5 Best 10,000 Watt Portable Generators of 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

During power outages, 10,000-watt portable generators are a must. These generators are accessible enough for the average homeowner to get their hands on them, and they are strong enough to power most essential household functions.

These generators must be reliable since they are often used in emergencies. You don’t want your power to go out only to realize that your generator can’t keep up. These generators aren’t cheap either, so you don’t want to waste your money on one that isn’t going to work correctly.

In this article, we’ll review some of the most popular 10,000-watt portable generators on the market. Hopefully, this article will help you choose the best portable generator for your home.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Durostar DS10000E Gas Powered Portable Generator	8 000 running watts Many outlets included Comes with plenty of tools	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		All Power America APGG10000 Portable Generator	8 000 running watts Runs up to 9 hours Holds 8 gallons of fuel	CHECK PRICE
		DuroMax XP10000E Gas Powered Portable Generator	8 000 running watts Can deliver maximum power through outlets Automatic low oil shut-off	CHECK PRICE
		A-iPower SUA10000EC Portable Generator	8 200 running watts Air-cooled engine CARB certified	CHECK PRICE
		Firman H08051 Dual Fuel Portable Generator	Holds up to 8 gallons of fuel Padded handle	CHECK PRICE

The 5 Best 10,000 Watt Portable Generators – Reviews 2023

1. Durostar DS10000E Gas Powered Portable Generator – Best Overall

The Durostar DS10000E Gas Powered Portable Generator runs on an 18 horsepower (HP) 440cc engine. It features an automatic low oil shut-off to avoid unnecessary damage to the generator. It has a fuel capacity of 8.3 gallons, but it is noisy at 72 decibels (dB). However, some machines are much noisier, so we can’t complain that much. With 10,000 peak watts and 8,000 running watts, this machine is powerful enough to handle most household tasks. It can power many high voltage appliances at once and run heavy-duty, professional tools.

This unit has many different outlets on it as well. It has two 120V outlets for common household appliances and machines. It also has a twist-lock outlet and a few heavy-duty outlets. This variety of outlets allows you to use it for just about anything. No matter what outlet you use, the machine can use its maximum power in each outlet. Or, if you use more than one at a time, it will appropriately split the power between them.

You get everything you need to start using this generator right away. It comes with an oil funnel, spark plug wrench, and a toolset. All in all, we think this is the best 10000 watt generator on the market this year.

2. All Power America APGG10000 Portable Generator — Best Value

Like many generators on this list, the All Power America APGG10000 Portable Generator is designed to power all of your essentials. It has a 10,000-watt maximum capacity and an 8,000-watt running capacity. This means it can run at 10,000-watts for a short period but can only uphold about 8,000-watts. This should be plenty for most homeowners, as it is enough to power several appliances at once. It only has a 15 HP engine, which is a bit lower than our top pick.

This generator can run for a maximum of 9 hours at only half load. If you need power for longer, this is not the generator for you. It can hold up to 8 gallons of fuel, which is about average. It includes an hour meter, a maintenance-free battery, and a flat-free wheel kit. This is most of what you need to use this generator right away.

This generator is also EPA certified, so you should be able to use it in most areas. Overall, we think it’s one of the best 10,000-watt portable generators for the money.

3. DuroMax XP10000E Gas Powered Portable Generator

The DuroMax XP10000E Gas Powered Portable Generator is very similar to many of the other generators we reviewed. It has 10,000 starting watts but only 8,000 running watts. This should be plenty for most households, as it is enough to run many low-powered appliances at once. It can handle many heavy loads as well. It is capable of delivering maximum power to each of the 120V outlets. It can also split the power between all the different outlets, depending on what you have plugged in.

To prevent accidental damage to the generator, it will automatically shut-off when the oil gets low. This takes the need to check the oil off your plate, as the machine will let you know when it needs more. The generator also lowers its overall RPM when not in use, saving fuel and reducing noise considerably. It is perfect for job sites or other situations when you may only need its power occasionally.

The instructions are not very clear with this generator, making it difficult to set up and use without some previous experience. As you might imagine, this can make it quite a bit difficult for many people to use. This is the primary reason we rated it halfway down our list.

4. A-iPower SUA10000EC Portable Generator

With 8,200 running watts, the A-iPower SUA10000EC Portable Generator claims to be a bit more potent than most other generators on this list. However, at only 200 watts higher, you probably won’t notice much of an actual difference. It is air-cooled and has a 4-stroke engine. At 7-gallons, it holds a bit less gas than most. It can run for about 7 hours at half power, which is also slightly lower than most of the other generators on this list. It has a keyless one-touch button start. We did find this start mechanism relatively easy to use.

It is CARB certified, which means it will ship to California. This is quite unusual when it comes to a generator. Most generators on this list can not be shipped to CA because of their stricter environmental regulations.

