Best Hurricane Generators 2024 — Prepare for A Natural Disaster

▶ Peak Atlantic hurricane season is around September 11, 2021.

We are in the midst of hurricane season. Over the next couple months, the potential for more hurricanes is high. Hurricane season ends on November 30 for 2021. Choosing the best hurricane generator is an important component when it comes to dealing with the aftermath. In this article we focus our attention on heavy generators with enough power to get you through a hurricane.

The question is : Are you ready if a hurricane strikes close to your neighborhood? Do you have a plan? The time to think about these things is long before it happens. As you know, weather changes quickly and predictions are only accurate within days, not weeks.

---

✓ Visit the NOAA site for live hurricane tracking and all the latest hurricane related news.

---

Excellent Buy ►Westinghouse WGen12000 / 30A / 50A

Features :

• 12,000 running watts, 15,000 peak watts
• Runs for up to 11 hours on a 10.5 gal. fuel tank with built-in fuel gauge
• Powered by the ultra duty 713cc OHV V-Twin Westinghouse Engine constructed with a durable cast iron sleeve
• Push-Button Electric Start pairs with a key fob for seamless Remote Start
• Weighing 352 lb. with as low as 74 dBA operating volume
• Safely powers sensitive electronics such as laptop computers, cell phones, and more with less than 5% THD
• OUTLETS :
  • 2x 5-20R household duplex outlets, 1x L5-30R
  • 1x Transfer Switch Ready L14-30R 120/240-Volt twist-lock
  • 1x 120/240V 14-50R
  • 1x USB ports with rubber outlet covers
• VFT display gives you real time updates with the voltage output, frequency, and lifetime hours
• Smart Idle automatically lowers idle speed with no load to enhance fuel efficiency and extend run times
• Low oil shutdown, automatic voltage regulation and overload protection

---

---

Intro — Hurricane Generators

In truth, these generators are recommended for any natural disasters. Most people don’t realize how helpless they are until the power goes down. Just imagine no power for days, weeks or months. Having a generator (and fuel) will keep you self-reliant when you’re on your own.

WEN 56475: Best Cheap Hurricane Generator

SHIPS FAST — Affordable 4750W (Peak)

Great value as WEN makes affordable generators that are well made and reliable. This is a small portable generator but when a hurricane is coming it can be hard to get a generator in time. This model ships fast. Highly recommended.

Features:

• Digital readout helps manage oil changes and maintenance schedule
• Features electric start, low-oil shutdown, an automatic voltage regulator and overload protection to maximize safety
• CARB & EPA III meet requirements for sale in all 50 states
• Includes wheel kit and foldable handles for easy transport
• 223cc engine provides 4750 surge watts and 3750 rated watts

---

---

Best Dual-Fuel Hurricane Generator: Westinghouse iGen4500

Quiet power. Dual Fuel allows you to choose gas or propane when fuel is scarce

Ships fast! When buying a portable generator to prepare for an incoming hurricane you need to make sure that the model you buy will arrive in time. There’s no point in spending money on something that won’t arrive before you need it. Unfortunately, most people wait until it’s too late before they order their hurricane. You can’t order the day before the hurricane is going to be in your neighborhood.

The time to prepare and buy is now. You can’t wait to be 100% sure the hurricane will come your way because as soon as they announce landfall, everybody in your area will also be trying to buy a generator and they will sell out fast. It happens every year. If you’re reading this and you’re concerned about the hurricanes forming in the Gulf of Mexico, then you should be buying a generator right now, not tomorrow or in a few hours.

Feature:

• Bring power to your home during a power outage or recreational activities
• 4500 peak watts, 3700 running watts and runs for up to 18 hours on a 3.4 gal. gas tank
• Enhanced fuel efficiency – variable engine speeds allow 30% to 50% higher fuel efficiency than a traditional generator
• Compact and powerful design – features telescoping handle and never-flat wheels for easy portability at 104.7 lb.
• Remote start (key fob) and push button start make this generator convenient to operate
• Super quiet – as low as 52 dBA with double-insulated acoustic enclosure, asymmetrical cooling fans, and low tone mufflers to reduce operating noise
• Safely powers sensitive electronics such as laptop computers, cell phones and more
• Real-time LED display with runtime, remaining fuel, load/output, volts and lifetime hours data
• RV Ready TT-30R outlet keeps this compact generator versatile for campgrounds, tailgates, and other outdoor festivities
• All Westinghouse portable generators are functionally tested in the factory and may contain minimum residual oil and/or fuel odor

