What is the best overall small generator?
The best overall small generator on our list is the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2, a 1,070 Wh battery that owners say recharges from the wall in about an hour and runs quietly; our testers ran its sibling, the Jackery 1000 Plus, and it was silent.
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station
- Capacity: 1,070 Wh LiFePO4
- AC output: 1,500 W, 3,000 W surge
- Weight: about 23.8 lb
- Noise: quiet; fans on fast charge
Bottom Line : A quiet 1,070 Wh battery that owners say recharges in about an hour. It is a battery, not a fuel generator, so it needs recharging when the charge runs out.
Pros
- One hour wall recharge, owners say (the fan runs in that mode)
- Long 4000 cycle LiFePO4 pack
- Quiet under normal loads
- Five year warranty
Cons
- 1500W ceiling limits big appliances
- USB-C capped at 100W
- No ingress rating
Who it's best for
Campers, boat owners and anyone running a cabin or a tent where gas fumes aren't an option, and who can recharge from a wall or solar between uses.
Why we love it
Owners report a one hour wall recharge and quiet running, and the LiFePO4 pack is rated for about 4000 cycles to 70 percent capacity. At about 23.8 lb it's the lightest pick here. The one hour mode runs the fan, so overnight charging in the 1.7 hour mode is the quieter way.
We haven't run this exact model. Our testers ran its sibling, the Jackery 1000 Plus, in an overland truck bed and at a tent camp, where it was silent and kept a 12V cooler running for more than two full days.
What we didn't like
It's a battery, not a generator. When the 1,070 Wh is spent it needs recharging, and its 1,500 W ceiling won't run several big appliances at once. USB-C tops out at 100 W and the case has no ingress rating.
Should you buy it?
Yes, if you want quiet, fume-free power for a CPAP, a fridge or chargers and can recharge it. No, if you need to run a home fridge for days or a camper air conditioner: the WEN 3600 Dual Fuel ran a fridge and a freezer through a storm outage, and the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc started a 15,000 BTU air conditioner.
Read our full Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 review →
What is the best small generator for power outages?
The best small generator for power outages is the Honda EU2200i, which Ryan and John say lights on the first or second pull even after eight months in a shed.
Honda EU2200i Inverter Generator
- Output: 1,800 W running, 2,200 W surge
- Our noise reading: about 48 dBA, quarter load
- Weight: 47.4 lb
- Our runtime: about 8.5 hr, quarter load
Bottom Line : The generator Ryan and John tell their friends to buy: quiet, light and reliable, with a modest 1,800 W of continuous power and a premium price.
Pros
- About 48 dBA at a quarter load
- Starts on the first or second pull, even after months in storage
- No hum on a CPAP, an OLED TV or laptop bricks
- Two in parallel ran a 30 amp RV panel
Cons
- 1,800 W continuous is modest
- No RV outlet on the standard model
- Bluetooth app drops its connection
- Premium price
Who it's best for
Anyone who wants a quiet backup that will start when the power goes out, and campers who want the quietest 2,200 W unit. Ryan and John ran it on a cabin build site and a three-day truck camping trip.
Why we love it
It starts. Ryan and John say the EU2200i lights on the first or second pull at 100 degrees or at 10, and after eight months in a shed. John's own older Honda, the EU2000i, is on year 8.
It's quiet: about 48 dBA at a quarter load and about 57 dBA at maximum on a UNI-T UT353 sound meter at 23 feet. A CPAP, an OLED TV and laptop power bricks ran on it with no hum, and a linked pair ran a 30 amp RV panel with a 15,000 BTU air conditioner, a microwave and lights at once.
We tell all our friends to buy the Honda EU2200i. At 47 pounds, anyone can carry it. It is impossibly quiet, sips fuel for over 8 hours on less than a gallon, and delivers clean pure sine wave power for sensitive electronics.
Ryan and John
What we didn't like
1,800 W of continuous power is modest, and an RV air conditioner needs a soft starter (Ryan and John fitted a Micro-Air SoftStart). Honda's My Generator app drops its connection, which owners call a widespread complaint. There's no fuel gauge on the cap and the standard model has no RV outlet.
Should you buy it?
Quiet and long life are what the Honda sells, and they are worth the price tag if you need them. If weight comes first, the Champion 2500 Ultralight is about 39 lb, and if you want a plug-in RV outlet, the Yamaha EF2200iS has one built in.
Read our full Honda EU2200i review →
What is the best small generator for the money?
The best small generator for the money is the WEN 56225i, a budget-tier inverter that gives 1,800 running watts at about 52 dBA at a quarter load, in Ryan and John's tailgate and high-desert camping tests.
WEN 56225i 2250-Watt Inverter Generator
- Output: 1,800 W running, 2,250 W surge
- Our noise reading: about 52 dBA, quarter load
- Weight: about 49 lb
- Our runtime: about 6 hr at 600 to 800 W
Bottom Line : A quiet, budget inverter whose fuel shutoff dries the carburetor for storage; the oil drain is cramped and the build scores below the Honda's.
