How to Choose the Right Portable Generator for Home

Yep, rookie mistake. I didn’t do my homework. I just picked one based on price and size without considering the wattage or what appliances I actually needed it for. Sound familiar? If you're shopping around for a portable generator, here's what I’ve learned from experience—so you don’t end up sitting in the dark with a warm fridge like I did.

Step 1: Know Your Power Needs

The very first thing to figure out is what you need the generator for. This is where I messed up initially. I figured, "Oh, the fridge and a couple of lights should be fine." But once I did the math—yeah, you should absolutely do some basic math—I realized I needed a lot more wattage than I thought.

Here’s how you can avoid my mistake. List out the appliances you’ll need to keep running. For me, it was the fridge, a few lights, and a couple of gadgets to stay connected. You'll also want to think about essentials like a sump pump (if you’ve got a basement) or a microwave. The trick is to look at both the running watts and starting watts. The running watts keep your stuff working, but starting watts? That’s the jolt of power some appliances need to kick on.

For example, my fridge needed around 700 running watts, but it needed 2,200 starting watts. That’s a huge difference, and I hadn’t even factored that in when I bought my first generator. Big oops.

So, what’s the solution? Add up the running watts for everything you need and then add a cushion for the starting watts. A 4,000 to 5,000-watt generator is usually a sweet spot for most homes, but it all depends on what you're planning to run.

Step 2: Fuel Type – Gas, Propane, or Dual Fuel?

This one threw me for a loop. I had no idea generators came in different fuel types. Honestly, I thought they all ran on gas. Turns out, you’ve got options: gas, propane, or even dual fuel generators (which can run on either).

I started with a gas generator because I thought, "Why not? I’ve got a couple of jerry cans in the garage." And while that worked fine, I quickly learned there were some drawbacks. Gas is easy to find, sure, but it’s also a pain to store safely, and during a long outage, I had to keep refilling it. And let me tell you, running out of gas in the middle of a power outage? Not fun.

A buddy of mine swears by propane generators. Propane burns cleaner and lasts way longer in storage. Plus, you can hook it up to one of those big BBQ-style propane tanks and not worry about spilling fuel everywhere. However, propane generators don’t usually have as much power output as gas, so that’s something to consider.

If you’re like me and can’t make up your mind, go with a dual fuel generator. It gives you flexibility depending on what’s available or convenient at the moment. In hindsight, I wish I’d gone this route earlier.

Step 3: Size and Portability Matter More Than You Think

I didn’t think too much about the size of the generator when I bought my first one—big mistake. Sure, it was powerful enough (barely), but I hadn’t realized just how heavy those things are. Moving a 100-pound generator by yourself? Yeah, that’s a workout I wasn’t ready for.

You might think, “Well, it’s portable, right?” Portable, yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to move. Look for something with wheels and a sturdy handle, unless you’re trying to get your strength training in during a blackout (which I do not recommend). The good news is, a lot of generators come with wheels now. If you’re looking at one that doesn’t, trust me—keep looking.

Also, think about where you're going to store it. These things take up space. Mine lives in my garage, but depending on where you live, you might need to think about security too—wouldn’t want your new generator walking away during a power outage, you know?

Step 4: Noise Levels – Don’t Annoy the Neighbors (or Yourself)

Let me tell you, some of these things are LOUD. Like, make-you-regret-life-decisions loud. My first generator was one of the cheaper ones, and I swear it sounded like a jet engine every time I turned it on. After a few hours of listening to that during a blackout, I was almost ready to turn it off and live by candlelight.

Lesson learned: Check the noise levels before you buy. Most generators will tell you their noise level in decibels (dB). If you want to keep things peaceful, aim for something around 60-70 dB. It’s about as loud as a normal conversation. Quieter generators usually cost more, but it’s a worthwhile investment if you don’t want your neighbors—or your ears—complaining.

Step 5: Budgeting – Don’t Go Too Cheap

I get it, portable generators can get expensive. My first instinct was to go for the cheapest one that had decent reviews, but you know what they say—you get what you pay for. That first generator barely lasted a year before I started having issues with it, and the repair costs weren’t cheap either.

When it comes to something that could be your lifeline during a storm or blackout, you really don’t want to cheap out. Look for reputable brands with good warranties. I’ve had great luck with brands like Honda and Generac, though they can be on the pricier side. Still, I’d rather pay a bit more upfront and know I’m getting something reliable.

If you're on a tight budget, look for sales or buy during the off-season when prices tend to dip. But whatever you do, don’t settle for the absolute cheapest option. It’s tempting, but long-term, you’ll likely regret it.

Final Thoughts: Choosing What Works for You

In the end, picking the right portable generator is all about figuring out what works best for your home and needs. Don’t rush into it like I did. Take your time to research, compare wattage, think about fuel types, and consider noise and size. And hey, if you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up too much—I definitely learned the hard way, but now I’m way better prepared for the next power outage.

Oh, and one last thing? Test it before you actually need it. Trust me, you don’t want to be reading the instruction manual by flashlight when the power’s already out.

Men's Playground