Best generator for power outage backup at home

The short answer

For most homes, the best generator for a power outage is a dual-fuel portable rated around 7,500 to 9,500 running watts with a 120/240 V L14-30 outlet for a transfer switch. It runs the fridge, sump pump, furnace fan and lights. If you only need a fridge and electronics, a quieter 3,500 W inverter is enough.

At a glance

The picks

No.	Model	Capacity	Cont. / surge	Chemistry / fuel	Weight
01	Best overallGenerac GP7500E Dual FuelA whole-home transfer switch setup that runs essentials on 240 VFull specs, strengths and tradeoffsCheck price on Amazon	Fuel, 7.9 gal tank	7,500 / 9,400 W gas6,800 / 8,500 W LP	Gasoline + Propane	204 lb
02	Best inverterChampion 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter (201321)Quieter backup for a fridge, electronics and a few lightsFull specs, strengths and tradeoffsCheck price on Amazon	Fuel, 4.02 gal tank	3,650 / 4,500 W gas3,285 / 4,500 W LP	Gasoline + Propane	92.6 lb
03	Best for bigger homesWestinghouse WGen9500DFcHomes with a 240 V well pump or more circuits to back upFull specs, strengths and tradeoffsCheck price on Amazon	Fuel, 6.6 gal tank	9,500 / 12,500 W gas8,500 / 11,200 W LP	Gasoline + Propane	212.1 lb
04	Best budgetChampion 3500W Dual Fuel (201296)Keeping a fridge, lights and phones going on a modest budgetFull specs, strengths and tradeoffsCheck price on Amazon	Fuel, 4.7 gal tank	3,500 / 4,375 W gas3,150 / 3,950 W LP	Gasoline + Propane	104.7 lb
05	Big dual fuelChampion 9500W Dual Fuel (201508)Large essential-load lists with a 50 A inletFull specs, strengths and tradeoffsCheck price on Amazon	Fuel, 7.7 gal tank	9,500 / 12,000 W gas8,550 / 10,800 W LP	Gasoline + Propane	216 lb
06	Most powerDuroMax XP13000HXRunning a central AC or several large motors with an electrician-installed 50 A inletFull specs, strengths and tradeoffsCheck price on Amazon	Fuel, 8.3 gal tank	10,500 / 13,000 W gas10,000 / 12,500 W LP	Gasoline + Propane	246 lb
07	QuietestHonda EU2200iApartment-adjacent or close-neighbor situations with small loadsFull specs, strengths and tradeoffsCheck price on Amazon	Fuel, 0.95 gal tank	1,800 / 2,200 W gas	Gasoline	47.4 lb

• 01

  Best overallGenerac GP7500E Dual Fuel

  A whole-home transfer switch setup that runs essentials on 240 V

  Capacity

  Fuel, 7.9 gal tank

  Cont./surge

  7,500 / 9,400 W gas6,800 / 8,500 W LP

  Chem./fuel

  Gasoline + Propane

  Weight

  204 lb

  Full specs, strengths and tradeoffs
  Check price on Amazon
• 02

  Best inverterChampion 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter (201321)

  Quieter backup for a fridge, electronics and a few lights

  Capacity

  Fuel, 4.02 gal tank

  Cont./surge

  3,650 / 4,500 W gas3,285 / 4,500 W LP

  Chem./fuel

  Gasoline + Propane

  Weight

  92.6 lb

  Full specs, strengths and tradeoffs
  Check price on Amazon
• 03

  Best for bigger homesWestinghouse WGen9500DFc
  

  Homes with a 240 V well pump or more circuits to back up

  Capacity

  Fuel, 6.6 gal tank

  Cont./surge

  9,500 / 12,500 W gas8,500 / 11,200 W LP

  Chem./fuel

  Gasoline + Propane

  Weight

  212.1 lb

  Full specs, strengths and tradeoffs
  Check price on Amazon
• 04

  Best budgetChampion 3500W Dual Fuel (201296)

