Top 20 Best-Selling Home Backup Generators (Last 10 Years)

by Leslie Dunphy

Standby Generators (Whole-House Backup)

Standby generators are permanently installed outside your home. They turn on automatically during an outage to power the whole house (popularmechanics.com). Most run on natural gas or propane, so they hook up to your home’s fuel supply (no refueling needed). These are big units with lots of power for multiple appliances. Below are the best-selling standby models, grouped by fuel type.

Natural Gas & Propane Standby Generators

1. Generac Guardian 22kW (Natural Gas/Propane)

This is the #1 best-selling home standby generator in America (news.norwall.com). It provides 22,000 watts of power – enough for an entire medium-to-large home. It runs on natural gas or propane and comes with an automatic transfer switch for seamless power backup. Generac is the market leader with over 70% of the home standby market (morningstar.com), so many families trust this generator to keep their homes running during outages (news.norwall.com).

2. Kohler 20kW (Natural Gas/Propane)

A heavy-duty 20,000-watt home standby unit from Kohler. Kohler is known for quality and reliability, with a long history in generators (aagenpro.com). This whole-house generator starts automatically within seconds of an outage and can run on your home’s natural gas or propane supply. Owners find the Kohler standby highly reliable and always ready when needed (homedepot.com). Its strong engine and sound-dampening design make it powerful but quieter than many other brands (aagenpro.com aagenpro.com).

3. Briggs & Stratton 26kW (Natural Gas/Propane)

A 26,000-watt standby generator from Briggs & Stratton, a respected American engine brand. Briggs & Stratton is one of the top companies in home standby power (ranked among the top 5 players along with Generac, Cummins, etc.) (gminsights.com). This generator can power most or all home circuits, including large appliances. It runs on natural gas or propane and features an automatic transfer switch. Homeowners appreciate its dependable engine (based on Briggs’s commercial engine line) and solid support network. It’s designed to keep the heat, AC, fridge, and lights on during storms or emergencies.

4. Cummins QuietConnect 20kW (Natural Gas/Propane)

A 20,000-watt home standby unit from Cummins (Onan), a company known for heavy-duty engines (popular in RVs and commercial generators). Cummins is also a top standby generator brand alongside Generac and Kohler (garagejournal.com). The QuietConnect series is designed to be extra quiet and smooth when running, so it won’t disturb neighbors. It uses natural gas or propane and kicks in automatically when the grid power fails. Cummins standby generators are praised for their build quality and long-lasting performance, giving homeowners peace of mind in outages. Many consider Cummins a gold-standard brand for backup power, trusted in hospitals and telecom as well as homes.

5. Champion 12.5kW (Propane/Natural Gas)

A 12,500-watt home standby generator by Champion Power Equipment. This unit is smaller in output (good for essential circuits or smaller homes) but very budget-friendly. It runs on propane or natural gas and includes an automatic 100A transfer switch. Despite the lower price, it earned high praise – Consumer Reports found that Champion standby generators supply steady, reliable power, earning an excellent performance rating (farmandfleet.com). Users like its quiet operation and 10-year warranty, and they note it’s easier/cheaper to install than some competitors (reddit.com). This Champion generator is a great value choice to keep key home systems running (fridge, furnace, etc.) in an outage.

(Note: Standby generators above are all air-cooled units running on home gas fuels. Diesel standby generators exist too (often liquid-cooled, used off-grid or for large homes). However, diesel standbys are less common for typical residential use, so the list focuses on the popular NG/propane models.)

Portable Generators (Emergency & Mobile Backup)

Portable generators are smaller units you can move around. They do not turn on automatically – you start them manually (often with a pull cord or electric start) when needed (popularmechanics.com). Portables are great for emergency home backup, as well as for RVs, camping, or job sites. You can plug appliances directly or hook them to a transfer switch for home circuits. Below we group the top-selling portable models by fuel type.

Gasoline Portable Generators

6. Honda EU2200i (Gas Inverter, 2200W)

A super-quiet 2,200 watt inverter generator from Honda. This model (and its predecessor EU2000i) is Honda’s best-selling generator of all time (honda.com), thanks to its reliability and portability. It’s small (under 50 lbs) and ideal for running a fridge, lights, fans, or a TV during an outage. Campers and RV owners love it too for its quiet engine. The EU2200i runs on gasoline and can operate about 8+ hours on a tank at partial load. Honda’s reputation is top-notch – these generators are known to start easily and last for many years of use (honda.com, bobistheoilguy.com). Popular Mechanics even rates the Honda EU2200i as one of the best overall portable generators available (popularmechanics.com).

