Rating of the best generators for home and summer cottages 2021: top models

Modern homes are filled with a variety of electrical devices. Therefore, the supply of electricity is an important factor. But what if you live in a country house or in a private house where there are power outages? Buy a stand-alone power generator! How to choose the best generator for your home, you will learn from our review.

What tasks do you need a generator for?

In our country, electricity is supplied stably only in cities. In summer cottages or in the private sector, problems arise: the electricity is turned off at the wrong time, power surges occur, etc. This has a bad effect on equipment that fails.

If the house is in the middle of nowhere, where there is no electricity supply or it is of poor quality, then an autonomous generator is necessary. It will allow you not to depend on the power plant.

If there is electricity in the house, but it is not stable, then the use of an autonomous power source is recommended as a backup option. When the electricity goes out, you switch to your generator, and the technology "comes to life" again.

Video "How to choose a generator for home and summer cottages"

In this video, the expert will tell you how to choose the right generator for your home and summer cottage.

Generator types

Autonomous generators are available with a power plant running on gasoline, with a diesel engine or powered by gas fuel. These devices vary in power.

By engine type

1. A gasoline generator is the most common and inexpensive. Its power plant is powered by ordinary motor gasoline, which can be easily purchased at a gas station.
2. The diesel generator set has a more sophisticated engine, but it is more reliable and can easily withstand long operating times.
3. A gas electric generator uses ordinary gas for its operation, which makes it possible to cheaply operate the device and increase its autonomy.

By type of converter

The electricity-generating part of the device is called an alternator. It is its design that affects all the basic capabilities and characteristics of an autonomous current source.

1. The asynchronous converter has the simplest design, requires the least additional cooling and requires almost no maintenance. Well suited for supplying power to welding machines. But this type of alternator does not withstand the increased load poorly.
2. The synchronous converter has a more perfect circuit, it gives out high current power well. But the use of brushes in a synchronous design requires periodic maintenance of the generator.
3. Inverter converters work according to the following scheme: the current is rectified and then increased to 220 V and converted into an alternating current by the inverter. This system is the best, it avoids power surges. This type of converter is recommended for powering computer and other precision equipment.

We calculate the required generator power

So that your autonomous power source does not fail and does not give unpleasant surprises, it is necessary to correctly calculate the power reserve.

Calculate the total consumption of all your electrical devices and purchase an electric generator that delivers a rated power 20% higher than the calculated one. If this is not done, then when you turn on a powerful consumer, your generator will choke and break. This is especially true for asynchronous generators, in which, in the event of an overload, the armature is demagnetized and the alternator stops generating electricity.

There is active and reactive power consumption. Active power is the net load that household electrical appliances use to operate. As a rule, it is indicated in the passport of the device. But technology not only consumes current for its work. Part of the power is spent on resistance in the wires, is spent on heating the spirals and windings. Use this when calculating.

To correctly calculate the power consumption taking into account the reactive load, add another 50% to the rated power. This will avoid overloading the generating set.

The capacitive load parameter is important when using discharge lamps, which are used by photographers on the road. Asynchronous converters are best suited to handle increased capacitive loads due to their design.

Other important factors

When choosing, pay attention to the following factors.

Fuel tank capacity

The more fuel fits into the tank of an electric generator, the longer it can work without refueling. This parameter significantly affects the autonomy of the device. Gas generators consume a little more fuel than diesel ones, but the longest-lived ones are gas-powered power plants. They can be powered both from conventional cylinders and connected to the home gas network. Since interruptions with gas are less common than with electricity, the gas engine is able to work for a long time without refueling.

Control mode

There are different control modes. Simple models have only a manual start function, but more expensive ones have an automatic start. This is a very convenient function, as it allows the generator to automatically learn about a power outage in the main line and, by its autostart, start supplying current to the system without human intervention.

Noise level

The noise that the power source emits during its operation can be strong. This affects the comfort of using the device. It all depends on the power and design of the engine, as well as on the type of cooling. Liquid-cooled power plants are quieter than air vents.

Top Generator Models

To choose an electric generator, we offer you the 2020 model rating. Comparing them will allow you to buy the best one.

Generators up to 3 kW

These are low-power and inexpensive devices that power a small number of devices well. Suitable for low requirements and limited budgets.

Huter DY3000L

This inexpensive and cute power plant has a small gasoline engine in its design. A single-phase electrical installation produces 220 V, which is perfect for an ordinary house network with a small number of consumers. The synchronous alterator easily produces 2.5 kW of active power, and the maximum load is two kilowatts and eight hundred watts.