Pros
- Fuel shutoff dries the carburetor before storage
- About 52 dBA at a quarter load
- Laptops, camera chargers and smart TVs ran clean
- Two in parallel ran a 30 amp RV setup
Cons
- Cramped oil drain spills without a funnel
- Build scores below the Honda
- Gas only
- Not tried on an RV air conditioner
Who it's best for
Tailgaters, campers and outage-backup buyers who want a quiet inverter without paying Honda money. Ryan and John ran it at a tailgate and on a dry-camping trip in the high desert of Oregon.
Why we love it
The fuel shutoff is the feature Ryan and John single out: it lets you run the carburetor dry before storage. It's also quiet, about 52 dBA at a quarter load on the UT353 at 23 feet, and a 50-inch 4K TV, a pellet grill, a blender and floodlights ran off it.
What we didn't like
The oil drain is cramped and, without a long-neck flexible funnel, owners report the oil runs into the plastic frame pan. The build scores below the Honda's, it's gas only, and we have no air conditioner run on it.
Should you buy it?
Pick it if you want the quiet and 1,800 running watts in a lower price tier. Step up to the Honda EU2200i if you need the longest life or the lowest noise: it reads about 4 dBA lower at a quarter load.
Read our full WEN 56225i review →
What is the best small generator for campers?
The best small generator for campers is the WEN 3600-Watt Dual Fuel, which has a 30 amp TT-30R outlet and starts easily on the recoil on gas or propane; we have no camper run on it, but it ran a fridge, a freezer and a window air conditioner through a storm outage.
WEN 3600-Watt Dual Fuel RV-Ready Inverter
- Output: 2,900 W gas, 2,600 W propane
- Fuel: Gas or propane
- Our noise reading: about 58 dBA
- Manufacturer: WEN
Bottom Line : The biggest unit on this list: dual fuel with a TT-30R outlet and a CO shutdown sensor, dependable and easy to start on gas or propane.
Pros
- Gas or propane with a tool-free connector
- TT-30R RV outlet
- CO shutdown sensor
- Easy recoil start on either fuel
Cons
- Bigger than the other picks
- About 58 dBA
Who it's best for
Campers with a 30 amp trailer and households who want dual fuel backup and can accept a bigger machine than the rest of this list. Our testers ran it as storm outage backup.
Why we love it
Our testers ran a fridge, a freezer, a 120V window air conditioner, a router and lamps off it in a storm outage, and it ran 8.5 hours on 1.85 gallons of gas at about 58 dBA. It starts easily on the recoil on gas or propane, and dual fuel means you can run it on a propane tank instead of storing gasoline.
What we didn't like
It's the biggest unit on this page: 2,900 running watts on gas and 2,600 on propane. At about 58 dBA it's louder than the Honda or the Yamaha, and we have no weight from our testers.
Should you buy it?
Yes, if you want a dual fuel unit with a 30 amp outlet. If weight is why you are here, the Westinghouse iGen2550 lists dual fuel too and is about 42 lb.
Read our full WEN 3600 Dual Fuel review →
What is the best small generator for sensitive electronics?
The best small generator for sensitive electronics is the Yamaha EF2200iS, which measured 0.88% total harmonic distortion on John's oscilloscope.
Yamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator
- Output: 1,800 W running, 2,200 W surge
- Our noise reading: about 48 to 50 dBA
- Weight: 55 lb dry, 64 lb fuelled
- RV outlet: TT-30R, 30 amp
Bottom Line : A clean-power inverter with a built-in 30 amp RV plug and a Honda-like noise level, but 64 lb fuelled, a messy oil change and a 13,500 BTU air conditioner it only starts with a soft starter.
Pros
- 0.88% total harmonic distortion at 120 V
- Built-in TT-30R plug
- Carburetor drain empties the bowl in 15 seconds
- About as quiet as the Honda at a quarter load
Cons
- 64 lb fuelled, a hard solo carry
- Oil drain spills into the cowl
- Tripped a 13,500 BTU air conditioner with no soft starter
Who it's best for
Buyers who plug into an RV often, or want clean power for a CPAP, laptop chargers and audio gear, and will keep a soft starter on hand for the air conditioner.
Why we love it
John's oscilloscope read 0.88% total harmonic distortion at 120 V, clean enough for a CPAP and laptop chargers. The built-in 30 amp plug takes an RV cord with no adapter, and the carburetor drain emptied the float bowl in 15 seconds.
What we didn't like
It weighs 64 lb fuelled, so lifting it onto a tailgate alone is hard. The oil drain sits inside the hatch and spills into the cowl, and a 13,500 BTU air conditioner tripped it until our testers fitted a Micro-Air EasyStart.
Should you buy it?
The Yamaha suits anyone who wants the built-in RV plug and clean power for a CPAP or audio gear. If you carry your generator alone, the Honda EU2200i is lighter, and the Champion 2500 Ultralight is about 39 lb.
