--- title: "The Best Standby Generators of 2026, Picks from Our Editors" description: "When the rest of the neighborhood is left in the dark, the best standby generator ensures you can keep your lights on. See top picks here." date: "2026-08-07" modified: "2026-08-07" authors: - name: "Timothy Dale" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/timothy-dale/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/best-standby-generators/" categories: - "Backup Generators" - "Energy & Power" - "Exterior" - "Generators" - "Major Systems" - "Reviews" tags: - "Commerce" - "MPR" --- # The Best Standby Generators of 2026, Picks from Our Editors ![One of the Best Standby Generator Options installed outside a home]() *Photo: The Home Depot* The purpose of a standby [generator]() is to provide power to appliances, electronic devices, and lighting in a house in the event of an outage. As semipermanent fixtures, they have a line that runs directly to your home’s electrical system, ensuring the restoration of power in mere minutes. If power outages are a regular occurrence or a significant concern for you and your family, investing in a standby generator is a good idea. After researching dozens of popular options, we chose the [Generac Guardian Home Backup Generator]() as our top pick for its dual-fuel functionality, ample power, and reasonable price. It, and the rest of the models we recommend, are a great place to start your search for the best standby generator for your home. ## - **Top pick: Generac Guardian.** Offers dual-fuel functionality, ample power, and affordability, producing up to 22,000 watts. - **EcoFlow Delta Pro for budget-conscious buyers.** Portable, silent, and expandable, ideal for smaller households. - **Kohler Standby Generator for reliability.** Features automatic transfer switch and fuel flexibility with up to 14k watts. - **Champion aXis excels in cold climates.** Provides 14,000 watts and operates automatically in extreme temperatures. **Bottom line:** Explore our top standby generator picks for reliable power during outages, catering to various needs and budgets. 1. **BEST OVERALL:** [Generac Guardian Home Backup Generator]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#generac-guardian-home-backup-generator>) 2. **BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:** [EcoFlow Delta Pro Portable Power Station]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#ecoflow-delta-pro-portable-power-station>) 3. **BEST DUAL-FUEL:** [Kohler Standby Generator w/ Automatic Transfer Switch]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#kohler-standby-generator-automatic-transfer-switch>) 4. **BEST FOR COLD WEATHER:** [Champion aXis Home Standby Generator]() [↓ *Jump to Review*](<#champion-axis-home-standby-generator>) ![The Best Standby Generator Options]() *Photo: Walmart Photo: walmart.com* ## Standby Generators Comparison | **Product** | **Fuel source** | **Running watts** | **Dimensions** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [**Generac Guardian Home Backup Generator**]() | Liquid propane and natural gas | 22,000 watts propane or 19,500 watts natural gas | 48 inches long by 25 inches wide by 29 inches high | | [**EcoFlow Delta Pro Portable Power Station**]() | Electric | 3,600 watts | 25 inches long by 11.2 inches wide by 16.4 inches high | | [**Kohler Standby Generator w/ Automatic Transfer Switch**]() | Liquid propane or natural gas | 14,000 watts propane or 12,000 watts natural gas | 47 inches long by 26.2 inches wide by 32.2 inches high | | [**Champion aXis Home Standby Generator**]() | Natural gas and liquid propane | 14,000 watts propane or 12,500 watts natural gas | 49 inches long by 28 inches wide by 28 inches high | ## Our Top Picks This list of top products was selected based on the [important criteria]() mentioned above. Each considers power needs and type, fuel source, installation requirement, transfer switch features, and overall quality to help you find the best standby generator. Read on to learn how to keep the lights on when the power goes out. Generac is known for producing a wide range of quality standby generators, and the Generac Guardian standby generator blends affordability, substantial power, and an automatic transfer switch to provide you with a reliable product that meets most needs. While a majority of homes only needs 5,000 watts for essential appliances, this standby generator can produce up to 22,000 running watts, ensuring that the whole home has power, not just the essentials. The standby generator is a dual-fuel product that can operate on both liquid propane (22,000 running watts) and natural gas (19,500 running watts). It can also connect remotely through Wi-Fi, so you can get regular updates on the status of the system. The generator also has exterior system-status lights to keep you informed of maintenance needs. **Get the Generac Guardian home backup generator at** [**Amazon**]()**.