Both keep your lights on, but they solve different problems.
Portable generator
- Cost: $500–$3,500 for the generator, plus $600–$1,800 for an inlet box and transfer switch or interlock if you want to power home circuits.
- How it works: you wheel it outside, start it, and plug it into the inlet. Runs on gasoline (some on propane too), so you refuel every 8–12 hours.
- Best for: essentials during occasional outages when someone is home.
Home standby generator
- Cost: about $7,500–$20,000 installed, depending on size and site.
- How it works: sits permanently outside, runs on natural gas or propane, and starts within seconds of an outage through an automatic transfer switch. It tests itself weekly.
- Best for: frequent or long outages, sump or medical needs, homes often left empty, or backing up the whole house.
Battery backup
- Cost: about $12,000–$18,000 per battery installed, before incentives.
- How it works: silent and automatic, with no fuel. One battery (about 13.5 kWh) runs essentials for roughly a day; paired with solar it can recharge itself.
- Best for: short outages, homes with solar, and anyone who can't run a generator safely.
The most common mistake
Buying a 22–26 kW "whole house" standby unit when the family only needs the fridge, sump pump, furnace and lights. That list fits a 10–14 kW unit, which costs thousands less. Run your list through the calculator before getting quotes.