A new gas generator can be sold in California only if its engine is certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which issues an Executive Order for each certified engine family. Makers sell these as “CARB compliant” or “50-state” models. The lists below are the generators we rank that are certified, each ranked against the others of its type and size, so a score here means the same as on the portable generator and inverter generator lists.
Some models come in a 49-state version and a California version with a different model number, so check the model number before you buy.
Prices were last checked October 28, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Inverter generators
Quieter generators with power clean enough for electronics, the usual choice for camping, RVs and lighter home backup. For whole-home backup through a transfer switch, the open-frame generators below give more watts for the money.
CARB-Compliant Inverter Generators: Small
- Generac GP2500i#1 of 1Full review
A small, easy-to-carry inverter for camping, tailgating and keeping a fridge and phones running in an outage. Buyers who want an RV outlet or electric start should look one size up.
Amazon $599 Amazon (50-state G0082511) $649$5992,200538$0.27
CARB-Compliant Inverter Generators: Mid-size
- Generac iQ3800 DF#1 of 7Full review
A dual-fuel mid-size inverter with long run time and electric start, suited to home essentials and jobsites. RV owners will need an L5-30 adapter for the 30 A outlet.
Amazon $849 Amazon (50-state G0089460) $939$8493,000-20$0.28 - Generac iQ5200 DF#2 of 7Full review
A dual-fuel inverter with enough surge for an RV air conditioner and long propane run time. A good fit for home essentials and 30 A campers willing to use an adapter.
Amazon $1,039.75 Amazon (50-state G0089470) $1,249$1,039.753,900-15$0.27 - Predator 5000 Super Quiet Dual Fuel#3 of 7Full review
A strong-value dual-fuel RV and home-backup generator with remote start and long run time. The short warranty is the main catch.
Harbor Freight $999.99 Harbor Freight (California 71424) $1,199.99$999.993,90060.518.2$0.26 - Champion 5500W Dual Fuel Open Frame CARB#4 of 7Full review
A dual-fuel open-frame inverter for California RV owners and campers who want clean power and propane on a budget. Too loud for quiet campgrounds.
Tractor Supply $799$7994,0007013$0.20 - Champion 5500W Open Frame CARB#5 of 7Full review
A gas-only open-frame inverter for California RV owners who want clean power for a 30 A RV at a low price per watt.
Amazon $699$6994,0007013$0.17 - WEN 56380i#6 of 7Full review
An RV-ready mid-size inverter with electric start at a modest price. It lacks CO shutoff, which newer models include.
Amazon $699.99$699.993,400578.5$0.21 - Honda EU3200i#7 of 7Full review
For RV owners who want a quiet, carry-able Honda that can start a rooftop air conditioner on its own. Shoppers who may want to parallel later should look elsewhere.
Amazon $2,799 Amazon (50-state EU3200IAC) $2,899 Camping World $2,399$2,3992,600548.6$0.92
CARB-Compliant Inverter Generators: Large
- Predator 9500 Super Quiet#1 of 3Full review
A low price per watt for whole-house backup through a transfer switch. Buy it in store, or budget for the freight charge, and consider an extended warranty.
Harbor Freight $1,999.99 Harbor Freight (California 72886) $1,999.99$1,999.997,6006718.5$0.26 - Honda EU7000iS#2 of 3Full review
For homeowners who want a quiet, fuel-injected 240V Honda for backup power and will pay a large premium for it. Cheaper dual-fuel inverters offer more watts for the money.
Amazon $4,899 Amazon (50-state EU7000ISNAC) $4,999$4,8995,5005216$0.89 - Champion 9000W Open Frame CARB#3 of 3Full review
A big open-frame inverter for California homes and 50 A RVs that need clean power through a transfer switch, when you can find it in stock.
AmazonNo price7,2507210.5-
Portable generators
Open-frame generators: the most watts for the money, for home backup through a transfer switch and for job sites.
CARB-Compliant Portable Generators: Small
- Champion 5000-Watt RV Ready CARB#1 of 6Full review
The cheapest way in this group for a California buyer to back up a few house circuits through a 240 V transfer switch. It also runs a 30 A RV.
Tractor Supply $499.99$499.994,00014Gas$0.12 - Champion 4750-Watt Dual Fuel CARB#2 of 6Full review
A small dual-fuel generator for RV owners and California buyers who need a CARB-compliant model. It covers a 30 A RV or a fridge and a few circuits in an outage.
Amazon $699$6993,80014Dual$0.18 - WEN DF475T#3 of 6Full review
A small, cheap dual-fuel generator for running a fridge, sump pump and lights through a 30 A transfer switch, if you can live without CO shutoff.
Amazon $464.99$464.993,80011Dual$0.12 - Champion 4550-Watt Dual Fuel CARB#4 of 6Full review
A low-cost dual-fuel generator for California buyers and RV owners who need a CARB-compliant model. It runs a 30 A RV or a fridge and a few circuits in an outage.
