November 2024

Portable Generators: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of portable generators rankings posted by key online experts, as of November 2024.

Summary

On 20 Nov 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 78 portable generator endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

60 portable generators were endorsed in total, only 9 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)

As of 20 Nov 2024, Honda EU2200i takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed portable generator with 7 expert endorsements. 1 expert out of 7 recommended it as the '#1 portable generator' this month.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking portable generators start at $399 (Duromax XP4850EH) and go up to $6206.67 (Generac 10KW Guardian). Median portable generator costs $1090.31 (Westinghouse WGen9500).
$399
$6206.67

At a glance - November Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Portable Generator
This Old House
Best of Machinery
Best Generator
Wirecutter
Bob Vila
The Strategist
CNET
The Spruce
Forbes
Power Up
1
- $1199
Honda EU2200i
The Honda EU2200i portable generator is praised for its power output, fuel efficiency, low noise level, portability, and ease of use, making it a versatile and reliable choice for various power needs.
4
8
-
1
7
3
-
-
8
2
2
- $1645
DuroMax XP12000EH
The DuroMax XP12000EH portable generator is highly regarded for its powerful output, dual fuel technology, multiple power outlets, fuel efficiency, portability, and user-friendly features, making it a reliable and versatile choice for various applications.
-
2
7
-
3
-
-
-
-
4
3
- $1290
Westinghouse WGen7500
The Westinghouse WGen7500 Portable Generator is a highly recommended and versatile generator that offers a range of features to meet various power needs, including exceptional fuel efficiency, a wide range of power outlets, and ease of use.
1
4
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
4
- Check price
Sportsman GEN4000DF
The Sportsman GEN4000DF Portable Generator is a versatile and reliable dual-fuel generator that offers a range of power options and outlets, making it suitable for various use cases such as backup power, outdoor events, and camping trips.
-
3
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
5
- $399
Duromax XP4850EH
The Duromax XP4850EH is a powerful and versatile portable generator that is well-suited for residential use, RVs, camping trips, and job sites, offering a maximum wattage output of 4850 watts, dual fuel capability, and a range of features for ease of use and convenience.
-
-
-
-
-
5
2
-
-
10
13
- Check price
Ryobi RY906500VNM
-
10
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
14
- $1696
Champion Power Equipment 200988
-
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
4
-
15
- Check price
DuroStar DS4000S
The DuroStar DS4000S Portable Generator is a reliable and versatile generator that offers a maximum power output of 4,000 watts and is suitable for powering a wide range of appliances and devices in various settings.
-
12
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
-
16
- $491
WEN 56200i
The WEN 56200i portable generator is a highly praised and versatile option for powering smaller appliances and electronic devices, with its power output, fuel efficiency, noise level, portability, and ease of use making it ideal for recreational use and emergency backup power.
-
11
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3

Portable Generator
#5 $399 Duromax XP4850EH
#16 $490.59 WEN 56200i
#1 $1199 Honda EU2200i
#3 $1289.99 Westinghouse WGen7500
#2 $1645.50 DuroMax XP12000EH
#14 $1695.69 Champion Power Equipment 200988

We ranked Honda EU2200i #1 in November 2024 because:

  • 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable generators” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Honda EU2200i as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 29 Aug 2023)
The Honda EU2200i portable generator is praised for its power output, fuel efficiency, low noise level, portability, and ease of use, making it a versatile and reliable choice for various power needs.
Critic endorsements:
This Old House

Most Compact Gas Generator

Runs quietly between 48 and 57 decibels
Can connect it to a second generator for double the power
Runs for up to 10 hours despite its small fuel tank

Powers a limited number of devices and appliances
Requires special cables to use the parallel operation outlets

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Best of Machinery

The Best for Lightweight Mobility

Provides 2,200 watts of powers
Can run up to 8 hours on a gallon of fuel
Only 47 lbs, which means you can take it with you anywhere
The inverter power is reliable and safe to run laptops and computers on
Has a CO minder sensor that protects you from carbon monoxide poisoning

