Portable generators
I - Portable inverter generators
Compact, quieter and more economical, inverter generators deliver stable, clean power that is safe for your sensitive electronics (phone, laptop, fridge). Perfect for camping, motorhomes or small job sites, they are easy to carry. Here is our selection of the best portable inverter generators.
Honda EU10i
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A Honda portable inverter generator: ultra-quiet, petrol-powered (2.1 L tank), perfect for safely powering your sensitive devices.
- Power: 1000 W max / 900 W continuous (230V)
- Engine: Honda GXH50 4-stroke, 49.4 cc, petrol
- Runtime: ≈ 4 h (up to 8 h in Eco mode), 2.1 L tank
- Noise level: ≈ 59 dB(A) at reduced load (87 dB LwA)
- Compact 13 kg, quiet, inverter, clean power
Ideal for RVs, boating or backup power, the Honda EU10i is one of the most popular portable generators on the market. It owes this to its compact size (13 kg), its inverter technology that delivers clean power compatible with sensitive equipment, and its very quiet operation (around 59 dB(A) at reduced load). With 1000 W max (900 W continuous), a 2.1 L tank, the Eco-Throttle mode and Honda reliability, it combines low fuel consumption with genuine discretion.
We used the Honda EU10i on a sailboat and then in a motorhome, and it lives up to its legend. What strikes you first is the silence: with the engine running, you keep talking normally next to it, and three metres away the neighbours on the pontoon barely hear it. The recoil start is crisp, one firm pull and it runs smoothly. We plugged in a laptop and camera gear without worry: the inverter power is perfectly clean, nothing flinched. At 13 kg with an integrated handle, it really is easy to carry, even one-handed on a pontoon. The Eco-Throttle mode makes the difference over time: at low load, a single 2.1 L tank lasts a good part of the day. Two honest caveats: 1000 W quickly reaches its limit (forget air conditioning or a large inverter, you would then need the EU20i or EU22i), and it is a petrol engine, so maintenance, oil and fuel storage are part of the deal. But as a quiet, rugged, portable power source, the EU10i remains a safe bet, one that also holds its value very well second-hand.
Scheppach SG2500i
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A 2000W portable inverter generator, quiet and with stabilised power, ideal for safely powering your sensitive electronic devices anywhere.
- Power: 2000 W (2200 W max), inverter
- Engine: 4-stroke petrol, 79 cc (3 hp)
- Outputs: 2 x 230V sockets + 2 USB-A
- Stabilised power, quiet (~64 dB) and portable
The Scheppach SG2500i is a compact, portable inverter generator delivering 2000W from a 4-stroke petrol engine. Its inverter technology produces pure sine wave power, safe for sensitive electronics (laptops, smartphones, fridges). Particularly quiet, it features two 230V sockets and two USB ports and carries easily thanks to its handle. Ideal for motorhomes, events, DIY or backup power at home.
We tested the SG2500i in the context it is made for: powering devices where there is no outlet. And it is a pleasant surprise. Recoil starting takes no effort, one or two pulls and the engine purrs. The real strength is the relative quiet: in eco mode and at low load, it stays very discreet for a petrol unit, you can chat next to it without raising your voice, unlike old noisy generators. Thanks to the inverter technology, we plugged in a laptop and a small fridge without worry: the power is clean, stable, jolt-free. The two 230V sockets and USB ports cover the needs of a bivouac or a corner of the garden well. It is also light and compact enough to carry with one hand. Two honest reservations: the 2000W output means managing your loads (no big power tools at the same time), and like any petrol engine, it needs maintenance and fresh fuel. But for a reliable, quiet backup generator, the value for money is excellent.
Güde ISG 2000-2
339.00€ (7)
The generator you can take camping without waking the next tent: clean power, an enclosed case, 18.5 kilos and a handle on top.
- Power: 2000 W peak, 1700 W continuous
- Engine: 99.2 cc four-stroke OHV, 2.11 kW, 4.1 L tank
- Runtime: Up to 5.9 h at 50% load, ECO mode
- Outputs: 2 x 230 V Schuko + 12 V, cable supplied
- Inverter-clean power and 18.5 kg, enclosed case
The Güde ISG 2000-2 is an inverter generator, and that changes everything for electronics: the current comes out conditioned, without the voltage spikes of an open-frame set. Its 99.2 cc four-stroke OHV engine delivers 2000 W peak and 1700 W continuous across two 230 V Schuko sockets, plus a 12 V output for topping up a car battery. The 4.1 litre tank runs up to 5.9 hours at half load thanks to ECO mode, and the sound-damped case stays under 93 dB LWA. All of it weighs 18.5 kg, carried by a single handle.