  Keeping a fridge, lights and phones going on a modest budget

  Capacity

  Fuel, 4.7 gal tank

  Cont./surge

  3,500 / 4,375 W gas3,150 / 3,950 W LP

  Chem./fuel

  Gasoline + Propane

  Weight

  104.7 lb

  Full specs, strengths and tradeoffs
  Check price on Amazon
• 05

  Big dual fuelChampion 9500W Dual Fuel (201508)

  Large essential-load lists with a 50 A inlet

  Capacity

  Fuel, 7.7 gal tank

  Cont./surge

  9,500 / 12,000 W gas8,550 / 10,800 W LP

  Chem./fuel

  Gasoline + Propane

  Weight

  216 lb

  Full specs, strengths and tradeoffs
  Check price on Amazon
• 06

  Most powerDuroMax XP13000HX
  

  Running a central AC or several large motors with an electrician-installed 50 A inlet

  Capacity

  Fuel, 8.3 gal tank

  Cont./surge

  10,500 / 13,000 W gas10,000 / 12,500 W LP

  Chem./fuel

  Gasoline + Propane

  Weight

  246 lb

  Full specs, strengths and tradeoffs
  Check price on Amazon
• 07

  QuietestHonda EU2200i
  

  Apartment-adjacent or close-neighbor situations with small loads

  Capacity

  Fuel, 0.95 gal tank

  Cont./surge

  1,800 / 2,200 W gas

  Chem./fuel

  Gasoline

  Weight

  47.4 lb

  Full specs, strengths and tradeoffs
  Check price on Amazon

No. 1Best overall

Generac GP7500E Dual Fuel

Best for: A whole-home transfer switch setup that runs essentials on 240 V

7,500 running watts on gasoline (6,800 on propane) covers a fridge, a sump pump, a furnace fan and lights with room left over. The L14-30R outlet feeds a transfer switch or interlock, and COsense shuts the engine down if CO builds up. Electric start helps in cold weather.

Strengths

• 120/240 V L14-30R outlet
• COsense shutdown
• Electric start

Tradeoffs

• 204 lb
• Generac does not list a noise rating on the product page

• Note: Outlet list (two 5-20R GFCI duplex, one L14-30R) from Generac's GP7500E spec sheet; the product page does not list outlets or a noise rating.
• Note: 420cc OHV engine with EFI, PowerRUSH, hour meter, 3-year limited warranty per Generac.

Fuel	Gasoline + Propane
Gasoline	7,500 W running / 9,400 W starting
Propane	6,800 W running / 8,500 W starting
Type	Conventional (open frame)
Runtime	Up to 10 h on gasoline / 5 h on a 20 lb propane tank at 50% load
CO safety	COsense shutdown
Transfer-switch outlet	L14-30R (120/240 V)
Weight	204 lb
Start	Electric + recoil

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 2Best inverter

Champion 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter (201321)

Best for: Quieter backup for a fridge, electronics and a few lights

An open-frame inverter with clean power for electronics, 3,650 running watts on gas and up to 22 hours at 25% load per Champion. It runs on gasoline or propane, has electric start and parallel ports, and includes CO Shield.

Strengths

• Inverter power for electronics
• 64 dBA
• Long runtime at light load

Tradeoffs

• 120 V only, no 240 V outlet
• No transfer switch outlet listed

Fuel	Gasoline + Propane
Gasoline	3,650 W running / 4,500 W starting
Propane	3,285 W running / 4,500 W starting
Type	Inverter (clean power)
Runtime	Up to 22 h on gasoline / 21 h on a 20 lb propane tank at 25% load
CO safety	CO Shield automatic shutoff
Transfer-switch outlet	None (120 V outlets only)
Noise	64 dBA
Weight	92.6 lb
Start	Electric + recoil

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 3Best for bigger homes

Westinghouse WGen9500DFc

Best for: Homes with a 240 V well pump or more circuits to back up

9,500 running and 12,500 starting watts on gasoline, with both an L14-30R and a 50 A 14-50R outlet. Westinghouse lists a CO sensor with automatic shutdown and electric start.

