8 Best Portable Generators (Buying Guide Updated 2022)
Portable Generators are extremely useful to have for power outages, camping, RV’ing, home use, general outdoor usage. Lightweight and easy to transport, these devices generate electricity efficiently and can power up a great deal of appliances both inside or outside your home and, most importantly, in the heart of nature, when you are going on a camping trip and you still want to use an electric mini-stove or perhaps charge your smartphone. There is quite a wide variety of models available both online and in physical stores, so we tried to bring together a list with 8 of the most reliable and overall best portable inverter generators that money can buy. We based our list on consumer reviews from a variety of sources, publicly available information on best sellers, and company reputation. Generators with major flaws were disqualified. These generators are appropriate for home use.
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Westinghouse WGen7500 geni.us/IVHM
Run Time: 16 Hours
Watts: 7500 running, 9500 peak
Outlets: Four 120V outlets; one 120/240V transfer switch outlet
Weigh: 192 lbs
★★★★★ Best For Heavy Usage
Honda EU2200i geni.us/zyxA
Run Time: 8.1 hours
Watts: 2200 running
Outlets: Built in 30 amp outlet
Weigh: 46.5 lb
★★★★★ Best Lightweight
WEN 56225i geni.us/hqHH1
Run Time: 6 hours
Watts: 2000 starting, 1600 rated
Outlets: Two three-prong 120V, one 12V DC, one 5V USB port
Weigh: 48 lb
★★★★★ Best Performance Lightweight
Generac iQ2000 geni.us/Yl75a
Run Time: 7.7 hours
Watts: 1600 Running, 2000 Starting
Outlets: Two three-prong 120V
Weigh: 46.2 lb
★★★★★ Quietest
Ryobi RYI2300BTA geni.us/86BmUs
Run Time: 8 hours
Watts: 2,300 starting, 1,800 running
Outlets: Two 120-Volt outlets and 2 USB ports
Weigh: 56 lbs
★★★★★ Best Overall Value
Yamaha EF2000iSv2 geni.us/KVSc
Run Time: 10.5 hours
Watts: 2000
Outlets: Two 120V AC, One 12V DC
Weigh: 44.1 lbs
★★★★ Most Efficient
Briggs & Stratton P2200 geni.us/iZ1KEZ
★★★★ Highly Durable
*Some discontinued items have been replaced by comparable alternatives
If you're looking for something that doesn't require fuel, check out 8 Best Portable Power Stations:
• 8 Best Portable Power ...
Portable power stations are like having an electrical outlet in a box. Power is stored in a giant rechargeable lithium battery inside the unit, and these power packs are equipped with AC outlets, DC outlets, and USB charging ports. Portable Power Stations can be charged with any standard wall outlet or your car’s 12 volt outlet, but can also be paired with solar panels to create a solar generator that’s charged by the power of the sun.
The generators in the above links are available for UK United Kingdom too.
Check Price on Amazon: Westinghouse geni.us/IVHM Honda geni.us/zyxA WEN geni.us/hqHH1 Generac geni.us/Yl75a Ryobi geni.us/86BmUs Yamaha geni.us/KVSc Briggs & Stratton geni.us/iZ1KEZ *Some discontinued items have been replaced by comparable alternatives
Witnessed the Honda run many remote sound systems. Those scrappy little red generators will always remind me of dance parties in the woods with dirty bass.
Let's go out into the woods and play video games. Lol
🤣🤣🤣🤣 count me in!!
Very helpful! Thank you!!
This is an old post. But I wanted to add a comment for 8/2/2020. I purchased a Predator 2000 in august 2019 and have run it daily for 11 months straight. often 12 hours at a time (the capacity of the tank) under light loads. Fill it at dark and run it for lights and TV fan and computer all night. Only when I run my coffee maker does it kick up to high RPM. which it does flawlessly. When using power tools I used the high power setting and had no issue with 15 amp table saw or chop saws. Im not certain there is a need to to turn it to the high power setting as it will do it by itself but I didnt take a chance. What a fantastic machine. Quiet and starts every time. I had one issue...a bolt holding the choke stop start knob came loose. a pretty easy repair. Add some locktight and its fixed. And changing adding oil is a serious PITA. On one occasion the machine quit and I noticed that the low oil indicator was lit. I added oil and away it went running again. PERFECT. Adding oil and oil changes may have been fixed in newer models. I dont know. I see zero reason to pay top dollar for a Honda. The predator is an amazing bargain! What a shame its not highlighted here.
