How to pick a portable generator — and use it safely
Learn how to safely use a portable generator, as well as what differentiates the two most common types.
Wattage: 7,500 running watts, 9,375 starting watts | Fuel type: Gasoline | Tank size: 5.7 gallons | Start type: Electric switch, recoil start | Weight: 199 pounds
This portable generator from Champion uses Cold Start Technology to get the machine up and running quickly in cold weather, according to the brand. Another popular pick at Home Depot, the Champion Portable Generator has a 4.7-star average rating from more than 2,300 reviews.
Wattage: 7,250 running watts, 9,000 starting watts | Fuel type: Gasoline | Tank size: 8 gallons | Start type: Electric switch, recoil start | Weight: 201 pounds
According to Predator, the 9000-Watt Gas Powered Portable Generator can run for up to 13 hours at 50 percent load. It has a 4.8-star average rating from more than 2,100 reviews on Harbor Freight.
Wattage: 4,000 running watts, 4,500 starting watts | Fuel type: Gasoline | Tank size: 3.4 gallons | Start type: Manual, recoil start | Weight: 123 pounds
Though this portable generator from DEWALT is one of the smallest options on our list, the brand says it offers up to 10 hours of runtime at 50 percent load. This is also the only portable generator on our list with CO Protect technology — the machine will shut off automatically if it detects poisonous carbon monoxide in the air, according to the brand. This generator from DEWALT has a 4.5-star average rating from more than 400 reviews at Home Depot.
Wattage: 2,800 running watts, 3,000 starting watts | Fuel type: Gasoline | Tank size: 3.4 gallons | Start type: Electric, recoil start | Weight: 134 pounds
The Honda EU300iS Portable Inverter Generator runs at a quiet 50 decibels (dB) at a 25 percent load — according to the experts at The Generator Store, anywhere from 49 to 60 decibels is “no louder than normal speech.” This inverter generator features CO Minder to monitor carbon monoxide levels and automatically shut off if there are harmful levels of the gas in the air. The Honda EU300iS boasts a 4.7-star average rating from more than 280 reviews at Northern Tool. This inverter generator doesn’t have wheels, but you can buy a 2-wheel kit separately.
Wattage: 7,000 running watts, 8,750 starting watts | Fuel type: Gasoline | Tank size: 4.2 gallons | Start type: Electric switch, recoil start | Weight: 155 pounds
This inverter generator from Champion can run for up to 10 ½ hours at 25 percent load, according to the brand. It’s slightly noisier than other inverter generators at 72 dB, but it’s also more powerful than most inverter generators and quieter than most portable generators with similar wattage levels. This inverter generator has a 4.6-star average rating from more than 3,700 reviews on Amazon.
If you’re looking for a quieter and less powerful model with a longer runtime, Champion sells another inverter generator that can run for up to 22 hours on gas at 25 percent load and runs at 64 dB.
Wattage: 3,400 running watts, 4,000 starting watts | Fuel type: Gasoline | Tank size: 3.2 gallons | Start type: Electric switch, recoil start | Weight: 85 pounds
At 85 pounds, this inverter generator from RYOBI is the lightest option on our list. According to the brand, it can run for up to 12 hours at 50 percent load, and it features CODetect shutoff technology that automatically turns the machine off if it detects dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in the air. This generator has a 4.3-star average rating from more than 600 reviews at Home Depot.
Because portable generators are powered by gas, the exhaust emits carbon monoxide — and if a portable generator is positioned too close to an enclosed space, it can emit enough gas to become deadly. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is working on regulating portable generators more closely due to this hazard: In February, the U.S. agency released a report recommending a new mandatory standard to equip portable generators with automatic shut-off features when the machines detect carbon monoxide at an unsafe level.
Whether the portable generator you buy has an auto shut-off feature, OSHA offers general safety guidance to help people avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:
Never use a generator indoors or in an enclosed space like a garage or a basement
Make sure a generator has 3 to 4 feet of clear space on all sides and above it to ensure adequate ventilation
Do not use a generator anywhere near doors, windows and vents where carbon monoxide might filter in
Generators can also be an electrocution hazard if you don’t use them properly. OSHA and the U.S. Department of Energy offer the following guidance to help avoid shock and electrocution:
Never attach a generator directly to the electrical system of a structure unless an electrician has installed the generator with a transfer switch
Plug electrical appliances directly into the generator using the manufacturer’s supplied cords or extension cords that are grounded (3-pronged)
Never use frayed or damaged extension cords
Only use extension cords that are appropriately rated in watts or amps
Keep your generator dry and under an open structure
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