A great portable generator is one that you can use at home and rely on to get you through emergencies. It needs to be quiet, reliable, have a high power output, and a nice long battery life.
On the flip side, a poorly-made generator can let you down just when you need it most.
So to help you separate the good from the bad – we’ve reviewed the Top 7 Portable Generators of 2023. The products we’ll cover come from a range of manufacturers including Webetop, Jackey, and Suaoki.
Buy with the confidence that you’re purchasing one of the best portable generators on the market. Let’s jump straight into the reviews.
- Huge 42000mAh power capacity
- Comes with powerful bright led flashlight
- Lightweight build
Top 7 Best Portable Generators
Webetop Portable Generator
The Webetop portable generator is our best overall choice due to its versatility and impressive performance at a great price.
This model features a 110V socket that’s rated for 100w but is capable of outputting 150W of peak power. This socket is complimented by 3 USB outputs and 3 DC outputs.
With 42 000 mAh, you won’t have to worry about running out of juice anytime soon, and you’ll be able to recharge this generator using a variety of methods. If you have access to a source of electricity, you can charge this generator through a wall outlet or a car outlet, but you can also use the sun if you buy the solar panel accessory.
This generator is also surprisingly compact, as it features dimensions of 7.67×6.73×3.54 inches and it only weighs just under 3.5 pounds. The Webetop generator is even equipped with an LED flashlight that can run for up to 125 hours straight, making it ideal for emergencies.
The battery management system in this generator also makes it far safer than the competition, as it will prevent short circuits, overheating, and power surges. With enough power to recharge a phone 24 times or to run a lantern light for 31 hours, this generator is an excellent choice.
- 42 000 mAh results in a long run time
- Wide range of outputs
- Features a built-in flashlight
- Battery management system
- Nice and quiet
- Solar panel costs extra
Jackery Portable Generator
If you’re willing to spend a bit more money for a more capable generator, then it’s likely that you’d prefer Jackery’s portable generator. With a capacity of 240 Wh, you can rest assured that you’ll get plenty of power out of this generator before it runs out, amounting to 2-3 laptop charges or 5 hours running a domestic refrigerator. It’s also super quiet, and a great option for home use.
The AC connection on this portable generator runs at 110V, and it provides 200W of power. This outlet is accompanied by a pair of USB ports and a car charger. This portable generator even features a display that can give you battery information, making it far more user-friendly.
For all of its power, you’ll be surprised to learn that this generator is relatively compact. This generator weighs a little over six pounds, and it’s only five inches wide and eight inches tall. Thanks to its small dimensions, you can use this portable generator for a wide range of applications.
You’ll also find that this generator is well-built and reliable, meaning that you can go longer before needing to replace it, saving you money in the long run. While it may be a little more expensive, the Jackery portable generator’s capabilities and extra features make it more than worth the additional cost.
- 200W of power
- Only takes eight hours to recharge
- Relatively compact
- Excellent build quality
- Nice and quiet
- Slightly more expensive option
Suaoki Portable Generator
For those looking to stretch their money as far as possible, the Suaoki portable generator offers impressive performance at a reasonable price. Beyond its lower cost, this generator still features a generous capacity of 40500 mAh, giving it enough energy to charge a smartphone over ten times or run a desk lamp for over 40 hours.
Unlike the previous two generators, this model comes equipped with two AC outlets with a peak power of 150w. This generator is also surprisingly small, making it perfect for camping or other activities where portability is required, featuring dimensions of 7.24×4.29×4.69 inches and a weight of just over 3 pounds.
Another feature that makes this generator more portable is the inclusion of ergonomic lift handles. Due to the implementation of quick-charge technology, you’ll also be able to charge your devices faster than you would with other, more expensive generators.
This model is also safer than other affordable portable generators, as it features a battery management system to keep everything in check. If you’re looking to save some money on your generator, but you don’t want to compromise when it comes to performance and safety, then this model from Suaoki is the right choice.
Check Price- Affordable
- Battery management system
- Compact and lightweight
- Not as durable as other generators
Rally Portable Generator
This portable 8 in 1 generator from Rally doesn’t seem like a bad product at first glance, but when you get around to using it, you’ll find that it does a lot of different things, but none of them particularly well.
