The Best Portable Generators
November 2019

Compbrella Guide for Choosing the Portable Generators On the market

The best portable generators are reliable sources of electricity when your city has a problem with the main power grid, or if you’re camping or working outdoors. A portable generator can charge all your devices and keep your appliances running for as long as needed provided there is fuel.

What are the differences between portable generators types?

Portable generators are available in an assortment of sizes, watts, and prices. This can be a bit confusing when you’re trying to sort through the numbers so before you get mixed up at the store, learn the difference here.

• Solar/Battery Generators: These generators will not only power all your gear, but they will also even recharge itself as it works. These generators emit no noise, fumes, or gasoline so they’re safe to have around the campfire or when you’re working outside, and they won’t bother you at night. They produce 80W-3KW.
• Recreational Inverter Generators: Inverter generators run on gas, but in contrast to the generators of old run silent, so you won’t hear anything. They’re great for campers and RV lovers that need a bit more juice than what the solar generators give. These generators put out 800W-12kW.
• Emergency Generators: The inverters and solar generators are great for camping, but if your area is prone to power outages or natural disasters, you should upgrade to an emergency generator. They are more powerful, producing 1-17kW of electricity, and are designed to keep your critical appliances, like your fridge or sump pump, running. They also have a larger gas tank, so they will run for hours without having to be refilled.
• Semi-Pro Generators: These are very popular with contractors who do light home repair and renovations. It runs on gas and produces 3-10kW of electricity. It has a high-quality engine and high-grade components so it can even handle both powering a home and the tools you need to work on the home.
• Professional Generators: This is for professionals that need a generator that can run all day every day. It runs on gas and produces 1-15kW of electricity and always comes with features, like hour meters and outlets, that are accessories on lesser generators.

What should you look for when buying a portable generator?

Beyond the amount of electricity you need and the situation you’ll be using the generator in, there are a few features you should look for before making your purchase.

• Circuit breaker outlets to make sure your generator doesn’t fry the electricity of your home or your tools.
• Larger fuel tank because its always better to err on the side of caution and have more fuel in the tank than you think you need.
• Integrated fuel gauges so you won’t have a power interruption.
• Make sure it’s safe for computers and your other personal devices.
• Mufflers so you can run the generator quietly without bothering everyone around you.
• Handles and wheels so you can transport the generator easily.

Compbrella Pick for Top 3 Best Portable Generators

Best Overall: Honda EU2200i – This inverter generator provides 2200 watts of extremely quiet electricity. It’s lightweight and fuel-efficient, making it ideal for home use or camping. It can run between 3-8 hours on a single tank of gas and is reliable and safe enough for you to plug in a number of appliances, including computers and hair dryers, and even small air conditioning units.

2nd Best: Generac iQ2000 – Another inverter generator, the iQ2000’s ultra lightweight design is geared towards easy portability. It has a simple to use dial that you can use to start, run, and stop the generator with a simple turn. It has three speeds so you can dial up and down the fuel consumption (and the noise) to suit whatever your needs are.

Best Value: Ryobi RYI2200 – This generation will give you the best bang for your buck. Its engine is extra quiet and puts out 2200 watt while still being safe for your most delicate electronic devices. It has idle-down technology to make it more fuel-efficient, and its extended handles and wheels and three-year warranty will make this your go to generator for tailgating and camping.