9 Best Small Generators: Keep Your Essentials Going

WEN 56202i is among the most reliable generators out there and can be a good pick for anyone looking for a unit that can charge laptops, mobile devices, and other such sensitive items. Despite its small size, it is quite powerful and generated 1,700 running watts. This is enough to run a bunch of small appliances including hairdryers, bulbs, and fans.

The unit comes with a 4 stroke OHV 78cc engine which operates at just 51 dB at quarter load, this makes it quieter than a regular window air conditioner. At 38 pounds, it is portable and easy to carry as well. Hence, you will have no difficulty in taking it to your next camping trip.

This model from WEN has features such as low oil and low fuel indicators and automatic shut down. They ensure you have no difficulty in keeping the generator maintained and running. You will not have to manually check when it’s time to add fuel. Plus, it will shut down automatically if it detects low oil levels. This is very important since running a generator in such situations can be bad not only for the generator but for other appliances as well.

Additionally, it has an indicator for overload protection which means your electronic appliances are safe from damage.

Its one gallon tank may be small but it can provide you with 7 hours of straight power at half load. The panel comes with extra ports including a 120V 14A NEMA 5-20R receptacle, one 12V 8.3A DC receptacle, and 5V USB ports.

The eco mode switch allows you to utilize the maximum fuel economy. If this is still not enough, you can make use of the parallel connection to connect two generators and get more power for longer runtime.

The Champion 100302 is an open frame digital hybrid inverter generator which makes it more efficient than similar products on the market. It’s 50% quieter and 20% lighter than your traditional 3500-watt portable generator. It cuts the noise level in half with its unique Quiet Technology.

At 81 pounds, this can be a lightweight addition to your RV and a cost effective power solution as well. Champion has added a recoil start along with cold start technology in its reliable 224cc engine that has 4,000 starting watts and 3,500 running watts.

It gives you a straight run of 17 hours at 25% of load on a full 2.9-gallon tank. This generator operates at 64 dB of noise at 23 feet and has low oil shut off sensor along with a 0.6 quart oil capacity.
Moreover, it has a Quick Touch Panel which makes accessing controls easier and faster while the economy mode lets you monitor power consumption while the unit is in use so you get real-time output. You will also find that this mode enables the unit to run on reduced power providing quieter operations, higher fuel economy and longer engine life.

This Champion, moreover, includes a number of electrical outlets including a 120V 30Z RV TT 30-R, a 12V DC automotive-like outlet which comes with dual USB adapters, cables to charge batteries, and two 120V 20A household outlets 5-20R.

You can also take advantage of the parallel kit that includes a 50 AMP RV outlet as standard and provides a clip on connection so you can increase power and run-time. On the downside, some users find the choke to be trouble.

This ROCKPALS 300W generator is your answer to all your portable and multi-power needs. This unit comes with AC output and starts up at 600 surge watts while settling in on 300 continuous watts. It may not be the most powerful option out there but it has some incredible advantages giving it an edge over other similar products.

You will find multiple power outlets including five DC ports each of 96W 16A power at max, two 21A USB ports, and two 3.0 USB quick charge ports. Additionally, a 7.3 lbs lithium power pack which consists of 3.7V 75 Ah batteries is powerful enough to charge any smartphone 25 times, laptops – 5 times, and a mini car refrigerator for about 3 – 5 hours.

However, what sets it apart is its ability to use solar energy to charge up. However, you will have to buy solar panels separately. We suggest that you invest in Rockpals 100W Foldable panels as they offer excellent perks.

First of all, these panels are made to last for a long time. Moreover, they will help you save money in the long-run as you will not be utilizing power from the grid. In addition to this, since the unit supports simultaneous output and input, you will be able to run it while it charges – hence no worries even if the battery is dead.

Alternatively, the battery pack included can be easily charged within 6-7 hours via a wall socket and the camping battery pack can be charged via your car charger within a few hours.

This unit is suitable for almost all kinds of devices including sensitive appliances as it uses pure sine wave technology that reduces distortion. Included within the packaging are a car charger cable, an AC adapter, an MC4 adapter, and a user guide.