Tractor Supply $659.99$659.993,65014Dual$0.18 - A-iPower GXS5000#5 of 6Full review
A cheap small gas generator for outage essentials or an RV, with CO shutoff and California approval that many budget rivals lack.
Amazon $461.19$461.194,00015.2Gas$0.12 - Champion 4750-Watt RV Ready CARB#6 of 6Full review
A basic, low-cost gas generator for California buyers who need a CARB-compliant model for an RV or a few essentials in an outage.
Amazon $549$5493,80014Gas$0.14
CARB-Compliant Portable Generators: Mid-size
- Generac GP6700E Dual Fuel EFI#1 of 5Full review
A fuel-injected dual-fuel generator for backing up a home’s essentials through a 30 A transfer switch, and the GP6700E DF to buy in California. Elsewhere the carbureted GP6700E DF does the same job for less.
Amazon $1,159$1,1596,70013Dual$0.17 - Champion 10,000-Watt Dual Fuel CARB#2 of 5Full review
The largest CARB-compliant open-frame generator Champion sells, for California homes that want gas or propane backup through a transfer switch, or power for a 50 A RV.
No price8,00010Dual- - Generac GP8000E EFI#3 of 5Full review
A fuel-injected gasoline generator for backing up a home’s essentials through a 30 A transfer switch, and the GP8000E to buy in California. Elsewhere the carbureted GP8000E does the same job for less.
Amazon $1,299$1,2998,00012Gas$0.16 - Champion 7500-Watt CARB#4 of 5Full review
A mid-size gas generator for California homes that need a CARB-compliant unit to run essential circuits through a transfer switch.
Tractor Supply $929.99$929.996,00011Gas$0.15 - Generac GP5500E EFI#5 of 5Full review
A mid-size gasoline generator with fuel injection for buyers who want an easy start after months in storage, and the pick for California. Others get more watts per dollar.
Amazon $1,099$1,0995,50010.5Gas$0.20
CARB-Compliant Portable Generators: Large
- Generac GP9500E Tri Fuel EFI#1 of 3Full review
A large tri-fuel generator with fuel injection for whole-home backup, and the version to buy in California. Elsewhere the carbureted GP9500E does the same job for less.
Amazon $1,399$1,3999,50010.5Tri$0.15 - Pulsar G12KBN#2 of 3Full review
A large dual-fuel generator for feeding a 50 A transfer switch, and one of the few this size sold in California, though it lacks CO shutoff.
Amazon $929.99$929.999,50013Dual$0.10 - DuroMax XP15000HXT+#3 of 3Full review
A large fuel-injected tri-fuel generator for whole-house backup through a 50 A transfer switch, and one of the few this size that California buyers can get.
Amazon $3,499$3,49912,00010Tri$0.29
Check the model number
Some generators come in two versions that look the same: a 49-state model that can’t be sold new in California and a 50-state model that can. The 50-state version usually costs a little more, and a store outside California may ship you the other one. Before you buy, check that the model number on the listing is the CARB one:
- Honda EU3200i: the EU3200IAC is CARB certified; the EU3200IAN is 49-state.
- Honda EU7000iS: the EU7000ISNAC is CARB certified; the EU7000ISNAN is 49-state.
- Generac GP8000E EFI (G0089290) is the fuel-injected 50-state version of the carbureted Generac GP8000E, which is 49-state.
- Generac GP6700E Dual Fuel EFI (G0080601) is the fuel-injected 50-state version of the carbureted Generac GP6700E Dual Fuel, which is 49-state.
- Generac GP9500E Tri Fuel EFI (G0080610) is the fuel-injected 50-state version of the carbureted Generac GP9500E Tri Fuel, which is 49-state.
- Generac GP2500i: the G0082511 is the 50-state model; the G0082512 is 49-state.
- Generac iQ3800 DF: the G0089460 is the 50-state model; the G0089440 is 49-state.
- Generac iQ5200 DF: the G0089470 is the 50-state model; the G0089450 is 49-state.
- Predator 5000 Super Quiet Dual Fuel: Harbor Freight’s California compliant version is the fuel-injected 71424, sold in store; the 71367 is 49-state.
- Predator 9500 Super Quiet: Harbor Freight’s California compliant version is the 72886, sold in store; the 71365 is 49-state.
- DuroMax XP15000HXT+ is CARB certified; the DuroMax XP15000HXT without the plus is not.
- Champion sells its California models under their own model numbers, with CARB in the name (the Champion 4750-Watt Dual Fuel CARB is the 201393), and they rarely match a 49-state model exactly.
California’s rules for new gas generators
CARB’s 2021 amendments to its small off-road engine (SORE) regulations tighten the emission standards for new portable generator engines and then set them to zero from model year 2028, which in practice means battery or other zero-emission generators. Makers can use emission credits to keep certifying engines through 2032.
The rules apply to newly made engines, not to owners. CARB says they don’t ban gasoline equipment, and Californians may keep buying, selling, repairing and using certified gas generators for their useful life. Sources: CARB’s 2021 announcement and its 2026 authorization fact sheet.
Never run a generator indoors, in a garage or near an open window, even one with a CO shutoff.