The power plant's engine is single-cylinder and air-cooled. Due to the presence of a muffler, the device produces a low noise level, no more than 67 dB. Its fuel tank easily holds 15 liters of ninety-second gasoline.

Video "Huter DY3000L Generator Review"

In this video you will find out why the Huter DY3000L generator model is interesting.

Daewoo Power Products GDA 3500DFE

This Korean generator can run on both regular gasoline and gas. This allows you to halve operating costs, because gas fuel is much cheaper than the constantly rising price of gasoline.

The single-phase synchronous generating unit easily delivers a voltage of 220 V with an active power of 2.5 kW. The maximum power that this power plant can withstand is 3 kW.

The station can be started either manually with a rope or with an electric starter.

Two 220 V sockets allow you to conveniently connect consumers, and a 12 V output makes it possible to charge car batteries without additional equipment.

Russian Engineering Group SH3000 Gas

This self-contained generator has a Japanese engine that runs entirely on gas fuel. This allows you to save on refueling the unit. The synchronous converter produces a single-phase voltage of 220 V. The generator is not very powerful, the operating current is only 2 kW, and the maximum is 2.5 kW. There is only one outlet, which limits the connection of electricity consumers.

CHAMPION DW180E

The rather heavy construction of this power plant has an economical diesel engine. The presence of a muffler allows you not to disturb your neighbors, and an asynchronous converter makes it easy to power welding machines without harm to the power plant.

Two 220 V sockets allow you to connect a large number of devices, but their active power should not exceed 2 kW, since the generator is low-power.

Medium power generators: 3 to 5 kW

These devices are suitable for medium-sized homes due to their increased power.

Daewoo Power Products DDAE 6000XE

This powerful power plant is powered by an economical Korean-made diesel engine. The synchronous converter can easily handle 5 kW, and two 220 V sockets are enough for most needs. In the presence of a 12 V output, it will allow you to power automotive electronics without problems. The electric starter is easy to start from half a turn.

Generac 6520

This power plant is powered only by gas fuel, and the engine is very economical. The automatic start system will allow you not to worry about autonomy. The synchronous generator provides 5 kW of power. Due to the presence of a muffler and low revs, the device makes little noise.

Video "Installation and example of Generac 6520 operation"

This video shows the installation method and an example of how the Generac 6520 generator works.

Hyundai HHY 7000FGE

The engine of this power plant is multi-fuel. It runs on both regular gasoline and gas. The power plant is Korean assembly, low noise and economical.

The electrical components of the generator are very reliable and do not require any additional maintenance. They easily deliver 5 kW of single phase current. 220V is supplied to a pair of outlets, and the twelve-volt output is for automotive devices.

The device is lightweight and easy to transport.

Video "Generator operation Hyundai HHY 7000FGE"

This video shows how the Hyundai HHY 7000FGE generator works.

Huter DY6500LX

This petrol power station from a renowned German manufacturer will appeal to everyone. A high-quality engine consumes little gasoline, a high-quality muffler will not give neighbors a reason to complain about noise. Two 220 V sockets will provide you with a power of 5 kW, this is quite enough.

The system design is very balanced and reliable. The electric starter will start the engine with half a turn.

Video "Gas generator Huter DY6500LX"

From this video you will learn what is interesting about the Huter DY6500LX gas generator model.

The best models over 5 kW

These are the most powerful autonomous power plants. They are suitable for large homes with many consumers.

Wester GNB 6500ATS

This is a proven gasoline generator from a renowned electrical equipment manufacturer. The gasoline engine has high rpm, the presence of a large tank will allow the system to work for a long time without refueling. The high-power electrical part will give 6 kW through a pair of 220 V outlets. A twelve-volt outlet is also available.

The autostart system facilitates the operation of the power plant. The presence of wheels allows you to transport the system to the desired location.

BRIGGS & STRATTON 6 kW Standby Generator

This gas powered generator will allow you not to worry about the energy supply to your home. An economical engine does not consume a lot of fuel, and high-quality electrical equipment easily delivers 5.5 kW of power.

Silence in operation is ensured by a soundproof housing and a high-quality muffler. Your neighbors will never complain about noise.

Daewoo Power Products DDAE 9000DXE-3

Korean power generator, one of the best in the ranking. Its diesel engine is easy to start in hot and cold weather. The maximum power of 7 kW will provide all your electrical appliances, and the presence of three phases at the output is suitable even for complex power grid systems.

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