The Best Generator For Hurricane Season: A Solution To Hurricane Season

If you live within a few hundred miles of the gulf coast or Atlantic ocean, you could be affected by a hurricane.

When a hurricane knocks out the power, it could be days before you get it back and leave many of us without power.

So, what’s the solution to the problem? 

The answer is by being prepared, i.e., buying the generator for the hurricane season that you can afford.

So, what’s the best generator for hurricane season?

If you’re in a hurry, here are the best ones:

In addition, I did a lot of online review shopping and read all the comments from the actual users. Here are the top 8 generators for the hurricane season that you should put on your buying list.

Let’s get into the generators!

Here Are The Best Generator For Hurricane Season

Why Do You Need A Generator For Hurricane Season?

Hurricane season usually takes six months long. It runs from early May to the end of November. It’s quite a long time.

It’s time to gather all essential supplies, including a generator. When the hurricane comes, it knocks the power out for more than a few days and sometimes weeks.

Lessons learned from the severe magnitude of hurricanes like Hurricane Sally leave 550,000 without power in the US. You don’t have air conditioning, hot water, lights, charging devices, listening to radios, and so on.

When this nature disaster hits you hard, it really changes your lifestyle completely to the point where it does put you in a real crisis situation.

Having some backup power is all about minimizing the crisis and keeping your life as normal as possible without power from power grid systems. 

It is relatively inexpensive with some good thoughts, research, and just some preparation to be ready for those situations when they do happen.

Which Generator Should You Purchase in Preparation for Hurricane Season?

Depending on the seasons you buy, the pricing of the generators may vary. To check out the best deals you can get, just click on the link provided in each mini-review below.

Now, here are some generators that are worth your consideration:

Generac 70432 Home Standby Generator Guardian Series – Best Home Standby Generator

Specifications:

Fuel type	Natural gas, Liquid Propane
Rated maximum power capacity (LP)	22000 Watts
Rated maximum power capacity (NG)	19500 Watts
Rated voltage	240 Volt
Sound output at 23 ft @ normal load	67 dBA
Fuel consumption	306 cu/hr (NG), 3.90 gal/hr (LP)
Mainline circuit breaker	100 Amp

For the best solution for whole-house power backup needs, the Generac 70432 Home Standby Generator Guardian Series offers capable performance during hurricane season. It’s a dual-fuel standby generator that can be run on liquid propane or natural gas.

This Generac generator uses an air-cooled system and a G-Force engine that delivers a long life of reliable power with low maintenance. With the massive 22000 watts of power, it’s more than enough to run the entire home. That’s including your A/C and heater systems. 

It also comes with a 200 Amp transfer switch, needed for safe operation. When it senses power loss, it kicks within a few seconds. It will continuously run as long as necessary until utility power returns. 

Among helpful features is it comes with a WiFi interface (MobileLink). You could monitor your generator VIA the Computer (or your smartphone) and monitor the battery status for service intervals.

I’d imagine that the reason someone would buy a standby generator is to be very quiet. Unfortunately, the noise level comes from this 999 cc engine which can be very noisy when running at full load.

If you’re living in a tranquil neighborhood, this can be very embarrassing. 

Still, a standby generator is probably the best solution for backup power in preparation for hurricane season for a home. But it requires a substantial amount of budget.

It needs a proper installation by a qualified contractor. The installation cost will add up to the total amount you have to spend on the standby generator.

The good news is that this Generac 70432 Standby Generator is available with 12 months of financing on Amazon. And don’t forget the 5 years of Generac warranty for peace of mind.

View this generator on Amazon

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Honda EU2200iTAG 2200 Watt Inverter Generator (With CO-MINDER) – Best Small Portable Generator For Home

Specifications:

Fuel type	Gasoline
Starting Wattages	2200 Watts (18.3A)
Running Wattages	1800 Watts (15A)
Rated voltage	120 Volt
Receptacles	20A 125V Duplex
Noise Level @ 1/4 load	48 dB(A)
Run Time per Tankful	8.1 hrs at 1/4 load

The Honda generator needs no introduction. Like any other Honda generator product, this Honda EU2200iTAG 2200 Watt Inverter Generator is extremely quiet, extremely reliable, easy to start, and compact.