** While not precisely a full-fledged standby generator, this portable power station from EcoFlow may do the trick for smaller households. Its attractive price point may also be an ideal option for shoppers looking to have backup power without making a major investment in a larger standby generator. Unlike fuel generators, this home battery runs silently, so there are no loud noises or fumes to worry about. At a modest 3,600-watt AC output, this is certainly not the punchiest generator on our list. However, note that the EcoFlow can be expanded to pair several units together to achieve up to 25,000 watts of power—more than enough to power most heavy-duty devices. This backup power kit comes with the compact unit, a transfer switch, and a power cord. Should the home lose power, simply plug in devices and keep the lights on during the outage. When not in use, the EcoFlow can be charged via multiple charging methods, including AC, car charge ports, and solar, which can be a lifeline during extended outages with limited fuel availability. **Get the EcoFlow standby generator at** [**Amazon**]()**,** [**Lowe’s**]()**,** [**The Home Depot**]()**,** [**B&H**]()**,** [**Cabela’s**]()**, or** [**EcoFlow**]()**.** The Kohler Standby Generator is a reliable backup power solution for shoppers looking to keep the lights on in a pinch. Engineered to deliver exceptional performance, this generator ensures your peace of mind during power outages. Equipped with an automatic transfer switch, it seamlessly activates within seconds, automatically providing uninterrupted power to your home or business. Designed for versatility and from a highly respected [generator brand](), this Kohler model offers fuel flexibility, capable of running on either liquid propane or natural gas. This allows you to choose the option that suits your needs and availability. With a robust 14k-watt capacity using liquid propane, or 12k-watt on natural gas, this generator has ample power to support essential appliances and electronics, ensuring your comfort and security are maintained even during prolonged blackouts. Crafted with Kohler's renowned durability and reliability, this standby generator is built to last. Its advanced features, combined with a user-friendly interface, make it easy to operate and monitor. **Get the Kohler standby generator at** [**Lowe’s**]()**,** [**The Home Depot**]()**,** [**Nationwide Generators**]()**, or** [**Brags + Hayes**]()**.** The Champion aXis pumps out an impressive 14,000 watts of power and operates using a fully automatic system to manage regular household power loads even in extremely cold temperatures. This is an ideal purchase for shoppers in cooler climates looking to invest in a backup power system during an outage. This versatile system can run on either natural gas or liquid propane and will start automatically when household power goes out. It also turns itself off once regular power is restored so that it won’t waste any fuel by overlapping power coverage. This durable unit is built to operate within temperatures from -22 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. **Get the Champion standby generator at** [**Amazon**]() **or** [**Nationwide Generators**]()**.** ## [Jump to Our Top Picks](<#recap>) ## How We Chose the Best Standby Generators Trying to choose the best whole-house generator from the wide range of available products isn’t an easy task. We conducted extensive research into over 30 of the [best generators]() to assemble this list of the top standby generators for your home. The key factors we considered during the selection process included wattage, fuel source, transfer switch, and physical dimensions. We chose low-wattage and high-wattage generators for this list to accommodate the power needs of both smaller and larger homes. Similarly, we gave preference to dual-fuel generators because having a generator that can run on more than one type of fuel in an emergency is always better. Typically, standby generators either come with a transfer switch or need one installed to transfer power to the home. Generators with automatic transfer switches make this process easier than relying on the user to switch the power manually. Standby generators with special features, like wireless monitoring or a liquid-cooled cooling system, were considered superior to similar products that lacked these features. ## What to Consider When Choosing a Standby Generator Don’t rush the decision when figuring out which standby generator would be the best for your home. Take some time to consider important features like your home's power needs, the generator's size in power output, and what type of fuel source would be the most suitable. With a better understanding of these features, you will be prepared to decide on the best standby generator for backup power. ### Power Needs and Size When deciding on the best standby generator to provide power to your home, first consider the home's power needs. Check the wattage on essential appliances, like the fridge, stove, freezer, and furnace. Add the wattage of all essential appliances together to find the total wattage necessary to run the home. A home’s typical minimum wattage needs generally fall between 5,000 and 7,500 watts, though finding a generator that can provide more than the minimum is advised. The [size of a generator]() refers to the electrical output—not physical size. Standby generators range from as low as 7,500 watts for small homes to over 50,000 watts for large homes, though most fall between 20,000 watts and 30,000 watts. The starting watts level refers to the electrical output when the generator first turns on. It’s usually about 2,000 watts higher than the running watts output, which is the rating given to the continuous electrical output the generator operates at. Always use the running watts rating when deciding on the best standby generator for your appliances because the starting watts rating isn’t a reliable measurement of the generator’s capabilities. ### Fuel Source There are several options to