Read our full Yamaha EF2200iS review →
What is the best portable small generator?
The best portable small generator is the Champion 2500-Watt Ultralight, which weighs about 39 lb dry and ran about 11.5 hours on 1.1 gallons at a quarter load.
Champion 2500-Watt Ultralight Inverter Generator
- Output: 1,850 W running, 2,500 W surge
- Our noise reading: about 53 dBA, quarter load
- Weight: about 39 lb dry
- Our runtime: about 11.5 hr, quarter load
Bottom Line : A light 2,500 W inverter with a long runtime, though it is raspier than the Honda and struggles with heavy motor surges.
Pros
- About 39 lb dry
- 2,500 W starting surge
- About 11.5 hours at a quarter load
- Shared the load evenly in parallel
Cons
- Raspier than the Honda, and louder under medium and heavy loads
- Struggles with heavy motor surges
- Gas only
- Build scores below the Honda
Who it's best for
Solo campers and dock or worksite users who carry the generator themselves. Ryan and John used it on a solo car-camping trip in the Cascades and on dockboard repairs.
Why we love it
Weight is the headline: about 39 lb dry, about 8 lb under the Honda. A 12V marine battery charger, a circular saw in short bursts, a portable espresso machine and a heated blanket ran off it, and a 1.1-gallon tank gave about 11.5 hours at a quarter load.
What we didn't like
It's raspier than the Honda, which was clearly quieter under medium and heavy loads. Ryan and John list heavy motor starts as its worst trait, and owners report a 13,500 BTU air conditioner trips it without a soft starter.
Should you buy it?
Weight and watts for the money are the reasons to choose the Champion. For the quietest running or the longest life, that's the Honda EU2200i.
Read our full Champion 2500 Ultralight review →
What is the best small generator for RVs?
The best small generator for RVs is the Westinghouse iGen2550, which has a 30 amp RV outlet on the panel and ran about 12 hours on 1.1 gallons at a quarter load; we have no camper run on it.
Westinghouse iGen2550 Inverter Generator
- Output: 1,900 W gas, 2,550 W surge
- RV outlet: TT-30R, 30 amp
- Our noise reading: about 52 dBA, quarter load
- Weight: about 42 lb
Bottom Line : A light dual fuel inverter with a 30 amp RV outlet and a display that reads out fuel and runtime; the recoil pull is slightly awkward and there is no electric start.
Pros
- Built-in 30 amp RV outlet
- Lists gas or propane
- LED display shows fuel, runtime, voltage and load
- About 12 hours at a quarter load
Cons
- Recoil start only
- Pull cord angle is slightly awkward from flat ground
- Build scores below the Honda and Yamaha
- Not tried on an RV air conditioner
Who it's best for
RV owners who want a light unit with a 30 amp plug on the panel, and tailgaters who want a long runtime. Ryan and John used it at a summer tailgate and a jobsite battery charging station.
Why we love it
The digital LED data center shows fuel percentage, remaining runtime, voltage and power draw, and it's the feature Ryan and John liked most. On 1.1 gallons it ran about 12 hours at a quarter load, at about 52 dBA with a smooth, low-pitched note.
What we didn't like
It starts by recoil only, and the cord comes out at a slightly awkward angle. The build scores below the Honda's and the Yamaha's, and we have no air conditioner run on it.
Should you buy it?
The iGen2550 is the light unit with a built-in RV plug and a long runtime. For a bigger dual fuel unit, the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc ran a 15,000 BTU air conditioner on gas and on propane.
Read our full Westinghouse iGen2550 review →
What is the best small generator for tailgating?
The best small generator for tailgating is the A-iPower SC2000i, a Yamaha-engined 2,000 W inverter that started on the first or second pull at two fall tailgates and read 53 dBA at a quarter load.
A-iPower SC2000i Inverter Generator
- Output: 1,600 W running, 2,000 W surge
- Our noise reading: about 53 dBA, quarter load
- Weight: 46 lb with oil
- Our runtime: about 6.5 hr at half load
Bottom Line : A 79cc Yamaha-engined inverter that starts on the first or second pull and hums smoothly, held back by an adapter for the camper plug and a small tank.
Pros
- 79cc Yamaha engine, first or second pull every time
- About 53 dBA with a smooth tone, level with the 52 dBA claim
- Ran a 12V fridge and a 50-inch TV together
- One-hand carry by the top handle
Cons
- No TT-30R on the panel, so a camper needs the included adapter
- Small 1.1 gal tank
- Small air conditioner only on Eco mode with nothing else running
Who it's best for
Tailgaters and tent campers who want Yamaha-engine reliability without paying the Honda EU2200i premium. Our testers used it at two fall tailgates and a weekend of dry camping in a 16-foot travel trailer.
