(954) 249-2314
- Sort by Featured
- Sort by Best Selling
- Sort by Alphabetically, A-Z
- Sort by Alphabetically, Z-A
- Sort by Price, low to high
- Sort by Price, high to low
- Sort by Date, new to old
- Sort by Date, old to new
Backup Generators
Backup Generators for Every Type of Outage
"Backup generator" covers more ground than any other category we carry, from small battery power stations that keep a phone and a few lights running, to full standby systems that take over a home's electrical load automatically. Whatever situation you're preparing for, a backup generator exists to keep essential power flowing when the grid goes down, and the right choice depends heavily on how long you expect outages to last and how much of your electrical load actually needs covering.
Portable vs Standby: Two Different Approaches to Backup
Portable fuel generators from DuroMax and battery power stations from EcoFlow, Anker, Jackery, and Lion Energy give you flexible, movable backup that you set up and run as needed, well suited to shorter outages or situations where permanent installation isn't practical. Standby systems from Cummins, Briggs & Stratton, and Wildcat install permanently and start automatically, which matters most for buyers who want power restored without manual intervention, particularly useful if you're not always home when an outage hits. Larger diesel systems from Kubota and Yanmar extend backup capability further for properties with heavier continuous power needs.
Matching Backup Capacity to Your Actual Risk
Someone in a region with occasional short outages has very different needs than someone in a hurricane-prone area facing multi-day power loss. For the former, a smaller portable unit or battery power station often covers the need. For the latter, sizing up toward a standby system or a larger fuel generator with enough capacity for extended, unattended operation is generally the safer approach, since running out of backup capacity mid-outage is one of the more common regrets we hear from first-time buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size backup generator do I actually need?
Add up the wattage of what you'd want to run simultaneously, phones, lighting, a refrigerator, medical equipment, and compare that against a unit's continuous output rating. Light backup needs are often covered by 2,000 to 4,000 watts, while whole-home coverage typically starts around 8,000 watts for portable units or 13kW and up for standby systems.
Should my backup generator be portable or a permanent standby installation?
If you want power restored automatically without any action on your part, especially if you travel or aren't always home, a standby system is the stronger fit despite the higher upfront cost and installation requirement. If your budget or situation calls for more flexibility, a portable fuel generator or battery power station covers most backup needs without a permanent installation.
How long can a backup generator run continuously during an extended outage?
This depends entirely on fuel type and supply. A generator connected to a natural gas line can run indefinitely as long as gas service continues, while propane and diesel units are limited by tank size, and battery power stations are limited by stored capacity until recharged. For extended, multi-day outages, a fuel-based system with reliable fuel access generally offers the most runtime certainty.
