The 5 Best Portable Generators of 2025

After researching and testing generators and speaking with experts, we think the best models are closed-frame, dual-fuel inverter models with CO detection and backing from an established company.

We sought dual-fuel generators, which provide versatility and options. Dual-fuel generators can be run on regular gasoline or liquid propane. Manufacturers typically state that their dual-fuel generators get roughly 400 to 700 more watts run on gas than on propane. So gas provides more generator capabilities, but it’s nice to have propane as a backup power source (especially if you have a propane grill and the accompanying tank). A dual-fuel model usually costs only $100 to $200 more than a gas-only generator of similar wattage, so spending more is definitely worth it for the versatility a dual-fuel generator offers: You can store liquid propane indefinitely (whereas gas requires a fuel stabilizer), and if gas supplies are scarce during a disaster, it may be crucial to have a spare propane tank on hand. Propane does not expire, but the tanks themselves must be requalified every five or 10 years to ensure their integrity, so small tanks should be periodically replaced. Tri-fuel generators, which can also run on natural gas, are less common options, and they fell outside the scope of our search.

We limited our hunt to inverter generators for electronics, noise, and scalability. Regular, non-inverter generators create AC power, and its fluctuations can damage electronics. Inverter generators create that AC power, convert it to DC, and then change it back to AC — a process that produces a far less distorted signal. So the generator can safely power sensitive electronics, like computers, TVs, and some furnace controls, without harming them. Inverter models are also quiet, relatively speaking, and they offer scalable power: Two 3,900-watt generators linked together, for example, behave like a single 7,800-watt generator. To make this connection, you’ll need a parallel kit, which is usually sold separately. Being able to double up generators is a nice option, but it does bring the added responsibility of maintaining two engines instead of just one.

We sought closed-frame generators for their (relatively) quiet operation. Generators are loud — horribly loud. To manage noise levels, start by choosing an inverter generator. These models typically have an eco mode, which ramps the engine up and down, depending on the load.And they’re not running full-bore all the time, so they’re also more fuel-efficient. A closed-frame generator has an engine that’s enclosed, typically in an insulated shell that’s designed to further reduce the ambient sound. It helps.

We evaluated noise claims, keeping an eye on inconsistency. Generator manufacturers often quote decibel numbers for their models. But because there’s no standardized way to take these readings — and manufacturers seem to take them differently — we can’t get too granular. Generally, decibel numbers are taken at a distance of 22 to 25 feet, with the generator at a 25% load. But through our research, we can draw certain conclusions, including that closed-frame inverter generators are significantly quieter than their open-frame, non-inverter counterparts. For example, our closed-frame top pick, the Westinghouse iGen 5000DFc, has a rating of 52 dB(A), while the slightly smaller, open-frame Westinghouse WGen3600DFc has a rating of 68 dB(A). The decibel scale is not linear (a rating of 50 is one-quarter as loud as a rating of 70), so this turns out to be a significant noise difference. Sounds at or below 70 dB(A) are considered safe. All of our picks fall in a range between 52 and 64 dB(A), so they are a comparatively quiet bunch.

We wanted models with the added safety of CO detection. Many new generators have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector that shuts down the generator if the saturation of CO from the generator’s exhaust becomes too high. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, roughly 85 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by portable generators. Seven of the 15 deaths that occurred in Louisiana due to 2020’s Hurricane Laura can be attributed to CO poisoning from portable generators. Even when this safety feature is present on a generator, it’s important to understand that dangers from CO remain. For instance, if a generator is situated directly outside an open window, the sensor is unlikely to detect any buildup, even though the gas may be infiltrating the home.

We narrowed our search to models from established generator manufacturers. These companies typically have better warranties and better service networks, and their replacement parts tend to be more readily available. Inexpensive inverter generators from brands we’ve never heard of can be intriguing. But after testing we conducted some years ago, we’ve moved away from generators from these lesser-known brands in favor of those from leading brands.

In our testing, we found that models from more-obscure brands tended to be of lower quality and were harder to find. They also tended to be bulkier, had broken parts, and sounded rougher. When you’re making such a significant investment, you shouldn’t have to take those risks.

These features add up to a pricier generator, but we think they’re well worth the investment. The generators we’re recommending are not the least expensive models out there. In fact, there are a number of features we recommended, like the inverter, that add hundreds of dollars to the cost of the unit. But we believe these add-ons are worth the cost in the long run. These features make the generator quieter, more efficient, and easier to use. If you find yourself in an emergency situation that is already stressful, these additional features can greatly enhance the experience and make your life (and your neighbors lives) easier.

Not all of our picks are CARB-compliant. To be sold in California, a generator must comply with that state’s stricter emissions laws, set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). But even if you’re not in California, you may want to consider CARB compliance to keep your air quality as healthy as possible. “Certainly, if you’re going to be operating generators around your household and in your community, you want them to be as clean as possible for you and your family,” said Denise Grab, energy law and policy project director for the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the UCLA School of Law.