Generator cord plugged into a power inlet box on a house
68 models analyzed · updated November 2026

Best portable generator for home backup

Home backup means keeping the essentials alive through a storm or a multi-day outage: refrigerator and freezer, furnace blower, sump pump, lights, router, maybe a well pump. That takes at least 5,000 running watts and a 240 V outlet (L14-30R or 14-50R) to connect to a transfer switch or an interlock kit. We kept the models that tick both boxes.

The ranking How to choose FAQ
🥈 2nd place Westinghouse WGen11500TFc generator Westinghouse WGen11500TFc 8.2/10 11,500 W · Tri fuel · $1,200–$1,800 🥇 1st place · top pick Westinghouse WGen11500DFc generator Westinghouse WGen11500DFc 8.3/10 11,500 W · Dual fuel · $1,200–$1,800 🥉 3rd place Westinghouse WGen10500TFc generator Westinghouse WGen10500TFc 8.2/10 10,500 W · Tri fuel · $1,200–$1,800
Quick picks
68 generators
8.3 Top pick Westinghouse WGen11500DFc generator Westinghouse · Dual fuel Westinghouse WGen11500DFc 11,500 W 74 dB(A)230 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 8.2 Top pick Westinghouse WGen11500TFc generator Westinghouse · Tri fuel Westinghouse WGen11500TFc 11,500 W 74 dB(A)230 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 8.2 Top pick Westinghouse WGen10500TFc generator Westinghouse · Tri fuel Westinghouse WGen10500TFc 10,500 W 74 dB(A)230 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 8.2 Best value DuroStar DS13000MX generator DuroStar · Dual fuel DuroStar DS13000MX 10,500 W 74 dB(A)209 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 8.2 Best value Westinghouse WGen10500DFc generator Westinghouse · Dual fuel Westinghouse WGen10500DFc 10,500 W 74 dB(A)230 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 8.2 CO shutoff Genkins GK8000iE 8000W Inverter inverter generator Genkins · Gas inverter Genkins GK8000iE 8000W Inverter 6,500 W 62 dB(A)112 lbCO $500–$800Read the review → 8.1 Best value WEN DF8000X 8000W Dual Fuel with CO Watchdog generator WEN · Dual fuel WEN DF8000X 8000W Dual Fuel with CO Watchdog 6,500 W 139 lbCO $500–$800Read the review → 8.1 Tri fuel Westinghouse iGen8200TFc inverter generator Westinghouse · Tri fuel inverter Westinghouse iGen8200TFc 6,600 W 60 dB(A)134 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 8.0 Best value Pulsar G12KBN generator Pulsar · Dual fuel Pulsar G12KBN 9,500 W 74 dB(A)209 lb $800–$1,200Read the review → 8.0 Tri fuel Generac GP9500E Tri Fuel (8063, 49ST) generator Generac · Tri fuel Generac GP9500E Tri Fuel (8063, 49ST) 9,500 W 219 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 8.0 Clean inverter power Aceup Energy AI8000 8000W Open Frame Inverter inverter generator Aceup Energy · Gas inverter Aceup Energy AI8000 8000W Open Frame Inverter 6,000 W 106 lb $500–$800Read the review → 7.9 Best value DuroMax XP13000HX generator DuroMax · Dual fuel DuroMax XP13000HX 10,500 W 74 dB(A)240 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.9 Whole-house power Westinghouse iGen12000DFc inverter generator Westinghouse · Dual fuel inverter Westinghouse iGen12000DFc 9,000 W 64 dB(A)189 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 7.9 Tri fuel Westinghouse iGen12000TFc inverter generator Westinghouse · Tri fuel inverter Westinghouse iGen12000TFc 9,000 W 64 dB(A)191 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 7.9 Whole-house power Champion 201302 9200-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Generator generator Champion · Dual fuel Champion 201302 9200-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Generator 9,200 W 74 dB(A)209 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.9 Tri fuel Generac GP9500E Tri Fuel EFI (8061, 50ST) generator Generac · Tri fuel Generac GP9500E Tri Fuel EFI (8061, 50ST) 9,500 W 227 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.8 Tri fuel Westinghouse WGen9500TFc generator Westinghouse · Tri fuel Westinghouse WGen9500TFc 9,500 W 74 dB(A)215 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.8 Best value Westinghouse WGen9500c generator Westinghouse · Gas Westinghouse WGen9500c 9,500 W 74 dB(A)209 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.8 Tri fuel Westinghouse WGen9500TFc EFI generator Westinghouse · Tri fuel Westinghouse WGen9500TFc EFI 9,500 W 74 dB(A)222 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.7 Dual fuel inverter Pulsar PGDA70BiSCO inverter generator Pulsar · Dual fuel inverter Pulsar PGDA70BiSCO 6,000 W 62 dB(A)118 