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9 Best Whole House Generators - Top Rated 2022
When the power goes out, it can cause a host of issues. From trips and falls that can happen in the dark, the failure of essential appliances such as fridges and freezers, or the loss of ability to cook food, people can be left isolated and struggling to cope during a power outage.
Fortunately, there is a wide range of whole house generators available that can provide a backup power supply in the event of an emergency. While there are powerful units for large properties, there is also an affordable range of generators for those with more modest needs.
As one of the biggest names in the whole house generator market, it’s no surprise that Westinghouse has produced the best generator for their loyal customers. While they have incredible attention to safety, which is enhanced with their GFCI outlets, they also are environmentally friendly with their intelligent smart idle system.
This feature reduces the power outage when the generator is not currently powering appliances but is still switched on in case energy may be required in the near future.
So what really is the best whole house generator? Look no further than the Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator.
Table of Contents
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PROS
SPECS
Best Choice
Westinghouse WGen9500DF
PROS
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Dual fuel generator
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Portable with never-flat wheels
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Remote start key fob
SPECS
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457cc 4-Stroke OHV Engine
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Smart idle mode
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6.6-gallon fuel tank
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Built-in fuel gauge
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A-iPower SUA12000E
PROS
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Keyless one-touch push button
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9.5in Never-Flat wheels
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Built-in DC adapter
SPECS
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12,000 starting watts
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9,000 running watts
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459cc powerful engine
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GFCI-protected outlets
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Champion 100292
PROS
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Quiet
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No need to refuel
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Available in all 50 states
SPECS
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10-year warranty
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Stainless steel frame
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14,000W on Propane
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12,500W on Natural gas
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Generac 7043
PROS
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Aluminum enclosure
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Generac G-Force Engine
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Mobile link monitoring
SPECS
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200A NEMA 3 transfer switch
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LED indicator
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3 Removable sides
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True power technology
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Kohler 20RESCL-200SELS
PROS
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Air-cooling technology
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Automatic transfer switch
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Quiet operation
SPECS
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20,000-watt
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5-year Warranty
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100% corrosion-proof enclosure
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+/-1% voltage regulation
9 Best Whole House Generator Reviews
1. Westinghouse WGen9500DF Whole House Generator – Best Overall
With an extended run time of 17.5 hours, the Westinghouse WGen9500DF whole house generator is the perfect choice for customers concerned about losing power for a significant period.
The remote start key fob means you won’t have to go outside in the dark or freezing temperatures, while the never-flat wheels ensure you can move it to your preferred location before or after a power outage occurs.
Choose your favored fuel source, because this generator runs on both gasoline and propane for your convenience. The generous fuel tank ensures you can let it run for an extended period before needing to refill the tank.
Specs
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12500 peak watts
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457cc 4-stroke OHV engine
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6.6-gallon fuel tank
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Dual-fuel capability
Pros
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17.5-hour run time at quarter-load
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Operates on both gasoline and propane
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Portable with never-flat wheels
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Remote start key fob
Cons
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Heavy at 192 lbs.
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For such a large unit, the 3-year warranty seems too short
Who Should Get This?
For the best all-around whole house generator on the market, this must be your first choice. Reliable and portable, it’s ideal for your home power supply requirements.
2. A-iPower SUA12000E Whole House Generator – Best Portable
If you’re on a budget, you don’t need to compromise on the quality of your whole house generator. This offering from A-iPower has an intelligent design that gives you easy access to the control panel for simple operation.
Utilize the USB adapter for charging your cell phone or use the DC adapter cable to charge the battery. The GFCI-protected outlets also offer outstanding safeguarding from inclement weather conditions.
The run time for this 7.-gallon fuel tank is up to 9 hours at half-load. Although this is still an excellent choice, it has a noise output of 78dBA, so it is noisier than many rival models.
