When choosing the outage backup system for a home or business, most people think of the full-size, fixed generators to install in their premises. But a portable generator could be a more versatile solution.

Besides backing up your home or business in case of a blackout, a portable generator may serve you for recreational purposes, or to power up a job site. Below, a few of the most popular uses.

1. Backup Power System

Whether it’s your home or business, when the main power supply goes off you’ll need a backup system to deal with your energy needs. In the lack of it, your house could overheat, fresh supplies in your fridge or freezer could go bad, and you won’t be able to stay connected with the world due to the lack of connectivity.

The same could happen in a business. Whether it’s a restaurant in need to keep ingredients fresh or an office relying on internet connection, the lack of electricity could seriously damage your source of income.

But the best portable generator can keep you safe from all this. When a blackout strikes, just power up your backup system, and you’re good to go. Heavy-duty generators can output over 12,000 running watts, and some of them even provide 15,000 running watts or more.

These figures are typically sufficient for powering up loads of appliances and devices, power tools, and even life-supporting machines.

A portable backup system also comes in handy in remote areas. The generator is typically easy to transport. Most machines run on either gasoline, diesel, or propane. Some have dual fuel capabilities, and some can even be connected to a natural gas pipe.

So, if bad weather causes a shortage in your main power supply, the generator can heat your mountain cabin during winter, and keep your appliances running during bad weather, storms, or calamities.

2. Business Power Supply

Not all businesses are connected to the main power supply. For instance, you can be a contractor working on job sites with no access to the main electricity. Or perhaps you have a food truck you drive from place to place in search of new clients.

These are just two types of businesses that could benefit from a portable generator.

Other examples include food stalls and other temporary structures, including those set up for events or weddings. If your business needs power on the go, a portable generator gives you the best way to provide that power to your business.

3. Recreational Power Supply

Perhaps the greatest use for a portable generator is to provide power to a recreational vehicle or campsite. But there are many other recreational activities that require energy. For instance, you can use a generator to power up your electric grill, if you live in a condo where barbecuing on a charcoal or propane grill is forbidden.

If you like road trips, a portable generator can give you the necessary power to operate a slow-cook pot or a coffee maker. You’ll be able to use your RV’s air conditioning system to chill off on the hottest days.

On the contrary, if you like going camping, you can use a portable generator to charge your electronic devices, or to power a small tent light.

As you can see, a portable power generator has multiple purposes, and you can use it all year round, even when there are no outages. If you’re now convinced such a machine is for you, have an in-depth look at the various styles you could consider.

Portable generators run on either fossil fuel or solar batteries. A few models may be powered by rechargeable batteries, but these are often a rarity. In general terms, we can define the six types of generators below.

Gas-Powered Generators

Perhaps the most popular, gas-powered generators run on gasoline. They come in various styles and sizes, from small generators outputting around 2,000 maximum watts, to heavy-duty units that can generate over 15,000 running watts.

Various generator sizes vary widely in design, from compact and lightweight to cumbersome and heavy. However, all well-build gas generators are portable. The heavier units typically come with mobility kits consisting of wheels and collapsible handles that ensure an easy transport from one place to another.

Smaller units are usually equipped with carrying handles, and most models are lightweight enough to carry by hand.

The main advantage of these units is fuel availability. Gasoline has a rather short life but is readily available at the gas station. You’ll only have to fill the fuel tank and start the generator.

On the downside, these generators emit noxious gases and are not environmentally friendly. They are also hard to start in cold climates and require constant maintenance.

Diesel-Powered Generators

Diesel-powered generators are similar in design with their heavy-duty gas-powered counterparts. However, they are usually more powerful, and the fuel used is less flammable, which means it’s less hazardous to store.

Diesel generators are known for their long lifespan and output capabilities, yet they are less popular for two reasons.

On the one hand, these generators emit even more noxious fumes than the gas-powered. Their daily use should be limited to only a few hours, and most diesel generators are not CARB-compliant.

On the other hand, diesel generators are much more expensive. The price is often justified by the longer lifespan, but most homeowners find these machines prohibitively priced. On the bright side, such a generator is more suitable for powering up a busy job site or very large household.

