Which generators are the most reliable

Despite its high power output, the euis is incredibly fuel-efficient, thanks to the fuel injectors and Eco-Throttle system. The hefty outlook also comes with a cost. The Honda euis is one of the expensive options in the market, but it's also one of the best inverter generators available. The price, coupled with its size and weight, makes it unsuitable for applications where high power out is not a priority.

If you are looking for a portable generator, look no further than the Honda EuiS! Much like its' predecessor, the EuiS boasts an extremely sturdy build. Due to its' steel frame, the durability of this powerful generator leaves little to be desired.

Besides, the frame itself acts as protection from damaging external conditions, such as bad weather. As a result, the Honda Euis portable generator is ideal for the outdoors. There is no question that Honda has built a reputation for itself, and this generator lives up to that standard. The 4-stroke Honda engine can deliver up to watts of power.

Even though the Honda EuiS has a potent engine, you don't need to worry about the noise it produces. This portable generator operates at around 50dB. For reference, a normal conversation is about 60dB.

The system manages fuel consumption. In conclusion, the Honda EuiS inverter generator is extremely powerful, very well built, and highly efficient. It is portable, making it ideal for your next camping trip. Honda uses a patented Eco-Throttle technology ensuring the generator's engine doesn't waste a single watt of power.

As a result, it will last longer than many other engines. Not only does the Eco-Throttle reduce fuel consumption, but it also reduces the noise level of the engine. Consequently, the EuiS is very quiet despite its power output. All of these things combined make a reliable, sturdy, and powerful generator that is sure to last you a long time. The Champion Watt portable unit is one of the most versatile inverter generators on the market. While it is generally marketed for camping and RV use, you can also find an excellent use for it in your household.

Even if you have an emergency, the Champion Watt portable generator will have you covered. With this in mind, the Champion Watt portable generator lives up to expectations. By using a 4-stroke single-cylinder overhead valve engine, the generator produces an enormous amount of power. As a result, it can run nearly all household and RV appliances, including refrigerators and air conditioners. One great thing about the Champion Watt generator's engine is its reliability.

In freezing conditions, engine oil becomes thicker — making it harder for the engine to work correctly. While this is an issue for other generators, the Champion Watt features a cold start technology. As a result, the generator works even in extreme weather. The Champion Watt is terrific for the outdoors.

It was built with the needs of RV users in mind. As a result, it comes with an electric remote control that enables you to control it without leaving the comfort of your RV.

The remote access, paired with unique cold start technology, makes this generator the perfect addition for your next camping adventure. Even though this generator is relatively cheap, it is very high-quality. The design is very pleasing to the eye, making the generator desirable for any customer. In addition, the Champion Watt portable generator is quite fuel-efficient, saving you even more money.

In conclusion, this generator is highly versatile, optimized, and will fulfill all of your power needs. The Duromax XPEH portable generator might be relatively small, but don't let its size fool you — this bad boy generates impressive amounts of power. This generator runs on an astounding watts, while its maximum reaches a whopping surge watts. As a result, the amount of power it provides is an excellent fit for blackouts and emergencies.

Duromax XPEH portable generator comes with a mighty four-stroke engine that is capable of running every appliance in your home. Additionally, the engine can use both gasoline and propane.

While it primarily depends on propane, utilizing dual fuel adaptability makes this generator highly convenient. Finally, the engine is air-cooled for improved aeration. Are you worried about assembly? This portable generator might seem a bit heavy at lbs, which is a hard task for a single person to carry.

To sum up, this generator outputs an enormous amount of power. As a result, it is excellent for emergency situations, especially if one of the fuel types becomes unavailable. Another reason why it is useful in emergencies is its portability. Not only does it come with a set of wheels, but it is also relatively small, making it easy for carrying it from one place to another.

This generator is robust, reliable, and efficient. Therefore it is guaranteed to be a safe purchase for any potential customer, and it's one of the best portable generators available in the market. The eye-catching Champion Watt portable generator is designed for camping.

As a result, it provides a steady power source for long periods of time. Equipped with a cc single-cylinder engine, it runs on watts. This technology ensures better fuel economy and prolonged engine life. In addition, the Champion Watt has a low oil shut-off sensor, designed for safety. The Champion Watt portable inverter generator arrives fully assembled, with built-in handles and a wheel kit. Therefore, it is practically made to be carried around.

Because of these characteristics, the Champion Generator is one of the most convenient generators on the market. Even though this inverter generator is highly reliable, it's not foolproof. However, you need not worry as it comes with free lifetime technical support. Experts from Champion Power Equipment are readily available to provide any assistance you may need.

Champion Support also includes a 3-year warranty. In summary, the Champion Watt is a great inverter generator. Due to its small size and relatively small weight, it is excellent for traveling or camping.

