The Best Cheap Portable Generators

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To identify the best cheap portable generators, we consulted trustworthy sources that conduct product testing, such as Consumer Reports, Top Ten Reviews, Popular Mechanics, and Wirecutter. They often review models that cost more than $1,000, so we also relied on specialty retailers and enthusiast sites that compare cheaper portable generators, as well as hundreds of customer reviews on retail sites including Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon, and Walmart. Expect to pay about $300 for a small, gas-powered portable generator that can run two or three items for camping or tailgating, or provide a backup power source during storm season. A more robust generator to power your RV or run all essential home appliances can cost up to $600 or more. Also, while a majority of our picks are CARB compliant, for consumers living in California, you'll need to look for the very latest models if you want a unit equipped with the most up-to-date carbon-monoxide-sensing technology.

Editors' note: Generators regularly sell out, regardless of season, and top-rated models can be on back order for weeks. Prices fluctuate frequently, sometimes by $50 or more, so buy right away if you find a bargain.

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Our Top Pick

Westinghouse iGen2200 Review

Buy on $497.00

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Our Picks

Westinghouse iGen2200 Review

Buy on $497.00

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Pros:

Very quiet, with noise level of 53 dB; ideal for tailgating.
Small and lightweight, at just 46 pounds.
Easy to use and easy on fuel; needs only 1.2 gallons of gas to fill the tank, and efficiency mode stretches standard run times to as many as 12 hours.
Features include 2 USB ports, as well as dual 120-volt household outlets.

Cons:

May not have enough power to run every home appliance.
Lacks a fuel gauge.

Takeaway: Looking for a portable generator that's quiet enough for social gatherings or camping? This Westinghouse iGen2200 portable inverter generator earns very solid marks from owners and industry enthusiasts. There are very few reports of problems, and most users say this generator is quiet, efficient, and easy to start. Several claim it stands up to models that cost more than twice as much, notably the Honda EU2200i. Like other inverter generators in this price range, the Westinghouse doesn't have an overabundance of features and it's designed primarily for recreational use, but, with its 1,800 running watts and 2,200 peak watts, it can power the essentials in an emergency. It can also be joined to a second portable generator for additional output. The Westinghouse carries a three-year warranty.

Wen 56200i Review

Buy on $420.39

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Pros:

Relatively low price for an inverter generator of this size.
Owners say it's fairly quiet, even at full power.
Has a DC 12-volt outlet in addition to its two 120-volt household outlets and USB outlet.

Cons:

6-hour run time is shorter than other inverter generators.
Some consumers say adding/changing oil can be messy.
Several reports of early demises.

Takeaway: Inverter generators carry a price premium, but they're worth the money if you camp frequently or own an RV because they're more quiet and compact than gas-powered models. This Wen generator's power output is modest but adequate, at 1,600 watts running and 2,000 watts at peak, and reviewers say that for the low price it can't be beat. It's a popular choice with consumers and gets nods from both enthusiasts and experts at sites like Top Ten Reviews, where it's praised for its portability and sleek design. A handful of owners do grouse about noise (it's rated 51 dB at a quarter load), and some say it took more than one or two pulls to get their units started, but feedback overall is positive. The Wen 56200i carries a two-year warranty.

Westinghouse WGen3600v Review

Buy on $325.03 $349.99

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Pros:

Impressive power for a generator in this price range.
Fuel-efficient for its size; can run up to 12 hours on a 4-gallon tank.
Simple to set up and operate, with included tool kit, oil, and funnel.
Users say it starts easily on the first or second pull.

Cons:

No wheel kit included, making this 112-pound generator difficult to move for some.
Position of pull cord makes it hard to grasp, a few reviewers say.
A handful of buyers complain of units received with damaged or missing parts.

Takeaway: The entire Westinghouse WGen line gets strong reviews from professional testers and consumers alike for its balance of price and features. Most owners say the Westinghouse WGen3600v portable generator offers a lot of power (3,600 running watts; 4,650 watts at peak) at an incredibly low price, capably running multiple home appliances at once, including a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and TV. And it features plenty of outlets to make those connections, including a standard 120-volt household double outlet, one 120-volt twist-lock outlet, and a 120-volt three-prong RV outlet. The manufacturer rates the noise level at 62 dB running at half load, about as loud as a normal conversation, which makes it relatively quiet for a gas-powered generator of this size. The lack of wheels limits portability, but given the low price, many homeowners say they find the trade-off acceptable. If a wheel kit is important to you, there's the Westinghouse WGen3600. Both Westinghouse generators carry three-year warranties.