The Yamaha EF1000iS comes with inverter technology which makes it quiet and safe to use. This gas-powered unit will run for up to 12 hours straight without the need to refuel. This means you will be able to enjoy a peaceful sleep without having to worry about getting up in the middle of the night to take care of fuel.

Inverter technology delivers high quality, clean electricity. Hence, you can charge mobile devices and other sensitive appliances without any concerns. A smart throttle load sensor is included which means the device is able to adjust engine speed based on the output load required. To reduce total fuel consumption, there is a dual coil alternator as well.

Weighing in at 27.6 pounds, it is portable and has an easy to carry design. In fact, we love how it looks. Its appearance – though not the most important factors – is one of its USPs. But, it does offer some more benefits as well.

The control panel is easy to use and centralized and will offer access to all function at just a push of a button. A unique function of this generator is that it is able to recharge 12 volt batteries easily with its 12 volt DC output; this makes it ideal for the outdoor enthusiast. However, we do wish it had more outlets as it comes with two 110V AC and one 12V DC outlets only.
Furthermore, the generator utilizes noise reduction technology to ensure the smoothest, quietest operation. Plus, it is made of a special noise absorbent glass that reduces the noise even more.

The EU1000i is a 1000 watt generator weighs in at 29 pounds that makes it quite portable and a good option for people who want a generator that is easy to carry around.

It operates at peak efficiency due to its inverter technology that ensures you get access to clean energy. This is why it produces a maximum noise of 59 dB. You can use the generator without having to worry about a noisy environment.

Honda’s precision inverter technology means you get reliable power. In fact, it is as good as the power you get from the power outlets at your home. It can run for 8.3 hours straight on a single 1/2 gallon tank on gasoline (depending on the load). Increasing the load will result in less run-time.

You will face no difficulty in using the generator as it has some amazing features like low oil indicator and automatic shut down. It will let you know when it is time to add oil. This is a very important feature because running a generator when the oil is low can be bad for the unit. Plus, it can even harm other appliances. To ensure nothing like this happens, the generator is equipped with an automatic shut down feature that will shut the unit down automatically to prevent damage.

However, we do wish it had a low fuel indicator as well since it can be quite difficult to check fuel levels since this four-stroke generator only accepts regular unleaded gasoline.
At times when 1000 watts of power isn’t enough you can purchase a second unit and connect both via parallel cable to generate up to 2000 watts.

The G2319N from Pulsar produces 2,300 peak watts of power and settles in at 1,800 running watts. This is enough power to run a large number of big and small appliances.

However, it may not work very well if you run big appliances due to its small 1.18-gallon fuel tank that only offers a run-time of 6 hours at 50% load. This may not be enough for some people but if you live in a region where power outages are not very frequent then you can consider this beauty.

Other than this, you can make use of the parallel feature and connect two similar generators together to get more power and run-time.

However, thanks to the small fuel tank, it is quite easy to carry around as it weighs only 47 pounds. Do not let the weight fool you, however, the carry case design is extremely durable. You will have no difficulty in carrying it if you ever have to go camping or outdoor trips.

Plus, it isn’t noisy at all and runs at 59 dB. It comes with Sine Wave Technology, which means it produces safe and pure electrical power and is capable of charging your smart devices including mobile phones and laptops. This is very important as some generators produce a lot of distortion which can be bad for sensitive devices. However, there are no such worries with this beauty.

On one side, you will find multiple power outlets including a 12V DC 8A outlet, a 5V DC USB outlet, and two 120V 13A AC outlets. The outlets are placed very nicely which will enable you to use them all at once. However, keep an eye on the total power consumed as it does not inform you about it.

The GP2200i from Generac weighs in at 46 pounds and is quite easy to move around. Said to be suitable for outdoor use, it can also be a good pick to run home appliances as it starts off at 2200 surge watts and settles in at 1700 running watts of AC output power. This is enough power to manage most household items including multiple fans, bulbs, and even small refrigerators and television sets.