Besides, this portable generator is equipped with a set of wheels and handles for even more convenience. Not only is it easy to carry, but it is also simple to use because of its Quick Touch Panel. Champion Power Equipment does not disappoint when it comes to generators, and the Champion Watt is no exception.

It is highly reliable, portable, and fuel-efficient. This generator's quality definitely justifies its' price point. It is exceptionally well built, highly functional, and worth every penny. Champion Power Equipment still doesn't disappoint with its range of portable generators, and the Champion Watt is no exception. This reliable generator is powered by a cc hybrid engine. As a result, it can reach up to watts of starting power. While its continuous power is slightly less at watts, it is still a force to be reckoned with.

However, keep in mind that using propane will lower the amount of continuous power to around watts. You will also be delighted to hear that the Champion Watt portable generator comes with an electric starter. As a result, starting it in cold weather is not a problem. Additionally, it has a run time of up to hours of continuous work, depending on the fuel type you are using.

In other words, this portable generator is highly reliable. As a result, it is excellent for prolonged usage in potential emergency situations. To sum up, the Champion Watt portable generator is sturdy and highly dependable.

With Champion Power Equipment's lifetime technical support, you can rest assured that the generator will last you a very long time. No matter if you are using it to power an RV for your next camping trip or you need a reliable generator for blackouts, this generator can do it all.

Another great feature of this generator is its robust build. Due to its steel frame, it is durable and somewhat heavy. Luckily, it has wheels that make it highly portable despite its weight of lbs. The Champion Watt portable generator delivers terrific quality for its price.

The Westinghouse WGen portable gas generator is a powerhouse for its compact package. It weighs in at lbs. It is well-designed for use as a portable emergency power supply. The WGen has a runtime of 20 hours nonstop on its 6. It is also equipped with a Transfer Switch outlet that connects straight to standard home outlets, allowing you to power your entire house.

The user-friendly control panel includes the VFT Data Center program, which sends real-time updates on its current operating status for easy maintenance and long service life.

The Westinghouse WGen portable generator packs a loud and powerful punch, despite its small size. It can easily power most household appliances for prolonged periods, making it an excellent backup power supply during emergencies. The Transfer Switch Ready outlets also make it easy to connect with electronic devices without the need for additional power cords or nearby power outlets. Its size and loud operational noise require that it be stored at an ample distance from the house or camp while it is running, though.

These vary in price, depending on the application, but they start around fifty dollars. Generally, if powering appliances, tools, or other devices by plugging them directly into the standard outlets on the front of the generator, no. If the generator is being used to power circuits in your home, maybe. Electrical circuits need to be grounded in order to operate electrical devices safely, so that any current that shorts out, or has a fault, is directed to the ground, i.

Neutral bonded means that the neutral wire is bonded, or connected, to the generator frame. With a floating neutral, the neutral is not connected to the frame. In the latter case, the generator should be grounded by connecting to the ground terminal to a grounding rod driven into the ground. Generators with GFCI Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets, when used to power circuits in your home, require a neutral switching, manual transfer switch, and need to be grounded by connecting the ground terminal to a ground rod, driven into the soil.

Neutral switching transfer switches are also referred to as three pole transfer switches. A generator, or anything with a fuel-powered engine, should never be operated in a closed space, like a garage or shed.

Exhaust gasses contain carbon monoxide CO , an odorless, colorless gas that can poison and kill people. Most manufacturers offer models that will shut down when they detect carbon monoxide gas building up, which prevents them from running in closed spaces.

Do not run a generator in a garage, with the door open, or in front of the garage with the door open—carbon monoxide can still become trapped in the garage and slowly make its way into the home. For this reason, generators should be run outside, at least 20 feet from the house, away from windows and doors, with the exhaust blowing away from the house.

Manufacturers list two figures for generators: starting watts and running watts. Starting watts includes the initial surge required to start appliances or tools with powerful electric motors or compressors.

Once started, these devices require far less power to run continuously. Many manufacturers have a chart with estimated power requirements for common appliances and tools to help add up what is required. The figure can also be calculated by adding up power consumption of specific appliances and adding them together.

To calculate watts, multiply voltage usually volts by the amps amperage required to run the appliance usually found on a tag attached to the appliance. Do this for each item the generator will power. We researched popular features, scoured consumer reviews, and talked with product engineers to select these generators. Testing these models was based on our experience using generators for backup power with and without transfer switches, on construction sites to run power tools and equipment, as well as running sound systems and lighting at outdoor events.

We measured sound levels of these generators idling with no load, and while running under load at 2 feet and 25 feet.

