Best portable generator

Whether you’re in the great outdoors for a picnic or camping trip or simply want to be able to power your devices in the garden, a portable generator is what you need. It can keep your laptop going, charge up your phone or tablet, or even power a lamp or a fan for comfort away from home. The designs in our selection won’t weigh you down and are easy to store and carry, and we’ve included both solar and petrol-powered versions so you can opt for the most convenient for your needs. Take a look at our fabulous choices.

This portable generator is compact, weighs just 3 kilograms, and has a chunky handle, making it convenient to take out into the garden or away on trips. It can power up to four devices simultaneously, including phones, laptops, lights, and more. The generator has a lithium-ion battery, so it’s ideal if you don’t want the bother of using petrol. To recharge, it can be plugged in at home, in the car, or you can power it via a solar panel, but you will have to buy the latter separately. The display is clear and will let you know how much battery power remains.

If you prefer a portable generator that’s powered by petrol, take a look at this neat model. It’s a winner for keen campers and caravanners and convenient for all sorts of outdoor events as well as for backup power at home. A handle makes it easy to move around with, and it measures 45-by-25-by-40 centimetres and weighs 9 kilograms, so most users won’t find it too hefty. It allows you to save fuel when no power is being drawn by switching to idle, and it helps reduce the noise. It only has a single outlet but can easily power multiple devices from an extension cord.

Another of the portable generators in our selection that has a lithium battery, this model is silent and avoids the need to deal with petrol. It can be used to charge up to 11 devices simultaneously, so it’s ideal for large families and groups of friends travelling together, as well as in the event of a power cut at home. Charge it up by plugging it into the wall, via your car, with a solar panel that you will need to buy separately or via another generator. It’s not bulky at 29.5-by-19-by 19.5 centimetres and weighs just 6.02kg, and the carrying handle can be folded down to make it smaller for travel. It gets plenty of positive feedback on its ease of use, too.

This portable generator is a winner if you’re looking for a model that won’t take up much space nor be heavy to carry. It weighs just 2.3 kilograms, so moving it around the garden or taking it away from home is no inconvenience. There are three options for charging it up, including plugging it into a socket with a car charger or setting yourself up with a solar panel. As for the time taken, it takes seven hours if you plug it in, or 10 hours by the other routes. With a lithium-ion battery, it won’t disturb you or other campers, and it won't interrupt your work.

If you’re looking for a great value way to ensure your phone, laptop, camera, and so on, don’t run out of charge whether you’re enjoying your garden, working remotely, or you’re on a camping trip, check out this small and light portable generator. It’s simple to slip into a bag, measuring just 19.2-by-15.6-by-9.4 centimetres, and won’t make it heavy either, adding just 1.5 kilograms to your load. Like others in our selection, this generator can be charged up by attaching it to a wall socket via a solar panel that you’d need to purchase separately or by plugging it into a car charger. It has an easy-to-read display and three built-in flashlights as well. 

Extreme weather and faults with the network mean it’s a sensible strategy to have power back-up at home, and this portable generator would fit the bill. Whether stashing at home or taking on a trip instead, it’s a petite design that weighs only 2.2 kilograms. It’ll stand up to travel, too, with an aviation aluminium alloy shell along with a smart leather handle. Once again, there are three ways to charge it, and doing so via the mains takes just four to five hours. Use it for your mobile, tablet, and laptop to stay connected. It’ll make camping more fun, too, powering cameras or a drone.

Our verdict

Ensure you have power for all your essentials whether you’re working, travelling, or there’s a power cut with a portable generator. Our number one choice is the Jackery Explorer 240, which is simple to use and will power up to four devices in one go. It’s comfortable to carry around on any trip.

If being able to charge plenty of devices in one go is crucial, instead take a look at the   Poweroak portable power station, which can cope with 11 of them simultaneously. 

Prefer to power your generator with petrol? Our recommendation is the Wolf Power Genie petrol inverter generator, which has an economy mode to make the fuel last longer.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously – testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.