With TruePower Technology, it is the ideal choice to run all your sensitive electronic appliances and tools. There is no risk of damage to the unit or other appliances as it ensures a proper flow of power.

Its 1.2-gallon fuel tank when full gives you a straight run of 10.75 hours at quarter load. Such a runtime is ideal for tailgate parties as well. This, however, may not be enough for some people. If such is the case, you can make use of parallel technology as the unit is parallel ready.Connecting two units will double the run-time and will also allow you to run more appliances. This is a great feature for people who want more power.

The design is ergonomic and makes it easily portable especially due to a built-in handle that makes the job easier. It offers an excellent grip and will not put pressure on our hand or wrist.
However, our favorite feature is the off/run/choke switch that makes it very easy to start and use the unit. Special points go to the economy feature as well. It allows the generator to use less fuel, making it economical to run the unit.

Some other impressive features include low oil and power overload indicators. It has a LED panel that shows information that will make it easier for you to use and maintain the tool. Additionally, it has a good number of outlets, all placed very nicely. We loved the 5V DC USB outlet that can be quite useful when you’re in a hurry.

The Westinghouse iGen2200 is quite expensive but worth the money since it comes with some amazing features. At just 46 pounds, it is quite portable. Plus, it offers enough power to run most of your household essentials. It comes with digital inverter technology that makes it reliable since it operates silently.

Unlike other open frame generators, the iGen2200 can power sensitive appliances such as laptops and mobile phones. It runs at 1,800 rated and 2,200 peak watts at 3% less THD than you find in other models in the same league.

On the side, it offers multiple power outlets including two USB outlets and two 120V 20A outlets.

The engine has a maximum RPM of 5300, which is pretty good. The unit is EPA, CARB and USFS compliant making it legal for sale in California. This is very important because due to stiff regulations, very few small generators are sold in California.

It is extremely quiet at just 52 dB noise output. The iGen2200 gives you a straight run of 12 hours on a 1.2-gallon gasoline tank making it one of the most reliable generators in this regard. With such an amazing performance, you will not have to worry about having to refuel the unit in the middle of the night. It will go on for a good few years. This has become possible thanks to a unique Efficiency Mode that improves fuel efficiency and makes the generator affordable to run.

Imuto M5 is the lightest and most portable generator on this list as it weighs only 2.82 pounds. This makes it the best option if you want a portable generator that you can carry along. It takes little space and is easy to store.

While it may look small, do not let the size fool you. It comes with a high capacity battery that uses M5 technology to ensure safety. The external battery charger can charge a number of smart devices safely.

It can charge your iPad 3 times over, the Galaxy S7 8 times, and the new MacBook 3 times over before you will need to charge it again. Its smart protection system ensures your sensitive appliances remain safe.

It comes with advanced design power with inverter technology and includes 8 output ports, each at 100 watts of maximum power. These include a single 3.0 QC USB charger, one fast input 12-24V DC charger, three 5v 2.4A USB outputs, and 4 extra DC outputs including two 12V 5A outlets, a single 19V 4A outlet, and one 9-12.6V 15A outlets.

The company has included a wide array of output modes with 10 different adapter plugs which are compatible with a laptop power bank. Moreover, the device is energy efficient and has three large power high brightness spotlights for aviation. You can use that M5 battery charger for back-up power when outdoors.

As this power station is a solar generator as well, you can make use of solar panels to charge the inbuilt batteries and ensure you can charge small devices in remote areas. Just note that the imuto 60W Solar Panels  are sold separately.

While it is a good option, remember that it isn’t your everyday generator that you use at home to run microwaves or fans. It’s ideal for camping and outdoor trips to charge small appliances such as laptops so that you can remain in touch with your loved ones. However, it cannot charge small devices that require under 1A current (smartwatches, headsets, etc.)

The device is technologically advanced and comes with a digital display that shows information about the battery and how much power is remaining. This way you will know when it is time to charge the battery again. These features make it the best small generator for many.