Best Portable Generators 2023

You may not be able to control the weather, but having the best portable generator for your needs can help prepare you for the inevitable power outage. These devices are relatively easy to use and can power essential functions in your home for several hours, keeping everything from your lights to your refrigerator to your medical devices running. Portable generators are also handy for elevating your camping experience, tailgate parties or powering an outdoor movie projector.

The Honda EU2200i Companion is the quietest gas-powered pick on our list of the best portable ... [+] generators. Pure Sine Wave Inverter

Whatever you’re preparing for, a portable generator is handy to have and can become a critical part of your backup plan as power emergencies occur more often. For this guide, we dove headfirst into portable generators, scouring reviews and ratings to determine the best models. Below is our list of the best portable generators from brands like Champion, Goal Zero and Honda.

The Champion 5,500 Dual-Fuel Portable Generator is a versatile option that can run on gasoline or propane and includes a fuel selector switch to toggle between fuel sources. The 389cc engine produces 6,875 starting watts and 5,500 running watts when using gasoline, allowing you to connect everything from a portable heater to a refrigerator. The 6-gallon gas tank is enough to run for 10 hours at 50% load; a 20-pound propane tank can produce 6,250 starting watts and 5,000 running watts and run for 6.5 hours at 50% load.

In addition to the extensive runtime, there are some other features we like about this generator. It offers cold start technology, ensuring the generator starts in cold weather. It also includes a built-in surge protector to keep your devices safe from spikes in voltage and a feature that will shut off the generator if it detects an accumulation of carbon monoxide. The generator also comes with a wheel kit, a low oil shut-off sensor and a display to keep track of voltage, hertz and run-time hours. The biggest downside of the Champion 5,500 Dual-Fuel Portable Generator is the engine produces a noise level of 74 decibels from 23 feet, so it’s a bit loud if you’re looking for some peace and quiet away from home.

DuroMax’s DuroStar DS4000S provides good value for the features you get. The generator runs on gasoline and offers 4,000 peak watts and 3,300 running watts, giving you plenty of power to run appliances or tools at a job site. It comes enclosed in a metal cage with two handles on top so you can move it from place to place. While it doesn’t come with wheels, you can purchase an optional wheel kit for about $50; otherwise, at 102 pounds with gasoline, it may require two people to move and position it.

The DS4000S features a click start switch, and once it’s running, the volt meter will tell you the output voltage. There’s also a low oil light and an automatic low oil shutdown feature. The 4-gallon tank can provide up to 26 hours of runtime at 25% load or 12 hours at 50% load. For the price, the DuroStar DS4000S is an excellent portable generator that’s durable and dependable, whether you’re at home or on the job.

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X is a workhorse power station capable of keeping your lights on during an outage. The massive lithium-ion battery features a 2,000-watt AC inverter (with 3,500-watt surge capability), allowing it to power everything you need, from household appliances to a portable fridge. The power station doesn’t produce emissions and is virtually silent so you can safely use it indoors.

You can recharge the Yeti 300X in about 14 hours using a wall outlet or there are optional 200-watt solar panels that can recharge it in about a day. It also features a telescoping handle and wheels to roll it around your property, campground or job site. Meanwhile, Goal Zero rates the battery's life at 500 cycles to 80% so it should last for a long time, depending on your usage. The one major downside is the Yeti 3000X isn’t cheap, but it’s a well-rounded alternative to gas-powered options.

Similar to our best overall pick, we like the Champion Power 4500 Dual-Fuel portable generator because it can run on gas or propane. Support for multiple fuels makes it an excellent choice for various occasions whether you’re tailgating, camping or providing power to essential appliances during a blackout. It offers 4,500 starting watts and 3,500 running watts with up to 14 hours of run time on gasoline at 25% load. You can get up to 21 hours of run time on propane at 25% load, but the running watts are slightly lower at 3,150.

Champion's portable generator also includes a convenient electric start, a low oil shut-off sensor and relatively quiet operation at 61 dB. It’s also versatile; if you want to increase output, it supports an optional parallel kit that allows you to connect up to two 3,000-watt inverters. Further, it includes a 30A RV-ready outlet, making this an enticing choice for road warriors.

If you have a flexible work arrangement, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro will provide you with all the power you need. The power station delivers a charging capacity of 2,160 watt-hours plus 2,200 watts of output, enough to keep your laptop charged and mini cooler running. Like other power stations, this one from Jackery is emission-free and is quiet compared to traditional portable generators. What elevates this particular model is it supports up to six of Jackery’s SolarSaga 200-watt solar panels, which can recharge the power station in 2.5 hours. Keep in mind, your mileage may vary depending on how much sunlight is available.