Why we love it
The Yamaha engine is the reason to buy it: it fired on the first or second pull every time and feels bulletproof, our testers say. On the UT353 at 23 feet it read 53 dBA at a quarter load, against a 52 dBA claim, and even at a 50% load it hums smoothly without the raspy clatter of cheaper units.
It ran a 12V RV fridge and a 50-inch TV together, and a small coffee maker on the trips. At 46 lb on a scale it's easy to carry by the top handle.
What we didn't like
There's no true TT-30R outlet on the panel. You use the included L5-30R to TT-30R adapter for a camper, which adds a point of failure. The 1.1-gallon tank gave about 6.5 hours at a constant 50% load, and a small RecPro camper air conditioner ran only on Eco mode with nothing else drawing power.
Should you buy it?
The A-iPower is the pick for tailgaters and tent campers who want a Yamaha engine for less than a Honda. If you want a camper plug on the panel, the Westinghouse iGen2550 has one built in.
Read our full A-iPower SC2000i review →
What is the best small generator for home?
The best small generator for home is the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc, which kept two full-size refrigerators cold through a recent North Carolina mountain storm and topped off two large power stations.
Westinghouse iGen2800DFc Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
- Output: 2,200 W gas, 1,980 W propane
- RV outlet: TT-30R, 30 amp
- Our noise reading: about 55 dBA, quarter load
- Weight: 47 lb with oil
Bottom Line : A dual fuel inverter that ran a 15,000 BTU air conditioner on gas and on propane and kept a house cold through a storm, though the propane cold start is finicky and it gets loud under an air conditioner.
Pros
- Ran a 15,000 BTU air conditioner on gas and on propane
- Built-in 30 amp RV outlet
- Over 12 hours on a 20 lb propane tank
- Kept two full-size refrigerators running at home
Cons
- Cold start on propane takes extra pulls
- About 55 dBA at a quarter load, mid-60s when the air conditioner runs
- Gas runtime fell short of the listing's 12 hours
Who it's best for
Homeowners who want a light backup for the kitchen and RV owners who want dual fuel so they don't haul gas cans in the truck bed. Our testers used it on a late-summer boondocking trip and in the recent North Carolina mountain storms.
Why we love it
It started a 15,000 BTU travel trailer air conditioner on both gas and propane. At home it kept two full-size refrigerators cold and topped off a large EcoFlow and an Anker power station without bogging down.
On a 20 lb propane tank it passed 12 hours overnight with the camper powered, and the built-in TT-30R lets you plug the camper straight in with no adapter. It weighed 47 lb with oil on a scale.
What we didn't like
Cold starting on propane is finicky: it takes a few extra pulls to get the gas flowing, where gasoline starts on one. It's pleasantly quiet at idle and reads 55 dBA at a quarter load, but it climbs into the mid-60s when the air conditioner compressor kicks on, and a full tank of gas at a low load gave just over 10 hours, short of the 12-hour listing.
Should you buy it?
Yes, if you want a dual fuel unit for a camper or a house. Skip it if quiet is your priority: the Honda EU2200i is far quieter under load.
Read our full Westinghouse iGen2800DFc review →
What is the best cheap small generator?
The best cheap small generator is the PowerSmart 2500 Watt, which our testers call a cheap insurance policy for a fridge in a storm: it handled a refrigerator compressor start, though an electric kettle bogged it down.
PowerSmart 2500 Watt Inverter Generator
- Output: 1,900 W running, 2,500 W surge
- Our noise reading: about 60 dBA, quarter load
- Weight: 40.5 lb with oil
- Our runtime: about 5 hr, fridge and freezer
Bottom Line : A budget box with 1,900 running watts in 40.5 lb, clattery past half load, short on runtime and fiddly to start.
Pros
- 1,900 running watts from a 40.5 lb box
- Handled the fridge compressor start
- Budget unit, a cheap insurance policy for a storm
Cons
- Bogged when an electric kettle joined the fridge
- Clattery past half load, high 60s dBA
- Easy to flood the engine on a cold start
- Messy oil fill
Who it's best for
Homeowners who want a cheap insurance policy against a spoiled fridge in a storm. Our testers used it for a weekend of camping, a friend's food truck pop-up and a driveway backup test.
Why we love it
It handled the refrigerator compressor start well for a budget unit. Across a weekend of camping, a friend's food truck pop-up and a driveway backup test, our testers alternated a house refrigerator and a chest freezer, charged phones and ran camp lights. The price-to-wattage ratio is the best thing about it: 1,900 running watts out of a 40.5 lb box.
What we didn't like
When the electric kettle came on with the fridge running, it bogged down hard, the overload light flickered and it struggled to recover. It read 60 dBA at a quarter load, against a 59 dBA claim, and climbed into the high 60s past 50%. The tank lasted 5 hours with a fridge and freezer cycling, not the listing's 7.5.
It's easy to flood the engine with the choke on a cold start, and the oil fill is awkward and messy. There's no 30 amp outlet, so it suits standard household plugs, not RV boondocking.
Should you buy it?
