Best Generators & Power Stations for Outages
Ranked by real buyer rating, not sponsorship. Pick the roundup that matches your situation.
Best Dual-Fuel Portable Generators for Power Outages
Dual-fuel generators run on gasoline or propane, which matters most when a multi-day outage makes gas stations unreliable but a propane tank at home stays usable. These are the highest-rated dual-fuel portable generators in our catalog, ranked by verified buyer rating.
Best Inverter Generators for Home Backup
Inverter generators produce cleaner, more stable power than standard portable generators, which matters for sensitive electronics, medical equipment, and modern appliance control boards. They also run quieter — useful if neighbors are close during an extended outage.
Best Home Standby Generators
Home standby generators install permanently and start automatically within seconds of a utility outage, running on natural gas or propane piped to the unit. They cost more upfront than portable options but need no manual setup during a storm.
Best Small Power Stations (Under 1,000Wh)
Small power stations are quiet, battery-based backup for lights, phones, and medical devices — no fuel, no fumes, safe for indoor use. They won't run a refrigerator for long, but they're the simplest option for a typical overnight outage.
Best Power Stations for Whole-Home Backup
Mid-size power stations (roughly 1-3kWh) can keep a refrigerator, sump pump, or CPAP running through a multi-hour outage, and most support solar recharging if the outage stretches past a day.
Best Budget Generators and Power Stations Under $150
You don't need to spend a fortune to cover the basics during an outage — lights, phone charging, a fan, a small fridge. These are our highest-rated budget-tier generators and power stations.
Best Premium Whole-Home Backup Generators
For counties with frequent, multi-day outages, a premium-tier generator or standby unit is built to run the whole house — HVAC, well pump, and all — not just the essentials.
Best Generators for RV and Camping Backup Power
The same portable generators and power stations that back up a home during an outage double as RV and camping power — quiet inverter models in particular are RV-park-friendly and won't overload sensitive electronics.
Best Generator Accessories: Cords, Covers & Transfer Switches
A generator is only as useful as the cords, cover, and transfer switch that go with it. These are the highest-rated accessories in our catalog for connecting, protecting, and safely wiring a generator into your home.
Best Outdoor Generators Overall
This is our broadest generator category, covering standard, inverter, and dual-fuel portable models sized for anything from a few essential circuits to whole-home backup. Use our generator sizing calculator to match a model's wattage to your must-run appliances.