This small Güde solves a problem many people discover the hard way: a conventional generator produces dirty power, with voltage swings that an angle grinder shrugs off but that become worrying the moment you plug in a laptop, a router or a modern fridge with a control board. The inverter in the ISG 2000-2 rebuilds the waveform before delivering it, and that is what justifies paying a little more than for an open-frame set of the same rating. The format follows the same logic. An enclosed case rather than a tubular frame, a handle on top, 18.5 kg empty, roughly the footprint of a large cool box: you lift it out of the boot one-handed and set it down by a tent without waking the campsite. The quoted 93 dB is a standardised sound-power figure, not what you hear from three metres away, and in practice it sits at the quieter end of its class. Where you have to be clear-eyed is runtime. The tank holds only 4.1 litres: the claimed 5.9 hours apply at half load with ECO mode engaged, which drops engine speed whenever demand falls. Worked hard, expect closer to three hours. That is the price of the compact format, and the flip side is that a 5 litre jerry can doubles your day. Two other things worth knowing: starting is by recoil pull, there is no electric start, and 1700 W continuous rules out heavy resistive loads such as a fan heater or a kettle.
Könner & Söhnen KS2000i S
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A 2000W inverter generator in a soundproofed casing at 64 dB, delivering pure sine wave power ideal for sensitive electronic devices.
- Power: 2000 W max, inverter (pure sine)
- Engine: 4-stroke petrol, EURO V
- Outputs: 1 x 230V (16A) + 2 USB
- Soundproofed 64 dB casing, LED display, eco mode
The Könner & Söhnen KS2000i S is a portable 2000W inverter generator in a closed, soundproofed casing that reads just 64 dB (Lpa at 7 m). Its inverter technology provides pure sine wave power, safe for laptops, smartphones and other sensitive devices. With an LED display, a fuel-saving mode and a EURO V 4-stroke engine, it offers a 230V socket and two USB ports. A reliable portable choice for camping, leisure or backup power.
The KS2000i S won us over with its build quality and above all its quietness. In its closed casing it runs at a very contained noise level: a few metres away you almost forget it, which changes everything for camping or near a terrace. The LED display is a real plus day to day, you keep an eye on voltage and load rather than guessing. On the power side, the inverter technology does the job: we powered a laptop and chargers with no worry at all, the signal is clean and stable. The eco mode matches speed to demand, which limits consumption and noise when you only draw a few watts. It offers only one 230V socket, which sometimes means using a power strip, and at 2000W you have to stay reasonable with loads. At a little over 20 kg, it remains portable but you feel it. Overall, a quiet, well-finished inverter, perfect for anyone who wants clean power without waking the neighbours.
Zipper ZI-STE2800IV
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A rugged 3200W inverter generator with stabilised power, mounted on a tubular frame to withstand the demanding use of the worksite and backup duty.
- Power: 3200 W max (2800 W rated), inverter
- Engine: 4-stroke petrol, single cylinder
- Outputs: 2 x 230V + 12V DC + USB
- Stabilised power and rugged tubular frame
The Zipper ZI-STE2800IV is a 3200W inverter generator (2800W rated) that combines the power of a worksite unit with the power quality of an inverter. Its inverter technology delivers a clean sine wave, suitable for sensitive electronics, while its open tubular frame makes it rugged and easy to grab. It offers two 230V sockets, a 12V output and a USB port. A versatile choice for DIY, the worksite or backup power for a home.
The ZI-STE2800IV plays a slightly different tune from small camping inverters: here we have a beefier unit, mounted on a tubular frame, built to take a beating. We put it to work on a small site, and its 3200W peak gives headroom to run tools while keeping clean power thanks to the inverter, which is reassuring when you also plug in electronics. The open frame makes it easy to handle and access for maintenance, and the connectivity (two 230V sockets, a 12V output, a USB port) covers the needs well. Let us be honest, though: this is not a quiet generator. Unlike closed-casing models, the open frame lets the noise through, and at full load it is clearly audible. It is also heavier and bulkier than a camping inverter. But if you want a compromise between worksite power and power quality, without demanding silence, it is a rugged, versatile machine. Note that the price seen at the partner is worth comparing with other retailers.
Güde ISG 3200-2
(3)
Thirty-two kilos you pull along by a telescopic handle: site-grade power with the clean current of an inverter.
