Why be left in the dark when you can be powered by a whole house generator? Few investments can provide you with as much peace of mind as the best whole house generator. If you reside in an area where power outages are frequent and go on for hours, then investing in one is a paramount need. Have you ever thought of what the fallout will be if the electricity of your home fails during the winter months and cannot be fixed for several days? If you live in a cold region frequently hit with winter storms, you definitely need a powerful whole house generator. This is because it is very common for a build-up of snow and ice to pull down power lines and result in a winter blackout. Whichever way, purchasing one will surely add a protective layer over your house.
From natural disasters to lousy weather, there are several ways that electricity can go out. Without power, most of our regular activities will come to a halt. You also have to consider that these things occur suddenly to avoid being caught unprepared.
Internet is lost; food goes bad; TV, phone, and lots of other services are interrupted. Besides being an extremely unpleasant situation, this can also represent a danger and a potentially life-threating situation. Thankfully, a whole house generator is constructed to handle the power requirements of an entire home. Having your lights on and all your appliances running can make a significant difference in your safety and comfort during an outage. With a whole house generator, you can remain comfortable for extended periods regardless of what is going on outside.
You should continue reading this review as a guide to the best whole house generators, and make your choice quickly before the next damning power outage.
Overview table
This guide will help you sort the excellent generator from the lower-quality models so that you can select the very best available. We aim to help you find a generator that suits your needs and protects you and your family from the problems that can result from an unexpected power failure.
We spent time researching and reviewing these generators in detail, examining their features, pros, cons, as well as top reviews from industry experts and users, all in a bid to help you make a perfect choice. The result is our pick of the ten most recommended whole house generators currently on the market, highlighted below.
These ten generators are renowned for their quality, durability, reliability, and convenience. This overview underscored the highpoints of each of the itemized whole house generator.

This DuroMax 12000 unit is deserving of its tag as “The Beast.” It is an impressive dual-fuel portable generator that delivers on power, rugged design, and run time. It offers high value, powering essential home appliances with 9,500 watts continuous power.
(Best Rated Whole House Generator)
This DuroMax 12000 unit is deserving of its tag as “The Beast.” It is an impressive dual-fuel portable generator that delivers on power, rugged design, and run time. It offers high value, powering essential home appliances with 9,500 watts continuous power.

The sleek and weather-resistant Generac 7043 generator is part of the top-rated Generac Guardian Series, and it features the True Power Technology. It delivers 22,000 watts of running power on propane, and 19,500 watts on natural gas.
(Best Whole House Standby Generator)
The sleek and weather-resistant Generac 7043 generator is part of the top-rated Generac Guardian Series, and it features the True Power Technology. It delivers 22,000 watts of running power on propane, and 19,500 watts on natural gas.

If you’re looking for a reliable home backup generator that is capable of powering multiple air conditioning units without having to use power shedding, then you should seriously consider the Briggs & Stratton 40346 unit.
(Best Solid Whole House Generator)
If you’re looking for a reliable home backup generator that is capable of powering multiple air conditioning units without having to use power shedding, then you should seriously consider the Briggs & Stratton 40346 unit.

This A-iPower unit is an excellent investment – a portable, powerful, and affordable generator that guarantees you of topnotch services when you need it the most.
(Best Portable Whole House Generator)
This A-iPower unit is an excellent investment – a portable, powerful, and affordable generator that guarantees you of topnotch services when you need it the most.

This is a topnotch portable generator to have at home. It boasts its fuel efficiency running up to 10 hours at 50% load and delivers as much as 22,500 watts surge power.
(Best Whole House Generator for the Money)
This is a topnotch portable generator to have at home. It boasts its fuel efficiency running up to 10 hours at 50% load and delivers as much as 22,500 watts surge power.

This Champion 100294 unit comes with amazing looks, a well-thought-out design, and delivers 14,000 watts to see your home through the darkness. Combined with its ability to work even in the most extreme weather conditions, this generator is a winner!
