When planning your next road trip or camping adventure, consider bringing one of the best portable generators. If you only need to charge small devices such as smartphones and flashlights, a small portable power station may do the job. However, a portable generator offers more wattage and faster charging.
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
5 Best Portable Generators
Our Review Standards
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. We also scoured message boards and online communities to find the most popular portable generators.
We chose a range of products and price points to accommodate different customer needs and budgets. Each generator we recommend in this article is relatively quiet, portable, safe, and reliable.
Editor’s Pick: Champion Power Equipment 200961
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. The reliability, light weight, and power output make this an ideal portable generator for camping, RVing, and other road adventures.
Our Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Key Features
- Cost: $$
- Running watts: 1,850
- Weight: 39.0 pounds
- Fuel type: Gas or propane
- Full tank run time: 6 hours on gas, 17 hours on propane at half load
- Warranty: 3 years
What Customers Are Saying
The Champion Power Equipment 200961 generator has an average Amazon review score of 4.6 out of 5 based on over 3,200 ratings. About 80 percent of reviews rate this portable generator a full 5 stars.
Positive reviews typically mention the value of this generator. While it is priced mid-tier for a portable generator, this product generates many watts – enough to power an RV air conditioning unit.
In reviews, users frequently mention that other qualities are the generator’s ability to start easily and run quietly. Customer service agents are reportedly reliable and helpful.
Some users say it’s difficult to change the oil for the 200961. Removing the panel that covers the oil input can be particularly challenging. Some customers also complain of oil leaks, and others mention the 200961 being hard to start on propane power alone.
Best High-Wattage Portable Generator: Generac iQ3500
Despite weighing over 100.0 pounds, the Generac iQ3500 is relatively light for a portable generator capable of producing 3,000 running watts. The Generac is an inverter generator, meaning it’s safe for small electronics (such as smartphones) and runs quietly.
The iQ3500 features an electric start – meaning you can turn it on with a remote – and offers two engine speeds, depending on your power needs. It has two 5-volt USB ports, two 3-prong 120-volt ports, and a 30-amp twist-lock outlet.
The Generac is a durable gas generator ideal for campers who need to power electronics and appliances in their RV. It has a long run time and lasts some customers well beyond the three-year warranty. Because it offers so many running watts, the iQ3500 is also a good choice to back up your home electricity during power outages.
Our Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Key Features
- Cost: $$$
- Running watts: 3,000
- Weight: 109.0 pounds
- Fuel type: Gas
- Full tank run time: 8.9 hours at half load
- Warranty: 3 years
What Customers Are Saying
The Generac iQ3500 has an average Amazon review score of 4.6 based on more than 3,000 ratings. Eighty percent of reviews give this portable generator 5 stars.
Satisfied reviewers often say the iQ3500 runs quietly and efficiently. Many have used this product for camping, and one reviewer says it runs well in any season and even at very low temperatures.
One customer says his Generac overheats too quickly, but this isn’t a common issue in other reviews. The most frequent complaint is that the Generac doesn’t have wheels, making it difficult to move around, considering it weighs just over 100.0 pounds.
Best Solar-Powered Portable Generator: Goal Zero Yeti 1000X
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000X is a green option, running on a lithium-ion battery you can charge using solar panels (not included). This generator has two USB-C ports, two 5-volt USB ports, two 6.0-millimeter ports, a 12-volt carport, a 12-volt high-power port, and two 120-volt A/C ports.
You can charge the Yeti using solar panels, a wall outlet, or a 12-volt carport. You can even draw power and charge the Yeti simultaneously. A 200-watt solar panel can fully charge the Yeti’s battery in about six hours. This generator has under- and over-voltage protection to ensure your devices are safe.
This lightweight generator is ideal for campers who need a big wattage output. While a gas-powered generator can produce even more wattage, a battery generator isn’t as loud and preserves the tranquility of nature.
Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Key Features
- Cost: $$$
- Running watts: 1,500
- Weight: 31.7 pounds
- Fuel type: Lithium-ion battery
- Full charge run time: 983 kilowatt-hours
- Warranty: 2 years
What Customers Are Saying
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000X has just over 150 Amazon ratings, yielding an average score of 4.5. About 75 percent of reviewers award this generator 5 stars.
Positive reviews often mention that the Yeti is durable and can run a lot of equipment. Users appreciate that it’s solar-powered, allowing them to essentially recharge it for free. However, you must purchase the solar panels separately, increasing the cost of this already expensive option.
Some customers report battery issues, with a few reviewers claiming their battery pack suddenly stopped charging. Others claim they experienced slow response times from Goal Zero customer service.
Several reviewers also lament that there’s no way to expand the Yeti’s battery capacity. Some other Goal Zero generators feature larger batteries with more capacity.
Best Gas-Powered Portable Generator: WEN 56200i
The WEN 56200i is a solid all-around generator that provides enough power for camping at a modest price. While you can find cheaper generators with the same wattage, these aren’t inverter generators suitable for charging small electronics. They’re probably also too loud to respectfully use at a campsite or parking lot.
The WEN is EPA III and California Air Resources Board (CARB) compliant, meaning it meets strict guidelines for fuel efficiency and emissions. It includes a 5-volt USB port, a 12-volt DC receptacle, and two 3-prong 120-volt ports.
Our favorite WEN 56200i feature is eco mode, which adjusts fuel consumption to provide only the power necessary to run any attached electronics. Running in this mode, the WEN can last up to nine hours (if using 1/4 load) on its one-gallon tank.
You can connect the WEN to another WEN generator to double power output if you need more power.
