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Portable Generators: Ratings of Sources
Total of 18 Sources

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

1. ConsumerReports.org
Oct. 2006
Portable Generators
by Editors of Consumer Reports
Our Assessment

In this thorough review, editors rate and rank eleven portable generators and four standby generators based on objective testing. In addition to overall ratings, each generator receives specific scores for emergency power, power quality, ease of use, run time per tank and noise level (though decibel measurements aren't provided.) 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. We wish this report were more recently written, however.

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2. Camping Life Magazine
June-July 2006
Packable Power
by Rich Johnson
Our Assessment

This review covers high-end portable generators for camping and RV use, with detailed comparisons of five models that use inverter technology for quiet and clean power. Johnson tests noise level with a decibel meter at 20 feet, and measures runtimes per tank in normal mode (not using a "smart throttle") with zero load. Each portable generator is also tested for ease of use, including maintenance and carrying comfort.

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3. Field & Stream
Feb. 2007
Portable Power
by Bruce W. Smith
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: quiet, lightweight, power quality and ease of use -- but the review also covers fuel economy and "watts per dollar." This review doesn't rank generators, but covers the pros and cons for each.

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4. QST
June 2008
Modern Portable Power Generators
by Kirk A. Kleinschmidt
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. The emphasis focuses on 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.

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4 Steps to Power Your Home When the Grid Fails
by Roy Berendsohn
Our Assessment

We'd rank this review higher if it documented any testing or even actual use. Popular Mechanics usually does excellent comparison testing, but this article is more of a brief buyer's guide than a full review. However, it does recommend three specific portable generators, in three wattage ranges. 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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6. Black Enterprise
July 2007
Keeping Consumers Out of the Dark
by Tamara E. Holmes
Our Assessment

This short buyer's guide compares the pros and cons of standby generators vs. portable generators. Although three specific generators are recommended, only one is a portable. No testing is documented, so the recommendations seem based on features. In addition, the features mentioned seem very relevant. For example, the portable generator is recommended because it has foldaway handles for convenient storage

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7. Electric Generators Direct.com
As of July 2008
Portable generator ratings
by Jon Hoch and contributors to ElectricGenerators Direct.com
Our Assessment

Electric Generators Direct reviews the portable generators sold here. In each size range, editors pick a "best, better, and good" portable generator -- based on build quality, features and price. (Price is an important factor; other portable generators may be as good or better, but priced higher.) 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 each review to read the details.

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8. Amazon.com
As of July 2008
Portable Generators
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment

The owner-written reviews and ratings of portable generators are especially easy to browse here, 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, several portable generators have accumulated rave reviews from enough owners to make the ratings quite credible, though others only receive one or two ratings.

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9. Sears.com
As of July 2008
Generators and accessories
by Contributors to Sears.com
Our Assessment

Sears publishes owner-written ratings and reviews of portable generators sold under the Craftsman brand. Several portable generators earn excellent ratings, based on reviews from several owners. Some owners find the status monitor on these portable generators inaccurate, but many like the way it tracks wattage and fuel usage plus needed maintenance. A few owners complain of generator breakdowns, but most are quite enthusiastic.

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10. HomeDepot.com
As of July 2008
Portable Generators
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
Our Assessment

The Home Depot publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of portable generators sold here, 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. 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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11. Silver Orange Stuff
Apr. 28, 2004
HondaEU3000is Review
by Dan James
Our Assessment

This detailed single-product review 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.

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12. EHam.net
As of July 2008
Reviews of Emergency Power Products
by Contributors to Eham.net
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.
13. ReviewCentre.com
As of July 2008
Standby Generators
by Contributors to ReviewCentre.com
Our Assessment

Even though this set of owner-written reviews on a UK website is titled "standby generators," the actual 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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14. Northerntool.com
As of July 2008
Portable Generators
by Contributors to Northern Tool and Equipment
Our Assessment

Northern Tool and Equipment manufactures the NorthStar brand, but also sells portable generators by other manufacturers -- nearly 60 models in all. The owner-written ratings and reviews have a nice added feature: the site averages the yes or no answers and adds whether or not each reviewer would recommend the model to a friend. Six or more owners have rated several portable generators, but most models have accumulated only a few reviews.

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15. Epinions.com
As of July 2008
Honda EU1000i Reviews
by Contributors to Epinions
Our Assessment Epinions seems to have cleaned out its stash of owner-written reviews, starting fresh, so very few are available by navigating on the Epinions website. We did find over 30 owner-written reviews and ratings for the smallest Honda portable generator, the Honda EU1000i, and you can sometimes find other Epinions reviews for specific generators via a search engine.
16. Lowes.com
As of July 2008
Generator Reviews
by Contributors to Lowes.com
Our Assessment Lowes invites owners to rate portable generators, but at the time of this report, only a few models show ratings. It's interesting that we found lower ratings for a 12,000-watt standby generator than for portable models.
17. RV.net Open Roads Forum
Dec. 2007
PowerMax Generator goes really bad
by Contributors to RV.net Open Roads Forum
Our Assessment This forum post tells a sad tale of how a defective voltage regulator on a PowerMax 4400 portable generator put 200 volts instead of 120 volts into a TV and almost set it on fire. The retailer replaced the generator but didn't replace the television.
18. Walmart.com
As of July 2008
Generators
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Our Assessment Wal-Mart sells only a few relatively inexpensive portable generators, rarely rated or reviewed by owners.

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