One of the many perks of tiny house living is the reduced utility bills. Since they are a lot smaller than traditional homes, tiny houses typically consume less energy. If the tiny house is off-grid, portable generators make an excellent choice for a stable power source.
So what are the best generators for tiny houses? Since there are plenty of portable generators available in the market, we’ve rounded up five of the best ones for tiny house living:
- DuroStar DS4000S Gas Powered Portable Generator
- Honda EU2200i Companion Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator
- Champion 3400W Inverter Generator
- Briggs & Stratton 3500W Portable Generator
- Pulsar PG2300iS Portable Inverter Generator
5 Best Portable Generators for Tiny Houses
1. DuroStar DS4000S Gas Powered Portable Generator
Why You Should Buy It: For an affordable generator that powers the tiny house for up to 12 hours.
| Pros | Cons |
| The 4-gallon tank capacity holds more fuel available for consumption. It doesn’t require frequent refills. | The oil fill is quite hard to access, so owners must be extra careful when refilling the tank. |
| It includes a quiet muffler that reduces the noise created by the generator when in use. |
This generator is powerful enough to supply the tiny house with the electricity it needs at an affordable price. It’s also easy to use – just add oil to the tank and pull the recoil to start the generator. The power panel also includes two 120V household outlets and a 120V 30A twist-lock outlet.
Another key feature of the DuroStar DS4000S is the cold-air design that prevents the generator from overheating even after long hours of use. Thanks to its motor mounts, the vibrations of the generator are reduced. This allows the generator to operate quietly with a noise output of 69dB.
| Product Name | Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator |
| Manufacturer | DuroMax |
| Weight | 94 pounds |
| Dimensions | 24” x 17” x 17” |
| Wattage | 3300 watts |
| Tank Volume | 4 gallons |
| Average Amazon Score | 4.5 |
2. Honda EU2200i Companion Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator
Why You Should Buy It: This quiet and lightweight power generator is the perfect pick for a tiny house.
| Pros | Cons |
| This generator has a weight that’s almost half of most portable generators online, which makes it easy to move around. | Owners must download the “Honda My Generator App” to see important details about the generator, such as the estimated running time and fuel gauge. |
| The generator’s enclosure allows it to maintain a quiet operation even at heavier loads. | Although it is more expensive than other portable generators, it still saves you more money in the long run because of the low fuel consumption. |
If you want to maintain a quiet home even when a generator is running, the Honda EU2200i is the right pick. This portable generator also packs a few specs and features, such as overload protection and automatic low oil shut off.
The generator also runs on the patented Eco-Throttle mechanism, a fuel-efficient feature that allows the EU2200i to calibrate the consumption based on the number of appliances using it. This amazing feature doesn’t affect the generator’s ability to provide electricity to the tiny house – the generator still runs uninterrupted for up to 8 hours.
| Product Name | Honda EU2200iC 2200-Watt Companion Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Weight | 46.5 pounds |
| Dimensions | 21” x 13” x 20” |
| Wattage | 2200 watts |
| Tank Volume | 0.95 gallon |
| Average Amazon Score | 4.9 |
3. Champion 3400W Inverter Generator
Why You Should Buy It: If you’re looking for a dual fuel generator for the tiny house.
| Pros | Cons |
| It is a dual fuel inverter generator that runs on either gasoline or liquid propane. | The wheels on the generator may easily wear off, but replacements are cheap and easy to install. |
| The electric start on the control panel makes it easy for beginners to set up and utilize the generator for their tiny homes. | The generator can’t stand severe weather conditions, so it’s best to keep it inside the house or covered with a generator tent. |
Champion Power Equipment’s 3400W Dual Fuel Generator offers a flexible alternative to most portable generators in the market. Since it runs on both propane and gasoline, the generator runs for long hours without interruption.
There are not many choices in the market when it comes to dual-fuel generators that are perfect for tiny homes, but the Champion 3400W Inverter Generator definitely takes the top spot. The control panel on the generator is also well-designed with clear labels, so you’ll know their functions.
| Product Name | Champion 3400W Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Electric Start |
| Manufacturer | Champion Power Equipment |
| Weight | 95.7 pounds |
| Dimensions | 25.1” x 17.3” x 18.3” |
| Wattage | 3400 watts |
| Tank Volume | 1.6 gallons |
| Average Amazon Score | 4.7 |
4. Briggs & Stratton 3500W Portable Generator
Why You Should Buy It: For off-grid tiny homes that only require moderate power needs.
| Pros | Cons |
| It includes a fuel gauge that accurately shows the remaining gas in the tank. | Although the slight deterioration in the sine wave produced by the generator’s current output is normal, it’s still best to utilize power strips with surge protectors for the sensitive electronic devices. |
| The engine automatically shuts down when the CO guard of the generator detects high levels of carbon monoxide. |
Briggs & Stratton is known for producing durable powering equipment, which is why you can trust that their 3500W Portable Generator is an excellent choice for a tiny home. This generator runs uninterrupted for up to 8 hours even at 50% load.