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro includes two chips for dual battery protection and four core detectors, providing safe and reliable charging. The built-in LCD screen displays input and output power and shows you how much battery you have remaining. At 43 pounds and 15.1 x 10.5 x 12.1 inches, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro is relatively easy to carry with its sturdy handle. Note that a single solar panel weighs 18.3 pounds and measures 21.3 x 91.3 x 1 inches unfolded, increasing the size and weight of the kit as a whole, but Jackery's power station should meet your needs as long as there's sunlight.

Weighing 31 pounds and equipped with a battery that offers a 983-watt-hour capacity, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core is tailor-made for camping. It boasts seven output port options including two 120-volt AC wall-style outlets, a 12-volt car plug-style outlet, two USB-A ports and two 60-watt fast-charging USB-C ports. It can output 1,200 watts and surge as high as 2,400 watts which should support any device you need. For some context, Goal Zero estimates you can recharge a smartphone (12-watt-hours) up to 82 times or run a mini fridge (35-watt-hours) for 28 hours.

The power station alone should provide enough juice for a weekend outdoors. But, should you need more, you can purchase additional solar panels, allowing you to recharge the Yeti 1000 Core on the go. When plugged into a wall, the power station takes about nine hours to charge, or nearly double that with a solar charging kit (depending on which one your purchase). For the record, solar panels may be unnecessary if your camping trips are generally short. Either way, the Yeti 1000 Core is an excellent outdoor companion that will keep your various devices juiced up, even if you left home with the intention of disconnecting from the world.

We like Champion’s 2500-Watt Dual Fuel Generator if you only need to power on the go. The generator is about the size of carry-on luggage and weighs only 39 pounds. The small, sturdy design makes it an excellent choice for barbecues, overlanding or using at a job site, but it’s also powerful enough for home use. Wherever you decide to take it, a built-in handle makes it easy to pick up and carry.

In addition to its ultra-portable size, the Champion Power 2500 has plenty to offer, starting with the ability to run on gas or propane. The inverter technology also means you get clean electricity, which allows you to connect sensitive electronics. The generator operates at 53 decibels with 2,500 starting watts for both propane and gasoline, and has a runtime of 11.5 hours at 25% load. You can also purchase an optional parallel kit and connect another 2,500-watt Champion inverter to double your output.

Portable gas-powered generators can be loud, but the Honda EU2200i’s thoughtful, compact design makes it one of the quieter models available. The Honda engine comes inside an enclosure that helps dampen noise. Honda estimates its portable generator operates at 48 to 57 dB, which is much more tolerable than other options. The quieter operation makes it a good candidate for camping, tailgating and RV use because it won’t disturb your neighbor. The “eco” mode can lower engine speed when only a few devices are connected, reducing the noise even more.

The Honda EU2200i offers 2,200 starting watts and 1,800 running watts, which isn’t as powerful as some of our other picks, but it’s still enough for heavier loads. The inverter technology provides you with stable, clean power to connect sensitive electronics. The generator also offers a carbon monoxide detection feature, which will shut off the unit automatically if levels become unsafe. It also supports an app that gives you a clear view of things like power draw and maintenance reminders for efficient operation.

The Forbes Vetted gear team includes camping aficionados with years of experience researching, writing about and testing outdoor gear. In addition to this roundup, we’ve written several in-depth stories on off-grid energy, including a roundup of the best portable power banks for camping. Our writers have also reviewed gear for outdoor adventures, like the BioLite BaseCharge 1500 Power Station. For this list, we tapped into our subject knowledge and firsthand experience to bring you the best options available.

We researched the top-rated and bestselling portable generators from reputable brands to assemble this list. We then assessed features and value, ensuring we included picks for different use cases and budgets across the board. We also considered user reviews from top retailer sites like Amazon, Home Depot and Lowe's. Every model on this list has an average rating that exceeds 4 stars, ensuring each portable generator is also a customer favorite.

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Consumer Unit I'm a tech journalist working and living in Gloucestershire, in the UK. I ran my own PC hardware review website for many years before transitioning into freelance writing. I've covered everything from the rise of Bitcoin and the encroachment of anti-privacy laws, to tabletop wargaming and advances in virtual reality. I've written, authored, edited, and copywritten for a broad array of the most prominent publications, including Digital Trends, Lifewire, PCGamer, The Inquirer, and KitGuru. I've also written two novels, and contributed backstory and dialogue to a handful of games. I am passionate about all the cutting-edge hardware inside and out the latest gadgets, PCs, and consoles, even if I can't always afford them.