The 10 Best Value Generator, Tested And Researched

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
Best Value Generator
Best Value Generator

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator

This generator can handle heavy loads from lights, refrigerators, air conditioners and high amperage power tools. It has the ability to run on either propane or gasoline for maximum versatility and convenience. With a 13,000-watt peak output, you'll have all the power you need to handle any task. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment Portable Generator

This 212cc, 4-Stroke OHV Engine features a long-lasting cast iron sleeve and automatic low oil shutdown for optimal performance and longevity. Enjoy up to 14 hours of run time per tank, making it perfect for camping trips and other outdoor activities. Read Review

3. Best Design: Champion Power Equipment 201052 Portable Generator

This powerful 224cc Champion engine generator can provide up to 7000 running watts of power with a handy toggle switch to easily start up. With digital monitoring, you can track voltage, hertz and run-time hours to keep track of power output and maintenance intervals. Perfect for home backup, camping trips and more! Read Review

4. Best Compatible: WEN GN400i RV-Ready Inverter Generator

Get clean and reliable power to safely operate sensitive electronics such as phones, tablets, televisions and computers. Plus, the Parallel-ready panel allows you to connect any two WEN inverter generators for increased wattage output. Get the power you need with WEN GN400i RV Ready Inverter Generator. Read Review

5. Best Quality: DuroMax XP13000E Gas Powered Portable Generator

This reliable powerhouse features an easy-to-use control panel that includes a wide selection of outlets for maximum compatibility in your applications. Whether you need to power lights, refrigerators, home conditioners or high amperage power tools. Read Review

A generator can be a great asset for anyone looking to power their home or business. Whether you’re looking for a reliable backup power source or an alternative to your electricity bill, a generator can provide the best value for your money. From portable generators to standby generators, there are a wide range of options available.

Selecting the right generator can be overwhelming, so it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget before making a purchase. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to find the best value generator. Fortunately, there are many factors to consider when making this decision, including size, power output, fuel type, noise level, and cost. By taking the time to research your options and compare prices, you can easily find the best value generator for your needs.

After 19 hours of research on customer feedback & product specifications, We've come up that the best value generator is DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator. It can handle heavy loads from lights, refrigerators, air conditioners and high amperage power and has the ability to run on either propane or gasoline for maximum versatility and convenience. If you desire extra features not included in this model, you might look into another one: Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment Portable Generator. It could better suit your needs.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 DuroMax XP13000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator
Our Score:
9.8
DuroMax

POWERFUL DUROMAX ENGINE: The XP13000EH is powered by a 500cc OHV Duromax Engine. Engine Speed-3600 RPM. Wheel Diameter-10-Inches .With Gasoline : Peak Wattage - 13,000., Running Wattage - 10,500., Running Amperage at 120V - 87.5., Running Amperage at 240V - 43.75., Runtime at 25% Load - 17., Runtime at 50% Load - 8With Propane : Peak Wattage - 12,350., Running Wattage - 9,975., Running Amperage at 120V - 83.13., Running Amperage at 240V - 41.56., Runtime at 25% Load - 13., Runtime at 50% Load - 6Please read the detailed safety instructions in the manual before operating.

PLENTY OF POWER: With 13,000 starting watts and 10,500 watts, this unit can handle heavy loads from lights, refrigerators, home conditioners and high amperage power tools.

With Propane : Peak Wattage - 12,350., Running Wattage - 9,975., Running Amperage at 120V - 83.13., Running Amperage at 240V - 41.56., Runtime at 25% Load - 13., Runtime at 50% Load - 6

With Gasoline : Peak Wattage - 13,000., Running Wattage - 10,500., Running Amperage at 120V - 87.5., Running Amperage at 240V - 43.75., Runtime at 25% Load - 17., Runtime at 50% Load - 8

Please read the detailed safety instructions in the manual before operating.

