Generator outside a house
92 models analyzed · updated November 2026

Best generator with electric start

Electric start replaces the pull cord with a button or a key, powered by an onboard battery. It makes a big generator usable by anyone, in any weather. We kept every model with electric or remote start.

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
92 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 Genkins GK4500iEPRO 4500W Inverter inverter generator Genkins · Gas inverter Genkins GK4500iEPRO 4500W Inverter 3,800 W 63 dB(A)62 lbCO $300–$500Read 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 Dual fuel inverter WEN DF480iX 4800W Dual Fuel Inverter with CO Watchdog inverter generator WEN · Dual fuel inverter WEN DF480iX 4800W Dual Fuel Inverter with CO Watchdog 4,000 W 62 dB(A)78 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 Dual fuel inverter Pulsar PG5000BiSRCO inverter generator Pulsar · Dual fuel inverter Pulsar PG5000BiSRCO 4,000 W 65 dB(A)78 lbCO $500–$800Read 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 Whisper quiet Westinghouse iGen5000DFc inverter generator Westinghouse · Dual fuel inverter Westinghouse iGen5000DFc 3,900 W 52 dB(A)106 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 7.5 CO shutoff PowerSmart PS5046CE 4800W Electric Start Inverter with CO Alert inverter generator PowerSmart · Gas inverter PowerSmart PS5046CE 4800W Electric Start Inverter with CO Alert 3,800 W 67 dB(A)89 lbCO $500–$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 → 7.4 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 Remote start LIFAN LF4800iE 4800W Inverter inverter generator LIFAN · Gas inverter LIFAN LF4800iE 4800W Inverter 3,800 W 58 dB(A)66 lbCO $500–$800Read 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 CO shutoff AIVOLT VS4350101 4300W Inverter inverter generator AIVOLT · Gas inverter AIVOLT VS4350101 4300W Inverter 3,450 W 60 dB(A)51 lbCO $300–$500Read 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 CO shutoff DuroMax XP5500HX generator DuroMax · Dual fuel DuroMax XP5500HX 4,500 W 69 dB(A)128 lbCO $500–$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 → 7.3 Dual fuel inverter WEN DF525iX 5250W Dual Fuel Inverter with CO Watchdog inverter generator WEN · Dual fuel inverter WEN DF525iX 5250W Dual Fuel Inverter with CO Watchdog 4,200 W 63 dB(A)70 lbCO $500–$800Read 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 Tri fuel Champion 201223 4000-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator generator Champion · Tri fuel Champion 201223 4000-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator 4,000 W 68 dB(A)135 lbCO $500–$800Read 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 Remote start GENMAX GM5500iHD Hybrid Inverter inverter generator GENMAX · Gas inverter GENMAX GM5500iHD Hybrid Inverter 3,800 W 62 dB(A)57 lbCO $500–$800Read the review → 7.0 CO shutoff AIVOLT VS8000411 8000W Dual Fuel Inverter inverter generator AIVOLT · Gas inverter AIVOLT VS8000411 8000W Dual Fuel Inverter 6,100 W 62 dB(A)131 lbCO $800–$1,200Read 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 Remote start Champion 201489 3500-Watt Wireless Remote Start RV Ready Generator generator Champion · Gas Champion 201489 3500-Watt Wireless Remote Start RV Ready Generator 3,500 W 68 dB(A)116 lbCO $500–$800Read the review → 6.9 Whisper quiet Westinghouse iGen4000DFc inverter generator Westinghouse · Dual fuel inverter Westinghouse iGen4000DFc 3,300 W 52 dB(A)63 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 → 6.9 Whisper quiet Westinghouse iGen4000c inverter generator Westinghouse · Gas inverter Westinghouse iGen4000c 3,300 W 52 dB(A)62 lbCO $500–$800Read the review → 6.8 Dual fuel inverter LIFAN LF4800iE-Y001 4800W Dual Fuel Inverter inverter generator LIFAN · Dual fuel inverter LIFAN LF4800iE-Y001 4800W Dual