Best Cheap Portable Generators for 2023

Comparsion Table

#1. WEN 56235i 1900 Rated Watts Lightweight & Portable Generator

So, this is the WEN 56235i. The “i” stands for the inverter. It produces 2,350 starting watts and 1,900 running watts. This gasoline generator is easy to carry and very compact. If weight or space is an issue, then a generator like this one is for you.

The best features of this generator are its 39-pound weight and operating noise. The noise level is rated at 51 dB at 23 feet away. My noise test: idle speed, 23 ft., eco mode on - 52.5 dBA.

The WEN 56235i has two 120V/20-amp (NEMA 5-20R) outlets that are capable of powering single-phase 60 Hz loads. It also includes one 12V/8.3-amp DC outlet for charging batteries. Its USB ports allow you to charge many of the popular devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

The only thing I can't run with this generator is my air conditioner, which starts at about 3,000 Watts and runs at about 2000 Watts. For most of the time, this generator is going to cover my camping needs.

Now let's say I went camping someplace hotter. We have deserts in the Southern part of our state, and I very much might want to run my air conditioner in those where it can get up to 115 degrees. If you get a generator like this, it's relatively inexpensive to scale up. So what you do is you pick up the second one of these, and at the cost of being $400 per generator for this jet, it's very affordable. You get a second one, now you're up to $800 and what they call a parallel connection kit.

Expert Advice

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#2. WEN GN400i - Cheapest 4000 Watt Inverter Generator

One of the first things to look for with any portable generator is reliability. WEN is rightly regarded as one of the best manufacturers going, and their latest GN400i has plenty of points to recommend.

At 66 pounds, considering what you get from it, the WEN GN400i inverter generator is still good for portability. For those who want to power their RV or have a mega camping adventure planned, you can be sure it will do the job and more.

The Key Features of the GN400i model include:

• It is equipped with LED indicator lights along with the control panel which helps to show the system status.
• The inverter generator has electronic circuit breakers to protect against any overloads.
• It can reproduce an excellent AC sine wave which enables the electronic device to connect directly to the generator to last longer.
• It is also equipped with ECO-MODE which runs as much as 11 hours without refueling. It also automatically adjusts the engine speed depending on the load. In this case, the load dictates how the engine runs.
• 7 hours of run time on 1.85 gallons worth of fuel at 1/2-load capacity makes it very fuel-efficient.
• Lots of outlets: The model comes with two 120V 20A (NEMA 5-20R) household outlets, two 5V USB ports, and 120V 30A (NEMA TT-30R) RV-ready outlet. This gives users plenty of options.
• Most importantly, it has parallel operation ability. Inverter generators can synchronize their output waveform, so you can combine two similar generators and provide double the wattage.

Other features:

• 1.85-gallon fuel tank
• 120-volt operation
• Carry handles built right in
• EPA+CARB / 50 State Compliant
• 2-year limited warranty

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#3. Westinghouse WGen6000 Portable Generator 6,000 Running Watts/7,500 Peak Watts

If you live in a part of town that is prone to be affected by natural disasters which might end up having a toll on electricity supply, the Westinghouse WGen6000 is a generator you should consider purchasing.

Westinghouse WGen6000 is a portable generator that is powered by gas and features an electric start. The fact that this generator features an electric start button implies that it can be started very effortlessly. You do not have to have a young person around before you can make use of it.

The Westinghouse WGen6000 generator is a power source that you can depend on to run for up to 18 hours as long as it's gas tank is full. This, therefore, makes it a generator set that you can rely upon for power when there is an emergency.

The Westinghouse WGen600 can be assembled very easily, there will be no point getting an expert to help you assemble this generator set as it comes with an instruction manual which you can rely upon to help you get started.

In addition to being easy to set up, this generator comes with lots of safety features. It has a feature that makes it shut down when it lacks the right amount of oil. This means you can be sure that your generator will not be damaged if you make the mistake of not putting the right amount of oil into it.

