Best whole-house standby generators
Standby generators rated 20 kW or more, the size usually quoted for a whole house with central air. Your load calculation decides the size. 22 of the 35 models we track qualify; here are the 10 most popular in the US, models sold on Amazon first.
| # | Model | Specs | Rated output | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Generac Guardian 24kW | 24000 W running, dual-fuel, 461 lb | 24 kW | Check on Amazon → |
| 2 | Generac Guardian 22kW | 22000 W running, dual-fuel, 452 lb | 22 kW | Check on Amazon → |
| 3 | Generac Guardian 26kW | 26000 W running, dual-fuel, 525 lb | 26 kW | Check on Amazon → |
| 4 | Champion aXis 22kW | 22000 W running, dual-fuel, 67 dB, 633 lb | 22 kW | Check on Amazon → |
| 5 | Champion 22 kW fleX Home Standby (201016) | 22000 W running, dual-fuel, 67 dB, 697 lb | 22 kW | Check on Amazon → |
| 6 | Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 22kW | 22000 W running, dual-fuel, 465 lb | 22 kW | View at Briggs & Stratton → |
| 7 | Cummins C20N6HC | 20000 W running, natural-gas, 65 dB, 540 lb | 20 kW | View at Cummins → |
| 8 | Cummins RS20A | 20000 W running, natural-gas, 65 dB, 540 lb | 20 kW | View at Cummins → |
| 9 | Generac Guardian 28kW | 28000 W running, dual-fuel, 525 lb | 28 kW | View at Generac → |
| 10 | Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 26kW | 26000 W running, dual-fuel, 65 dB, 540 lb | 26 kW | View at Briggs & Stratton → |
Sponsored links; we may earn a commission. How we choose.
The picks in short
Generac Guardian 24kW
24000 W running, dual-fuel, 461 lb. Rated output: 24 kW. Specs from the Generac page.
Generac Guardian 22kW
22000 W running, dual-fuel, 452 lb. Rated output: 22 kW. Specs from the Generac page.
Generac Guardian 26kW
26000 W running, dual-fuel, 525 lb. Rated output: 26 kW. Specs from the Generac page.
Champion aXis 22kW
22000 W running, dual-fuel, 67 dB, 633 lb. Rated output: 22 kW. Specs from the Champion page.
Champion 22 kW fleX Home Standby (201016)
22000 W running, dual-fuel, 67 dB, 697 lb. Rated output: 22 kW. Specs from the Champion page.
Compare the picks
- Generac Guardian 24kW vs Champion aXis 22kW
- Generac Guardian 24kW vs Champion 22 kW fleX Home Standby (201016)
- Generac Guardian 26kW vs Champion aXis 22kW
- Generac Guardian 26kW vs Champion 22 kW fleX Home Standby (201016)
Questions
How were these standby generators chosen?
Standby generators rated 20 kW or more, the size usually quoted for a whole house with central air. Your load calculation decides the size. 22 of the 35 models we track match; we list 10, models sold on Amazon first, then by US popularity. We have not tested them; the numbers are the makers' published specs.
Which is the most popular standby generator on this list?
The Generac Guardian 24kW: 24000 W running, dual-fuel, 461 lb. Rated output: 24 kW.
Run times assume the appliance alone, typical duty cycle, inverter and usable-capacity losses, as in the calculator. Specs as published by the makers; checked dates are on each model page. All standby generators · Other lists