- Gas generators are the most affordable source of backup power for the home.
- The portable devices can keep major appliances running during extended blackouts.
- One of our favorite models, the Generac GP8000E, is currently 35% off on Amazon.
The second of this year’s Amazon's Prime Big Deals Days (through October 8) comes during some heavy weather days—whether it’s hurricane season, which extends through the end of November, or the first snow and ice storms, which will be here before we know it. That's why our home experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute have been on the hunt for the best deals on backup generators, and we've sniffed out a good one in the Generac GP8000E. The top-performing generator usually sells for more than $1,000, but if you hurry it can be yours for $685.
Generac GP8000E Portable Generator
When we test backup generators in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, we look for models that balance capacity with value. In terms of power output, the 8,000-watt Generac is at the upper end of the portable generator category (as opposed to standby generators, which can easily crank out 20,000 watts, enough to keep a whole house running for days on end). The Generac isn’t designed for that kind of backup power, but it will keep a bunch of large systems and appliances running at once—say the fridge, furnace, lights, and all your personal electronics.
You’ll need a supply of fuel on hand, which is one of the downsides of any gas generator, and it’s critical to run the unit outdoors, to prevent harmful carbon monoxide from entering the home. That said, the Generac GP8000E has all the safety features our experts look for, including the brand’s “COSense” feature, which automatically shuts down the unit if elevated levels of the poisonous gas are detected. There’s also the easy-to-read fuel gauge to keep from running out of gas and low-oil shutoff, which prevents the engine from overheating if the oil level drops too low.
The Generac weighs 214 pounds, which is comparable with other portable generators with that much power capacity. Heavy-duty, no-flat wheels and a fold-down handle make it easy to roll from the garage to the driveway, but it’s not a machine you can easily toss into the back of the SUV. For that kind of portable power, you’re better off with a lightweight power station, like the Jackery HomePower 3000 Portable Power Station, which is also on deep discount for Prime Day.
More Generator Deals to Check Out
Jackery HomePower 3000 Portable Power Station
BLUETTI Portable Power Station
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
