Best Generator for Home Power Outage 2026

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The ice storm brings down a line at the end of the street just after midnight. By morning the house is 55 degrees, the furnace is silent because its blower needs electricity, and the utility’s map says “assessing.” A neighbor wheels a generator out to the far side of the driveway, plugs one cord into the inlet box by his meter, flips a few switches inside, and his furnace starts. That’s the difference the right generator, set up the right way, makes.

The best generator for a house power outage in 2026, for most homes, is the Westinghouse WGen9500DFc: 9,500 running watts on gasoline (8,500 on propane), a transfer-switch-ready 240 V outlet for a furnace or well pump, and a CO sensor with automatic shutdown. For quieter essentials-only backup, pick the Champion 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter.

Below: six portable picks plus one standby option, how to size yours, how to hook it up legally, and the carbon monoxide rules that come with every one of them.

Prices change often. The prices below are what we saw at the maker or a major retailer in October 2026; check the current price before you buy. Where we couldn’t confirm a current price, we left it out. We researched and compared these generators from maker specs; we did not test them.

Our top picks

Generators for power outages compared

Generator	Running / starting W (gas)	Other fuels (running W)	240 V outlet	CO shut-off	Weight	About (Oct 2026)
Westinghouse WGen9500DFc	9,500 / 12,500	Propane 8,500	L14-30R, 14-50R	CO Sensor	212.1 lb	$1,399 list
Champion 9200W Tri Fuel	9,200 / 11,500	Propane 8,500; natural gas 7,500	L14-30R + a 50 A-class outlet	CO Shield	216 lb	Check price
DuroMax XP13000EH	10,500 / 13,000	Propane 10,000	L14-30R, 14-50R	CO sensor shutdown	234 lb	$1,299 (maker)
Westinghouse WGen7500DFc	7,500 / 9,500	Propane 6,750	L14-30R	CO Sensor	202.1 lb	$1,299 list
Champion 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter	3,500 / 4,500	Propane 3,150	No (TT-30R RV outlet)	CO Shield	99.2 lb	Check price
Honda EU2200i	1,800 / 2,200	None	No	CO-MINDER	47.4 lb	$1,199 MSRP
Generac Guardian 22kW	Standby: 22,000 W propane	Natural gas 19,500	Wired in	n/a (installed outdoors)	–	From $6,119, unit only

Specs are the makers’ own. Westinghouse showed its list prices but marked these models unavailable in its own store in October 2026; they’re sold through other retailers. Westinghouse, DuroMax and (on the pages we read) Champion’s 9,200 W model aren’t listed as CARB compliant, so check before buying in California.

The best generators for a home power outage

1. Westinghouse WGen9500DFc: best overall for power outages

This is the size most houses actually need when the power is out for days: 9,500 running and 12,500 starting watts on gasoline, or 8,500 and 11,200 on propane. That’s enough for a fridge, freezer, sump pump, furnace blower, lights and a 1 HP well pump at once, by our sizing math below. It has two 120 V GFCI outlets, a 120/240 V L14-30R outlet that Westinghouse calls transfer-switch ready, and a 14-50R outlet. Westinghouse rates it at up to 12 hours on the 6.6-gallon tank at 25% load and about 8 hours at 50% (about 7 hours at 50% on propane). Remote, electric and recoil start mean you don’t have to pull a cord in an ice storm, and its CO sensor shuts the engine down automatically if carbon monoxide builds up.

• Good: two fuels; both 240 V outlets most transfer switches and inlets use; remote start; 3-year limited residential warranty.
• Watch out: 212 pounds; 74 dB(A) (Westinghouse doesn’t state the distance); bonded neutral, so tell your electrician, who will match it to the right transfer switch; not CARB compliant.
• Best for: houses with a well pump, a gas or oil furnace, or a sump pump, connected through a transfer switch or interlock.

Check the Westinghouse WGen9500DFc price on Amazon

2. Champion 9200W Tri Fuel with CO Shield: best for natural gas homes

Gas stations close in big outages; a natural gas line usually keeps flowing. Champion’s model 201412 runs on gasoline (9,200 running / 11,500 starting watts), propane (8,500 / 10,625) or natural gas (7,500 / 9,375), and Champion includes a 25-foot natural gas hose kit with a quick connect. On gasoline it runs about 10 hours at half load from an 8.5-gallon tank; on a 20-pound propane tank, about 5 hours. Outlets are two 120 V 20 A GFCI duplexes, a 120/240 V L14-30R and a larger 120/240 V outlet. Champion says that if CO Shield detects unsafe levels of carbon monoxide, it automatically shuts off the engine.

• Good: three fuels including natural gas; electric start; 3-year limited warranty with free lifetime tech support.
• Watch out: 216 pounds; 74 dB(A) at 23 ft; Champion lists no price on its site; the natural gas connection point at your house should be added by a licensed plumber or gas fitter.
• Best for: homes on utility gas that want long runtimes without hauling cans.

