Hurricane season in the U.S. starts each year on June 1. Officially the season ends November 1, but don’t tell that to people on the east coast who were hammered by Hurricane Kate in 1985. While the hurricane season is upon us, don’t delay looking for home generator deals. The best time to shop for the best cheap generator deals is when you don’t need one. Don’t wait until a hurricane is headed your way or during an area-wide power outage. When bad weather is on it’s way, generator deals will be hard if not impossible to find. Normally, however, you’ll find loads of excellent deals for the best portable generators as long as you shop ahead of time. Whether you want a generator for storm-related outages, to have power for tools and lights on a worksite, to use with an RV, or for tailgating, camping, or other recreational pursuits, you can find excellent generator deals to meet any need. Just don’t try to find cheap generators when the power is already out. We found the best generator deals available for a variety of uses, listed below. We’ll update this post regularly with the best cheap generators, so check back often.
Best generator deals
- Puleida Pu300 Portable 300W Rechargeable Generator/Power Station — $220, was $350
- Sportsman 4,000/3,500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator — $299, was $369
- Puleida Pu600 600W Portable Generator/Power Station — $400, was $500
- BLUETTI AC50S 500Wh Portable Power Station with Solar Panel Included — $629, was $699
- Bluetti EB240 MAXOAK Portable Solar Inverter Generator Power Station — $1,499, was $1,999
- BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC200P 2000W Backup Battery Pack — $1,698, was $1,898
- BLUETTI AC200P 2000Wh Portable Power Station with 3-120W Solar Panels — $2,659, was $2,800
With on-page coupon 
Portable power for camping, tailgating, power outages, and emergencies with 600 watts of juice for your gadgets. Also compatible with a solar panel (sold separately) for recharging in the outdoors.
With on-page coupon
If you need a compact generator and portable power station for phones, laptops, and even emergency situations, the handy little Puleida Pu300 does the trick.
Power work tools or use for camping, tailgating, and other recreational purposes. Peak 3,500 watts of starting power and runs at 3,000 watts continuously. A quieter alternative to gas generators.
Discount with coupon on page
Powerful gas-powered inverter generator with 3,700 watts of continuous and 4,500 watts starting power. Runs up to 15 hours on 3.2 gallons of gas. For worksites, RVs, camping, and home blackout power.
Duel-fuel, electric start portable generator for camping, RVs, and work site power supply. Gas or propane powered, with 3,800 watts peak starting power. Up to 9 hours on gas and 10.5 hours on propane.
Enough power for worksite, home emergency, and RV use, this gas-powered inverter generator is rated at 4,500 peak watts and 3,700 watts continuous power.
Pulsar G12KBN-SG Heavy Duty Portable Dual Fuel Generator
$1,000 $1,299
Dual fuel generator runs on gasoline or propane. For RVs or home power source via transfer switch. 9,500 watts continuous, 12,000 watts peak power. Up to 12 hours at half load on 8 gallons of gas.
Especially suited for RVs with a 50 amp RV outlet, this dual fuel inverter generator also has four GFCI 120-vol\t ports. Slso for use on work sites and at home.
Electric start dual fuel generator with 7,500 watts of starting power and 6,000 watts of continuous power. Runs up to 9 hours on gas at 50% or 5 hours on an LP tank. Work sites, home backup power,
Gas-powered Honda inverter generators are known for their relatively quiet operation. Maximum 1,000 watt power load and a continuous carbon monoxide monitor. Good for smaller appliances and devices.
Llve off the grid with the combination of a Bluetti 2,000-watt continuous portable power station with three Bluetti SP120W solar panels to fully recharge the power station.
Discount with coupon on page
Portable power station and backup battery pack can be charged by AC, 12-volt, or solar panels (sold separately). 2000-watts continous power, 4,800-watt surge max.
Portable power station and inverter generator can be recharged by solar panels (not included) or AC outlet. Suitable for home, car, recreation, and worksite. 2,400/1,000-watt peak/continuous power.
Generac 7129 GP3000i Inverter Generator
$749 $999
Gas-powered inverter generator rated at 3,000 peak watts and 2,300 continuous watts of power. Compact and relatively light, good for camping, running electronics, tools, and small appliances.
Gasoline-powered emergency generator for home, recreation, or RV use, this model puts out 3,500 running watts with 4,000-watt peak power. Not recommended for use at altitudes greater than 3,000 feet.
Discount with coupon on page
BUTURE 266Wh Solar Outdoor Generator
$170 $200
Solar-powered portable power station primarily camping, tailgates. You can use this power station to charge mobile devices, power lights, and run small appliances. Solar charging panel no included.
