7 Best Portable Generators | Australian Buying Guide 2024

What is a Portable Generator?

Portable generators create electricity by running petrol or diesel engines to turn over an alternator, which produces electricity. That electricity is then either used directly, or used to charge a rechargeable battery which then powers your tools.

Portable generators are designed for travelling, and transportation, whether that means powering caravans, or keeping them stored in the back of your van for construction sites and landscaping work when access to main power can be difficult.

What to Look For When Buying Portable Generators

Portable generators are almost exclusively pull-starts, so when ‘ease of use’ is matched across all models, how do you choose the best portable generator?

We’ll try to simplify some of the terms and explain what they mean below, but to sum it up, find a portable generator with a rated power of 2000W or more, a tank that can hold 4.5L or more, and as many output options as possible so you have the choice to use them for standard 12V tools, as well as 24V appliances.

Safety Features

Safety is extremely important in all household devices, especially in ones that use fuel. The best portable generators should have a few safety features that make them safe enough to use in your home.

These include protection from overheating or overloading, and an automatic shut-down when the fuel is low.

Generator Noise Level

Generators produce noise as a result of the internal engine combustion, and this noise can’t be eliminated. However, it can be minimized. Every generator has its own noise level, so choose one according to your needs.

If you plan on using it around your garden, it’s best to find one that’s not overly loud to prevent you from disturbing your neighbours.

What’s the best-rated power on a portable generator?

Most portable generators have a rated power of 1800W or more, though some cheaper models have 1600W, which is enough to power a few tools for short periods.

Rated power simply means the continuous power of the unit while in continuous operation. Most portable generators will also have peak output ratings, but that is the maximum output and should be used to determine power if any appliance or tools have surge limits if you don’t plug them in while the unit is at peak use.

What power outlets should a portable generator have?

Every portable generator has 12V sockets which are meant for standard power tools, or camping equipment, but the more powerful portable generators will also have 24V sockets for large appliances.

Modern portable generators know their audience too and include low powered USB outlets to charge phones and rechargeable tools on site.

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Are petrol or diesel generators better?

Diesel burns longer per gallon than petrol, propane, or natural gas, providing more hours of operation than any other fuel. But, when it comes to portable generators, the difference is minimal, so it’s worth noting that the environmental impact, smell, and air quality around a diesel generator are much, much, worse than petrol, propane, or natural gas.

1. Gentrax Inverter Generator

This is a 2.0Kw Max, 1.7Kw Rated, 100% pure sine wave petrol generator. It’s small size makes it ideal for camping or emergency home backup power, and it can run a small refrigerator, air-conditioner, lights or small appliances with ease.

As it’s a pure sine wave generator, it’s safe for sensitive electronics like tablets, laptops and medical devices. It’s easy to use and, at 58 decibels, is a pretty quiet machine too. This is our top pick of the best generator for home backup power in Australia.

2. GENPOWER 420cc Diesel Portable Generator

The newly released Diesel generator from GENPOWER is a truly exceptional portable generator, delivering 7000W of electricity at peak output, and an oversized battery for continued quiet operation.

The 5000W power outlet is more than capable of keeping your caravan lit up and powered on overnight, with three standard 15A outlets for multiple tools on a shared worksite.

3. KULLER Inverter Generator

This is a 4.2KW pure sine wave, single-phase petrol generator with DC output that is safe for electronic and medical devices. Rated for 3.5KW and weighing 26kgs, it is a bigger unit that isn’t too bulky to take camping or from site-to-site.

It can produce up to 4200 Watts of power, easily supplying your camping fridge, lights and small appliances.

4. Genpower GX12025i Petrol Commercial Generator

Less for camping and DIY and more for commercial use, this petrol commercial generator offers 6000W continuous output through a 420cc 4-stroke engine.

It is workplace safety compliant and features a safety switch and external earth point. This is a heavy generator at 90kgs, and is better suited to work in remote sites, construction work and home or workplace emergency backup power.

5. GENPOWER SV5000 2600 watts Inverter Generator

GENPOWER is one of the only dedicated generator manufacturing brands in the world,  making generators the core of their sales and manufacturing output.

