Best overall
Generac 22kW Air-Cooled Home Standby Generator
22 kW on propane, US and Canada certified, cellular monitoring
Standby generators
A standby generator starts itself in an outage and runs on natural gas or propane, for homes that can’t be left without power.
Used for: Backup power for your home
Our picks
Best for essentials
Generac 14kW Air-Cooled Home Standby Generator
14 kW on either fuel, US and Canada certified, smaller fuel draw
Best warranty
Champion 14kW aXis Home Standby Generator with 200A Transfer Switch
14 kW kit with 200 A switch and a 10-year generator warranty
Compare side by side
| Specification | Best overall Generac 22kW Air-Cooled Home Standby Generator | Best for essentials Generac 14kW Air-Cooled Home Standby Generator | Best warranty Champion 14kW aXis Home Standby Generator with 200A Transfer Switch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Our score | Our score: 8.2/10 out of 10(best in this row) | Our score: 8.0/10 out of 10 | Our score: 8.1/10 out of 10 |
| Rated output on propane | 22 kW(best in this row) | 14 kW | 14 kW |
| Rated output on natural gas | 21 kW(best in this row) | 14 kW | 12.5 kW |
| Automatic transfer switch included | No | No | Yes |
| Noise (maker's rating) | 67 dB(A) | 65 dB(A) | 62 dB(A)(best in this row) |
| Propane use at full load | 3.71 gal/h | 2.92 gal/h(best in this row) | not listed |
| Natural gas use at full load | 311 ft³/h | 243 ft³/h(best in this row) | not listed |
| Lowest operating temperature | -20 °F | -20 °F | -22 °F(best in this row) |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 10 years(best in this row) |
| Where to buy |
US retailers |
US retailers |
US retailers |
Before you buy
- Get a load calculation Have the installer size it from your loads, not the biggest model. Our load worksheet helps.
- Check permits and notices Ask about permits and placement before you sign; some utilities must be told before you buy. Rules differ by province and state.
- Budget for service Standby units need regular oil changes and exercise runs. A local dealer for parts and service matters as much as the brand.
Need a standby generator or transfer switch installed?
Pick the job, then your city.
We don’t store what you type.
Guides
Buying guide
What size generator do I need? A load worksheet
A fill-in load worksheet for sizing a generator from your own nameplates: running vs starting watts, 240 V, furnaces, and portable vs standby vs battery.
Best-of
The best generators for a power outage in Canada
Five portable generators with CO shut-off for winter outages, ranked for Canadian homes: size, safe hookup, fuel and the Canadian mark.
Comparison
Interlock vs transfer switch: which generator hookup is right?
Two safe ways to connect a portable generator to your panel, which one fits your house, and the rules by province and state.
Standby generator questions
Who can install a standby generator?
A licensed electrician, with a certified transfer switch that cuts the house off from the grid whenever the generator runs. In most places a permit or a notice to your utility comes first, sometimes before you buy; rules differ by province and state (our rules guide).
Standby or portable generator?
A standby unit starts itself and runs on piped gas or propane, so it suits homes that can’t be left without power, such as one with a busy sump pump or medical equipment, or owners who are often away. A portable costs far less to buy and connect, but someone has to set it up, refuel it and run it outside in the storm. Our generator roundup covers both.
Do I need a permit?
Almost always; your electrician or installer usually handles it. A permit application typically asks for a site plan, the generator and transfer-switch specs, a single-line diagram and a minimum exhaust distance from windows and doors (one city’s checklist). Rules differ by province and state: see our rules guide.