Champion Power Equipment 100307 Review

Buy on $516.98

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Pros:

Relatively inexpensive, highly rated model from a brand known for quality and reliability.
Works well for emergency power and can run multiple household appliances for 9 hours on a single 3.4-gallon tank of gas; 10.5 hours on propane.
Easy to start and operate, even in cold weather.
Auto voltage regulator with built-in meter.
EPA certified.

Cons:

Weighs 105 pounds and does not include wheels.
Some owners complain of difficulties when operating with propane.

Takeaway: The Champion Power Equipment 100307 portable generator has enough juice (3,500 running watts and 4,375 starting watts when gas-fueled) to run most if not all home appliances and electronics. While its low cost means sacrificing certain conveniences that you'll see in pricier models, like wheeled portability and electric start-up, its recoil starter is simple to manage and a wheel kit can be purchased separately. Alongside the versatility of choosing your fuel source (which can come in very handy in a pinch), it also has some nice features, such as a voltage regulator with a meter to monitor power consumption and RV and twist-lock outlets alongside two 120-volt household outlets. The Champion 100307 is rated at 68 decibels, which is comparable to other generators of this size, but we did read a fair number of complaints from consumers who find the unit to be quite noisy. Nevertheless, a majority of reviewers seem well-satisfied with the quality-to-cost ratio. Like other portable Champion generators, this model comes with a three-year warranty.

Buffalo Tools Sportsman GEN4000LP Review

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Pros:

Good for recreational and emergency home use, with enough power to run a freezer/refrigerator, lights, and more.
Many buyers say it's not difficult to set up and starts easily and consistently.
Very fuel-efficient; can run for 10 hours on a 20-gallon tank (at 50% load).
Two 120-volt outlets and one 12-volt DC outlet in addition to an RV outlet.

Cons:

Rated at about 68 dB; some buyers say it's louder than expected.
Doesn't include a wheel kit and weighs 102 pounds.
1-year warranty is shorter than other brands.

Takeaway: The Sportsman GEN4000LP portable generator from Buffalo Tools is a longstanding choice for bargain-minded consumers seeking an alternative to gas-fueled generators. Its propane fuel source means both safer long-term storage and no fear of long gas lines or shortages in a widespread weather emergency. While there are some reports of units that arrived damaged or proved unreliable, most reviews of this model praise its ease of use and power. Although this Buffalo Tools portable generator does meet EPA emissions standards, it doesn't meet the more stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) criteria. But there is also a 50-state compliant version available. Both products feature 3,250 running watts and 4,000 watts of peak power.

Ryobi RYI2300BTA Review

Buy on $849.00

Available from Home Depot.

Pros:

Bluetooth technology and app allow users to check on the fuel level and turn off the generator remotely.
Parallel kit for running two generators at once.
Two 120-volt household outlets and two USB ports.
Can automatically adjust to match power needs; 1.2-gallon tank can power a quarter load for up to 10.3 hours.
Built-in wheels and a pull-out handle for easier portability.

Cons:

Reports of faulty units; several users complain of frequent shutdowns requiring resets.
App doesn't allow remote starting.

Takeaway: Ryobi's RYI2300BTA is a relatively affordable inverter generator packed with perks. The accompanying app, with its remote shut-off capability, is one of its best features, according to consumers. There's also an LCD screen that provides stats on remaining run time, load, and fuel level. The compact size, wheels, and handle make it ideal for RVing and camping, and it's powerful enough to run a refrigerator, yet gentle on sensitive devices like computers and cellphones. On the other hand, some users say it's very easy to overload this unit — many have had trouble running an air conditioner or operating more than one major household appliance at once. For lighter loads and recreational use, however, most buyers seem very satisfied. This Ryobi generator is covered by a three-year warranty. If you can't find the Ryobi's RYI2300BTA in stock at stores, a newer, slightly pricier model, the Ryobi RYI2322VNM, is available with a built-in CO sensor and automatic CO shut off.

Buying Guide

A good generator is handy for a variety of purposes, from powering essential home appliances during an outage to running camping or tailgating equipment, or even powering a backyard toolshed. The most important criterion when choosing a portable generator is how much power it produces, measured in watts. Manufacturers specify starting watts and running watts. The starting wattage is always a higher number, because many appliances require more watts to initially power them up than to keep them running. To keep your home functioning during a blackout, you want a generator with enough juice to run critical appliances as well as multiple must-have electronics — otherwise you'll be forced to choose which items to shut off so the generator can power the rest.

