10 Best Whole House Generators Reviews 2021 – Top Picks & Guide

1. Generac 7043 Whole House Generator - Best Overall Pick

The Generac 7043 is one of the larger air-cooled whole house generators on the market. The 22,000 watts of starting power and 19,000 watts of running power give you a powerful ally when the electricity goes down.

The 7043 is strong enough to cope even with extremely hostile conditions. Many users have reported that this home generator stood up well to hurricanes.

WiFi-enabled, you can monitor this standby generator from a distance using a smartphone app. You also can schedule maintenance via the app, as it gives you welcomed remote control.

The True Power tech in this home generator allows you to use even sensitive electronic devices with minimal interference or distortion.

2. A-iPower SUA12000E Whole House Generator - Best for the Money

While most inexpensive whole house generators are rather useless, the A-iPower is an exception to the rule. Although it’s at the lower end in terms of power, this unit will still keep your basic electrical appliances running in a small house if the power gets zapped.

Portable and on wheels, what you lose in capacity, you gain in maneuverability.

You can keep this generator running for nine hours or so at a 50-percent load before you need to top off the tank. Many users claim runtimes that far exceeding that, but nine hours is a safe bet.

If you need an emergency home generator and don’t want to spend thousands of dollars, the A-iPower is the best generator for the money.

3. Kohler 20RESCL-200SELS Whole House Generator - Premium Choice

This rugged home standby generator packs 20 kW of power, so you can keep everything you need running, even in a relatively large home.

If the power goes out, the Kohler should have it back in action within 10 seconds, according to the load. Not only do you get more than enough grunt for the whole house, but harmonic-distortion is so low that you can easily run all your sensitive devices – from laptops to HD smart televisions and CPAP machines.

A 200-amp automatic transfer switch comes included, and you also can monitor this generator online and opt-in for text alerts.

For people looking for smooth power delivery with higher loads in a unit runs a quiet operation, the Kohler 20RESCL-200SELS is our premium pick for the best home standby generator.

4. Generac 7178 Whole House Generator

The 7178 is another Generac Guardian Series model, this time packing 16,000W of power.

WiFi-enabled, you can take charge of this generator from a distance. Smartphone access that uses a free app is a bonus with this line of whole house generators.

As long as you have some idea what you’re doing, installation isn’t too tough. We say this because the instructions are less than comprehensive, so experience and intuition must step in to help. If you’re not too technically inclined, you might want to call for assistance.

Aside from the need for pretty rigorous maintenance, there’s little else to knock about this powerful, standby generator.

5. Briggs & Stratton 40637 Whole-House Generator

If you have a mid- or large-sized home, you need a generator that has enough backup power to keep you safe, comfortable, and entertained when the lights go out. This 20,000W beast is the home standby generator for the job.

As you’d expect from a unit this size, you can expect a bit of noise in operation. But installation is seamless, except that you might want to call an electrician to hook it up to 240V.        

The remote control is a nice touch and completes a smart package if you’re looking for an all-in standby generator built to last.

6. Generac 7175 Whole-House Generator

This standby generator from Generac comes with s smart switch, so you’ll enjoy robust whole house protection if the power dies.

The proprietary G-Force engine kicks out plenty of power without calling for much in the way of TLC. You’ll enjoy consistent, smooth power delivery with minimal maintenance.

As well as being a first-class generator, buyers benefit from terrific customer service if they run into any snags. Plus, all Generac home standby generators are built and engineered in the U.S. Throw in its class-leading guarantee, and you’ve got a winning package.

7. Generac 5734 GP15000E Whole-House Generator

The Generac 5734 GP1000E proves that you don’t need a huge generator to pack a serious punch on the power front. One of the larger portable generators, its 15,000W of running power is more than enough for a whole house electrical backup.

The cavernous fuel tank lends itself to an exceptional runtime of ten hours or more. Fuel capacity is a tremendous 16 gallons, so you won’t have to top off the tank constantly.

As with all Generac products, be aware that the manufacturer has a reputation for poor customer care. When all is going well, you’ll be delighted you invested in a Generac. But if anything goes wrong, there’s a chance you’ll need to hire repairs or maintenance from a third party.

Overall, however, the 5734 is a versatile and potent portable generator, ideal for home backup power.

8. Westinghouse WPro8500 Whole-House Generator

The Westinghouse WPro8500 is another stellar portable generator that produces enough power for the whole house in the event of a power outage. While many resources suggest that standby generators are your only option, that’s not the case.

The 8,500W of continuous power from this powerhouse gives you enough grunt to keep the home appliances going in a medium-sized house throughout a lengthy storm. If you live somewhere with a volatile climate, this can get you prepared for the next hit.

The Westinghouse can run for an exceptional 17 hours or more on a single tank of fuel. This is truly impressive.

With a neat remote control and powerhouse performance at a reasonable price-point, this is another excellent candidate for the best whole house generator.

9. Generac 7172 Whole House Generator

Next on the list in our whole house generator reviews is the 7172, another classic Generac model that packs a reasonable punch.

Best used in smaller homes, the 7172 is rated at 10,000W and comes with a transfer switch for whole house protection.

As with all the Guardian Series generators, you get the convenience of taking charge from afar, thanks to its handy smartphone app.

All you need to do is connect this highly capable generator to your natural gas or LP supply, and you're safeguarded in any kind of power outage.

10. Duromax XP10000E Whole House Generator

The Duromax is another powerful portable generator. If you’re resistant to the hassle and expense of installing a bulky standby generator, this is the perfect compromise.

The 16HP engine can run for nine or ten hours – depending on the load – before you have to fill the 9-gallon tank. If oil levels get low, its auto shut-off reduces the chance of any damage.

Unlike larger standby generators, maintenance is minimal with the Duromax. Installation, however, is not quite so simple, and the instructions are so lacking as to make things tough. You might consider calling in a professional to sidestep this aggravation.

CARB-compliant and approved for use throughout the United States, the Duromax XP10000E is a strong contender for the perfect whole-house generator.

Final Verdict: Our Overall Winner

Generac 7043

Our overall pick for the best whole house generator is the Generac 7043. Rated at 22,000W, having this powerhouse weapon in your armory will restore your power within seconds of a power outage.

A transfer switch comes included, and you have online remote access.

For smooth power delivery with virtually no harmonic distortion, the Generac delivers across the board. If you choose this generator, you’ll never be caught without power during a storm again.

Buyer’s Guide: Which Whole House Generator Suits Your Needs?

The Noise Factor

While you might imagine that whole house generators would be noisier than a portable model, that’s typically not the case. Standby generators tend to be better insulated and more efficient.

Watch out for the decibel ratings that the manufacturer quotes. These often are measured at a distance of 25 feet. Up close, these things can get a little noisy.

Harmonic Distortion

The energy that whole-home generators kick out is not the same as you get from the grid.

When generators produce electricity, the harmonic distortion can adversely affect some sensitive electronics, including laptops. In the worst-case scenario, it can damage the devices.

Look for a generator with a low harmonic-distortion rating – of 5 percent or less – if you plan to run that type of power equipment.

Size Matters

This part is simple.

Make a list of the items and appliances you would want to be powered in the event of an electrical outage and add up the wattage ratings they require. If the device is rated only in amps, multiply this number by 120 to get the wattage.

Add a safety buffer of 10 percent to 15 percent, and you’ll have a clear idea of what size generator you need.

If you take all of these aforementioned factors into consideration, you’ll have an easier time knowing which type of generator makes the most sense for your specific needs.

Now, we’re ready to move on to our whole house generator reviews, so you can get prepared for the next time a lightning storm or hurricane whistles through town.

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