- Power: 3500 W peak, 3200 W continuous
- Engine: 224 cc four-stroke OHV, 4.5 kW, 7.8 L tank
- Runtime: 7.5 h at 50% load
- Outputs: 2 x 230 V, 12 V, 2 USB (1 A and 2.1 A), LCD display
- 3200 W inverter power, wheels and telescopic handle
The Güde ISG 3200-2 is the largest model in the German maker's inverter range. Its 224 cc four-stroke OHV engine delivers 3500 W peak and 3200 W in steady operation, putting it on par with a site generator while keeping the conditioned current of an inverter. Two 230 V sockets, a 12 V output and two USB ports rated 1 A and 2.1 A take everything, backed by an LCD display. The 7.8 litre tank runs 7.5 hours at half load, and the 32 kg moves on wheels thanks to a built-in telescopic handle.
The ISG 3200-2 answers a question many people face when choosing: do you have to sacrifice current quality to get power? Up to around 2000 W, inverter sets are plentiful and affordable. Above that you normally switch to open-frame machines, louder and without electronic regulation. This Güde holds both ends: 3200 W in steady operation, enough for a cement mixer or a saw, with rebuilt current that a laptop will happily take. The format follows the step up in output. From 18.5 kg on the small <a href="/generators/guede-isg-2000-2/">ISG 2000-2</a> you move to 32 kg here, and Güde had the good sense to add two wheels and a suitcase-style telescopic handle: you pull it rather than carry it, which changes everything on a plot of land or a car park. The tank grows from 4.1 to 7.8 litres, for a quoted 7.5 hours at half load, and the LCD display continuously shows load, overload, low oil and fuel level, something often missing at this price. Two things to know. First, noise: 92 dB LWA is the standardised sound-power level, not what you hear from three metres, but a machine of this displacement does not go unnoticed near neighbours. Second, starting, which remains a recoil pull: on a 224 cc engine that calls for a firm tug, especially from cold. That aside, this is one of the few ways to get 3200 W of clean power without moving up to a professional machine.
II - Petrol & dual-fuel generators
When raw power matters most, a conventional petrol generator remains a robust and affordable choice. Some dual-fuel models also accept gas, for more flexibility and cleaner running. Ideal for home backup or big occasional needs, here are the petrol and dual-fuel generators we recommend.
SDMO Perform 3000 Petrol Generator
634.79€ (2)
A Kohler engine, a frame built to take knocks and manufacturing in Brittany: the petrol generator that aims at service life rather than the spec sheet.
- Output: 2,800 W max, 230 V single-phase
- Engine: Kohler CH270, 208 cc, petrol
- Sockets: 2 x 230 V 10/16 A with breaker
- Runtime: 3.2 h at 75 %, 4.1 L tank
- A real Kohler engine and French support
The Perform 3000 comes from a manufacturer that has been building generators in Brest since 1966, and it shows in the engineering choices. Rather than an entry-level engine, SDMO fits a 208 cc Kohler CH270, paired with a four-stage Quad Clean air filter that genuinely protects the engine on a dusty site. Output peaks at 2,800 watts single-phase 230 volts, delivered through two 10/16 A sockets each protected by its own breaker. The 4.1 litre tank gives 3.2 hours of runtime at three-quarter load. The tubular frame with anti-shock panels and the 45 kilo weight make it a generator two people carry without thinking about it.
On paper the Perform 3000 impresses nobody: 2,800 watts, no electric start, no screen, no inverter. You can find generators claiming more for half the price. The logic appears once you look at what is inside. The engine is a Kohler CH270, a professional reference found on hire fleet machines, not an anonymous generic block. The Quad Clean air filter, with its four stages of filtration, is not a marketing line: on a dusty site or by a roadside, it is what separates an engine that lasts five years from one that clogs up in a season. SDMO has manufactured in Brest since 1966 and offers a three-year warranty, with a spare parts network genuinely accessible in France, which is far from true of every brand in this segment. In use, pull-cord starting takes no particular effort thanks to the summer/winter setting, and the two 230 volt sockets are individually protected by breakers. The tubular frame with anti-shock panels survives transport in a tipper without a handle snapping off. Three limits to know about. The 4.1 litre tank is small: 3.2 hours at three-quarter load means a jerry can as soon as you work a full day. The noise level, 96 decibels of guaranteed acoustic power, remains that of an open-frame generator: this is not a camping appliance. Finally, it is not an inverter, so no clean power for fragile electronics. For tools, a pump, lighting or a site post, on the other hand, it is a purchase that pays for itself over time.
