The short answer: a standby generator is permanently installed and turns on by itself within seconds, so it is the most hands-off way to back up a whole home. A portable generator gives the most watts for the money but needs fuel, setup and an outdoor spot every outage. A solar generator (a battery power station with solar panels) is silent, fume-free and safe indoors, but stores less energy and is best for essentials. The right choice depends on what you need to run, for how long, and how much hands-on work you are willing to do during an outage.
Quick comparison
| Standby generator | Portable generator | Solar generator / power station | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it starts | Automatically, through an automatic transfer switch | You start it and connect it | Instant; just plug in (or automatic if wired through a transfer switch) |
| Fuel | Natural gas or propane, usually piped in | Gasoline, propane, or both (dual fuel) | Electricity from the wall, solar panels or a car |
| Typical coverage | Large circuits up to the whole home | Essentials to many circuits, depending on size | Essentials and small appliances; larger systems can do more |
| Where it runs | Outside on a pad, placed to local code | Outdoors only, well away from the house | Indoors or outdoors |
| Noise and fumes | Moderate noise, exhaust outdoors | Loud, exhaust outdoors | Near silent, no exhaust |
| Installation | Licensed electrician (and plumber or gas fitter), often permits | None to plug in; electrician for a transfer switch or interlock | None to plug in; electrician if connected to your panel |
| Up-front cost | Highest | Lowest per watt | Medium to high per unit of energy stored |
| Maintenance | Scheduled service, self-test runs | Oil changes, fuel storage, regular test runs | Very little; keep it charged |
How each type works
Standby generators
A standby (or “whole-house”) generator sits outside your home like an air-conditioning unit. It is connected to your electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch and to your natural gas line or a propane tank. When the grid goes down, the switch senses it, the generator starts, and power returns to your home, usually within seconds, whether you are home or not. When utility power comes back, it switches back and shuts itself off.
Because it runs on piped gas or a large propane tank, a standby generator can run for days without anyone refuelling it. That makes it popular in areas with long storm outages, for households with medical needs, and for anyone who travels and wants the sump pump and freezer covered while away.
Portable generators
A portable generator is an engine and alternator on a frame with wheels. You roll it outside, fuel it, start it and either plug appliances into it with heavy-duty cords or connect it to a transfer switch or interlock kit on your panel. Inverter and dual-fuel generators are popular variations: inverter models produce cleaner, steadier power that is friendlier to electronics and tend to be quieter, while dual-fuel models let you switch between gasoline and propane.
Portables give you a lot of power for the money, but they need you. Someone has to set it up in the rain, keep fuel on hand (gasoline goes stale without stabiliser), and refuel it. They must always run outdoors: the CDC advises keeping generators at least 20 feet from any window, door or vent because of carbon monoxide.
Solar generators and portable power stations
A portable power station is a large rechargeable battery with an inverter and outlets built in. Add solar panels and it becomes what most people call a solar generator. You charge it from the wall before a storm, then run appliances from it during the outage and top it up from the sun during the day.
There is no engine, no fuel and no exhaust, so you can use it inside, in an apartment or next to your bed for a CPAP. The trade-off is energy: a battery holds a fixed amount, and solar recharging depends on weather and panel size. Many systems are expandable with extra batteries, and the largest can connect to a home panel through a transfer switch. For bigger, permanently installed battery setups, see home battery backup systems.
Which one is right for you? Five questions
- What do you need to run? Make a list and add up the watts (our guide on what size generator you need has a worksheet). Essentials only points toward a power station or small portable. Central air and electric appliances point toward standby or whole-home battery.
- How long are your outages? A few hours a few times a year is easy for a battery. Multi-day outages after storms favour fuel you can keep feeding, or solar you can keep recharging.
- Will you be home? If not, only an automatic system keeps the sump pump and freezer running while you are away.
- Where do you live? Apartments and condos usually rule out fuel-burning generators entirely; a battery is the practical answer. Browse options for condos and apartments. Homes with natural gas service make standby generators simpler to fuel.
- What is your budget, including installation? The unit price is only part of it. Standby systems include installation, a transfer switch, a pad, gas work and permits. Our breakdown of whole-house generator costs covers what goes into the total.
Common combinations that work
Plenty of households mix types rather than choosing one:
- Power station plus portable generator: the power station runs quietly overnight and indoors; the generator recharges it and handles heavy loads during the day.
- Solar generator for essentials: keeps the fridge, lights, internet and phones going for days in sunny weather with no fuel at all.
- Standby generator for the whole home: the set-and-forget option, often paired with a small power station for camping, tailgates or RV trips.
Safety basics for every type
- Never run a fuel generator indoors, in a garage, in a basement or on a covered porch, even with doors open.
- Install battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home.
- Never backfeed your home by plugging a generator into a wall or dryer outlet. Use a transfer switch or interlock installed by a licensed electrician.
- Store fuel safely, away from living spaces, in approved containers.
- Follow the manufacturer’s manual for placement, charging and maintenance.
FAQ
Is a standby generator worth it over a portable?
If you want the whole home covered automatically, have frequent or long outages, or are often away from home, many owners find it worth the higher cost. If you only need essentials and do not mind setting up during an outage, a portable or a power station costs much less.
Can a solar generator replace a gas generator?
For essentials and moderate loads, often yes, especially in sunny areas or with expandable batteries. For heavy loads like central air or well pumps over several days, a fuel generator or a large whole-home battery system is usually needed.
What is the difference between a solar generator and a portable power station?
They are the same core product: a battery with an inverter and outlets. “Solar generator” usually means it is sold or used with solar panels for recharging.
Which is quietest?
A battery power station or solar generator is close to silent. Inverter generators are quieter than conventional portables. Standby generators are moderate and sit outside.
Do I need a permit?
Standby generators, transfer switches and hard-wired battery systems usually require permits and licensed installers. Plugging appliances into a portable unit with cords does not, but check your local rules.
Still deciding? Email us with what you want to keep running and we will help you narrow it down.
Sources and further reading
- Ready.gov: what to do before, during and after a power outage, including running generators outdoors and away from windows.
- NFPA: NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), the standard behind permits for standby generators, transfer switches and hard-wired battery systems.
This guide is general information, not electrical advice. Anything connected to your home’s wiring should be installed by a licensed electrician and checked against local code.