Propane-Powered Generators

Propane generators come as an alternative to both gas and diesel. They are the cheapest to buy and run but come with adjacent hazards and downsides.

To start with the positive traits, propane generators are affordable. You can run them in all weathers, and they typically do well in cold temperatures. Propane also burns slower, which means these machines are fuel-efficient.

In fact, most propane generators can run for almost twice as long than a gas or diesel generator, which is a big advantage in case of calamities.

On the downside, propane is a highly flammable fuel that comes in pressurized tanks. It is easy to procure, but the tank can explode in extreme conditions. Another downside is the complexity of these systems.

They don’t have a fuel tank but a system of tubes you’ll have to connect to the propane tank.

This poses further hazards to the less experienced users, as propane could leak and burst into flames.

Subject to frequent failure and weaker than the other two types of generators, the propane generators are perhaps the less popular.

Dual-Powered Generators

This style of generators run on both gasoline and propane and are typically preferred by those aiming to keep the unit running without interruptions for as long as possible. These machines have particular engines that burn both types of fuel, and most of them can run for over 24 hours without refueling.

Some dual fuel generators even have the capability to connect to a natural gas supply. Although these machines are rare, if you’re aiming to use a generator as the main power source - perhaps if you’re living in a remote area - connecting your generator to a natural gas pipe could be the most cost-effective solution in the long run.

Solar-Powered Generators

As their name suggests, solar power generators use solar energy to produce electricity. They work more or less like the solar panels, and most come with rechargeable batteries you can recharge via USB or directly from the main outlet.

These generators are typically small and rarely produce over 5,000 peak watts. They are ideal for camping and recreational purposes, but you can also use them to back up a PC or laptop, either at home or at the office.

The best part of the solar generators is their portability. Solar-powered generators are compact and lightweight. They often fit in a suitcase and are easy to transport by hand. Some of them have wheels and telescopic handles, and many can connect to most appliances and even to the RVs.

Inverter Generators

A special category of generators includes the inverters. These machines run on either fossil fuel or solar energy and technically do the same thing as any other power generator. The main difference consists in how the direct current is converted into alternating current.

Last generation inverters convert DC into a smooth sine wave that limits the harmonic distortion and protects sensitive appliances from current fluctuations.

These generators are ideal to use for all sensitive appliances, including life-supporting devices. They are often used as emergency generators in healthcare facilities, but can also serve into an office.

Most inverters are compact and often produce up to 5,000 surge watts, although there are some exceptions.

You now know what to use a portable generator for and which types of generators you can choose from. But the hard part is about to begin. You might have decided the use and perhaps the type of generator that most interests you, but is it truly the best portable generator for your needs?

Besides personal considerations, there are also a few objective criteria to account for when picking the right unit. From power requirements to budget and warranty, here is all you need to know.

Power

Assessing power is perhaps the most difficult step in choosing the best portable generator. The market offers a bountiful range of models, from small generators that can only power up a laptop or mobile device to full-size units capable of powering a very large household or a job site.

It is easy to understand that different applications require different powers. A small unit is typically enough for recreational purposes but insufficient as a backup system. To determine which is the right unit for you, you’ll have to calculate your real power needs as shown below.

How much power do I need?

We have talked above about the main uses of a power generator. For the sake of consistency, we’re going to use the same system to talk about your power needs.

1. Backup Power System

Most households and businesses have similar backup power requirements, but choosing the adequate model requires you to consider how many and which appliances or devices you want to run at a time.

Most homeowners need a generator powerful enough to supply energy to at least a refrigerator, TV, and either a heater or A/C system. For these energy needs, a portable generator capable of outputting around 5,000 watts is sufficient.

If you’re using a pump to draw water from a well and still power all the appliances above contemporarily, you’ll need a generator capable of outputting at least 7,500 watts. In broad terms, the most popular appliances need.

To assess your power needs, sum up the watts of all appliances you want to use, considering their maximum (surge) wattage requirements and see what size of generator you need.

Don’t forget to add to the final count the wattage requirements of any light bulbs you might want to use.

Obviously, the easiest way to maximize fuel efficiency and run as many appliances as you want at a time is to invest in energy efficient appliances.

