Best Portable Generator: Top 10 Portable Generators Review – Buyers Guide
A portable generator is a product that can help you and your family a lot in some very tough times especially if you experience plenty of blackouts.
Not only that, if you like to take camping trips, going to the beach or simply getting ready for an incoming storm, picking the best portable generator for every occasion is very important.
When there is no power around the house, it is hard to cook food for you and your family, charge your phone and tablet devices, power up household appliances like fridges or even watch the television.
This is where a good quality portable generator for home comes in handy because you can simply fire it up and plug in everything you need.
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What Are The Best Portable Generators In The Market?
This portable generator review article will highlight 10 of the best budget portable generators you need to keep an out for when you are shopping for one of them.
1. Honda EU2200i Generator
Another reason people have been buying this product in their drones and love it so much is it has the ability to run 2,200 watts which is extremely powerful.
On top of these features mentioned above, this is a user-friendly product, has a fuel shut off valve and you can keep it running for 9.6 hours which is amazing.
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2. DuroMax XP12000EH
Starting it is very easy thanks to the electric key. This model has a steel frame for added durability and two very big tires which make it very easy to move around.
This machine has enough power to light up your whole house plus it is a very affordable product.
You can run for up to 8 hours which is amazing plus you can take it with you on a picnic, camping as well as the beach but it is best used during a power cut or a blackout in your area.
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3. Jackery Explorer 240 Portable Generator
One aspect that we're seeing become more important in the current climate is eco-friendliness. The Jackery Explorer 240 is designed not only to be an efficient portable generator, but it also boasts some excellent green features. This product is fully electric — powered by a 240 watt-hour lithium-ion battery — meaning there's no gas guzzling of any kind going on here!
Alongside the familiar wall socket and car charging options, the Jackery also benefits from drawing on solar power. The panels on the top of the unit pull in at a maximum rate of 50 watts; a little better than most car chargers depending on where you happen to be.
Also worthy of note is the fact that it can simultaneously power up to 4 devices. Your laptop, cell phone charger, portable lighting, and your tablet can all comfortably run from this unit while you're on the move. However, if you're looking for something with a bit more punch, this probably isn't the choice for you — you won't be able to run anything over 200 watts from this unit.
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4. Generac 7117 GP2200i
The Generac 7117 is one of the easiest generators to use as well as maintain. What makes it wonderful is the built-in handle which allows you to move it from place to place effortlessly plus you can easily turn it off and on thanks to an integrated knob.
If you have never used a portable generator in your life you will find this one very easy to operate because it is user-friendly.
If you have any sensitive electronics at home like smart TVs', computers and smartphones, this is a wonderful generator to use on them.
You can run this generator for up to 10 hours and a half thanks to the 1.2-gallon fuel tank. As an added bonus, it is a very quiet product meaning you do not have to worry about noise.
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5. Briggs & Stratton 30545 P3000
If you have sensitive electronics like XBOX or Playstation consoles and high priced computers at home then the Briggs & Stratton 30545 P3000 is a great generator and a wonderful option.
No one likes a noisy generator at home and what you get with this generator is silence.
If you are a gamer this is exactly what you need because you can plug in your console and never have to worry about it malfunctioning, getting damaged or overheating while in use.
While you can only get 8 hours out of this product, that is very reasonable plus the USB port acts as an emergency charging port for your phones and tablets.
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6. DuroStar DS4000S
People out there looking for something that is effective when it's powered up, has a manual pull start and do not want to break the bank can purchase the DuroStar DS4000S. This is an awesome choice for anyone on a budget considering its small size.
At just 1 ½ by 2 feet, it is one of the smallest generators on the market, however, do not let its petite size deceive you because it packs a punch. It runs at 3,300 watts which is just spectacular and something that you will love having around your house.
It is very easy to use, comes with a 4-gallon tank and you can run this in your home for around 8 hours which isn’t bad at all. In many customers’ eyes, this is simply the best portable generator for the money you pay because it is cheap.
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7. Westinghouse WGen7500 Portable Generator
A product that receives plenty of praise from customers in terms of the way it performs is the Westinghouse WGen 7500. It is up there with some of the best portable generators not just on this list but on the market too.
Apart from being value for money, what you get with this wonderful generator is a very diverse piece of equipment that is perfect for parties as well as camping.
When you see the Westinghouse WGen 7500 generator at a reduced price online, do not hesitate to buy it because you will run it for 10 years plus it has remote key start options.
The major drawback of this product is its weight. It is a very heavy generator meaning moving it around is not easy at all.
Other than that, you have nothing to worry about with this generator because it performs exceptionally well and you won’t be let down.
