8 Best Generators under $1000: Reasonable Investment

This is a 3400-watt inverter generator with running watts of 3100. Power is delivered from a 4 stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled 192 cc engine. Power is clean so it is perfectly safe to use on cell phones, laptops, cameras, GPS devices, and other sensitive electronics. To protect the engine, there is a low oil shut-off.

A huge advantage of the Champion 100263 is that it works on two fuel types. This means you can use gas or propane. Dual fuel gives you greater flexibility and convenience. The propane hose is included in the kit so it is ready to connect.

Although 3400 watts is enough power for many applications, if you need more power it is also parallel ready. This allows you to connect an additional generator and double your power. Again, this gives you greater flexibility.

Runtime is impressive. On a full tank of gas, you can expect up to 7.5 hours. It has a 1.6-gallon fuel tank. A 20-pound propane tank will give you as much as 14.5 hours. This is possible thanks to its inverter technology and its economy mode. Economy mode lowers the power when the electrical requirements lower which saves fuel, lowers noise and extends the life of the engine.

At only 59 dBA the Champion 100263 runs with very little noise. This makes it perfect for camping or RV use or even as a home back up. The low noise will not disturb those around you and you can use the generator without any problems from neighbors.

The unit is compact and light and weighs a mere 95.7 pounds. This makes it portable and easy to move from place to place. The generator is encased in a protective cast iron sleeve making it tough and durable. It has a convenient electric start with a recoil start for backup.

Another great convenience is the user-friendly quick touch panel that allows you to easily control the generator operation. It is RV ready and comes with a 120V 30A RV outlet. It also has two 120V 20A household outlets as well as a 12V DC outlet and a dual USB adapter.

If you need something with more power for home use or other applications then this is one to consider. The A-iPower 459cc engine delivers a good 12,000 starting watts and 9,000 running watts. This is more than enough to power an entire home or to keep everything running at a job site. For a generator under 1000 this model packs plenty of power.

It has a large 7-gallon fuel tank and will give you a decent 9 hours of runtime at a 50% load. This means you do not have to run and top it up every few hours. The fuel tank is made from heavy-duty steel for durability and strength. The push-button electric start makes getting the powerful generator running effortless.

Naturally, the power will mean a slightly louder operation. At 78dBA it is not too bad considering the power output but is still a bit on the loud side. The higher wattage will also result in the generator being heavier. At 206 pounds that is certainly the case but the sturdy 9.5-inch never-flat wheels make moving the A-iPower SUA12000E 12,000-Watt relatively easy. They are designed to handle any terrain and make the generator highly mobile. A tough full frame protects the generator ensuring good durability.

The user-friendly control panel is well positioned for ease of access and good visibility. The A-iPower SUA12000E is safe to use when it is damp thanks to the GFCI Protected Outlets. All outlets feature a protective cover for added safety. A DC Adapter Plug is built-in and can be used to charge the battery or charge phones and other devices via USB. The DC charging cables are included in the kit.

There are many advantages to inverter generators but power is not normally one of them. Meet the Westinghouse iPro4200 Portable Industrial Inverter Generator. It gives you many of the benefits of an inverter generator while still delivering exceptional power. This model runs at 3,500 watts with a peak or starting output of 4,200. This is generated by the 212cc Westinghouse OHV Engine.

Due to the fact that the inverter technology produces clean power, it is perfectly safe to use on all your sensitive electronics. You can conveniently charge laptops, cell phones, tablets, and other electronics. Moreover, thanks to this technology the unit is quieter than many other models with the same power. However, as iPro4200 features an open frame design, it is not as quiet as some other inverter options. Westinghouse does not quote the exact noise level so it is difficult to be sure of the precise noise level but there appear to be no consumer complaints in this regard. Clearly, noise is not an issue with this model.

The model has a durable steel 2.6-gallon fuel tank and will run for up to 18 to 22 hours. The variable engine speed combined with the inverter technology makes it extremely fuel-efficient.
The Westinghouse iPro4200 weighs in at 99 pounds. While not exactly lightweight it is still manageable. Most people will be able to handle the compact generator with ease and it is still portable enough.

It has a tough steel frame for protection and this makes it extremely durable. This model is specifically engineered and designed for commercial and industrial use. It is highly versatile so will be equally useful during outdoor adventures or for home back-up use. One area it particularly shines is on the job site and you will be able to run multiple power tools with ease.

It has a VFT meter that will show you the lifetime hours, frequency and volts. The generator also has low oil shutdown as well as overload protection. It has Full Panel GFCI Protection with multiple outlets. There are six 120V outlets and 2 handy USB ports.

Another benefit is that this generator is EPA, USFS, and CARB compliant allowing you to use it anywhere with confidence. The customer service is good with a 1000-wour warranty and free lifetime technical support.

The 420cc, 4-Stroke, OHV engine delivers plenty of power and you will get a peak of 7,750W and running watts of 6,250W on gasoline. LPG will deliver starting power of 7,500W with a running power of 6,000 watts. The dual-fuel option is extremely handy and gives you the freedom to select the option that is more convenient at the time. It has Switch & Go Technology. This lets you swop between gasoline and LPG seamlessly for added convenience. You can change the fuel source while the generator is running.

It has an easy electric start with a backup recoil starter. The Ford 7,750W features a good-sized 6.6-gallon fuel tank. This will give you around 10.5 hours running at half capacity (on gasoline).
There is not much information available on the noise output but a few comments from users indicate that this not the quietest generator in this class. Given the size of the engine and the power output as well as the open frame design this is to be expected.

