Emergency Generator Buying Guide

Facing a power outage can disrupt life, causing issues like flooded basements or compromised security. A portable emergency generator is a real home-saver, providing the backup power system you need for peace of mind. Before you buy, it’s important to accurately size and choose the right portable generator.

Sizing Your Emergency Generator

The most crucial step is determining the wattage you need. The right size depends on your goals: do you need to power only the essentials for survival, or do you want to power multiple rooms and comfort items for thriving?

We categorize portable emergency generators into three general sizes based on their output:

Medium Emergency Generators (1,000–6,000 Watts)

These units are relatively small but pack enough power for survival essentials during a short outage.

They can power multiple survival appliances like a refrigerator, sump pump, and furnace fan. Medium generators usually run outside with extension cords strung inside to appliances. Since power is limited, you'll want to manage your load—for example, running the microwave for an hour, then switching to the well pump.

Many inverter generators fall into this range. They produce clean power safe for sensitive electronics, run quieter, and are lighter and more compact, though they cost more upfront.

Large Emergency Generators (6,000–10,000 Watts)

If you want to thrive rather than just survive, this size allows you to power all the essentials plus some comfort items like a toaster, washing machine, and coffee maker.

To utilize their full potential, these generators work best with manual transfer switches that can restore power to up to 10 circuits in your main electrical panel. They can energize multiple rooms but typically cannot handle a central air conditioner.

Extra-Large Emergency Generators (10,000+ Watts)

These models offer the strength of a small home standby unit without being permanently installed. They power all essentials and many extras simultaneously, with higher surge wattages to start high-powered motorized appliances.

Extra-large generators connect best via transfer switches to manage power across the home. While they typically feature electric start, they are not automatic—you'll need to manually start the unit. For very long-term outages, a home standby generator remains the most permanent, hands-off solution.

By understanding your minimum power requirements and how much home coverage you need, you can select the perfect portable emergency generator and power through any storm.