Check the Champion 9200W Tri Fuel price on Amazon

3. DuroMax XP13000EH: most power for the money

The XP13000EH makes 10,500 running and 13,000 starting watts on gasoline and nearly the same on propane (10,000 / 12,500), which DuroMax recommends feeding from at least a 40-pound tank. The 8.3-gallon tank lasts up to 17 hours at 25% load or 8 hours at 50%. It has two GFCI 5-20R outlets, an L5-30R, an L14-30R and a 14-50R, plus 12 V, and starts by push button, remote or recoil. DuroMax’s spec sheet lists a CO sensor shutdown. At about $1,299 on DuroMax’s site (list $1,699) in October 2026, it’s the most watts per dollar here.

• Good: highest output; strong propane rating; every common outlet; 3-year warranty.
• Watch out: 234 pounds; 74 dB; not 50-state (CARB) legal. DuroMax also sells the XP13000HX with CO Alert and a 5-year warranty for about $100 more.
• Best for: bigger houses, or running a well pump and a window AC together.

Check the DuroMax XP13000EH price on Amazon

4. Westinghouse WGen7500DFc: best mid-size

If you don’t have a well pump or big 240 V loads, the WGen7500DFc gives you 7,500 running and 9,500 starting watts on gasoline (6,750 / 8,550 on propane) for $1,299 list. It runs up to 11 hours on gasoline or 8 on propane at 25% load, has two 120 V GFCI outlets and a transfer-switch-ready L14-30R, and starts by remote, push button or recoil (battery included). Like its bigger sibling, its CO sensor shuts it down automatically if CO builds up.

• Good: plenty for essentials plus a sump pump and furnace; remote start; 3-year limited residential warranty.
• Watch out: 202 pounds; 72 dB(A); no 14-50R; bonded neutral; not CARB compliant. Buy the “c” model: the older WGen7500DF has no CO sensor.
• Best for: typical gas-heated homes on city water.

Check the Westinghouse WGen7500DFc price on Amazon

5. Champion 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter: best inverter for essentials

An inverter generator is the neighbor-friendly choice. Champion’s 4500W dual-fuel model makes 3,500 running and 4,500 starting watts on gasoline (3,150 / 4,500 on propane), at 61 dB(A) from 23 feet, with clean power for electronics. Champion rates it at 14 hours on gasoline or 21 hours on a 20-pound propane tank at 25% load. It has electric start with the battery included, wheels, two 20 A household outlets, a TT-30R RV outlet and parallel ports for linking a second inverter. CO Shield shuts it down automatically if CO builds up.

• Good: runs a fridge, freezer, lights, TV and a 1/2 HP sump pump; much quieter than open-frame models; long runtimes; 3-year limited warranty.
• Watch out: no 240 V outlet, so no 240 V well pump; Champion’s Amazon listing doesn’t show the model number, so check it before you buy.
• Best for: essentials-only backup, close neighbors, and doubling as an RV or camping generator.

Check the Champion 4500W Dual Fuel Inverter price on Amazon

6. Honda EU2200i: best small and quiet

Sometimes you only need to keep a fridge cold, a few lights on and phones charged. The EU2200i makes 1,800 running and 2,200 starting watts, weighs 47.4 pounds and runs about 8.1 hours at a quarter load on less than a gallon of gasoline. Honda lists 48 dB(A) at a quarter load. Honda’s CO-MINDER system watches CO levels and shuts the engine off. It can be paired with a second unit, and newer units add Bluetooth app control.

• Good: very quiet and light; parallel capable; 3-year residential warranty.
• Watch out: about $1,199 MSRP is a lot for 1,800 W; recoil start only; won’t run a sump pump and fridge reliably together.
• Best for: short outages, apartments with outdoor space, and recharging a power station.

Check the Honda EU2200i price on Amazon

7. Generac Guardian 22kW: best standby generator

If you never want to drag a generator out in a storm again, a standby unit starts by itself within seconds of an outage. Generac’s Guardian 22kW (model 7042) is a common whole-house size: 22 kW on propane and 19.5 kW on natural gas. Generac lists 67 dB(A) at 23 feet at normal load, 57 dB(A) during its weekly Quiet-Test, Wi-Fi monitoring through Mobile Link and a 5-year limited warranty. The unit lists from $6,119, but it’s sold and installed only through Generac dealers, and the price excludes the transfer switch, pad, gas line, electrical work and permits. Generac puts a typical installed system at $8,000 to $16,000; get 2 to 3 quotes.

• Good: fully automatic; runs on piped gas for days; covers central AC and most of a house.
• Watch out: the installed cost; service every 6 months recommended by Generac; natural-gas output is lower than the name.
• Best for: homes with frequent long outages, medical needs, or owners who travel.

