Best Generator Made in USA – How to choose from 5 options

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Best generator Made in USA

We went on a mission to identify the best generator made in USA.

This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you buy after clicking on our links.

To do this, I tested five different generators made in the USA. I found the best American generator to be the Generac 7127 iQ-3500.

Buying a generator can be confusing. Not everyone understands the specifications. And in some cases, the same spec can mean different things on different generators, depending on variables.

I’ve worked with generators and inverters for over a decade. So I decided to do the research so I can help make the decision easier for you.

I’ve found that the Generac 7127 iQ-3500 is the best all-American generator. It packs an incredible punch in a small, portable form. It is also quiet, so it’s perfect for recreational or outdoor activities. The Generac is an inverter generator. That means pure inverter power without the spikes associated with other generators.

But there’s never a clear “one size fits all” when it comes to generators. So I looked at

  • best overall
  • best for a tight budget
  • best for low power needs
  • best for high power needs
  • best for RVs and travel

So, let’s look at the five best generators made in the USA.

Our Best American Generators

5 Best American Generators Reviewed

Let’s dive in and take a look at the best American generators on the market!

1. Best Overall: Generac 7127 iQ3500

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Generac
  • Starting Watts: 3500 Watts
  • Running Watts: 3500 Watts
  • Fuel Type: Gasoline
  • Warranty: 5 year
  • Starter Method: Dial
  • Run Time: 8.9 Hours @ 50% load
  • Weight: 109.1 pounds
  • Tank Capacity: 2.6 Gallons
  • Frequency: 60Hz
  • Ports: 1x 30A Twist-lock, 2x USB

Generac is based in Wisconsin, USA, with five manufacturing plants focusing on different aspects of its generator production in Waukesha, Whitewater, Eagle, Jefferson, and Oshkosh. All Generac engines and generators are manufactured in the USA, except for the OHV engines.

Generac iq3500
Generac iq3500

Generac’s iQ3500 is an excellent generator. The fact that it’s an inverter generator means you get 3500 watts of pure electricity at 120V. The supply is clean, with none of the dips associated with other generators. This means it’s safe to use with sensitive devices like medical equipment.

One of the iQ3500’s main selling points is how quiet it is. Independent tests have found it to be 40% quieter than the competition. This is in no small part due to its sturdy sealed-up frame. It eliminates noise more than regular generators. But it also delivers up to 16% more power than the competition, despite its lower noise level.

This outer shell also ensures that keeping the iQ3500 clean is simple. Dust and grime won’t find their way into the generator with ease.

The two USB ports make it easy to charge your devices without adaptors and extension cords. It’s also easy to start the generator. It has an electronic start dial, with the required battery included, so no elbow grease needed.

ADVANTAGES

  • The generator is unbelievably quiet
  • It’s fully portable
  • Very powerful operation with clean power output
  • Electronic start function

DISADVANTAGES


2. Best For A Tight Budget: Craftsman 2200i

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Craftsman
  • Starting Watts: 2200 Watts
  • Running Watts: 1700 Watts
  • Fuel Type: Gasoline
  • Warranty: 3 year
  • Starter Method: Dial
  • Run Time: 7.0 Hours @ 50% load
  • Weight: 46.3 pounds
  • Tank Capacity: 1.15 Gallons
  • Frequency: 60Hz
  • Ports: 1x 20A 120V Outlet, 1x USB
Craftsman not in a box
Craftsman in a box
Craftsman not in a box

Craftsman is a proud American company with its main plant in Ft. Worth, Texas, and four more manufacturing plants in Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, and Kentucky. Though Craftsman does all assembly within its US plants, it sources materials globally. so not every component is made in the USA. But this is what helps to make Craftsman a great budget option.

This small generator comes in at less than half the price of the Generac model, but that doesn’t mean it’s weak. It is surprisingly feature-packed for such a small, cheap generator.

First, the power output of 2200 watts is enough to power several small devices and appliances. This is also an inverter generator, so the power is a clean 2200 watts.

But its portability is where it shines. The Craftsman generator has an easy carry handle and weighs less than the Generac. It’s ideal for outdoor activities or even to help in a blackout.

The generator has an easy-start electric starter. Anyone who’s struggled to start a manual-start generator will appreciate this.

Moreover, the Craftsman generator is parallel-ready. So you can connect it to a second identical generator to provide twice the power output. Note that this requires extra components.