7. Honda EU3000iS (Gas Inverter, 3000W)

A 3,000 watt inverter generator from Honda, famous for quiet operation. It’s bigger than the EU2200i and includes electric start, making it popular for home backup and RV air conditioners. This generator is very quiet (57 dB at rated load) – as quiet as a normal conversation. Owners say the Honda EU3000iS is reliable and quiet, an ideal power solution for home emergencies and outdoor use (homedepot.com). It can run most fridges, sump pumps, and even central furnace fans to keep a home safe in a blackout. With a full tank of gas it can run up to ~20 hours at 25% load (homedepot.com). Honda’s build quality means this unit often runs trouble-free for years with basic maintenance.

8. Yamaha EF2200iS (Gas Inverter, 2200W)

A 2,200 watt inverter generator from Yamaha, another trusted Japanese brand. It’s a direct competitor to the Honda EU2200i, offering clean, stable power for sensitive electronics. The Yamaha EF2200iS is very quiet and fuel-efficient, making it great for camping, tailgating, and small home backup needs. Users rate this generator almost 5 stars out of 5 for its solid performance (judge.me). It’s easy to start and has an LED display for fuel level and power output. With Yamaha’s long-standing reputation, this unit is known to be durable and long-lasting. Many RV owners pair two of these in parallel to run larger loads like AC units, appreciating the Yamaha’s quiet engine and reliability.

9. Generac GP6500 (Gas, 6500W)

A 6,500 watt portable generator from Generac’s GP series. This is a classic gasoline generator often used for home backup or construction. It provides enough power to run a few big appliances (refrigerator, sump pump, and some lights, for example) at the same time. The Generac GP6500 has a sturdy frame, wheels, and a 389cc OHV engine. It’s a popular seller at hardware stores, with an average 4.5★/5 rating from hundreds of owners (generac.com). People like its reliable starting and strong output. It is louder and heavier than inverter models (common for open-frame generators), but it delivers a lot of wattage for the cost. Many homeowners keep a GP6500 or similar in the garage for storm season, trusting the Generac name (which leads in standby units) for their portable backup as well.

10. Predator 3500 Inverter (Gas, 3000W)

A 3,500 watt (peak) inverter generator sold by Harbor Freight (Predator is their brand). The Predator 3500 has become extremely popular in recent years as a budget alternative to Honda. In fact, Harbor Freight has stated that the Predator 3500 is their best-selling generator model (tiktok.com). It’s easy to see why: this unit is relatively quiet, produces a stable sine wave (safe for electronics), and costs much less than premium brands. With ~3,000 watts continuous output, it can power a fridge, some lights, and a TV or a small AC. RV owners find that it can run a 13,500 BTU camper air conditioner (with an easy-start device). The Predator 3500 is known for great value – lots of power for the price – and many reviews praise its performance after long use. It’s heavier (~110 lbs) but has wheels and a handle for moving. For many families, the Predator 3500 provides affordable peace of mind in outages (youtube.com).

11. Predator 8750 (Gas, 7000W)

A 7,000 watt (continuous, 8,750W peak) open-frame generator by Predator. This is a conventional (non-inverter) generator that’s all about raw power. It’s one of the most powerful Predator models, and a top seller for those needing serious wattage on a budget. With 7kW, the Predator 8750 can run multiple major appliances – for example, a fridge, a freezer, some lights, and a portable AC or well pump simultaneously. It’s popular for whole-home emergency use if you manage loads (though it won’t quite run everything at once in a large house). This generator has a big 420cc engine, so it is loud (~76 dB) and drinks more fuel, but it’s built to handle heavy loads. Users often comment that the Predator’s performance is comparable to more expensive brands, keeping their homes powered through hurricanes and storms. It’s a bit of a beast (over 150 lbs), yet many feel the reliable power output in emergencies is well worth it.

12. WEN 56200i (Gas Inverter, 2000W)

A 2,000 watt inverter generator from WEN, known for its budget-friendly price. The WEN 56200i is often recommended as one of the best inexpensive inverter generators for small backup needs (reddit.com). It’s very compact and quiet (about 51 dB), perfect for running a few essentials like phone chargers, Wi-Fi router, laptop, a fan, or a small fridge. Many RV and camping enthusiasts use WEN inverters as a cheaper alternative to Honda/Yamaha and report good results. It has an ECO-mode to save fuel and can run ~9 hours on a one-gallon tank at quarter load (amazon.com). Reviews call the WEN 56200i “a solid choice… budget-friendly, performs well, and runs quietly” (reddit.com). For homeowners, it’s a great little emergency unit to keep phones charged, some lights on, and the fridge cool during shorter outages.