Fuel Inverter 3,800 W 68 lbCO $500–$800Read 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 → 6.7 Clean inverter power WEN 56380i 3800W Inverter with Electric Start inverter generator WEN · Gas inverter WEN 56380i 3800W Inverter with Electric Start 3,400 W 57 dB(A)99 lb $500–$800Read the review → 6.7 All-rounder DuroMax XP5500EH generator DuroMax · Dual fuel DuroMax XP5500EH 4,500 W 124 lb $500–$800Read the review → 6.7 Dual fuel inverter Champion 201319 4500-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter inverter generator Champion · Dual fuel inverter Champion 201319 4500-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter 3,500 W 61 dB(A)99 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 6.7 Dual fuel inverter WEN DF451i 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter with Electric Start inverter generator WEN · Dual fuel inverter WEN DF451i 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter with Electric Start 3,500 W 58 dB(A)100 lb $800–$1,200Read the review → 6.7 Whisper quiet Honda EU3000iS (EU3000IS1AN) inverter generator Honda · Gas inverter Honda EU3000iS (EU3000IS1AN) 2,800 W 50 dB(A)131 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 6.5 Clean inverter power WEN 56455i 4500W Inverter with Electric Start inverter generator WEN · Gas inverter WEN 56455i 4500W Inverter with Electric Start 3,500 W 58 dB(A)99 lb $800–$1,200Read the review → 6.5 Dual fuel inverter Generac iQ5200 DF (G0089450, 49ST) inverter generator Generac · Dual fuel inverter Generac iQ5200 DF (G0089450, 49ST) 3,900 W 107 lbCO $800–$1,200Read 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 → 6.4 Whisper quiet Yamaha EF3000iSEB inverter generator Yamaha · Gas inverter Yamaha EF3000iSEB 2,800 W 54.5 dB(A)156 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 6.3 Dual fuel inverter Generac iQ3800 DF (G0089440, 49ST) inverter generator Generac · Dual fuel inverter Generac iQ3800 DF (G0089440, 49ST) 3,000 W 107 lbCO $800–$1,200Read the review → 6.2 Remote start FIRMAN W03383 inverter generator Firman · Gas inverter FIRMAN W03383 3,300 W 58 dB(A)91 lb $800–$1,200Read 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 → 5.8 Tri fuel Anker SOLIX Smart Generator 5500 (Tri-Fuel) inverter generator Anker SOLIX · Tri fuel inverter Anker SOLIX Smart Generator 5500 (Tri-Fuel) 3,600 W 69 dB(A)110 lbCO $1,800–$2,500Read the review → 5.6 Dual fuel inverter EcoFlow Smart Generator 4000 (Dual Fuel) inverter generator EcoFlow · Dual fuel inverter EcoFlow Smart Generator 4000 (Dual Fuel) 3,200 W 70 dB(A)83 lbCO $1,200–$1,800Read the review →

No generator matches these filters.

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92models compared
7,530 Waverage running watts
67%run on propane too
87%with a CO shutoff
7.3/10average score

How to choose

Recoil backup

Most electric start generators also have a recoil cord in case the battery is flat. Keep the battery on a maintainer between uses.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving the battery disconnected for a year: it may not hold a charge when the storm comes.

Frequently asked questions

Do electric start generators need a battery?

Yes, a small 12 V battery, usually recharged while the generator runs. Some ship it separately or uncharged.

Is electric start reliable in cold weather?

It helps, but a weak battery in the cold may struggle: keep it charged and use the right oil viscosity.

Can I add electric start later?

Rarely: it depends on the engine. Buy it built in if you want it.

Narrow your search

By type

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

By use case

Home backup68 modelsWhole house37 modelsRV84 modelsQuiet generators46 modelsCamping61 modelsLightweight55 modelsWell pump62 modelsJobsite51 modelsRemote start52 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