![]() Like other portables, inverter generators should only be used outside in an unenclosed area, at least 20 feet from your home, with the exhaust port pointing away from your dwelling. ![]() This is especially useful if you plan to use your generator for camping or tailgating.Ĭarbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a serious risk with all portable generators that aren’t used properly. “Inverter generators are generally quiet enough not to drown out nearby conversation,” Kollontai says. In contrast, none of the traditional portable generators rate better than middling, and quite a number score below that. Many inverter models in Consumer Reports’ generator ratings earn very good or even excellent scores for noise. All of the recommended models have earned our highest score for power quality, while some of the conventional generators that we recommend score slightly below that. Power quality can be important when you own devices that can be damaged by low voltage.įinally, the noise difference between inverter and traditional portable generators can be significant. The power from an inverter generator also tends to be “cleaner,” with consistent voltage, which is reflected in the power quality test in our ratings. Inverter generators also produce lower emissions than conventional models, though you still need to take the same safety precautions by running them outdoors and well away from any dwelling. That efficiency means you won’t have to fill up the gas tank as often, which could be useful if fuel is scarce after an emergency. “An inverter generator only ramps up as high as it needs to,” says Misha Kollontai, the Consumer Reports engineer who oversees our generator testing. Inverter generators electronically throttle the engine up and down to meet demand, instead of running full tilt all the time as traditional generators do. But the benefits-which have to do with how they work-may make them worth the extra money.
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