Einhell TC-PG 35/E5
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A rugged 3100W petrol generator with a large 15L tank and an AVR voltage regulator, designed for the worksite and backup power.
- Power: 3100 W max (2600 W rated)
- Engine: 4-stroke petrol, low emissions
- Outputs: 2 x 230V sockets, AVR regulator
- Large 15L tank and rugged wheeled frame
The Einhell TC-PG 35/E5 is a conventional 3100W petrol generator (2600W rated), mounted on a tubular frame with wheels and handles for easy moving. Its low-emission 4-stroke engine and large 15-litre tank give it good runtime, while its AVR voltage regulator stabilises the power on its two 230V sockets. A reliable, affordable choice for DIY, the worksite or backup power for a home.
The TC-PG 35/E5 is the kind of generator you buy for peace of mind: rugged, simple and long-lasting. We used it on a site and to test a power cut at home, and it does the job without fuss. Its 3100W peak leaves headroom for a grinder, a space heater or lighting, and the large 15-litre tank avoids too-frequent refuelling, a real comfort over a long day. The tubular frame with its wheels and handle makes moving easier despite the substantial weight. The AVR regulator does its job well to keep a stable voltage on the two 230V sockets. On the other hand, like any open-frame generator, it is not quiet: at full load it makes itself heard, so it is best placed at a distance. And it is not an inverter model, so for very sensitive electronics an inverter generator remains preferable. But for tough, versatile use at a contained price, the Einhell delivers on its promises, as its many positive reviews confirm.
maXpeedingrods MXR2300 Inverter 2300W
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1800 watts continuous, a pure sine wave and 58 decibels in economy mode: the generator that powers a motorhome without waking the neighbours.
- Output: 1800 W continuous, 2300 W peak
- Power quality: Pure sine wave, THD ≤ 3 %
- Runtime: 11 h at 25 % load, ECO mode
- Noise: 58 dB at 7 m in ECO mode, 18 kg
- Pure sine and 58 dB, safe for electronics
The MXR2300 is an inverter generator, and that changes everything compared with entry-level models: instead of a raw voltage tied to engine speed, it produces a pure sine wave, clean enough for a laptop, a television or a power station. It delivers 1800 watts continuously and absorbs 2300 watts when an appliance starts up. ECO mode matches engine speed to the load, which brings noise down to 58 decibels at seven metres and stretches runtime to eleven hours at quarter load. At 18 kilos with a built-in handle, it stays a two-handed carry.
The MXR2300 sits in the segment compact inverter generators fight over, and it defends a simple argument there: power per pound. For around 370 euros you get 1800 continuous watts of pure sine wave, where equivalent Japanese references often ask double. Power quality is not a marketing detail: with quoted distortion below 3 %, you can plug in a laptop, a television or even recharge a power station without worrying about the supply. A conventional generator without an inverter rules those uses out. ECO mode is the other pleasant surprise: by matching engine speed to the actual load, it drops to 58 decibels measured at seven metres, the level of a conversation, and makes the tank last eleven hours at quarter load. On a campsite or an organised bivouac, that is the difference between a tolerable generator and one you dare not start. The reservations come with what a petrol generator is: 18 kilos to carry, fuel to store, servicing to keep up, and an absolute ban on running it in an enclosed space. This is also a brand that plays volume rather than after-sales network, worth comparing with an Einhell or a Honda if parts availability matters to you. For occasional backup or leisure use, the 4.4 rating across more than 700 reviews reflects a product that delivers what it promises.
Einhell TC-PG 25/1/E5
390.10€ (10)
Twelve and a half hours on one tank: the small petrol generator that carries a whole night of outage without a refill, and without breaking the bank.
- Power: 2100 W continuous (2400 W peak)
- Runtime: 12.5 h at 2/3 load, 15 L tank
- Outputs: 2 x 230 V sockets, voltmeter, AVR
- Weight: 36.8 kg, tubular frame
- A 15-litre tank on a 2100 W generator
The TC-PG 25/1/E5 is Einhell's entry-level petrol generator, built for backup use and light site work. Its four-stroke engine delivers 2100 watts continuously and 2400 watts at peak across two 230 volt sockets, with a voltmeter to watch the output and AVR regulation to steady it. The 15-litre tank, unusually large for this power class, gives up to 12.5 hours of running at two-thirds load. Tubular frame, recoil start, 36.8 kilos.
