We depend on power for almost everything we do, whether we are at home or out on a camping trip. There are many generators and portable power options available to help if there is a power outage or if we are enjoying the outdoors.
Portable Generators – Top 5 in 2026
Our team of experts has researched the generators and portable power units currently available on the market and has picked the top choices so you can shop with confidence and know that you are getting the best product to meet your needs and preferences. You will be able to review very useful information about the top models, key features, pros/cons, and you will surely find what will work best for you!
1. Champion Power Equipment 100302 – Expert’s Choice
Whether you’re looking to weather the next storm that comes into your life, power through a power outage, or managing the occasional off-grid outing, the Champion Power Equipment 100302 gives you the power you need to manage. The generator is RV ready and operates on propane or gasoline. It offers quiet technology that allows for extended running time by conserving fuel.
The unique open frame design of the inverter allows for 50 percent quieter operation than the standard 3500-watt generator and you can expect amazing support with a three year limited warranty on the generator and FREE technical support for a lifetime from dedicated experts.
Enjoy 4000 starting watts and 3500 running watts that can last for up to 17 hours of runtime when operating with gasoline.
This generator is meant to be used regularly and offers clean power, comes fully assembled, and offers RV readiness so you can take it on the go from the very first day of ownership.
Whether you operate your generator in economy mode to conserve fuel and extend the life of the engine or you need as much power as this mighty generator can give, the Champion Power Equipment 100302 can help you power through practically anything.
Features: Champion Power Equipment 100302
- Voltage: 120V AC and 12V DC
- Start Type: Manual
- Engine: 224cc Champion OHV
- Extended Run Time: up to 17 hours*
- Quick Touch Panel: all controls on one panel
- Economy Mode: save fuel, extend engine life
- Product Dimensions: 20.5 x 17.9 x 17.7 inches
- Item Weight: 81.6 pounds
- Item model number: 100302
- Start Type: Recoil
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Item Weight (lb.): 81.6
- Gasoline Run Time at 1/4 Load: 17.0 hours
- Gasoline Capacity: 2.9 gallons
- Noise Level (dBA): 64.0
- Parallel Capability: Yes
- RV Ready: Yes
- Wheels: No
Pros: Champion Power Equipment 100302
- Clean Power – low THD (3% or less)
- Fully Assembled – just add gas and oil
- Extended Run Time – up to 17 hours*
- Quick Touch Panel – all controls on one panel
- Economy Mode – save fuel, extend engine life
Cons: Champion Power Equipment 100302
- The unit is on the louder size, but it really gets the job done.
2. WEN 56200i
Enjoy super quiet gas-powered electricity on-the-go with the WEN 56200i portable inverter generator. The quiet operation of this device is one of its greatest claims to fame with the U.S. Department of Health and Human services comparing the operating volume of this generator to that of holding a normal conversation.
Whether you’re looking to power up construction sites, campground operations, tailgate parties, or live through power outages this may be the generator for you. Not only does it produce clean energy but it is safe for use with sensitive electronics such as mobile phones, computers, televisions, and tablet devices.
The generator comes fully equipped with two three-prong receptacles (120-volts), one 5V USB port, and one 12V DC receptacle. The generator itself is EPA III and CARB compliant and easily portable, weighing in at only 48 pounds. The WEN 56200i operates at 1600W with 2000W of surge wattage and can run 9.4 hours at a quarter load.
Eco mode can help you save money by adjusting fuel consumption and extending the life of the generator and you can double your power by linking together two WEN inverter generators with a WEN Parallel Kit. Try WEN today and see how different it is from other generators on the market.