Dual-Fuel Portable Generators (Gasoline & Propane)

These generators can run on gasoline or propane, giving you flexibility. Using propane is great for long-term storage (propane can be stored indefinitely, unlike gas) (allprogenerators.com). Dual-fuel units are very popular now for home backup because you can hook up a BBQ propane tank if you run out of gas. Here are the top dual-fuel sellers:

13. Westinghouse WGen7500DF (Dual Fuel, 7500W)

A 7,500 watt (running) generator that runs on gas or propane. The WGen7500DF is a top-selling dual-fuel unit, with thousands of happy owners – it holds a 4.7★ average rating from over 6,000 reviews (westinghouse.com). This generator produces 9,500 starting watts (gasoline) which is enough to easily start big appliances. It’s a favorite for home backup: it can run refrigerators, freezers, well pumps, microwaves, and more. It even includes a remote electric start (you can start it with a key fob from inside the house). On a full gas tank (6.6 gal), it runs up to 11–14 hours (amazon.com); on propane, it runs a bit less. Users praise the WGen7500DF’s reliability and power – it’s often cited as “a reliable and powerful solution for backup power during outages” (homedepot.com). If you want a proven mid-sized dual fuel generator, this Westinghouse is a top pick.

14. Westinghouse WGen9500DF (Dual Fuel, 9500W)

A 9,500 watt (running) dual-fuel generator, one of the most powerful in its class. This model is ideal for whole-home backup on a portable scale – it can produce up to 12,500 watts peak (blog.givingassistant.org), which is enough to start central AC units or multiple large appliances at once. The WGen9500DF has a 457cc engine and is built tough (it weighs ~220 lbs, with wheel kit). It features electric start and a 50-amp outlet that can connect to a transfer switch inlet for home circuits. Westinghouse advertises this unit as a heavy-duty generator “ideal for home backup power” (blog.givingassistant.org). Owners love the convenience of dual fuel and report that it “has enough juice to operate major appliances…with a single cord hookup” (blog.givingassistant.org). In short, this is a powerhouse portable – giving you whole-house comfort (heat, cooling, water heater, etc.) when the grid is down, without the commitment of a permanent standby unit.

15. Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel (Gas/Propane)

A very popular 3,800 watt (running) dual-fuel generator from Champion. This size is great for emergency home use or RV use. It’s called “RV Ready” because it has a TT-30 outlet to plug an RV directly. Thousands of users have bought this generator for its versatility and value. One reviewer compared 10 different generators and said the Champion 3800 dual fuel “is the best value” of them all (farmandfleet.com). It can run a medium load of home essentials: for example, a fridge, a couple of lights, a TV, and a sump pump – or an RV air conditioner – around 3.8 kW total. On gasoline it runs about 9 hours at 50% load (6.0 gal tank), and on a 20 lb propane tank ~5 hours. It also has electric start. Champion’s dual-fuel line has a good reputation for easy start, user-friendly features, and good customer support. If you want a solid mid-range generator that can use propane, this Champion is a proven choice (farmandfleet.com).

16. Champion 3500-Watt Dual Fuel Inverter (Gas/Propane)

A 3,500 watt dual-fuel inverter generator from Champion. This model is very popular with RV owners and anyone who needs quieter operation. It’s basically an all-in-one RV power solution: 3,100W running (3,400W peak) – enough to start and run a 13.5k BTU RV air conditioner – and it can use gasoline or propane. It’s also one of the few inverter generators in this size that offer dual fuel. Users give the Champion 3400 dual fuel high marks for reliability and convenience. On propane it avoids carrying smelly gas on camping trips. One RV user says, “It does the job and is very quiet. I prefer propane to hauling a gas can” (mygrandrv.com). Another forum post praised its outstanding surge ability, good fuel efficiency, and excellent support, calling it a competitively priced unit (community.goodsam.com). In a home outage, this generator can quietly keep your fridge, laptop, fan, and phone chargers going for many hours. The electric start and dual fuel make it extremely easy to use in any situation.

17. DuroMax XP12000EH “The Beast” (Dual Fuel, 9500W)

A 12,000 watt starting, 9,500 watt running dual-fuel generator by DuroMax. Nicknamed “The Beast,” this is one of the largest dual-fuel portables available and has been a best-seller in the whole-home portable category (blog.givingassistant.org). It packs a 457cc engine and can run on gasoline or propane. At half load, it runs for ~8–9 hours on gas (8 gal tank) or up to 20 hours on a large propane source (blog.givingassistant.org). This genny has a 50A outlet, so you can feed a house transfer switch to power many circuits (it’s essentially a portable alternative to a home standby). It comes with an electric start and basic wheels (it’s heavy at ~230 lbs). The XP12000EH has huge output – owners report it runs entire home systems, from well pumps to multiple refrigerators, as long as you balance the load. It’s marketed as “best-selling DuroMax hybrid generator, delivering 12,000 watts through dual-fuel technology” (blog.givingassistant.org). Reviews often mention it provided lifesaving power through major hurricanes. If you need a single generator to back up most of your house and like the idea of using propane, “The Beast” is a proven solution with wide consumer trust (blog.givingassistant.org).