(Best Economic Whole House Generator)
This Champion 100294 unit comes with amazing looks, a well-thought-out design, and delivers 14,000 watts to see your home through the darkness. Combined with its ability to work even in the most extreme weather conditions, this generator is a winner!

Designed to kick in automatically in the event of a blackout, the Kohler 20RESCL-200SELS is a powerful generator that is also quiet and user-friendly with .
(Best Air-Cooled Whole House Generator)
Designed to kick in automatically in the event of a blackout, the Kohler 20RESCL-200SELS is a powerful generator that is also quiet and user-friendly with .

This Cummins Onan generator is a heavy-duty unit that allows you to power up your entire home or business when there is a power cut.
(Best Diesel Whole House Generator)
This Cummins Onan generator is a heavy-duty unit that allows you to power up your entire home or business when there is a power cut.

This Westinghouse unit is a powerful generator that offers users superb power, versatility, and durability. It can run as long as 17.5 hours on gasoline.
(Best Portable Whole House Generator)
This Westinghouse unit is a powerful generator that offers users superb power, versatility, and durability. It can run as long as 17.5 hours on gasoline.

The APGG10000 unit is a fuel-efficient, compact generator which is ideal for running mid-sized homes as well as construction sites during outages. Plus, it’s reasonably priced and won’t brake the bank.
(Best Budget Whole House Generator)
The APGG10000 unit is a fuel-efficient, compact generator which is ideal for running mid-sized homes as well as construction sites during outages. Plus, it’s reasonably priced and won’t brake the bank.
All generators discussed in this guide provide sufficient power to supply an entire household. If the case of a blackout, these generators can easily power all the necessary devices in your home, including lights, the Internet, freezers, refrigerators, portable heaters, etc. You will also find a comprehensive buying guide containing everything you need to know before purchasing a whole house generator.
Here’s the truth:
There are no hacks or tricks to choosing the best whole house generator. You just have to be equipped with the right information that can guide you in making the best decision.
Let’s get started with the whole house generators reviews!
- Dual fuel generator
- Starting watts (Gas/LPG): 9,500/9025
- Running watts (Gas/LPG): 12000/11400
- Run time at 50% load (Gas/Propane): 8.83/7.2
- 18 hp Engine / 457 cc DuroMax OHV engine
- 8.3 gallons tank capacity (Gas)
- 40 gallons capacity (LPG)
- 74 dB at ¼ load noise rating
- Features indicator lights that show low oil and fuel levels
- Voltmeter / 12V DC charging
- EPA/ CARB compliant
The DuroMax brand is known for creating high-quality generators, and actually manufacturing their own engines. The DuroMax XP12000EH is one of their best yet. This unit is a proven winner in every aspect, including overall value, reliability, cost per watt, and durability. If you are on the lookout for a portable whole house generator that you can use as a backup power supply, then this DuroMax XP120000EH is one unit that you can’t afford to overlook. For years, it has been a top-selling generator for several good reasons.
Nicknamed by several as “The Beast”, this DuroMax product is a 12,000-watt dual-fuel generator that can run on both gasoline and liquid propane. Users appreciate this dual-fuel feature because it allows flexibility, and also means a more reliable power source for prolonged power outages.
As a portable whole house generator, this unit holds enough power for running household appliances, while being more versatile and affordable than a standby generator. When running on gasoline, the engine of this unit is strong enough for 12,000w peak wattage, and 9,500 running power. Meanwhile on liquid propane, this unit offers 11,400w peak power, and 9025w continuous power.
What’s more, this machine is great for more than just running the essential electronics in a household. What this means is that this cart-model generator with solid-fill wheels is an ideal choice for a worksite generator, seeing as these wheels can cross any terrain. Its heavy-duty design boasts a protective casing in the form of a full-metal frame with fully isolated motor mounts.