It also comes with wheels and a folding handle which makes it easy to move around in a tiny home. Installation of the generator is also quick and easy – just turn on the furl, flip the ignition switch, choke the carburetor, and pull the recoil starter.
| Product Name | Briggs & Stratton S3500 3500W Portable Generator with CO Guard and RV Outlet |
| Manufacturer | Briggs & Stratton |
| Weight | 113.8 pounds |
| Dimensions | 25.53” x 21.12” x 21.43” |
| Wattage | 3500 watts |
| Tank Volume | 4 gallons |
| Average Amazon Score | 5.0 |
5. Pulsar PG2300iS Portable Inverter Generator
Why You Should Buy It: For an extremely quiet generator that provides clean power and optimal portability.
| Pros | Cons |
| This generator produces stable sine waves that are perfect for powering any type of sensitive electronics and appliances. | Due to its smaller tank volume, the generator has to be refilled after six hours of continuous use. |
| The generator only makes around 59 dB when in use, which makes it almost silent at least 10 ft. away. | A “break-in” procedure must be performed for the generator to run properly. |
This inverter generator is both lightweight and quiet, which makes it perfect for tiny house living and outdoor use. The enclosure of the device also makes it more aesthetical than the conventional and open-frame generators.
The best thing about the Pulsar Portable Inverter Generator is the simple control panel on its surface. Aside from the AC and DC circuit breakers and two 120V 15 A outlets, the generator also includes a 5V 1.5 A USB outlet. It also features light indicators for the operation, oil warning, and overload.
| Product Name | Pulsar PG2300iS Portable Gas-Powered Inverter Generator with USB Outlet and Parallel Capability |
| Manufacturer | Pulsar |
| Weight | 48 pounds |
| Dimensions | 19.7” x 11.2” x 17.9” |
| Wattage | 2300 watts |
| Tank Volume | 1.2 gallons |
| Average Amazon Score | 4.6 |
Are Gas Generators Better than Solar Generators?
Solar generators are another power source that many tiny house owners consider. This type of generator gathers sunlight through the solar panels and converts it into electricity. After the conversion, the generator forwards the direct current (DC) electricity to a charge regulator. Since most electronics and appliances require alternating current (AC) electricity, an inverter must be utilized for the electricity to become usable.
On the other hand, gas generators convert the propane or gasoline’s chemical energy into mechanical energy then into electrical energy. But the biggest advantage of gas generators over solar generators is that they are usable regardless of the season or the weather. The solar panels may not harness enough solar energy for the entire house but finding a fuel source for the gas generator is easier.
3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Tiny House Power Generator
When it comes to buying a power generator for the tiny house, it’s important to consider a few factors, such as the following:
- Power Requirements – The different appliances inside the tiny house require different wattages, so it’s crucial to determine each device’s requirement and calculate their total. This information is found on the appliance’s manual or label. Some online calculators show the required minimum wattage output for the generator.
- Types of Generator – The three main types of power generators are portable, inverter, and standby. But for tiny houses, inverter generators are the preferred option. Aside from their small size, inverter generators also have special circuitry that flattens surges and cleans up sine waves in the electrical current. Less distorted sine waves are necessary for powering sensitive electronic devices, such as televisions, laptops, tablets, and other smart gadgets.
- Fuel Options – Many portable power generators available in the market run on gasoline because it is easily available. But other homeowners prefer propane-fueled generators because it is more stable when stored longer. Some manufacturers also introduced dual-fuel generators that make switching between fuels easy. However, they are more expensive than traditional generators.
Try Portable Power Generators for Your Tiny Home
Just because you live off-grid doesn’t mean enjoying the comforts of a traditional home is out of reach. Using modern appliances is still possible with the right kind of power source at home. Portable power generators that run on gas or propane is a great option because fuel is easy to find.
The biggest disadvantage to using gas-powered generators is the noise it makes, which becomes amplified in a small area like a tiny house. But many manufacturers have solved this issue by introducing generators that only produce around 60 dB when in use.
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