---

Best Tri-Fuel Generator for Hurricanes: DuroMax XP13000HXT

Features / DuroMax XP13000HXT

• Tri fuel technology: Gas, Propane or Natural Gas
• Gas: 13,000W Start / 10,500W Running 
• Propane: 12,000W Start / 9500W Running 
• Natural Gas: 10,000W Start / 8500W Running 
• Ideal for home backup: Has a 50 Amp plug that hooks up directly to your home via a transfer switch
• Powerful 500 cc OHV engine
• CO alert: Generator will shut off automatically when unsafe levels of carbon monoxide is detected
• Push button start and remote start
• Advanced computer Panel: View the gas gauge, load gauge, as well as the voltage, frequency and time used
• OUTLETS: 4X 120-Volt 20 Amp GFCI outlets, 1X 120-Volt 30 Amp twist lock, 1X 120-Volt/240-Volt 30 Amp twist lock and 1X 120-Volt/240-Volt 50 Amp heavy-duty outlet
• 100% copper windings
• All-metal construction: built tough  
• Approved by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CARB (California Air Resources Board)  
• 5-year warranty

The DuroMax XP13000HXT is the ultimate hurricane generator because it solves one of the biggest problems people have after a hurricane. The problem is getting your hands on fuel to run the generator. Ideally you stock up on fuel long before a hurricane but if you wait until the last minute to buy a generator then you’re simply not going to be prepared.

This can run off of gasoline, propane or natural gas. Gasoline can’t be stored long-term so I wouldn’t even consider gas if you’re preparing for a hurricane or other natural disaster. Propane is great because they can be stored indefinitely and they come in their own heavy duty canister. These canisters come in a wide variety of sizes. As long as you store them safely and in a manner that they won’t be destroyed or floated away during a hurricane then you’ll be in good hands.

What I love about this Duromax Tri-fuel is that it’s very well made and it has enough power to run your entire room. You get 9500W or running power off of propane and 10,500W from gas. It’s enough power for a normal home. This is the biggest tri-fuel generator you can buy. Champion also makes a great 11KW Tri-fuel.

In this article we give you a range of options to allow you to choose the Best Hurricane Generator for your specific needs. If you live in an area where hurricanes are probable, or likely then you would be wise to invest your money into a hurricane generator to get you through the days and weeks that follow. Most people wait for a disaster to strike before taking action but in the case of a hurricane, you really need to prepare beforehand because you won’t be able to find a generator locally in the days before a hurricane is predicated or in the weeks after it arrives.

I hope this article inspires you to plan ahead and choose a hurricane generator to match your budget and power needs.

---

Preparing for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season is upon us. If you haven’t started preparing for the storms, you shouldn’t delay it any longer. This article should serve as your one stop hurricane preparation guide, starting with a review of the best hurricane generators. We’ll feature a wide range of generator products that will keep the lights on when the powerlines go down.

Whether you’re looking for a large standby generator to keep your whole house supplied with electric power, or something smaller to keep the essential equipment powered up during a hurricane, we’ve searched for the ideal solutions for every circumstance. Following the hurricane generator review, we’ll also provide the essential hurricane checklist and all the advice you could possibly want when preparing for a hurricane.

VIDEO | What you Need for the 2024 Hurricane Season

---

Reviews — Best Hurricane Generator

Here’s a quick reference to the generators that I’ll be reviewing, as some of your best options for a hurricane generator.

• Mid-range Dual-Fuel Generator — Westinghouse WGEN7500DF
• Keep the refrigerator running during a hurricane — WEN 56225i
• Quiet & Powerful Inverter Generator — Honda EU7000iS
• Cheap Hurricane Generator that will get you through the night: Champion 46597
• Affordable Heavy-Duty Dual Fuel Generator: DuroMax XP12000EH
• Indoor Generator, battery power station for small electrical devices: Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium
• Ultimate Hurricane Generator (Standby Generators): Generac 7043

This list comprises some excellent value hurricane generators, as well as some of the very best options, for those who have more money to spend.

---

Westinghouse WGEN7500DF — Dual-Fuel Generator

Ideal for hurricanes and other natural disasters, when fuel is scarce you’ll want the option of using gas or propane to run your generator. Propane can be stored indefinitely whereas gas has a limited shelf-life of about a year.

Features:

• Dual Fuel – gasoline or propane
• Gasoline: 9,500 peak watts and 7,500 running watts
• Propane: 8,550 peak watts and 6,750 running watts
• Push Button and Remote Start
• Up to 10 Hours of Run Time at 50% Load
• 420cc, OHV Engine with Cast Iron Sleeve
• 3-Year Warranty and Lifetime Technical Support
• EPA, CSA, CARB Compliant
• 6.6 Gallon Gas Fuel Tank w/ Gauge (Propane Tank NOT Included); Electric Push Button Start with Remote Key Fob
• Intuitive Control Panel Features Two GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) 5-20R 120V Household
• Duplex Outlets and One L14-30 120/240V 30A Twist-Lock Outlet (Common for Transfer Switch Hookup)
• Plug-and-Play! Includes Remote Start Key Fob, 12V Battery Charger, Oil, Funnel, Tool Kit, and User’s
• Manual – Everything You Need to Get Started Right Out of the Box
• 420cc Westinghouse 4-Stroke OHV Engine Featuring Automatic Low Oil Shutdown and Digital Hour Meter
• EPA, CARB, and CSA Compliant; Backed By a 3-Year Warranty

Documents for for the Westinghouse WGen7500DF.