2. Business Power Supply

If you’re running a food business or powering up an event, assessing your power needs is similar to the above. Consider what appliances and devices you want to run contemporarily, sum up their surge watt requirements, and decide which is the best portable generator for you.

Things are slightly different if you need a portable generator for a job site.

Power tools have different watt requirements, and most manufacturers don’t disclose this information in the product’s manual.

Luckily, there is a simple formula you can use to assess your tool’s wattage. Manufacturers always disclose the product’s amperage and voltage. Multiply the two figures, and you’ve got the tool’s wattage.

Now, you’ll only have to do the same thing for each power tool you own and want to operate at the same time. Smaller job sites and workshops might not need a generator bigger than 7,500 watts, but for heavy-duty operations, we recommend at least 10,000 watts.

3. Recreational Power Supply

The outdoorsy type might need a portable generator for their tent, or to power up an RV. In the former case, a small solar generator could suffice. Fossil-fuel-powered generators up to 3,000 watts are also a great alternative.

These units are usually sufficient for powering your light bulbs, a kettle, and maybe a grill or slow cooker.

RVs, however, require more energy. A vehicle’s air conditioner can consume up to 3,000 watts on its own. Then, you’ll have appliances and devices that need power. In this case, we recommend a bigger unit capable of outputting at least 4,500 surge watts.

Run Time

Portable generator manufacturers typically express the runtime at either 50% or 25% load. In other words, if a manufacturer says the generator can run up to 10 hours on a 50% load, it will run for only 5 hours if you load it at full capacity, or for longer if you apply an even smaller load.

When choosing the right generator for you, it is important to assess the desired runtime, which determines how long the generator can run before you have to refuel.

If you’re looking for a home or backup system, you want to choose a generator with a long runtime. This because in case of calamities, it could be difficult to source any fuel unless you already have it.

Our advice is to invest in a dual-fuel generator that can run uninterruptedly for at least 24 hours.

Recreational and business applications don’t require such a long runtime, though. In this case, you must sit and think for how long you want the generator to run, then search a suitable unit.  

Two factors that influence the runtime are the fuel tank size and fuel efficiency.

Fuel tank size

Portable generators come with tanks of all sizes, from 1-gallon or under to 10-gallon or over. It’s obvious that the larger the tank, the longer the motor will run before requiring a refill. However, a large tank isn’t necessarily better in terms of mobility.

Most portable generators have steel tanks. The choice of material is justified by its durability, but its weight can put a heavy burden on the mobility features. If you have a slim constitution and lack physical force, a big tank usually means your portable generator is not portable for you.

There aren’t many things to do, and you’ll just have to find the best compromise between tank size and weight.

Fuel efficiency 

A fuel efficient generator with a smaller tank can run as long as a generator with a big tank that is not fuel efficient.

We’re not going to talk about the type of fuel. It was already established that some fuels are more efficient than others. But some generators have fuel efficiency features, such as the idle throttle which reduces the fuel consumption if the generator is running without a load.

Some technologically advanced units can even modulate the fuel consumption based on the loads applied.

Supported Loads

Deciding how many watts you need and the runtime is not enough. You must also assess how many and what type of receptacles you need.

Again, the more receptacles you have, the more appliances you can plug into the generator.

Most heavy-duty generators have at least four 120V outlets, one of which is almost always dedicated to the RV. 120V/240V twist-and-lock receptacles are also frequently employed by manufacturers, while 12V DC ports are typically the norm.

Some generators even have dedicated 240V ports, although this is encountered less frequently.

Smaller generators come with 120V, 12V DC and RV receptacles, but only a few have 240V capabilities.

When choosing the right number and type of receptacles, remember that it’s not recommended to use all of them. For instance, if you want to run three appliances, it is wiser to invest in a generator with at least five outlets.

Things are different for the small generators used for recreational purposes. Most devices have low wattage requirements, so you’ll be able to employ all receptacles at the same time without overloading the circuit.

Build

It is now time to assess the overall quality of the build. Small portable generators are often made of aluminum, a lightweight yet resistant material, easier to transport by hand.

Heavier-duty units are usually made of steel. Since this material is prone to rust, it is essential to pick a powder-coated unit that is treated with an anti-rust coating. It is equally essential to check the joints and make sure they are smooth and well covered by the paint.