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8. Champion RV Ready Generator
A very versatile product, the Champion RV ready is a generator that is best for people who enjoy the great outdoors and love activities such as camping. This amazing product features 3,800 running watts and 4,750 starting watts.
One of the best things about this product is how long you can run it for. If propane is your preferred option, you can run this generator for up to 10 and a half hours. If you prefer to use gas, you can run this for up to 9 hours.
If you do not have a lot of experience using portable generators then you are in luck because this is a user-friendly product and it is loved by many people for that.
As pointed out above with the running time, you can use either propane or gas plus it has an easy touch start battery.
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9. Yamaha ef2000isv2
For a long-lasting and powerful generator, the Yamaha ef2000isv2 is one of a few products on this list that is very durable than most generators on the market.
We all want a product that will not break down after a few uses and this product will not disappoint you on that front.
You can use this product for up to 12 hours easily and it runs on 1,000 starting watt which is decent. It is super light, quiet when it is operational and it is very powerful for its size.
When you use it in economy mode, it will blow you away by how long it will be able to last and as pointed out above, the feature that makes this generator not make a lot of noise is the noise absorbing glass wool it has.
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10. WEN 56200i Generator
A product that does not cause harm to the environment will always be winners in the eyes of consumers and the WEN 56200i is both economical as well as environmentally friendly when used.
What this product brings to the table is 1,600 running watts and 2,000 starting watts meaning you will have plenty of energy while camping or during unexpected blackouts.
Noise will be the least of you and your neighbor's worries with this product because it runs at 51dBA. When out camping, you will not disturb the wildlife.
The WEN 56200i is cleverly designed to provide the user with very clean energy and it is absolutely free from power drops.
Other features that this product brings to the table include a low energy and low fuel shut off which prevents accidents from happening.
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Portable Generator Safety Tips
Carbon monoxide is a gas that is emitted by portable generators that can be dangerous to you and your family. It can cause death if inhaled in large qualities but with better preparation, you and those around you can be protected and safe.
The Ultimate Guideline to Choose a Portable Generator
There are a few things you need to know before you pick the best portable generator that is perfect for you and your family. Below is a guideline you can follow before choosing.
Know the exact generator size you need for your home – Starting watts and running watt are what determines the size of a generator. This is something that is worth noting and when you are selecting the size you want, power is something you will look at closely.
Running watts are what keeps the generator running for a certain period of time and the higher the watts, the longer the running time which brings us to the next point.
Know the running time – To get the most out your generator, you need to choose one that has a very long running time so that you can use it longer. A generator with a long running time does not require constant refueling and it is highly recommended that you purchase one that has a 10 hour running time.
This is a decent amount of time and you can use it overnight without having to wake up to refuel it.
Check the power outlets carefully – The last thing you need is to buy a portable generator that does not match the power outlets you have at home. Make sure you do your homework carefully and buy one that meets your needs.
For example, if you plan to use high wattage devices with your generator, you should be looking to buy a 30amp locking-type outlet generator for your home.
Maneuverability – A portable generator is a very heavy piece of equipment that can be tricky to move around. If you are buying one on the market, you have to make sure that it is very easy to move, meaning you will search for one that has wheels and handles.
A portable generator without these two features (wheel and handle) will be difficult to get in and out of storage. You might need extra manpower to move it because trying to move a heavy piece of equipment on your own can result in injury.
To avoid subjecting yourself to such hard labor which can potentially cause injury to not just you and those helping you move it, just buy one with wheels and handle. There are plenty of them on the market if you take your time and search for them.
Educate yourself about cord sets – Portable generators on the market especially the ones that are a bit pricey, happen to come with a heavy-duty generator cord set. The average cord set costs around $90 and it provides you with 4 standard household outlets.
This means you will not have wires all over the place due to having plenty of extension cords which are a trip hazard.
How Does a Portable Generator Work?
If you analyze the market closely you will realize that many of the portable generators that are sold run on two things, gasoline or liquid propane.
Depending on the type you have at home, your generator will need either of the two to turn the alternator on. It is this alternator that generates power for use.
There are a few power outlets on the generator which enable you to connect any devices, tool and extension cords around the house. All in all the more power your generator has, the more things you can use at the same time.
Always make sure you test, clean and maintain your generator so that it is in tip-top condition all the time. Many markers advise their customers to run their generator at least once a month just to be sure it is in working condition for when they need it.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, always be aware of the number of watts you and your family need to use by pinpointing the appliances that are the most essential to run when you are out camping, at the beach or if there is a blackout due to a storm.
Planning ahead is very important especially if you are experiencing blackouts often. When you buy a portable generator, it comes with a detailed set of instruction which you must follow religiously to keep you and your family safe at all times especially with the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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