• ✓ View or download the MANUAL
• ✓ View or download the SPEC SHEET
• ✓ View or download the QUICK START GUIDE

Overview

If common sense practicality, and value for money is your thing, then Westinghouse WGEN7500DF may well be your number one choice for a great backup generator during the hurricane season. The Westinghouse brand has certainly won me over for their outstanding quality, durability, and very reasonable prices. In a nutshell, incredible value for money.

Being a dual fuel (hybrid) generator, the Westinghouse WGEN7500DF has a great advantage as one of the best hurricane generators. When gas is in short supply, as so often happens during a hurricane, you can use propane as an alternative fuel supply.

The Westinghouse 420cc (13HP), OHV, 4-stroke engine is superb. It is one of the most fuel efficient generator engines, providing 11-hours runtime (at 50% load) from a 6.6-gallon gas tank. A 20-pound propane tank, at 25% generator load, will also last for about 11-hours. This is also a clean engine and is CARB, EPA, and CSA compliant. The Pulse-Flo muffler is world class, noise levels can be as low as 74dBA, well above average for a large, open frame generator.

Power output is sufficient to keep most of your household electrical equipment functioning during an outage: 9,500 peak watts and 7,500 running watts when using gas; 8,550 peak watts and 6,750 running watts for propane. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) is less than 23%, and the generator has an Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR).

Considering the ultra-tough (1¼”) full wrap around steel tubing frame, and general rugged build quality with plenty of steel protection plates, this is a reasonably lightweight generator at 194 LBS. The inclusion of a 10” never-flat wheel kit, and foam covered handle help when it comes to portability.

VIDEO | A Closer Look at the Westinghouse WGen7500DF

The Westinghouse WGEN7500DF has most of the outlets for the home (transfer switch ready), jobsite, or RV: 2 X duplex 120V 20A (5-20R) GFCI outlets, 1 X 120V/240V (L14-30R) outlet, and 2 X 5VDC USB ports. I’d prefer to have seen a 50A 120V/240 AC outlet, as this would be more practical when using a transfer switch for the home. RV use is also not ideal, as this generator doesn’t have a 120V 30A (RV style) output.

A nice additional feature is the remote control fob, that allows you to switch the generator on from a distance of 109-yards. A great benefit in a storm. The WGEN7500DF has the usual electric starter and recoil starter setup.

I can’t think of a better hurricane generator for under $800. I would almost call this an industrial grade generator, but not quite. It is one of the best home generators and is tough enough for most jobsite applications. The 3-year residential (1-year commercial) warranty is more than one would expect for a generator in this price range.

---

---

WEN 56225i — Inverter Generator

Excellent value. Clean energy. Safely power your sensitive electronics. Quiet. Affordable. Built in economy mode automatically adjusts power depending on your power load. Enough power to keep your fridge running (check the wattage to be sure). One of the best small and affordable hurricane generators for the money.

Features:

• EPA III and CARB-Compliant 79.7cc 4-Stroke OHV engine produces 2250 surge watts and 1800 rated watts
• Extremely quiet 53 dB operation comparable to the sound of a normal conversation according to the US Department of Health and Human Services
• Fuel shutoff maximizes the generator’s lifespan by using up the remaining fuel in the carburetor before shutting down
• Produces clean power to safely operate sensitive electronics such as smartphones, tablets, televisions and computers
• Includes two three-prong 15A 120V receptacles, two 5V USB ports, an oil access panel, and a two-year warranty

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the WEN 56225i.

Overview

In the world of domestic power supply, few can beat WEN portable generators for good basic quality and affordability. The WEN 56225i is one of the few cheap inverter generators worth considering. I wouldn’t recommend this little generator for heavy-duty jobsite conditions. But as a basic power supply for the home during an emergency, like a hurricane, it’s worth every dime of its very reasonable price tag.

The WEN 56225i is an inverter generator with less than 1.3 THD at full load. This makes it the ideal small generator for the home. It won’t harm the myriad of electronic devices that are common in most modern homes. It has the added advantage of being wonderfully fuel efficient and blissfully quiet. Like most inverter generators, the WEN 56225i has ports for parallel connection, allowing you to expand your power output by using more than one WEN generator in tandem. It also has an economy mode to reduce fuel consumption at lower loads, as well as noise levels. You get an astounding 6-hours runtime (at 50% rated load) from the 1-gallon gas tank. The noise level of 53dBA is quieter than someone speaking next to you.

While this is not the most powerful portable generator, with a peak capacity of 2,250W and 1800 watts of running power, it will keep a single refrigerator running, along with basic lights, your TV, stereo, and laptop. The upside to this small size, and a lightweight 79cc engine, is that the WEN 56225i weighs only 48.5 LBS.

With this kind of output, there is no need for high-amp outlets for a transfer switch or RV. So, it has 2 X 15A 120V household outlets and 2 X USB outlets. There is also no electric starter, though with an engine this size, there really is no need, the WEN generator starts easily using the recoil starter.

It’s great to have the advantage of pure sine wave inverter power at such an affordable price. This lightweight, quiet generator is easy to take anywhere, and will keep your essentials powered up during a hurricane.