18. Westinghouse iGen4500DF Inverter (Dual Fuel, 3700W)

A 4,500 watt (peak) dual-fuel inverter generator from Westinghouse. This model is popular for those who want a bit more power than the 3000W class in a quiet package. The iGen4500DF can run at 3,700W continuous and has a remote start and digital display. It’s very quiet (~52 dB) for its size, so it’s great in neighborhoods or for RV parks. Running on gasoline, it can power larger appliances (like a home refrigerator plus some lights and devices, or an RV 15k BTU AC). On propane it has slightly less output (4050W peak). Customers describe the iGen4500DF as “reliable and powerful… excels in quiet operation and ease of use” (homedepot.com). Many love the convenience of starting it by push-button or remote. The LED data center on it shows fuel level, load, and run time, which users find helpful. Overall, this Westinghouse inverter hits a sweet spot for home backup: quiet, dual-fuel, and enough watts to cover the essentials comfortably.

Diesel Portable Generator

19. DuroStar DS7000Q (Diesel, 6500W)

A 6,500 watt diesel-powered portable generator. While gas and propane units dominate home use, the DS7000Q has been a surprise top seller in its niche (allprogenerators.com). It runs on diesel fuel and is an enclosed design, meaning it has a sound-attenuating casing for quieter operation (hence the “Q” for quiet). Diesel generators offer great fuel efficiency and the diesel can be stored longer than gasoline (diesel is more stable over time) (allprogenerators.com). This DuroStar is often chosen by those who want a more heavy-duty build – it uses a rugged 418cc engine and can run ~8 hours on its 3.8 gallon tank. It also has electric start. Reviews highlight its long run time and low noise for its size (allprogenerators.com). Farmers, off-grid cabin owners, and homeowners in remote areas (where keeping gasoline fresh is a challenge) appreciate this unit. It provides an alternative if you prefer diesel’s energy density and safer storage. While not as common as the gas/propane generators above, the DuroStar DS7000Q has proven itself a reliable workhorse and thus earned a place among the top-selling backup units.

Tri-Fuel Portable Generator

20. Champion 8000-Watt Tri-Fuel (Gas/Propane/Natural Gas)

A 8,000 watt (running) portable generator that can run on three fuel types: gasoline, propane, or natural gas. This Champion model 100416 is one of the first tri-fuel portables on the market, and it’s been very popular since its release. It gives you the ultimate flexibility – you can use regular gas, hook up a propane tank, or even connect to your home’s natural gas line. The generator comes “natural gas ready” with a hose kit included. On natural gas it supplies about 7,000 running watts (8750W start) (lowes.com), on gasoline 8kW (10kW start), and on propane roughly 7kW (8750W start). That’s plenty to back up critical loads or an RV. Users love that they never worry about fuel: during a long outage you can plug into the home’s gas pipe and run indefinitely. Champion’s tri-fuel is noted to be reliable and easy to operate, with a simple fuel selector dial (lowes.com). It includes CO Shield carbon monoxide auto-shutoff for safety. While a newer entry, it has quickly gained trust from consumers for its convenience and solid performance. This unit truly “gives you the ability to operate on 3 types of fuel” reliably (lowes.com), making it a standout choice in the portable generator market.

Conclusion

Choosing the right home backup generator depends on your needs. Standby generators are best for an all-automatic whole-house solution, running on your home’s gas line for hassle-free protection. Portable generators are great for versatility – you can use them for home emergencies, then take them camping or use them on a job site. Gasoline models are common, but dual-fuel (gas/propane) models offer extra security with fuel choice. Some even allow natural gas hookup for unlimited run time.

All the generators listed here have proven themselves over years as top sellers with strong customer reviews and trusted brand names. Whether you need to keep an entire house powered through a blackout or just want to run a few essentials and an RV, there’s a generator in this list that can do the job. With any of these popular models, you can feel more secure knowing you’ll have power when you need it most.

Sources

The information above is compiled from manufacturer data, expert reviews, and consumer feedback for each generator. Each product’s popularity and reputation are confirmed by multiple reliable sources – from market share reports and industry articles, to Consumer Reports findings and thousands of user ratings online. These citations attest to the widespread use and trustworthiness of the generators listed. Whether it’s Generac being the #1 standby brand or a Westinghouse dual-fuel unit with 4.7★ reviews from over 6,000 owners, you can be confident these models are truly among the top-selling and most reliable choices for home backup power.