Yes, with caveats: as a cheap storm insurance policy for a fridge. Avoid it for daily site work or RV boondocking. The Honda EU2200i or the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc do both jobs better.
Read our full PowerSmart 2500 review →
How did we test the small generator?
We tested each small generator by running real loads off it, reading its noise at 23 feet and weighing it where we could, then scoring it on five qualities.
A small generator has one job: run what you plug into it, quietly, for long enough, from a box you can lift. Our testers ran the gas units at campsites, tailgates, a cabin build site, a jobsite and through storm outages, including a late-summer boondocking trip and the recent North Carolina mountain storms.
Sound was read with a UNI-T UT353 at 23 feet at about a quarter load, and at higher loads where our testers record it. Weights are from a scale where our testers weighed the unit and from the maker where they did not. Runtimes are hours on a stated load, and where a listing makes a claim we could check against a reading, the page says whether it held.
- Value for Money: where the unit sits against what it did, as a price tier and never a figure
- Output Power: what it really ran, and what tripped or bogged it
- Durability/Workmanship: engine, controls, oil drain and the details that show in use
- Dependability and Reliability: how it starts, and what owners add over years
- Noise: decibels at 23 feet and the tone
Each unit is scored out of 10 on every quality, and the overall score out of 100 is our editors' mark. For the three newest picks, the A-iPower SC2000i, the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc and the PowerSmart 2500, the overall is simply the average of their five marks, and the marks are the editors' reading of the testers' notes until the testers score them themselves. Where the notes say nothing about a quality, such as the build of the iGen2800DFc, the mark is a middle default of 7. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is the one pick we haven't run; our testers ran its sibling, the Jackery 1000 Plus, and the rest of its write-up is owner reports, labelled as such.
We then checked our findings against owner reports on Reddit, and say so wherever we use them. You can meet the testers at the bottom of this page.
Which small generator suits your plans?
The right small generator depends on what you run and where you carry it, so match your job to the row below.
| If you are… | Buy |
|---|---|
| Wanting quiet, fume-free power and happy to recharge | Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 |
| Wanting the quietest gas unit and a backup that always starts | Honda EU2200i |
| On a budget but want a quiet inverter | WEN 56225i |
| Camping with a 30 amp trailer and wanting dual fuel | WEN 3600 Dual Fuel |
| Powering a CPAP, laptops or audio gear | Yamaha EF2200iS |
| Carrying the generator yourself, on a trail or a dock | Champion 2500 Ultralight |
| Wanting a camper plug on the panel and a long runtime | Westinghouse iGen2550 |
| Tailgating or tent camping and wanting a Yamaha engine for less | A-iPower SC2000i |
| Backing up a house, or a camper, on gas or propane | Westinghouse iGen2800DFc |
| Keeping one fridge or freezer alive in an outage, cheaply | PowerSmart 2500 |
What did our small generator tests show?
Our small generator tests showed that value, what a unit will run, how it starts and how loud it gets separate these ten more than the watt rating on the box.
Which small generator is the best value?
The best value small generator we tested is the WEN 56225i, which gave Honda-class running watts in a lower price tier.
Where we tested it. We compared each unit's price tier with what it did, and left the figures to the Check Latest Prices button.
What separated them. The WEN 56225i earned its budget tier: quiet, clean power and a fuel shutoff. The PowerSmart gave 1,900 running watts in a 40.5 lb box in a budget tier, but cost our testers in noise, runtime and starting. The A-iPower undercuts the Honda while keeping a Yamaha engine, and the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc earns a mid tier with dual fuel and a 30 amp plug. The Honda and the Yamaha sit in the premium tier and earned it on reliability, clean power and quiet; the Jackery has name-brand pricing but often drops on sale, according to owners.
What it felt like. Our testers call the A-iPower the Yamaha-engine option without the massive Honda premium, and the PowerSmart a cheap insurance policy.
| Small Generator | What we found |
|---|---|
| WEN 56225i | budget tier; quiet and clean for it |
| PowerSmart 2500 | budget; 1,900 W in 40.5 lb, with compromises |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | name-brand pricing, often on sale; a battery |
| WEN 3600 Dual Fuel | mid tier; the biggest unit here |
| Champion 2500 Ultralight | mid tier; light with a 2,500 W surge |
| Westinghouse iGen2550 | mid tier; a long runtime in about 42 lb |
| A-iPower SC2000i | below the Honda, with a Yamaha engine |
| Westinghouse iGen2800DFc | mid tier; dual fuel and a 30 amp plug |
| Honda EU2200i | premium; earns it on reliability and quiet |
| Yamaha EF2200iS | premium; earns it on clean power |
What can a small generator run?
A small generator of 1,600 to 2,900 running watts ran fridges, TVs, tools and, in the better cases, a 15,000 BTU air conditioner, but each unit had a load that beat it.
Where we tested it. We ran real household and camp loads off each unit and noted what tripped or bogged it: air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, saws, a TV, a kettle and chargers.
