How We Evaluate Generators
We evaluate portable generators through research-based spec compilation and documented engineering methods, not hands-on load or sound testing: we compare manufacturer specifications, published generator-sizing references, and formulas like LRA-based surge sizing and inverse-square-law noise normalization. We do not physically test units, never publish prices or star ratings, always name at least one honest downside, and clearly flag every figure we could not independently verify a source distance or condition for.
What "spec compilation" means here
- Manufacturer specifications — rated/running watts, starting/surge watts, fuel type, runtime, and published dB(A) noise figures, taken from the maker's own spec sheet where available.
- Generator-sizing references — appliance running/starting-watt guidance from established sizing calculators and buying guides, cross-checked across multiple independent sources before we use a range.
- Documented engineering formulas — the LRA × V × 1.2 method for AC-compressor surge, and the inverse-square law (dB2 = dB1 + 20log10(d1/d2)) for noise-distance normalization — both standard, citable physics, not our own invention.
Why we lead with the spec, not the brand
The generator category is dominated by pages selling one brand's own product, so "surge watts" gets marketed as if it were the number that matters day-to-day, and dB(A) noise claims get repeated without ever asking what distance they were measured at. We compete where the answer is a citable, sourced fact those pages skip: the running-vs-starting distinction with real appliance numbers, and which noise claims can actually be compared to each other and which can't.
Our compliance, honesty, and safety rules
- No prices, ever — we link to a live Amazon search so the price is always current.
- No star ratings or review counts — per Amazon's Operating Agreement.
- Always a downside — every pick names at least one honest drawback.
- No invented ASINs, no exact prices — every Amazon link is a tagged search URL, never a specific product page we chose for you.
- Sourced facts, not manufactured precision — where a source (like a test distance or load condition) isn't disclosed, we say "not computable" or "not disclosed" instead of guessing.
- Safety facts, not personalized advice — carbon monoxide risk and LRA sizing are documented, general facts; your owner's manual, a licensed electrician, and your local code govern your specific situation.
- Affiliate disclosure — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Methodology FAQ
No. We don't buy, run, or dyno-test units, and we don't put a sound meter on them ourselves. Every figure is a research-based compilation from manufacturer spec sheets, published generator-sizing references, and documented engineering formulas (LRA sizing, inverse-square-law noise normalization). We say this plainly so you can weigh our numbers accordingly.
Prices change constantly and Amazon's own page is the only reliable source at the moment you buy. We link to a live Amazon search for each product instead. Amazon's Operating Agreement also restricts how affiliates display pricing.
We don't display them. Amazon's Operating Agreement restricts how Associates present ratings and review data, so we describe tradeoffs qualitatively — without reproducing review text or numeric scores.
Yes. Every product we recommend includes at least one honest, specific drawback — an undisclosed noise-test distance, a propane power de-rate, a heavy conventional-generator noise floor, or a fuel-type limitation. A guide that only lists upsides isn't useful for a real decision.
We report documented facts — carbon monoxide risk from gasoline engines, manufacturer placement guidance, and sizing math (LRA, surge multipliers) — never a guarantee about your specific installation. We are not a substitute for your owner's manual, a licensed electrician, or your local fire/building code, and we say so on every page where it's relevant.