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The Shortlist
Honda EU3000i Portable Inverter Generator
Another Honda on the shortlist. This one has a little more power than the 2200 watts version. The trade off is that this version is a little heavier and a little noisier.
Champion 200988 - 3500/4500W Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
This is a higher power generator, and is RV ready. It has the versatility of running on either gasoline or propane. For its power output, it is relatively quiet.
Westinghouse WGen 3500DFc Duel Fuel Generator
A very popular generator offering the convenience of dual fuel. It is another extremely reliable offering. This is the only generator on the list that is not an inverter generator.
Westinghouse iGen 4650DF Duel Fuel Inverter Generator
A trusted brand that offers quiet, reliable, and clean power. This is the quietest generator on the list, but the most powerful. It is also nearly the lightest on the list. This is a great option to consider.
Read More about Shortlisted Generators
When selecting a generator for home use, it is most important that you select a generator that will provide sufficient power. The types of generators on this page are ones that will prepare you for an unexpected power outage. They will keep your critical appliances running if say, a hurricane, ice storm, flood or fire, or other natural disaster knocks the power out. You will however need to be careful with your appliance usage and you are unlikely to be able to run all your usual devices from these generators (you’ll have to choose between some of your devices at any point in time).
Reliable, Quiet & Lightweight Power - Medium Power Needs
Honda is a brand synonymous with reliability. If this unit provides the level of power you need, and it’s at a price point that is right for you. then this is a great choice. It offers quiet, reliable, and clean power.
The EU3000is has 3000 watts of starting power and 2800 watts of running power (enough to operate roughly 2 to 8 appliances at the same time, depending on how much power each one requires). It’s noise level is between 50 to 57DB (which is about the noise level of someone speaking a normal volume). At 131 pounds (or 59kg), it is portable, but you won’t want to be moving it around too often. The inverter technology means you will get stable and clean power so you can power your sensitive electronic devices.
It will run for approx 6.9 to 19.6 hours on a single 3.4 gallon tank of unleaded gasoline, depending on how many appliances you are running. It has both an electric and a recoil start (i.e. cord pull start).
It has a carbon monoxide detection system and will shut the system down if detected CO levels become dangerously high. Note: This is an outside only generator!!
Reliable, Quiet & Efficient Power
Another really well known and trusted brand that offers quiet, reliable, and clean power.
The Champion 200988 is a dual fuel generator which can operate on gasoline or propane (LPG). Champion 200988 has 4500 watts of starting power and 3500 watts of running power (enough to operate roughly 3 to 9 appliances at the same time. depending on how much power each one requires) when using gasoline. Alternatively, when operating on propane, it has 4500 watts of starting power and 3250 watts of running power (enough to operate roughly 3 to 9 appliances at the same time, depending on how much power each one requires).
It’s noise level is rated at 61 DB (which is slightly noisier than someone speaking a normal volume). At 103 pounds (or 47 kg), it’s lightweight for the power it offers, but still not something you want to be moving constantly. It benefits from the inbuilt wheels to help you move it around. The inverter technology means you will get stable and clean power so you can power your sensitive electronic devices.
It will run for up to 14 hours on a 2.3 gallon tank of gasoline, depending on how many appliances you are running. It will run for up to 21 hours on a 20 pound (10 kg) propane tank.
It has both an electric and a recoil start (i.e. cord pull start).
Note: This is RV ready (that is, it has an RV Ready TT-30R 30A outlet that will let you plug it straight into an RV).
Note: This model DOES NOT have a carbon monoxide detection system and so will NOT shut the system down if detected CO levels become dangerously high. Note: This is an outside only generator!!
Comes with a 3 year warranty.
Multiple Fuel Options, Not so Light
This generator is constantly making its way to the top of the best buy lists. Another reliable brand offering a versatile power solution. This is the only generator on this list that is not an inverter generator. Consequently, it has a lower purchase price. Be aware that the trade off is less fuel efficiency (so higher fuel running costs).
The WGen3600DFc is a dual fuel generator which can operate on gasoline or propane (LPG). WGen3600DFc has 4560 watts of starting power and 3600 watts of running power (enough to operate roughly 3 to 9 appliances at the same time. depending on how much power each one requires) when using gasoline. Alternatively, when operating on propane, it has 4180 watts of starting power and 3240 watts of running power (enough to operate roughly 3 to 9 appliances at the same time. depending on how much power each one requires).
It’s noise level is around 68DB. This is louder than a normal conversation, but less noisy that a city street or busy restaurant. At 121.1 pounds (or 61kg), it is still portable, but only just. It has a wheel kit included to allow you to move it around.
This has a convenient push button start, which can be started remotely with a key fob. It also has a back up recoil (pull) start.
It will run for up to 14 hours on a 4 gallon tank of gasoline, depending on how many appliances you are running. It will run for up to 10.5 hours on a 20 pound (10 kg) propane tank.
Note: This is also RV ready (that is, it has an RV Ready TT-30R 30A outlet that will let you plug it straight into an RV).
It has a carbon monoxide detection system and will shut the system down if detected CO levels become dangerously high. Note: This is an outside only generator!!
Extremely Quiet & Clean Power
The second Westinghouse generator on our list is also extremely popular. The difference between this generator and the WGen3600DFc is that this generator is an inverter generator.
The iGen4500DF is also a dual fuel generator which can operate on gasoline or propane (LPG). The iGen4500DF has 4500 watts of starting power and 3700 watts of running power (enough to operate roughly 3 to 9 appliances at the same time. depending on how much power each one requires) when using gasoline. Alternatively, when operating on propane, it has 4050 watts of starting power and 3330 watts of running power (enough to operate roughly 3 to 9 appliances at the same time. depending on how much power each one requires).
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It’s noise level is around 52 DB, which is less than the level of a normal conversation (so this is a quiet unit). At 104.7 pounds (or 48 kg), again it is pushing the limits of portability, but it also has wheels to help. It is one of the lightest units on the list, but one of the most powerfui.
This has a convenient push button start, which can be started remotely with a key fob.
It will run for 18 hours on a full 3.4 gallon tank of gasoline at 25% capacity. It will run for 22 hours on a 20 pound (10 kg) propane tank, when operating at 25% of its capacity.
Note: This is also RV ready (that is, it has an RV Ready TT-30R 30A outlet that will let you plug it straight into an RV).
Note: It does not have a carbon monoxide detection system and so will NOT shut the system down if detected CO levels become dangerously high. Note: This is an outside only generator!!
Comes with a 3 year warranty.
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