Only problem I have is the warranty on the predator. 90 days sucks, and its about 100 for a weird 1yr replacement warranty. Where the Westinghouse and champion have 3 year warranty for not much more and less than predator with the added waranty
Your Predator will be fine for a few years at best. It will not stand the test of time like a Honda or Yamaha. When it does fail, you will be hard pressed to find anyone to make repairs as the parts are not easily attainable.
Tom G well in my view a few is four. That said it’s running tight now purring like a kitten. First pull every time. It’s paid for itself a long time ago. I’d buy another in a second if it failed and have a parts machine. I could buy 3 more for the price of a Honda. And who’s to say I couldn’t put it away in my garage and it wouldn’t start in ten years? When needed again. I know it would. I’ll finally have my home on the grid soon. I’ll put it away and let you know in ten years.
@@walsterdoomit I suppose there are a few ways to look at it. I know two people who bought the 3500 and both had issues with theirs in the first year. Buddy #1 had a failure 6 months in while on a camping trip off grid with the family. He followed all the break in procedures but that day it just wouldn't produce power; it was a failure of sorts in the electronic inverter board. After some serious complaining, HF replaced it. 1 year in on the replacement and so far so good. Buddy #2 also bought a 3500 but from the get-go it wouldn't idle properly. Brought it back to HF and demonstrated the issue and they agreed and sent him home with a new one. Wouldn't you know it the replacement did the same thing only worse. Brought that one back and HF replaced it again but this time HF put gas in the new one themselves before he took it home and fired it up in the parking lot. You guessed it, it ran miserably as well. He opted for a complete refund and bought a Honda 2200 down the street. Yes it was pricey and only 2200 watts but he was jaded at that point. That being said, many do rave about them with only great results. I think it all boils down to quality control. Mileage on them will vary it seems. My Honda EU1000 is 18 years old and used regularly. I maintain it well and it runs just like the day I bought it.
Tom G well I don’t know about the 3500. I only have knowledge of the 2200. But I know that even tho it’s a predator does not mean it was made at the same plant, by the same company or in the same country. Not at HF. In addition they sell other larger predators. They have almost nothing in common. If I’m not mistaken they use Honda engines.
thanks for the info, they all sound Good!
If you don't buy a Honda/Yamaha, I hope you have some mechanical skills. A common problem I've seen on many of these Chicom knock offs is the tubing for the fuel system. I've worked on many, and the tubing they use fails within a few years. It cracks, leaks, etc. These new machines often use engine vacuum to pull full out of the tank/inject it into the carb. When the vac tubing cracks, it won't start. If the fuel side cracks, you have gasoline leaking. I replace the lines with USA made fuel lines and go from there.
I’m glad I decided to buy the Honda EU2200i back in 2018. Absolutely luv it, especially for its reliability!
i have one to great product i have 2 honda scooters also love em !
but it's over $1k right now on Amazon :( that's a lot of shekels.
@@prince87x yep
Honda makes great products keep the oil change they last a lifetime
Did you get a recall? I did for it leaking fuel. Its at a service dealer right now.
was helpful thnx
Im looking to buy a generator for mobile auto detailing, does anyone know if the westinghouse is any good ? That one and the honda caught my eye but idk which i should go with
Thanks!
Old video, but how does having a larger fuel tank on the Generac make it more reliable than the Honda? The service facilities refer to Generac as Junkerac. Buy once, cry once.
Excellent
I like the electric start. And the delivery was good
Generac doesnt stand behind their product. Mine had an overload, my mistake, but when I tried to get it fixed I was told that yhe part was "unfixable" and I would have to purchase a new unit. Dont waste your time and money......buy a Honda.
Thanks really
God bless you for sharing in the name of Jesus Christ for it is written; Proverbs 21:20 King James Version 20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. Amen
Or don't put an overload.on it.
@@brentsaylor1725 Overloading the generator does nothing but trip the circuit breaker. You press a button and reset it.
I'm looking for the best and quietest portable generator for a power outage during the winter. I'm looking to use it for a ceramic heater, some lights and turning on the 22.1 cubic foot Frigidaire fridge MODEL FGSC2335T (turning it on and off, as needed). It would be ideal to find something that didn't require me to refill the gas tank so often. I was looking at the WEN 2250, but not sure. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks.
that fridge requires 1800 watts running and 150% surge to start (that's 2700watts) plus your ceramic heater (another 1500 watts) plus lights (add 200watts) then over rate another 500 watts so you need at least 2700 watts + 1500 watts + 200 watts + 500 watts =4900watts so you need a big 5000 watt generator that will run a continuous 5000 watts, (not surge watts). And then on top of that you want something you don't want to fill too often! Only thing for you is a 5000 watt Home Stand-by unit running on a bulk propane tank or a natural gas line. See people think a little 60 pound portable generator is like Hoover Dam
@@antonsmith7235 Thank you. We will get a whole house generator and connect to natural gas. Thanks again.