This unit features an electric start and a manual recoil. It has a long run time of approximately 9 hours. This makes it a suitable choice for households that frequently experience longer power outages, probably due to extreme weather conditions. The fact that this hybrid generator can also run on propane makes its running costs more affordable than a conventional generator fueled by only gasoline.
Considering that this generator has an 18 horsepower 457cc engine that delivers at 3600 RPM, its 74 decibels noise rating is deemed acceptable. Plus, DuroMax installs an oversized muffler to enable better noise reduction. You’d enjoy the choice of outlets on this unit, which also makes it ideal for heavy-duty use, such as powering machinery.
- Dual Fuel capabilities
- Electric start
- Long runtime
- Affordable
- Ideal choice for powering household appliances and use on construction sites
- Comes with a 3-year warranty and lifetime technical support
- Portable
- It is on the heavier side
- The oil needs to be changed regularly, at least monthly
- Poor customer support
Generac 7043 – Best Whole House Standby Generator
- Dual fuel (propane and natural gas supply)
- Generac G Force engine
- 22,000 watts of power on propane
- 19,500 watts on natural gas
- Included 200-amp NEMA smart transfer switch
- 67 dBA
- Air cooled
- Quiet Self-test mode
- Constructed with corrosion-resistant aluminum and RhinoCoat powder-coated finish
- Mobile Link Remote Monitoring
Founded as far back as 1959, the Generac brand is well-recognized for its top-grade home standby generators. This generator comes out on top as one of their best whole house generators as it is robust and reliable.
It is designed to handle the power demands of a large household with a lot of running appliances, delivering an impressive 22,000 watts power output on liquid propane and 19,500 watts on natural gas. Even more impressive, this unit features a 200-amp smart transfer switch that enables the generator to start itself automatically as soon as it senses a power outage. When a power outage occurs, you will most likely not feel it as this generator will get everything turned on, including your AC, lights, fan, washing machine, and many more appliances.
The engine of this unit works alongside the True Power technology to deliver stable, top-quality power with less than 5% total harmonic distortion (THD). As such, this unit is ideal for powering sensitive electronics. But that’s not even all, despite its size, this unit is surprisingly one of the quietest units on the market. It can produce a noise rating as low as 67 dB, though this can increase as the generator works to its maximum power. Still, you can be sure that you won’t disturb your neighbors.
Thanks to the three removable sides of this unit, you can install it yourself, if you have enough skills. Plus, this Generac unit also boasts of attractive and flexible maintenance and service offers. It has an inbuilt mobile link application that allows users to monitor the operating status of the generator as well as its maintenance schedule from their smartphone. As is unique to the Generac brand, this unit features a multilingual LCD that you can use to closely monitor the battery to determine when the next routine maintenance is due.
You’d also appreciate that you can enjoy this unit for several years, thanks to its aluminum and RhinoCoat powder-coated enclosure that protects against harsh UV rays, extreme temperature fluctuations, and water damage.
- Runs on two types of fuel
- Delivers sufficient power to run most household appliances
- Quiet operation
- Ideal for all weather conditions
- Comes with a 5 year limited warranty and 24/7 customer support
- Produces clean power
- Installation and maintenance is comperatively easy
- Its fuel consumption is as high as 228 cubic feet of natural gas/ 92 cubic feet of propane per hour at half load
- It supplies voltage at only 240 volts
Briggs & Stratton 40346 – Best Solid Whole House Generator
- Dual Fuel Generator (liquid propane and natural gas)
- Starting watts: 20,000
- Running watts: 18,000
- Liquid cooled
- Features Symphony II Power Management
- Comes with a 200 Amp transfer switch
- Meets stringent NFPA standards
Do you want a reliable home backup generator that will allow you to run the power appliances you need for safety and comfort in the event of a power outage? It would help if you considered the Briggs & Stratton 40346.
Designed by another top recognized brand in the industry, this 40346 generator is constructed to be a solid source of backup power in any circumstance. It is capable of delivering as much as 20,000 watts of power within seconds of a power cut. This can run most of the household appliances as well as two air conditioning units. This will really come in handy if you reside in an area that often loses power during the hottest months of the year.