What separated them. The Westinghouse iGen2800DFc and the WEN 3600 led. The iGen2800DFc started a 15,000 BTU air conditioner on gas and on propane and ran two refrigerators at home; the WEN 3600 ran a fridge, a freezer and a window air conditioner through a storm outage. The 1,800 W class needed help with air conditioners. The Honda ran its 15,000 BTU unit with a Micro-Air SoftStart, the Yamaha needed an EasyStart for 13,500 BTU, and the A-iPower ran only a small air conditioner on Eco mode with nothing else on. The PowerSmart handled a fridge start but bogged when an electric kettle joined it, and the Champion struggled with heavy motor starts.
What it felt like. On the iGen2800DFc our testers record air conditioner starts on both fuels; on the A-iPower the small air conditioner ran only with nothing else drawing power.
| Small Generator | What we found |
|---|---|
| WEN 3600 Dual Fuel | fridge, freezer and a window air conditioner |
| Westinghouse iGen2800DFc | 15,000 BTU air conditioner on gas and propane; two fridges |
| Yamaha EF2200iS | 13,500 BTU air conditioner with a soft starter |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | owners: 1,500 W ceiling |
| Honda EU2200i | 15,000 BTU air conditioner with a SoftStart; a pair ran a 30 amp panel |
| WEN 56225i | TV, pellet grill and blender at a 600 to 800 W draw |
| Champion 2500 Ultralight | saw in bursts, espresso machine, heated blanket; struggles with motor starts |
| Westinghouse iGen2550 | saws, chargers, slow cookers, a 43-inch TV |
| A-iPower SC2000i | fridge and TV; small air conditioner on Eco only |
| PowerSmart 2500 | fridge and freezer; a kettle bogged it |
How well is a small generator built?
The best built small generators we tested are the Honda EU2200i, the Yamaha EF2200iS and the Jackery, which tie at 9, and the weakest are the PowerSmart 2500 and the Westinghouse iGen2550 at 6.
Where we tested it. We looked at engines, controls and the details of use: oil drains, pull cords, handles and how each unit fared in the field.
What separated them. The Honda's commercial GXR120 engine set the bar, and John's own older Honda is on year 8. The A-iPower's Yamaha engine feels bulletproof to our testers, and the Yamaha added a tri-handle frame and a quick carburetor drain. The oil changes were the weak spots: the Yamaha's drain spills into the cowl, the WEN 56225i's access panel is cramped, and the PowerSmart's oil fill is awkward and messy. The Westinghouse iGen2550's pull cord sits at a slightly awkward angle.
What it felt like. Our testers say the A-iPower feels bulletproof, and the PowerSmart's oil fill is awkward and messy.
| Small Generator | What we found |
|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | owners: sturdy LiFePO4 case, about 4000 cycles |
| Honda EU2200i | GXR120 engine; John's older Honda is on year 8 |
| Yamaha EF2200iS | quick carburetor drain; oil drain spills into the cowl |
| WEN 56225i | cramped oil drain |
| A-iPower SC2000i | Yamaha engine; "feels bulletproof" |
| WEN 3600 Dual Fuel | CO shutdown sensor; no build notes from our testers |
| Champion 2500 Ultralight | built light for portability |
| Westinghouse iGen2800DFc | no build notes beyond its 47 lb weight |
| Westinghouse iGen2550 | slightly awkward pull cord, no electric start |
| PowerSmart 2500 | awkward, messy oil fill; floods easily |
Which small generator starts most reliably?
The most reliable starter we tested is the Honda EU2200i, which lit on the first or second pull in the heat, the cold and after eight months in a shed.
Where we tested it. We noted how each unit started and kept running, on gas and on propane where it takes both, and checked it against owner reports.
What separated them. The Honda and the A-iPower started on the first or second pull every time. The WEN 3600 started easily on the recoil on gas or propane. The Westinghouse iGen2800DFc started on one pull on gasoline but took a few extra pulls on propane, and the PowerSmart was easy to flood with the choke. The owner picture backs the Honda: owners call it buy once, cry once. The Westinghouse iGen2550 collects some early-failure and quality-control complaints from owners.
What it felt like. Our testers say the A-iPower fires on the first or second pull every single time, and that the PowerSmart is very easy to flood.
| Small Generator | What we found |
|---|---|
| Honda EU2200i | first or second pull, hot, cold or after months idle |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | owners: long LiFePO4 life |
| Yamaha EF2200iS | owners: first pull after months in a shed |
| WEN 56225i | fuel shutoff protects the carburetor |
| A-iPower SC2000i | first or second pull every time |
| WEN 3600 Dual Fuel | easy recoil on gas or propane |
| Champion 2500 Ultralight | struggles with heavy motor starts |
| Westinghouse iGen2800DFc | one pull on gas; extra pulls on propane |
| Westinghouse iGen2550 | owners: some early failures |
| PowerSmart 2500 | easy to flood; a kettle bogged it |
How loud is a small generator?
