The best Cyber Monday generator deals: Get up to 56% off gas, dual-fuel, and solar generators

Many parts of the country are seeing snow and freezing temperatures. But there’s still time to prepare for potential winter storms that can cause unexpected power outages. Having a generator — something that provides enough power to keep your fridge cold and your phone charged — can be a real game-changer. Snce generators usually aren’t cheap, Cyber Monday is one of the best chances all year to save some money and gain some peace of mind.

We’ve tested gas, dual-fuel, and solar power stations to find the best portable generators, and a handful of our top picks are seeing notable price cuts right now. Our favorite budget gas model, the Champion 4375-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator, is on sale for $299, a 38% discount. It can run big appliances, like a refrigerator, or smaller appliances alongside a well pump. If you’d rather avoid storing fuel or want something you can safely use indoors, there are standout deals on solar and battery-powered generators, too. You can get the Anker Solix F3800 Portable Power Station for 56% off. This is an all-time low price for an excellent power station that can run a full-size refrigerator.

Below, you’ll find more discounts on portable generators. While we’ve only tested the Champion, Honda, and Anker generators, the other deals below are from dependable manufacturers. For more, check out our roundup of the best Cyber Monday deals across categories.

The best Cyber Monday deals on generators

Gas generators pack the most punch, but they do come with a couple of caveats: They need plenty of ventilation and cannot be used indoors. You’ll also want to keep extra fuel on hand in the event you can’t get to a gas station. While the highest-capacity generators we tested aren’t on sale, our favorite compact pick, the Honda EU2200i Portable Generator, is $100 off for Cyber Monday.

If you’d prefer something quieter, cleaner, or safe to run indoors, solar and electric generators might be a better choice. These are essentially large rechargeable batteries that can be charged via a wall outlet, car battery, or solar panels. They don’t match the sheer power of gas models, but they’re incredibly convenient for essentials. The best battery-powered generator we tested is the Anker Solix F3800 power station. It’s 56% off on Cyber Monday, which brings it down to an all-time low price.

FAQs

What type of generator should I buy?

Take a minute to think about what you’d want to run in the event of a power outage. The right generator for you comes down to how much electricity your essentials require and where you plan to use it.

Gas and propane generators are the go-to options for raw power. They can run large appliances or power an entire room, but they require fuel to operate. Fuel can be hard to come by after a storm, so you’ll want to have it on hand before an emergency arises. These models must always be used outdoors for safety. Newer dual-fuel models give you more flexibility because you can switch between gas and propane, depending on which fuel you have on hand.

Electric and solar generators, also known as portable power stations, are basically big batteries that can be recharged from a wall outlet, car battery, or solar panels. They’ll get the job done if you want to power smaller essentials, like phones, laptops, and mini fridges, and they’re safe to use indoors. Please keep in mind that they’re not designed to power large appliances for long stretches.

You’ll also see both conventional and inverter generators. Conventional models are typically cheaper and more straightforward, while inverter generators automatically adjust their power output to match the demand. That makes them more fuel-efficient, much quieter, and safer for sensitive electronics such as laptops and medical devices.

What size generator should I buy?

The easiest way to determine the size of the generator you need is to list the items you want to run simultaneously, along with their wattage.

The Home Depot provides an easy formula: Running Wattage (R) + Starting Wattage (R × 3) = Total Wattage Needed.

Most portable generators can only power a few essentials at once. If your goal is to keep your entire home humming along as if nothing happened, you’ll want to consider a whole-home backup generator.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out more of our Cyber Monday coverage.