Generators are much important for natural disasters like hurricanes. You never know how long it will take for the power to come back. So, it is really important to get a hurricane season generator as it offers more power, saves your money, and helps prevents accidents.
If you live in the United States, then you may be aware of the hurricane season that mostly starts from June and ends in November. So, if you are planning to buy a generator to deal with the power outages caused due to hurricanes, then you are in the right place. Here we are going to review the five best hurricane season generators.
Table of Contents
Best Hurricane Generators
Image | Product Name | Features | Ratings | Reviews | Check Price |
 | Westinghouse WGen7500 Generator |
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 | Champion Power Equipment 3800-watt 76533 Generator |
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 | WEN 56200i Portable Inverter Generator |
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 | DuroMax XP12000EH Portable Generator |
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 | Generac 7117 GP2200i Generator |
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1. Westinghouse WGen7500 Portable Generator – Best Conventional Generator for Hurricane
- Engine: 420cc OHV
- Output: 9500 watts
- Warranty: 3 years
More Features: It comes with a triple start system: recoil, electric and remote start.
Fuel Source: If you are looking for a powerful generator to deal with the power outages caused due to hurricanes, then this Westinghouse WGen7500 is the best choice. It is a gas-powered generator that runs on gasoline.
Engine and Power Output: It is equipped with a 420cc Westinghouse 4-stroke OHV engine protected with a cast-iron sleeve. If we talk about its output power, then it generates 9500 watts of peak power and 7500 watts of running power.
Start System: WGen7500 features all the three start systems: Recoil, Electric, and Remote Start with a key fob. You can easily turn your generator on and off from up to 109 yards away with a remote.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Runtime: The fuel tank capacity of this generator is 6.6 gallons. On a full gas tank, you will be able to power your appliances up to 16 hours at 25% load.
Power Outlets: There are four GFCI-protected 120V 20A household outlets with covers. Also, we have one 120/240V 30A twist-lock outlet with cover. GFCI is a circuit breaker that protects people from electric shocks. When it senses any imbalance between the incoming and outgoing current, it breaks down the circuit.
Weight and Warranty: It comes with a 3-year limited warranty and weighs 201 pounds.
Certifications: Westinghouse WGen7500 is not only CSA (Canadian Standards Association), and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved, but it is also a CARB (California Air Resources Board) compliant generator.
Noise Level: The operational sound of this generator is 73 dB (A).
Portability: A fold-down handle with never-flat tires make transportation easier.
Other Features: Other features include a data center that tells about Volts, Frequency, and Time. Also, we have a fuel gauge, battery indicator, and a low-oil shutdown sensor. The fuel gauge tells the fuel levels, and the low-oil shutdown sensor automatically turns off the engine when it senses the generator is running out of oil.
My Opinion
Pros: Westinghouse WGen7500 is a powerful generator that gives impressive surge and continuous power. It comes with both electric and remote start mechanisms, provides an extended runtime, features a digital meter, and has a 3-year limited warranty.
Cons: Commercial warranty is limited to only one year.
2. Champion Power Equipment 3800-watt 76533 Portable Generator – Best Dual Fuel Generator for Hurricane
Fuel Source: If you are searching for a dual fuel generator, then this Champion 76533 is the best choice for you. It can run on both propane and gasoline.
Engine and Power Output: It is powered by a 224cc 4-stroke single-cylinder engine with an air-cooled cooling system that generates 4750 starting and 3800 running watts on gas. And when powered with propane, it produces 4275 starting and 3420 running watts.
Start System: Champion 76533 comes with both the electric (battery included) and recoil start mechanisms.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Runtime: Its 3.4-gallon gas tank gives up to 9-hour runtime, and a 20-pound propane tank offers up to 10.5 hours runtime.
Noise Level: If we focus on its operational sound, then it is not a much noisy unit. It operates at 68 dB (A) from 23 feet away.
Power Outlets: The power outlets of these generators include two 120V 20A outlets, one 120V 30A twist-lock outlet, and one 120V 30A RV-ready outlet.
Weight and Warranty: The weight of Champion 76533 is 122 pounds and its warranty period is of 3 years.