The quietest gas small generators we tested are the Honda EU2200i and the Yamaha EF2200iS at about 48 to 50 dBA at a quarter load, and the loudest is the PowerSmart 2500 at about 60.
Where we tested it. We read decibels with a UNI-T UT353 at 23 feet at about a quarter load, then noted the tone and what happened as the load climbed.
What separated them. The Honda led the gas units at about 48 dBA, the Yamaha read 48 to 50 beside it, and the Westinghouse iGen2550 and the WEN 56225i read about 52. The Champion and the A-iPower read about 53, and the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc about 55. The WEN 3600 sat near 58 dBA and the PowerSmart read 60. Load changed the order: the iGen2800DFc jumped into the mid-60s when a 15,000 BTU air conditioner kicked on, the PowerSmart climbed into the high 60s past half load, and the Champion got louder and buzzier than the Honda under medium and heavy loads. Our testers' Jackery 1000 Plus was silent, and owners say the v2 is quiet apart from fans on the one hour recharge.
What it felt like. The A-iPower hummed smoothly even at a 50% load, our testers say; the Champion's pitch was slightly rasper than the Honda's, and the PowerSmart clattered once it was pushed.
| Small Generator | What we found |
|---|---|
| Honda EU2200i | about 48 dBA at a quarter load |
| Yamaha EF2200iS | 48 to 50 dBA beside the Honda |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | owners: quiet; fans on the fast recharge |
| WEN 56225i | about 52 dBA |
| Westinghouse iGen2550 | about 52 dBA, smooth low note |
| Champion 2500 Ultralight | about 53 dBA, rasper under load |
| A-iPower SC2000i | about 53 dBA, smooth at half load |
| Westinghouse iGen2800DFc | about 55 dBA; mid-60s with the air conditioner |
| WEN 3600 Dual Fuel | about 58 dBA |
| PowerSmart 2500 | about 60 dBA; high 60s past half load |
How do you choose a small generator?
You choose a small generator by adding up what you want to run, checking the starting surge as well as the running watts, and then deciding how much noise and weight you will accept.
Start with the loads. Add the running watts of everything you will plug in at once, then check the starting surge of anything with a motor: refrigerators, freezers, pumps and air conditioners draw more to start than to run. The camp power calculator does the sums, and our what size generator for a camper guide covers air conditioners.
Pick the type next. An inverter generator gives clean power that's safe for laptops and a CPAP and runs quieter than an open-frame unit, and most of this page is inverter units. Dual fuel adds propane, which stores better than gasoline. A battery power station like the Jackery makes no noise or fumes but needs recharging.
Then check weight and noise. The gas units we weighed run from about 39 lb to 64 lb fuelled, and they read about 48 to 60 dBA at 23 feet at a quarter load, so decide whether you carry it alone and who will be sleeping near it.
Run any gas generator outdoors, away from windows, doors and tents, and never in a garage or a cabin. Carbon monoxide shutoff sensors help, but they are a backstop, not a plan.
What do people ask about small generators?
People ask which small generator to buy, how big it needs to be and how loud it is, and our test data answers each.
What is the best small generator?
The best small gas generator for most people is the Honda EU2200i, at 88 out of 100: about 48 dBA at a quarter load, first or second pull starts, and about 8.5 hours on 0.95 gallons at a quarter load. If you want quiet and can recharge, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is our top scorer, and on a budget the WEN 56225i is the pick.
What size generator do I need to run a refrigerator and freezer?
A 1,800 to 2,900 W unit ran refrigerators for our testers. The PowerSmart 2500 started a house refrigerator and ran a chest freezer in alternation, the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc kept two full-size refrigerators cold, and the WEN 3600 ran a fridge and a freezer; the PowerSmart bogged when an electric kettle was added. Compressors need more power to start than to run, so leave headroom, and use the camp power calculator to add up your kit.
What is the smallest generator you can buy?
The smallest generators are 1,000 W inverters such as the Honda EU1000i, which weighs about 29 lb. Our smallest generator guide ranks them, and everything on this page sits between roughly 1,500 and 2,900 running watts.
Can a small generator run an RV air conditioner?
Some can, with help. The Westinghouse iGen2800DFc started a 15,000 BTU air conditioner on gas and on propane, the Honda ran one with a Micro-Air SoftStart and the Yamaha needed an EasyStart for a 13,500 BTU unit. The 1,800 W units are limited, and the A-iPower ran only a small air conditioner on Eco mode with nothing else on. Our what size generator for a camper guide works through the sums.
Is a small generator quiet enough for a campsite?
Most are, at a quarter load. A small inverter generator reads about 48 to 60 dBA at 23 feet in our tests, from the Honda at about 48 to the PowerSmart at about 60, but load changes it: the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc went into the mid-60s with an air conditioner running. National parks set a limit of 60 dB(A) at 50 feet under 36 CFR 2.12, and sound falls off with distance.
What are the 10 best small generators?
