10 Best Portable Generators for Contractors
Portable generators are essential tools for contractors, providing reliable power on job sites where electricity may not be readily available. Selecting the right generator ensures that tools and equipment run efficiently, minimizing downtime and increasing productivity. Below is a curated list of top 10 best portable generators recommended by the experts at Contractor Supplies.
What are the best portable generators?
When working on a job site, having a reliable portable generator is essential to keep your tools running smoothly, power equipment, and ensure productivity without interruptions. Whether you need a high-powered generator for heavy-duty tasks or a compact, fuel-efficient option for smaller jobs, choosing the right one can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the top best portable generators available at Contractor Supplies, featuring a range of recommended affordable generators to fit different needs and budgets. Keep reading to find the perfect generator for your next project!
1. Tomahawk 2000-Watt Inverter Generator – Super Quiet & Portable
Top reviews from the United States
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
Linda Moreno - Called it "Quiet"
"There was nothing wrong with this Tomahawk. It cane in handy when we had to use it. Light easy to use. It works great. I have nothing bad to say. It's not that heavy."
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Description:
A compact and ultra-quiet generator, perfect for powering small tools and electronics. With a 120V outlet and inverter technology, This 2,000 watt Tomahawk inverter generator delivers clean energy for sensitive devices.
2. Firman 2100W Inverter Generator - Beyond Performance Expectations
Top reviews from the United States
Verified Purchase Reviewed in the Firman Online Store
Belleville Ontario - Called it "Better than Honda!"
" I like to go back woods camping by my self, my husband needs to know that I have a reliable generator. I like that it's light weight, quiet and has a 12 hr run time. I make my coffee and keep the camper battery charged with it. Also keeping me in touch with my family charging my phone. Doing all three of those things 1 tank of gas lasts me 4-5 days."
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Description:
Lightweight and fuel-efficient, this Firman 2100 watt inverter generator offers stable power output, making it great for contractors who need portable power on the go.
3. Tomahawk 2800-Watt GX240 1-Gallon Generator - Compact & Poweful
Top review from the Tomahawk Online Shop
Verified Review on January 27, 2025
Christopher Schuler - Called it "Solid power, easy to operate, fun sized."
"Picked this up to provide power during weather related power outages here in So Cal. Was able to easily run a large refrigerator, WiFi, Washing Machine and a couple smaller devices without any issues. I can't comment on its noise volume because I don't have anything to compare it to, but I could hear it running as a light hum while I was in my master bedroom on the 2nd floor. That said, I ran it all night without losing sleep. Full tank of high (91) octane gas ran about 7 hours uninterrupted on ECO Mode powering a large refrigerator and WiFi. All in all, considering it's roughly 50lb mobile weight and small size, I'm pleased with its performance"
Description:
This durable and powerful generator is designed for job sites, delivering 2800 watts of power while maintaining efficiency in fuel consumption. The Tomahawk 2,800 watt portable generator is reliable and powerful.
4. Pulsar 4,000-Watt Super Quiet Gasoline-Powered Inverter Generator - Small Monster with CO-Alert
Top review from the United States
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2022
GDD - Called it "Great Little Generator"
"I have a larger Firman generator that will run just about everything on my fifth wheel RV, but I wanted something smaller and easier to move around that would be used just to charge the batteries. This little unit absolutely fits the bill. Firman has already proven their customer service to be amazing, but I was absolutely shocked that this unit started for the first time on the very first pull. Highly recommend!!!"
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Description:
This quiet and efficient generator provides 4,000 watts of clean energy, ideal for sensitive electronics. The Pulsar 4000W Quiet Inverter Portable Generator has a CO-Alert safety feature ensures safe operation.
5. Pulsar HYBRID 4,750-Watt Portable Generator – Gasoline or Propane
Top review from the United States
Verified Review in Amazon on October 26, 2024
Hunter S - Called it "Owned for 4 years now and going strong bought for our camper."
" We bought it back in 2021 when be bought a pull behind camper and used it on camper for 2 years and change oil in it after every use is what we do and now it's 2022 we moved into gods country to get away from the town that was turning into small city and when wind blows we loose electric but anyway 2022 and 2023 winter in Missouri was very cold and ice and we loose electric and would use this generator to keep freezer going and light and ran it on straight propane it has not seen a drop of gasoline not at all and it was 10 degrees one night the propane bottle 15 pound bottle I think maybe 20 idk my bottles of propane but the bottle was iced over had ice growing on it and that generator kept on running.. Like this much detail I'm a real human that was not paid to do this we bought this outta pocket btw NOT A ELECTRIC START BUT PULL STARTS EASY... we change oil after every use and also when it sits over summer come fall we fire it up run it with a heater for 2hrs and shut off change oil and use it when we need it it runs out freezer, light no problem it did our camper no problem with fridge, heat was propane and 120v lights and se pap machine because my father sleeps with oxygen and see pap machine but anyway it's a great generator honest to the lord it has not let us down yet knock on wood... If yours don't work that means it's defected because ours is not and ran straight on propane no gasoline at all."
