Key takeaways
- Refrigerator: about 150 running watts, 600 to 1,200 starting
- Sump pump (1/3 hp): about 800 running, 1,300 to 2,000 starting
- Furnace blower: about 600 running, up to 1,200 starting
- Router, modem and phone charging: about 100 total
- LED lights, six bulbs: about 60
- Window AC (10,000 BTU): about 900 running, 1,800 or more starting
The best portable generator for storm backup depends on what you must keep running: an inverter model of 2,000 to 4,500 running watts covers a fridge, router, lights and phone charging quietly, while an open-frame model of 7,500 watts or more is the better fit when you want to run well pumps, a window AC or several circuits through a transfer switch. Below are the types and real 2026-era models worth shortlisting, with the wattage math that decides between them.
Our top picks
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Quick comparison of the top portable generator picks
| Pick | Best for | Running / starting watts | Fuel | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda EU2200i | Quiet, fridge-and-lights backup | 1,800 / 2,200 | Gasoline | Premium |
| Yamaha EF2200iS | Quiet backup, long engine life | 1,800 / 2,200 | Gasoline | Premium |
| Predator 3500 Inverter (Harbor Freight) | Budget inverter power | 2,800 / 3,500 | Gasoline | Budget to mid |
| Westinghouse iGen4500 | All-round outage backup | 3,700 / 4,500 | Gasoline | Mid-range |
| Champion 3400-watt dual fuel inverter | Gas or propane flexibility | 3,100 / 3,400 (gasoline) | Gasoline and propane | Mid-range |
| Generac GP3500iO | Mid-size inverter with simple controls | 3,000 / 3,500 | Gasoline | Mid-range |
| Westinghouse WGen7500 | Whole-house essentials via transfer switch | 7,500 / 9,500 | Gasoline | Mid to upper-mid |
| DuroMax XP13000EH | Maximum capacity, dual fuel | 10,500 / 13,000 (gasoline) | Gasoline and propane | Upper-mid |
Wattage figures follow each manufacturer’s published spec sheet; propane output is typically about 10 percent lower than gasoline on dual fuel units.
Best overall: Honda EU2200i
Honda’s 2,200-watt inverter is the benchmark small generator. It produces clean power for laptops and phone chargers, is rated by the maker at roughly 57 to 62 dBA depending on load, and sips fuel at low loads thanks to its eco-throttle. Its limit is capacity: 1,800 running watts will carry a refrigerator, a few LED lights, a router and device charging, but not a well pump and a microwave at the same time. Choose it if quiet and reliability matter more than raw output. The main trade-off is price, since you pay a premium for the badge and the engine.
Best alternative in the quiet class: Yamaha EF2200iS
Yamaha’s EF2200iS matches the Honda on rated wattage and sits in the same quiet inverter category. It suits buyers who find the Honda sold out or want the Yamaha dealer network. Like the Honda, it is a one-fridge-and-essentials machine. Its trade-off is the same: it does not scale to 240-volt loads, and paralleling two units requires the manufacturer’s cable and compatible models.
Best budget inverter: Predator 3500
Harbor Freight’s Predator 3500 inverter offers 3,500 starting watts at a fraction of the cost of the big-name brands. That headroom lets it start a sump pump or a small window air conditioner that a 2,200-watt unit cannot. The trade-offs are heavier weight, a louder engine than Honda or Yamaha at the same load, and a shorter track record for long-term durability. For an occasional storm generator that sits in the garage most of the year, the value is hard to beat.
Best mid-size inverter: Westinghouse iGen4500
With about 3,700 running watts, the iGen4500 is a strong match for homes that want a fridge, freezer, furnace blower and lights all at once. It has a push-button start, a fuel-level gauge on the panel and an eco mode. It is a single-fuel gasoline machine, so you must keep fresh fuel stabilized in storage, a point that matters for every gas generator.
Best dual fuel inverter: Champion 3400-watt
Champion’s dual fuel inverter lets you switch between gasoline and propane. Propane stores for years without going stale, which is a real advantage for storm prep, because a hurricane may arrive months after you last filled the tank. Expect about 3,100 running watts on gasoline and less on propane, per the spec sheet. The trade-off is a slightly lower output on propane and a heavier body than a pure gasoline inverter.
Best for simple operation: Generac GP3500iO
The GP3500iO is a 3,000 running watt inverter with a straightforward control panel and a quiet-operation design. It suits households that want mid-size capacity from a name with a broad service network. Like other single-fuel gas units, you need to rotate fuel and run it periodically.
Best for whole-house essentials: Westinghouse WGen7500
An open-frame generator at 7,500 running watts can feed a transfer switch or interlock kit and power a well pump, a refrigerator, a furnace and a window AC together. It is louder and heavier than an inverter, usually in the high 70s dBA, but it offers far more power per dollar. The trade-offs are noise, fuel burn and the need for an electrician to install the transfer switch safely.
Best maximum capacity: DuroMax XP13000EH
The XP13000EH is a dual fuel open-frame unit with 13,000 starting watts on gasoline. It makes sense for large homes or properties with multiple pumps and heavy tools. Expect a very heavy machine on wheels, high fuel consumption and substantial noise.
How to size a portable generator: a worked example
Add up the running watts of everything you need at once, then check the largest starting surge. Typical figures from appliance labels and manufacturer data:
- Refrigerator: about 150 running watts, 600 to 1,200 starting
- Sump pump (1/3 hp): about 800 running, 1,300 to 2,000 starting
- Furnace blower: about 600 running, up to 1,200 starting
- Router, modem and phone charging: about 100 total
- LED lights, six bulbs: about 60
- Window AC (10,000 BTU): about 900 running, 1,800 or more starting
Example: fridge (150) + sump pump (800) + blower (600) + router and lights (160) = 1,710 running watts. The largest surge is the sump pump at roughly 2,000, so the peak is about 1,560 + 2,000 = roughly 3,560 watts if everything starts together. A 3,500 to 4,500 watt inverter handles this with margin, while a 2,200 watt unit would overload.
Safety and ownership realities
- Run a generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows and doors, with the exhaust pointed away from the house. Carbon monoxide kills during outages every year; add a battery-powered CO alarm indoors.
- Never backfeed through a wall outlet. Use a properly installed transfer switch or interlock.
- Gasoline goes stale in roughly three to six months without stabilizer. Rotate fuel or choose a dual fuel model.
- Run the generator under load for 15 to 20 minutes every month and change oil on the schedule in the manual.
- Store fuel in approved containers and follow local limits on quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size portable generator do I need for a power outage?
Most homes riding out a storm need 3,000 to 5,000 running watts to cover a fridge, lights, a router and a few fans or a furnace blower. Add up your running watts and the largest starting surge, then add roughly 20 percent margin.
Are inverter generators better than open-frame generators?
Inverter models are quieter, lighter and produce cleaner power for electronics, but cost more per watt. Open-frame models give far more capacity for the money and suit larger loads and transfer-switch setups.
Is dual fuel worth it?
For storm preparedness, usually yes. Propane stores for years and does not gum up the carburetor, so the unit starts more reliably after long storage. The trade-off is slightly lower output on propane.
How long will a portable generator run on one tank?
Run time depends on tank size and load. Many mid-size inverters run roughly 8 to 18 hours at a half load, according to manufacturer run-time ratings. Plan fuel for the full length of the outage you expect.
Can I run a portable generator in the garage?
No. Never run one in a garage, basement or near open windows, even with the door open. Carbon monoxide builds up quickly, so keep it outdoors and well away from the house.