What’s more, you’ll find a 200 Amp transfer switch in the generator package, which ensures a seamless switch to the generator’s power after an outage. Essentially, this switch will immediately sense when the grid power is down and will power up automatically. Once the grid power is back on, the transfer switch kicks in, the generator shuts down automatically, and your home stars running with the backup power. As a result, the unit allows you to rest assured, knowing that you can power your home in a blackout.
Even more impressive, this Briggs & Stratton model includes their trademark Symphony II Power Management System, which optimizes each of the 20,000 watts to the fullest. This system ensures that this unit can provide a safe amount of energy for both low-demand appliances and high-demand appliances simultaneously, without problems of overloading.
This 40346 unit can be fueled by natural gas or liquid propane. It is designed to operate quietly, allowing you to rest during an emergency without the fear of disrupting neighbors. Plus, it features an exhaust system that works pretty much the same way as car exhaust and allows for a more neighbor-friendly operation. This also means that you can install this generator as close as 18” from your home.
- Restores power automatically after a blackout
- Ideal for small and large homes
- Comes with a 5-year warranty covering parts and labor
- Can be installed 18” from the home
- Quiet operation
- Longer and more technical installation process
A-iPower SUA 12000E – Best Portable Whole House Generator
- Starting watts:12,000
- Running watts: 9,000
- Single-cylinder, 459cc/ 16 hp, 4-stroke engine with recoil start and electric start
- Heavy-duty all-steel fuel tank with a 7-gallon capacity
- 9 hours of run time at 50% load
- Low oil shutdown
- 78 dBA at 23 feet noise rating
- Large 9.5 inches never-flat wheels
- EPA and CARB compliant
- Included 12v-14ah maintenance-free battery
The A-iPower SUA12000E generator is a high-quality unit that provides power as and when you need it, and it comes at a budget-friendly price. Generators can be quite expensive, so we appreciate that this unit is an affordable generator with loads of power. Plus, its power can do more than run the appliances in a home; it can also power a business or a construction site during a power outage. It is a big generator that weighs 206 pounds. But fortunately for users, this iPower unit is mounted on a rigid steel frame with heavy-duty wheels that make it easy to move across any terrain.
This generator is designed to provide 12000 watts surge power for running electrical devices, which demand a higher power load for their initial start. Construction workers also benefit a lot from this starting wattage, as it means that the generator can adequately support power tools without tripping out now and then. With continuous usage, the running power of this unit is 9000 watts, powerful enough to run your home appliances after a power cut. It can simultaneously power up lights, refrigerators, air conditioners, pumps, TV, and fans.
You can easily connect this generator to the house using the outside house receptacle and the transfer switch. Thanks to the included 120/240 V RV outlet that can connect this generator to a camper if nessesary.
What is not to love about this 460cc generator, which features an electric start that removes the stress of yanking a recoil starter. But should the battery of the electric start fail, you can always use the recoil start as a backup. Even more delightful, the control panel of this unit is designed with users’ ease-of-use and safety in mind. It is safe in extreme weather conditions, and its four 120V outlets are come with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to protect users from nasty shocks. Once the panel senses current flowing through a person or water, it shuts off electric power.
- Long run time
- Can be easily moved around
- Excellent performance
- Features a push-button one-touch start
- Affordable
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- Only gas-powered
- It is a bit noisy
Generac 5734 GP15000E – Best Whole House Generator for the Money
- Starting watts: 22,500
- Running watts: 15,000
- 670 cc, OHV v-twin engine; 3600 RPM
- Features an automatic voltage regulation
- Electric start
- 16-gallon fuel capacity
- 10 hours run time at 50% load
- Automatic low oil level shutdown
In the market of portable generators, this Generac GP15000E is about as powerful and reliable as it gets. But what do you expect from the Generac brand, which is well-versed in manufacturing reliable and well-made portable generators?