The motor is often fixed to the frame with screws. We recommend investing in a unit with a four-point mounted motor, as these generators tend to be quieter.

Two important features to check when picking the right generator are the control panel and the mobility features.

Controls

Regardless of how accustomed you are to handle a portable generator, it is essential to invest in a unit that is easy to use. The control panel must be intuitive and easily accessible. If it’s placed in an awkward position, hard to reach, or complicated, move on and search another generator.

The ease of use is important especially if you’re buying the unit for home use because some members of your family could not know how to operate a generator.

Experts advise to only invest in a unit that can be operated by a kid.

Fossil fuel generators with electric start come with more advantages over those with recoil start only, as they are easier to ignite in cold weather.

Mobility features

Undoubtedly, the most important feature of a portable generator is mobility. Heavier duty generators are a heavy and cumbersome machine, but mobility is often unrelated to their weight and size.

The important feature is the unit’s balance. A well-balanced generator weighing 200 pounds is easier to maneuver than a 100-pound generator that is imbalanced.

You must also check the wheels and handle/s. No-flat wheels equip most generators, but they aren’t necessarily your best bet. These wheels go flat despite their name, but you won’t be able to fix them with a tire repair kit.

If you want to use the generator in an area with rocky terrain, conventional tires could be a better choice. Otherwise, you will have to change the tires each time they go flat.

Safety

Lastly, another thing to consider is safety. Choose a portable generator with overload shutoff and circuit breaker. The first protects the engine, prolonging its lifespan, the later protects the appliances, preventing any damage caused by current fluctuations.

Another important feature is the low oil shutoff, another feature designed to protect the generator’s motor.

Additional Features

The best portable generators come with additional features meant to improve your user experience. They are not a must-have, and there are many generators lacking them that are perfect choices in terms of quality, durability, and performance.

Yet, we really like the generators that also feature:

You now know how to choose a portable generator, but is that it? Apparently, no! There are a few other things to have in mind, such as the emissions and suitability for using it in the area where you live, the availability of the customer service, the warranty, and finally, your budget.

Emissions

All portable generators running on fossil fuel are responsible for greenhouse-gases emission. The government regulates the standards manufacturers have to follow when making their generators, and incompliances may result in you getting a hefty fine for using a generator you couldn’t have used.

An EPA certificate is the minimum you need, and all generators selling in the US must be EPA certified.

If you live in California, things are even more complicated, as you can’t use a generator that is not CARB-compliant. Check the manual or specifications of the model you like before investing, to avoid surprises.

The only generators that use green energy are the solar generators, and we highly recommend investing in one if you have low power requirements and care about the environment.

Customer service

Most consumers neglect the existence of customer service when buying a new product, but this is one of the most important things to check.

Problems can happen, and if you don’t know who to contact regarding warranty, you might as well invest in a new unit.

Typically, the portable generators manufactured by reputable brands benefit from solid customer support which includes assistance and service as needed. Also, check if the manufacturer support ends when the warranty expires. Ideally, invest in a unit that comes with lifetime customer service.

Warranty

Most manufacturers offer different types of warranties for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Given the price of these machines, the minimum warranty you want for residential use is three years, but make sure to read the fine print and see what’s included. Commercial warranties usually cover 24 months.

A handful of models come with longer warranties that can exceed three years.

Budget

Last but not least, you’ll have to consider your budget. A pricy generator isn’t necessarily the best, but the most powerful ones will no doubts cost you some bucks. The best thing to do is to assess your needs and find the right balance between value and money. If you don’t know what to choose, know that we picked all generators featured in this list following exactly this criteria.

There are many circumstances when a portable power supply comes in handy. We know that finding the best portable generator is no easy task, but hopefully this guide can help you find the right model for you.

Our best portable generator reviews feature only reliable models manufactured by well-established brands. They are all praised for their durability and performance, and many of them are both EPA and CARB compliant.

Besides analyzing the features and benefits of the proposed models, we also showed you what to look for when picking the best unit for you. You should now know which are the best portable generators and how to pick the right one for your needs.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!

Other resources: 

-Here is an article about Best Generator under 500
-Here is one of our staple articles on the topic of best generator for home use