Generators & Power Stations

Portable, inverter and home standby generators, plus battery power stations and solar kits for backup power.

How to choose a generator

Buying the biggest generator you can afford is the most common mistake: it costs more up front and burns more fuel every hour it runs. Start from what you actually need to power, then choose between portable, inverter, standby and battery.

1

Add up your watts

List what must run at the same time and add their running watts, then add the largest starting surge (a well pump or AC compressor can briefly need two to three times its running watts).

2

Inverter or conventional

Inverter generators produce clean power that is safe for computers and electronics, run quieter and throttle down at light load. Conventional open-frame units give more watts per dollar for tools and heavy loads.

3

Fuel

Dual-fuel and tri-fuel models run on gasoline, propane and sometimes natural gas. Propane stores for years without going stale, which matters for a generator that sits unused between storms.

4

Standby or portable

A home standby generator starts by itself through an automatic transfer switch and runs on natural gas or propane. It must be installed by a licensed electrician; a portable unit needs a transfer switch or interlock to power house circuits safely.

Read the full buying guide

Questions & answers

What size generator runs a whole house?

Most average homes run essential circuits on 7,000–10,000 running watts. Running central air and everything else at once usually takes a 20–26 kW home standby unit.

Is a portable power station a real alternative?

For quiet indoor backup of a fridge, lights, internet and phones, yes: a battery station with solar panels needs no fuel and makes no fumes. For well pumps, AC or days-long outages, a fuel generator still wins.

Can I run a generator in the garage?

No. Generators produce carbon monoxide and must run outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents. Many new models include CO shut-off sensors, but that is a safety net, not permission.

Not sure which model fits? Ask our team and a real person will answer within one business day.