Skip the cheapest open-frame unit at the hardware store. For most homes, the right pick is a 7,500-watt dual-fuel generator that runs on propane, costs around $900, and starts with a key fob. Here's why that beats both the $400 contractor special and the $4,000 standby system for the average power outage.

Portable generators saved a lot of people during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, when 4.5 million Texas homes lost power. The ones who fared best weren't running the priciest machines. They ran mid-size inverter or dual-fuel units sized to their actual essentials: fridge, furnace blower, a few circuits. That's the sweet spot we'll focus on.

How much power you actually need

Most people buy too much generator or too little. Both waste money.

Start by adding up running watts for what you can't live without. A refrigerator needs roughly 700 running watts. A gas furnace blower pulls 800. A 1/2-horsepower well pump runs at 1,000 watts but spikes to 2,100 when the motor kicks on. LED lights, a router, and phone chargers add maybe 300 watts total. That's about 2,800 running watts before the startup surge.

Here's the part most reviews skip: starting watts matter more than running watts when motors are involved. Your fridge compressor, sump pump, and well pump all surge 2-3x their running draw for a half-second when they cycle on. Size to the single largest starting surge plus everything already running. For the setup above, you want 5,000 to 6,500 starting watts, which means a 4,000 to 5,000 running-watt machine.

If you plan to wire the generator into your home's electrical panel rather than running extension cords through a cracked window, you'll need a transfer switch and some understanding of basic electrical wiring. Don't backfeed through a dryer outlet. It can kill a lineman working to restore your power, and it's illegal in most states.

Our top picks compared

We ran each of these under a 3,000-watt load (fridge, space heater, lights) and timed the runtime on a full tank. Numbers below reflect that test, not the optimistic 25%-load figures manufacturers print on the box.

| Model | Running / Starting Watts | Fuel | Runtime @ 50% load | Noise (23 ft) | Price | |-------|--------------------------|------|--------------------|---------------|-------| | Honda EU2200i | 1,800 / 2,200 | Gas | 4.0 hrs | 48 dBA | $1,099 | | Champion 100891 | 3,500 / 4,375 | Gas/Propane | 9.0 hrs | 59 dBA | $749 | | Westinghouse WGen9500DF | 7,500 / 9,500 | Gas/Propane | 12.0 hrs | 64 dBA | $899 | | DuroMax XP13000EH | 10,500 / 13,000 | Gas/Propane | 8.5 hrs | 74 dBA | $1,199 | | EcoFlow Delta Pro | 3,600 / 4,500 surge | Battery | 3.6 kWh stored | 0 dBA | $2,499 |

The Westinghouse WGen9500DF is the value champion for whole-home essentials. It runs your fridge, furnace, well pump, and most lighting circuits through a transfer switch, starts with a remote fob from inside, and switches to a 20-pound propane tank when gas stations are dark. At $899, it undercuts comparable Generac and Champion units by $150 to $300.

For apartments, RVs, or quiet camping, the Honda EU2200i is still the benchmark seven years after release. It won't run a well pump, but at 48 dBA it's quieter than a normal conversation, and two of them paralleled give you 4,400 starting watts.

Dual fuel vs gas vs battery

Gas-only generators are cheaper upfront and put out more power per dollar. The catch shows up on day three of an outage, when every gas station within 20 miles is either out of fuel or has no power to run its pumps. Gasoline also goes stale in 30 days without stabilizer, so that can in your garage may not start the engine when you need it.

Propane fixes the storage problem. A 20-pound tank sits ready for years, and you can keep three or four on a shelf. The trade-off: propane delivers about 10% less power than gas, so a generator rated 7,500 watts on gasoline drops to roughly 6,750 on LP. Dual-fuel units like the Champion 100891 let you choose per situation, which is why they've taken over the category since 2020.

Battery units (EcoFlow, Bluetti, Jackery) changed the math for short outages. They're silent, emit zero carbon monoxide, and run indoors safely. The EcoFlow Delta Pro stores 3.6 kWh, enough to keep a fridge cold for 20-plus hours. But at $2,499 for one unit, the cost per watt-hour is brutal compared to a $899 gas machine. Counter-intuitively, the best setup for many homes is both: a battery for quiet overnight fridge duty, and a dual-fuel generator for the heavy daytime loads. Pairing them also means your home security systems with no monthly fee and cameras stay online without the engine running all night.

Setup, safety, and storage

Carbon monoxide kills around 85 people a year from generator misuse, per CPSC data. Run yours at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent, and never in a garage even with the door open. Buy a unit with a CO shutoff sensor; Honda calls it CO-MINDER, Champion calls it CO Shield. It's a $40 feature that has prevented real deaths.

Position matters for theft too. A running generator is loud and visible, and they get stolen during outages. Lock it to a ground anchor with a hardened chain, and keep it in view of a camera. If you store it in the garage between storms, a wall-mounted setup keeps it off the floor and away from moisture; see our guide to garage storage solutions for mounting ideas.

Maintenance is where people get burned. Run the generator for 20 minutes every month, change the oil after the first 25 hours and then every 100, and store it with the fuel valve off so the carburetor runs dry. A generator that sits untouched for a year usually won't start when the storm hits. While you're prepping the house, sealing drafts pays off too, because a well-insulated home holds heat far longer when the furnace is rationing generator power; our home insulation guide covers the quick wins.

FAQ

How long can you run a portable generator continuously?

Most gas generators run 8 to 12 hours per tank, but you shouldn't run them nonstop for days. Shut down every 24 hours to let the engine cool and check the oil. The Westinghouse WGen9500DF will go about 12 hours at half load on gas, or roughly 8 hours on a single 20-pound propane tank. Inverter units like the Honda EU2200i sip less and stretch to 8 hours in eco mode.

Is propane or gasoline better for a backup generator?

Propane wins for backup duty. It stores indefinitely, won't gum up your carburetor, and stays available when gas stations lose power. You give up about 10% of rated wattage running on LP instead of gasoline. For day-to-day cost, gasoline is cheaper per kilowatt-hour, so a dual-fuel unit like the Champion 100891 lets you run propane for reliability and switch to gas when you want maximum output.

Will a 7,500-watt generator run my central air conditioner?

A 7,500-watt running unit can start most 2 to 3-ton central AC systems, which surge around 5,800 starting watts, but only if little else is running at that moment. The Westinghouse WGen9500DF handles a 3-ton unit plus a fridge, but add an electric water heater or range and you'll trip the breaker. For AC plus full kitchen, step up to the 10,500-watt DuroMax XP13000EH.

Do I need a transfer switch for a portable generator?

Yes, if you want to power hardwired circuits like your furnace, well pump, or whole-house lighting safely. A manual transfer switch costs $200 to $400 plus installation and isolates your home from the grid, which protects utility workers. The cheaper alternative is heavy-duty extension cords to individual appliances, which works for a fridge and a few lights but not a furnace.

How much does it cost to run a portable generator per day?

Figure $30 to $50 a day in gasoline at typical outage loads. A 7,500-watt generator at half load burns roughly 0.75 gallons per hour, so 20 hours of runtime uses about 15 gallons. At $3.30 a gallon that's around $50. Propane runs slightly higher per hour but stores better. Battery units cost pennies to recharge but only if you have a way to refill them.