Top Rated Standby Generators of 2026

According to Customer Reviews

When it comes to being prepared for power outages, standby generators are a reliable and essential investment for any home or business. Our top-rated standby 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 backup power solution for your residence or seeking a reliable generator for your commercial needs, our collection of top-rated standby generators offers a range of features and capacities to suit various requirements. With user satisfaction as the primary criteria, you can trust that these generators have proven their reliability and performance in real-world scenarios.
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What to look for in top-rated standby generators

1. Power Capacity

The first thing to consider is the power capacity of the generator. It should be able to handle your home’s power needs, so calculate the total wattage of all appliances and systems you want to keep running during a power outage.

2. Fuel Type

Standby generators can run on various types of fuel like natural gas, propane, or diesel. The choice of fuel type will depend on availability and cost-effectiveness in your area.

3. Transfer Switch

A transfer switch is necessary for safe operation. Automatic transfer switches start the generator automatically during a power outage and shut it down when utility power returns.

4. Noise Level

Generators can be loud, so consider the noise level if it's located near living spaces. Some models come with sound-dampening technology.
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  1. 1
    Westinghouse 18,000/14,500 W Dual-Fuel Portable Generator, Gas/Propane, Home Backup, CO Sensor Great Generator love the fob feature
    4.8 (37,178 reviews)
    $3099.99 Your price for this item is $3099.99

    About this product

    A powerful and versatile dual fuel portable generator with 15,000 peak watts and 12,000 running watts, featuring push-button electric start and a carbon...

    A powerful and versatile dual fuel portable generator with 15,000 peak watts and 12,000 running watts, featuring push-button electric start and a carbon monoxide sensor.

    What customers like
    • Durable and high quality
    • Good quality ingredients
    • Convenient and well-built
    • Powerful and versatile dual fuel capability
    • Comfortable and suitable for needs
    What customers dislike
    • Difficulty in putting wheels on
    • Potential mess when changing oil
    • Small wire handle
    • Lack of instructions
    • Tight oil dipstick
  2. 2
    Westinghouse 12,500/9,500 W Dual-Fuel Portable Generator, Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready the best of the best
    4.8 (33,199 reviews)
    SAVE $115.00
    $1034.99 Your price for this item is $1034.99

    About this product

    A powerful and versatile dual fuel portable generator with electric start and transfer switch compatibility.

    A powerful and versatile dual fuel portable generator with electric start and transfer switch compatibility.

    What customers like
    • Good value for the price
    • Powerful and versatile
    • Easy to assemble and start
    • Comfortable and flattering fit
    • Durable and well-built
    What customers dislike
    • Fit issues
    • Not durable
    • Box was opened
    • Not quiet
    • Button placement
  3. 3
    Westinghouse 12,500/9,500 W Tri-Fuel Portable Generator, CO Sensor, Gas/Propane/Natural Gas Great features, multiple fuel sources and best of all remote key fob starting
    4.8 (32,787 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
  4. 4
    Westinghouse 12,500/9,500 W Dual-Fuel Portable Generator, Gas/Propane, CO Sensor great features
    4.8 (32,321 reviews)
    $1249.99 Your price for this item is $1249.99

    About this product

    A dual fuel portable generator with 12,500 peak watts, CO sensor, and intuitive control panel.

    A dual fuel portable generator with 12,500 peak watts, CO sensor, and intuitive control panel.

    What customers like
    • Easy assembly and start-up
    • Good value for the price
    • Versatile and reliable performance
    • Comfortable and flattering fit
    • Durable and well-built
    What customers dislike
    • Fit issues
    • Packaging issues
    • Not durable
    • Not quiet
    • Button placement
  5. 5
    Westinghouse 2,550/1,900 W Gasoline Powered Portable Inverter Generator, Super Quiet, Lightweight, RV-Ready 30A Outlet very quite, love the controls
    4.7 (7,940 reviews)
    $549.99 Your price for this item is $549.99

    About this product

    A super quiet and lightweight portable inverter generator with 2550 peak watts and 1800 running watts.

    A super quiet and lightweight portable inverter generator with 2550 peak watts and 1800 running watts.

