10 Best Portable Petrol Generators of 2024

US small engine specialists Briggs & Stratton have been in the business for more than a century and are probably best known for their excellent lawnmowers. Their PowerSmart P2400 is an ultra-portable petrol generator that can crank out a high level of power. This is an ultimate portable generator that bridges the gap between having a generator you can carry around with you and a power station that can run multiple tools or gadgets at once.

The first thing to note about this portable generator is that it’s completely enclosed in a handsome grey and black case. There’s a big handle on top to carry it around and it sits on rubber feet that help to dampen vibration and noise.

The small 5.3 HP fuel-efficient engine is more than enough to put out 2,400 starting Watts and then 1,800 continuous Watts to keep everything running for up to eight hours, but only at 25% power. The 3.8 litre tank might be small, but it’s what helps to keep the overall size of this generator down.

What I really like about this generator is the options you have for plugging in your tools or gadgets. You get a pair of standard three-pin plugs, a 12V “cigarette lighter” socket, and a pair of 2.1 Amp fast charging USB socket to power up your phone, laptop, or other accessories. And because it uses inverter technology, the engine will adjust backup power automatically depending on what you have plugged in.

Automotive specialists maXpeedingrods have got a huge range of useful kit for petrolheads, van lifers, and anyone who wants a bit of energy security in the home. Their 3,300 Watt portable inverter generator is one of the best emergency power supply systems available right now. This generator creates a huge amount of power and is more than capable of running several appliances at once.

Surrounded by bright orange plastic and carried around with a chunky handle on the top, this is a genuinely portable generator that weighs just 21 kg without any fuel in it. Power comes from a 145 cc four-stroke engine that is marketed as one of the quietest on the market right now. Putting out a reported 58 dB at a 7m distance, it’s quieter than a normal conversation, and it’ll run for up to eight hours at 25% power.

With the promise of pure sine wave power from the inverter, there are several different options for power output. You get a pair of 230 V standard three-pin sockets on the front, two USB outputs for your gadgets, a pair of 13 Amp parallel connectors, and a single 12 Volt cigarette-type output as well.

To make things easy, you get an indicator light on the display panel to tell you if you’re short on oil, an overload light in case you work it too hard, and a running light when the generator is switched on. It’s a shame that it’s pull-start only, but with this level of power from a small generator, it’s a brilliant solution when you need maximum power in a small package.

Powered by Hyundai technology, the P1 range of outdoor equipment ranges from lawnmowers to space heaters. Their take on the petrol generator is the P1000i suitcase generator. It’s a lightweight and easily man-portable generator that can power up standard three-pin UK plugs, 12 Volt DC, and even USB accessories.

Now that we’re getting into the ultra-portable and lightweight end of the generator spectrum, you need to expect a few compromises when it comes to power. This small generator only has a 3.6 HP motor inside the blue plastic housing, that can put out a maximum 1,000 Watts start-up and 900 Watts continuous supply power.

The onboard three-litre fuel tank might be small, but this handy little portable generator can still run for an impressive 11 hours at 50% power. That makes it perfect for running low-energy devices over long periods, either for camping, caravanning, or if the mains electric drops out.

The simple control panel gives you access to the single 230 Volt three-pin plug, a 12 Volt DC outlet, and single USB plug. It’s started by a pull-cord, and thanks to the pure sine wave power, you can use it on sensitive electronics.

Small engine specialists Champion Power Equipment manufacture a range of impressive-looking equipment for the home and garden. Their portable inverter generator, the 92001i, known as “The Mighty Atom”, is one of the best small generators I’ve come across. It’s a highly portable and solidly built power station for off-grid power on the go.

This inverter generator has a surprisingly potent motor for its small size. The 79cc, 5.3 HP engine can put out 2,200 maximum Volts for start-up, and work at up to 1,900 Watts of continuous power. And because it’s a pure sine wave generator, it’s stable enough to power up your delicate electronics for up to 10½ hours at 25% power.

Weighing just under 18 kg, this mighty little generator is light enough to be carried to where you need it. For power outputs, you get a pair of standard UK three-pin 230 Volt plugs and a single 12 Volt DC cigarette-type plug. It doesn’t include any standalone USB outlets, but Champion have handily thought about that.

Although you don’t get anything like a digital readout of the Voltage output or indicator lights to warn about overloading the generator, it’s one of the more affordable small inverter generators on my list. If you want plenty of power in a tiny package, this is one of the best power plants around.

One of those brands that seem to have a hand in all sorts of different home and garden gadgets, RockwooD make everything from fishing trolleys to electric space heaters. Their version of the portable inverter generator is the RG5000I, a nifty piece of equipment that can run your sensitive electronics as well as standard corded power tools off grid. It’s not as powerful as some inverters on my list, but it’s a lot more affordable as well.

Powered by a four-stroke 80 cc motor that puts out 5.3 HP, this generator with a handle can make a maximum 2,000 Watts on start-up and cruise along at 1,600 Watts continuous power. Thanks to the inverter technology onboard, it puts out pure sine wave power. It’s safe to use on your sensitive gadgets that can’t cope with Voltage fluctuations.

On the output side of things, you get a pair of three pin 230 Volt sockets, and a pair of USB sockets. One runs at 1 Amp, the other at 2.1 Amps for faster charging. There’s no 12 Volt cigarette charger to be seen though.

