Best home backup generators (2026)
A big portable generator can keep a house going through a long outage: the refrigerator and freezer, a furnace blower, sump and well pumps, lights and Wi-Fi. These models make 4,500 to 11,500 running watts on gasoline or propane, and most are sold as transfer-switch ready. Size yours with the wattage calculator before you buy.
By Tom Calder · Updated October 24, 2026 · 6 products, 1 of 6 price-tracked
Our picks by size
DuroMax XP5500EH
The essentials on gas or propane
Westinghouse 12500W Dual Fuel
Big home backup with remote start
All 6 compared
| Generator | Running watts | Starting watts | Fuel | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Westinghouse 12500 Peak Watt Dual Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start, CO Sensor Best for whole-home backup 9,500 W · 12,500 W · Gasoline or propane · 212.1 lb Big home backup with remote start | 9,500 W | 12,500 W | Gasoline or propane | 212.1 lb | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 9,500 running watts on gasoline (8,500 on propane), a key-fob remote start, automatic CO shutdown, and both a 30-amp L14-30R and a 50-amp 14-50R outlet for a transfer switch. Best for Big home backup with remote start Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you only need the refrigerator and a few lights: a 3,500-watt inverter covers that. What it runs → | |||||
4,500 W · 5,500 W · Gasoline or propane · 124 lb The essentials on gas or propane | 4,500 W | 5,500 W | Gasoline or propane | 124 lb | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 4,500 running watts covers a refrigerator, a furnace blower and a sump pump together on our sizing chart, on gasoline or propane, with electric start. An open-frame generator, so louder than the inverters here. Best for The essentials on gas or propane Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you also want a quiet generator for camping. What it runs → | |||||
7,500 W · 9,375 W · Gasoline or propane · 205 lb Home backup through a transfer switch | 7,500 W | 9,375 W | Gasoline or propane | 205 lb | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 7,500 running watts on gasoline (6,750 on propane), CO Shield automatic shutoff and an L14-30R outlet for a transfer switch. On our sizing chart it runs a refrigerator, furnace blower, sump pump and window AC together. Best for Home backup through a transfer switch Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have no safe outdoor spot at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents to run it. What it runs → | |||||
9,500 W · 12,000 W · Gasoline or propane · 224 lb Whole-home portable on gas or propane | 9,500 W | 12,000 W | Gasoline or propane | 224 lb | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 9,500 running and 12,000 starting watts on gasoline or propane, with electric start and a transfer-switch-ready panel. On our sizing chart it runs a well pump, a sump pump, the refrigerator and a microwave at once. Best for Whole-home portable on gas or propane Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you can't store and rotate fuel for a generator this size. What it runs → | |||||
10,500 W · 13,000 W · Gasoline or propane · 234 lb 10,500 running watts on gas or propane | 10,500 W | 13,000 W | Gasoline or propane | 234 lb | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 10,500 running watts and 13,000 to start, on gasoline or propane, with electric start and a transfer-switch-ready panel. DTE Energy's figures put a 3-ton central air conditioner at 18,000 watts to start, more than this makes. Best for 10,500 running watts on gas or propane Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need to run central air: that is a standby-generator job. What it runs → | |||||
11,500 W · 14,500 W · Gasoline, propane or natural gas · 230 lb A natural gas hookup option | 11,500 W | 14,500 W | Gasoline, propane or natural gas | 230 lb | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 11,500 running watts on gasoline, and it also runs on propane or natural gas (at lower ratings), with remote start and a CO sensor that shuts it down. The natural gas option needs a proper gas connection fitted by a professional. Best for A natural gas hookup option Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have no natural gas line and won't use the third fuel. What it runs → | |||||
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Before you buy
Start with the wattage calculator
Add the running watts of everything you want on at once, then the biggest start-up surge. Buy for that, with some room to spare.
Check the outlets.
An L14-30R (30-amp) or 14-50R (50-amp) outlet is what most transfer switches and inlet boxes connect to; a qualified electrician fits the switch.
Dual fuel and tri-fuel models also run on propane, which keeps far longer in storage than gasoline.
Expect fewer watts on propane.
Weight matters: these are 120 to 240 lb.
Look for wheels and a fold-down handle, and plan where it will sit, outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents.
Fit carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup on every level of your home before you ever run one.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →
Head-to-head
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Common questions
Can a portable generator power a whole house?
Some of it. Our wattage calculator shows that a 9,500-watt generator can run a well pump, sump pump, furnace blower, refrigerator, freezer, microwave, lights, Wi-Fi and a TV at once on generator makers' charts, but not a 3-ton central air conditioner, which DTE Energy's guide puts at about 18,000 watts to start. Wired-in loads need a transfer switch.
Portable or whole-house standby generator?
A standby generator is installed permanently by a contractor and is wired to your home's electrical system. A portable generator you can move: you set it up yourself outdoors each time and run wired-in loads through a transfer switch. For installed prices, get quotes from licensed installers: they depend on size, fuel and your house.
What size home backup generator do I need?
It depends on what you want to run at once. Add the running watts, then the biggest start-up surge. Our wattage calculator does it for your list, and our size pages show what 5,000, 7,500, 9,500 and 12,000 watts will run.
How far from the house should a generator be?
Ready.gov says generators should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never run one in a garage, basement or carport, even with doors open.