Small generator, will not be able to power an entire home in a blackout

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Wirecutter

The best generator

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Bob Vila

Best for Camping

Portable inverter generator provides cleaner electricity with lower noise and fuel consumption
Eco throttle system boosts fuel efficiency and reduces equipment wear and tear
Up to 8.1-hour runtime per tank of gas; suitable for providing long-term power
Built-in fuel shutoff, circuit protector switch, CO-MINDER, and oil alert
Bluetooth connectivity enables monitoring via the Honda My Generator mobile app

Does not come with USB outlets; requires a hub or power strip to power small electronics
Limited fuel capacity; will require more frequent refueling for extended use

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The Strategist

Best compact

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Forbes

Quietest Portable Generator

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Power Up

Fuel injection technology for better fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions
Low operating noise for comfort and convenience
Lightweight design with ergonomic carrying handles makes it easily portable
Produces true sine wave power for your electronic devices

Does not come with an automatic starter and emits a strong gas smell while running
Limited fuel tank capacity

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We ranked DuroMax XP12000EH #2 in November 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable generators” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 30 Aug 2023)
The DuroMax XP12000EH portable generator is highly regarded for its powerful output, dual fuel technology, multiple power outlets, fuel efficiency, portability, and user-friendly features, making it a reliable and versatile choice for various applications.
Critic endorsements:
Best of Machinery

The Best for Power-Outages at Home

Dual fuel so you can use either gasoline or propane gas
Can be operated at both 120v and 240v simultaneously
The control panel includes 5 outlets, 3 for 120v and 2 for both 120v and 240v
It has an 8.3-gallon fuel capacity tank with a running time of 9 hours at 50% load and 5 hours at full load
Provides ample power with 12,000 starting watts (peak watts) and 9,500 running watts

Heavy generator, best to keep in one secure location

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Best Generator

The Biggest Beast

Dual fuel capabilities
Very heavy-duty materials and design
Surprisingly quiet given the power
Very powerful with long runtime

Heavy even with wheels
Still loud compared to the rest on the list

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Bob Vila

Best for Home Use

Runs on gasoline or propane, offering users convenient flexibility
Keyed electric start that is easier on the back and shoulders than pull starts
More affordable than most other 12,000-watt generators
Built-in carbon monoxide detector protects users from dangerous conditions

Does not have an hour meter or any way to track runtime, requiring users to keep track
Does not come with dust covers to protect the multiple outlets when they’re not in use
Only 2 standard 120V-20A outlets for regular power cords

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Power Up

Like other dual-fuel generators, it can run on both propane and gasoline
It automatically shuts off with low oil
It is highly portable, as it comes with a set of wheels and handles
Includes an electric start feature

It might be hard to find a service that can fix any issues that might arise.

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Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend portable generators.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of portable generators, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for November 2024 ranking

We ranked Westinghouse WGen7500 #3 in November 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable generators” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Westinghouse WGen7500 as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 29 Aug 2023)
The Westinghouse WGen7500 Portable Generator is a highly recommended and versatile generator that offers a range of features to meet various power needs, including exceptional fuel efficiency, a wide range of power outlets, and ease of use.
Critic endorsements:
This Old House

Best Overall

Shuts off automatically when the oil level is low
Has a convenient remote start function to turn it on from inside your home
Comes with several accessories, including an oil funnel and battery charger

Weighs nearly 200 pounds
Can arrive with residual oil or fuel odor because it's tested in a lab

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Best of Machinery

The Largest Gas Tank Generator

9,500 starting watts and 7,500 running watts
Easy electric start
Built-in fuel gauge and automatic low oil shut off
Has its own wheels for better portability
Is both EPA and CARB compliant

Another heavy piece of kit that can be difficult to move around

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Power Up

High power output is suitable for applications with varying power demands
Rugged steel frame and never-flat wheels for heavy-duty use
The large gas fuel tank allows for a longer operating time
Remote electric start included

Its weight makes it difficult to transport
Alternator cover dents easily

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We ranked Sportsman GEN4000DF #4 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable generators” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sportsman GEN4000DF as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 29 Aug 2023)
The Sportsman GEN4000DF Portable Generator is a versatile and reliable dual-fuel generator that offers a range of power options and outlets, making it suitable for various use cases such as backup power, outdoor events, and camping trips.
Critic endorsements:
Best of Machinery