Specs
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GFCI-protected outlets
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DC charging cables included
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1 ¼” robust heavy-duty frame
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12000 starting watts
Pros
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Excellent performance at a great price
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Transportable on 9.5-inch wheels
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Easy access to control panel
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Can run 4-5 power tools simultaneously
Cons
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Some users have reported issues with charging the battery
Who Should Get This?
For customers on a budget, look no further than this well-priced generator. You can have confidence in your power supply, even at the low price.
3. Champion 100292 14KW Whole Home Generator – Best Natural Gas
Whole house generators last for many years, so it’s essential to consider what happens if something goes wrong. Champion is confident their units last for the long-term, and back it up with an outstanding 10-year warranty.
With less than 5% total harmonic distortion, it’s ideal for powering smaller devices such as laptops, while the 14kW output allows it to power more robust items such as air conditioners and ovens.
During installation, connect the unit to your main gas supply, and you won’t need to refuel your unit after each use. Available for purchase in every US state, it’s a solid choice of whole house generator.
Specs
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10-year warranty
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Less than 5% total harmonic distortion
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Easy installation on composite mounting pad
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Stainless steel frame for protection from the elements
Pros
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Very quiet for residential use
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No need to refuel because it connects to house’s natural gas supply
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Available in all 50 states
Cons
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No remote start feature
Who Should Get This?
Hopefully, you’ll never need to use your warranty, but if you do, the 10-year warranty from Champion is much longer than most rivals. This gives you peace of mind and confidence in your new generator.
4. Generac 7043 Whole House Generator
Generac has built a generator that is easy to install, utilizing removable door panels, an easy-to-use wiring technique, and a base pad that requires a low level of preparation for the installation area.
Using their renowned G-force engine, startup is always reliable, and the clear LCD panel ensures you can view the status of your generator even in the dark.
Use the mobile link monitoring feature to check your generator is ready for use, even if you’re away from your home. The NEMA 3 transfer switch intelligently transfers the most suitable amount of power to each device to promote efficient use of power.
Specs
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200-amp NEMA 3 transfer switch
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Generac G-Force engine for reliability
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Easy to read LCDs
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Quiet self-test mode
Pros
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Mobile remote link monitoring for status updates
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Backed by Generac Guardian series brand name
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Removable door panels for installation and maintenance
Cons
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Battery is not included
Who Should Get This?
Easy to install, and with clear displays and even mobile link monitoring, this unit is convenient to maintain. With this generator, you always know the status of your backup power supply.
5. Kohler 20RESCL-200SELS Air-Cooled Whole Home Generator
When the lights go out, you want to be sure your generator will kick in and provide power for your essential devices. Kohler has earned its reputation as one of the most reliable providers in the market.
Although this unit is relatively large, it provides energy within only 10 seconds of a sudden power outage. The air-cooling system stops the engine from overheating, even during extended use. With excellent voltage regulation, you can be reassured that your generator can provide the power you need during a short or extended outage.
Specs
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Dimensions: 48 x 26.2 x 29 inches
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Power delivery within 10 seconds of outage
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Heavy-duty engine for reliability
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+/-1% voltage regulation
Pros
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Trusted by hospitals and nuclear power plants
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Relatively quiet 66 dBA during weekly test
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Air-cooling technology prevents engine from overheating
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Automatic transfer switch for efficient energy distribution
Cons
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Weighs 500 lbs. and has a larger footprint than other models
Who Should Get This?
Kohler is one of the most reliable brands on the market. With the smart cooling technology, you can rest assured that your generator starts up and doesn’t overheat, even if you need to run it for several days.
6. Briggs & Stratton 40336 Whole House Generator
One aspect of whole house generators that’s easy to overlook is that they affect the appearance of your home. Briggs & Stratton has manufactured not only a highly effective generator but also an aesthetically appealing one.
The gray outer casing encloses a Symphony II power management system ensures your appliances receive the amount of power they require, without adding too much load for any individual appliance.
Install your generator just 18 inches from your home and feel reassured that it meets all required regulations relating to fire protection and safety.
