9 Best Cheap Generators

The Westinghouse WGen3600v combines great performance with innovative features while saving your pennies at the same time. It boasts a 212cc OHC engine that produces a whopping 3600 running watts and 4650 starting watts. This is enough to power your vital appliances around the home when a blackout strikes.

The engine is encased in an iron sleeve to prevent corrosion while extending its lifespan. In addition, the hardened steel frame provides additional strength and wear resistance.
This model from Westinghouse is among the simplest generators to operate. The controls are conveniently located for easy access, especially in the dark. With a 4-gallon tank of gasoline, you can enjoy up to 18 hours of run time at 25 percent load.

It features a low-oil shutoff monitor that protects your engine from damage. The switch will shut down the engine when oil levels fall below a certain limit. It as well features a circuit breaker protection to prevent your generator from overloading.

While it’s equipped with a spark arrestor muffler, this machine is still a bit loud as it operates at 69 decibels. But you can still capitalize on its benefits by taking initiatives to lower the noise it produces, such as building an enclosure and insulating it. At 107 pounds, the machine is also heavy, and a wheel kit is missing, which is a bit disappointing.

Despite the noise and weight, the unit is RV ready hence you don’t need an extra adapter. It also comes with two 5-20R 120V household duplex receptacles for convenience. All the outlets are covered with rubber to protect them from moisture and other elements. A tool kit, oil and oil funnel are included in the package to get you started. A 3-year warranty is also quite generous considering its price.

Producing 51 decibels at 25 percent load, the generator is as quiet as you’d like. The noise is equivalent to a normal conversation at best. While it might be a bit louder when under heavy workload, the WEN 56202i is still on the quieter side compared to most models on the list.

The 79.7cc OHV engine might not be as powerful but, it produces a decent 1700 rate watts and 2000 surge watts. This is sufficient for your tailgating party as well as camping. Besides, the 1-gallon tank provides 7 hours of run time when operated at 50 percent capacity. With a total harmonic distortion of less than 1.2 percent while running at full capacity, it’s safe for your sensitive electronics such as TV, laptop, phone, etc. This is impressive for the price.

The 562022i is also among the lightest and most compact generators on the market thanks to its suitcase-style design. The parallel connection capability is another great feature that most generators within its price range lack. So you can connect another inverter generator with the 56202i for twice the power.

This unit also comes with an eco-mode switch to maximize fuel economy. For your engine safety, a low-oil shutdown and overload protection function is incorporated into the machine. The two USB ports along with the two 3-prong 120-Volt receptacles are also a great addition. This shows why it’s among the best budget generators available today.
WEN offers a 2-year warranty on this model.

The Champion 100307 runs on either gasoline and propane. This convenience and versatility are perhaps it’s the biggest selling point. With 3500 running watts on gasoline, this generator is a great backup plan for your home essentials and can run most of your RV systems.

This unit can run for about 9 hours on a full tank of gasoline when operating at a 50 percent load. When using a 20-pound propane tank, the run time stretches to 10.5 hours at the same load. A 3.3-foot propane hose with a regulator is included for convenience.

When it comes to safety features, the 100307 comes well-equipped. It has a low oil shut down function that protects your engine from damage and a fuel selector switch for shifting power sources safely. The surge protector prevents your generator from overloading while the intelligauge digital display keeps track of your frequency, voltage, and operating hours. The cold start technology can also come in handy during cold weather.

On the downside, this machine is pretty loud; it produces 68 decibels of sound at 23 feet. It’s also a rather hefty unit – weighing about 105 pounds. A wheel kit is not included to aid with the transportation either, so purchasing it separately adds to its total cost.

The 100307 is generous when it comes to outlets. It has two 120V 20-amp household outlets, one 120V 30-amp RV outlet, and one 120V 30-amp locking outlet. It’s EPA certified, CARB compliant and comes with a 3-year warranty.

While not as powerful as most models on the list, the A-iPower SUA2000iV still packs a punch. The 79cc Senci engine produces a clean 1600 watts of running power and 2000 watts of starting power. This is great for your camping trip, RV, festivities, tailgating parties, and more. Besides, it’s parallel capable, so you can couple it with another inverter generator to double the power.

With the inverter technology, the generator produces a much cleaner power to ensure the safety and longevity of your sensitive electronics. With a 1.1-gallon tank at 100 percent capacity, you can get around 4 hours of power. The generator also operates at a low volume of 58 decibels at half load, which equivalent to a normal conversation.

The eco throttle is another notable feature. It reduces fuel consumption and noise levels by adjusting the engine speed to produce only the power needed for the electrical load in use. For easy operation and convenience, it features a fuel gauge, low oil shutdown along with an overload alert.

This unit weighs just 48 pounds, making it pretty convenient to carry it with you wherever you go. Besides, the design is quite compact. Plus, it comes with two outlets – an AC and DC outlet which is satisfactory considering some units in the same price range don’t have any DC outlets.