This unit weighs 390 pounds. Don’t panic! It is still portable because it comes with handles and large pneumatic handles that make it extra easy to push. When you consider its power delivery, you’ll find that this generator delivers a peak wattage as high as 22,500W and a running wattage of 15,000W. This is sufficient to power a large household without making any compromise whatsoever as to what electric equipment you can connect simultaneously. Even on construction sites, this power delivery will enable you to work with zero restrictions. If you want home backup power during a power cut, electricity for your work site, then you should consider this Generac unit.
It comes with a reliable 992cc OHVI engine that shuts off when the oil pressure becomes too low. When there is no load on the unit, there is a low idle setting that will significantly reduce fuel consumption and noise levels.
Another feature that continues to impress users about this engine is its moderate fuel consumption. It has a big 16-gallon tank, that delivers about 10 hours of run time at 50% load. If you’re running with 50% of this unit’s rated power output in your home, you can even expect to get as much as 12-14 hours run time, using all the equipment and appliances that you would usually use. The number of kilowatts per each gallon of gas is way better than the majority of the generators on the market. You can expect to get 4.75 to 5 kilowatt per gallon from this generator, regardless of the load or hours.
Even when you draw a substantial amount of power from this unit, you won’t experience any noteworthy voltage changes thanks to its large reserve capacity and automatic voltage regulator. Plus, the massive surge power capability combined with the below 5% THD means that the frequency and voltage of this unit will always be ideal for sensitive equipment. After falling in love with the features of this unit, you decide to take a look at the price, you’d be more excited. In light of its build quality and powerful wattage, the price of this unit is reasonable.
- Has a versatile design that provides safety and comfort during a blackout
- Fuel efficient
- Durable
- Can be easily transported
- Has enough wattage to run home appliances for an extended period
- Comfortable noise level
- Comes with a two-year warranty
- Non-CARB-compliant
- Dual fuel generator (propane and natural gas)
- 14,000 watts running power on propane
- 12,500 rated power on natural gas
- 24-volt starting system
- ATS200 transfer switch
- 120/240 rated voltage
- Less than 5% THD
- 63 dBA sound rating
Do you have a small home? Or are you on a budget, and you only require a generator to run some appliances when there is a power cut? Then, you should consider this affordable unit from the Champion brand.
This Champion dual-fuel generator has a power rating of 12,500 watts on natural gas, and 14,000 watts on liquid propane. There are occasions where the stockpiled propane goes low during an extended outage. In such a scenario, you’d appreciate the extremely modest fuel consumption of this unit. It consumes only 116.5 cubic feet of gas per hour and 58 cubic feet of propane per hour at half load.
In line with its power rating, this 100294 Champion model comes with a transfer switch that can only power eight circuits. But, these circuits can receive 120 or 240 volts, and like any top-rated generator, this unit will automatically start when it detects a power failure. Even more interesting, this model has load shedding abilities to work around high-demand appliances and prevent overloading.
Though at 63.5 dB, this generator is a bit loud, this noise level is still reasonable for most residential areas. With this unit, the Champion brand goes beyond and surpasses most top-rated units by offering a fantastic 10-year warranty on this generator together with a free lifetime technical support.
- Efficient power consumption
- Comes with transfer switch
- Ideal for areas with extreme temperatures
- Noise level is residential-friendly
- Comes with a 10-year warranty and lifetime technical support
- Provides circuits for only eight appliances
- Its modest power rating is not enough to run large homes
Kohler 20RESCL-200SELS – Best Air-Cooled Whole House Generator
- 20,000-watts
- Air cooled
- Corrosion-proof build materials
- 200-Amp transfer switch
- Kohler Command PRO engine
- 64-69 dB noise rating
- Compliant with safety standards such as ANSI, NEMA, and IEEE
The Kohler brand is known for manufacturing top quality products, and this Kohler 20RESCL is one of the best from the brand. When the power at home goes out, you want a generator that kicks into action immediately and delivers clean and safe electricity. All these are done by this top-rated Kohler unit.