Specs
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Intelligent Symphony II Power Management system
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Meets National Fire Protection Agency 37 standard
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Can install as close as 18 inches from your property
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5-year limited warranty
Pros
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Great looking generator if you value your generator’s appearance
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Can use 400 split amp transfer switch
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Uses reliable commercial-grade Vanguard engine
Cons
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20kW may be more power than many customers require
Who Should Get This?
For those requiring an extremely powerful generator with superior reliability, this Briggs & Stratton unit meets your expectations. This unit is perfect for large homes and multiple large appliances.
7. DuroMax XP12000EH Whole House Generator
With a generous 8.3-gallon fuel tank, this whole house generator from DuroMax can power your devices through the night. Using either propane or gasoline, the engine is powerful, yet efficient.
During periods of non-use, the smart system reduces the RPMs to save energy and to reduce the level of noise. The low oil shut-off protects your engine should you forget to refill the oil before the next use.
Despite the impressive range of features, the DuroMax XP12000EP is reasonably priced and can appeal to many customers who want value for their money.
Specs
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DuroMax MX2 technology for excellent power delivery
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Low oil shut-off for engine protection
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Idle control for eco-friendly operation
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EPA- and CARB-approved
Pros
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Reasonably priced for a powerful generator
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Portable for ease of transportation
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Dual-fuel capability
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Large 8.3-gallon fuel tank
Cons
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Users have reported it can be difficult to service if there is a fault
Who Should Get This?
Reducing the environmental impact of energy use is important to an increasing number of consumers. This eco-friendly generator from DuroMax is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to have power in an outage, without increasing their carbon footprint too much.
8. Generac 7037 16 Kw Air-Cooled Whole House Generator
As one of the latest models on the market, this whole house generator from Generac brings a host of advantages for customers. If you live in an area which suffers from low natural gas pressure or is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, this unit is ideal because it can still operate under those suboptimal conditions.
A multilingual display panel keeps you informed of the generator status, while the engine is also powerful enough to power a 5-ton generator should there be a fault with your electric supply.
Check in with your generator even when you’re away on a trip by utilizing the built-in mobile link capability.
Specs
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1600 kW of power
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Uses Generac OHVI Engine
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Multilingual LCD
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Mobile link capability
Pros
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UL, CUL, and EPA-approved for safety
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Can operate in areas with low natural gas pressure
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Can withstand wind speeds up to 150 mph
Cons
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An expensive investment
Who Should Get This?
If you live in an area that suffers from a low gas pressure system or hurricanes, then Generac has the generator you need. Robust and reliable, it can provide your power supply in an emergency.
9. DuroMax XP10000E Whole House Generator
With a runtime of 10.4 hours while at half-load, this whole house generator from DuroMax is capable of powering your appliances through the night following a loss of mains supply power. Built to last, the manufacturer has included all copper windings for excellent resistance to corrosion.
Surge arrest technology protects your engine from fluctuations in energy, which could cause overheating or damage. With a powerful output of 10000 starting watts and 8000 running watts, in conjunction with the multiple safety standard approvals, this unit can keep your household running and allow you to cook and stay entertained in the event of a blackout emergency. This is an excellent choice backed by a trusted brand name.
Specs
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Dimensions: 40 x 29 x 27.5 inches
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Weight: 249 pounds
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Utilizes durable all copper windings
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Surge arrest technology
Pros
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Air-cooled 16 HP OHV engine
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Uses 440cc DuroMax OHV Engine
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8.3-gallon fuel tank
Cons
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Assembly can be difficult
Who Should Get This?
Anyone who needs their energy supply to be both efficient and economical can’t go wrong with a Duromax whole house generator. Powerful and with a substantial fuel tank, you’ll have the power you need for your home during an outage.
Final Verdict
For a whole house generator that has an extended run time, is reliable, and uses technology to make operation convenient for you, Westinghouse makes the perfect generator for your home. With this unit, you have the option of propane or gas for your convenience. For durability and dependability, get the Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator.