All Power America APG3014

The Bottom Line

If you need only a small, inexpensive generator to keep essential appliances running during a power outage, the All Power America APG3014 might do the job. However, it's only capable of running small appliances -- even a refrigerator is too much sometimes -- and shouldn't be used with electronics.

Power

Less than advertised. Many owners complain that although the All Power America APG3014 is advertised as a 2,000-watt generator, its actual continuous-use rating is just 1,400 watts. Some say they have trouble getting even that. "How can you call this a generator? I could not get more than 800 watts out of this thing," writes one at HomeDepot.com.

This generator won't deliver a top-quality current, and it's a poor choice for running electronics because unpredictable surges may damage delicate components. Reviews about how well it handles larger appliances are mixed. Most owners agree that if you want to run a refrigerator or something larger, you should "spend a little more and get something decent," says one user at HomeDepot.com.

Outlets

Has a DC outlet. This budget-priced portable generator has two 120-volt outlets and a 12-volt DC outlet. It also comes with battery-charging cables, which are handy for jump-starting a car battery.

Noise

On the loud side. All Power America rates the APG3014's noise level at 65 decibels -- almost as loud as a vacuum cleaner -- but doesn't include details about load or distance. An independent test yields a noise level of 68 decibels, which we suspect was performed under zero load.

An Amazon.com reviewer writes that the generator is "pretty loud," describing it as similar to the sound of a lawn mower. This is often the go-to comparison for any subjective description of a generator's noise level.

Runtime

Fuel-efficient, but not the best. The manufacturer estimates a runtime of nine hours at half load from just more than 1.3 gallons of gas. At Amazon.com, owners report shorter runtimes of about seven hours per tank of fuel.

Ease of Use

More mixed reviews. Several users complain that the All Power America APG3014's instruction manual is poorly written, while others say a balky ripcord makes it hard to start. "I used a half-can of starting fluid, then finally the little SOB started," posts one at Amazon.com, adding that the ripcord bloodied his index finger.

At about 57 pounds, the APG3014 is light and relatively easy to move around. Its low-oil shutdown safety feature is rare in this price range, and might come in handy since several owners say checking this generator's oil is difficult.

The APG3014 is backed by a one-year warranty, but must be taken to an All Power America-approved service center for repairs. Users post mixed reviews about customer service, and several complain that they received defective generators.