@@brucelaroche4257 If I can’t save my food, I don’t need anything else. Shit!
which can charge faster model 3
My refrigerator is all I need!
Question I have a computer with a 750W power supply and a monitor that uses 48W with up to 240VAC (LG 27UK650-W 27") Can the WEN run both my computer and monitor if I used a long extension chord from the garage to the upstairs?
The Wen can power but if your gonna use an extension cord go with 10 gauge
Just because a computer has a 750 watt power supply does not mean it draws all 750 watts. I too have one but my computer only draws about 500watts
Bought generac 3 yrs ago have run aprox.300 to 400hrs per year no problems change oil and plug
How much load do you run? Mine crapped out after occasional 10 amp Air Conditioner loads. at 65 hours. Have read inverters go bad often, like mine
For the Westinghouse WGen7500 fuel tank is 6.6 gal. (25 L) not 4.4 gal.
Where do you find a westinghouse generator
where do i get the champion?
I've got 2 Yamaha's over 7 years of service and no issues with either
My neighbor is truck driver and all the road most of the time and he had Ryobi RYI2300BTA gen dead on him while on the road. he ended up buying my Honda gen EB2800i and he told me he should have buy Honda from 1st place. it's been over 4yrs and counting using his Honda
Since publishing this video I've noticed a lot of people recommending Honda generators
Deeply appreciate the data
@@ElectricFuture still made in China at Honda's Chinese plant
Buy a Honda or a Yamaha for complete reliability for many years to come. All the others cost less but are made in China and/or use Chinese motors that quickly become problematic or suffer complete engine failure within a year or two. I've had my Honda for over 15 years and it still starts and runs like the day I bought it. Pay once and enjoy trouble free service for years to come.
Ryobi uses Honda motors. You'd probably find that many of the "tool" or "powersport" brands use Yamaha or Honda motors. That said, I believe the Ryobi is a 91 cc motor and the Honda 2200 is the 121cc, but I'm getting that from another reviewer
Both Honda and Yamaha have plants and make both of theirs in China. So much for your theory
@@antonsmith7235 Dude...Honda and Yamaha OWN the company and the manufacturing plant in China. Honda and Yamaha control it, the engineering standards, and the way it is manufactured...the Chinese who work there are simply the labourers. LOL.
@@tomg9685 we bought from all of them, in fact the engines that Yamaha uses are actually based on the Nagoya which was Japanese. all the Dewalt generators spec'd out Honda only engines, so we bought Chinese Hondas. All they do is bring in Machines and robots. same thing the Chinese do, they are all the same
@@antonsmith7235 Yamaha IS Japanese!! Listen, you buy what you want, it's a free country. You might get lucky and your Chinese brand generator will run fine for the time you need it. Anyone can copy anything, thats the easy part. The trick is in the quality control and that is where the clones fail. You talk about engines...engines are only part of the equation with generators. I'm just saying that it's MY experience that you get what you pay for. I tried a Champion, Firman and a few other rebranded Chinese gens - all had issues ranging from engine failure to carb issues to power output failure. You cannot get parts easily and small engine shops don't want to touch them. They will tell you outright that Chinese gens are disposable. My oldest Honda generator is pushing 40 years old, runs like new, and I can still get parts if needed. I own 3 Honda generators, 2 outboards, 4-wheeler, 1972 minibike, 2 cars, 1 SUV, and a lawnmower. I do the prescribed maintenance and none have given me issues of any kind. I guess I'm just plain lucky. :)
Owned a generac wished I spent a little more for a honda . I put it in the dumpster with less than a hundred running hrs.
Oh wow why? Was just thinking about getting one. What was the issue
@@inbedduringcovid3005 Mine went out at about 65 hours, read the reviews. The inverter in them suck. And cheapest replacement I have found is 400. They discontinued them already due to reliability issues. Now I have a good running generator that will only put out about 400W anything over that and it faults.
next time send me your throw aways
@TAO - HOME & GARDEN we are talking available generators you can buy at the store, not some idiot home project
The Honda can be rigged to run on an auxiliary gasoline tank. Can any of these others?