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Key Features
- Cost: $
- Running watts: 1,600
- Weight: 48.0 pounds
- Fuel type: Gas
- Full tank run time: 6 hours at half load
- Warranty: 2 years
What Customers Are Saying
Over 2,100 ratings on Amazon give the WEN 56200i an average of 4.6 stars. About 80 percent of reviews rate the portable generator at 5 stars.
Positive reviews typically praise the eco mode, which is very quiet and powerful. One reviewer used it to run a TV, small refrigerator, and a fan. Many say this portable generator is ideal for camping, and one person claims they’ve owned a WEN 56200i for almost five years and it still runs like new. According to several reviews, the included instructions are easy to follow, and this generator is simple to operate.
The few negative reviews of the WEN tend to focus on faulty products. Some dissatisfied customers received faulty generators that broke down after a few uses or failed to start out of the box. Fortunately, the WEN includes a two-year warranty. Another commonly mentioned critique is that this generator can be difficult to start, requiring multiple pulls.
Best Budget Portable Generator: Jackery Explorer 240
The Jackery Explorer 240 is a good option for a low-priced generator that doesn’t require fuel. This generator uses a lithium-ion battery for power and is chargeable using a solar panel. You can also charge this generator with a 12-volt carport or an A/C outlet.
The Jackery Explorer doesn’t include a solar charger, which you must purchase separately for around $180. The relatively low power output (200 watts) also means this generator isn’t suitable for larger appliances such as a refrigerator, air conditioner, or heater. Use this generator to power small electronics such as phones, computers, and tablets. It could also power a TV or a slow cooker, but your typical blender is out of the question.
This 200-watt portable generator has one 110-volt A/C outlet, two 5-volt USB outlets, and one 12-volt D/C outlet (carport).
Our Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Key Features
- Cost: $
- Running watts: 200
- Weight: 6.8 pounds
- Fuel type: Lithium-ion battery
- Full charge run time: 240 kilowatt-hours
- Warranty: 2 years
What Customers Are Saying
The Jackery Explorer 240 has an average Amazon review score of 4.8 stars based on more than 13,000 ratings. About 86 percent of reviewers believe this product is 5-star worthy.
Most positive reviews say the portable generator simply works as intended. Users like how it’s portable, can power all their small devices, and is chargeable with a solar panel.
Negative reviews sometimes criticize the Jackery for its low wattage output, noting that it doesn’t work to power heaters or other larger electronics.
Portable Generator Pricing
Portable generators can cost anywhere from around $100 to upward of $1,000. Typically, the higher the wattage output, the more expensive the generator. Solar-powered and inversion generators can also cost more. A heavy-duty, powerful generator with a large fuel tank will typically cost closer to the $1,000 mark.
For powering many appliances or even a full house, you’ll need a generator in the $1,000 range. Portable generators suitable for camping or only powering a few RV appliances are available for between $400 and $600.
Best Portable Generator Buyers Guide
When seeking the best portable generators for your needs, you’ll want to consider power output, fuel source, noise level, and extra features.
Power Output
Portable generators have two power output ratings: starting watts and running watts. Starting watts are the maximum number of watts the generator can produce in a short time. Running watts are how many watts the generator can produce continually, and this number is typically lower.
Figure out how many watts you’ll need to power all your devices and make sure to select a generator capable of producing that much power. To be safe, try to pick a generator that can power everything you need at 90 percent of its capacity. For example, if you need to run 900 watts’ worth of equipment, select a 1,000-watt generator.
Power Source
Most portable generators run on gasoline, but you can also run a generator on propane or a lithium-ion battery. Some generators can run on gasoline and propane.
- Gasoline: Gasoline provides more power, but it’s a less stable fuel source. Gasoline degrades over time, making it not store well.
- Propane: Propane is more stable than gasoline, and you can store it for long periods of time without it going bad. This makes it a good fuel source to have for emergencies.
- Lithium-ion battery: Battery-powered portable generators are typically of a lower wattage than gas-powered generators, or they cost much more. You must charge the batteries before use, but you can often charge them with solar power, reducing the need for fuel. These generators are also the quietest because they don’t rely on combustion.
Noise Level
Some generators can be very loud. If you plan to use your portable generator in a parking lot during a road trip or at a campsite, a loud generator may be a bad idea. Inversion generators tend to be much quieter than standard generators. While it produces fewer decibels, this type of generator is more expensive.
Extra Features
Some portable generators include safety features such as an automatic shutoff. Other extra features include parallel power (connecting two generators to double power output) and overcharge protection for your devices.
Safety
Whichever portable generator you purchase, be sure to use it safely. Any gas-powered portable generator produces carbon monoxide, meaning you should only use it outdoors and at least 15 feet away from any building or structure. You also want to keep your generator dry while it runs.
FAQ: Best Portable Generators
Which generator is the most reliable?
Our top pick for a portable generator, the Champion Power Equipment 200961, is a reliable dual fuel generator capable of producing 1,850 running watts. However, there are many other reliable generators, including our other recommendations.
What’s the best generator for camping?
We believe the best portable generator for camping is the Goal Zero Yeti 1000X. It runs on a lithium-ion battery and is therefore very quiet, and solar panels can power it. This generator can produce up to 1,500 running watts.
What’s the difference between an inverter generator and a generator?
In practical terms, an inverter generator produces a more stable current than a conventional generator. An inverter generator can safely charge small electronics such as a smartphone or laptop, and it runs more quietly than a conventional generator. However, an inverter generator is typically more expensive than a conventional generator.
How many watts do you need to power a house?
To power an entire house, you’ll want a generator that produces at least 7,500 watts. Depending on the size of your house and how many appliances you want to power, this number could be larger or smaller.
Will an inverter generator power a refrigerator?
A refrigerator can require up to 800 watts to power, but depending on your specific model, this number could be lower. An inverter generator can power a refrigerator as long as the generator produces enough wattage.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