ADVANTAGES

  • The generator is very quiet, though not as quiet as the Generac model
  • It’s easily portable
  • Very powerful operation with clean power output
  • Electronic start function
  • The price is affordable

DISADVANTAGES

  • It’s not quite as powerful as the Generac model
  • There are some complaints from customers about receiving faulty units or missing parts out of the box

3. Best For Low Power Needs: Briggs & Stratton P2400 PowerSmart

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Briggs & Stratton
  • Starting Watts: 2400 Watts
  • Running Watts: 1800 Watts
  • Fuel Type: Gasoline
  • Warranty: 3 year
  • Start Method: Recoil
  • Run Time: 6 Hours @ 50% load
  • Weight: 54.6 pounds
  • Tank Capacity: 1 Gallon
  • Frequency: 60Hz
  • CO Guard: Yes
  • Noise: 56 dB
  • Ports: 2 x 3-prong 20 Amp outlets, USB outlet, parallel port

Briggs & Stratton is a well-known company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Most Americans know and trust the company and its products. Briggs & Stratton is a proud American firm. Currently, more than 85% of all Briggs & Stratton engines are manufactured locally in the United States. So buyers know they are buying true American power.

The Briggs & Stratton P2400 PowerSmart generator is not the strongest on this list. But it has some fantastic things going for it. That is why we classify it as the best option for people who don’t need quite as much power. With a power output of only 1800 watts, the P2400 is still capable of supplying power to your appliances.

The power output is stable since it is an inverter generator. And the noise level is low due to its hard protective shell. The design is compact with a convenient carry handle, so it’s portable and easy to move around.

It has one significant advantage that the P2400 has over other generators. It has a Carbon Monoxide monitor with built-in shutdown technology. If it detects harmful levels of Carbon Monoxide, it will shut down to keep you and your family safe.

ADVANTAGES

  • The Carbon Monoxide Shutdown Technology is a lifesaver (literally)
  • It’s easily portable
  • Clean power output

DISADVANTAGES

  • Lowest power output on this list
  • The price isn’t great; it’s more expensive than the more powerful Craftsman model
  • Manual start only
  • Users find that the spark plug gets covered in an oily residue after running for a few hours, causing it to shut down or refuse to start up

4. Best for High Power Needs: DuroMax XP5500EH

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: DuroMax
  • Starting Watts: 5500 Watts
  • Running Watts: 4500 Watts
  • Fuel Type: Gasoline & Propane
  • Warranty: 3 year
  • Start Method: Electric / Recoil
  • Run Time: 8 Hours @ 50% load
  • Weight: 142 pounds
  • Tank Capacity: 3.96 Gallons
  • Frequency: 60Hz
  • Noise: 69 dB
  • Ports: 2x Household 120V Outlet, 1x 120V / 240V Twist-lock Outlet

DuroMax is an American company based in Ontario, California. It manufactures it’s engines and components in the United States. DuroMax generators are a 100% genuine Made in the USA brand. Engineering, manufacturing, services and repairs are all done on-site in the sunny state of California.

DuroMax XP5500EH
DuroMax XP5500EH

The DuroMax XP5500EH is a beast of a machine. It delivers enough power output to handle almost anything you can throw at it. DuroMax prides itself on making generators that are useful at home, on job sites, or while you’re camping. The 5500 watts of electricity (or 5250 watts if you’re running it on Propane) will power almost anything.

It is a dual-fuel generator, which is useful. You can use either Gasoline or Propane as fuel. So you have another option if gasoline is scarce. The power output will be a little lower when you’re using Propane. But it’s still great to have the choice, especially if you run out of gasoline during an emergency.

You can run one 120V output and the 240V output together. Or you can switch off the 240V output and run both 120V outputs at full power. There’s also a 12V output which you can use to charge an external battery.

ADVANTAGES

  • There’s no shortage of power
  • Dual Fuel offers flexibility
  • Low oil shutoff
  • Its price is very affordable for what you’re getting
  • Electric start

DISADVANTAGES

  • This generator is big and heavy, though the wheels and foldable arms help
  • Customers complain that the parts tend to break, and they can struggle to get replacement parts

5. Best For Travel: Champion 3400-Watt

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Champion
  • Starting Watts: 3400 Watts
  • Running Watts: 3100 Watts
  • Fuel Type: Gasoline & Propane
  • Warranty: 3 year
  • Start Method: Electric / Recoil
  • Run Time: Up to 7.5 hr. (Gas), Up to 14.5 hr. (Propane)
  • Weight: 95.7 pounds
  • Tank Capacity: 1.6 Gallons
  • Frequency: 60Hz
  • Noise: 59 dB
  • Ports: 1x 120V, 30A RV output, 2x 120V 20A household outputs, 12V DC output with 2x USB adapter

Champion Power Equipment is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This is where the company’s engineering teams do product development and manufacturing. It is an American company that’s so successful that it exports products worldwide.

