Portable Generators Reviews

Portable Generators Hub.com is here to make your buying decision an easy one.

Editor’s Picks	Best Inverter Generator (Budget)	Best Inverter Generator (Overall)	Best Small Portable Generator	Best Mid-sized Portable Generator	Best Large Portable Generator
	ETQ IN2500I 2,500 Watt Gas Powered Inverter Generator	Yamaha EF2000iS 2,000 Watt Gas Powered Inverter Generator	All Power America APG3014 2,000 Watt Portable Generator	ETQ TG32P12 4,000 Watt Gas Powered Portable Generator	ETQ TG72K12 8,250 Watt Gas Powered Portable Generator
Read Expert Reviews for go direct to Amazon for more details.
Purpose	Recreational	Recreational	Recreational/Emergency	Recreational/Emergency	Recreational/Emergency
Description	Ideal for camping trips, hunting, traveling, and light residential use. It provides enough power to simultaneously run several household appliances.	Confidently power delicate machinery without having to worry about the damage caused by unrefined energy. Ideal for RV, auto, and boat owners. Ultra-quiet at just 62 db.	Budget priced & bestselling model. Extensive service area network spanning 21,000 service centers.	ETQ’s Sine Power delivers clean and steady current ideal for sensitive electronics. Large muffler ensures quiet operation	Oversized muffler provides quiet operation and its electric start and auto throttle control provides convenience and efficiency.
Engine	125 cc, 4-stroke OHC Gas Powered Engine	125 cc, 4-stroke OHV Gas Powered Engine.	3 HP 4-Stroke Gas Powered Engine	7 HP OHV gas-powered engine with low oil shut off protection	14 HP, 4-cycle, Gas-Powered Engine
Power	2500 peak watts/ 2200 running watts	2100 peak watts/ 2000 running watts	2000 peak watts / 1400 running watts	4000 peak watts /3250 running watts	8250 peak watts/ 7250 running watts
Start Type	Recoil	Recoil	Recoil	Recoil	Electric Start
Fuel Tank Capacity	1.5  gallon	1 gallon	1.3 gallons	4 gallons	6.42 gallons
Run Time @50% Load	5.5 hours	10 hours	10.5 hours	13 hours	10.5 hours
Weight (lbs)	63.9	44	57	113	207
Sound	65 db	60 db	68 db	68 db	70 db
No. of Receptacles	One 120-Volt AC Outlet and one 12V DC port	Two 120-Volt AC Outlets	Two 120-Volt AC Outlets	Two 120-volt GFCI outlets, one 240-volt twist-lock outlet	Two 120-Volt GFCI outlets, one 240-Volt twist-lock outlet, and one 120-Volt 30-Amp
Warranty	1 year	2 years	1 year	1 year	1 yea

Portable Generator Categories

As you consider your wattage needs, it’s helpful to know that portable generators fall roughly into four size groups:

• Small: Under 3500 watts
  
• Mid-Sized: 4000-7000 watts
  
• Large: Above 7000 watts

Small Portable Generators (under 3500 watts) – At the top end, these can keep a few appliances running simultaneously during a power outage, such as a refrigerator, several lights and a computer or TV. For electronics, the safest bet is an inverter generator, which maintains consistent power and prevents electrical surges that can damage computers and televisions.

Mid-sized Portable Generators (4,000-7,000 watts) – Enough for extended emergency use for a 1,200- to 3,000-square-foot house. The exact size needed will depend on how many appliances you think are essential to run simultaneously.

Large Portable Generators (above 7000 watts) – The most powerful portable generators can be up to 10,000 watts and can provide backup power to larger homes.

It is recommended that you compare portable generators by running (continuous) wattage — the watts the generator can produce on a continuous basis. Maximum or surge wattage shows how much extra power the generator can provide for a short time, to start motors or large appliances like air conditioners, for example. Be advised: Most brands put the maximum (peak) wattage in the model name, which can be misleading so be sure to look for the smaller value of running wattage instead.

Recreational vs Emergency Portable Generators

Recreational generators are great for tailgating or camping. A power outage, however, is no picnic.

Small recreational models will only power an appliance or two. Plus, you’ll need to refill their small gas tanks every few hours. We recommend purchasing a portable generator specifically designed for “Emergency Power” that have at least 4000 watts.

There are a few ways to think about emergency power:

• I want to be able to operate a microwave oven, a TV, some lights and my computer so I can eat and get some work done. You can do this with a small 2000-watt generator and plug things into it with an extension cord.

• My main goal is to keep my refrigerator and/or freezer running, but I would also like to run some lights and small appliances. You can do this with a 2,500- to 4,000-watt generator and plug things into it with extension cords.
  

• For anything more than that, you might want to consider get large-sized portable generators or even the more expensive standby generators.
  

Find out which power rating suits your needs best by using the wattage chart below.

Wattage Chart

Portable Generators Shopping Tips

When choosing portable generators, you should consider these additional factors:

• CARB compliance means lower emissions. Portable generator engines that meet California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements are the most environmentally friendly.

• Acceptable sound levels depend on the situation. Portable generators’ noise levels range from 47 to 79 decibels, with an average of about 75 decibels. For camping, note that the National Park Service requires sound levels no higher than 60 decibels at a distance of 50 feet – not to worry, all the generators reviewed above meet this criteria.

Where To Buy Portable Generators?

RECOMMENDED - We suggest shopping online at Amazon.com. They carry the widest selection of portable generators with all the name brands. You get the lowest prices online and excellent customer service. Amazon offers Free Super Saving Shipping on orders of $25 or more ( US only ). Plus, we think that all the customer reviews on Amazon for each portable generator would make your buying decision easier.

Click Here To Browse The Bestselling Portable Generators on Amazon.com