While the many features that come with this generator can go a long way to help you get the best out of its use, there is some more. The Westinghouse WGen6000 has a guarantee of three years and comes with the much-needed customer support.

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#4. A-iPower SUA12000E - 12,000 Watt Generator with Weels and Electric Start

Have you ever thought of owning a portable generator? A-IPower SUA12000E is there for you; with its electric start of 12000 starting watts and 9000 running watts makes a perfect general for back-up power for homes during the outage and for construction sites.

Equipped with a keyless one Touch electric start button, it allows effortless startup of the generator. For a safety measure, it comes with GFCI Outlets which provide additional protection and safety under damp condition.

Why you should purchase A-IPower SUA12000E

• Fuel efficiency: with 50% load it can run up to 9 hours thanks to 7.0 gallon, large heavy duty all steel constructed fuel tank;
• Easy mobility: thanks to its never-flat wheels and lighter weight;
• Electric shock protected: with its wires concealed in the cord provide cover, it eliminates injury through electoral shock;
• Durable: it has rigid steel frame, therefore can withstand variety environmental condition.

Conclusion

It is pocket-friendly and mobile compared to others; get the value of your money.

Warranty

A-IPower SUA12000E is two years warranted.

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#5. WEN 56380i Gasoline Inverter Generator with Electric Start

The WEN 56380i is made with an extremely reliable four-stroke 212cc engine. This engine is an OHV with a single cylinder that is air-cooled. You can expect 3,800 watts of surge power and 3,400 watts of continuous rated power. This kind of power allows you to run your power tools, microwave oven, air conditioner, heater, and full-size refrigerator (not at the same time). This is perfect for RV enthusiasts and sailors of the deep blue.

It weighs 99-pounds wet making it on the heavy side. It has two handles on either side for two people to carry it. And it also comes with a nice handle so you could wheel it around with a couple of small plastic wheels, better than some that I've seen on the market.

The easy-to-understand control panel has a low-oil lamp and an overload alarm. This is an electric start model, so you don't have to worry about cranking it.

The ECO-MODE technology helps it conserve energy while keeping the noise level to about 57 dBA. That is pretty good for such a powerful machine. It is EPA and CARB compliant as well.

One cool feature of this generator is that you can connect two of them together to double your wattage. This is a 3,800-watt generator. So, by connecting two of them, you should be able to get 7,600 Watts.

Other features:

• Its 2.2-gallon gas tank is capable of running the generator for about 8.5 hours at half load.
• The generator is equipped with two USB ports (1-amp and 2.1-amp).

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#6. PowerSmart PS50 900 Rated Watts - The Cheapest Gasoline Generator

Due to different power requirements, a huge and powerful generator may not be of use or need always, therefore, PowerSmart designed PS50 to help those who need a specific and small amount of power may be for tailgating or camping, it's very ideal for such task due to its lightweight. It has the capability of producing 1000 peak watts and 900 running watts. This unit can handle most common equipment such as phones, laptop among others.

The PowerSmart PS50 is ultralight and comes with a built-in handle for easy carrying. Four stands on the bottom of the generator help keep it steady as it runs. It has a single 5-20R 120V outlet providing a continuous output of 7.5 amps and a surge of 8.3 amps.

There is a second 12V outlet for charging at 8.3 amps at about 100-watts of charging capacity (charging cables included).

It is an average product that is sold at a reasonable price. It is ideal for camping and recreational activities. It is a crucial back up in case of a blackout.

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#7. Champion Power Equipment 100891 - 7500 Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator

Why Champion 100891 (7500 Watt)

Durability: the unit is built to last; it has a tubular steel frame.

Capacity: this unit can run on gasoline which gives an output of 7500 running watts, while when using propane will give 6750 running watts.

