The portable generator reviews site is designed to provide you, the consumer, in-depth information on the construction, performance, cost, and ease of use for some of the top selling models of these products on the market.
These reviews will discuss what consumers had to say about each model, the pros and cons, and how it was rated on a scale of one to five stars.
We’ll also find out from the professionals how these units tested out on the road and what, if any, improvements could be made to the models.
We’ll also discuss what you should look for in a quality generator, based on intended use and your power needs.
When you’re on the hunt for a generator, it’s important that you know what to look for in a solid model.
Purchasing one is the best and most economical way to supply power during an outage. You’ll need to purchase a model that can provide a minimum of 4,000 watts, and then you will need to run extension cords into your home to power appliances like the fridge and oven.
A better option can involve having an electrician install a power transfer switch, which will be connected to the main electrical panel in the house.
A small one can provide power for small kitchen appliances, lights, power tools and TVs. A portable generator can be put to work on a construction site that doesn’t have electrical service and provide power to operate air compressors, saws, drills, and heaters. Most models are gas powered, while others run on diesel.
A standby generator can also automatically restore power in your home in about thirty seconds. You can purchase a model that’s powerful enough to deliver juice to your entire house, or you can opt for a smaller model to power a few selected appliances such as a sump pump, fridge, and furnace fan.
The type and size you need will be based on what you intend to power. For travel and RV use, you’ll obviously only need to purchase a small model. In order to power your entire home or business, you’ll need to purchase a larger one that’s able to run eight to twelve hours.
Reasons You Need a Quality Generator in Your Life
There are so many reasons to purchase one of these quality products. Many people do not take them seriously, and feel as though purchasing one is just a waste of their money. However, this could not be further from the truth. There are so many benefits to having one of these power sources nearby, and we are about to dive into what those are.
If You Face Severe Weather in Your Area, It Is Wise to Have a Generator
If you live in an area that tends to bring in a lot of hurricanes, thunderstorms, ice storms, or other types of weather that bring damage with it, it is very wise to invest in one of these products. If bad weather is a common occurrence for you, this can make life a lot easier and smoother because you will still be able to go on with your everyday routine, regardless of what is going on outside.
If You Work at Home, It Is a Good Idea to Buy One
Times have changed and many people are starting to move their offices into their homes, whether they are self-employed or work in a telecommute position. Because of this, having power to use a computer and other electronics is highly important. Losing time due to a power outage can not only be an irritating thing to occur, but it can also cost you a great deal of money, as an individual and a business. That being said, all of your problems are solved if you have a quality source to keep things running.
Bargain and Budget Shoppers Need One to Make Their Savings Worth It
Many people are into bargain and budget shopping which typically means they buy food in bulk in order to save money and get the products at lower prices. If you are one of those shoppers, the last thing you want is to lose power for several hours in the home and end up wasting all of the saved cash on the food.
You Need One to Keep Your Home and Belongings Safe
When a home loses power, it becomes a major target to thieves, break-ins, and robberies. With a generator, you will have constant access to your home security system, and you will also have the ability to turn on a couple of lights, so that people can tell you are home. Investing a little money in this product could save your house and personal things in the long run, so it is worth the cost.
Those Who Have Emergency Medical Needs
Whether you are relying on an oxygen machine to breathe, or you have medications that you have to take throughout the day in order to stay healthy, having this in your home can provide the power to keep the machine running and it can also keep a fridge cool for your medicine. If this is the case for you, it is very important to have a generator in your house.
They Are Used to Make Things Like Camping Easier
One great thing these machines are used for is to make activities like camping a lot more convenient and provide a smoother experience in the woods. With one of these on hand, you can easily make coffee in the morning, cook a nice full breakfast, and even store leftovers in a fridge while camping. Sure, it is sometimes fun to go about it the old fashioned way and do everything without modern electronics or supplies, but if you are looking for an easier way to camp, this is definitely the way to do it.
The Different Types of Generators and What Makes Each Unique and Great
If you have come to the conclusion that you do need one of these power sources that means it is time to move on to step number two, which is deciding which type of generator is best for you and your needs.
There are several kinds to choose and select from and all of them offer different qualities and benefits. It all depends on what you are personally going to use it for, where you will use it, and how often it will be running. Here are the different types to pick from.
The First Type to Consider Is Gasoline Powered
One of the most popular types that people tend to love are gasoline-powered generators. It is important to note that sometimes these are powered by diesel. The thing that makes this kind appealing is that it typically runs all of the time, no matter what.
When the power goes out, you will likely want to be sure the product you spent money on works like a charm. Gasoline powered is the best option to go for when compared to natural gas.
