Page: 7 of 7
In this report
Portable Generators: Ratings of Sources
Total of 19 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
Oct. 2006
Weathering Disaster: Generators
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment In this thorough review, editors rate and rank 15 generators: five small portables, six midsized portables and four stationary standby units, based on objective tests. The focus is on generators for household emergency backup in power outages, but the review does cover several small models that could be used for recreational trips.
2. Field & Stream
Feb. 2007
Portable Power
by Bruce W. Smith
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Based on actual usage, this review compares four portable generators ranging from 1,600 to 2,400 watts. Even the least expensive model uses inverter technology for quiet, consistent electricity. The main… emphasis lies on factors that make a portable generator useful for camping: noise level, weight, power quality and ease of use. The review also covers fuel economy and "watts per dollar." This review doesn't rank generators but covers the pros and cons of each.

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3. QST
June 2008
Modern Portable Power Generators
by Kirk A. Kleinschmidt
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

QST is the official journal of the American Radio Relay League, the national association for amateur radio. This detailed article provides lots of information on buying a small, quiet portable power… generator. It emphasizes units with inverters that can power ham radio and other electronic equipment for outdoor use. Detailed specs are given for four models, although the models are not ranked. A follow-up article called "A Closer Look at Inverter Generators" is available online at the ARRL website, ARRL.org.

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4. PopularMechanics.com
May 7, 2009
Top 15 New Tools from the 2009 National Hardware Show: Editors Choice Awards
by Editors of Popular Mechanics
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Editors of Popular Mechanics attend the 2009 National Hardware Show and identify 15 new products that merit one of this year's Editor's Choice awards. Among their choices is the new Generac XG series of… portable generators. Editors cite the series' Power Bar, which monitors the wattage being used and lets the owner know when there's a risk of overload. Editors also like the lighted control panel, which makes it easier to see what you're doing in the dark, and the cover plates on the four GFCI outlets to protect them from the weather. The XG series includes six models ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 watts; models 5798 and 5747 (7,000 and 8,000 watts, respectively) have electric starters. Editors didn't test any of these models.

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5. Camping Life Magazine
June 7, 2006
Compact Generator Shoot-Out
by Rich Johnson
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Camping Life's review covers high-end portable generators for camping and RV use, with detailed information about five models that use inverter technology for quiet and clean power. Johnson lists the power… output in watts for each of the five generators (they range from 1,000 to 2,400 watts), as well as its weight, noise level and how long it will run on one tank of gas. He also rates each for ease of use, including maintenance and carrying comfort. Although he gives his own view of the advantages and drawbacks of each model, Johnson says that "the generator that is best for you depends upon your electrical requirements, the space you have available, your budget, and your desire to limit weight."

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6. Black Enterprise
July 2007
Keeping Consumers Out of the Dark
by Tamara E. Holmes
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This short buyer's guide lists the pros and cons of standby generators versus portable generators. Although three generators are recommended, only one is a portable. No testing is documented, so the recommendations seem based on features. For example, the portable generator is recommended because it has foldaway handles for convenient storage.
7. Electric Generators Direct.com
As of Oct. 2009
Portable Generator Ratings
by Editors of and contributors to ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com reviews the portable generators it sells. In each size range, editors pick Best, Better and Good portable generator models based on build quality, features and price. Owners rate and review these and other models, but you have to click on a generator and scroll down to see the ratings, and then click on the reviews tab to read the details.
8. Amazon.com
As of Oct. 2009
Portable Generators
by Contributors to Amazon.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Amazon.com's owner-written reviews and ratings of portable generators are especially easy to browse, because you can sort the list to show the top-rated models first. Unlike many sites, Amazon.com shows the… number of reviews on which the average rating is based, a big help in judging credibility. At the time of this report, many portable generators have accumulated rave reviews from enough owners to make the ratings credible and useful.

