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Power outages are more than just frustrating, they can quickly become downright dangerous, and they’re becoming all too common for many of us.
Going several hours without power can lead to more than just spoiled food and other headaches. They can also result in uncomfortable and unsafe temperatures and can make it difficult to call for help in case of emergencies.
Large chunks of North America have faced an elevated risk of blackouts this summer thanks to warmer than normal temperatures and drought, which reduces hydroelectricity output, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation said earlier in May. From the Midwest down to the Gulf Coast, many people face a high risk of blackouts.
Furthermore, hurricanes are getting stronger and wildfire season is devastating in some areas. This is why you need to start thinking about purchasing a portable generator for home use (while also keeping in mind other emergency protocols). Thankfully, there are plenty of options on the market that can step in and keep things running. These include inverter generators, diesel generators, solar generators, gas generators and dual fuel generator types.
Things to consider when buying a portable generator
Fuel type
Some portable power generator models run on gasoline, while others run on liquid propane tanks. Deciding which fuel type to use for your portable generator likely depends on your available resources.
If you’re in a rural area with no gas station nearby, keeping a propane tank for your portable generator might be your best bet for emergency preparedness. If you do have quick access to gasoline, consider the smallest emergency generator for your home, so that you don’t burn more fuel than necessary. If you want both options, there are dual fuel portable generator models that run on either fuel type.
If you’re really looking to be self-sufficient, you could invest in a solar generator that powers through a solar panel or panels. We will note that as far as power goes, however, solar generators don’t have as much of a kick as a portable generator that uses gasoline, which is why they aren’t included on this list.
Power
You’ll want to make sure you choose the best portable generator model for your situation that has enough power output to run everything you need in an emergency. Know your peak power needs. Two terms are important here: starting watts and running watts.
Also known as “peak watts,” starting watts are the highest possible wattage that a generator will produce in order to get an appliance motor running. A portable generator won’t sustain this wattage long-term. Think of it like the amount of power needed to jump start your fridge.
Running watts are the watts a generator can produce for hours on end while powering appliances. You’ll want a portable generator with at least as many running watts as watts used by your household appliances.
To calculate just how much wattage you need, a general rule of thumb is to add up the wattage of all the appliances
you want to power and multiply by 1.5. You can also look for the starting watts needed for your most power-hungry appliance and add those to the total to find the running power watt.
This rated watts information will be on a sticker inside your appliance or in the manufacturer’s manual. If your appliance doesn’t list watts, but lists amps and volts, multiply the two to find the wattage. Whatever the sum of your needed watts is, that will be the minimum running wattage you need your generator to produce.
For instance, in my home, I would need to power a 864-watt dishwasher, 1,440-watt refrigerator and 3,600-watt oven. That means my generator must have a power output that produces at least 5,904 running watts.
Price
Of course price is a factor, and in general, you’re going to pay more for more peak power. You can find good generators from $300, or you can spend big for max power and end up with a $2,000 model.
To stay as frugal as possible, limit the number of large appliances you power with a generator. Consider a mini fridge and microwave instead of full size refrigerators
and ovens
. If the weather isn’t dangerously hot or cold, skip on providing a power supply for your heating or cooling system. If all that sounds a bit overwhelming, there are several handy online calculators to help you tally things up.
How we evaluated these generators
The generators below aren’t CNET reviewed, but they are the internet’s most popular and highest rated best portable generator models. We’ve divided them into low, middle and high price ranges. You’ll also find specs for each generator’s starting power, run time on half power and the fuel type and capacity.
Read more: Best Flashlights for 2023
Best affordable portable generators
These generators all received high marks from consumers, and none of them will break the bank. If you have a small home or just a few appliances to power, you don’t have to spend big to get a good generator with enough running power to keep your appliances running.