Strengths

• Two 240 V outlet options
• 12,500 starting watts
• CO sensor shutdown

Tradeoffs

• 212 lb
• 74 dBA
• Westinghouse lists it as not CARB compliant

• Note: Westinghouse lists it as not CARB compliant (not for sale in California).

Fuel	Gasoline + Propane
Gasoline	9,500 W running / 12,500 W starting
Propane	8,500 W running / 11,200 W starting
Type	Conventional (open frame)
Runtime	Up to 12 h at 25% load on 6.6 gal gasoline / about 7 h on propane at 50% load (tank size not stated)
CO safety	CO sensor with automatic shutdown
Transfer-switch outlet	L14-30R or 14-50R (120/240 V)
Noise	74 dBA
Weight	212.1 lb
Start	Electric + recoil

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 4Best budget

Champion 3500W Dual Fuel (201296)

Best for: Keeping a fridge, lights and phones going on a modest budget

3,500 running watts on gasoline handles a fridge plus small loads, and the 4.7 gallon tank gives up to 14 hours at 50% load per Champion. CO Shield is standard.

Strengths

• Up to 14 h at 50% load
• Dual fuel
• CO Shield

Tradeoffs

• Recoil start only
• L5-30R is 120 V only, so no 240 V circuits

Fuel	Gasoline + Propane
Gasoline	3,500 W running / 4,375 W starting
Propane	3,150 W running / 3,950 W starting
Type	Conventional (open frame)
Runtime	Up to 14 h on gasoline / 10.5 h on a 20 lb propane tank at 50% load
CO safety	CO Shield automatic shutoff
Transfer-switch outlet	L5-30R (120 V only)
Noise	68 dBA at 23 ft
Weight	104.7 lb
Start	Recoil

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 5Big dual fuel

Champion 9500W Dual Fuel (201508)

Best for: Large essential-load lists with a 50 A inlet

9,500 running watts with L14-30R and 14-50R outlets, electric start and CO Shield. A 7.7 gallon tank gives about 8 hours at 50% load.

Strengths

• 14-50R 50 A outlet
• Electric start
• CO Shield

Tradeoffs

• 216 lb
• About 4.5 h on a 20 lb propane tank at 50% load

• Note: 500cc engine, electric and recoil start, Cold Start Technology, Intelligauge, 6.5 ft propane hose with regulator included, EPA certified, 3-year limited warranty per Champion.

Fuel	Gasoline + Propane
Gasoline	9,500 W running / 12,000 W starting
Propane	8,550 W running / 10,800 W starting
Type	Conventional (open frame)
Runtime	Up to 8 h on gasoline at 50% load (7.7 gal); about 4.5 h on a 20 lb propane tank at 50% load
CO safety	CO Shield automatic shutoff
Transfer-switch outlet	L14-30R or 14-50R (120/240 V)
Noise	74 dBA at 23 ft
Weight	216 lb
Start	Electric + recoil

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 6Most power

DuroMax XP13000HX

Best for: Running a central AC or several large motors with an electrician-installed 50 A inlet

10,500 running and 13,000 peak watts on gasoline, 10,000 running on propane, with four GFCI 5-20R outlets plus L5-30R, L14-30R and 14-50R. DuroMax lists CO sensor shutdown and electric start.

Strengths

• Highest output here
• Four 120 V GFCI outlets plus three locking/50 A outlets
• 17 h at 25% load on 8.3 gal

Tradeoffs

• 246 lb
• DuroMax lists it as not CARB certified
• DuroMax suggests at least a 40 lb propane tank

• Note: DuroMax lists it as EPA certified but not CARB certified (not 50-state compliant).
• Note: Product weight 246 lb (240 lb dry) per DuroMax.