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.7 Remote start Westinghouse ecoGen10000 inverter generator Westinghouse · Gas inverter Westinghouse ecoGen10000 7,600 W 72 dB(A)148 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.7 Tri fuel Pulsar PGD105TiSCO inverter generator Pulsar · Tri fuel inverter Pulsar PGD105TiSCO 8,500 W 62 dB(A)247 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.6 Best value Westinghouse WGen9500DF generator Westinghouse · Dual fuel Westinghouse WGen9500DF 9,500 W 74 dB(A)211 lb $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.6 CO shutoff Westinghouse WGen5300DFcv generator Westinghouse · Dual fuel Westinghouse WGen5300DFcv 5,300 W 68 dB(A)136 lbCO $500–$800Read the review → 7.6 Dual fuel inverter WEN DF680iX 6800W Dual Fuel Inverter with CO Watchdog inverter generator WEN · Dual fuel inverter WEN DF680iX 6800W Dual Fuel Inverter with CO Watchdog 5,100 W 64 dB(A)95 lbCO $500–$800Read the review → 7.6 Tri fuel GENMAX GM15000ET generator GENMAX · Tri fuel GENMAX GM15000ET 11,000 W 76 dB(A)242 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 7.6 Whole-house power Champion 201407 11,000-Watt Wireless Start Inverter inverter generator Champion · Gas inverter Champion 201407 11,000-Watt Wireless Start Inverter 9,000 W 64 dB(A)200 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 7.6 Tri fuel Westinghouse WGen14500TFc generator Westinghouse · Tri fuel Westinghouse WGen14500TFc 14,500 W 74 dB(A)348 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 7.6 Whole-house power Westinghouse WGen14500DFc generator Westinghouse · Dual fuel Westinghouse WGen14500DFc 14,500 W 74 dB(A)352 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 7.6 CO shutoff Generac GP6700E DF (G0080623, 49ST) generator Generac · Dual fuel Generac GP6700E DF (G0080623, 49ST) 6,700 W 181 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.6 CO shutoff Generac GP8000E COsense (7715, 49ST/CSA) generator Generac · Gas Generac GP8000E COsense (7715, 49ST/CSA) 8,000 W 198 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.5 Whole-house power DuroMax XP13000EH generator DuroMax · Dual fuel DuroMax XP13000EH 10,500 W 234 lb $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.5 Tri fuel Champion 201423 11,000-Watt Wireless Start Tri Fuel Inverter inverter generator Champion · Tri fuel inverter Champion 201423 11,000-Watt Wireless Start Tri Fuel Inverter 9,000 W 64 dB(A)212 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 7.5 Best value Westinghouse WGen5300cv generator Westinghouse · Gas Westinghouse WGen5300cv 5,300 W 68 dB(A)134 lbCO $500–$800Read the review → 7.4 Whole-house power DuroMax XP12000EH generator DuroMax · Dual fuel DuroMax XP12000EH 9,500 W 224 lb $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.4 Tri fuel AIVOLT VS12000511 11500W Tri-Fuel Inverter inverter generator AIVOLT · Tri fuel inverter AIVOLT VS12000511 11500W Tri-Fuel Inverter 9,200 W 64 dB(A)216 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 7.4 Tri fuel GENMAX GM9000iET inverter generator GENMAX · Tri fuel inverter GENMAX GM9000iET 8,000 W 62 dB(A)138 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.4 Tri fuel GENMAX GM10500XiT inverter generator GENMAX · Tri fuel inverter GENMAX GM10500XiT 7,800 W 74 dB(A)124 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.4 Tri fuel GENMAX GM17000iETC inverter generator GENMAX · Tri fuel inverter GENMAX GM17000iETC 13,500 W 63 dB(A)313 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 7.4 Whole-house power Champion 201417 11,000-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter inverter generator Champion · Dual fuel inverter Champion 201417 11,000-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter 9,000 W 64 dB(A)205 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 7.4 Remote start Westinghouse WGen7500c generator Westinghouse · Gas Westinghouse WGen7500c 7,500 W 72 dB(A)197 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.4 Tri fuel Champion 201169 6500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator generator Champion · Tri fuel Champion 201169 6500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator 6,500 W 74 dB(A)206 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.4 Remote start Westinghouse WGen7500DFc generator Westinghouse · Dual fuel Westinghouse WGen7500DFc 7,500 W 72 dB(A)202 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.4 Dual fuel inverter GENMAX GM7250iEDC inverter generator