Short Vacations and Small Power Outages

Has EPA approval
Runs quietly at only 69 dBA
Dual fuel, giving you complete flexibility
Small back-up generator for power outages and traveling
Includes an automatic voltage regulator, low oil shut-off, and a spark arrester

Not designed to be used constantly for several days in a row

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CNET

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We ranked Duromax XP4850EH #5 in November 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable generators” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 29 Aug 2023)
The Duromax XP4850EH is a powerful and versatile portable generator that is well-suited for residential use, RVs, camping trips, and job sites, offering a maximum wattage output of 4850 watts, dual fuel capability, and a range of features for ease of use and convenience.
Critic endorsements:
The Strategist

Best dual fuel

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CNET

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Power Up

It comes with its’ own set of wheels, making it very portable.
Even though it is powerful, the generator is relatively compact and easy to carry.
It runs on both propane and gasoline, which is quite convenient.
Electric start included.

It can get quite noisy, primarily when used at full capacity.

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We ranked Ryobi RY906500VNM #6 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable generators” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Best of Machinery

Best Generator for CO Safety

An inverter generator with a 420cc engine that supplies clean and reliable power
Comes with a wrap-around hand truck frame with 10-inch wheels for portability
Noise level output is 72.3 dBA
The 6-gallon fuel tank gives you up to 10 hours of continuous run time
Includes both 120 and 240-volt outlets

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Bob Vila

Best Bang for the Buck

Powered by a dependable and easy-to-start Ryobi 420cc OHV gas engine
Wraparound hand truck–style frame and large wheels enhance portability
Two 120-volt 20-amp duplex outlets and a 120/240-volt 30-amp twist locking outlet can handle a wide range of portable power needs
Automatic voltage regulator ensures reliable and consistent power supply
Modest price point for a high-quality portable generator

Handle design requires a steep tilt for transport, which can be tough to balance
Recoil start only; not equipped with an electric starter

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We ranked Champion Power Equipment 200988 #7 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable generators” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Best of Machinery

Best for your RV

The 2.3-gallon fuel tank
14 hours on gasoline or up to 21 hours with a 20-lb propane tank
4500W starting watts (peak watts) and 3150W running watts
Easy to start with the battery-operated electric start switch
The air-cooled engine has a low oil shut off for safety

Be careful not to overload this generator with too many power outlets

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Forbes

Best Inverter Generator

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We ranked DuroStar DS4000S #8 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable generators” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 29 Aug 2023)
The DuroStar DS4000S Portable Generator is a reliable and versatile generator that offers a maximum power output of 4,000 watts and is suitable for powering a wide range of appliances and devices in various settings.
Critic endorsements:
Best of Machinery

Best Balance of Power and Portability

Weighing only 94 pounds, it's portable enough to take on camping trips
The fuel tank has the capacity to hold 3.96 gallons, which will give you 8 hours of run time at a 50% load
Automatic low oil shut-off
Complete with surge arrest technology
Has both EPA and CARB approval

Industrial design that can clash with RV interiors

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Forbes

Best Budget Portable Generator

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We ranked WEN 56200i #9 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best portable generators” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 29 Aug 2023)
The WEN 56200i portable generator is a highly praised and versatile option for powering smaller appliances and electronic devices, with its power output, fuel efficiency, noise level, portability, and ease of use making it ideal for recreational use and emergency backup power.
Critic endorsements:
Best of Machinery

Best for Power on the Go

Powered by a 79.7cc, 4-stroke overhead valve engine
Provides a starting power of 2,000 peak watts and operating watts of 1,600
Includes two 120 volt outlets, one 12 volt outlet, and one 5 volt USB outlet
Is both EPA III and CARB compliant
Handy carry handle so you can take it anywhere

Designed for small electronics whilst travelling rather than home power outages

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Power Up

Extremely quiet operation
Lightweight design at only 48 pounds for easy transport
Minimal harmonic distortion making it safe to use with sensitive electronics

Low fuel tank capacity
Overloads when connected to large equipment or high-drainage electronic devices
The plastic shell makes it more vulnerable to cracks and damage

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