choose from when trying to figure out the best fuel source for a standby generator, including natural gas, liquid propane, diesel, and dual-fuel options. - **Natural gas (NG)** is a relatively common fuel source for standby generators. The semipermanent installation of these large devices prompts some users to connect the generator directly to their natural gas line so they never need to worry about refueling the generator. However, natural gas is the least efficient fuel source available, though these generators make up for the inefficiency with a comparatively clean exhaust output. - **Liquid propane (LP)** as a fuel source is the most commonly used option for standby generators. Propane is a clean-burning fuel that’s more efficient than natural gas, and generators that run on propane can either be tied into the home’s primary propane tank or have a separate tank specifically for the generator. - **Diesel** is a highly efficient fuel source that provides more power per gallon than both natural gas and liquid propane. However, diesel generators can be difficult to find. They also produce harmful exhaust fumes that may be a problem in a residential neighborhood depending on the yard's size, neighbors' proximity, and the presence of kids or pets. - **Dual fuel** is a feature many standby generator manufacturers offer. It allows the generator to function with either natural gas or liquid propane. Products with this option are a more versatile choice for users who aren’t sure which fuel is best. ### Transfer Switch A transfer switch connects the generator to the home’s main electrical panel, allowing you to switch or transfer between the utility’s power grid and the power produced by the generator. Some products have an automatic transfer switch that will monitor the incoming power to the house and automatically switch to generator power when it detects a power outage. This process typically takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute and ensures the home is never without electricity. Automatic transfer switches are a necessary feature to protect the home when you're not around. Another great feature is remote monitoring, which allows you to connect to the generator through Wi-Fi to get updates on the generator's function. This service notifies you when the generator kicks on to provide continuous power or if it is just turning on for a few minutes to recharge the starting battery. Remote monitoring lets you relax, knowing your home is protected from power outages. ### Additional Features Standby generator manufacturers have added various features to make their products more appealing and functional for users, including automatic starts, remote-start systems, system status lights, and corrosion-resistant enclosures. - **Automatic-start systems** monitor the home's electrical system, and if the power goes out, the system detects the outage, automatically starting the generator within about 1 minute. These systems also regularly run exercise cycles to keep the starting batteries charged. - **Remote-start systems** can be a push button, switch, or remote control that starts the standby generator without the user going to the transfer switch. Sometimes generators even offer remote start through mobile devices via compatible apps using Wi-Fi connectivity. - **System status lights** alert you to the need for maintenance, so you only need to look at the generator to stay updated on the current status. - **Corrosion-resistant enclosures** are typically made of a composite material or aluminum. These materials prevent rusting, corrosion, and damage from rain, sleet, high humidity, and salt, protecting the generator from harsh weather or ocean spray in coastal cities. ### Installation Installing a standby generator is significantly more involved than running a portable generator, so manufacturers often provide detailed installation instructions. Some companies may even offer prepackaged and prewired systems to help make the installation process easier. However, evaluating your knowledge before deciding to take on this project yourself is important. Are you comfortable connecting the generator directly to the home's electrical system? Do you need to expand the gas line? Have you received the proper permits for installing a standby generator according to the local and state code? If any of these tasks seem outside of your skill set, hiring a professional electrician to connect the wiring and a plumber or gas fitter to connect a natural gas or propane gas line to the home supply is advised. These professionals will know which permits you need, and they will have the experience necessary to install a standby generator. Proper installation helps ensure the generator is truly reliable in emergencies. ## FAQs Even after deciding on the best standby generator for your home, these complex machines can leave new users with a host of questions. Look below for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about standby generators to feel confident in your decision. ## Author Timothy Dale is a home improvement writer who has been in the industry for several years. In his work for BobVila.com, he has written a number of how-to articles related to yard maintenance, vehicle repair, and home renovation, not to mention a wide variety of buying guides and articles on DIY projects. He always ensures readers get the information they need to tackle their next project. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [Twitter]()