And with a 439-cc engine providing up to 7 500 running watts, this unit can power all your major household appliances during a power outage. It can produce both 120 and 240V, which makes it perfect for both commercial and residential applications.

Lots of outlets: the model comes with four 120V 20A (NEMA 5-20R) household outlets, one 120V 30A Locking (NEMA L5-30R) outlet, and one 120/240 30A Locking (NEMA L14-30R). This gives users plenty of options.

The Intelligauge is a digital display that shows the generator's hours of use (run time for the current session and total run time), voltage, frequency, and output power.

Ease of use: this generator is not complicated, it has an electric start, therefore, can be operated by any person.

Efficiency: It can run for up to 10 hours on just 7.7 gallons of gasoline at 50% load and up to 5.5 hours on a 20-pound propane tank.

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#8. Pulsar PG5250B Review - Best 4,000 Running Watts Dual Fuel Generator

The Pulsar PG5250B dual fuel portable generator is a device that can be relied upon to come in handy if a natural disaster which seizes power for a fairly short while takes place. Although you can rely on this device to be of help if there is a natural disaster, it can do a lot more. The Pulsar PG5250B generator can be used to stay out of the dark in outdoor events and also while you go camping.

This generator can run on two types of fuel. You can decide to power it with the use of liquid propane or with the use of gasoline. Although a portable generator, the Pulsar PG5250B generator can be trusted to conveniently power big electrical appliances.

The amazing thing about this generator is you can make use of whatever fuel source you so desire anytime you want. You can switch from one fuel source to another while the generator is on without it going off. This is pretty amazing, right?

The Pulsar PG520B has a long-lasting steel frame and sturdy wheel which make it very easy to move it around without the fear of anything getting spoilt.

So, if you reside in a part of town that is prone to natural disasters, this generator can go a long way in saving the day.

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#9. DuroMax XP4000S - Portable Gasoline Generator

Have you ever thought of a dependable portable generator for your power problem? DuroMax is all you need. The XP4000S is a light-duty generator with the capability of producing 4000 peak watt and 3,300 running watts. This unit can handle the most common equipment such as a refrigerator, home air conditioner among others.

It's durable, it has a metal casing, therefore, can withstand rough manhandling.

This generator complies with California Air Resources Board CARB exhaust emission standards, which means it is environment friendly.

When in full tank you will enjoy 12 hours of uninterrupted power supply. Everything is made easy thank to oil funnel, spark plug wrench, toolset and owner’s manual accompanied this package.

Potential problem

If the generator does start it could mean that the gas may be too old therefore draining it and adding new gas would be the best idea. Still, if it takes longer to start you can clean the spark plug, and if this fails you need to change it completely.

Conclusion: It is pocket-friendly and is of high quality; get the value of your money.

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#10. Sportsman GEN2000 Portable Gasoline Generator

The Sportsman GEN2000 is a portable generator that can be used by people involved in tailgating parties, camping, and a lot of other activities that take place outdoors. When running on a 1.2 Gal. of gasoline, this generator can be trusted to run for up to nine hours when it is loaded about 50 percent. The implication of this is, it is expected to run for 4 and a half hours when fully loaded.

This generator was designed to power basic household appliances, as well as lots of power tools. Although built to be very efficient, to get the best out of the use of the Sportsman GEN2000, it is ideal to put in a good amount of oil when making use of it. Also, the oil that is put into it should be changed after the generator has been used for up to 20 hours.

That’s not all, If you purchase this generator but are not making use of it, to ensure that it remains in perfect condition when you finally need it again, it is important that you turn it on every month. After turning it on, ensure it runs for up to 5 minutes before turning it off. This way, its engine can stay in perfect condition.

Although the Sportsman GEN2000 was designed with people going for camping and other outdoor activities in mind, it can be used to do more than this. This generator can be trusted to provide a household with electricity when there is an emergency. When used in powering a house, this generator set can conveniently power multiple lights, a television set, a small fridge, and a microwave.

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