GENMAX · Dual fuel inverter GENMAX GM7250iEDC 6,000 W 63 dB(A)118 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.4 CO shutoff DEWALT DXGNR8000 generator DEWALT · Gas DEWALT DXGNR8000 8,000 W 183 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.3 Remote start GENMAX GM9000iE inverter generator GENMAX · Gas inverter GENMAX GM9000iE 7,600 W 62 dB(A)234 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.3 Whole-house power DuroMax XP12000E generator DuroMax · Gas DuroMax XP12000E 9,500 W 217 lb $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.3 Tri fuel GENMAX GM12500iET inverter generator GENMAX · Tri fuel inverter GENMAX GM12500iET 10,500 W 62 dB(A)252 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 7.3 Tri fuel GENMAX GM13500iETC inverter generator GENMAX · Tri fuel inverter GENMAX GM13500iETC 11,500 W 62 dB(A)274 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 7.3 Whole-house power DuroMax XP15000HX generator DuroMax · Dual fuel DuroMax XP15000HX 12,000 W 78 dB(A)345 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 7.3 Tri fuel DuroMax XP15000HXT generator DuroMax · Tri fuel DuroMax XP15000HXT 12,000 W 78 dB(A)362 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 7.3 Whole-house power DuroMax XP16000iH inverter generator DuroMax · Dual fuel inverter DuroMax XP16000iH 13,000 W 67 dB(A)368 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 7.2 Dual fuel inverter A-iPower SUA7600iED inverter generator A-iPower · Dual fuel inverter A-iPower SUA7600iED 6,100 W 62 dB(A)130 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.2 Whole-house power AIVOLT VS12000411 11250W Dual Fuel Inverter inverter generator AIVOLT · Dual fuel inverter AIVOLT VS12000411 11250W Dual Fuel Inverter 9,000 W 60 dB(A)221 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 7.2 Dual fuel inverter GENMAX GM9000iED inverter generator GENMAX · Dual fuel inverter GENMAX GM9000iED 7,600 W 62 dB(A)244 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 7.2 Tri fuel GENMAX GM10500iETC inverter generator GENMAX · Tri fuel inverter GENMAX GM10500iETC 8,500 W 62 dB(A)247 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 7.2 Whisper quiet Honda EU7000iS (EU7000ISNAN) inverter generator Honda · Gas inverter Honda EU7000iS (EU7000ISNAN) 5,500 W 52 dB(A)263 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 7.1 Whole-house power Westinghouse WGen20000c generator Westinghouse · Gas Westinghouse WGen20000c 20,000 W 74 dB(A)541 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 7.1 CO shutoff Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 generator Briggs & Stratton · Gas Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 8,000 W 225 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.1 Remote start Cummins Onan P9500df generator Cummins · Dual fuel Cummins Onan P9500df 7,500 W 74 dB(A)194 lb $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.0 Tri fuel GENMAX GM8000iETC inverter generator GENMAX · Tri fuel inverter GENMAX GM8000iETC 6,000 W 62 dB(A)145 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 7.0 CO shutoff AIVOLT VG8000401 7500W Dual Fuel Generator generator AIVOLT · Dual fuel AIVOLT VG8000401 7500W Dual Fuel Generator 6,300 W 128 lbCO $500–$800Read the review → 6.9 Tri fuel Champion 201241 13,500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator generator Champion · Tri fuel Champion 201241 13,500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator 13,500 W 79 dB(A)361 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 6.8 Whole-house power Champion 201160 12,000-Watt Electric Start Generator generator Champion · Gas Champion 201160 12,000-Watt Electric Start Generator 12,000 W 78 dB(A)329 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 6.8 CO shutoff Briggs & Stratton 7000 Watt Elite Series 030740 generator Briggs & Stratton · Gas Briggs & Stratton 7000 Watt Elite Series 030740 7,000 W 223 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review → 6.5 Remote start Honda EM6500SX (EM6500SXK2AN) generator Honda · Gas Honda EM6500SX (EM6500SXK2AN) 5,500 W 64 dB(A)232 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 6.2 CO shutoff Honda EB6500 (EB6500X1AN) generator Honda · Gas Honda EB6500 (EB6500X1AN) 5,500 W 64 dB(A)216 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review → 6.1 Whole-house power Honda EB10000 (EB10000AN) generator Honda · Gas Honda EB10000 (EB10000AN) 9,000 W 71 dB(A)403 lbCO Over $2,500Read the review →