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9. Northern Tool and Equipment
As of Oct. 2009
Portable Generators
by Contributors to Northern Tool and Equipment
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Northern Tool and Equipment manufactures the NorthStar brand but also sells portable generators from other manufacturers -- nearly 60 models in all. The owner-written ratings and reviews have a nice added feature: the site averages answers about whether or not each reviewer would recommend the model to a friend.
10. PopularMechanics.com
Aug. 2007
4 Steps to Power Your Home When the Grid Fails
by Roy Berendsohn
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This article gives a brief overview of how to prepare your home for a power failure during an emergency -- including how to choose and safely use a portable generator. The author doesn't review and rank… different generators, but does highlight three specific models, in three wattage ranges, giving examples of what appliances each would power and showing how much gas would be consumed in 24 hours. Readers have added some useful comments -- suggesting, for example, using remote sensor thermometers to minimize the electricity needed to keep a refrigerator or freezer cold.

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11. Sears.com
As of Oct. 2009
Generators and Accessories
by Contributors to Sears.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Sears publishes owner-written ratings and reviews of portable generators sold under the Craftsman brand. Only one model has received enough ratings to provide a credible assessment of its performance over time. Other models have a few ratings and reviews, which can be helpful in identifying potential problems, or the lack thereof.
12. HomeDepot.com
As of Oct. 2009
Portable Generators
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

HomeDepot.com publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of portable generators it sells, but at the time of this report, only a few models have accumulated more than a handful of reviews. The list of… portable generators doesn't show the average rating, so you have to click on each model to find out if any owners have reviewed it -- a cumbersome and time-consuming process. It is interesting to see that ratings vary by model, not brand. Some Guardian portable generators get much higher ratings than others do, for example.

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13. Silver Orange Stuff
April 28, 2004
HondaEU3000is Power Generator Review
by Dan James
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This detailed single-product review on a Canadian website covers the electric-start Honda EU3000iS portable generator, based on the owner's actual use through blackouts, thunderstorms, snowstorms and… hurricanes. The author praises the "ultraclean power" and says it's "incredibly quiet" at around 50 decibels at full output. It is also easy for one person to carry. (A wheel kit is optional.) For extra power, two units can be daisy-chained together. As of summer 2009, a version with built-in wheels is available -- the EU3000i Handi.

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14. EHam.net
As of Oct. 2009
Emergency Power: Generators, Solar, Wind, Thermal, Etc.
by Contributors to eHam.net
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment EHam.net, a website for ham radio enthusiasts, invites readers to post reviews for a wide variety of products, including portable generators. Only a few models receive enough reviews to make the average ratings carry much weight, but the list is worth checking. Quite a few power-conditioning products are also reviewed and rated here, and a forum thread discusses the Honda EU6500i.
15. ReviewCentre.com
As of Oct. 2009
Stand-By Generators
by Contributors to ReviewCentre.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Even though this U.K. website's set of owner-written reviews is titled "Stand-By Generators," the reviews include portable generators. It is a convenient site to browse, since the list of generators shows… not only each model's average rating, but also the number of reviews upon which it's based. Quite a few models, and most brands, are also available in the United States, but only a few generators have accumulated more than a handful of reviews. The Honda EU2000i is an exception, with not only lots of reviews but also good tips on how to use it.

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16. Lowes.com
As of Oct. 2009
Portable Generators
by Contributors to Lowes.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Lowes.com invites owners to rate portable generators, but at the time of this report, only a handful of models have ratings. The best-rated models are in the 5,000- to 8,000-watt range.
17. Walmart.com
As of Oct. 2009
Generators
by Contributors to Walmart.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Walmart.com publishes owners' ratings and reviews on its website, but only a few generators have accumulated enough reviews to provide credible information about performance and reliability.
18. PortableACGenerators.com
As of Oct. 2009
Portable Generator Reviews
by Editors of PortableACGenerators.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The editors of this website offer write-ups more than reviews; they cover two models each of five different portable-generator brands. A useful feature of the site is that when you click on a particular brand, you are shown all models of that brand that are sold on Amazon.com, along with the average user rating for each and the number of users who rated it.
19. Galt Technology
As of Oct. 2009
Best Generators -- Honda Generators
by Editors of GaltTech.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment GaltTech.com recommends a few specific portable-generator models without giving any indication what said recommendations are based on; most seem to have been taken from other sites, including ConsumerSearch. However, this website does provide useful links to listings of Amazon.com's best-selling and top-rated models.

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This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  

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