The really cool thing about this Honda generator model compared to the popular EU2000i model is that this one comes with the Honda Advanced Carbon Monoxide Detection System (CO-MINDER) latest technology.

What it does is the system will automatically shut down the generator before detected CO levels near the generator become dangerously high that could be potentially harmful to you and your family.

So, for those people (not you) who like to run their generators inside or near the garage, this safety feature is very beneficial. You can’t smell the CO until it’s too late.

Apart from the CO-MINDER feature, another cool part is that you can pair your generator with a smartphone via Bluetooth. 

With Honda generator smartphone apps, you can monitor your generator’s status, and you can turn off the generator from inside your home remotely.

However, it doesn’t come with an auto-start function. You still need to pull-start manually.

The small and powerful 121 cc engine is capable of producing a maximum of 2200 watts of power. It is excellent for light home use, but you won’t be able to start home A/C without using a soft start kit.

The engine is very quiet, and it purrs about 48 decibels when running on ECO mode at a quarter load. Speaking of ECO mode, when it’s on, it can run up to 18 hours on a single tank. 

This Honda generator comes with standard features like Eco mode for fuel efficiency, low oil auto shutoff, and parallel capability with another Honda inverter generator.

This generator isn’t the most powerful and not the fanciest on our list. But it gets the job done. 

If you need a handy, lightweight, and trusted portable backup power for hurricane season or power outages, the Honda EU2200iTAG 2200 Watt Inverter Generator is worth your consideration.

It comes with a 3-year warranty. If you’re an Amazon.com Store cardholders member, you have an option to finance the generator up to 12 months of payments.

View this generator on Amazon

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Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator – Best Backup Power For Campsite

Specifications:

Fuel type	Gasoline, Propane (LPG)
Gasoline Starting Watts	4750 Watts
Gasoline Running Watts	3800 Watts
Propane Starting Watts	4275 Watts
Propane Running Watts	3420 Watts
Receptacles	120 Volt
Noise level	68 dBA
Fuel consumption (Gasoline)	9 hr at 50% load
Fuel consumption (Propane)	10.5 hr at 50% load

The Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator provides a backup power solution for those who live on the campsite during hurricane season.

It’s a conventional dual fuel generator, run on gasoline and propane. It’s designed primarily for RV, camper, and travel trailers with one 120V 30A RV outlet ready.

Also, you switch fuels easily by flipping the fuel selector switch. No hardcore configuration is needed.

The generator is pretty powerful and easily handles your 15000 BTU RV air conditioner, refrigerators, and lights with a breeze, even when run on LPG.

It’s good to know that an LPG hose with a regulator is included in the box. You don’t have to buy a separate LPG regulator, which can save you some money.

One of the cool features of this generator is that it comes with an electric start which is pretty convenient during bad weather. You don’t want to go through hassle; pull-start manually during windy and rainy situations.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a remote start control. Also, the Champion 3800W generator doesn’t include the cover.

You know, you can’t run the generator in the rain. You need to buy the generator cover separately to run it safely.

One of the downsides of this generator is that it’s reasonably loud and annoying, especially if your RV is parked close to others on the campsite. That’s something you should be aware of from the open case type generator like this.

In my opinion, this generator allows you to continue living comfortably and works fine as backup power to mitigate the risk of hurricane season.

Good to know that the Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator comes with a 3-year warranty and free lifetime technical supports.

View this generator on Amazon

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DuroMax XP12000EH Dual Fuel Generator – Best Large Portable Generator For Home

Specifications:

Fuel type	Gasoline, Propane (LPG)
Gasoline Starting Watts	12000 Watts
Gasoline Running Watts	9500 Watts
Propane Starting Watts	11400 Watts
Propane Running Watts	9025 Watts
Receptacles	120/240 Volt
Noise level	74 dBA
Fuel consumption (Gasoline)	8.83 hr at 50% load
Fuel consumption (Propane)	7.2 hr at 50% load

If you’re not willing to spend much money on a standby generator like the Generac 70432, the DuroMax XP12000EH Dual Fuel Generator is probably the best option for you.

Although it has 12000 Watts less power than the Generac, it is more than enough to run your whole house appliances, including the air conditioner, space heaters, and freezers.

