The best portable generator
Last reviewed July 2026.
By cost per running watt, the best value portable generator we rank is Westinghouse WGen9500 — about $0.12 per running watt. But cheapest isn't safest: portable generators kill roughly 80 people a year from carbon monoxide, so the setting that matters most is a CO auto-shutoff (ideally UL 2201-certified). Here's the value ranking — check CO safety separately below.
Best value: cost per running watt
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| # | Generator | Running watts | $ / running watt | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westinghouse WGen9500 Amazon ↗ | 9500W | $0.12/W | Gas |
| 2 | DuroMax XP13000EH Amazon ↗ | 10500W | $0.12/W | Dual fuel |
| 3 | DuroMax XP5500HX Amazon ↗ | 4500W | $0.14/W | Dual fuel |
| 4 | Champion 201393 3800W Dual Fuel Amazon ↗ | 3800W | $0.19/W | Dual fuel |
| 5 | Predator 3500 Inverter Harbor Freight ↗ | 3000W | $0.27/W | Gas |
| 6 | WEN 56235i Amazon ↗ | 1900W | $0.27/W | Gas |
| 7 | Westinghouse iGen5000 Amazon ↗ | 3900W | $0.28/W | Gas |
| 8 | Champion 201419 4000W Inverter Amazon ↗ | 3000W | $0.28/W | Gas |
| 9 | Westinghouse iGen2200 Amazon ↗ | 1800W | $0.32/W | Gas |
| 10 | Honda EU2200i Amazon ↗ | 1800W | $0.61/W | Gas |
The number that matters more: CO shutoff
A cheap generator with no CO auto-shutoff is not a bargain. See which generators have no CO shutoff and the CO-shutoff record. UL 2201 is the stricter standard (a shutoff plus reduced CO emissions); a manufacturer-stated G300 is self-declared. Never run any generator indoors or in a garage.
FAQ
What is the best portable generator?
By cost per running watt, Westinghouse WGen9500 leads our value ranking (about $0.12/W). But prioritize a model with a CO auto-shutoff (UL 2201) over raw price — CO is the real risk.
What is the best portable generator on a budget?
The cheapest per running watt we track is Westinghouse WGen9500. On a budget, still insist on a CO auto-shutoff; a slightly pricier unit with one is worth it.
What is the best portable generator for home use?
For home backup, match the running watts to what you need to power, run only outdoors far from windows, and choose a unit with a UL 2201-certified CO shutoff.
Generator Score indexes CO-shutoff systems against the two ANSI standards and the public record (UL listings, manufacturer citations, CPSC data), with attribution — we test nothing and give no safety advice. No CO-shutoff system makes a generator safe to run indoors, in a garage, or near openings — CPSC's placement guidance (outdoors only, 20+ feet from the home, exhaust pointed away) is the operative document, and a shutoff is a backstop for mistakes, not permission to make them. If a maker publishes a standard citation or a listing appears, the page changes — the record wins.
← The ranking: cost per running wattSome product links on this page are affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate status never changes a ranking or a verdict — full affiliate disclosure.