If you're looking for an emergency power source, experts recommend a portable generator with a minimum of 3,000 watts. That should be enough for critical needs such as the lights and refrigerator/freezer, plus a few extras, such as a radio, TV, and mobile-phone charger. But factor in a heating and cooling system or a space heater, and even a simple coffee maker or iron, and your total household wattage will likely sail well past 3,000. (An online wattage calculator, such as these from Honda and Northern Tool, can help determine how much power you need.)

Generally, the more powerful a generator is, the more it costs. Beefier models in 7,000-to-10,000-watt territory cost well over $1,000. Extra features, such as an electric starter, may also boost the price. Portable generators in the 3,000-to-4,000-watt power range are fairly compact, but a standard model typically weighs between 100 and 125 pounds. While the best portable generators often come with wheel kits and some have RV-ready outlets, they're not incredibly easy to move around. Then again, many buyers will keep them parked near their houses most of the time anyway.

Gas- and Propane-Powered Generators

Most of the portable generators we review here use unleaded gasoline, which comes with a few drawbacks. A natural disaster can deplete or disrupt a region's gas supply. Moreover, storing large quantities of gasoline isn't exactly safe, and its shelf life is limited. The fuel starts to break down after a few months, and if you use old fuel in a gas generator, you run the risk of gumming up the engine, which creates a real mess.

Propane generators are a good alternative to gas models but are less common, and a good one may cost a bit more than a comparable gas generator. One advantage of a propane generator is that propane can be stored almost indefinitely. Additionally, propane tanks are safer to store than full gas cans. Propane generators use 20- or 30-pound tanks. Listed run times usually assume a 20-pound tank. For consumers who want the flexibility to choose between fuel sources, dual-fuel portable generators can run on either gas or liquid propane.

While many generators come boxed with oil, and often a funnel or other required tools, make sure you have the necessary lubricant and fuel on hand, along with several heavy-duty extension cords and a power strip to connect essential appliances and electronic devices. And finally, always be sure to run the generator outdoors; the burning fuel releases harmful carbon monoxide.

Inverter Generators

For those who need easily portable power, perhaps for camping, tailgating, or using power tools at a job site, an inverter generator may make more sense. These devices are much smaller and lighter — they often weigh 50 pounds or less — and, thanks to advanced technology, they provide greater fuel efficiency and clean power for sensitive electronics like cellphones, computers, and tablets. Many inverter generators also have parallel kits available that allow two generators to be connected at once, doubling the power at your disposal. Inverter models are pricier than conventional portable generators. They are hard to find under the $300 mark, and those at the bottom end of the price range typically don't have enough wattage to serve any but the most basic power needs.

Run Time

The amount of time a generator can run on a single tank of gasoline or propane varies considerably. Generally, the more appliances and electronics connected to a generator's outlets, the more quickly it needs to be refueled. A generator's run time is measured in hours and assumes it is running at "half load," meaning it's using only 50 percent of the available running watts (i.e., a half load for a 3,000-watt generator would be 1,500 watts). The 3- to 4-gallon tanks on the conventional gas generators we picked should keep them running for about 10 to 12 hours.

Inverter generators have much smaller tanks, usually only a gallon or two, so run times are generally shorter. That said, they're much more fuel efficient, particularly those with energy-saving modes that automatically adjust the engine speed to expend less power when running lighter loads.

Outlets

Portable generators typically have three or four power outlets, but they're not all standard, household-type plugs. Aside from regular 120-volt outlets for lamps, refrigerators, heaters, and the like, generators often include a 120-volt connector designed for RVs in addition to a twist-lock outlet that keeps a plug securely in place. A generator with multiple standard 120-volt outlets is the best option, because more than one extension cord can be attached to serve more household needs.

Noise

Portable generators can be fairly loud, even though many have mufflers. Most of our picks come in under 68 decibels — which would be less strident than the sound of a home vacuum cleaner — but even that can get to be a bit much for some ears, particularly when run for hours at a time. Inverter generators generally produce less noise than conventional generators, usually 50 dB or less, which is another reason they are often preferred for camping trips or RV parks. For consumers willing to pay a premium for less noise, a Honda generator might be best: The brand is known for its line of whisper-quiet models.