Bear in mind, though, this is a non-inverter generator. It doesn’t produce clean power. So, you need other devices to regulate the power to use your sensitive electronic devices at home.

This generator can be powered with propane or gasoline. It gives you more options depending on which type of fuel is available for you during the power outages.

If you have a 40 lb propane tank, you can expect the generator to run for about 8.11 hours at a 50% load. That’s probably enough to keep your AC, refrigerator, or heater running overnight.

At a similar price range to the Honda EU2200uTAG, the DuroMax XP12000EH is loaded with features. It has a unique MX2 switch feature that will maximize the power from each 120V receptacle which is beneficial if you use it for an RV.

It claims to have about 74 decibels of the noise level. Not a very impressive number, but considering that it has a bigger 457 cc engine, it’s relatively quiet.

This generator is very easy to start with the electric start. In terms of handling, it weighs about 224 pounds which can be very heavy to handle.

It has all the options, key start, and comes with the battery and all the accessories included. In my opinion, for a low-cost, high-powered generator that runs on propane or gas, I think you would be hard-pressed.

The XP12000EH is covered with a full 1-year parts warranty. It’s good to know that the DuroMax XP12000EH Dual Fuel Generator is available to purchase up to 12 months of payments on Amazon.

View this generator on Amazon

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A-iPower SUA12000E 12000 Watt Gas Powered Generator – Best Alternatives To Large Portable Generator For Home

Specifications:

Fuel type	Gasoline
Starting Wattages	12000 Watts
Running Wattages	9000 Watts
Receptacles	120/240 Volt
Noise level at 23 ft.	78 dBA
Run Time per Tankful	9 hr at 50% load

The A-iPower SUA12000E supplied plenty of power for your home at a lower price than the DuroMax XP12000EH. This gas-powered generator can deliver a maximum of 12000 Watts of power to run almost everything in your house.

Although this generator is built for a heavy-duty task like construction in mind (hence, the gasoline), it’s still the best generator for homeowners.

I’d imagine many owners would use this generator as a temporary backup power to repair damaged houses due to devastating hurricanes. 

This American-made generator claimed that a full tank of gas will run for 9 hours before it runs out of gas. That’s assuming you run items totaling 4500 watts or at half load.

The electric start feature makes the generator easy to start and crank up. Unfortunately, there’s no remote start fob. Other helpful features include low-oil shutoff and the GFCI Protected Outlets for extra protection and safety under wet conditions. 

In my opinion, the obvious drawback of this generator is the noise level. The 78 decibels (at 23 feet) from the generator are very loud. I’d recommend installing a better muffler or silencer to reduce the noise.

I feel the A-iPower SUA12000E Generator offers the best mix of features, availability, and price per watt of anything on the market. A special monthly payment of up to 12 months is available on Amazon.

View this generator on Amazon

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Westinghouse iGen4500 Inverter Generator – Best Inverter Generator For Hurricane

Specifications:

Fuel type	Gasoline
Starting Wattages	4500 Watts
Running Wattages	3700 Watts
Receptacles	120 Volt
Noise level	52 dBA
Run Time per Tankful	18 hours @ 25% load

As an inverter generator, the Westinghouse iGen4500 Inverter Generator delivers cleaner power for your sensitive electronic devices like computers, smart TV, and cellphones.

One of the biggest selling points of this generator is how quiet it is. I’m surprised that iGen4500 is very quiet at 52 decibels. If you have elderly family members or you have insomnia, you’re gonna appreciate this thing.

The iGen4500 claims to offer 4500 watts using gasoline to run all your things within wattage rating though it’s a 30 Amp outlet. Most importantly, the small heater, small refrigerator, a fan, and a lamp. It helps you get back to normalcy after the devastation of the hurricane.

If you’re looking for extended power or power a 50 Amp RV (or home), this generator can parallel another iGen4500 generator to double the capacity.

Although small in size, it’s loaded with plenty of valuable features. One of the cool features I like is the remote start which is very convenient. 

Apart from that, it has USB power connectors for small electronics, telescopic handles for easy maneuvering, and access for oil and battery maintenance service.

One of the known flaws of iGen4500 is the automatic choke issues. Although Westinghouse claimed that the choke issue has been rectified, the owners reported many complaints.

That’s something you should be aware of before buying this generator. Good to know that Westinghouse reassures that parts only will be covered at 100% for two years from the date of purchase.

