Best Generators for Home Backup of 2026
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Outdoor generators for home backup are an essential investment for homeowners who live in areas prone to power outages. These generators provide a reliable source of backup power when the main grid goes down, ensuring that critical appliances and systems like refrigerators, lights, and medical equipment remain operational. Outdoor generators come in various sizes and types, including portable and standby models, and can run on different types of fuel, such as gasoline or propane. They are designed to be durable, easy to use, and capable of generating enough power to meet the needs of most households during an outage.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Generators for Home Backup
Westinghouse 12500 Peak Watt Dual Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator
Get up to 12 hours of run time with the Westinghouse 12500 Peak Watt Dual Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, which comes with a remote start key fob, electric and recoil start, and a 6.6-gallon fuel tank with fuel gauge. The generator features two GFCI 120V 5–20R standard household receptacles, one transfer switch ready 120V L14-30R, and one RV ready 120/240V 14–50R. It is powered by a heavy-duty 457cc Westinghouse 4-stroke OHV engine, which has automatic low oil shutdown and digital hour meter. The generator is EPA and CARB compliant, and comes with a 3-year limited service, labor, and parts coverage with nationwide customer service network.
The Westinghouse 12500 Peak Watt Dual Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator is perfect for those who live in areas with frequent power outages. It is easy to set up and start, and comes with a remote control for added convenience. Customers have praised the generator's dual fuel feature, which allows them to use either gasoline or propane to power the generator, and its ability to power multiple household appliances and electronics during power outages. The generator is also suitable for use in RVs and on construction sites, making it a versatile investment for anyone in need of reliable backup power.
Westinghouse 13500 Peak Watt Dual Fuel Generator
The Westinghouse Dual Fuel Generator offers powerful performance with up to 13,500 peak watts on gasoline and 12,500 on propane, ensuring you have reliable power during outages or outdoor activities. It features remote electric start with a handy key fob, making it easy to turn on from a distance without hassle. You can run it for up to 19 hours on a full 9.5-gallon tank, so you won’t have to refuel often. The generator comes with multiple outlets, including standard household plugs and RV-ready connections, all protected with rubber covers for safety and convenience. This makes it a versatile and user-friendly power solution for your home or recreational needs.
Westinghouse 14500 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Generator
The Westinghouse Tri-Fuel Generator is an ideal backup power solution for larger homes or for portable power needs. With a powerful output of 14,500 peak watts using gasoline, it ensures you have plenty of energy during outages. You can also use propane or natural gas, providing you with flexible fuel options. The generator boasts an impressive runtime of up to 19 hours on a single tank, giving you peace of mind during extended power interruptions. Powered by a robust Westinghouse engine, this generator is built for durability and reliability, making it a smart choice for your power needs.
DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator
The DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator is a powerful and versatile generator that can run on either gasoline or propane. It features 13,000 starting watts and 10,500 running watts, and has a wide selection of outlets for maximum compatibility. It is EPA and CARB approved for use in all 50 states, and is easy to set up and use. Customers have praised its power and reliability, though some have experienced issues with oil consumption and damaged threads.
PowerSmart 4400W Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator
The PowerSmart Dual Fuel Generator offers strong power with 4400 watts starting output, making it great for running your home devices, RV, or tools on the job. Its 1.6-gallon fuel tank lets you run it for up to 11 hours at a quarter load, so you don’t have to refill often. You’ll also appreciate how quiet it runs at 76 decibels, perfect for camping or neighborhood use without disturbing others. Plus, it’s lightweight and compact, weighing just over 61 pounds, so you can easily carry it wherever you need reliable power.
Westinghouse 13500 Peak Watt Generator
The Westinghouse Tri-Fuel Generator delivers reliable power with 13,500 peak watts and 10,500 running watts on gasoline. You can enjoy the flexibility of using propane or natural gas, ensuring you have the energy you need in emergencies. With a remote start feature, you can easily start the generator from a distance, adding convenience during power outages. The generator's 9.5-gallon fuel tank allows for up to 19 hours of runtime, giving you peace of mind that your home will stay powered for an extended period without frequent refueling.
