9 Best Generator To Buy For House of 2026 During Storm Outages

1

20kW Standby Generator with 200amp TS

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  9.5
• Brand
  Kohler

Key specs2

Power Output

20kW standby rating

Switchgear Included

Supplied with a 200-amp transfer switch to manage service panel loads directly during an outage.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Supplies 20kW of emergency standby power to run high-demand household circuits
• Includes a 200-amp automatic transfer switch for direct electrical panel management
• Permanent standby design provides hands-free power takeover during severe outages

Cons

• Requires professional electrical and fuel plumbing installation at substantial cost
• Operating sound level and continuous fuel burn rates must be verified separately

2

Honeywell 14kW Home Standby Generator - Automatic Backup Power for

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  9.4
• Brand
  Honeywell

Key specs2

Fuel Compatibility

Natural gas or propane

Mounting Base

Includes a dedicated installation pad, eliminating the need to pour a separate concrete footing.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Dual-fuel capability connects directly to home natural gas or propane supply lines
• Includes a dedicated mounting pad to simplify ground placement and positioning
• Weather-resistant enclosure shields generator components against harsh storm debris

Cons

• 14kW capacity may require prioritizing circuits if running central air conditioning
• Transfer switch is not specified in the listing and must be purchased separately

3

Generac 22kW Whole Home Generator, Transfer Switch & Cellular Capability

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  9.3
• Brand
  Generac

Key specs2

Continuous Capacity

22kW whole-home output

Remote Connectivity

Built-in cellular capability allows homeowners to track operating status without relying on home Wi-Fi.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Provides 22kW whole-home capacity to power central air conditioning and heavy loads
• Includes an automatic transfer switch for coordinated service panel integration
• Cellular capability allows real-time status monitoring directly from your phone

Cons

• Requires permanent exterior placement and licensed professional installation
• Supported fuel configurations and acoustic noise ratings are left unstated

4

DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator 13000 Watt Gas or

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  9.2
• Brand
  DuroMax

Key specs2

Starting System

Electric push-button start

Peak Wattage

13000 watts peak

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Dual-fuel capability runs flexibly on standard gasoline or liquid propane tanks
• Generates 13000 watts of peak power to start high-draw residential appliances
• Electric start ignition eliminates the physical effort of manual pull-cords

Cons

• Lacks a built-in carbon monoxide safety shutoff sensor on this older model
• Does not carry 50-state emissions compliance for restricted jurisdictions

5

DuroMax XP13000HX Dual Fuel Portable Generator-13000 Watt Gas or Propane

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  8.8
• Brand
  DuroMax

Key specs2

Safety Protections

Equipped with a built-in CO Alert system that shuts down the engine if carbon monoxide levels rise dangerously.

Emissions Compliance

50-state approved

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Integrated CO Alert automatically shuts down the motor if carbon monoxide builds up
• 50-state approved configuration meets strict regional emissions standards
• Delivers 13000 peak watts of dual-fuel power using gasoline or propane tanks

Cons

• Open-frame construction does not provide inverter-grade clean power for electronics
• Requires manual outdoor operation and safe standoff distances during foul weather

6

GENMAX Tri Fuel Generator,10500-Watt 458cc Tri Fuel Gasoline Propane Natural

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  8.2
• Brand
  GENMAX

Key specs3

Inlet Connection

50A receptacle

Engine Displacement

458cc

Ignition Method

Remote start feature enables engine activation from inside the home during severe weather.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Tri-fuel system operates on gasoline, propane, or residential natural gas lines
• Equipped with a 50A outlet to feed whole-home manual transfer switch boxes
• Remote start feature activates the 458cc engine without braving harsh storm weather

Cons

• Total harmonic distortion is unlisted and must be checked before powering PCs
• 10500 peak watts requires careful load balancing when running large HVAC units

7

Westinghouse 12000 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Start,

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  8.1
• Brand
  Westinghouse

Key specs2

Power Quality

Inverter technology delivers low total harmonic distortion (THD), protecting sensitive home electronics and heating controls.