This generator does get extremely hot. It burns cables and may damage sensitive equipment. This isn’t necessarily a problem for everyone, but you need to keep it in mind if you’re a homeowner.

5. Firman H08051 Dual Fuel Portable Generator

Out of all those we reviewed, the Firman H08051 Dual Fuel Portable Generator is one of the lower-quality options out there. It isn’t necessarily bad, but there are a few things we didn’t like about it. It is designed to be used for emergency power, at the job site, and for large RVs. It delivers both 30A and 50A power, though this is common among most portable generators of this size. It can hold up to 8 gallons of fuel, which is about average. It has an ergonomically padded handle to help you carry it around appropriately as well.

While this machine can run on propane and gasoline, it seems to have trouble with propane after some use. The customer service is also considered poor. There are many reports of parts breaking with no response from customer service.

We also found the tires to be relatively poor. They do not roll over grass or any hilly land easily.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best 10000 Watt Generator

There is a lot you should consider when purchasing a 10,000-watt generator. Most people purchase a generator this vital to power their house during power outages. However, they can also be used at job sites and other areas where you need a lot of power produced regularly.

Many features go into each generator. Some are considerably powerful, while others are not. It is essential to choose the right one for you to avoid wasting hundreds of dollars on a machine that doesn’t work for you.

This section will provide you with all the information you need to know about these generators.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are a few common questions customers ask when looking for a 10,000-watt generator. Many of these will affect your decision in the end, so that we will answer them here.

What will a 10,000-watt generator run?

A 10,000-watt generator can run most household items, like the refrigerator, furnace, air condition, and lights. In many cases, you should be able to run most of these devices at the same time. In other words, you can almost power your whole house with one of these machines. This makes them perfect for power outages, as you’ll still be able to keep your fridge and most other things running with one of these generators.

What does a 10,000-watt generator weigh?

This is going to vary a bit from machine to machine. Many weigh quite a lot. Over 100 pounds is quite common. Simultaneously, many of these machines have wheels and similar features to help you move them when you need to. They are a machine you set and one place ang leave, though. It would help if you were not running them around your home or across acres of land.

What is the highest wattage for a portable generator?

The largest portable generators are around 17,500 watts. These can power many things at once, so they are best suited for huge homes or job sites where many people will be using high-powered tools at once.

Are 10,000-watt portable generators quiet?

They can be, but many are also very loud. Most are around 70 dB, which is equivalent to a noisy classroom. Many can be even louder at around 80 dBA or about as loud as a freight train 100 feet away. Many people put their generators in an area away from their living area because of the sound. More powerful options are usually louder, though this is not always the case.

What size generator will power a house?

This will depend on how big your house is as well as how many people are in it. Bigger houses typically have more appliances and lights. More people in a house means that many of these things may be used simultaneously, which will require more energy.

It also depends on whether you want to be careful about your energy usage or not. If you are willing to draw back on your usage during an emergency, you can likely get away with a smaller generator.

To run only critical household equipment, you need a generator that runs about 5,000 to 7,500 watts. This includes things like the well pump, refrigerator, and lighting circuits. This doesn’t take into account separate deep freezers and extra appliances. For those things as well, you need one rated a bit higher.

Safety Features

Safety features are a prime concern when it comes to generators. Generators can be life-threatening when misused or damaged. Low-quality generators are more likely to be dangerous, as they do not have other generators’ extra safety features.

Generally, the most dangerous thing about one of these generators is that they release carbon monoxide. This is poisonous to people in high concentrations. It will kill you, but it isn’t easy to detect. Many people die without even realizing they are breathing it in. Many new generators have built-in sensors that trigger the machine to shut-off if the carbon monoxide (CO) builds up to high levels. This can save lives. Others produce less CO to begin with, which also lowers the chance of a problem.

Safety features are an essential consideration when choosing a generator. You do not want to purchase a machine that is low-quality and lacking in safety features.

With that said, even the safest generators need to be operated responsibly. It would help if you never used them in an enclosed space, including your basement or garage. CO can seep into your house from these spaces and will not be able to vent properly. You should use them 20 feet from your house and face the exhaust away from your home. This will prevent CO from entering your homes.

Features to Consider

Here is a short list of other features you may want to consider when purchasing your generator. Many of these will be essential for some users, but others may not particularly care about them. It depends on your situation and what you plan on using these generators for.

Conclusion

When choosing a 10,000-watt generator for your home, there is a lot you need to keep in mind. While you have determined what wattage you need, you need to consider plenty of other features. Things like safety features and outlets are vital to consider before making your purchase. Hopefully, our reviews and buyer’s guide helped you figure out which generator is best for your situation.

We recommend the Durostar DS10000E Gas Powered Portable Generator to most users out of all those we reviewed. This generator is rated for 10,000 starting watts and 8,000 running watts. This allows it to take care of most household items. If you’re on a budget, be sure to check out the All Power America APGG10000 Portable Generator.

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