I’m currently debating a Honda EU2200i. How would I run an auxiliary gas tank? Run the fuel line to a gas can?
It has a fuel pump, a cap with a gas connector used for an outboard boat motor works. Mine uses no visible oil in 100 hrs, but beware long runtime. Check the oil level occasionally. It has to be changed per manual. I don’t mind extending run time with synthetic small engine oil and a magnet dip stick.
@@bayou_angler87 look up berg extended fuel tank for Honda 2200/ 2000 if you want all plug and play
@@bayou_angler87 the Honda fuel system is air tight, so you just need a cap with a tube coming out of it. The kits are basically just that.
I worked at the Generac Jefferson Wisconsin plant where they put the IQ2000 together. Just so you all are aware, this whole comparison test thing and all other comparison tests are all mute, because the same company in China makes all of the ones you're looking at with the exception of Yamaha and Honda, they both have their own plants in China. We tested ALL of them and they ALL do the same thing, run at basically the same levels. We found the Yamaha stuff to be a little bit higher quality. The Generac's IQ really were built in Wisconsin as of now but with all Chinese parts. And that production is now back in China. Really makes no difference because all we did is put the case together, the motor/alternator unit was already put together when it came from Asia. If I were buying I wouldn't buy anything but Yamaha. Why? Yes folks even all the small Honda stuff is built in China. At least Yamaha uses their Japanese designs. Oh and as a footnote; Briggs & Stratton is no longer in business. They bought even cheaper junk from the Chinese and couldn't make a profit to stay in business.
Well, except the fact that Honda motors seem to last forever. I personally know a guy that lives off grid and runs generators at least 16 hours out of the day every day for the last 30 years. He keeps buying "backup" generators for his Honda EU2000, and the EU2000 keeps going on. Has over 28,000 hours on it and the most he does is change the oil and spark plug. Honda has factories in Japan, China, France, India, Thailand and US. Honda has strict standards by which their products are made. QC managers is often a team of Japanese workers in the factories.
@@thebearak and they are still Chinese Hondas, no matter what your buddy gets
@@antonsmith7235 You evidently don't know anything about Japanese manufacturing. Doesn't matter who puts the motors together, when they are made to a specific specification, and QC team passes it, it could have come off any assembly line and it would be exactly the same as any other. Most of the generators sold in the US are made in North Carolina. Again, with Japanese oversight.
@@thebearak yes I do, robots, been there dude
The word is “moot”, not mute.
what is the better to use for 2000 watts pizza oven that can last 10 hours ?
Did you find anything
What's the price for this generator please
Y no price on th honda gen
1200 bucks
I noticed you didn't mention the Harbor Freight Predator any reason why
Because HF aren't in the top 8 portable generators like the title of the video says.
The Westinghouse portable generator is a beast! Good thing to have in case of emergency!
How about for everyday use in a off-grid parked bus without wheels?
8 best portable
Honda, nothing better than EU2200i, and then Wen 2250 for the price. Buy something else at you own risk. Want more power? Buy 2 and connect them in parallel with their respective parallel kits. They still portable so ones in a while you can take one of them to power your mom's house and the other one take it to the lake for summer trips. You decide
want more power? use your head don't buy two just buy a bigger unit
@@antonsmith7235 ok. I'll be using my head with two. In case a family member need a backup you cant help them, i can. You keep using your back until you have to use a wheelchair in a few years because of the weight of the big one. Bottom line is: 1. I avoid a back injury 2. I can help family members 3. I can use it to go to camping, less noise and easy to carry. I'll keep using my head. Your head is too small. Thanks😂
@@alexanderviolinist you Abso-fucking-lutely destroyed his ego lmao
I agree, if we have a power outage I can alternate powering my appliances with one and help my brother-in law down the street with the other, he's on an oxygen machine 24/7 ... I know he doesn't have the money to buy a generator.
@@elkaholic338 Yes! Honda 2200 or Wen 2250/2000 both awesome machines!
Cooperation request: Hi dear Mr.Electric Future, could you tell me how to contact you, we want to cooperate with you. Look forward to your reply. Thanks and best regards!
These generators produce AC or DC power?
AC.
I want em all
Magkano Yung 2 250 watt
BS, the ratings are based on the specs.