The Champion 3400 is an excellent generator. But it comes into its own as a generator that’s custom-built for RVs. It weighs less than comparable models. It’s also smaller, making it easy to keep the generator inside your RV during long trips. Though it is still heavy, it has integral wheels to make things a little bit easier for you.

The Champion generator runs quietly, which is great for RVs. It also has Dual Fuel support. You can choose to fill it up with either gasoline or propane, depending on what you have available at the time. But please note that, as with the DuroMax, the generator’s output will be a little reduced when you use propane.

This model is also an inverter generator. So your power output will be clean enough to power your devices and appliances while camping. The convenient built-in dedicated RV output is a huge plus. It saves you from buying extra adapters to make it work.

ADVANTAGES

  • Adequate power for camping and traveling needs
  • Dual Fuel offers flexibility
  • Dedicated RV output separate from household outputs
  • Electric start
  • More portable than most
  • Pretty quiet operation

DISADVANTAGES

  • 3400 watts is plenty of power, but it’s less than many others on this list
  • The price can be steep, though it’s fair for what you’re getting
  • Champion’s customer service can be slow to respond

The Benefits Of Buying American

There are many great reasons to buy American products. There is no better way to boost the American economy. Small or family-owned businesses manufacture a large proportion of American products. That includes some of the generator manufacturers on this list. You are also helping American families make a decent living.

America also has tighter labor laws. Many other countries are notorious for their manufacturing plants with terrible working conditions. In America, the person building your item is treated with respect and given the right to make a fair living.

We know that some countries make a few great products, then neglect quality control. America has high-level consumer rights and standards. That ensures that the quality control is rigorous to the highest possible level. This guarantees the quality of the product you buy.

Conclusion – Best Generator Made in USA

The best American-made generator is the Generac iQ3500. This machine is powerful, quiet, easy to transport, and will meet your needs. The price is high, but it is for a generator that will do all you ask and last you for years. It is worth investing a bit more money to ensure you get a quality all-American generator.

So go ahead and be confident in knowing that you got the best. You can buy the Generac iQ3500 generator from Amazon.


FAQs

Here are the FAQs

What Generators are Made in The USA?

Generac, DuroStar, Champion Power Equipment, Briggs & Stratton, Honeywell, Cummins, and Firman all make their generators in the USA to a greater or lesser extent. Some are designed, engineered and built in the USA. Whereas others are designed in the USA and their production is shared among several countries, including China.

How do I know if a Generator is Made in the USA?

The vast majority of generators have a label on them somewhere that will say where they were made. If the label says ‘Made in China’ or ‘Assembled in the USA from imported parts’ then the generator was not made in the USA. If the label doesn’t say where the generator was made, you can try contacting the manufacturer to ask.

Are American-made Generators better than Chinese-made Generators?

It depends on a number of factors, including the quality of the materials used, the quality control of the manufacturing process, and the design of the generator. In general, however, American-made products are subject to stricter quality control and safety standards than Chinese-made products. So American-made generators are likely to be of higher quality.

Are Champion generators Made in the USA?

Yes, most of Champion’s generators are designed and built in the USA.

Is Generac Made in China?

No, Generac generators are designed, engineered and built in the USA. This includes the G-FORCE® and OHVI engines, manufactured at the Generac plant in Wisconsin, USA.

What is the best generator made in the USA?

We like the Generac 7127 iQ3500. But there is no single correct answer to this question as it depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, some of the best generators made in the USA include the Generac GP8000E, the DuroStar DS4000S, and the Champion Power Equipment 75537i.

Are Briggs and Stratton generators made in USA?

Yes, they are manufactured at the Briggs and Stratton facilities in the USA. These include plants in Munnsville, New York and Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Are Westinghouse generators made in USA?

No, they are not. Westinghouse generators are designed in Pittsburgh, USA, but they are manufactured in Vietnam and China. This is done under supervision to Westinghouse specifications by Westinghouse staff.

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Steve Brown

AUTHOR

Steve is a gadget enthusiast who's always been intrigued by batteries. The founder and editor of Battery Chargers Info, he's assembled a group of like-minded experts to cover every facet of portable power His aim is to help you learn more about your favorite gadgets and their batteries so you can maximize both their performance and their life. Follow him on Twitter: @batterycharge1

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