The 10 best small generators are the ten ranked above, led on score by the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 and, among gas units, by the Honda EU2200i.
Buy the Honda EU2200i for a quiet gas backup that always starts, the WEN 56225i for the money, and the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc for a camper or a house on gas or propane. Pick the Yamaha EF2200iS for a CPAP, the Champion 2500 Ultralight for a trail or a dock, and the A-iPower SC2000i for tailgates. Choose the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 if you want quiet and can recharge.
Editor's Note, 31 October 2026: Rebuilt to our roundup layout. Our testers ran three new small generators, the A-iPower SC2000i, the Westinghouse iGen2800DFc and the PowerSmart 2500, and they replace the Pulsar PG2300iS, Generac GP2500i and GENMAX GM2000i, which we had no field notes for. The awards moved with them: the A-iPower takes Best Small Generator for Tailgating, the iGen2800DFc takes Best Small Generator for Home, the PowerSmart takes Best Cheap Small Generator, and the old camping, gas and home awards for the retired three are gone. The new picks' overall scores are the average of editors' marks drawn from the testers' notes. Noise marks for the Yamaha EF2200iS (10), Westinghouse iGen2550 (9), WEN 56225i (9), WEN 3600 (6) and Jackery (9) now follow the readings and each product's own review, and the Champion's output mark is 7. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 stays at #1 on owner reports; our testers ran its sibling, the Jackery 1000 Plus. We replaced the old buyer's guide, the closing summary and the round-up paragraph, which claimed we carried generators around two national parks. All other scores and rankings are unchanged.
Editor's Note, 22 October 2026: We corrected the Yamaha EF2200iS runtime wording. It was called the longest runtime on this page, but the Champion 2500 and Westinghouse iGen2550 list longer. It now gives the Yamaha's own figure, up to 10.5 hours at quarter load. Scores and rankings are unchanged.
Editor's Note, 20 October 2026: Re-ranked so the highest score comes first. Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station moves from #6 to #1; Honda EU2200i Inverter Generator moves from #1 to #2; WEN 56225i 2250-Watt Inverter Generator moves from #2 to #3; Yamaha EF2200iS Inverter Generator moves from #3 to #5; Champion 2500-Watt Ultralight Inverter Generator moves from #10 to #6; Westinghouse iGen2550 Inverter Generator moves from #5 to #7; Generac GP2500i Portable Inverter Generator moves from #7 to #9; GENMAX GM2000i Ultra-Quiet Inverter Generator moves from #9 to #10.
Editor's Note, 20 October 2026: Scores brought into line with our single review of each product, so every page shows one score: Yamaha EF2200iS 88 to 82, Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 86 to 89.
Editor's Note, 17 October 2026: We removed the star rating and review count we had copied from a retailer's page. The only ratings on this page are our own.
Editor's Note, 17 October 2026: Cleaned up leftovers from the September product swaps and the 2020 original. The intro now says 2026, the analysis tables name the WEN 3600 Dual Fuel in the slot the Champion 2500 Dual Fuel held, the closing recap matches the Final Verdict, and the wattage line no longer says every generator on the page sits between 1600 and 2200 watts. The WEN 3600 output power mark in the analysis table now matches its card, which makes it the leader on that table. Scores and rankings are unchanged.
Editor's Note, 11 October 2026: Our testers have now used the WEN 3600-Watt Dual Fuel. We added what they found and linked the full review. Scores and rankings are unchanged.
Editor's Note, 10 October 2026: We revised the Honda EU2200i's score from 92 to 88 so it is the same across all our generator guides. Our RV test at Lake Tahoe found it needs a soft starter to start a 15,000 BTU air conditioner at altitude, so we lowered its output and reliability marks a notch. It stays at #1, level with the Yamaha EF2200iS on 88.
Editor's Note, 4 October 2026: The WEN 2800 Dual Fuel that held Best Small Dual-Fuel is no longer available. WEN’s smallest current dual fuel inverter we could find, the 3600-Watt, replaces it. It is larger and we haven’t tested it; the write-up points to a smaller dual fuel option on this page.
Editor's Note, 29 September 2026: We replaced the test-team quotes on this roundup with what owners report on 8 of the 9 picks, and removed one that repeated the paragraph above it, because none of them came from our own testing.
Editor's Note, 27 September 2026: The Champion 2500-Watt Dual-Fuel at number 4 is no longer sold on Amazon. That slot now goes to the WEN 2800-Watt Dual Fuel, which we have not tested yet.
Our Testers
This guide was edited by Sean Williams and tested by our lead tester, Ryan Williams, John Palmer and the rest of our testing team.
- Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief. Sean built the team of researchers and testers behind our reviews and edits every guide. His rule: we say what we actually found.
- Ryan Williams, Lead Tester. Ryan leads our field tests and our generator and solar testing.
- John Palmer, Tester. John tests our generators alongside Ryan and ran the oscilloscope work; his own Honda EU2000i is on year 8.