Certifications: It is a CARB compliant unit.
Portability: You can also move the unit with ease. Both the handle and wheel kit helps you to transport the generator without any difficulty.
Other Features: A fuel selector switch makes it easy to switch between gas and propane. Also, there is a Volt Guard that protects your appliances from power surges. Intelligauge is also the part of the control panel that displays volts, frequency, and time. Moreover, a low-oil shutdown sensor takes care of your engine.
My Opinion
Pros: The best thing about this unit is that it can run on both gasoline and propane. It also features an electric start, produces impressive power output, easy to move, and features multiple safety features.
Cons: It is difficult to change its oil.
3. WEN 56200i Portable Inverter Generator – Best Inverter Generator for Hurricane
Fuel Source: If you want to buy an inverter generator, then you can go for the WEN 56200i that runs on gas.
Weight and Warranty: It is a compact unit that only weighs 48 pounds. Also, it is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.
Certifications: WEN 56200i meets the EPA III, and CARB set standards.
Engine and Power Output: A 79.7cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces clean and stable 2000 peak watts and 1600 rated watts. With less than a 1.2% THD rating, WEN 56200i is quite safe for sensitive electronics. THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) shows the percentage of distortion in an electrical signal.
Parallel Connection: If the output power is not sufficient for you, you can link another WEN 56200i to double the power. Use the WEN 56421 parallel connection kit in order to do so.
Start System: You have a recoil start system to turn on your generator.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Runtime: Power up your appliances up to 6 hours at half load on a 1-gallon fuel tank. Its eco-mode helps you to save fuel. It adjusts the engine’s speed according to the load applied.
Power Outlets: There are two 120V 20A household outlets, one 5V USB port, and one 12V 8.3A DC outlet.
Noise Level: As it is an inverter generator, so it produces 51 dB (A) noise level at a 25% load from 22 feet away. Its operational sound is slightly lower than the Honda EU2000i.
Portability: Its lightweight and a carrying handle make it easy to move the generator.
Other Features: Low-oil and low-fuel shutdown and overload protection are there for safety. Low-oil shutdown and overload protection are featured with light indicators. Also, there is an output ready light indicator.
My Opinion
Pros: WEN 56200i produces clean power to protect your sensitive electronics. It is light in weight, offers excellent runtime, and operates quietly. Also, you can generate more power by connecting another inverter generator in parallel.
Cons: Its customer service is quite horrible.
4. DuroMax XP12000EH Portable Generator – Most Powerful Generator for Hurricane
Fuel Source: If you need a generator with higher power output, then you cannot ignore DuroMax XP12000EH. It is a dual fuel generator that uses both gasoline and propane.
Engine and Power Output: It has a powerful and reliable DuroMax 457cc, 18HP OHV engine. It generates 12000 watts of peak power and 9500 watts of rated power on gas and 11,400 starting and 9025 running watts on propane.
Noise Level: DuroMax XP12000EH is a noisy unit with a 74 dB (A) noise level.
Start System: This dual fuel generator also offers two start systems. One is the recoil, and the other one is the key electric start.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Runtime: On a full 8.3-gallon gas tank, you will get up to a 9-hour runtime at 50% load. And with a 40-pound propane tank, you will get up to 7 hours of runtime at half load. An idle control switch is there allows the generator’s engine to go into an idle state when there is no load, and when the load is applied, the engine regains its speed.
Power Outlets: If we focus on its control panel, then we have one 120/240V 50A heavy-duty outlet, one 120/240V 30A twist-lock outlet, one 120V 30A twist-lock outlet, and two 120V 20A GFCI-protected outlets.
Portability: Two big, durable tires and fold-down handles make the unit highly portable.
Weight and Warranty: It is a heavy unit with 236 pounds of weight. And it comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Certifications: It is also EPA and CARB approved.
Other Features: Other features include a voltage selector switch, a built-in spark arrestor, a voltmeter, and the oil alert and recharge indicator lights. This voltage selector switch is powered by DuroMax MX2 technology that allows you to either operate the unit at 120V or both 120V and 240V at the same time.
