Although electricity was invented not so long ago, modernity cannot progress without it. Our daily lives completely rely on it. Whether it is cooking, bathing, entertainment, cleaning the house, heating the room or cooling the room, electricity must be thrown into the mix.
While almost all homes are supplied with electricity, sometimes there is a power outage. Yes, such factors as utility failures and extreme weather conditions can lead to an outage. And given how much we depend on electricity, this always threatens to cripple the economy and daily activities.
That’s why they need to own the best home standby generator cannot be overlooked. As its name suggests, a home standby generator is always on standby when there is power and during a power outage, it powers on automatically. This means when you have it, you will never be in the dark.
Besides, premium home standby generators have high wattages that enable them to supply major appliances, like fridges and electric ovens, with power. They can also supply AC and heating units with continuous power; making sure they keep working smoothly when the power goes out. In the reviews below, we have gathered the best 7 and discussed them comprehensively to make your work of choosing a suitable model a breeze.
7. Briggs & Stratton 40346 20000-Watt Standby Generator System
This standby generator system is a true reflection of a modern unit. It looks sleek and will make a decent impression anywhere you have placed it. What’s more, this generator system has more than features that enable it to deliver outstanding results.
One of these features is the Symphony II Power Management that orchestrates high-demand appliances, like an electric oven or central air conditioner, with lower-demand items to provide you with true whole-house power. Another feature is the automotive-style exhaust system that combines with sound dampening technology to ensure quiet, neighbor-friendly operation.
The unique airflow technology makes the generator system 50-percent quieter compared to other models. In a nutshell, this is a perfect standby generator for when you live in an apartment. It is totally safe to use and can be installed as close as 18 inches from home.
This is because it meets the requirements of the National Fire Protection Agency 37 standard. What’s more, this generator is backed by 5-year labor, parts and travel limited warranty. This customer-friendly warranty will give you peace of mind knowing that you are using a legit product that the manufacturer fully stands behind.
Highlights:
- 20,000 watts to provide enough power to as many appliances as possible
- The generator is propane-powered. Propane is readily available.
- Weighs 500 pounds; implying it is well made
- Dimensions are 48 by 34 by 31 inches
- The voltage of the generator is 120.29V
- Manufactured by Briggs & Stratton Power Products
6. Briggs & Stratton Home Standby Generator System (8000-watt)
This is a product of Briggs & Stratton as well. It is great for when you need a much smaller unit or if the appliances at home are not so many. It comes with 4-year parts, labor, and travel limited warranty, which is great, considering its fairly low price point.
Additionally, this home standby generator system comes equipped with a flexible weatherproof transfer switch that will give you a plug-and-play system to let you start to use it immediately you receive it. The 50amp transfer switch offers the essential power system, which, in turn, lets you cover the basics by powering on the chosen number of circuits.
Although this generator system is packed with plenty of power, it has a small footprint. And this means you will not find it tricky to install and set up in even the smallest places. The generator also has a commercial-grade Vanguard engine that allows it to provide plenty of power.
It such amazing features that make this generator one of the best on the market. Therefore, if you are looking for a smart and most reliable backup power solution, this model is for you. It is safe to use and well backed by one of the friendliest warranties for 100-percent user satisfaction.
Highlights:
- The wattage rating of the generator is 8,000 Watts
- Measures 28 by 24.4 by 35.1 inches for a compact design
- Weighs 252 pounds
- The voltage rating is 120.24V
- The generator is powered by propane
5. Generac 7029 9kW/8kW Air Cooled Home Standby Generator
The new Generac models were built to not just bail you out during a power outage but also to help you save money. Well, this air-cooled home standby generator is one of these models. Generac has a lot of confidence in it that they promise to back it up.
Needless to say, this is the kind of home standby generator you will buy with peace of mind knowing that in case of an issue, the manufacturer will be more than happy to assist. Generac stands behind it with a strong 5-year limited warranty, which is really cool.
But it’s not just the manufacturer’s promise that makes this air-cooled home standby generator a worthy investment. There are also other amazing features, which work together to make sure the user is fully satisfied with the results the generator delivers.
The True Power Technology is one of these features, and it delivers unrivaled power quality with less than 5-percent total harmonic distortion. Having said that, expect sensitive electronics and appliances to work smoothly without any issues. Also, there are user-friendly, smart controls that make the generator extremely easy to use. One of these user-friendly controls is the multilingual LCD display that will let you monitor battery status and even track the maintenance to keep the generator running smoothly all the time.
Highlights:
- Built in the USA
- Voltage rating is 120
- Weighs 399 pounds
- Measures 48 by 25 by 29 inches
- Backed by 24/7/365 customer support
4. Champion 12.5-kW Home Standby Generator with Automatic Transfer Switch
Champion Power Equipment is one of the leading manufacturers when it comes to producing power-generating equipment. It has years of experience in providing dependable and durable power products. Ideally, its products are designed and engineered in the US where, after production, they are shipped to North America and other parts of the world.