Overall, the Westinghouse iGen4500 Inverter Generator is a beast with many excellent features. It’s quieter, lighter, and more energy-efficient than many other models.

Read the full review here.

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Pulsar G450RN 4500W Inverter Generator – Best Inverter Generator On A Budget

Specifications:

Fuel type	Gasoline
Starting Wattages	4500 Watts
Running Wattages	3700 Watts
Receptacles	120 Volt
Noise level at 10 ft.	63 dBA
Run Time per Tankful	15 hr at 50% load

At first glance, the Pulsar G450RN 4500W Inverter Generator looks identical and shares many similarities with the Igen4500 inverter generator except for the price.

If you have a tight budget, you probably should consider the Pulsar G450RN generator in your buying list. It’s slightly cheaper than the iGen4500, but you get all the features that iGen4500 is offering.

The Pulsar 4500W generator delivered ample clean power and many helpful features such as wireless remote control push start (a range within 80 ft away), 30 Amp RV outlet, USB power connectors for small electronics, and telescopic handles for easy maneuvering.

The noise level and fuel efficiency are claimed to be comparable to the iGen4500, but in my opinion, the latter has slightly better design and built quality.

One of the common complaints I found about this generator is that it’s hard to avoid spillage inside the generator case when changing the oil. You have to tilt the unit, which is a bit of a hassle at times.

Should you buy this generator? Well, I guess it depends on how much power you need and your budget allowance. 

If you’re looking for affordable backup power for all the necessities such as a heater, window AC, fridges, or freezers, the Pulsar G450RN 4500W Inverter Generator should be worth your consideration.

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Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station – Best Backup Power For Off-Grid 

Specifications:

Energy type	Solar
Wattage	500 Watts
Charging Times
Maximum input (180W)	3 hrs
Car charger (120W)	4.5 hrs
Wall charger (60W)	10 hrs
Nomad 50	12-24 Hours
Boulder 50	12-24 Hours
Boulder 100	Boulder 100

The Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station is perfect for those urgent situations, like power outages, where you need backup power, and where you also may not know when to expect your power to come back on. 

I live not too far from the coast of a very hurricane-prone part of the country. While I am inland a bit and don’t usually face the full brunt of a storm, I still can end up with frequent power outages that have sometimes lasted for what seemed days on end!

It has multiple charging outlets like USB A and C and also PD. Hence, you have lots of options, and it has the latest in fast charging technology, so when you see that ugly storm coming when you check the weather, get your power station fast-charged so it’s all ready for when the storm finally hits. 

The power output is 500 watts, so it will keep small to medium electronics (like phones and tablets) charged when the power finally does go out. I have had flooding in my area before, thanks to hurricanes, so having multiple ways of communication can be essential.

It can charge small appliances too, which helps because I have a small bar fridge and a small cooktop that I use for beers and for camping (it works well for the outdoors in general). A note of caution, though, don’t expect to be able to charge a whole big kitchen for very long because you might end up being disappointed.

It comes with portable solar panels, too, so you can charge it right from the sun, which is great because once the storm passes, you often see the sun and blue skies, yet the power is still out. 

Just watch your timing and the weather with the solar panels because that can affect how long the unit takes to charge, and charging can definitely become an issue if you aren’t paying attention.

I used to own another Goal Zero Power Station, and when I bought this newer version, I was pleased with how they made it smaller but with more power. It is a bit on the pricier side so just make sure that it’s a product you will take advantage of instead of let sit in your garage.

I have used it several times with great results, so if you’re like me and need that backup option for bad weather and power outages, I strongly urge you to get this Goal Zero Yeti 500X unit.

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What Size Generator Do I Need For A Hurricane?

Generally, you would want a generator that would provide wattage to run things like your refrigerator, air-condition, and lighting.

If you want to run the whole house, you probably want a more output power generator. 

But I would say 10kW is the safest rate, especially when you need to run many appliances like refrigerator, sump pump, lighting, heating system, well pump, microwave, and so on.

The table below is a general guideline for some ideas:

Household Item	Wattage
Refrigerator	500 W
Heating System	1000 W
Electric Hot Water Heater	4500 W
Well Pump	1000 W
Television	500 W
Garage Door Opener	500 W
Total Wattage	9000 Watts or 9 kW

To check the actual amount of wattage to run those things, you need something like a Kill A Watt device. 