If you want a generator that lasts, GENPOWER is the brand to go for. They’re more expensive which comes with the territory of buying the best, but they have a huger range of GENPOWER generators at Edison’s so you’ll definitely be able to find one to suit your needs.

This 2200W generator is perfect for powering tools, or keeping a campsite warm and lit up at night.

6. Westinghouse WHXC7000 Portable Generator

This is a petrol-powered generator with a 4-stroke 357cc Westinghouse engine. It’s impressively fuel efficient thanks to the extended run-time fuel tank, and it’s highly portable despite its size and weight due to its Never-Flat wheels.

It is easy to use with a simple power control centre and colour-coded touchpoints and has plenty of great safety features. It does have sine wave output, so it’s useful for powering office equipment and home appliances.

7. GENPOWER SV7000 4500 Watts Inverter Petrol Generator

GENPOWER’s most powerful portable petrol generator is capable of powering all your essential appliances for a few hours in a power outage or keeping your tools running for a full day of work with up to six hours continuous operation on a single tank.

Like most modern generators it comes with USB sockets, which are relatively new additions to the GENPOWER range, and a clever addition for contractors and domestic users alike. We carry so many devices with us these days that the more low power outlets a generator has, the better.

For value-for-money, it’s hard to beat the Gentrax Inverter Generator. It’s affordable as well as being high-performance, giving you a reliable source of pure sine wave electricity that’s safe for sensitive electronics.

It will supply power for up to 9 hours depending on load, has a maximum output of 2000W, comes with two outlets, and weighs just 22kgs, so it’s great for camping or home use.

Despite running on petrol, it’s pretty quiet at 58 decibels, which is similar to an air conditioner.

I’m not usually swayed by shiny new things, but this newly released Diesel generator from GENPOWER is a really exceptional generator, more efficient, and more powerful than 90% of its rivals, and capable of powering a full campsite if needed.

Portable generators are usually low powered alternatives to house generators thanks to their smaller thanks, but GENPOWER has built a great convenient alternative to a bulky generator for homes that don’t need one connected up that regularly.

Types of Generators and Their Benefits

Petrol generators, propane generators, and inverter generators are pretty straightforward, but there’s some confusion about what dual fuel generators are and how they work, so let’s start there.

Essentially, a dual fuel generator is an electronic household device that uses two types of fuel to generate electricity. The “dual” part of the name suggests that two different types of fuels are used instead of one – petrol and propane. 

Once one fuel source runs out, the generator will keep on working by switching to the other fuel. However, the best part about this technology is that the generator mostly uses a combination of the two. 

This ensures more efficient operation and less fuel consumption, which makes it suitable for those looking to use electric tools in their garden.

Once this electricity is generated, you can just plug in any device you need into the generator through the power outlets. Although all this sounds pretty simple, there are a few other factors to consider so you can get the best generator for your needs.

Dual Fuel Generator

Durability and Reliability

The best thing about having a dual fuel generator is the ability to use all your tools and appliances even in a power outage.

Whether it’s an air compressor for DIY projects or a power tool for an emergency, you can rely on the generator to provide you with power for anything you need. 

In addition, they’re built with highly durable and reliable parts, which means that they’ll last a long time.

Cost-effective

Even though they cost more upfront than regular generators, they are much cheaper to operate. By using a mixture of two types of fuels, the generator optimizes its fuel consumption, which means you get more electricity for less fuel.

Portability

Almost all dual fuel generators are portable generators, which means you can use them both at home and on-the-go. They usually come with high-quality wheels for easy transportation and foldable handles for more compact storage.

You'll never know when you'll need a portable dual fuel generator.

Environment Friendly

Burning gasoline and propane together instead of just petrol means that dual fuel generators are more eco-friendly. Additionally, their efficient operation ensures less carbon emission per watt.

Easy maintenance

The engine of a dual fuel generator is easy to use and maintain. It automatically switches between the fuel types, so you don’t need to do too much.

Petrol Generator

Cost

Petrol generators are usually the cheapest models on the market, so they are ideal if you are looking for a portable generator that is very affordable.

They are also usually a bit lighter too, which matters when you’re hauling it to different sites!