POWERING EVERYONE ANYWHERE: Like all DuroMax generators, the XP13000EH is EPA and CARB approved for use in all 50 states.

MAXIMUM POWER: The power panel includes a wide selection of outlets for maximum compatibility in your applications including: 1 120/240V 50A heavy duty outlet, 1 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet, 1 120V 30A twist lock outlet, and 2 120V 20A household outlets.

Complies with Emissions Standards – All DuroMax generators are both approved by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CARB (California Air Resources Board) and follow strict guidelines to ensure our generators are as environmentally friendly as possible.

DUAL FUEL TECHNOLOGY: The ability to run on Propane or Gasoline allows the Freedom and Flexibility of Fuel Choice.

TOP Choice #2 Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment Portable Generator
Our Score:
9.6
Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment

3600 Running Watts and 4650 Peak Watts; Recoil Start; 4 Gallon Fuel Tank With Fuel Gauge; Up to 14 Hours of Run Time Per Tank

Powered by a 212cc Westinghouse 4-Stroke OHV Engine Featuring a Long-Lasting Cast Iron Sleeve With Automatic Low Oil Shutdown

Features One 5–20R 120V Household Duplex Receptacle, One RV-Ready TT-30R 30 Amp Receptacle, and One L5-30R 30 Amp Receptacle; All Outlets Have Rubber Covers for Added Safety

Plug-and-Play: Comes With Oil, an Oil Funnel, a Tool Kit, and a User’s Manual to Get You Started Right Out of the Box (Minimal Assembly Required)

Gasoline Peak Amps: 38A

All Westinghouse Portable Generators are Functionally Tested in the Factory and May Contain Minimum Residual Oil and/or Fuel Odor; EPA and CARB Compliant; Backed By 3-Year Limited Service, Labor, and Parts Coverage and Nationwide Customer Service Network

TOP Choice #3 Champion Power Equipment 201052 Portable Generator
Our Score:
9.5
Champion Power Equipment

Wheel Diameter:8 in.

CHAMPION SUPPORT: Includes 3-year limited warranty with FREE lifetime technical support from dedicated experts

OUTLETS: One 120V 30A RV outlet (TT-30R), one 120V 30A locking outlet (L5-30R) and two 120V 20A household outlets (5-20R) - trust Volt Guard built-in surge protector to prevent overloads

ELECTRIC START: Power up the 224cc Champion engine with the handy toggle switch

DUAL FUEL: Operate your 3800-watt portable generator right out of the box on either gasoline or propane, plus the unit holds 0.6-quarts of oil (included) and has a low oil shut-off sensor

INTELLIGAUGE: Keep track of voltage, hertz and run-time hours to easily monitor power output and track maintenance intervals

Parallel-ready panel allows you to connect any two WEN inverter generators for increased wattage output

Includes two 120V NEMA 5-20R receptacles, two 5V USB ports, one 120V RV-ready TT-30R receptacle

Generate clean power to safely operate sensitive electronics such as phones, tablets, televisions and computers

Dimensions: 19.8" L x 13.8" W x 18.9" H | Weight: 66.1 lb

212cc 4-stroke CARB-compliant OHV engine produces 4000 surge watts and 3500 rated watts

POWERFUL DUROMAX ENGINE: the XP13000E is powered by a 500cc OHV Duromax Engine.

MAXIMUM POWER: The power panel includes a wide selection of outlets for maximum compatibility in your applications including: 1 120/240V 50A heavy duty outlet, 1 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet, 1 120V 30A twist lock outlet, and 2 120V 20A household outlets.

PLENTY OF POWER: with 13,000 starting watts and 10,500 watts, This unit can handle heavy loads from lights, refrigerators, home conditioners and high amperage power tools.

POWERING EVERYONE EVERYWHERE: like all Duromax generators, the XP13000E is EPA and CARB approved For use in all 50 States.

GAS POWERED ENGINE: run your generator with gasoline For long lasting power.

