It should always be run outdoors. A garage or shed with the door and windows open is NOT outdoors. Carbon monoxide can build up in enclosed spaces. It's colorless, odorless, and lethal. Never fill the gas tank when the portable generator is hot. Spilled gas can ignite on a hot exhaust or casing. It's almost invisible, so it can burn you, or things around you, before you realize. Never completely fill the gas tank – always allow room for expansion. After use, never put your generator away until it is completely cool. Never attempt to wire your generator into a household socket. “Back feed” can cause electrocution or fires not just in your home, but anywhere in the local network. If you want the option of a fixed connection, ask a properly qualified professional to install a transfer switch. Beware of overloading your portable generator. If in doubt, consult an electrician. Check that your generator is properly grounded. Follow all applicable federal, state and local regulations related to grounding. If you don't, you risk being electrocuted. Turn devices on one at a time, waiting a moment between each, so they don’t surge against the generator simultaneously.

Easy start

Our five finalists are all highly-rated models that receive lots of positive feedback from owners. They're also representative of what we would consider 'best in class', in terms of price and performance. With portable generators, you pretty much get what you pay for. A robust, reliable entry-level machine can be yours for under $300. That's a great deal, but we recommend spending another hundred bucks or so for a model with similar power output, but a more exhaustive feature set. Need to go big? Our more expensive selections get you significantly higher power output, along with excellent reliability. Inverter generators are a slightly different story because they generally cost more than their “standard” counterparts. The model we recommend is close to a thousand dollars but, in our view, unbeatable in its class. © Motor1.com best portable generators. When planning your next road trip or camping adventure, consider bringing one of the best portable generators.

Extra Features

You’ll need a generator if you want to power appliances in your RV, sleeping aids such as a CPAP machine, camping lights, coffee makers, or electric cooktops. We’ve researched numerous portable generators suitable for camping trips and roadside use. Next up, we’ll explain how to select the right generator for your needs, and we’ll explore some standard features of the best portable generators. In this article:. 5 Best Portable Generators. Our Review Standards. Editor’s Pick: Champion Power Equipment 200961. Best High-Wattage Portable Generator: Generac iQ3500. Best Solar-Powered Portable Generator: Goal Zero Yeti 1000X. Best Gas-Powered Portable Generator: WEN 56200i. Best Budget Portable Generator: Jackery Explorer 240.

Portable Generator Pricing. Best Portable Generator Buyers Guide. FAQ: Best Portable Generators. Before choosing the five portable generators in this review, our team searched Amazon for top products, looking at factors such as customer ratings, price, superlatives, and Prime shipping eligibility.

Fuel gauge

Each generator we recommend in this article is relatively quiet, portable, safe, and reliable. The Champion Power Equipment 200961 is a dual fuel portable generator, meaning you can power it with gasoline or propane. This may be convenient when you don’t have access to gasoline. This generator comes with oil, an LPG hose (for propane power), and a 12-volt carport to dual USB adapter. The 200961 features two 120-volt A/C outlets and one 12-volt D/C carport outlet. It includes a three-year warranty and a lifetime of technical support, which customer reviews indicate is robust and helpful. While this portable generator has 1,850 running watts, you can increase that number by hooking together two 200961 generators for parallel power.

Oil level warning

Fuel type: Gas or propane. Full tank run time: 6 hours on gas, 17 hours on propane at half load. Warranty: 3 years. The Champion Power Equipment 200961 generator has an average Amazon review score of 4.6 out of 5 based on over 3,200 ratings. About 80 percent of reviews rate this portable generator a full 5 stars. Positive reviews typically mention the value of this generator. While it is priced mid-tier for a portable generator, this product generates many watts – enough to power an RV air conditioning unit. In reviews, users frequently mention that other qualities are the generator’s ability to start easily and run quietly. Customer service agents are reportedly reliable and helpful. Some users say it’s difficult to change the oil for the 200961. Removing the panel that covers the oil input can be particularly challenging. Some customers also complain of oil leaks, and others mention the 200961 being hard to start on propane power alone.