Portable vs. Standby Generator: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Portable generators and home standby generators do the same important task, providing electricity during a power outage. But the two couldn’t be farther apart when it comes to cost and convenience.
Portable models are generally stored in a garage, basement, or shed when not in use and then wheeled into position when needed. The smaller models use extension cords to power a few small appliances, while larger ones can power hard-wired appliances like well pumps and water heaters by connecting to an electrical panel via a transfer switch. Portable models also tend to be noisier and produce less power than standby models, but they’re much cheaper to buy and install than a permanent backup generator.
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The portable models in our generator ratings run on gasoline, burning through 12 to 20 gallons per day depending on the unit’s output and the load being powered. This means you’ll have to store a significant quantity of gasoline, start the generator manually, and refill it (when it’s off, to minimize fire danger) after several hours.
Manufacturers also make portable generators that run on liquid propane, natural gas, or diesel fuel. But Consumer Reports generally doesn’t test those models because they represent such a small segment of the market. Two options in our ratings, from DuroMax and Champion, can run on gasoline or liquid propane. In the aftermath of a storm, though, it may be more difficult to find portable cylinders of liquid propane, natural gas, or diesel fuel.
If you use a portable generator during inclement weather, such as the rainstorm that often accompanies a power outage, you’ll need to protect it from the elements with a model-specific cover or a freestanding canopy while being mindful of the unit’s carbon monoxide (CO) emissions (see below).
Home standby generators, also called stationary generators or whole-house generators, are permanently installed outside your home by a pro and have insulated housing that protects them from the weather and keeps them relatively quiet.
They kick on automatically when the lights go out and can power everything in your home at once. They can operate for days or weeks on a full whole-house propane tank or indefinitely in the case of a natural gas version.
“Home standby generators are expensive, but they’re the gold standard in backup power, and they outperform all other types of generators in our ratings,” says Dave Trezza, who heads the generator testing program for Consumer Reports. “If you can afford it, I’d tell you to pick a home standby generator every time.”
Yet far more people choose portable generators for a simple reason: price. Here, we explain the pros and cons of each type of generator. Our buying guide offers deeper insights. CR members can read on, below, for ratings and reviews of the top three models in each of the two categories. Or for more choices, browse our extensive generator ratings.
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Home Standby Generators
Power output: 8,000 to 20,000 watts
Price range: $2,000 to $5,000
Fuel needs: 13 to 48 gallons of liquid propane or natural gas per day
Pros: Home standby generators are largely worry-free. They’re typically sized to power an entire house and they turn on automatically. They can run for days or weeks without refueling, they tend to be very quiet, and you don’t need to fuss with weather covers or canopies.
Cons: Home standby generators are pricier to buy, and installation costs can range from a few thousand dollars to $10,000 or more. That’s because you might need an electrician plus subcontractors who can handle the plumbing for a gas or propane line and build a steady permanent base for the generator. They’re also reasonably large, so you need space for them on the side or back of your house.
Portable Generators
Power output: 3,000 to 8,500 watts
Price range: $400 to $1,500
Fuel needs: 12 to 20 gallons of gasoline per day
Pros: Portable generators are much cheaper to buy and install. When connected to your home’s circuit-breaker panel with a transfer switch, they can power almost as much as a home standby generator. They have built-in outlets for suitable extension cords if you haven’t installed a transfer switch.
Cons: You need to wheel your generator out of storage, connect it to your transfer switch, and fire it up each time there’s an outage. Portable models also require you to store large quantities of gasoline, mixed with fuel stabilizer, to get through a prolonged outage. They tend to be noisier and have lower output than home standby models, too.
Safety Features on Portable Generators
To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, new generators often feature a built-in sensor that triggers an automatic shutoff if CO builds up to dangerous levels in an enclosed space. Some models also have engines that emit less CO. Recent test data from CR shows that these safety features probably save lives. All portable models in our ratings have one or both of these features.
Consumer Reports recommends portable generators only if they pass our CO safety technology test.
But our findings also reveal hazardous gaps that the automatic shutoff fails to address, reinforcing why it’s critical to follow safety guidelines.
Never operate a generator indoors. Position your portable generator at least 20 feet from your house with the exhaust directed away from it, as well as away from windows, doors, AC units, and other structures. And make sure you’ve got a working battery-powered CO detector in your living spaces to warn you of a buildup of the colorless, odorless gas.