Champion Power Equipment was established to make the power that, in turn, makes your life much easier than ever before. With that said, expect this standby generator to provide you with power 24/7. It will give you peace of mind knowing that even when there is a power outage, you will not be left in the dark.
The generator starts automatically when the power goes off and returns to standby when power is restored. This means you need to get out of the house every time there is a power outage or every time power is restored.
Besides, this unit features a 24V starting system that operates in temperatures ranging from 22 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally, it does that without requiring a warming kit. Another good side of this generator is that it performs self-diagnostic tests on a weekly basis.
Highlights:
- 10-year limited warranty with free technical support
- Offers 12,500W of continuous power on propane
- Offers 11,000W of continuous power on natural gas
- No manual operation or extension cords required
- Operates at a residential-friendly 63dBA noise level
- Provides reliable power to your home during an outage
3. Briggs & Stratton 12kW Generator with Symphony II Transfer Switch (40531)
It is now evident that if you are looking for a top-notch generator, you should seriously consider a model by Briggs & Stratton. The company makes top-quality power-producing equipment and everyone knows that. Well, one of its products is this 40531 12kW Generator.
Like other Briggs & Stratton products in these reviews, the 40531 Standby Generator is packed with lots of features so it can perform as expected without any issues. It comes with a 100-amp automatic transfer switch that manages the load of 1 or 2 air conditioners and, at the same time, keeping household appliances powered and running.
Furthermore, this standby generator boasts a compact design; meaning it will not take up much space. But the small size should not fool you. Remember, we said earlier that the unit is loaded with numerous great features. Well, it is these features that enable it to deliver the desired results despite being compact and small.
In other words, this generator is the real definition of good things coming in small packages. Another thing we would like you to know is that the generator is 60-percent quieter than previous 12kW generators. It will not bother you while running.
Highlights:
- 5-year parts, labor, and travel warranty
- Can manage a home up to5500 sq. ft. with a 4-ton air conditioner
- Comes with a 200-amp automatic transfer switch
- Weighs 404 pounds and measures 39 by 33.5 by 44.8 inches
2. Generac 7043 22kW/19.5kW Home Standby Generator
Generac knows that our lives heavily depend on electricity. Such activities as cooling, heating, lighting, and even daily necessities, such as bathing, laundry, and cooking, all depend on electricity. For this reason, we hugely get inconvenienced every time there is a power outage. Well, this is where Generac comes in handy.
The company produces a wide range of power-generating items to make sure you are not inconvenienced at all. One of these items is the 7043 22kW/19.5kW Home Standby Generator. It has made it to this list because it has impressive features that enable it to provide impressive results.
It is equipped with the manufacturer’s G-Force Engine. The pressure-lubricated, purpose-built engine is more than capable of handling the rigors of generator use. Because of the engine, the generator is able to produce reliable power to make sure you are served well whenever there is an outage.
The engine also helps eliminate the need to maintain the generator every now and then. Another feature worth bringing to your attention is the tough all-aluminum enclosures. It works with Generac’s RhinoCoat powder-coated finish to stay resistant to corrosion and ideal for all weather conditions. With that said, expect this generator to stand the test of time.
Highlights:
- 5-year limited warranty
- Built in the US with domestic and foreign parts
- Battery not included – the Generac Battery 7043 5819 is Sold Separately
- Easy to install, maintain, and service
- True Power Technology
- Has a 200-amp NEMA 3 whole house smart transfer switch
Related: Best Single Stage Snow Blower
1. Kohler 20,000-Watt 20RESCL-200SELS Standby Generator
Power outages can be caused by several factors, including utility failure and severe storm. But we believe that the last thing you want in your daily life is a power outage. You do not care what causes it – you just don’t want it.
Well, this is where the Kohler 20RESCL-200SELS Standby Generator comes into play. It is like any other Kohler generator in the sense that it will keep your home or business running even when other people are in total darkness. Besides, this generator can be used during camping adventures or tailgating.
The generator should be installed outside the building like an air-conditioning unit. Ideally, it should be wired into the fuel system and electrical panel so it can come on automatically during an outage. Well, this is really great because your appliances will keep on running even when you are not at home or you have already closed the shop.
Another exceptional thing about this generator is that it responds very fast. For instance, it automatically powers AC, sump pump, heater, and other major appliances (like fridges and ovens) in just 10 seconds. As if that’s not enough, the generator is able to do that at the same time.
Highlights:
- Backed by the manufacturer’s 5-year, 2,000-hour warranty
- Restores power in as little as 10 seconds
- Measures 48 by 26.2 by 29 inches
- Weighs 500 pounds
- Has a voltage rating of 240V
- Has a wattage rating of 20,000 Watts
- The generator is propane-powered
Conclusion
Investing in a home standby generator is a clever move. We have mentioned several times in this article that almost all the activities we do depend on electricity. But the electricity supplied to the public is not always reliable. Sometimes the power goes out when you are in the middle of important activity. However, you should not let this happen – not when the above home standby generators are on the market.