Best portable generators for home backup
Researched by Deal.ai's shopping agent across stores on November 5, 2026. Prices below are today's.
Top pick: DuroMax XP13000EH dual-fuel. For whole-home backup it's the one that can carry the big loads — well pump, furnace, fridge, a few rooms — and it runs on propane as well as gas, so you're not stuck hunting for fuel in an outage. It's loud and heavy, so plan on a spot outside and a way to move it.
Who the others suit:
- Generac GP8000E — the familiar gas-only workhorse if you want simple, serviceable and easy to get parts for.
- 7,250-W dual-fuel inverter — quieter, cleaner power for electronics and a good middle ground for a partial-home setup.
- Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus / HomePower 3000 — battery-and-solar units: silent, no fumes, safe indoors, but they cover essentials for hours rather than a whole house for days.
- Yamaha EF2200iS — small, quiet and CO-safe for running a fridge and lights overnight.
- WEN GN5602X, PowerSmart 4400, KingChii 4500, Pulsar 2300 — budget inverter options for a few circuits; check the outlet setup and overload protection before relying on one.
Whatever you pick, run it outdoors away from windows and test it with your actual loads before storm season.
The picks
- #1
DuroMax XP13000EH 13,000 Watt Portable Dual Fuel Gas Propane Generator
- Inverter Technology: No
- CO Sensor: Yes
- Low Oil Shutdown: Yes
- Overload Protection: Yes
- Automatic Shut Off: Yes (CO sensor shutdown), Yes (Automatic Low Oil Shutdown)
- Fuel Type: Gasoline, Propane
Ask our shopping agent
It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.