How much ser
6
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How mu h generator .sir
I don't know how "mu h" because we haven't figured out what the hell "mu h" is
Portable generator companies must be stupid or crazy every camper wants a remote on/off but only the 3000 up generators have them
Most RV campers want to run AC and accessories that use a 30A~50A service connection the small generators cannot run these loads reliably. So its not the target market for the small units they want you to buy the bigger units that are built for that usage.
do the math dude
@@antonsmith7235 my aircon uses 1000 watts 2kva generator,do the math
@@PaulGariepy my aircon uses 1000 watts 2kva generator do the math
@@paulystp hey genius, we manufacturers have to install a rated receptacle for power produced, just because YOUR air conditioner uses a 1000 watts, doesn't mean an entire RV needs a 1000 watts and that's it. An RV can demand a lot more than a little 2000 watt generator can handle, not yours. Next time before you shoot your trap off do a little figuring.
I only need for heater
192lbs is not my idea of portable.
I just love the B.S. ! The Westing House 7500 sips gas at one quarter the load . No S. Sherlock ! Put on a full load and you better live next door to the gas station ! Why can't they just tell us the freaking truth ? And where there made ? I don't mind paying twice what this crap is worth if there made here in America , but why should I overpay for something that was made for one fourth it's selling price with cheap labor ? Good God , man . Give Americans JOBS ! And have a nice day . Your good friend Vinny in good old Fla.
Nice clapback LOL as I don’t know much about them and I assume you do? Was there any in this video you thought was good or do know any you personally recommended? Thank you :)
Kathy, if they made them in the U.S. instead of China, Joe and Hunter Biden and family wouldn't get their usual percentage of sales cut for their peddled influence.
"Uhfficient" is not a word.
Predator 2000?
Same as the Wen
@Kaitlin Bunge kzhead.info/sun/jK6zf7iZkIl6q6c/bejne.html
@Kaitlin Bunge 12000 btu AC not watts
@Kaitlin Bunge Kaitlin, the Predator 2000 will run a 5,000 btu manual window unit with no problems. The Predator 3500 wiill run a 15,000 btu and a small fridge
Stay away from anything generac , no warrantee what so ever
Don’t ever buy on of these Chinese generators with steel fuel tanks as they rust over the winter and can’t be replaced. The fuel lines, fuel switches and parts are also not available.
RV owners.... some of these generators don't have a 30amp plug!
Most of them don't unless you get two and use the parallel connection kit. 30amp = 3600 watts. Need bigger generators to support 30amp.
none of them do, 30amps X 120volts= 3600 watts. None of these are 3600 watts continuous. Plus you don't want to run at that rate over 50% of the generator rating for long periods
@@thebearak Yup.... my point exactly!
"None" The first one Westinghouse had a 30amp. My point was to inform RV owners to be aware of the unit they choose to power their RV.
@@jneihart2 99% of the time 2000 watts is more than enough, you only need 3000+ for teh A/C or possibly microwave, i dont want to haul or run a big gen if i dont need to
I don't understand all these comments against the lesser known generator companies, and saying to buy Honda or Yamaha, as if they are American. Maybe they aren't old enough to remember that they are Japanese companies, and when they first were on the market here were considered the cheap model cars, and if you wanted reliability, you should buy American.
I don't care for the reviews that really put no time on the generator. Have a friend that has over 15000 hours on his Honda. Thing has been through temperatures as low as -50. He did two mods to it, and that is an oil pan heater and the gas cap to run a larger tank. He runs a 20 gallon tank to it. He just recently bought a Ryobi because the Honda was starting to smoke a bit and he needs power 16 hours a day at a remote cabin. 15k hours and it just started to burn a little oil. Pretty good review right there.
OP... I think 99% of the people commenting KNOW that Honda and Yamaha aren't American. They are being recommended *because* they are Japanese. This isn't the 1950s dude....If you want a high quality and reliable internal combustion engine, you buy Japanese. It's been that way since at least the late 70s...
DO NOT BUY HONDA THEY DONT STAND BEHIND THIER PRODUCTS. I have a Honda 2200 its less then six months old. It started surging at and would not hold a idle. Brought it to a certified Honda dealer. They told me I need a new carb. It would cost $280 installed. I called Honda and was told fuel problems are not covered under warranty. It has 30 hours on the generator. The idle jet has a design problem and Honda knows it. There are KZhead and blogs about it all over the internet. If you replace the jet with a updated aftermarket upgrade it fixes the problem. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA.
GENERAC IS CRAP!!!!! Bought a craftsman 3000 powered by a generac, lasted less than 60 hours. I'll never buy another generac anything, and it's ruined the craftmans name to me also. I grew up using craftsman tools that were 30 years old and still working. Ill take my money and go else where 🖕
we never made craftsman, the chinese did exact copy
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一体何を言ってるの？
Mil bolas compa