Fuel	Gasoline + Propane
Gasoline	10,500 W running / 13,000 W starting
Propane	10,000 W running / 12,500 W starting
Type	Conventional (open frame)
Runtime	17 h at 25% load / 8.5 h at 50% load on gasoline; 13 h / 6.5 h on propane (DuroMax suggests a 40 lb tank minimum)
CO safety	CO Alert sensor with automatic shutdown
Transfer-switch outlet	L14-30R or 14-50R (120/240 V)
Noise	74 dB
Weight	246 lb
Start	Electric + recoil

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 7Quietest

Honda EU2200i

Best for: Apartment-adjacent or close-neighbor situations with small loads

Honda lists 48 to 57 dBA and 47.4 lb. 1,800 running watts will start most fridges and run a CPAP, phones and lights. Honda's CO-MINDER shuts it down if CO builds up.

Strengths

• Quietest and lightest
• CO-MINDER
• Inverter power

Tradeoffs

• Gasoline only, 0.95 gal tank
• Too small for a sump pump plus fridge
• Honda lists it as not for sale in California

• Note: Gasoline only. Honda lists this model as not for sale in California.

Fuel	Gasoline
Gasoline	1,800 W running / 2,200 W starting
Type	Inverter (clean power)
Runtime	3.2 h at rated load / 8.1 h at 25% load on 0.95 gal
CO safety	CO-MINDER automatic shutdown
Transfer-switch outlet	None (120 V outlets only)
Noise	48–57 dBA
Weight	47.4 lb
Start	Recoil

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

Full write-ups for the top three: Generac GP7500E review, Champion 201321 review and Westinghouse WGen9500DFc review.

How big a generator for home backup power

Add the running watts of everything you want on at once. Then add the single largest startup jump, because motors draw extra for a moment when they start. Champion Power Equipment's wattage chart gives these typical figures:

Example. Fridge 400 W + sump pump 1,050 W + furnace fan 800 W + ten LED bulbs 150 W + TV and chargers 300 W = 2,700 running watts. The sump pump's startup jump is about 1,100 W (2,150 minus 1,050), so plan for about 3,800 W at the moment it kicks on. A 3,500 W generator is too tight. A 7,500 W unit has comfortable headroom and lets you add a microwave or a window AC.

Inverter, open frame or dual fuel

• Inverter generators produce cleaner power for electronics and throttle down at light loads, which saves fuel and noise. Both inverter picks here are 120 V only, at 3,650 and 1,800 running watts.
• Open-frame generators deliver more watts for the money and usually include a 120/240 V outlet for a transfer switch. They are louder and heavier.
• Dual fuel lets you run on gasoline or propane. Propane output is lower on every model here, for example 6,800 W versus 7,500 W on the Generac.

Fuel planning

Fuel is what limits a generator in a long outage. Using Generac's own figure of up to 10 hours on 7.9 gallons at 50% load, the GP7500E burns roughly 0.8 gallons an hour at that load, or about 19 gallons a day if it runs nonstop. On propane, Generac lists about 5 hours per 20 lb tank at 50% load, so a full day takes about five tanks. Running the generator in shifts, a few hours at a time to cool the fridge and pump the sump, cuts that sharply.

• Store fuel outside living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers, and never near a fuel-burning appliance such as a gas water heater in a garage (CPSC).
• Never store generator fuel in the house (FEMA).
• Turn the generator off and let it cool before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts can ignite (CPSC).

Generator safety: carbon monoxide

A CO shutoff sensor, which every pick here has, is a backup and not a substitute for placement. Point the exhaust away from the house. Our CO alarm picks all keep working without grid power, and BackupPowerAI's generator CO safety guide covers placement in more detail.

Connecting to the house: transfer switch or interlock

Never plug a generator into a wall outlet to power the house. CPSC calls this backfeeding: it is an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors on the same transformer, and it bypasses household circuit protection. The safe options are a transfer switch or a breaker interlock with a power inlet, installed by a licensed electrician under local code and permit. FEMA says to use a qualified electrician or ask your utility. Without one, run heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cords rated above the total wattage of what you plug in.

To feed 240 V circuits such as a well pump, you need a generator with an L14-30R or 14-50R outlet. The Champion 201296 and both inverters are 120 V only. BackupPowerAI's transfer switch and interlock basics explains the options.