10 Best Generators For Home 2025 in the United States

The Generac Guardian 22kW Home Standby Generator is a strong choice for homeowners looking for reliable whole-house backup power. It delivers a powerful 22,000 watts, enough to keep most homes fully powered during outages. The generator runs on either natural gas or propane, giving you flexibility depending on your fuel availability. It’s designed to start automatically when the power goes out, so you won’t need to worry about manually switching it on.

One of its standout features is the Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to monitor the generator’s status and maintenance needs remotely, which adds convenience and peace of mind. The included 200 Amp transfer switch ensures smooth and safe power transfer for your entire home. The generator uses Generac’s purpose-built G-Force engine, known for durability and lower maintenance, and it runs quietly compared to many other standby models.

Although it’s fairly heavy at 466 pounds and requires professional installation, these are typical for a standby generator of this size and power. It also has several safety features like overload and short circuit protection, automatic voltage regulation, and automatic idle control, which help improve reliability and efficiency. This model is well-suited for those who want a robust, long-lasting generator capable of powering a home seamlessly during outages. It is ideal for users who value remote monitoring and a quiet, fuel-efficient unit. Due to its size and weight, it is best suited as a permanent home backup solution rather than for portable use.

The Generac Guardian 26kW Home Standby Generator is designed to provide powerful, reliable backup power for your entire home. It delivers a strong 26,000 watts, enough to keep most household systems running smoothly during outages. This model runs on natural gas or liquid propane, giving you flexibility depending on your fuel availability. It features an automatic electronic start, so it switches on quickly and without effort on your part, which is great for emergencies. With a fully enclosed, durable aluminum design, it’s built to withstand outdoor conditions while operating quietly compared to many other generators.

The 200 Amp transfer switch allows seamless connection to your home's electrical system, ensuring that power restoration happens smoothly and safely. Although portability is not a primary focus—this unit weighs over 500 pounds and is meant to be permanently installed—it’s perfect if you want a dependable, stationary backup system. One notable convenience is WiFi connectivity for remote monitoring, so you can check its status and receive maintenance alerts from anywhere, helping prevent unexpected issues. The generator is also backed by a solid 5-year warranty, reflecting confidence in its long-term durability.

Since this is a heavy, stationary unit, professional installation is required, which adds to the initial setup cost. Also, while run time depends on your fuel supply, it’s not designed for quick refueling or portability. This generator is ideal for homeowners looking for a high-capacity, low-maintenance solution to power their whole house seamlessly during storms or outages, rather than a portable or lightweight option.

The Generac 18kW Home Standby Generator is a solid choice for homeowners looking to protect their entire house during power outages. With a powerful 18,000-watt output, it can keep essentials like refrigeration, heating, and lighting running smoothly. It uses fuel efficiently thanks to electronic fuel and ignition controls, which also help reduce emissions and keep operational costs lower. This model is designed for convenience—it starts automatically when the power goes out and features built-in cellular connectivity, allowing you to monitor and control the generator remotely via a mobile app. This helps you stay informed about its status even when you’re away from home.

In terms of reliability, it has sensors to monitor oil levels and performs well in colder climates, reducing the risk of startup problems. The sturdy stainless steel construction protects it from weather, and its design helps avoid issues with snow or ice buildup.

On the downside, the generator is quite heavy (over 400 pounds), so it’s not portable and is meant for permanent home installation. While it’s described as super quiet, standby generators of this size typically produce noticeable noise, which may be a consideration depending on your neighborhood or local regulations. Additionally, the mobile app requires a paid subscription for full features. This generator suits homeowners who want a dependable, whole-house backup solution with smart monitoring features and are comfortable with a fixed installation. It’s less suited for users who want a lightweight or portable option or who want to avoid ongoing subscription fees.