How it works is that you can plug it into your wall and whatever device you’re checking, plug it right into this meter.

For instance, if it’s a light, plug it in; it’ll tell you how many watts you’re drawn in. Same thing if you have an air conditioner that is a 110V, you can plug that in here, and it’ll tell you what the wattage it consumes.

Portable Generator Vs. Permanent Generator

Before you choose which type of generator, firstly, you need to understand what your needs are. Then you would shop for those that would meet those needs.

Portable Generator

Generators aren’t cheap. The least expensive one that would run a refrigerator and a couple of lights starts at $300.

A 3000 Watts to 6500 Watts portable generator will power your essentials like a refrigerator to keep your foods from spoiling, lights, fans, sump pump, and tools.

Those generators are usually priced under $1000. You’ll also need the gas container and gas you don’t want to store in a house. 

Then you need the adapters for the power extension cords.

For portable generators that run on gas, they cover the essentials but aren’t powerful enough to run your entire air-conditioning system.

If you’re on an RV, the best generator for 15000 BTU AC would need at least 3500 Watts of surge wattage.

Keep in mind that you want to set about 20 feet away from the house from any occupied building. Never hook up directly to your house circuits.

Since most portables run on gas, never run them indoors because of the fumes.

Permanent Generator

If you’re willing to spend in the thousands can opt for a permanent generator that is powerful enough to run your cooling system.

In addition to being expensive, these are more complicated to install. You’ve got to have a slab to mount it on since it connects right into your electrical box.

You’ll need to get a qualified electrician to hook it up. But once it’s there, it’s there. In my opinion, this permanent generator is worth it for the long term. 

When the electricity goes off for 10 to 20 secs, your generator kicks on and gives you air conditioning, allows the burglar alarm to stay on, garage doors gonna open, charge your cell phone, and more.

It uses natural gas and propane. You’re not going to have to go to the gas station to buy gas because when there are power outages, the gas station loses power too, and you can’t get the gasoline.

Also, since it’s connected right into your electric box, there aren’t any power cords to trip over.

If the $10000 purchase and install price tags may send you back to the portable generator.

Related: Inverter or Generator: Which Is Best for Home Use?

Generator Safety Tips for Hurricane Season

If the electricity goes out during a storm, it could take weeks before it comes back on. Buying a generator is expensive, but you’ll be glad you have it.

Safety is the most important thing when it comes to using your generator. If you haven’t used your generator in a long time or just bought a new one, get the owner’s manual out and read it.

Make sure you know how to operate your generator.

The most severe danger that comes with a generator is carbon monoxide fumes. They could kill you. That’s why you need to run your generator outside and have a 5-foot buffer from anything else around it.

Figure out what your generator needs to run lights in refrigerator fans. Maybe an oven or microwave.

Different generators can power a different number of items. You’ll need to add up the total amount of running wattage from all the appliances you plan to hook up to the generator.

You may only be able to power a few things. After you’ve determined what you’re able to power, make sure the extension cords that you’re using to attach to your appliances can handle the wattage.

Proper generator cords and heavy-duty extension cords should be used. Lastly, before the storm hits, make sure you have a fresh supply of fuel. After 30 days, gasoline will go stale.

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The Verdict

Choosing the best generator for hurricane season depends on a lot of factors.

How much power do you want? And what is your budget?

For me, I will pick Honda EU2200iTAG 2200 Watt Inverter Generator (With CO-MINDER) as the best one mainly for four reasons:

1. It is super quiet. I don’t want to disturb my neighbors unless I live in a rural area.
2. Honda is a trusted and reliable brand. I wouldn’t hesitate to spend a bit on something that is proven durable and reliable.
3. It produces clean power. Voltage-friendly to my electronic devices. 
4. Excellent customer supports

If you have a budget to spend and don’t plan to move to other cities in the future, the permanent Generac 70432 Home Standby Generator Guardian Series is a no-brainer. It is a proper backup power to run the entire house.

Finally, get ready for hurricane season and be as prepared as you can. Don’t wait until the storm gets here to get out and start shopping for the generator. 

It’s not a fun situation. Be proactive!