Top Rated Home Backup Generators of 2026

According to Customer Reviews

When it comes to preparing for unexpected power outages, having a reliable home backup generator can provide peace of mind and essential power supply. Our top-rated home backup generators have been carefully... selected based on user review ratings, ensuring that you have access to the best options available. Whether you're looking for a portable generator for occasional use or a standby generator for continuous power during outages, our selection offers a range of options to suit your specific needs. With user satisfaction as the guiding factor, you can trust that these top-rated home backup generators will deliver the performance and reliability you need when it matters most.
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What to look for in top-rated home backup generators

1. Power Output

The amount of power the generator can produce is crucial. This should match or exceed the total wattage of the appliances and devices you plan on using during a power outage.

2. Fuel Type

Home backup generators typically run on gasoline, diesel, propane, or natural gas. Each type has its own pros and cons in terms of availability, cost, and environmental impact.

3. Noise Level

Generators can be noisy. Check the decibel level to ensure it won't cause too much disturbance, especially if you live in a residential area.

4. Automatic Transfer Switch

An automatic transfer switch (ATS) allows the generator to start up automatically when power is lost, and shut down when it's restored. This is particularly useful for maintaining power during unexpected outages.
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  1. 1
    Westinghouse 12,500/9,500-Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Generator, CO Sensor, Gas/Propane/Natural Gas Best generator I’ve seen yet
    4.8 (31,962 reviews)
    $1199.99 Your price for this item is $1199.99

    About this product

    A powerful and versatile tri-fuel portable generator with a CO sensor, capable of producing up to 12,500 peak watts.

    A powerful and versatile tri-fuel portable generator with a CO sensor, capable of producing up to 12,500 peak watts.

    What customers like
    • Easy assembly and start-up
    • Good value for the price
    • Powerful and versatile
    • Comfortable and flattering fit
    • Durable and well-built
    What customers dislike
    • Not durable
    • Poor quality material
    • Not quiet
    • Easily torn
    • Button placement
  2. 2
    Westinghouse 5,000/3,900-Watt Dual-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, RV Outlet, Electric Start Best bang for your buck
    4.8 (9,773 reviews)
    $1199.99 Your price for this item is $1199.99

    About this product

    A powerful and versatile dual fuel inverter generator with RV outlet, ideal for camping or emergencies.

    A powerful and versatile dual fuel inverter generator with RV outlet, ideal for camping or emergencies.

    What customers like
    • Feature-rich and versatile
    • Works well with multiple appliances
    • Provides ample electricity
    • Quiet operation
    • Easy to handle and maneuver
    What customers dislike
    • Unclear labeling of oil and propane
    • Heavy to lift
    • Issues with oil fill and drain access
    • Difficulty with manual pull start
    • Occasional power drop in economy mode
  3. 3
    Westinghouse 5,000/3,900-Watt Dual-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, CO Sensor Love it
    4.7 (9,659 reviews)
    $1299.99 Your price for this item is $1299.99

    About this product

    A powerful and versatile dual fuel portable inverter generator with a compact design and remote start.

    A powerful and versatile dual fuel portable inverter generator with a compact design and remote start.

    What customers like
    • Powerful and high capacity
    • Convenient and easy to use
    • Portability and maneuverability
    • Quiet operation and relatively quiet
    • Dual fuel capability and easy switching between fuels
    What customers dislike
    • Lack of clear labels and documentation
    • Issues with propane functionality
    • Difficulty with starting the generator
    • Shipping damage and packaging issues
    • Need for improvements in oil management and accessories
  4. 4
    Westinghouse 5,000/3,900-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Inverter Generator, RV Outlet, Remote Start We love this generator and is the best one we have bought
    4.7 (8,474 reviews)
    $1099.99 Your price for this item is $1099.99

    About this product

    A powerful and fuel-efficient portable inverter generator with remote start and RV-ready outlet.

    A powerful and fuel-efficient portable inverter generator with remote start and RV-ready outlet.

    What customers like
    • Good value for the price
    • Versatile and powerful
    • Easy to assemble and use
    • Remote start feature
    • Quiet operation
    What customers dislike
    • Difficulty in visually inspecting oil level
    • Small access door
    • Lack of amps display
    • Not effective
    • Oil plug issue
  5. 5
    Westinghouse 5,000/3,900-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Inverter Generator, CO Sensor, RV-Ready Great inverter
    4.7 (8,400 reviews)
    $1199.99 Your price for this item is $1199.99

    About this product

    A powerful and portable inverter generator with RV-ready outlet, USB ports, and remote start capability.

    A powerful and portable inverter generator with RV-ready outlet, USB ports, and remote start capability.

    What customers like
    • Low noise level
    • Lightness
    • Durability
    • Easy assembly
    • Versatility
    What customers dislike
    • Heavy and difficult to load
    • Lower to the ground than expected
    • Unclear instructions and inaccurate ingredient list
    • Issues with starting and running
    • Various design and maintenance issues
  6. 6
    Westinghouse 4,000/3,300-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Inverter Generator, Recoil Start, CO Sensor I’ll love this portable generator Easy to start and great product
    4.7 (8,198 reviews)
    $629.99 Your price for this item is $629.99

    About this product

    A powerful and portable gasoline generator with a 4000 watt capacity, ideal for camping or emergencies.