6 WEN DF475T Portable Generator
Our Score:
9.0
WEN

Electric start powers the 224cc 4-stroke OHV engine with the turn of a key

Includes two 120V GFCI outlets (5-20R), a 120V/240V NEMA 30A twist lock (L14-30R), a 12V DC cigarette-lighter-style plug, a bottle of oil, a wheel and handle kit, a 47-inch LPG connection hose, and a 2-year warranty

4-gallon tank provides up to 11 hours of half load run time

Voltage easily goes from 120V to 240V, perfect for transfer switches and emergency backup

Switch between gasoline (4750 surge watts, 3800 running watt) and propane (4350 surge, 3500 running) with the simple turn of the selection dial

7 DuroMax XP4850EH Generator
Our Score:
8.9
DuroMax

Plenty of Power – With 4,850 starting watts and 3,850 running watts, this unit can handle heavy loads, from lights and a refrigerator to a home air conditioner and high amperage power tools

Fully Featured Power Panel – The power panel includes a wide selection of outlets for maximum compatibility in your applications including: (2O) 120V household GFCI outlets and (1) 120/240V 30A twist lock outlet. The panel also includes a voltmeter and 12V DC charging posts for charging external batteries

Dual Fuel Technology – This generator runs on gasoline or propane, giving you the freedom and flexibility of fuel choice

Powerful Engine – The DuroMax 210cc OHV engine is a workhorse that provides plenty of power to handle multiple jobs, from powering high voltage appliances to heavy duty power tools

MX2 Technology - Get the maximum power from each of the 120-volt receptacles. Choose between operating the generator at both 120V and 240V simultaneously, or at 120V only with full power. Ideal for usage with RVs

Fuel shutoff maximizes the generator’s lifespan by using up the remaining fuel in the carburetor before shutting down

Produces clean power to prevent damage to sensitive electronics such as smart phones, tablets and laptops

212cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces 3800 surge watts and 3400 rated watts with a half-load runtime of up to 8.5 hours

Extremely quiet operation minimizes noise;, EPA III and CARB Compliant

Dimensions: 23.2" L x 18" W x 20.1" H | Weight: 99.2 lb.Dimensions: 23.2" L x 18" W x 20.1" H | Weight: 99.2 lb

Includes two three-prong 120V receptacles, one AC 120V NEMA TT-30R RV receptacle, one 12V DC receptacle, two 5V USB ports, a digital load and fuel display, and a two-year warranty

9 A-iPower SUA12000E Portable Generator
Our Score:
8.7
A-iPower

Complete with Electric Start capability allowing you to quickly, easily, and conveniently start up your generator whenever you need it

Large 7 gallon gasoline fuel tank provides average run time of 7 hours at 100% load and 9 hours at 50% load

The A-iPower SUA12000 produces 12,000 starting watts with 9,000 running watts to power your tools at the construction site, camping ground, or home appliances

Outlets include: 2x5-20R Duplex GFCI (20A, 120V), 1xL14-30R (30A, 120/240V), 1x14-50R (50A, 120/240V), 1xMultifunction Port USB Ready Automotive Style Outlet (8.3A, 12V). All outlets include rubber covers for an additional layer of safety.

Powerful 459 cc OHV 4 stroke engine with a low oil alert light and low oil automatic shutdown, helping keep your generator performing year after year

10 PowerSmart Inverter Generator
Our Score:
8.5
PowerSmart

Output power: 4-stroke OHV engine, 4400 peak watts/3500 running watts. Parallel system increases output power.

Use occasions: 61db maximum peak power operation, ideal for outdoor camping, RV preparation, home backup.

Digital display: shows voltage, frequency, session run time and total run time.

High fuel efficiency: 2.54 gallon fuel tank, 16 hours of operation in economy mode, maximum fuel efficiency.

Clean power: 120V 30A RV outlet, 2x 120V 20A household outlets, 2x 5V USB, clean output power less than 3% THD.