See the Guardian 22kW at Generac

How to choose a generator for power outages

Add up the running watts of everything you’ll run at once, then add the starting watts of the single biggest motor (Champion’s method). Using the top of Champion’s published ranges, our estimates:

What you want to run	Running W	+ biggest start	Generator size
Fridge (400), freezer (500), 10 LED bulbs (150), TV (400), chargers (100)	1,550	+ 1,200 (fridge) = 2,750	3,000 to 4,500 W inverter
+ 1/2 HP sump pump (1,050) and furnace fan (800)	3,400	+ 2,150 (pump) = 5,550	7,500 W class
+ 1 HP well pump, 240 V (2,000)	5,400	+ 4,000 (well pump) = 9,400	9,500 W class with 240 V

• Check your labels. Your fridge, pump and furnace nameplates beat any chart. For a 240 V well pump, you need a generator with an L14-30R or 14-50R outlet.
• Choose the fuel you can get. Dual fuel adds propane, which stores for years; tri-fuel adds natural gas. Propane and natural gas give a little less power.
• Plan the hookup. Extension cords work for plug-in appliances. For the furnace, well pump or hard-wired circuits, a licensed electrician installs an inlet box with a transfer switch or an interlock kit made and listed for your panel brand, with a permit where required.
• Insist on a CO shut-off. CPSC recommends one and points to models certified to PGMA G300-2023 or UL 2201-2023.
• Count the fuel. The WGen9500DFc’s 6.6 gallons last about 8 hours at half load, roughly 20 gallons a day if run nonstop (our estimate). Running in shifts saves a lot.
• Electric start matters in cold or when someone else may need to start it.

Carbon monoxide: the rules that come with any generator

CPSC says an average of nearly 100 people die in the U.S. each year from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. CO has no color or smell, and the CDC lists headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion as the most common symptoms. Follow these every time:

• Outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust pointed away from windows, doors and vents (CPSC).
• Never in a garage, basement, crawlspace, shed, carport or on a porch, even with the door open.
• CO alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas, battery-operated or with battery backup. Test them monthly.
• Turn it off and let it cool before refueling (FEMA). Store gasoline in approved cans away from the house; add stabilizer and rotate it.
• Never plug it into a wall outlet. FEMA warns that backfeeding can injure utility workers; use cords or an electrician-installed transfer switch.

Every generator here has a CO shut-off: Westinghouse’s CO Sensor, Champion’s CO Shield, DuroMax’s CO sensor shutdown, Honda’s CO-MINDER. It’s a backup, not a replacement for distance and alarms. A battery CO alarm and fuel stabilizer cost little next to the generator:

Keep exploring

Our home generators guide explains every type, sizing and safety in depth. Work out your exact number with what size generator do I need, compare the best dual fuel generators and the best inverter generators, and plan the hookup with our transfer switch guide. If you’d rather avoid fuel entirely, see home battery backup or the best power station for home backup. Browse the whole generators category, or learn about propane as a backup fuel.

Generator for power outage questions

What size generator do I need for a power outage?

For a fridge, freezer, lights and electronics, about 3,000 to 4,500 W. Add a sump pump and furnace blower and you’re in the 7,500 W class. Add a 240 V well pump and you need about 9,500 running watts and a transfer switch. Central air usually means a standby generator. Add running watts, then the biggest motor’s starting watts.

Will a 7,500-watt generator run a house?

It runs the essentials of most houses: fridge, freezer, lights, a sump pump, a furnace blower and electronics, by our estimate about 3,400 running watts with headroom for motor starts. It won’t run central air, an electric water heater, an electric range and a dryer together. Connect it through a transfer switch or listed interlock installed by an electrician.

Is a dual fuel generator worth it for power outages?

For most people, yes. Propane stores for years without going stale, so you can keep a few tanks ready and switch when gas stations are closed. You lose a little power on propane (the WGen9500DFc drops from 9,500 to 8,500 running watts), and a 20-pound tank only lasts several hours at half load.

Where should I put the generator during an outage?

Outside on level ground, at least 20 feet from your house and your neighbor’s, with the exhaust pointed away from any window, door or vent (CPSC). Never in a garage, carport or on a porch, even with the door open. Keep it dry as the maker’s manual describes, and keep battery CO alarms on every level indoors.

Portable or standby generator?

A portable costs about $650 to $1,550 plus an electrician-installed transfer switch, and you set it up each time. A standby starts automatically and can run central air, but Generac puts typical installed costs at $8,000 to $16,000. If outages are rare and short, a portable makes sense; if they’re frequent or someone depends on medical equipment, look at standby.

Is there a tax credit for a home generator in 2026?

No. Fuel-burning generators don’t qualify for federal clean energy credits, and the 25D credit for home batteries ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Some states and utilities have their own programs; check DSIRE or your utility.