Best Portable Generators for Preppers (Gas & Dual Fuel)

Generators of all shapes and sizes are useful for preparedness, but portable generators bring the versatility preppers are looking for. They provide energy through regional disasters and emergencies, but also have the versatility to be used for mobile prepping projects or bug out locations. There are many brands and types of portable gas generators to consider.

This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best portable generators, put them to the test, and now the results are in: the overall best, a budget option, and an upgrade option. If you need to keep electronics running in an emergency, one of our picks will pack some power.

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Contents (Jump to a Section)

• Best Portable Generator
• Budget Generator
• Whole-Home Portable Generator
• Comparison Table
• The Generators We Compared
• What to Look For
  1. Value: Cost vs. Benefit
  2. Power
  3. Versatility
  4. Size & Weight
  5. Durability
• How to Use a Generator for Survival
• Who Needs a Portable Generator?
• Sources & References
• Conclusion

Our latest update of the best portable generators includes pricing adjustments and new picks. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»

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Champion has really knocked it out of the park, and we think that this model hits the absolute sweet spot of versatility, value, and power. Not only can you fuel this with gasoline or propane, but you can link multiple together without any significant power loss.

This is because this is an inverter generator. While that’s not necessarily new technology, it is more expensive. The power provided is more consistent, has less harmonic distortion, and can power equipment using less fuel. It also allows for the linking we mentioned above.

If you are looking for the hands-down best portable generator, grab a Champion Dual Fuel 2500W Generator.

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Also available to buy at Walmart.

If you don’t have a generator or much room to store one, this could still fit the bill. It’s surprisingly affordable for 1,000 watts of power. The main drawback is that PowerSmart uses a 2-stroke engine to keep the weight and cost down, so you’ll need to mix some oil to make a 50:1 gas mix.

If you are looking for an inexpensive option to do project work and light-duty projects, the PowerSmart Ultralight Generator is what you need.

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Westinghouse makes a lot of models of portable generators, but this one hits the sweet spot of power and runtime while still being manageable enough to move around. You can power plenty of appliances and lights through an outage, or take it to your bug out location to get some projects done. It’ll keep up with its massive 9,500 running watts.

With good reliability, high wattage, and a great price, it’s easy to see why the Westinghouse WGen9500DF Generator is the best for prepping.

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Comparison Table

Portable Generator	Recommendation	Price*	Engine Type	Running Watts	Weight
Champion Dual Fuel	Best Overall	$590	Dual-Fuel Inverter	1,850W	38.0 lbs
PowerSmart UltraLight	Best for Beginners and Budgets	$150	2-Stroke Gas	1,000W	37.8 lbs
Westinghouse Dual Fuel	Best for Portable Home Backup	$999	Dual-Fuel Inverter	9,500W	210 lbs

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The Generators We Compared

Our research narrowed the field down to several brands and types of generators that we compared: Honda, DeWalt, Craftsman, DuroStar, Generac, Champion, PowerSmart, Westinghouse, Pulsar, and more.

You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.

We considered a huge range of generator brands and types. We narrowed it down to portable generators in a specific wattage range, and then compared the efficiency, power, and durability in standard tests. We also limited our selection to generators that were practically portable in size and weight.

We’re always looking for new and better gear, so if you have a portable generator that you swear by, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested equipment annually, so we can try to get it in the next roundup and see if it will beat out our top picks.

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What to Look For

The best portable generators have a few features to look for:

1. Value
2. Power
3. Versatility
4. Size & Weight
5. Durability

When you get the right blend of these, you can find a generator that will keep your gear reliably powered in survival situations. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the generators that truly set themselves apart.

Value: Cost vs. Benefit

The amount of money you spend on something like a generator shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. They come in a wide range of sizes, power levels, and costs so you should be able to find something specific to your needs on budget.

You never want to spend too much money on one thing when it comes to prepping equipment, especially if it’s one of several power sources. It’s better to diversify your gear and budget to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.

Power

A generator’s power is typically laid out as its running and peak wattage. Before you go looking for a generator, you should understand what type of power load you would like for it to handle and compare that to its listed running watts.

Many appliances and tools list their wattage needs on the Energy Star label or near the serial/model number. Be sure that the generators you are considering can perform up to your expectations based on your equipment needs.

Versatility

Versatility is a broad category for generators. Their runtime, fuel source, built-in outlets, and engine controls all contribute to a generator’s overall versatility. Runtimes are often a factor in how large the engine is and the fuel tank, but some can be extended by running the engine at a lower power load or using an inverter generator.

Fuel source versatility is big for survival and prepping applications since that gives you more options in fuel storage and overlaps with other tools, equipment, and vehicles that you may also be storing fuel for.

The outlets provided by a generator and the power type (DC plugs, for example) also add to a generator’s versatility, making it more useful in a wider range of scenarios.

Even the size and weight of a portable generator could be factored into its mobile versatility.

Size & Weight

Portable generators are usually less than 100 pounds and small enough to fit in a vehicle. Some of the wheeled models can push this limit, but can also provide enough power to rival installed generators. If you calculate that to be your need, you can weigh the pros and cons of it being ‘less portable’, even though you can wheel it around to where you need it.