We used an oscilloscope to observe the sine wave of the AC current generated by these machines, and a clamp meter to check voltage output. Some examples of devices we used with large starting and running loads include a large air conditioner and a portable table saw.

We evaluated these generators based on ease of starting, power response, sound levels, value, safety, and reliability to select the top performers.

In addition, we included three untested models that have compelling prices, design, or other features that may meet your needs.

Many of our recommended and tested models are currently out of stock due to ongoing supply chain issues. We checked availability, and these generators with similar features from brands that have performed well in our testing, are currently available if you need one quickly.

The Generac generators in question were purchased online and from brick-and-mortar retailers from June through June Full details of the recall can be found on the U. Consumer Product and Safety Commission website. If you currently have the Generac GP COsense—or one of the other models subject to the recall—you should stop using it and contact the company for a free repair kit at , or www.

Running watts: 7, Starting watts: 9, Decibels under load: The Predator , from Harbor Freight, is a very big inverter, capable of powering all the critical circuits in a modest-size home. We were able to pull it around fairly easily with one person, but lifting it was definitely a team affair. To hit the running capacity, we powered two air conditioners, a portable heater, a table saw, and a planer. Running watts: 3, Starting watts: 3, Decibels under load: We appreciated the convenience of the push-button electric start.

During testing we used two volt loads, our amp table saw, and a amp portable air conditioner. While turning the saw on and off, the sine wave of the current had consistent symmetrical waves. The IQ is a great compact generator for job sites and emergency home backup.

Running watts gas : 3, Starting watts gas : 4, Decibels under load: Champion packed a lot of value in here, starting with the ability to run on either gas or propane. Monitoring the current when turning the saw or planer on, we saw a symmetrical sine wave. THD held at zero percent, though it blipped to 3. Running watts: 1, Starting watts: 2, Decibels under load 2 and 25 ft: At half the size and less than half the weight of the other models in this test, the Honda EUi inverter generator is the most portable of the units we tested.

That enclosure is an important feature as it protects the inverter electronics and helps contain noise—the EUi is remarkably quiet. In testing, we measured sound levels of When we started and stopped things with bigger motors, like a table saw and air conditioner, the sine wave remained smooth.

Running under these heavier loads, we measured the highest sound levels for the EUi at Aside from the clean enclosure, there are some other really nice features on this generator. The vent on the gas cap can be closed, so that fumes, or fuel, cannot escape.

Lastly, the EUi has ports for parallel operation. With the correct cable, it can be connected to a second EUi to double output to starting and running watts. The EUi is ideal for camping and other outdoor events where generator noise might be frowned on.

Running watts: 3, Starting watts: 4, Decibels under load 2 and 25 ft: Generator Buying Guide Last updated: July 20, How CR Tests Generators Performance To test generators for performance, our expert engineers load up each model with a variety of essentials you might want to power during an outage, like a space heater, refrigerator, or window air conditioner.

Generator Ratings by Consumer Reports. Know Your Power Priorities Generators are sold by power output, as measured in watts. Here are some rough numbers for common essentials: Refrigerator: watts Sump pump: to 1, watts Portable heater: 1, watts Window air conditioner: 1, watts Lights: 5 to 80 watts per bulb Computer: 60 to watts For a more complete list, check out our report on how to pick the right size generator for your house.

Check Our Generator Ratings. Types of Generators You can go one of four ways. New Safety Technology for Portable Generators To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, many new generators feature a built-in sensor that triggers an automatic shutoff if CO builds up to dangerous levels in an enclosed space; some also have engines that emit less CO in the first place.

Generator Ratings. Check Our Generator Ratings for More. Illustration: Chris Philpot. Generator Brands. Cat is a smaller manufacturer of gasoline-powered portable generators.

It primarily focuses on the construction market, with generators designed for worksites. Champion is a smaller manufacturer of all kinds of generators, ranging from small inverter models that run on gas, all the way up to large standby generators that can power an entire house using propane or natural gas.

DeWalt is best known as a tool brand, but it makes gas-powered portable generators with contractors in mind. Its products are sold primarily at Home Depot. Most of its models are recreational or midsized; many of them have low-carbon-monoxide engines.

Generac is the largest generator manufacturer in the U. It makes everything from small recreational generators up to home standby generators, and its products are widely available, including at Home Depot, as well as through smaller dealers. Honda has a reputation for making stellar generators, particularly inverter models. Honda sells generators through small dealerships and not at home centers.

Ryobi is a Home Depot-exclusive tool brand that makes low-CO generators. It made the first low-CO generator on the market, and it offers recreational, inverter, and portable models. When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. Learn more. Sharing is Nice Yes, send me a copy of this email. Send We respect your privacy. Oops, we messed up. Try again later. More From Consumer Reports.

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