While the jump starter and the air compressor work, most of the other parts are unreliable and poorly made.
The pull-cord charging mechanism is supposed to be a convenient feature that can help you out of a bind, but we found that the cord broke within ten pulls. If we were in an actual emergency, then we would have been stranded with a useless hunk of plastic.
Unfortunately, the poorly-attached pull cord represents everything wrong with this portable generator, and the main issue is shoddy craftsmanship. Don’t waste your money on a generator that may work once before breaking down, if you’re lucky.
Check Price- Versatile set of capabilities
- Small size
- Terribly made
- Pull cord broke after a single use
- Doesn’t hold a charge
- Charger cord is too short
Serenelife Portable Generator
Serenelife’s portable generator is another affordable option that has an impressive set of features and superior build quality to most other models in its price range.
While this product may not be as remarkable as the Suaoki generator, its 42000 mAh capacity and ergonomic design still make it a great option for home use.
We’d argue that this is one of the best cheap generators for customers who are always on the move, as the handle is designed to be as comfortable as possible. This combined with the small size and lightweight of under five pounds help make this an excellent camping or fishing generator.
This model comes with 3 USB outputs, 3 DC outputs, and a 110 V power outlet, allowing you to charge a variety of devices at once. When the time comes to recharge this generator, you’ll be able to do so in about eight hours. Overall, this model is small, cheap, and easy to use.
Check Price- User-friendly
- Easily portable
- Ergonomic handle
- Build quality could be better
- CPAP performance
Generac Portable Generator
Generac’s generator is a great option for those looking for a gasoline option for home emergencies. This model is a little different than the other options on this list, but it’s still a high-end option that is worth the extra money. Producing 2200W of power, this is one of the most potent generators on this list.
Thanks to a fully enclosed design, this model from Generac is far quieter than your average portable gasoline generator. The inclusion of an economy mode means that you can turn down the power so that the generator can last longer, making it ideal for both light and intense jobs.
The single power knob on this generator simplifies the startup process, making it easy to use for those who have never worked with a gasoline generator before. There is even an automatic shutdown feature for when the motor runs low on oil, protecting it from damaging itself.
Check Price- Easy to use
- Very powerful
- Economy mode
- Requires fuel
- Pricey
Anker Portable Generator
This generator from Anker features a surprisingly sleek design, and it is a lot more powerful than much of the competition, though it also features a steeper price tag. With a capacity of 400 Wh, this generator can run for far longer than many of the other options on this list.
The Anker generator features a single 110V outlet, four 5V USB outputs, and a 12V car charger so that it can be used with a wide range of devices. This generator also implements a battery management system that will control the voltage and temperature and also protect from surges.
Weighing around 9 pounds, this generator is also surprisingly portable when you consider its capacity. You’d be hard-pressed to find another 400 Wh model that’s as small and as lightweight as this one from Anker. Overall, this model is worth the extra money, especially if you prize portability and high capacity.
- Relatively light
- 400 Wh capacity
- Sleek design
- A little too expensive
- Construction is subpar
What is a Portable Generator?
A portable generator is a type of generator that is designed to provide you with portable power. As you can guess by the first half of the term, a portable generator also needs to be small enough for you to carry around wherever you need it. There are a few different kinds of portable generators, and they each have their pros and cons. Ideally, your portable generator will be both quiet and great for home use.
Electrical generators are usually more convenient, as they will use a battery to store their energy, ensuring that you won’t need a separate fuel source, though they take longer to recharge. On the other hand, generators that use fuel like gasoline can be quickly replenished, but their motors will make them bulky and loud.
Portable Generator Uses
A portable generator can be used for a wide range of applications, ranging from home, recreation to emergencies. For example, you can use your portable generator for something like a camping trip or giving you a source of power for your lights and electronics at home when your main power goes off.
A portable generator can be a life-saver during a natural disaster, giving you a power source that you can use for heating, lighting, and more. You can even use a portable generator to keep your devices charged while you’re tailgating at your local stadium! The possibilities are endless.