With 2500 watts of running power and 3250 surge watts, the All Power America APG3012 allows you to power what you need be it your RV, small job sites, important home appliances and more. This small but mighty 196cc OHV engine comes with a 4-gallon tank capacity. Hence, you can enjoy up to 8 hours of run time at half load on a full tank of gas. The incorporated low oil level feature is also vital in protecting your engine from friction.

With a 68 dB noise level, the APG3012 is about as loud as a lawnmower 100 feet away. Despite the noise which is average for a standard generator, it’s fitted with two 120V AC outlets and one 12V DC outlet. The DC outlet is particularly useful in an emergency on the road as it can partially charge your car battery.

While the generator is EPA approved, it isn’t CARB compliant hence illegal for use in California.

Not the lightest generator by all means but, the easy to grasp top handles make it easy and comfortable to transport. The sturdy steel frame also aids in the loading and unloading. If the generator’s noise level is not your primary concern, this APG3012 is a great choice.

With a remarkably low 52 dB noise level, the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT is ultra-quiet for use in most outdoor situations –recreations, camping, tailgating parties, job sites, and other environments.

Although it’s not the most powerful out there, it can still provide enough power to cover your outdoor needs as well as small items around the house. Besides, you can always run two Westinghouse inverter generators in parallel to provide double the power. But keep in mind, the parallel cord (https://amzn.to/2mKDFLT) is sold separately.

This 1800-watt inverter generator produces power less than 3 percent total harmonic distortion to safely run sensitive electronics without issues. Since most electronic devices are sensitive to voltage fluctuations and spikes, this function is indispensable.

Weighing only 43 pounds, the WH2200iXLT is very easy to transport and carry around with its built-in handle. The compact size also allows you to fit it neatly into your car trunk, RV, and garage.
When it comes to consumption of fuel, this machine is among the most economical. It runs up to 8 hours on just 1.3 gallon on fuel. The efficiency mode feature reduces fuel use by adjusting the engine speed to match the current electrical load.

For your machine safety, it comes equipped with overload protection and low oil shutdown. It also features two 120V 20 Amp outlets. An impressive 3-year warranty backs this CARB and EPA compliant product.

For such a small size, the Pulsar PG1202S is a workhorse that will help power your small job sites and electronics in the house. The 900 watts of running power it produces is also perfect for camping, RVing, and backyard parties.

Operating at 65 dB, the noise level is a bit louder than a normal conversation. But considering the size of this machine, the noise is on the higher side. While the PG1202S thrives in simplicity, it surprisingly offers three outlets of power in its control unit – two 120V AC and one 12V DC. Battery cables are also included.

It comes with a 1.1-gallon fuel tank that will run for about 8.55 hours at 50 percent load. Keep in mind this model uses a mixture of gasoline and oil. One notable feature that’s missing, however, is the low oil shutdown. It’s the only unit here that lacks the vital function. Nonetheless, it’s CARB and EPA certified.

At 35 pounds, this is one of the lightest units on our list. A built-in handle, along with the small size, makes it easy to transport and store. As far as the safety of your machine goes, the PG1202S features overload protection.

The ACOPOWER 150WH is not your typical generator. Unlike other models on the list, it provides portable AC and solar panel power without noise or gas. While it’s not as powerful as gas-powered generators, it is perfect for anyone who needs a simple machine for lighting or charging mobile devices, laptops, lamps, and other small devices while on the go. The 40,800 mAh battery is more than capable of handling these power needs.

Pure dual modified sine wave output may just sound like a fancy feature but, it allows you to run low power AC electronics safely. Since it features both pure and modified sine wave, the unit can power any appliance within the mAh capability exactly the same as they would at home. Hence, you don’t have to worry about your device overheating or having any performance interference.
Weighing just a mere 3.3 pounds, it is the lightest generator you’ll ever come across.

It features an easy to read LED display that shows system information such as battery level, power consumption status, control of the unit, and more.

The ACOPOWER comes with several outlets, making it perfect for camping. It has three DC ports, two USB ports, two AC outlets, and an extra lighter socket. A power charger, MC4 and cigarette lighter socket adapters are included in the package.

Since it can be charged with either AC plug or by use of a solar panel, it’s one of the best budget generators for camping and RVs.

This portable inverter generator has an average running wattage of 900, which is enough juice to power a few appliances such as lights, mini-fridge, electric fan, and the likes.

At 100 percent load, this unit can provide power for about 6 hours using only 0.7 gallons of gas. It’s also exceptionally light, weighing only 35 pounds. The built-in top handle makes it easier to transport from one place to the next.

At 58 decibels, the Goplus features a quiet, neighborhood and camp friendly operation. The noise level is similar to an average conversation. The unit is also designed with an eco-throttle system for exceptional fuel efficiency.

For both your machine and devices safety, the Goplus Inverter is equipped with a circuit breaker to prevent overloading and an air-cooling system to avoid overheating. The oil alarm system alerts you when oil levels are dangerously low and the status lights for a user-friendly experience. Plus, Goplus backs this generator with a 1-year limited warranty.