    A powerful and portable gasoline generator with a 4000 watt capacity, ideal for camping or emergencies.

    What customers like
    • Good value for the price
    • Powerful and reliable performance
    • Versatile and portable design
    • Quiet operation and low noise levels
    • Easy to start and operate
    What customers dislike
    • Flimsy handle
    • Choke issues
    • Difficult oil access
    • Cold start difficulties
    • Inaccurate fuel gauge
  7. 7
    Westinghouse 4,000/3,300-Watt Dual-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Start, CO Sensor great choice
    4.7 (8,040 reviews)
    $749.99 Your price for this item is $749.99

    About this product

    A compact and versatile dual fuel generator with remote start and CO sensor for safe and efficient power on-the-go.

    A compact and versatile dual fuel generator with remote start and CO sensor for safe and efficient power on-the-go.

    What customers like
    • Convenient and easy to use
    • Dependable and reliable
    • Dual fuel capability
    • Quiet operation
    • Feature-rich
    What customers dislike
    • Confusing and unclear labeling/instructions
    • Difficulty starting and running rough
    • Heavy and difficult to lift
    • Fuel leakage and oil spillage issues
  8. 8
    Westinghouse 6,600/5,300-Watt Gasoline Powered Home Backup Portable Generator, Recoil Start, RV-Ready Outlet, CO Sensor Great
    4.7 (5,706 reviews)
    $599.99 Your price for this item is $599.99

    About this product

    A powerful and durable portable generator with 5,300 running watts, 6,600 peak watts, and a 4.7 gallon fuel tank.

    A powerful and durable portable generator with 5,300 running watts, 6,600 peak watts, and a 4.7 gallon fuel tank.

    What customers like
    • Good voltage regulation
    • Convenient and easy to transport
    • Powerful and durable
    • Easy assembly
    • Sturdy and well-made structure
    What customers dislike
    • Not as tall as expected
    • Packaging could be improved
    • Mis-labeled graphic on start switch
    • Louder than the smaller version
    • Hard to fill oil
  9. 9
    Westinghouse 1,500/1,000-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Inverter Generator, Super Quiet, Lightweight, CO Sensor Great generator best one ive ever owned
    4.8 (5,435 reviews)
    $379.99 Your price for this item is $379.99

    About this product

    A compact and lightweight portable inverter generator with 1500 peak watts and 1000 running watts.

    A compact and lightweight portable inverter generator with 1500 peak watts and 1000 running watts.

    What customers like
    • Compact and lightweight
    • Good value for the price
    • Quiet operation
    • Easy to use and start
    • Versatile and efficient
    What customers dislike
    • Limited capacity
    • Lack of wattage gauge on lower end model
    • Lack of quality control
    • Initial fuel leak
    • Lack of cushioning
  10. 10
    DuroMax 13,000/10,500-Watt Dual-Fuel Portable Generator, CO Alert, 500cc Great generator and great price
    4.8 (1,278 reviews)
    $1799.99 Your price for this item is $1799.99

    About this product

    A powerful and versatile portable generator with 13,000 watts of power, dual-fuel capability, and CO Alert technology.

    A powerful and versatile portable generator with 13,000 watts of power, dual-fuel capability, and CO Alert technology.

    What customers like
    • Easy assembly
    • Flawless performance
    • Time-saving
    • Versatility
    • Electric start
    What customers dislike
    • Delay in automatic starting
    • Less power than gas-powered blowers
    • No power supply cord connectors
    • Weak welds
    • Idle control not working with propane

FAQ

What are the benefits of having a home backup generator? + -

A home backup generator provides an immediate solution during power outages, ensuring that essential appliances and systems in your home continue to function. This can be particularly important in rural areas where power restoration may take longer. It also provides peace of mind knowing that you're prepared for unexpected situations.

How do I determine the right size of a home backup generator for my needs? + -

The size of the generator you need depends on the number of appliances and systems you want to keep running during a power outage. You'll need to calculate the total wattage of these items, which can usually be found on their labels or in their user manuals. It's recommended to choose a generator with a slightly higher output than your calculated total to account for any additional power needs.

What type of fuel do home backup generators use? + -

Home backup generators can run on various types of fuel, including diesel, natural gas, propane, or gasoline. The choice often depends on what's readily available in your area and your personal preference.

Can I install a home backup generator myself? + -

While it's possible to install a home backup generator yourself if you have the necessary skills and knowledge, it's generally recommended to have it installed by a professional. This ensures that it's set up correctly and safely, and many manufacturers require professional installation for warranty purposes.

How often should I perform maintenance on my home backup generator? + -

Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your home backup generator in good working condition. It's generally recommended to check it at least once every few months and after each use. Regular maintenance tasks may include checking and changing the oil, inspecting the air filter, and ensuring the generator is clean and free of debris.

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