Recommended size: 10,000–12,000W
A 10,000–12,000W portable generator powers nearly every circuit in your house except central air conditioning. That covers your refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, well pump, window AC, space heater, microwave, lights, and all your electronics running simultaneously. Use a transfer switch for safe connection to your electrical panel.
Enough power for most home backup scenarios. 50A outlet for direct panel hookup with a transfer switch.
When you want to keep your entire home running during an outage (minus the central AC), you need a large portable generator in the 10,000–12,000W range. These units handle the combined running load of all your major appliances plus the starting surge of the largest motor. The 50A outlet connects directly to a transfer switch on your panel for safe, whole-circuit power distribution. These generators weigh 198–224 lbs and run on wheels, so they stay in the garage or shed and roll out when needed. Expect 8–12 hours of runtime at half load. Dual fuel models offer the security of propane backup when gas is hard to find.
Related sizing guide
Compare essentials-only, whole-house, and central-AC sizing with tables by home size and a worked example.
| Generator | Starting W | Running W | Fuel | Noise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DuroMax XP5500EH 5,500-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator - Gas & Propane, Ele... | 12,000W | 9,500W | Gasoline / Propane | 74 dB |
| Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel | 12,500W | 9,500W | Gasoline / Propane | 74 dB |
| Generac GP8000E | 10,000W | 8,000W | Gasoline | 71 dB |
DuroMax
★4.4·1,039 ratings
Enough power for most home backup scenarios. 50A outlet for direct panel hookup with a transfer switch.
Westinghouse
★4.4·370 ratings
Transfer-switch ready with remote start. Excellent runtime from a large 6.6-gallon tank and reliable Westinghouse build quality.
Generac
★4.4
Purpose-built for home backup with COsense carbon monoxide safety shutoff. Long 11-hour runtime at half load.
The accessories most generator owners add to run safely and connect to the house.
Transfer / Interlock
★4.7·1,733 ratings
Lets you safely back-feed your panel from one inlet. Confirm it matches your breaker brand and amperage.
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Power Cord
★4.8·2,827 ratings
Heavy 10-gauge twist-lock cord rated to 7,500W, the standard link between a portable unit and your inlet box.
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Weather Cover
★4.6·2,107 ratings
Keeps rain and snow off the unit so you can run it through a storm with proper ventilation.
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CO Safety
★4.7·19,762 ratings
Generator exhaust is the top cause of CO poisoning during outages. A battery alarm keeps working when the grid is down.
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Fuel Care
★4.8·35,997 ratings
Treats 40 gallons and keeps stored fuel fresh for up to 24 months so the engine starts when you need it.
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