Features: WEN 56200i
- EPA III and CARB Compliant
- Engine: 4-stroke 79.7cc OHV
- Fuel Tank: 1 Gallon
- Surge Wattage: 2000W
- Running Wattage: 1600W
- Product Dimensions: 18″ x 11″ x 18″
- Runtime: 9.4 Hours Quarter-Load
- Model Number: 562001
- Running Wattage: 1600W
- Surge Wattage: 2000W
- Quarter-Load Runtime: 9.4 Hours
- Fuel Tank Size: 1 Gallon
- Engine Displacement: 79.7cc
- Volume Level {22 Feet): 51 dBA
- Outlets: (2) 120V 20A three-prong receptacles, (1) 5V USB Port, (1) 12V DC 8.3A
- Fuel: Shut-Off
- Weight: 48 lbs
Pros: WEN 56200i
- Double Your Power
- Safe For Electronics
- Quiet Operation
- Lightweight Design
Cons: WEN 56200i
- The generator may take a few attempts to get it started during winter, but fine during other seasons and great performance once it gets going.
Portable power is important for today’s busy lifestyle. Whether you’re going camping, tailgating, or simply supplementing your home’s energy supply in a power outage, the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT has what you need to power your adventures – for up to 13 hours with a 25 percent load – without breaking the bank.
If you need more power than this lightweight device has to offer, you can double the load by powering another Westinghouse WH2200iXLT along with a parallel cord. Each generator is lightweight, weighing in at 43 pounds, quiet, and compact – making it easily portable for all your grand adventures while remaining EPA and CARB compliant.
One of the biggest benefits of the Westinghouse generator is that it is safe for use with your delicate electronics, including your mobile phones, laptop computers, and more. Plus, it comes with a two-year limited warranty. Generator operates at 1800W with 2200 peak wattage.
This is the perfect generator for those who need occasional power, though not to the degree of a whole house generator. Check out the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT if you’re looking for power that is convenient, easy-to-use, portable, and effective. This little generator packs a mighty big punch for powering your adventures.
Features: Westinghouse WH2200iXLT
- Product Dimensions: 20.2 x 12.5 x 15.2 inches
- Item Weight: 43 pounds
- Noise level: 59dBa at 50% Load
- Power: 1800 Running Watts / 2200 Starting Watts at <3% THD
- 1.3 Gallon Gas Tank Lasts 13 Hours at a 25% Load
- Shipping Weight: 48 pounds
- Manufacturer: Westinghouse
- Item model number: WH2000iXLT
Pros: Westinghouse WH2200iXLT
- Lightweight, Compact, and Quiet – Power Anywhere, Anytime
- Safely Powers Sensitive Electronic Devices
- Enhanced Fuel Efficiency
- Double Your Power
Cons: Westinghouse WH2200iXLT
- The oil reservoir cap may be hard to open for some people but it provides great seal.
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate companion for RV power or you want something to help you with building projects, tailgating parties, or even serving as a power backup for your home, Champion Power Equipment 75531i is the generator for you.
Featuring a quick touch panel that allows you access to all your controls in one convenient location and a low oil shut-off sensor for an added layer of safety, this generator has a lot to offer the average user.
The power output of this generator is also fairly substantial with 3100 starting watts and 2800 running watts to work with for up to eight hours of operation (with a load of 25 percent). Did we mention that it is quiet enough you can still hear the game if you take it tailgating? That is thanks to its quiet operation at approximately 58 dBA (the volume of normal speech at a normal distance).
Top it off with power that is clean enough to power up your laptop, mobile phone, and other sensitive equipment and you will find plenty to love about this generator.
If you’re ready for backup power that works for real life situations, look no further than the Champion Power Equipment 75531i.