What to Look For in a best value generator?

Size

Installing home generators requires space. So make sure that you consider the dimensions of all models. You can find generators in a variety of sizes, from smaller units measuring less than 3ft to more large units measuring 5ft or more. A general rule of thumb is that the generator with the highest power rating will be larger.
Be aware that the clearance between your home and generator may be determined by local codes or model specifications. A small generator may require only 18 inches of clearance.

Warranties

A warranty is usually included with the purchase of a generator. The warranty covers both labor and parts for most residential inverter and portable generators. For standby generators which can be larger investments, you will usually get a 3- to 52024 warranty period.
Certain warranties may also include travel expenses for technicians to visit the generator and fix it. However, this depends on which manufacturer you are using.

Wattage

A generator's wattage is the measure of its ability to provide power for whatever it plugs into. This information is crucial to understand about any generator that you are considering.
However, this number does not represent the entire picture. Wattage is made up of three parts: power needed to turn on an appliance and power required to maintain it running. It also includes power necessary to sustain a power surge, which is when regular juice returns to normal and all appliances start to work again. Many appliances use more power for startup than their run energy consumption. You could overload your generator when you turn on appliances and other devices. If the generator can't provide enough power, it could overload. You need to know how many watts your generator can generate, depending on whether it is powering just one item or the whole house.
An increase in generator costs is generally associated with a higher wattage. Most people agree that it's better to have enough power than not to be able to run your fridge or keep cool by a fan.

Fuel Source

Generators are generally powered by either gasoline, natural gas or propane.
The majority of portable generators run on gasoline and can generally keep fridges and lights running for several hours. These generators can't be relied upon for long-term power backups, such as when there is no electricity for several days.
Propane and natural gas are used more often for large home-standby generators. These fuels can be used for larger home standby generators as they are cleaner-burning and offer on-demand power.
Solar or battery-powered power sources are an alternative to traditional fuel-powered generators. These machines have different capabilities, and their run time can vary widely. However, they might be the best match for you if your power requirements are less than minimal. They are typically used for camping only, not home.

Automatic Start

Whole home generators can automatically start when power goes out. This allows the generator to automatically start supplying power when there is no electricity from the utility. This feature is usually only available on standby generators, and not portables. These systems can provide peace of mind and may be more expensive than the security that your generator will automatically turn on without interrupting vital systems like heating and cooling.

Type

You need to decide which generator type is best for you: a portable or standby generator. This will help you decide if you just want the lights to stay on or if you need to power other electrical components such as the refrigerator, window, central air conditioner, and the fridge.

FAQs

What type of generator should I buy?

The type of generator you should buy depends on your needs and budget. Consider the size of your space, the type of power you need, and the budget you have available.

How often should I maintain my generator?

It's important to maintain your generator regularly to ensure it is running safely and efficiently. Generally it is recommended to perform maintenance on your generator every 3 months or 100 hours of operation, whichever comes first.

What kind of fuel does a generator use?

Most generators run on either gasoline or diesel fuel. However, some generators also run on natural gas, propane, or other alternative fuels.

How loud is a generator?

Generators can be quite loud, depending on their size and type. Generally, the larger the generator, the louder it will be.

How do I know if my generator is working properly?

If your generator is working properly, it should start up quickly and easily and should not emit any strange odors or sounds. You should also check the oil level and the battery voltage to ensure they are within the recommended levels.

It's time to start buying when you've determined the best types of best value generator and the characteristics you want. It's important to remember that you needn't rush out to a certain store or browse internet discounts just soon. You may quickly discover your pal thanks technological advancements, particularly the proliferation of selling sites.

Try to keep an eye on our site's regular to guarantee the latest deals best value generator passes our standards. As a result, you'll be able to close the gap with them. Could you kindly provide us with feedback so that we can satisfy you guys, our customers? Wish you a great shopping experience!


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About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

Read Katie's full bio