The slightly upgraded 4.5 litre fuel tank is good to see compared with the tiny ones on other generators, but you’re also lugging round more weight. Even without fuel inside, the RockwooD weighs 25 kg. Rated to just over 60 dB, it’s thankfully one of the quieter generators to run.

Petrol generator specialists Böhmer-AG make a range of off-grid power solutions. If you’re looking for a simple generator, the WX-3800K-E is a marvellously portable piece of kit. Sitting on a pair of chunky plastic tyres, you can unfold the handles and take it off wherever you need it, if you’re feeling strong. And thanks to its cavernous 15 litre fuel tank, it has an impressive runtime of ten hours.

The fuel tank and engine casing are both decked out in luminous green, with a black tubular steel cage around it that holds the wheels and handles. The motor is a decent size 8 HP one, with the choice of electric or pull-cord starter. It can put out 2,700 Watts of continuous power and maxes out at 3,000 Watts to cope with heavy start-up surges.

The control panel is straightforward too. You get an analogue Voltmeter that shows the current output, a pair of 220 Volt three-pin UK plug sockets to power up your gear, and a fuel level indicator on the top of the tank. It’s a capable generator with a massive fuel tank that’s perfect if you’re worried about a power cut at home.

Underfloor heating gurus Nassboards might be better known for their home heating solutions, but they also make a rather handy lightweight suitcase 800 Watt inverter generator as well. Weighing a tiny 9 kg you could easily pick it up, take it with you, and have off-grid power on tap wherever you need it! It might not be the most powerful generator on my list, but it’s an affordable backup system for anyone with a less-than-reliable utility power setup at home.

I was blown away by how compact and portable this little thing is. It’s like a petrol can in shape and size and decked out in dark grey plastic all around. The comfortable handle on the top makes moving it even easier. The control panel is as simple as it gets too, with a pair of switches to control eco mode and the power.

There’s space for a single three-pin wall plug onboard, and a 12 Volt DC output for charging up something like a car battery. You get a handy lead with crocodile clips on the end for just this purpose. The tiny 2.6 HP motor is ideal for low output tools or appliances, as it generates just 800 start-up Watts, and then ticks over with 700 Watts continuous supply power. Its low fuel consumption means it can run for five hours on eco mode, which is fine for topping up batteries or running your gadgets off-grid.  

The brand that makes small petrol-powered tools and other useful workshop equipment, ParkerBrand are a reliable budget brand. Their PPG-2800 Petrol Generator is 230/110 Volt compatible and is reliably built. It isn’t designed to power up sensitive electronics but is one of the best inexpensive off-grid power stations for the money.

Built like a more industrial-style generator than some of the other ones on my list, it comes with a steel tube cage built around it. Weighing in at a hefty 40 kg, it’s not exactly portable, but you can slide it around on its skids if needed.

Onboard, there’s a 6.5 HP four-stroke engine that provides an impressive 2,300 Volts of start-up power and 2,500 Watts constant for powering up all sorts of tools or appliances. For outputs, you get a pair of standard three-pin UK plugs and 12 Volt DC out.

It’s not an inverter generator, but thanks to its automatic voltage regulator it puts out a steady stream of energy. Something I like about this generator is its simplicity. It has a manual recoil start, there’s a basic analogue Voltmeter on there, and everything’s easy to get to for maintenance.

South Korean industrial heavyweights Hyundai are probably best known in the UK for their cars. But the engineering mavericks also happen to make power stations and what I think is the best inverter generator you can buy right now, the HY3200SEi. It’s a portable but very powerful 3,200 Watt inverter generator that can chug along with an output of 2,800 Watts.

It’s key operated, and you get two of them to initially start up the machine. What I really like about this portable generator though is the pair of remote start fobs you get. If you set the switch to “run/remote” you can turn the 14 HP motor on or off with the handy key fob. And if all else fails, you can start up with the pull-cord as well.

The compact blue generator is ideal for taking out and about with you. You get a pair of large wheels on the bottom and an extendable handle that folds neatly into the body of the machine when it’s in use. There’s also a handy digital readout that can cycle between AC power output, rpm, and how many hours the engine has been running.

You can choose from a pair of 230 Volt DC three-pin power plugs to power up anything you like, as if your entire house was connected to the national grid. The onboard 7.8 litre tank takes unleaded petrol and means you can run the generator for up to seven hours at 50% output. I’m really impressed by the spec of this generator – it’s powerful enough to run all my power tools without complaint, and it’s easy to move around too!

One of the more familiar names when it comes to the best petrol generators on the market, the Wolf Power WPB3010LR is a reliable and relatively inexpensive off-grid power station. This is another heavy-duty large-size generator that doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles but has a good size fuel tank in case there’s a power cut at home.

Built with a tubular steel cage around it, this 36 kg heavyweight at least has grippy handles built into it. The basic design of this generator means that everything’s right there on show. It should be easy to service, or fault find should you have any issues.

The power plant is a rock solid 6.5 HP four-stroke motor that can put out 2,200 Watts maximum and will chug along at 2,000 Watts for up to 10 hours at 50% power. The options for output are limited to a pair of standard British three-pin plugs and a 12 Volt DC connector.

The onboard Voltmeter is a basic analogue type alongside the usual earth connector and circuit breaker controls. Although it’s not the most powerful generator on my list, it still provides enough grunt for most power tools or appliances.