Features: Champion Power Equipment 75531i
- Fuel Tank: 1.6 Gallon (6 L)
- Oil Capacity: 0.6 qt. (0.6 L)
- Running Hours: 8 hrs at 25% Load
- 12V DC Battery Charging Cables
- Start Type: Recoil
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Item Weight (lb.): 83.8
- Gasoline Run Time at 1/4 Load (h.): 8.0
- Noise Level (dBA): 58.0
- Parallel Capability: NA
- RV Ready: Yes
- Wheels: Yes
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 17.3 x 18.3 inches
- Item Weight: 94.8 pounds
- Manufacturer: Champion Power Equipment
- Item model number: 75531i
Pros: Champion Power Equipment 75531i
- Quick Touch Panel
- Ultra-Quiet Operation
- Clean Power for Sensitive Electronics
- Smart Economy Mode
- Champion Support
Cons: Champion Power Equipment 75531i
- There may be a power surge/low in very rare circumstances, but it works great.
The Krieger 1100 Watt 12V power inverter delivers 1100 watts of continuous power and 2200 watts of peak power whie converting 12V DC power to 120V AC Power. Ultimately it is powerful enough to power your handheld power tools, televisions, gaming consoles, and even small appliances inside your vehicle as well as many home electronics.
The inverter also features an LCD screen which displays the current output wattage, input voltage, or battery level. That means you’re always aware of how much power remains and never need to worry about running out of power by accident.
Additionally, there are warning indicators for the following, high/low voltage, voltage overload, temperature shutdowns.
Included with your Krieger inverter are the tools you need to work wonders, such as the invertor itself, a wired remote control, ANL fuse kit along with three foot battery cables, and a user manual.
When you’re ready to have access to power and the ability to convert it to the form you need, at all hours of the day and night, you can’t go wrong with the Krieger KR1100. Order yours today and experience for yourself the difference it can make when operating close to home, away from home, and on the road.
Features: KRIËGER KR1100
- LCD display: Volt/Watt/Battery Level
- Display Type: LCD
- Continuous AC output power: 1100W
- Peak output power: 2200W
- 2 x USB DC output current: 2.1 Amp (Shared)
- AC output wave form: Modified sine wave
- AC output voltage: 120VAC/60HZ
- AC output frequency: 60 ± 3Hz
- 3 Ft. battery cables included
- Dimensions (in): 2.72(H) x 10.98(L) x 5.59(W)
- Typical Weight (lbs): 3.16 lbs
- Item model number: KR1100
Pros: KRIËGER KR1100
- Super reliable
- Ultra-silent (thermal fan)
- Tablet charging from USB ports
- ANL Fuse included
- Wired remote control included
- Inverter has all the protections needed
Cons: KRIËGER KR1100
- When the batteries are fully charged (around 12.7 V) and there is no load or draw on the system, sometimes the unit may shut itself off.
For those of you who like to do your own research, our experts have written a comprehensive Portable Generator Buying Guide. This can help you review a lot of useful information, and select the best Portable Generator to meet your needs.
I’m a full time RV dweller for many years now and my 19 year old Honda eu2000 finally died. I needed a generator that could run my AC and a few other things longer than 3-4 hours. I’m really reluctant about buying Champion Power Equipment 100302 over Honda, but it’s got twice the power for half the price! And it runs longer having a larger fuel tank. So far so good! After adding oil and gas it started on the first pull. My Honda lasted 6089 hours. If this Champion 100302 gives me 5000 hours I’ll be a happy camper!
**update February 2019 I use this generator almost daily, 200 hours on it so far and no problems at all. It’s a great RV generator. I love the large fuel tank making it possible to run all night if needed. Very happy with this.
**update easily powers up my 15000 btu air conditioner. I also use this for powering various wood working tools, (one at a time obviously) including a large table saw.
KRIËGER KR1100 is my third Krieger inverter (for different vehicles – not replacement of units) and both previous units are still in full operation. I use this to provide limited 110V power while “dry” camping. For powering small heaters, lights, recharging phones & other non-sensitive devices. If you are looking to effectively provide power to televisions, computers and the like, I would suggest looking for a “pure” sine wave inverter. That said, I’ve found that, for general purposes as I use them, the modified current production works fine, and at a lesser cost. Of the many on the market, I like Krieger’s solid performance and dependability at a competitive price point. If “pure” power isn’t a concern for your uses, I highly recommend the Krieger family of inverters.