Expansion Capability

Parallel capable

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Inverter technology delivers low THD power safe for sensitive home electronics
• Tri-fuel design runs on gasoline, propane tanks, or utility natural gas hookups
• Transfer switch ready layout includes a CO sensor for automated shutdown safety
• Parallel capable design allows pairing another compatible inverter for extra power

Cons

• Produces fewer running watts than heavy open-frame units at this price tier
• Continuous wattage on natural gas is not specified and must be confirmed

8

Westinghouse 28000 Peak Watt Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric

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  8.0
• Brand
  Westinghouse

Key specs3

Panel Outlets

• 30A transfer switch ready outlet
• 50A high-capacity outlet

Peak Output

28000 peak watts

Cold Starting

Remote electric start paired with an auto choke mechanism ensures dependable starts in cold temperatures.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Massive 28000 peak watt rating easily starts central AC units and deep well pumps
• Equipped with dedicated 30A and 50A outlets for direct transfer switch connection
• Remote electric start with auto choke ensures dependable ignition in freezing cold
• Integrated CO sensor actively monitors and prevents carbon monoxide accumulation

Cons

• Single-fuel gasoline design prevents connecting directly to home propane or gas
• Extremely heavy physical footprint requires substantial storage and maneuvering room

9

Westinghouse 18000 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote

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  7.5
• Brand
  Westinghouse

Key specs2

Tri-Fuel Versatility

Operates on gasoline, propane tanks, or a residential natural gas line for continuous run time during storms.

Peak Headroom

18000 peak watts

Pros & cons32

Pros

• 18000 peak watts provides high startup headroom for whole-house emergency loads
• Tri-fuel capability enables running on gasoline, propane, or piped natural gas
• Transfer switch ready build pairs with remote electric start and a CO sensor

Cons

• Standard generator alternator does not feature inverter-grade low THD ratings
• Specific running wattage across propane and natural gas lines must be verified

Last update on 2026-10-20 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Should you choose a permanent standby generator or a large portable generator for your house?

It depends on whether your household requires automatic takeover during a storm or manual backup flexibility. Permanent home standby systems, such as 14kW, 20kW, or 22kW units, connect to a transfer switch (including 200amp TS setups) to start automatically the moment grid power fails, eliminating the need to haul equipment or run exterior cords in severe weather. Large portable generators, reaching up to 18000 or 28000 peak watts, deliver substantial emergency power at a lower equipment commitment, but they require manual setup, outdoor positioning, and physical connection to a home inlet box whenever the grid drops out.

How many starting and running watts does a house need during a blackout?

Calculate your power requirements by adding the continuous running watts of essential circuits and adding the highest single starting wattage surge from motor-driven equipment. High-demand appliances like central air conditioners, well pumps, and refrigerators demand surge power well above continuous operation when their compressors kick on. Portable home backup generators supply capacities such as 10500-watt, 13000-watt, or 28000 peak watt ratings to manage these heavy loads. If your power priorities only involve small personal medical devices or recharging phones without burning fuel, checking out a portable solar generator for quiet emergency power provides a silent alternative, but powering major household appliances requires calculating your baseline wattage against listed generator ratings.

Can a home backup generator run on natural gas or propane instead of gasoline?

Yes, dual-fuel and tri-fuel generators run directly on liquid propane or household utility natural gas. Tri-fuel units, including 10500-watt, 12000 peak watt, and 18000 peak watt models, connect to natural gas supplies so you do not need to store liquid fuel in cans or hunt for open gasoline stations during regional blackouts. Standby systems such as 14kW generators also run on natural gas or propane, providing continuous fuel delivery straight from utility lines or stationary tanks. Dual-fuel portable models running on gasoline or propane provide added flexibility, letting you store shelf-stable propane tanks that will not degrade or gum up carburetors during months of storage.

How do you safely connect a portable generator to a house breaker panel?

Always connect your generator through a manual transfer switch or an approved interlock panel rather than plugging directly into standard wall outlets. Backup-ready portable generators feature transfer-switch-ready 30A and 50A outlets engineered to feed electricity safely through a heavy-duty cord into an exterior power inlet box. This setup isolates your home wiring from the utility grid, preventing deadly electrical backfeeding that can endanger line workers restoring power. Check your home panel capacity and verify that your generator plug configuration matches your transfer switch inlet before severe weather hits.

Will a portable generator damage sensitive home electronics and appliances?

Delicate electronics require clean power with low total harmonic distortion to operate safely without electrical noise or voltage irregularity. Modern household items such as laptops, variable-speed furnace blowers, and smart appliances can suffer performance issues or hardware stress from distorted sine waves. If you plan to power sensitive circuitry, select an inverter generator listed with low THD and designated safe for electronics, such as a 12000 peak watt tri-fuel inverter model. For standard non-inverter portable generators, verify harmonic distortion levels in the manufacturer documentation before connecting delicate household boards.

What safety features protect against carbon monoxide when running a generator at home?

Built-in carbon monoxide monitoring is the primary safety feature to look for on any portable backup unit. Models equipped with a CO sensor or CO Alert mechanism monitor ambient exhaust levels and automatically shut down the engine if hazardous gas accumulates. Portable generators must always run outdoors far from exterior doors, open windows, and intake vents to prevent fumes from entering living spaces. Standby generators avoid this portable hazard by using a fixed installation pad and a weather-resistant exterior enclosure positioned according to strict outdoor clearance specifications.