    What customers like
    • Quiet and low sound level
    • Good customer service and warranty
    • Compact and portable
    • Powerful and efficient
    • Easy to start and operate
    What customers dislike
    • Poor customer service experience
    • Limited run time
    • Lack of instructions
    • Loudness and noise issues
    • Difficulty turning off
  6. 6
    Westinghouse 9,500/7,500-Watt Dual-Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, CO Sensor Great features
    4.7 (6,066 reviews)
    $1149.99 Your price for this item is $1149.99

    About this product

    A powerful and versatile dual fuel portable generator with CO sensor for backup power and portability.

    A powerful and versatile dual fuel portable generator with CO sensor for backup power and portability.

    What customers like
    • Quality build
    • Dual fuel capability
    • Easy assembly
    • Great features
    • Quiet operation
    What customers dislike
    • Difficulty starting on gas
    • Fuel consumption
    • Relatively loud
    • Poor customer service responsiveness
    • Weight for transportation on uneven surfaces
  7. 7
    Westinghouse 6,600/5,300-Watt Gasoline Powered Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start, CO Sensor Great product
    4.8 (5,837 reviews)
    $749.99 Your price for this item is $749.99

    About this product

    A powerful and versatile portable generator with 6,600 peak watts and 5,300 running watts, featuring push-button electric start and a durable construction.

    A powerful and versatile portable generator with 6,600 peak watts and 5,300 running watts, featuring push-button electric start and a durable construction.

    What customers like
    • Good voltage regulation
    • Powerful and versatile
    • Convenient and easy to transport
    • Easy assembly
    • Sturdy construction
    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
  8. 8
    DuroMax 13,000/10,500-Watt Dual-Fuel Portable Generator, CO Alert, 500cc Great generator and great price
    4.8 (1,452 reviews)
    SAVE $400.00
    $1399.99 Your price for this item is $1399.99

    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
  9. 9
    DuroMax 13,000/10,500-Watt Dual-Fuel Portable Home Power Backup Generator, 500cc, Electric Start Hybrid Best deal and quality of the generator world
    4.6 (638 reviews)
    SAVE $200.00
    $1299.99 Your price for this item is $1299.99

    About this product

    A powerful and versatile 10,500 watt dual-fuel portable generator with push-button start and multiple outlets.

    A powerful and versatile 10,500 watt dual-fuel portable generator with push-button start and multiple outlets.

    What customers like
    • Powers entire house
    • Excellent customer service
    • Versatile dual-fuel capability
    • Easy assembly and startup
    • Reliable performance
    What customers dislike
    • Backfires
    • Frequent spark plug replacement
    • Overheating issues
    • High propane consumption
    • Loss of pressure with propane tanks
  10. 10
    Champion Power Equipment 2,500/1,850-Watt Gasoline Powered Ultra-Light Inverter Generator, CO Shield I love this, really good for the price
    4.8 (488 reviews)
    $499.99 Your price for this item is $499.99

    About this product

    A lightweight and quiet 2500-watt inverter generator with CO Shield technology and parallel ready capabilities.

    A lightweight and quiet 2500-watt inverter generator with CO Shield technology and parallel ready capabilities.

    What customers like
    • Good customer service
    • USB outlets
    • Easy to use
    • Quiet operation
    • Lightweight and portable
    What customers dislike
    • Difficult to start
    • Leaking oil and small tank size
    • Poor customer support
    • Issues with motor and ignition

FAQ

What are the benefits of using a standby generator? + -

Standby generators provide an immediate and automatic source of power during a power outage. They can power essential appliances and systems in your home or farm, such as refrigerators, lights, heating and cooling systems, and water pumps. This ensures that your daily activities can continue without interruption.

How does a standby generator work? + -

A standby generator is connected to your property's electrical panel. When there's a power outage, the generator automatically starts up and supplies power directly to your home or farm's electrical system. Once the regular power supply is restored, the generator automatically shuts off.

What fuel types do standby generators use? + -

Standby generators typically run on propane or natural gas. The choice between these two fuel types often depends on what is readily available in your area. Some models may also offer dual-fuel capabilities, allowing you to switch between different fuel types.

How much maintenance does a standby generator require? + -

Like any machine, standby generators require regular maintenance to ensure they function properly when needed. This includes tasks like checking and changing the oil, inspecting air filters, and testing the unit regularly to ensure it operates correctly.

Can I install a standby generator myself? + -

While it's possible for a knowledgeable homeowner to install a standby generator, it's generally recommended that installation be done by a professional. This ensures that the unit is installed safely and correctly, and complies with local building codes.

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