This generator will automatically start working within ten seconds of a power failure, delivering up to 20,000 watts of power with less than 5% THD. So, you can safely connect your sensitive electronics at home to this power. Plus, it is designed with a 200-Amp automatic transfer switch, which can adequately manage the power load of your whole house. Impressive, right? But that is not even all. This generator has an air-cooling system, meaning that no water-cooling system is needed for installation. It also comes with an engine equipped to last even beyond the power outage. So, you can rest assured that in the event of an outage, you have a reliable backup power supply that can service all your power needs.
Besides this array of impressive features, you’ll love the build quality of this unit. It is constructed with durable top-quality components and has a corrosion-resistant enclosure. Thanks to this enclosure, this generator can handle even the harshest weather conditions. In fact, you can place this unit in a seaside environment, and this unique enclosure will protect it against severe sat air.
Even more interesting is that this generator is one of the quietest standby units on the market thanks to its dampening noise enclosure. So, you can use it in your home and relax without the fear of disturbing neighbors. Users also appreciate the easy-to-read-and-understand display that shows messages regarding the generator’s status.
- Noise-friendly for most residential neighborhoods
- Extremely durable for long-term use
- Corrosion-resistant
- Fast responses
- Comes with a 5-year/2,000-hour limited warranty
- Setup costs are a bit high
Cummins Onan QD 10000 – Best Diesel Whole House Generator
- ⦁ Diesel-powered generator
- ⦁ 10,000 watts
- Consumes 0.43 gallons of fuel per hour at half load
- Includes a spark-arrestor muffler
- 1647 cc, 12-volt button start Kubota engine
- 120/240 single-phase voltage
- Features an auto voltage regulation
The Cummins brand is popular for its powerful technology, including the Onan generators. If you need a generator that can power anything from a small business to large buildings to even a data center, you should consider this Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel unit.
This Cummins unit delivers as much as 10,000 watts power. It can run heavy-duty appliances, even up to three AC units. This power rating also ensures that you can keep your home or business running for an extended period, regardless of the weather situation outside. It comes with an enclosure that protects the interior components of this generator, and also ensures that this unit works as quietly as possible. You’d also find a muffler put in place to make this unit operate even quieter.
Another unique feature is a thru-flow cooling system, which guarantees that the engine of this unit won’t overheat even after working for a long time. With this unit, you never have to worry about voltage spikes damaging your generator or anything you have connected. This is thanks to the digital voltage regulation designed with this unit. Plus, this generator has a self-diagnostic capability, which enables you to quickly discover any issues with the generator and get it repaired immediately.
- Low noise and low vibration
- Self-diagnostic
- Voltage regulator
- Provides an efficient and convenient operation
- Comes with a two-year warranty
- Diesel fuel is not eco-friendly
- Dual Fuel (gasoline/propane)
- 457cc Westinghouse OHV 4-stroke engine
- Starting watts (Gas/LPG): 9,500/8,500
- Running watts (Gas/LPG): 12,500/11,200
- Reaches 17.5 hours of run time at 25% load
- Recoil, Electric and Remote starting system
- 120v/240v
- <23% THD
- 6.6 gallons all-steel fuel tank capacity
- 73 dBA
- EPA/ CARB compliant
Westinghouse is another famous brand in the world of generators. The brand combined advanced technology with their years of experience to manufacture this mind-blowing generator.
The Westinghouse WGEN9500DF is a powerful and reliable open-frame dual-fuel portable generator designed with a 457cc 4-stroke 4-stroke OHV engine that produces a starting wattage of 12,500 watts and a rated wattage of 9500 watts when powered by gasoline. When propane-powered, this unit delivers 11200 starting watts, and 8500 rated watts. With this amount of power, you can run virtually all appliances in your home, including your air conditioner, refrigerator, sump pump, computer, etc.
