8 Best Portable Generators to Bring the Power With You

With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, portable generators have become fairly common. Anyone who lives in a suburban area often hit with power outages after storms is familiar with the sound of dozens of generators humming throughout the neighborhood. But emergency power backup isn’t their only use. Portable generators are at home on construction sites, for tailgating and camping, and at barbecues and other events such as 5k runs, parades, fairs, or anyplace out of range of an extension cord. And with prices coming down, portable generators are becoming more attainable for just about anyone who wants to keep one handy.

BEST OVERALL

Honda EU2200i Companion

Running watts: 1,800 | Starting watts: 2,200 | Decibels under load @ 2 and 25 ft: 81.2 / 59.9 | Outlets: One 120 V, 20 A; one 120 V, 30 A twist lock | Engine size: 121 cc | Starting: Manual recoil | CO (carbon monoxide) shut-off: Yes | Low oil shut-off: Yes | Fuel: Gasoline | Fuel capacity: .95 gal | Weight: 46.5 lb

At half the size and less than half the weight of the other models in this test, the Honda EU2200i inverter generator is the most portable of the units we tested. It’s easy to pick up, move around, or pack in a vehicle—and since the generator is fully enclosed, it can slip into tight spaces without getting caught on anything. That enclosure is an important feature as it protects the inverter electronics and helps contain noise—the EU2200i is remarkably quiet. In testing, we measured sound levels of 68.9 decibels at the generator under no load. When we switched it to “eco” mode, which reduces engine speed when power isn’t called for, sound was reduced to 76 decibels. When we used an oscilloscope to look at the sine wave of the current generated, the curves were smooth and symmetrical, an indicator of “clean” power required by sensitive electronics. When we started and stopped things with bigger motors, like a table saw and air conditioner, the sine wave remained smooth. Running under these heavier loads, we measured the highest sound levels for the EU2200i at 81.2 decibels at the generator.

Aside from the clean enclosure, there are some other really nice features on this generator. The vent on the gas cap can be closed, so that fumes, or fuel, cannot escape. So, if it’s been packed in a passenger compartment of an SUV, the fuel or fumes associated with it won’t be released. Likewise, the power on/off switch doubles as a fuel shutoff so it can’t be forgotten. Lastly, the EU2200i has ports for parallel operation. With the correct cable, it can be connected to a second EU2200i to double output to 4400 starting and 3600 running watts. The EU2200i is ideal for camping and other outdoor events where generator noise might be frowned on.

BEST CAPACITY

Predator 9500

Running watts: 7,600 | Starting watts: 9,500 | Decibels under load: 89.1 | Outlets: one 12 V DC, two USB, four 120 V 20 A, one 120 V 30 A, one 120/240 V 30 A twist lock | Ground: Bonded neutral | Starting: Electric, manual recoil | Carbon monoxide shutoff: Yes | Weight: 257 lb

The Predator 9500, from Harbor Freight, is a very big inverter, capable of powering all the critical circuits in a modest-size home. With a generator this size, we can’t overstate the importance of the four wheels it sits on and the sturdy, fold-out handle that facilitates moving it. We were able to pull it around fairly easily with one person, but lifting it was definitely a team affair. To hit the running capacity, we powered two air conditioners, a portable heater, a table saw, and a planer. Despite the slew of devices it can run, we were able to easily have conversations around the generator; it’s that quiet. Finally, the Predator comes with two plug ends for 120-volt, 20-amp outlets and one 240-volt, 30-amp twist lock, in case your cables don’t match up or need converting—handy if you buy the 9500 in an emergency and get home to find your plugs don’t match. While a lot of money, $2,000 is worth it for a generator with so much capability.