Running Costs

Petrol is cheaper than other fuel types, which makes it very cost-effective to run your generator. Diesel is often said to be more fuel-efficient, but recent breakthroughs in petrol technology has helped these engines compete effectively with diesel counterparts.

Safety Features

Today’s petrol generators have plenty of safety features to make them safe for home use, which helps address the potential risks of the spark ignition system they use.

Noise

Petrol engines run more quietly than diesel ones, so they are less likely to disturb residents and neighbours when they are running.

This is an important consideration if your home is fairly close to your neighbours, or if you have to keep your generator close by.

Maintenance

Maintenance is fairly low on petrol generators, although they do run hotter than their counterparts, which can increase wear and tear over time.

Inverter Generator

Noise

These are so quiet! Other than the hum of a small computer fan, you won’t hear a thing, which makes them ideal for home or office use, or for using on camping trips where you want total peace and quiet.

Electricity Quality

If you are running computers, smartphones and other sensitive electronic equipment, you want an inverter generator because these offer very high-quality, clean electricity.

The electricity produced by fossil fuel generators can wear components out over time.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is determined by the quality of the batteries in your inverter. The best portable inverters have high-capacity, high tech batteries that can store a significant amount of power.

Of course, all batteries have a limited capacity and will require recharging, so you can’t keep them running indefinitely the way you can with a dual fuel or petrol generator.

You can extend the running time by charging the inverter as you use it using solar panels.

Portability

These generators are usually the lightest of all generator types, which is a key consideration when you’re looking for something you can transport easily.

Eco-Friendly

These generators charge off your electricity supply, either from your mains or solar panels, so it’s easy to make them exceptionally eco-friendly. Some solar generators even come with their own solar panels for charging!

In addition, they don’t produce any emissions and fumes, so you don’t have to worry about the environment or your nose while you’re running them.

Check out our detailed guide on solar generators and see if its the type you'd like to go for. 

Safety Guidance for Portable Generators

• Always use portable generators in well-ventilated spaces. Remember, they are burning fossil fuels and creating carbon monoxide which is a poisonous gas, and should never be allowed to build up in occupied spaces.
• Always allow engines to cool down completely before adding more fuel to prevent fires.
• Set up your generator on level surfaces to prevent tipping.
• Never exceed the maximum output Wattage by using extension leads.

How to Store a Portable Generator

For short term storage, make sure to clean off your portable generator, and leave it with a small amount of fuel in the tank. For long term storage, find a cool, dry space where the metal parts won’t corrode, and half fill your tank with fuel and a fuel stabiliser fluid which helps maintain the tank condition during storage.

How to Maintain Your Portable Generator

Inverters and solar generators require little or no maintenance, although the batteries will have to be replaced at some point according to the manufacturer recommendations. For diesel and petrol generators, you need to:

• Add and change the oil regularly
• Drain the fuel tank or add fuel preservative when the generator is not in use. Fuel can decay in as little as 6 months, causing moisture and rust issues.
• Clean and replace the air filters as needed.
• Run your generator once a month for 30 minutes to keep it lubricated and operational
• Keep it clean and clean well before storing in a dry space out of the sun and heat, protected by a cover.
• Test the generator before you use it for camping, home or work use.
• Get a professional service once a year.

Portable Generator Frequently Asked Questions

What size portable generator is needed to power a house?

Any generator used to power a home should have a rated 5000W output as a minimum continuous use to be able to cope with all your major appliances. It’s possible to power a few select appliances off smaller generators for short periods in an emergency.

What type of portable generator is best for home use?

Diesel generators are the most efficient over longer periods, so backup generators are the safest option to have in the house. Petrol generators have less damaging emissions and are cleaner to use over long periods, but cost more to run.

What size portable generator do I need for garden tools?

Garden tools only require a low power output, so a generator that produces a 1800W continuous rated output is more than enough to power basic garden tools like corded lawn mowers, or scarifiers when you’re working far from the house.

Is a portable generator worth it?

Portable generators are worth buying for homes with occasional power outages. For regular outages, it’s advised to consider larger static home generators so you know you’ve got peace of mind when the power drops out.

For homes where there are short power outages every so often, a portable generator is a good money-saving option.