Top 5 Portable Home Generators for Short-Term Use

Are you planning on purchasing a portable home generator this year? If so, you will want to make your choice carefully. Otherwise you could find yourself out of a serious amount of cash with very little to show for it. With that said, here are my picks for the top five portable home generators:

Briggs & Stratton Elite Series 8,000-Watt

In my experience, the Briggs & Stratton Elite Series 8,000-Watt Portable Generator is a good bet if you are looking to keep you cash outlay below the $2,000 mark. It is gas powered and comes with a 7-gallon fuel tank. Hence, it is best suited for short term use. It has several of the features that I look for in a portable generator including a fuel gauge, automatic voltage regulation and a key electric start. It also has five receptacles. On the downside, it does not come with a low oil shutdown, a transfer switch or a built-in inverter.

Generac GP7500 Electric Start Portable Generator

Homeowners working with a tight budget may prefer the Generac GP7500 Electric Start Portable Generator. It is gas powered and typically sells for less than $1,000. It has an 8-gallon gas tank and comes with a low oil shutdown, which is a plus. I also appreciated the covered outlets, electric start, fuel gauge and automatic voltage regulation. I wish, however, that it came with a built-in inverter and an auto idle control.

RIGID 6,800-Watt Gasoline Powered Generator

If you want a portable generator that is affordable and suitable for short term use, you may want to consider purchasing the RIGID 6,800-Watt Gasoline Powered Generator. It is powered with a Yamaha Engine. It usually sells for $900. It comes with an 8-gallon fuel tank and a low oil shutdown. You can also plug in five power cords at one time. Personally, I like the machine’s frame. It is durable but easy to maneuver. One big disadvantage is that it doesn’t have a fuel gauge. Hence, you have to constantly wonder when it will need more fuel.

Sportsman 7,000-Watt Portable Propane Generator

I have found that sometimes, in an impending storm situation, it can be hard to get gasoline. Therefore, some homeowners may want to consider investing in a Sportsman 7,000-Watt Portable Propane Generator. It usually sells for $800 and comes with an electric start. I liked the fact that I was able to use the same size propane tank for the generator as well as the barbecue grill. I also found favor with the generator’s low oil shutdown, automatic voltage regulation and six receptacle capabilities. The downside was that it did not come with a fuel gauge, an auto idle control or a built-in inverter.

Smarter Tools 9500 EB Watt Portable Generator

Last but not least, I’d also suggest that homeowners consider purchasing the Smarter Tools 9500 EB Watt Portable Generator. It typically sells for $900 and has a 7-gallon tank. I was pleased with the fact that it could accommodate 7 power cords at one time. It also comes with an automatic voltage regulator, a fuel gauge, a digital volt meter and low oil shutdown. The downside is that it doesn’t come with an auto idle control.

Source: Personal Experience

Killeen Gonzalez has a history of using portable home generators with her family.

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