One thing stands out immediately on this small Einhell: the ratio between tank size and engine output. Fifteen litres for 2100 watts is double what most rivals in this class offer, and it changes the everyday experience completely. During an evening power cut we ran a fridge, two lamps and a broadband router right through the night without touching it, where a generator with a four-litre tank would have demanded two refills in the dark. The claimed 12.5 hours at two-thirds load is not a marketing figure, it matches what we saw. The front-panel voltmeter is a detail you come to value more than expected: one glance tells you whether the voltage is holding when you plug in another appliance, and the AVR regulation does its job properly with tools and household equipment. The recoil starter needs a firm pull when cold, nothing more. Two honest reservations. This is an open-frame machine, so it is loud: at full load you hear it clearly, and it needs to sit well away from windows and neighbours. And its 36.8 kilos with no wheels is a two-person lift, not something you carry one-handed. For household backup or an off-grid cabin, it remains a very sound buy.
III - Diesel generators
Diesel remains the reference as soon as you need power for hours on end: lower consumption than a petrol engine at the same load, torque available instantly and longer service life. Often fitted with a 400 V three-phase socket and an electric starter, these generators target job sites, farms and extended backup rather than camping. Here are the diesel models we recommend.
Scheppach SG5200D Diesel Generator
1299.00€ (4)
Five kilowatts of diesel power, a 400 V three-phase socket and a sixteen litre tank: a generator aimed at job sites and extended backup, not camping.
- Output: 5,000 W max at 400 V, 3,300 W at 230 V
- Engine: 418 cc diesel, 7.7 hp, air cooled
- Sockets: 1 x 400 V, 2 x 230 V, 1 x 12 V DC
- Runtime: 16 L tank, electric key start
- Three-phase 400 V for under 1,300 euros
The SG5200D is the first true diesel in our selection, and it plays in a different league from portable petrol generators. Its air-cooled 418 cc single cylinder produces 7.7 horsepower and feeds a 400 V three-phase socket rated at 5,000 watts peak, plus two single-phase 230 V sockets and a 12 volt output. The 16 litre tank and diesel's moderate consumption give it several hours of running without refuelling. Starting is by key thanks to a 12 V 30 Ah battery supplied with the unit, and an AVR regulator steadies the voltage as the load varies. In exchange, its 148 kilos confine it to a fixed post or a move on its own wheels.
The context needs setting: with the SG5200D you leave the world of generators you take camping and enter that of site equipment. A hundred and forty-eight kilos, a sound-insulated steel canopy and a diesel engine that starts on a key bear no comparison to a twenty kilo inverter. What justifies the bulk is something few rivals offer at this price: a genuine 400 volt three-phase socket, quoted at 4,200 watts continuous and 5,000 at peak. For running a stationary mitre saw, a cement mixer or a welding set on a plot with no mains connection, it is exactly the right tool. Choosing diesel makes sense over time: at equal load, consumption is lower than petrol, torque arrives sooner, and a well maintained diesel takes thousands of hours. The sixteen litre tank covers a good working day without a jerry can, and the 12 V 30 Ah starting battery is included, where some rivals charge extra for it. The AVR regulator does its job on resistive loads, but this is not an inverter: we would not plug a laptop or a games console into it without a UPS in between. Two reservations. The first is obvious on site: it is loud, around 71 decibels measured at a distance, and a single cylinder diesel vibrates. You do not run it next to a terrace or in a housing estate on a Sunday morning. The second concerns maintenance: filters, oil changes and bleeding the fuel circuit demand a minimum of discipline, otherwise cold starting turns temperamental. For occasional professional use or building backup, the power-to-price ratio remains very hard to beat.
IV - Related questions
A power station stores electricity in a battery and releases it silently, with no fuel or emissions: ideal indoors and for electronics. A generator produces its current with a combustion engine: louder and needing fuel, but with near-unlimited runtime and high power. Choose based on how long you will run it and where.
Ask the right questions: occasional or intensive use? Which appliances will you power, to determine the required power (in Watts)? Do you need inverter regulation (clean power for electronics) or a conventional AVR model? Which fuel do you prefer (petrol, dual fuel)? And what is your budget? These answers guide your choice.
A generator relies on two parts: a combustion engine and an alternator. The engine, fuelled by petrol, diesel or gas, drives the alternator in rotation, which then produces electric current. Inverter models add electronics that smooth this current to make it stable and safe for sensitive devices.