I was very impressed with KRIËGER KR1100. very easy to install and works as it is described I installed it under my cabinet near my 166 lb gel mat batteryand it did an excellent job of powering everything I’m plugged into it my microwave cooktops coffee maker all my appliances I would highly recommend this product. Only one little thing I learned after I installed was that induction cookware does not work with this modified wave inverter you need a pure wave inverter if you intend to you induction cookware.
I bought KRIËGER KR1100 as an alternate energy source for hurricane storm relief. Last year I was without power for a week following Hurricane Michael, and I live 100 miles away from the eye landfall in Tallahassee. I didn’t want to buy a generator because of the problems we had in town with running out of gasoline in addition, the gas pumps do not work when the power is off. I paired this inverter with a marine battery and a solar panel to charge the battery. I knew nothing about solar power, and alternative energy when I started looking into this but now I know a lot! This inverter is super easy to hook up to a battery it runs my window AC which is critical because after a hurricane, sleeping with the windows open is miserable with all the heat and humidity. I haven’t tried to hook up more than one thing to this inverter- but in the coming days, I will try the full-sized refrigerator and the coffee pot.
I have used Champion 75531i for about 2 years now and it works great. I could not ask for anything more. We use is on our 5th wheel when we go on longer trips. We can stay in a parking lot and run the generator right from the back of the truck so we can use the ac and do everything we can when we are camping with 30 amp service.
Received my new Champion 75531i Inverter. Filled with oil and gas. Started on first pull. I was amazed at how quiet it is. Very comparable to my Honda 1000 gen. Tried it out with different items and works great. Plugged in my Travel Trailer and turned on the 13,500 BTU AC unit with the Gen running in Econo Mode and it didn’t rev the engine at all. Ran it perfect. Tested it running the AC and 1500 Watt microwave and no problem at all. Already in love with this Champion Gen. Will run everything in my trailer and more.
I bought Westinghouse WH2200iXLT Inverter generator to replace the noisey, smelly, heavy one that was in my motor home. This one starts fine on the second pull of the cord and runs my small AC unit and microwave (although not at the same time). It is also very fuel efficient.
The Champion 100302 is a great value for my needs. 3500 continuous watts will readily run/charge my tools for work outside the shop while offering ample backup for basic needs during storm outages. I knew when purchasing that it is not super quiet like some fully enclosed inverter generators. Conversely the price clearly reflects that lower construction cost. A couple of hours in the workshop to build a baffle makes it much stealthier for post-storm suburban use. The ECO mode is really gentle on fuel consumption too. A 30A to 3x20A split adapter and a wheel kit are highly recommended accessories.
I just received my 56200i WEN generator today. As far as the noise I do not have alot of experience with generators but it seems to be pretty quiet to me for a something with a gasoline engine on it ! I plugged it into my trailer and it ran everything just fine. I haven’t run multiple large draw items at once yet but it ran my microwave, 900 w / air fryer/ heater 1100 w & hot plate. Those are just the heavy draw Appliances I am very happy with it. Now well see about the longevity of it.
this is for the 56200i WEN generator, which is a great generator, btw. The cover fits perfectly. There’s elastic on the bottom to help get a tight fit. Someone said theirs cracked over time, I’ll have to see if that happens, but the material this is made from appears to be high very quality.
I keep my generators in the garage, but people keep piling stuff on top of them, so the cover will protect it from soda cans, pizza boxes, etc that just happen to land on it It will also be nice when traveling. A very nice cover for a GREAT generator.
I have a Champion Power Equipment 100302 that is close to 10 years old.It has never failed me I service it regularly and record the hours.
Unfortunately a friend inserted the spark plug on the wrong thread and the end result is I need a replacement
without question I ordered a new Champion. Unfortunately I just assumed it would have a battery start.
However I will soon find out one way or the other.