This generator enables an output of 120V/240V, and it can be started with a simple electric starter (included battery), or the conventional pull-start mechanism. If the electric-start push-button method of this home generator does not impress you, then the remote start key fob surely will. With this remote key fob, you can start this unit from as far away as 109 yards.
Even more interesting, you will get 17.5 hours run time with just 6.6 gallons of fuel at 25% load. When using propane, you can expect to get 11 hours of run time on a 20 lbs. tank. Portability and transportation convenience are guaranteed with this unit thanks to the included folding handle and wheel kit.
As regards convenience, you’ll also love that the control panel of this unit boasts a meter that shows frequency, voltage, and lifetime hours. Combined with the inbuilt fuel gauge which enables you to easily determine the fuel level of this model, monitoring the activity and status of this Westinghouse generator won’t be any problem. What’s more, you can use this unit with utter peace of mind, knowing that there is a circuit breaker protection to prevent overload as well as an automatic low oil shut-off.
If you need a generator to power the non-sensitive electronics in your house or office during a power cut, you should consider this Westinghouse WGen9500DF unit.
- Lightweight and portable
- Fuel efficient
- Long run time
- Several accessories included
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
- Users can start the unit from a distance
- It is not recommended for use on power-sensitive devices due to its high THD
- Not powerful enough for larger homes
- Quite loud
- 420cc, gas-powered Ducar Engine
- 8,000 running watts/ 10,000 peak watts
- 8-gallon fuel tank capacity
- 11-hour runtime at 50% load
- 76 dB sound rating from 23 feet away
- Anti-corrosive
- EPA compliant
- Electric push-button start and recoil start
- Includes wheels and folding handles
Are you in need of a generator designed for home backup power and emergency use? Then it would help if you considered this APGG10000 generator. This unit delivers an impressive 8,000 rated power, and 10,000 watts surge power, ensuring that your family can enjoy the power and be safe during the next blackout. Think of virtually any appliance you need to utilize to get through the outage, and this unit can power it.
This EPA certified generator comes with an 8-gallon fuel tank capacity that allows for 11 hours long run time. In this run time, you can be sure to get clean and safe electricity. However, the engine produces 76 dB of noise during operation, so do not run it closer than 23 feet from the house.
If you live in a small or mid-sized home or you need a backup power choice for a construction site, this unit is a great choice. It comes with an extensive range of outlets that ensures that power tools and appliances can keep running after a power cut. Additionally, the model features an electric start, so you don’t have to worry about starting this unit.
- Provides clean and safe energy
- Affordable
- Comes with a one-year warranty
- Comes with several outlets and voltage accessories
- Portable
- Non CARB compliant
- Loud
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you’ve learned about our ten best whole house generators on the market, how do you find the right one for you and choose between them? Several factors go into selecting the ideal generator for your home. So, our buying guide will walk you through the crucial factors you have to consider to make the best choice.
Wattage
Home backup generators are usually described based on the number of watts they can produce. The higher the number of watts a generator produces, the more major appliances the generator will be able to power. It is better to purchase a whole house generator that offers even more power than you need to power your home. This minimizes the load on the generator and enables it to work more efficiently, instead of having to run non-stop at maximum capacity.
Generator power output can range from 10,000 watts like in the All Power America APGG10000 or as much as 22,500 watts on the Generac 5734 GP15000E. As such, you need to get an idea of the amount of power you need to keep all the electronics in your home running smoothly. You can do this by adding up the wattage requirements of all the lights, appliances, and other electrical devices in your home.
Fuel Source
Whole house generators can use natural gas, liquid propane, or diesel. Before selecting the most suitable whole house generator, it is essential to identify the fuel type first. Diesel fuel is popular because you can get great energy production with less fuel.
Natural gas is another popular option for whole-house generators, especially for homes that already use natural gas for other purposes, such as heating. Part of the popularity of natural gas is because it is an extremely cost-effective process that delivers a lot of power density. Meanwhile, whole house generator users are installing liquid propane-powered options more frequently than before mainly because propane is never going to spoil regardless of how long it is kept in storage.