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Description:
A dual-fuel generator that runs on both gasoline and propane, providing 4,750 watts of power. The 4-gallon Pulsar Hybrid 4750 - 5250 watt portable generator tank ensures extended a good run time.
6. Green Power 5,250 - 4,750 Watt Dual-Fuel Generator - Powerful Optional Outputs
Top review from the United States
Verified Review in Amazon on October 31, 2021
Christina - Called it "Best priced dual powered generator that I've found."
"This item arrived ahead of schedule which was really nice. It is a little louder than what I was hoping for however that's not what was most important to me. I love the fact that it's dual powered with both gas and propane and the mobility of it. Really can't beat the price on this generator either, I'd say if you're in the
market for a generator this is a good option for you."
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Description:
This dual-fuel generator offers reliable power with its 223cc professional engine, making it a solid choice for contractors working in various conditions. The GreenPower portable generator boasts 5250/4750 watts of power in a manageable size to move from site to site.
7. Champion 5,000-Watt Dual-Fuel Portable Generator – Long Lasting 6.1-Gallon Tank
Top review from the United States
Verified Review in Amazon on July 29, 2024
Brian Gould - Called it "Great for the price and size."
"In my current neighborhood, it isn't practical to have a permanent generator next to the house. The Generac I have had in my prior home has to activate weekly for testing and it makes a lot of noise. I am
using this one for emergencies. I have a portable battery backup/inverter for the house (Bluetti) that can power part of my house for about 6 hours. If I need backup longer than that, I can power this up and plug the inverter into this so that it is charging (or recharging) and feeding the house at the same time. It is noisy, but I am only going to use it
for emergencies. Portable is also a great solution for me as we have a motorhome as well. Assembly was easy and it has worked on natural gas on the first try."
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Description:
A powerful dual-fuel generator with a large 6.1-gallon fuel tank for extended runtime makes the Champion 5000 watt portable generator perfect for demanding job sites.
8. Firman 10,000W Dual-Fuel Portable Generator - Full Power Control
Top review from the United States
Review in Amazon on November 08, 2023
Guy M. - Called it "Perfect for our houses."
"Purchased 2 almost two years ago for two residents. We had 3 major power outages since purchased, up to 5 days without power and they did their job. the dual fuel selector was acting on one of them, I called the help desk and resolved the problem in no time. In my opinion it's a design flaw but nothing a little wd40 can't fix. It would not hesitate to make that purchase again."
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Description:
This heavy-duty Firman portable generator delivers a massive 10,000 watts of power, ideal for running multiple tools and equipment at once. A top choice for larger projects.
9. Pulsar 7,250-Watt Super Quiet Dual-Fuel Inverter Generator with Remote Start and CO-Alert
Top review from the United States
Review in Amazon Pulsar Store Items on March 14, 2025
Mark Felipe - Called it "Great generator for the price!! Very powerful."
"With all the recent California fires, I purchased this generator to gain auxiliary power when the utility company cuts our power, which has happened five or six times recently. This generator is truly excellent for the price!! Very solid, efficient and the fact that it's also propane as well as gasoline, means using propane allows for no residual fuel in the generator while not running. This machine is utterly perfect, and now that I have it, I'm comfortable that I have back up power."
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Description:
Combining power, quiet operation, and remote start functionality, this Pulsar 7,250-watt portable generator is an excellent option for convenience and efficiency on the job site.
10. The Smallest Affordable Generator – Sportsman 1.2-Gallon Gasoline
Top review from the United States
Verified Review in Amazon Similar Item on April 02, 2025
Tammy Vincik - Called it "Great source of power."
" I absolutely love this power cube. I was so worried about ordering something and it not preforming as expected. I am a permanent jewelry artist, and I do all different types of events. There are times the event space doesn't offer a power source. After talking with a few ladies on a Permanent Jewelry forum I decided to give this a try. They all had great things to say about this item. It has not failed me yet. It stay's charged for a long time. I've used it up to 6 hours off and on and only used 25% of the battery. It's small and easy to carry. It is very easy to use and very durable. I would highly recommend this if you needed an alternative power source. You can also purchase a solar panel as well to charge this for use in case of emergency. You will not be disappointed in this product."
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Description:
Perfect for smaller power needs, this compact and budget-friendly Sportsman is the smallest portable generator - a great backup option for light-duty tasks. Compact and lightweight, it is a great portable generator mostly for leisure, getaways, camping, tailgating buffs and improving the general outdoors experience. It is also a great small generator for small projects on the go!
Check details of its power characteristics, the diverse outlets it provides, its overall portability, and the supplementary features it offers."
Save BIG on The 10 Best Portable Generators
These top portable generators offer a mix of power, efficiency, and affordability, ensuring contractors have reliable energy sources for their projects. Let me know if you want any modifications or additional details! 🚀
Investing in a quality portable generator is crucial for maintaining productivity and efficiency on job sites. The models listed above offer a range of features and capacities to suit various contractor needs, ensuring reliable power wherever your work takes you.
Shop all our portable generators here.