Electricity is easy to take for granted until a blackout or power outage strikes.
A standby generator system automatically restores power, but these permanently-installed backup generators cost thousands of dollars and require professional support from a contractor or electrician.
On the other hand, portable generators cost hundreds of dollars. These gas, diesel or propane-powered generators are useful for maintaining lighting, heating, cooling and food storage appliances. However, they aren't designed to power a whole house (or even a whole room).
The best portable generators are inverter generators: Inverter generators are smaller, lighter, quieter and more fuel-efficient than traditional gas generators. They produce clean power that is suitable for sensitive electronics and they allow wattage to scale up and down with demand. The only downside is price.
Inverter generators are a new invention and cost more than traditional generators on a per kilowatt basis. One day, all portable generators may be inverter generators (similar to how cathode-ray televisions became obsolete once LCD screens became affordable.)
Many inverter generators are light enough to carry by hand, making them a popular choice for camping, tailgating and RV use. Meanwhile, traditional generators are "portable" like a wheelbarrow full of bricks is.
How Long Does It Take to Restore Power After a Hurricane?
After a major hurricane in the continental U.S., it takes approximately 12 days to restore power to 95% of affected customers, according to an AP analysis of U.S. Department of Energy data. Restoring power to individual homes is a utility company's lowest priority, according to the Edison Electric Institute.
In an extreme example, it took Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, 328 days to fully restore power after being devastated by Hurricane Maria: a storm that claimed more lives than the 9/11 attacks.
Fuel Consumption Can Be Estimated; Fuel Prices Cannot
Powering a generator for several days requires more gasoline than most people can store.
A permit is required for gasoline storage in excess of 10 gallons, according to the latest edition of the ICC International Fire Code. However, it takes around 80 gallons of gas to power a 3,300 watt generator at 65% capacity for 12 days. (The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services publishes a handy list of gas generator fuel-consumption charts, formulas and calculators.)
Unfortunately, both generators and gasoline are highly-susceptible to price gouging and supply crunches (i.e. legitimate price increases), directly before and after a storm.
How Much Does a Portable Generator Cost?
A good portable generator (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $504, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Outside of hurricane season, these same generators go on sale for around $381: a discount of 24%. Prices and inventory are unpredictable under threat of a storm.
Gas Generators and Carbon Monoxide
Approximately 74 people die each year as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from incorrect use of a portable generator, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
"If you’re running a portable generator, you need to have a working carbon monoxide alarm in your home," the U.S. Department of Homeland Security advises. "Keep generators outside at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and vents."
Additionally, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Fire Protection Association all publish guidelines on how to safely operate a portable generator.
Here are the best cheap inverter generators (with 2,000 starting watts or more) and traditional gas generators (with 3,000 starting watts or more) for the money:
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1. WEN GN400i RV-Ready Open Frame Inverter Generator
Good Value: $455 | Great Deal: $422
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Walmart | Home Depot
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Wattage (Starting/Running): 4,000/3,500W
CARB Compliant: Yes
Wen's open-frame inverter generator has excellent instructions, a robust accessories kit and an impressive power-to-weight ratio, according to several online customers. Many reviewers caution that this generator is louder than a typical inverter generator; others say that the small gas tank limits run time to 10 hours or less.
2. Ryobi Gasoline Powered Digital Inverter Generator
Good Value: $550 | Great Deal: $400
Check Current Price on: Home Depot
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Wattage (Starting/Running): 4,000/3,400W
CARB Compliant: Yes
Ryobi's open-frame inverter generator is easy to assemble, starts on the first pull and is powerful enough to run a suite of kitchen appliances, according to several online customers. Some reviewers caution that using the full 18 ounces of oil (as per the instructions) leads to overspill; others wish this generator was quieter.
3. Pulsar G2319N Portable Inverter Generator
Good Value: $452 | Great Deal: $329
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Newegg
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Wattage (Starting/Running): 2,300/1,800W
CARB Compliant: Yes
Pulsar's inexpensive inverter generator works well out of the box, ramps up-and-down smoothly and it runs quietly while in "eco mode," according to several online customers. Some reviewers say this unit is heavier than they expected; others complain that the pull cord loses tension and the spark plug is hard to reach.
4. Generac 7117 GP2200i Portable Inverter Generator
Good Value: $600 | Great Deal: $425
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Home Depot | Walmart
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Wattage (Starting/Running): 2,200/1,600W
CARB Compliant: Yes
Generac's budget inverter generator is easy to start, simple to use and is very lightweight, according to several online customers. Many reviewers wish that this unit's overload protection trigger was less sensitive.
5. A-iPower SUA2300iV Gasoline Powered Digital Inverter Generator
Good Value: $500 | Great Deal: $400
Check Current Price on: Sam's Club
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Wattage (Starting/Running): 2,300/1,800W
CARB Compliant: Yes
A-iPower's portable inverter generator starts easily, is light enough to carry and it has a useful digital display, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say this unit struggles at 1,500 watts and above.
6. Champion Parallel Ready Portable Inverter Generator
Good Value: $400 | Great Deal: $200
Check Current Price on: Home Depot
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Wattage (Starting/Running): 2,000/1,600W
CARB Compliant: Yes
This Champion inverter generator is compact and reliable, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say that this unit is noisier than expected; others say that changing the oil is difficult (and messy).
7. WEN 56203i Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator
Good Value: $416 | Great Deal: $388
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Home Depot
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Wattage (Starting/Running): 2,000/1,700W
CARB Compliant: Yes
This budget inverter-generator is quiet, portable and fuel efficient, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say the generator overloads in "Eco Mode" while powering high-draw appliances.
8. A-iPower SUA2000iV Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator
Good Value: $386 | Great Deal: $360
Check Current Price on: Amazon
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Wattage (Starting/Running): 2,000/1,600W
CARB Compliant: Yes
A-iPower's budget inverter generator runs quietly and efficiently, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say this generator is difficult to start; others wish it ran as quietly as a Honda generator.
9. Powermate PM2200i Ultra Quiet Inverter Generator
Good Value: $484 | Great Deal: $354
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Walmart | Home Depot
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Wattage (Starting/Running): 2,200/1,700W
CARB Compliant: Yes
Powermate's budget inverter generator starts easily, operates quietly and runs efficiently, according to several online customers. Some reviewers were disappointed with Powermate's customer service.
10. Westinghouse WGen3600v Portable Generator
Good Value: $300 | Great Deal: $261
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Home Depot | Walmart
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Wattage (Starting/Running): 4,650/3,600W
CARB Compliant: Yes
This Westinghouse generator packs a lot of power at a low price, according to several online customers. Many reviewers wish this generator included a wheel kit (sold separately); others wish it ran more quietly.
11. Pulsar PG5250B Dual-Fuel Portable Generator
Good Value: $500 | Great Deal: $450
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Home Depot
Fuel Type: Gasoline, Propane
Wattage (Starting/Running): 5,250/4,250W
CARB Compliant: Yes
This Pulsar generator runs well on propane and gasoline, according to several online customers. Some reviewers found the generator's starter to be finicky and the choke to be ineffective.