For our purposes, we limited our comparison to generators that are portable for a single person to move easily. If you are looking to power your entire home through a power outage, you can get it done with a larger portable generator.

Durability

One of the most frustrating things you can encounter in life is trying to use a piece of equipment during an emergency, just to have it not work or completely fail on you. Some call it Murphy’s Law, but it is usually an extension of relying on cheap gear or equipment that you haven’t maintained or stayed familiar with.

Gas generators have engines and need a little love and maintenance sometimes. With the models we suggest (even the 2-cycle), if you keep the gas fresh and maintain the engines at regular intervals, and most importantly, test and use the generators at regular intervals, they will be reliable in an emergency. Don’t get a generator and shove it in the farthest corner of your shed or garage- keep it in regular use and maintain it appropriately so it won’t let you down when you most need it.

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How to Use a Generator for Survival

Picking out a generator that suits your needs can be more difficult than using a generator.

Start the generator following the manufacturing instructions (you may need to prime or choke) and use the correct fuel. From there, you can directly plug in appliances or use extension cords and surge strips. Be sure that your cord setup is not too long to limit the amperage supplied to your equipment.

Here is a member of our team simply showing how to start a Honda generator:

How to Start a Honda EU2000i Generator

Here are some more useful tips to set up your generator for a disaster:

Test the generator every month or two

A generator is no good when you don’t test and maintain it. Check the gas and oil levels. Start it up and let it run for 5 minutes. On the Duromax, the battery charging light will go out when topped up. With a solar charger already connected, it took only 3 minutes of the engine running for the charging light to go out.

After the generator runs, and it has a fuel switch on it (like the Duromax), turn the fuel off and let it run until the engine stops. That clears the gas out of the carburetor. Let it cool off and then keep it covered so the weather doesn’t destroy it.

This is one of the best generator tips that can apply to any gear, really. Get your stuff out and use it- even if it is just emergency use.

Keep it away from the house when running

There is a big sticker on both of my generators that says not to run them in or near the house. These things stink when they run! Avoid the awful fumes and stay safe by keeping it as far as possible from the house. That will also keep the noise down.

Use the right gas

Only use ethanol-free gas and add the fuel stabilizer gas treatment. This will make it so the gas left in the tank and fuel lines won’t break down and ruin the engine. The blue stabilizer is marine grade and simply works better. Label your 5-gallon gas can as “Ethanol Free + Stabilizer” and use it in all your small engines.

Don’t use power strips on the house end of an extension cord

Power strips are a failure point if you connect something like an electric space heater to your generator. The generator has its own circuit breaker. If you need extra plugs, get an outdoor-rated power cord with multiple plugs on the end.

Hire an electrician if you want a whole-house solution

If you have a ton of money, plunk down thousands of dollars for a whole-house generator. Most hardware stores sell them, and they turn on automatically, test themselves, and make life easy.

Otherwise, you can use a small generator like the Duromax, a 240-volt cable, and a special plug next to your power meter. That plug must be installed by an electrician. The biggest note is that you MUST turn off the main house breaker before using that special plug. Once you do that, your generator can run your house. Just make sure not many appliances are running.

One last bonus nugget to close out my generator tips: Generators have a grounding lug that many people ignore. To protect both the generator and the appliances connected to it, the lug should be wired to a ground. Buy an 8-foot ground rod and lug from a hardware store, drive it in the ground, and wire to it.

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Who Needs a Portable Generator?

If you are in an apartment, you might not necessarily need a portable generator due to your building restrictions, but almost everyone else can easily make use of one. Whether it’s for project work or emergencies, or even just a backup to your existing generator solution, portable generators have been an important consideration for preparedness.

We highly suggest portable generators for:

• Home Survival Kit
• Bug Out Vehicle

Many people opt to get them to prepare for specific emergencies that result in widespread power outages:

• Hurricanes
• Flooding
• Earthquakes

Power outages themselves are cause enough for most people to invest in a generator. With infrastructure investment lagging, most countries’ power grids are becoming more fragile.

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Sources & References

All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best portable generator are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:

Blanks, J. (1997). Optimal Design of an Enclosure for a Portable Generator. Virginia Tech Masters Thesis. (Source)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA. (2005). Carbon monoxide poisoning from hurricane-associated use of portable generators. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Volume 54. Issue 28. Pages 697-700. (Source)

Wang, L., et al. (2013). Study of the impact of operation distance of outdoor portable generators under different weather conditions. Indoor and Built Environment. Volume 23. Issue 8. (Source)

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Conclusion

Power up your prepping with a reliable generator. They can come in handy for a wide range of prepper projects and, of course, make living a lot easier during disasters and emergencies.

Here are a few other guides and reviews our subscribers have found helpful:

• Best Gas Cans for Prepping and Survival
• Best Siphon for Pumping Water, Gas, and Other Liquids
• Home Survival Kit List | 53 Essentials

See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.

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