual-fuel capability.
This generator is expensive compared to the generators that come with the same power output. But it comes with so many great features so I would say it’s worth your money.
For starters, you can the fuel costs to half by using propane, and its economy mode will help you save fuel costs even further.
With the 3700 rated watts and 4500 surge watts, you can power almost any electrical machine in your house or RV which is just amazing. You will be impressed by its remote start feature, and for the backup option, Westinghouse has also included electric and recoil start.
The generator comes with one 120V household port, one RV-ready outlet, and two USB ports, which makes it great for every application.
What I like most about this generator is its rotating digital display that shows you various information such as fuel level, lifetime hours, remaining run time, and voltage/ frequency.
With a built-in 3.4 gallons fuel tank, you can run this generator for 18 hours until you need to refuel it. And when the efficiency mode is on, you can increase this runtime even further.
Westinghouse cares about its customers, and that is why they are offering lifetime support on this product, and let’s not forget the three years warranty.
Pros
- Inverter generator with dual-fuel capability
- Remote start with efficiency-mode
- Built-in wheels and handle for easy transportation
- Three years warranty
Cons
- Sometimes wireless start doesn’t work properly
- Expensive
5. Honda EU2200i 2200-Watt Portable Inverter Generator
Honda is a benchmark by which the performance of other generators is measured. This generator is a workhorse and false in the category of a truly portable generator.
Moreover, Honda is a very popular brand among homeowners due to its solid construction and higher life expectancy. This particular generator comes with so many great features that you will be blown away.
That being said, these features come at a price, and considering its power output, the Honda EU2200i is one of the most expensive generators on the market. But if you are looking for a reliable generator that will last for years, then the Honda EU2200i is for you.
This inverter generator operates at 48 to 57 decibels, which is considered to be very low, and due to this feature, this generator is ideal for outdoor activities such as camping and hiking.
The 121cc engine of this generator can produce a maximum of 2200 surge watts and 1800 running watts. And if that is not enough for you, then you can always connect another same generator in parallel with this one to increase the power output.
That’s not all, Honda’s exclusive Eco-throttle system increases fuel efficiency, and you can get 9.6 hours of runtime on its 4 gallons of the full gas tank.
Thanks to its inverter technology, you will get stable/clean power in a lighter package. The weight of this unit is 46 pounds, and it measures 21 x 19.5 x 12 inches.
Pros
- The reliable and quiet generator from a reputable brand
- Parallel capability
- Electric start feature
- Three years of warranty
Cons
- Many customers reported the fuel leak from the engine
- Expensive
6. Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator
This is another great product from Champion we have considered. Champion’s products are made from high-quality materials and their products are praised by all the people out there.
This dual-fuel generator can produce 4275 peak watts and 3420 continuous watts when running on propane, and you can increase power up to 4750 peal watts and 3800 continuous watts using gasoline.
With this amount of power, you can run numerous appliances in your house including AC, TV, washing machine, and oven. If we talk about the runtime, then you will get 10.5 hours of runtime on 20 pounds of the propane tank and 9 hours of runtime on 3.4 gallons of the built-in fuel tank.
If you are like me who hats pulling the cords when you want to start the generator. And it gets even more frustrating in the winter season because you have to pull the cord many times.
Well, you will be happy to know that, this generator comes with a built-in electric start feature, which is made possible by the included battery. So to use the electric start feature, you need to recharge the battery now and then.
Moreover, there are numerous output ports in the generator, such as a 120V RV port, a 120V locking outlet, and two 120V household outlets, and all these ports are secured by a volt guard to prevent any short circuits.
The only thing I did not like about this generator is that it is not parallel capable. The parallel capability will give you an advantage when your power needs will increase. Last but not least, you will get three years of warranty on this product.
Pros
- Affordable dual-fuel generator
- Numerous output ports
- Electric start with low oil shut-down
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Not parallel capable
What to look for when buying any home generator?
Whenever you decide to buy a new home generator, you get confused and can’t decide which one is superior. So there are some things you need to look for in a generator, and we have put together a list of those features here so you can choose wisely.
Power output
The selection of any generator solely depends on its power output. If it does not produce enough power to meet your demands, then why would you choose it? So first, you need to decide how many electrical devices you will be running off of your generator and calculate the wattage rating of each machine. And then and only then you can decide how many watts of generator you need.
Noise level
A generator with high power output tends to be noisier than a portable inverter generator. But some generators are a lot quieter than the other generators having the same power output. So make sure to check out the noise rating of any particular generator before buying. It is also true that the generator produces less noise at lower loaded conditions, and this noise increases when the load on the generator increases.
Size and portability
A generator is a delicate machine, and you need to take care of it properly, especially when it is not in use. You should never store it outdoors, and if you have limited space in your house, then you may want to consider a small and portable generator for your home. You may not know this, but the size of the generator increases its power output, and portable generators are easy to carry and move around.
Weight
The generator’s weight is important if you are constantly moving your generator from one place to another, such as when you go camping. So in that situation, you must choose a lightweight generator. Sometimes you do not have any option other than choosing a heavy generator for high power output, so at that time, see if your selected generator has wheels and handles to make the transportation process easy.
Additional features
It is always to have additional features in your generator to make the operating procedure a whole lot easier. Such features are electric start/wireless start, parallel capability, eco-mode, digital display, GFCI outlets, and RV-ready ports. Whenever you feel confused between two generators, then look for these features in those generators, so it will help you choose a better generator.
FAQ
Q: How many watts of generator do I need?
A: To answer this question, you need to decide how many electric machines you will be running off of your generator. After that, you need to calculate each device’s peak watts and rated watts and then add all those wattage ratings. Now you have an exact number you can work with; however, we encourage you to add 10-20% to it to meet future demand.
Q: What type of generator is best for home use?
A: As you know, there are several types of generators available in the market, such as inverter generators, dual-fuel generators, and conventional generators. In all of them, inverter generators are best, but they are expensive. So if you can afford such a generator, then we strongly recommend you choose the inverter generator for home use.
Q: Do I need to use a transfer switch in my home?
A: It depends on your usage. For example, you will be running all your appliances through an extension cord; then, there is no need for you to use the transfer switch; however, if you want to run hardwired appliances such as AC and furnace, then you must install the transfer switch.
Conclusion
I hope you like our thorough guide on the best home generators. If you have any questions about choosing any generator and about their features, then can you write to us or let us know through the comments. We will try our best to help in any way we can.
