How Much Does a Home Generator Cost?

We bucket generators and power stations into three tiers based on real catalog pricing: budget (under $150), mid-range ($150-$1,000), and premium ($1,000+). Where a given product lands depends more on capacity and features than brand.

Budget tier typically covers small power stations and light-duty portable generators — enough for lights, phone charging, and a fan, not a refrigerator or AC for long.

Mid-range covers most household needs: inverter and dual-fuel portable generators that can run a refrigerator, sump pump, and several circuits, or mid-size power stations with several hours of real backup for essential loads.

Premium tier is whole-home standby generators and large dual-fuel units built for multi-day, whole-house backup — the higher price reflects both capacity and, for standby units, professional installation.

See our tiered roundups for current picks at each price point.