No generator matches these filters.

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68models compared
8,984 Waverage running watts
72%run on propane too
90%with a CO shutoff
7.5/10average score

How to choose

Size it on the essentials

A fridge (about 700 running W), a freezer (500 W), a furnace blower (800 W), a 1/2 HP sump pump (1,000 W) and lights plus electronics (500 W) add up to about 3,500 running watts, plus 2,000 W or so of starting surge for the biggest motor. 7,500 running watts gives comfortable headroom; a 240 V well pump or small central AC pushes you to 9,500 W and up.

Connect it properly

Run the house through a manual transfer switch or a UL-listed interlock kit with a power inlet box, installed by a licensed electrician. Never backfeed through an outlet. See how to connect a generator to your house.

Fuel for several days

At half load, a 7,500 W-class unit burns roughly half a gallon or more per hour. A dual fuel model lets you stock propane, which does not go stale.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Running the generator in the garage or under an open window: always 20 feet from the house, exhaust pointed away.
  • Buying on starting watts and discovering the well pump trips the breaker.

Frequently asked questions

What size generator do I need for home backup?

For essentials (fridge, freezer, furnace, sump pump, lights), 5,000 to 7,500 running watts. Add a 240 V well pump or central AC and plan for 9,500 W and up.

Do I need a transfer switch for a portable generator?

To power hardwired circuits like a furnace or well pump, yes: a transfer switch or an interlock kit with an inlet box, installed by a licensed electrician. Extension cords only work for plug-in appliances.

How far from the house should a generator be?

At least 20 feet, outdoors, with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows and vents. Install battery-powered CO alarms inside.

Narrow your search

By type

Inverter generators120 modelsDual fuel generators80 modelsDual fuel inverters46 modelsTri fuel generators25 modelsGas (open frame)24 models

By use case

Whole house37 modelsRV84 modelsQuiet generators46 modelsCamping61 modelsLightweight55 modelsWell pump62 modelsJobsite51 modelsRemote start52 modelsElectric start92 modelsCO shutoff129 modelsParallel capable98 models

By size

2,000 W class24 models3,500 W class32 models4,500 W class44 models7,500 W class19 models9,500 W and up50 models

By budget

Under $50054 modelsUnder $1,000111 modelsUnder $1,500142 models