If you want to rest assured that your fuel investment will never go bad before you get to use it, then liquid propane is an excellent fuel choice. Most users tend to go for dual fuel generators because they offer a lot more security, safety, and provides more peace of mind. This is because, with a whole home generator that uses two different types of fuel in the same system, you never have to worry about searching for a particular fuel that is scarce, or not being able to utilize your generator.
Another common fuel source is gasoline. It is the easiest to obtain and most portable generators run on gasoline to provide user convenience. However, storing gasoline in large quantities can be hazardous because it is highly flammable. Plus, the selling price of gasoline tends to be on the high side.
Most of the generators, like the DuroMax XP12000EH can be powered by both gasoline and propane. Only a few like the A-iPower SUA 12000E uses only gas as fuel source, and only the Cummins Onan generator uses diesel.
Fuel Consumption
Whole house generators use much fuel. However, there tends to be a significant variation in fuel consumption rate of different generators. Typically, the fuel consumption of a unit is rated at 50% load, so the generator will burn fuel faster when it runs closer to its maximum wattage – and what is calculated as 75% load on a smaller unit might only be half load (50%) on a more powerful generator. So, to figure out the fuel consumption of your generator, you have to know how much power you intend drawing when you use it.
Noise Level
Except you live in an area that is far remote from all neighbors, the noise level of a generator is another crucial factor you have to consider before purchasing one. If a power outage occurs at night, and you use your generator to power an AC or heating system, you’ll be running it all through the night. If its noise rating is too loud, it will disturb your neighbors and most likely prevent them from sleeping. Check for the noise decibels (dB) of a unit before you purchase.
Safety Features
The best whole house generators, like all we’ve reviewed, go beyond industry standards to include extra safety features to enhance users’ security while operating the generator. This consists of an automatic low oil shutdown or overload protection that automatically shuts the generator down if excess power is drawn.
Warranty
Purchasing a whole house generator is a massive investment, so you want to be sure that you’ve spent your money wisely on a unit that will last. One of the best ways of guaranteeing the durability of a model is by checking for the manufacturer’s warranty. Warranties differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the Champion brand offers an unrivaled warranty of up to 10 years.
FAQs
Q: How do I calculate the total amount of wattage I need?
A: The easiest way to determine the number of wattages you need is by using an online calculator. This calculator will ask you questions regarding the type and amount of appliances you have, details about the square footage of your home, and information about your air conditioning and heating system.
Q: Should I use natural gas or liquid propane?
A: The type of fuel to use depends on you and your situation. Natural gas is very affordable and virtually unlimited. While propane is more expensive, it is easier to stockpile than natural gas as it doesn’t go bad. Plus, it allows your generator to operate at a little bit higher maximum power output.
Q: What is the difference between a liquid-cooled generator and an air-cooled generator?
A: The engine spells the difference between these two types of generators. Liquid-cooled engines utilize an enclosed radiator system for cooling, while air-cooled generator engines use push air across the engine for cooling.
Conclusion
If you want to ensure that you are never left unprotected in an outage or emergency, then the best whole house generator is surely the way to go. These generators guarantee that you will always have access to electricity regardless of what might be going on around you.
We recommend the DuroMax XP12000EH as the best whole house generator on the market currently. It is an exceptional dual-fuel generator from a well-renowned brand you can trust. It delivers enough energy to keep your home appliances powered during a blackout or keep the power tools in a construction site running.
As a portable generator with solid-fill wheels, you can transport this unit across any terrain. Plus, its build quality is impeccable, constructed with the best quality of materials, ensuring that this unit can handle any working environment condition.
When it comes to the user’s safety, DuroMax left no stone unturned. This unit is outfitted with every safety feature you can conceive in a dual fuel generator – current overload protection, oil level alert, and spark arresting muffler. You’ll surely get the best value for your money from this unit.
Find your best whole house generator and enjoy unlimited access to power!




