8 Best Portable Generators to Bring the Power With You

MOST VERSATILE

Briggs & Stratton 3,500 Portable

Running watts: 3,500 | Starting watts: 4,775 | Decibels under load @ 2 and 25 ft: 90.1 / 73.2 | Outlets: Two 120 V, 20 A; one 120/240 V, 20 A twist lock | Engine size: 208 cc | Starting: Manual recoil | CO (carbon monoxide) shut-off: Yes | Low oil shut-off: Yes | Fuel: Gasoline | Fuel capacity: 4 gal | Weight: 121.3 lb

We got this Briggs & Stratton (a brand with a history powering equipment for other companies) generator bearing the company’s own name on. At just over 120 pounds, it was light enough for one person to lift it out of the truck, but it would be safer with two. Wheels and a folding handle facilitate moving and positioning the generator to make setup fast and easy. Once the generator is running, a handy fuel gauge built into the top of the tank helps ensure there are no surprises with the gas level. We found starting to be straightforward, turning on the fuel, flipping the engine/ignition switch, choking the carburetor, and pulling the recoil starter. We measured sound levels, with no load, in front of the generator at 89.1 decibels. Under load, that number increased only to 90.1 decibels, while 25 feet away measured 73.2. Visually checking the current output on an oscilloscope, we found slight deterioration of the sine wave, a common occurrence with portable generators. Because of this, it’s always best to use a power strip with a surge protector when powering sensitive electronics.

Possibly the most important feature is CO Guard, which shuts down the engine when carbon monoxide (CO) levels get too high around the generator. This can help prevent CO poisoning, or death, resulting from improper placement or use of the generator. We tested this feature using a large appliance box placed over the generator, which shut down in 26.3 seconds.

BEST DUAL FUEL

Champion 5500 Dual Fuel

Running watts: 5,500 | Starting watts: 6,900 | Running watts, propane: 5,000 | Starting watts, propane: 6,250 | Decibels under load, gas @ 2 and 25 ft: 93.8 / 87.2 | Decibels, propane under load @ 2 and 25 ft: 93.4 / 86.2 | Outlets: Four GFCI 120 V, 20 A; one 120/240 V, 30 A twist lock | Engine size: 389 cc | Starting: Manual recoil | CO (carbon monoxide) shut-off: No | Low oil shut-off: Yes | Fuel: Gasoline/propane | Fuel capacity: 6 gal | Weight: 162 lb

Choose your fuel, or use what’s available in an emergency, with Champion’s 5500 Dual Fuel generator. Being able to pick between gasoline and propane has a couple of benefits, especially when using a generator for backup power during or after storms. Unlike gasoline, propane is very stable and won’t gum up carburetors or other components when stored for long periods between use or from storm seasons. Additionally, you might not have to deal with gasoline shortages following regional storms that take down power grids for days. We found switching between gasoline and propane to be very simple, and the 5500 started equally well on either fuel. However, since propane doesn’t pack the same amount of energy as gasoline, the running and starting watts will be slightly reduced. When we tested the 5500, we also confirmed that it runs just a little quieter on propane, with 78.2 decibels under load at 25 feet versus 81.5 decibels on gas. One note on using propane: The main power switch on the panel won’t shut the unit down—the propane switch on the fuel selection panel shuts off both the flow of propane and the generator. This prevents the propane from being left on when the generator is off. We appreciated the digital gauge at the top of the control panel that displays the voltage and current frequency being generated, as well as total hours of use—handy to keep track of maintenance schedules. The 5500 Dual Fuel is a great option for emergency backup power, but it’s also good for job sites and bigger RVs and campers.