Gasoline-only powered portable inverter generator for recreation, RVs, and home backup. Quiet and up to 13 hours of run time on 1.3 gallons of gas. 2,200 watts starting power and 1800 running watts.
Discount with coupon on page
Great for camping or car trips and tailgating. Power station has two AC outlets and comes with a 120-watt solar panel to recharge from household power and/or solar power. Required cables included.
Power this portable inverter generator with propane or gasoline for 2,200 watts startup or 1,800 watts running power. Runs for up to 7 hours with a full gas tank.
How to choose a generator
When you shop for a portable generator during an emergency you lose out on more than just a chance for a good deal on a cheap generator. There are many types, sizes, and optimal applications for generators and if you shop when the power is threatened or has already failed, you may have to take what you can find, which might not be the best choice for your needs. Assuming you’ll have the time to shop for the right type of generator deals, keep the following factors in mind.
- Your primary need – Are you shopping for a portable generator for tailgate parties and camping? If that’s the case you can likely get away with a relatively small, light, and inexpensive portable power station. If you want more power for additional electrical devices and appliances, to power tools on a worksite, or to hook up to an RV, a smaller gasoline or propane-fueled generator may be enough to do the trick. If what you really need is a generator for a backup power supply to operate essential appliances and lights for your home, look for a larger portable generator with a running power rating of 7,000 watts or more. Portable generators with 20,000 watts and up can supply sufficient power for a small home, but at that size, portability is relatively limited. For long-term whole-home energy backup, the best current solution is a whole home generator, preferably connected to a natural gas fuel supply from your street. Whole-home generators, however, cost on average from $10,000 to $30,000 including installation, and are beyond the scope of this post.
- How much capacity do you really need? – The trick in selecting a portable generator with the right capacity is buying enough but not too much. One way to estimate capacity is to add up the power draws of everything you would likely want to operate at the same time and then add 20% to 50% to allow for peak power demand when devices start up and to have enough power to hook up an additional device or two. Buying twice as much power capacity as you need is fine, but be prepared to sacrifice portability and to pay more for the generator and for the fuel to run it.
- Fuel type – Smaller power stations based on Lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries are limited to short-term applications. Some day home power storage batteries connected to solar or wind power sources may be common, but today most home generators are the rule, and most portable units run on gasoline or propane. Dual fuel units add convenience, but in either case, it’s necessary to have the fuel on hand. A gas or propane-powered generator won’t do you much good if you have to go out to buy fuel when gas stations and propane suppliers are closed.
- Generator or inverter generator – In general, generators are cheaper and louder than inverters, but most generators also run at full power. A generator running at full capacity speed uses more fuel than an inverter that adjusts to the demand. Because they don’t run as much or as loudly, inverters may run for a longer time on the same amount of fuel, and inverter noise can be less of a bother to neighbors and you than regular generators. Inverter generators cost more than regular generators, though.
- Portability – The smallest power stations, generators, and inverter generators typically have handles so you can pick them up to carry or move them. Larger portable generators often have two or four wheels and a handle to push or pull them. If you buy a large portable generator, substantial wheels and tires make a difference.
- Connections – Different classes of generators or backup power supplies have varied connectors and connection requirements. A portable power station may have one or two 120V plugs for small appliances and lights and USB ports for recharging devices. Generators for RVs typically have a covered 30 or 50 amp RV port that connects with a special cable to a matching port found on most RVs. If you’re going to use a generator for home backup power there are several choices ranging in complexity, convenience, capacity, and cost. Connecting directly to appliances from a home generator using cables is certainly possible but limiting and potentially dangerous due to potential cable fires. Transfer boxes, interlocks, and generlinks are better alternatives for generator-to-home electrical power connections, but they are subject to local building codes and require installation by a licensed electrician. Those connections are beyond the scope of this article, but if you are shopping for a substantial generator for home power backup, it’s an excellent idea to speak to an electrician first to learn about local connection alternatives and installation costs.
- Cost – The more power you need the more money you’ll have to spend. While that statement is accurate, it’s not the whole story because safety and convenience factors can also affect price (see mentions above of inverters and home connections). When you’re searching for the best cheap generator deals, the best way to save is to analyze your needs before you shop so you look for the right generator type and capacity for your needs.
We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and we choose what we cover carefully and independently. The prices, details, and availability of the products and deals in this post may be subject to change at anytime. Be sure to check that they are still in effect before making a purchase.
Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.
Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.
Editors' Recommendations
- Best cheap lap desk deals for August 2021
- Best cheap robot vacuum deals for August 2021: Roomba, Eufy, Deebot
- Best cheap air fryer deals for August 2021: Instant Pot, Ninja, and Dash
- Best cheap bidet deals for August 2021
- Best cheap Peloton alternatives for August 2021