The built-in digital display is convenient and user-friendly. This model is also EPA and CSA certified which gives you an assurance of safety and the freedom to use the generator in multiple locations. For engine protection, the Ford FG7750PBE has low oil shutdown and overload protection. For additional safety and engine durability, it has an automatic voltage regulator as well as a digital hour meter. Servicing the engine for optimal performance and engine life will be easy.

Outlets are plentiful and you will get two 120V 20A GFCI Outlets, one 120V AC 30A Twist-lock Outlet, a 120/240V AC 30A Twist-lock Outlet. For additional protection, the outlets have rubber dust covers.

Ford has a reputation for quality, power, and reliability. This generator is no exception. It comes with everything needed to get going including a propane hose, a speak plug wrench, a combination wrench and even 600mL of 10W30 Engine oil and a funnel.

Honda is a trusted name and they are a very popular choice for generators. This gas model has a GC190LA, 186cc engine that pushes out a starting power of 2,800 watts and a running power of 2,500 watts. The power is clean therefore safe to use with all your sensitive electronics.

It is a compact and lightweight model that is extremely flexible. At only 34 pounds it is very easy to move around when necessary. It has a tough steel frame for improved durability.
It has enough power for home back up but the light and small design make it ideal for tailgating, RV use or other outdoor activities. The USDA-qualified spark arrestor/muffler not only reduces noise but makes it safer to use for outdoor adventures and other applications.

The inverter makes it more fuel-efficient and you can enjoy a good run time of 8.7 hours on only 2.1 gallons of fuel. That is great considering the power you get. The eco throttle regulates fuel consumption and makes it more fuel-efficient. It has a choke which makes it super easy to start even when it’s cold outside.

With a rated noise level of 62 to 67 dBA, it is not exactly quiet but should still be low enough for most environments. It is fully CARB, OSHA and LA-ETL compliant. The circuits are all GFCI protected.

This is a powerful dual fuel generator that will run smoothly on gas to power your home or job site. Power output from the 420cc single-cylinder OHV engine is an impressive 9,375 watts at peak and 7,500 running watts on gasoline. That is enough power for most applications including air-conditioning system and massive tools.

Runtime is also good. You can expect decent 8 hours of usage at half load. It holds 1.2-quarts of oil. This comes included in the kit. For engine protection, there is a low oil shutdown. The electric start will get you up and running with no effort. The battery is also included so no need for any extra expense there. As a backup, the Champion 7500-Watt has a recoil starter as well.

The moderate noise level is another great feature of this generator. At 74 dBA, it is not that loud considering the power that you get. However, if you are going to work nearby, it’s advisable to use ear protection.

You can track the run-hours, hertz, and voltage with the user-friendly Intelligauge. This will help you monitor the generator as well as track your maintenance intervals. The steel frame is thick and strong affording the generator extra protection and good durability. The surge protection will ensure you never have an overload.

Champion will give you lifetime technical support and a decent 3-year warranty. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your investment is backed up by good aftersales service.

This compact and highly portable generator has a 79cc OHV, air-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-stroke gasoline engine. This will produce running watts of 1,600 with a peak or starting output of 2,000 watts. While this is not a huge amount of power it is good for its size and weight. If more power is needed the Yamaha EF2000iSv2 is parallel ready. This allows you to connect an additional generator to double the power output.

The power is clean and safe meaning you can use it to charge sensitive electronics such as laptops, cell phones, and other gadgets. The inverter technology with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control ensures these devices will be perfectly safe. Plus, the generator is EPA and CARB compliant.

It has a 1.1-gallon fuel tank which provides around 10.5 hours of runtime at a ¼ load. Noise levels are low due to the inverter technology as well as the super-quiet muffler. It also has a USFS-approved spark arrestor. The rated noise output is 51.5 dBA at 1/4 load. This, combined with the light compact design makes it safe and highly suited to outdoor adventures. You should not disturb those around. The smart throttle will automatically adjust engine speeds according to the load bring used. This also helps to reduce noise while making it more fuel-efficient.

The auto-decompression system makes it easier to start. An auto warm-up feature also helps in this regard, particularly in cold conditions. This will get the generator going quickly and allow you to power up larger appliances easily.

Engine performance and durability are enhanced by an oil watch warning system as well as an electrical overload breaker. Outlets are a bit limited. You will get two three-pronged 120-volt AC outlets as well as a 12-volt DC which can be used to charge batteries. The charging cables are included in the kit.

This is a popular and highly rated option that is well-loved by many consumers.

If you are looking for an affordable compact generator with dual fuel versatility this is one to consider. Duel fuel allows you the choice of gas or LPG which is a great convenience. It has an air-cooled 80cc, 3Hp, 4 stroke, single-cylinder, OHV engine. Power output on gasoline is 2,200 watts of peak power and 1,800 running watts while LPG will deliver 2,000 peak watts and 1,600 running watts.

Both gas and LPG will deliver safe and stable power that is perfect for charging sensitive electronics. The generator uses inverter technology. It is parallel ready so if additional power is needed one can always connect a second generator.

It has a 1.8-gallon fuel tank which will deliver 8 hours of runtime at a ½ load. A 1-pound LPG tank will give you 75 minutes.

Noise output is rated at under 60 dBA which is quiet enough for most environments. The design is compact and light at a mere 44 pounds. The generator is highly portable and has a convenient handle to make moving it a breeze.

There are a number of outlets including two 120V 15A AC outlets and a 5V integrated USB outlet as well as the parallel connection sockets. The generator comes with 350ML of 10W30 oil, a funnel, a spark plug wrench, and a propane hose.