Oxseryn 4400W Inverter Generator
The Oxseryn 4400W Generator offers a strong power output, making it ideal for RV trips or emergency home backup. With 4400 peak watts and 3400 running watts, you can run multiple devices smoothly. It provides multiple outlets, including two 120V AC ports, a 12V DC port, and an RV port, so you can easily connect various appliances. The generator runs up to 14 hours at a quarter load thanks to its ECO mode and a 2-gallon fuel tank with a gauge, helping you keep track of fuel levels. Plus, it operates quietly at under 72 decibels from 23 feet, so it won’t disturb your peace during use.
Westinghouse 6600W Dual Fuel Portable Generator
The Westinghouse 6600W Dual Fuel Portable Generator is a powerful backup generator that runs on either gasoline or propane. With a 4.7-gallon fuel tank and up to 14.5 hours of run time, this generator can power your home or RV for extended periods of time. It features multiple outlets, including one RV-ready outlet, one transfer switch ready outlet, and one household duplex receptacle, all with rubber covers for added safety. The generator comes with everything you need to get started, including oil, a propane hose, and a tool kit. It also has automatic low oil and carbon monoxide (CO) shutdown for added safety.
EF ECOFLOW DELTA 2 Portable Power Station
The ECOFLOW DELTA 2 Power Station is a fast-charging, expandable, and versatile portable power station that can power almost anything. With 7x faster charging, it can be charged up to 80% in just 50 minutes and up to 100% in only 80 minutes with AC input. Its standalone portable design with 1kWh capacity can be expanded up to 3kWh, making it perfect for camping, RVs, and off-grid living. With 1800W output, it can power 90% of your appliances, making it a cleaner and greener alternative to outdoor generators. It also features up to 500W of solar panel input, making it an ideal solar generator. The ECOFLOW DELTA 2 is built to last 6x longer with its LFP battery chemistry, offering a 3000+ cycle life. It comes with a sophisticated BMS to ensure safety. It also includes a plug-and-play design that enables you to connect it directly to your home's power inlet box* with a generator cord for partial home backup, making it an easy solution for power outages.
ERAYAK 4500W Portable Inverter Generator
The ERAYAK 4500W Generator offers a reliable power solution with 4500 peak watts and 3500 running watts, perfect for camping, RVs, or home backup. It uses advanced inverter technology to provide clean, stable electricity, keeping your sensitive devices like laptops and medical equipment safe. Its ultra-quiet design, operating at just 60.5 decibels, makes it ideal for use in quiet environments such as campgrounds or neighborhoods. The generator also features an Eco Mode that adjusts the engine speed to save fuel and reduce noise, helping you enjoy longer run times and a more peaceful experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What size generator do I need for home backup?
Add up the Total Watts to determine how much power your home is likely to use during an outage. Divide the Total Watts by 1000 to find kilowatts. Multiply kilowatts x 1.25 to add a margin of safety and for future power needs. This is the minimum Generator Capacity required for your home.
2. Is there a generator that can power a whole house?
A few of the top whole house generators on the market are: Generac 24kW home standby generator (US$6,935,49, Amazon) Generac 22kW/19.5kW home standby generator (US$5,727 (Was US$6,147), Amazon) Champion 8.5-kW home standby generator (US$3,149, Amazon) (more info on this economical model below)
3. Can I run my whole house on a portable generator?
Small generators can power an appliance or two, while a whole-home generator (sometimes called a home standby generator) can power an entire house.
During our generator for home backup research, we found 24 generator for home backup products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 331,441 customer reviews through our big data system to write the generators for home backup list. We found that most customers choose generators for home backup with an average price of $584.45.
The generators for home backup are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of generators for home backup, including Westinghouse, DuroMax, PowerSmart, Oxseryn, EF ECOFLOW. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Steven Taylor grew up in a small town called Beaufort in South Carolina and his passion for building and woodworking has led him to master the latest garden gadgets. He always holds every chance to patch up or sand down his beloved garden. There are various novel technologies in his articles.