While the ones that run off of natural gas are great in their own way and have other advantages that we will discuss soon, many times this gas in your area will be cut off, leaving you with no generator and no power.
Those that run off of liquid propane gas are great as well, but they also leave a danger of not working all of the time. When there is a power outage, the possibility of having access to more liquid propane gas is slim, which could leave you, again, without power.
While all of these machines have pros and cons to them, it seems like the gas powered ones come out on top when your options are weighed.
As long as there is a big enough supply of more gasoline around, these products can run forever, regardless of if there is natural or liquid propane. Just play it safe and store a few gallons of extra gas around the house for when emergency situations arise.
There is really no reason to panic over the supply though, because a vehicle in itself will have at least twenty gallons inside of it in front of your home. Just store a few extra in the garage, and you will have nothing to worry about.
The Second Type Runs off of Natural Gasoline
The second most popular type runs off of natural gas. While we already discussed the disadvantage of not being able to use the generator if this type of gas is cut off for any reason, there are also pros to consider.
This option is excellent because it will power up on its own if there is an outage in your area.
This is a highly popular option for people who tend to travel or be on the road a lot. It is great because it guarantees your home stays in great shape while you are gone, and it also protects it by not making the house look like it is vacant.
When it comes to natural gas, you will definitely pay for the quality and benefits you get out of it, so keep that in mind when considering this choice.
Reasons to Choose One That Runs off of Propane
While you may hear people brag about the gasoline operated generators, the propane options should not be ignored. There are many pros to having one of these, including the fact that they are harder to spill because they come in a cylinder shape.
Another great thing is that if it does spill for whatever reason, it evaporates right away. This type is about half the price of regular gas per gallon, so it typically means you will save money.
The great thing about propane is that as long as you have some stored to guarantee you have a supply when you need it, it has an incredibly long shelf life, so it will last you years in storage.
Many claim that it can last you a lifetime and the chances of it going bad before you need it are slim to none.
These types of machines are excellent, but they are harder to fix when they break when compared to regular gas generators. Also, if you live in an area that tends to get really cold, below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, this is not a good pick for you.
The propane is not useful in freezing weather.
These are all things to consider when selecting the choice that works for you. If you live in the sunny state of Florida, propane is probably a great buy, but if you live in Alaska, not so much.
Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator Review
- The Durostar DS4000S portable generator is a gas-fueled model that’s able to run for a period of eight hours. This is considered a very quiet model and features a 7.0 horsepower overhead valve engine that’s EPA approved.
- With the ability to carry four gallons of gas, this model also features a recoil start and works at sixty-nine decibels. Included is a one-year warranty and an automatic shutdown feature that kicks in once the model begins to run low on oil or gas.
- Users loved this model for its ability to operate quietly, due to the muffler and isolation mounts, and they also appreciated the included EZ pull recoil start feature.
- This model received four out of five stars for the consumer rating, due to the amount of horsepower it features and how affordable it is.
WEN 56352 Portable Generator Review
- The WEN 56352 portable generator features a four-gallon fuel tank and is able to run for a period of eleven hours, which is pretty impressive when compared to other portable units that feature the same size fuel tank, but are only able to operate for a period of six to eight hours.
- Equipped with an easy to use recoil start, this model uses unleaded gas and features an eighty-seven octane rating.
- The automatic oil shutdown feature will save you from frying the engine, should you forget to add more oil.
- This unit is EPA approved and it features a quiet running motor, making it a perfect option when it comes to a portable generator you can take camping.
- Also included are three AC outlets, which are able to produce DC currents, enabling you to utilize them for charging small appliances such as camera batteries or your cellular device. In this review, consumers gave it a five out of five star rating, making it one of the top selling models on the site.
- Consumers awarded this unit a high rating for its impressive eleven-hour power capability and the ease of use.
Westinghouse WH7500E Portable Generator Review
At first glance when reviewing this model, I was disappointed by the poor materials used to construct it. However, after giving it a go, I was impressed by how powerful and fuel-efficient it really was.
- This portable generator can produce over 7,000 watts of power, with the ability to produce more than 9,000 watts at the starting point.
- Equipped with an LCD meter, you’re able to keep an accurate eye on how much juice you’ve used, and how long you have until refueling is needed.
- The generator also comes equipped with a fairly simple and easy to use control panel, with the model’s fuel tank being able to hold up to six gallons of gasoline.
Common consumer complaints mainly focused on how loud the generator was, but models that feature large motors are obviously going to run louder than smaller, less powerful generators. The Westinghouse WH7500E received a rating of 4.5 out of five stars, for its powerful performance, easy portability and storage, and for its affordability.