My Opinion
Pros: It is the most powerful unit that can work as a whole house generator. It is a dual fuel unit, features an electric start, and has a variety of power outlets.
Cons: Its wheels are not reliable.
5. Generac 7117 GP2200i Portable Inverter Generator – Best Generator for Hurricane under $600
Fuel Source: Another portable inverter generator in our list is the Generac GP2200i that you can use during hurricanes. It is a gas-powered generator.
Weight and Warranty: It is slightly lighter in weight than the WEN 56200i. Its weight is 46 pounds, and it comes with a 2-year warranty.
Engine and Power Output: Its 80cc reliable engine produces 2200 peak watts and 1700 rated watts. This GP2200i is powered by Truepower technology that provides clean power to your appliances and electronics. Also, you can generate more power by connecting another GP2200i in parallel.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Runtime: The Eco-mode extends the life of the engine and saves fuel and money. It has a 1.2-gallon fuel tank that offers up to 11 hours runtime at a 25% load.
Power Outlets: The power panel of this generator includes one 5V USB port, one 12V 8A DC outlet, and two 120V 20A outlets.
Start System: You can start your generator manually.
Noise Level: It operates at 51 dB (A).
Portability: A comfortable carrying handle is there that makes it easy to carry the unit.
Other Features: There is a low-oil shutdown feature along with low-oil and output ready light indicators.
My Opinion
Pros: It is a small and portable unit that operates without making a sound. It is also parallel ready, offers good runtime, and has a long-lasting design.
Cons: Its power sometimes fluctuates. Also, its rated power is on the lower side.
Buyer’s Guide
So, if you are planning to buy a generator for hurricane seasons, then you must check the following things.
Type of Generator
First, decide which type of generator you want? Either you need an inverter or a conventional generator. Or your focus is also on the fuel options.
Inverters are best to power sensitive electronics along with powering big appliances with motors because they produce clean power. But their power output is always on the lower side. On the other hand, conventional units may not give clean power, but they can run your whole house. Inverter generators also are mostly quiet and fuel-efficient, whereas most of the traditional generators are loud.
Now, move on to the fuel options where you can either select a single fuel or a dual fuel generator.
Power Output
How much powerful generator do you need? If low power output is sufficient for you, select inverters with more than 2000 watt surge power. Or if you need to run your whole-house or RV, then go for a conventional unit with more than 7500 watts rated power.
List down all those items you need to power during a power outage, add their watts, and select the generator accordingly.
Fuel Tank size and Runtime
If your engine is fuel-efficient, you will get a good runtime. Focus on that. No matter whether you are going with a conventional or an inverter generator, check how fuel-efficient the engine is.
The fuel tank does matter because it also plays its part in determining the runtime. Inverter generators are best in the sense that they give excellent runtime even with low capacity fuel tanks. But with conventional ones, you need to use a lot of fuel to keep powering your appliances for days.
Sound Level
If you are looking for a conventional generator, make sure its decibel rating is below 70 dB (A). Still, it is loud, but you can keep your unit away from you to get the least sound. On the other hand, inverter generators are mostly quiet, so they are a better option to choose from.
If your neighbors’ houses are closer to you, you must go for a generator that makes less noise.
Power Outlets
Also, make sure the number and type of power outlets available in your selected generator are according to your needs. If you only need to power your home appliances, double-check your generator has 120V 20A household outlets. If you need to run your RV, your unit must have an RV-ready outlet. Also, 12V DC outlet and USB ports can make a difference.
FAQs
Where can I put my generator in a hurricane?
Don’t ever place your generator inside the home; it may cause tragedies. Always try to operate your generator outside the house. The place where you are going to run your generator must be well-ventilated. Avoid placing your generators near windows, doors, basements, or other openings. Also, keep your generator up to 15 feet away from you.
Which generator is best for hurricanes? Inverter or Conventional
It depends on your power needs. If you need clean but less power during a hurricane, go for an inverter generator. But if you need to power your whole house or RV or a job site, go for a conventional generator with higher power output.
Which fuel is best to use and store during a hurricane season?
Propane is best to use and store during a hurricane season. You can store as many tanks as possible safely for a longer period of time without any trouble.