DuroStar DS13000MXT
#1 in LargeFull review
A budget large tri-fuel generator for homes with a natural gas line that want whole-house backup through a 50 A transfer switch, trading some build quality for a much lower price.
Amazon $999$999
An open-frame portable generator is the cheapest way to keep a house running through an outage: a 9,000-watt model costs about what a 4,000-watt inverter generator does, and with a 240 V outlet and a transfer switch or inlet box it can run a well pump, a furnace, a fridge and most of a house’s circuits. The trade-off is noise, fuel use at light load and power that’s less clean than an inverter’s, so it’s built for home backup and job sites rather than campgrounds. 39 of the 51 generators here can also run on propane, 40 have a 240 V outlet for a transfer switch, and 45 shut themselves off when carbon monoxide builds up.
Each size is ranked separately. Prices run from $349 to $5,999. Run time and output are the makers’ ratings.
Never run a generator indoors, in a garage or near an open window, even with a CO shutoff, and connect it to a house only through a transfer switch or an interlocked inlet.
Top Picks
WEN DF8000X
#1 in Mid-sizeFull review
A mid-size dual-fuel generator for RV owners and homes with a 30 A transfer switch who want CO shutoff and electric start at a low price.
Amazon $623.17$623.17
Shop by Size
Small
12 rankedUnder 5,000 running watts: a fridge, a freezer, lights and a sump pump in an outage, or tools on a job site.
Top rated: DuroMax XP5500HX $599
Mid-size
14 ranked5,000 to 8,999 running watts: the essentials of a house through a transfer switch, including a well pump or a gas furnace.
Top rated: WEN DF8000X $623.17
Large
25 ranked9,000 running watts and up: most of a house through a transfer switch, often with a central air conditioner or an electric water heater.
Top rated: DuroStar DS13000MXT $999
Narrow It Down
By budget
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.
Best Small Portable Generators
- DuroMax XP5500HX#1 of 12Full review
A small dual-fuel generator for keeping a fridge, freezer, sump pump and lights going through a transfer switch, with remote start and a five-year warranty.
Amazon $599$5994,5009Dual$0.13 - Champion 5000-Watt Tri Fuel#2 of 12Full review
A small tri-fuel generator for a house with a natural gas line or an RV owner who wants fuel options. It powers a fridge, sump pump and lights, but not 240 V loads.
Amazon $688.04$688.044,00014Tri$0.17 - Champion 3650-Watt Dual Fuel#3 of 12Full review
A small dual-fuel generator for a 30 A RV or a few essentials in an outage, for buyers who want electric start, propane and CO shutoff at a low price.
Amazon $599.99$599.993,65014Dual$0.16 - Westinghouse WGen3600DFc#4 of 12Full review
A small dual-fuel generator with remote start for an RV or for a fridge, lights and a sump pump in an outage. Worth the step up from the pull-start WGen3600DFcv if you want to start it from indoors.
Amazon $499$4993,60010.5Dual$0.14 - Champion 4750-Watt Dual Fuel CARB#5 of 12Full 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
Best Mid-Size Portable Generators
- WEN DF8000X#1 of 14Full review
A mid-size dual-fuel generator for RV owners and homes with a 30 A transfer switch who want CO shutoff and electric start at a low price.
Amazon $623.17$623.176,50010.5Dual$0.10 - Champion 8125-Watt Tri Fuel#2 of 14Full review
A mid-size tri-fuel generator for homes with a natural gas line and a transfer switch. It covers a furnace, well pump and fridge with fuel that never runs out.
Amazon $999$9996,50012Tri$0.15 - Westinghouse WGen5300DFc#3 of 14Full review
A mid-size dual-fuel generator with remote start and a 240 V outlet for a transfer switch. Good for home backup of the essentials, as long as it can stay put or be carried by two people.
Amazon $649$6495,30011Dual$0.12 - Champion 9375-Watt Dual Fuel#4 of 14Full review
A mid-size dual-fuel generator for running most of a home’s essentials through a transfer switch at a low price per watt.
Amazon $874.99$874.997,50010Dual$0.12 - Westinghouse WGen5300DFcv#5 of 14Full review
A mid-size dual-fuel generator that can run a fridge, furnace and well pump through a transfer switch. Best for buyers who want 240 V home backup at a low price and don’t mind a pull start.
Amazon $579$5795,30011Dual$0.11
Best Large Portable Generators
- DuroStar DS13000MXT#1 of 25Full review
A budget large tri-fuel generator for homes with a natural gas line that want whole-house backup through a 50 A transfer switch, trading some build quality for a much lower price.
Amazon $999$99910,5008.5Tri$0.10 - Westinghouse WGen10500TFc#2 of 25Full review
A large tri-fuel generator that can run most of a house through a transfer switch on gasoline, propane or a natural gas line. Best for homeowners with a gas line who want long outages covered without refueling.
Amazon $1,249$1,24910,5009.5Tri$0.12 - DuroStar DS13000MX#3 of 25Full review
A budget large dual-fuel generator for whole-house backup through a 50 A transfer switch, trading some build quality for a much lower price.
Amazon $899$89910,5008.5Dual$0.09 - Generac GP9500E Tri Fuel#4 of 25Full review
A large tri-fuel generator for whole-home backup through a transfer switch, best for homes with a natural gas line. It is one of the cheapest ways to get 9,500 W and three fuels.
Amazon $1,169$1,1699,5009.5Tri$0.12 - Westinghouse WGen10500DFc#5 of 25Full review
A large dual-fuel generator for whole-home backup through a 50 A transfer switch, with remote start and CO shutoff. Good value per watt for homeowners who can do without natural gas.
Amazon $1,099$1,09910,5009.5Dual$0.10
How We Rank
Each generator is scored on its price per running watt, its run time on a tank, the fuels it burns, whether it has a 240 V outlet for a transfer switch, whether it has a carbon monoxide shutoff, its warranty and how it starts.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per running watt | 30% |
| Run time | hours on a tank at 50% load | 15% |
| Fuel options | gasoline, propane and natural gas | 15% |
| Home hookup | 240 V outlet for a transfer switch | 15% |
| CO safety | carbon monoxide shutoff | 10% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 10% |
| Starting | electric or remote start | 5% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.